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WGLT's reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, which began in McLean County in March 2020.

Bloomington Considers Allowing Clubs To Sell Liquor Curbside

Bloomington VFW
Eric Stock
/
WGLT
Clubs such as the VFW would be alloweed to sell alcohol for curbside or delivery under a proposal the Bloomington City Council will consider Monday night.

Bloomington is looking to extend curbside and delivery service for packaged liquor to clubs that hold liquor licenses during the state's shelter-in-place order.
The city council on Monday will vote on the plan that extends the same privileges to clubs like the VFW and Knights of Columbus that bars and restaurants have while their dining rooms remain closed because of the pandemic.

The council also will consider spending $1.4 million for new water meters through Ferguson Enterprises.  The city previously contracted with the Virginia-based company for new water department software.

The council meets online at 6 p.m. Monday. 

Public Works Director Kevin Kothe said the city is looking to replace all of its water meters over the next 15 years.

“They get less accurate with time and so we want to go through your system and replace the meters periodically to improve their accuracy,” Kothe said.

The city plans to replace about 3,500 meters annually, and though city staff acknowledges COVID-19 raises concerns about the installations, they say this project is a priority.

“The purchase is a priority because replacement water meters are necessary to continue the annual water meter replacement program, which ensures meters are reading accurately allowing the collection of an accurate amount of consumption-based revenue,” states a staff report to the city council.

Kothe also will present a plan buy antennas so the city to take meter readings remotely.
 

Bloomington water tank
Credit Eric Stock / WGLT
/
WGLT
Bloomington is looking to do close to $1.4 million in rehab work on its water tank on East Hamilton Road.

“That will allow enhanced functionality in the future for our staff and citizens both to monitor what the water meters are registering, even on a daily basis,” said Kothe, adding the technology will make it easier to detect increased water consumption caused by a water leak.

The antennas will cost the city about $200,000 over two years.

In another matter, the council will consider a $1.38 million proposal to do rehab work on the 24-year-old elevated water tank on East Hamilton Road. Era Valdivia Contractors of Chicago is slated to do the work. And, the council will vote on spending $117,000 for repairs to the water pumping station located off Fort Jesse Road.

We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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