[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6128272,"mediaKeyId","5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab","parentId",5751205,"title","Council postpones decision on proposed electronic FOIA fees, asks staff for time-and-cost data","audioSeconds",668,"startMs",5563000,"endMs",6231000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab&start=5563&end=6231","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab/thumbnail_5563000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6128272/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Council-postpones-decision-on-proposed-electronic-FOIA-fees-asks-staff-for-time-and-cost-data","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128272-4623b97fee94b10b302ff1630a31d186/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569402&Signature=DlFXBBHRFOf7Cy3c7z~pQGg-xdkEedbf4Zj4MH-cYfWCfSvq9-3~~kpIMc92BGeOXhIZ84l6xK1K~1-QrHkn-LIaA9HHxYXajMvrJiMvZ3I5uSZrUVDVNKjQpNgzgZz0-nwYBiTGLeW0sTrTyfV4A-Hjtxz62zcX1GY3R4JwUEsheCayV3Ddmp5WFtGkSmujJtXt4PA6GZnXLEC4mQWOE9gjL0rItzpiqCvvFmLjrpy4nxaN6RNL1Lb-kVYtczhh5OkrvMedJGGf7lBzevhDxPM4b2ogUZDLRtmwXbZ4KuyEdLmfSBM5je0Yr2vX91wIKQSW8CfJx3CdLrGOFGsNKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bloomington, IL","date","2025-09-09T02:23:44Z","article","The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 8 postponed action on a proposed change to FOIA (public-records) fees that would have introduced charges for larger electronic requests.

Council member Ward moved to remove a paragraph from the proposed consent-item language that would have begun charging for some electronic requests; after questions from council about staff time and the possibility of repeat requests, Ward withdrew the motion and instead moved to postpone the item. The motion to postpone the matter until the first council meeting in October passed by voice vote.

Madam Clerk and the city FOIA staff explained that the city currently charges for physical copies beyond 50 pages (15 cents per page) and the actual cost of storage media (USB drives, CDs), but has not historically levied additional electronic-download fees. Staff described a marked rise in demand: a stated 40% increase in FOIA requests since 2023 and an anticipated further 20% increase for the current year, with thousands of requests projected (staff cited an estimate of about 3,500 requests for the year). Witnesses from the clerk\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\repartment said large video and body-worn-camera requests and repeat commercial requesters drove staff workload.

Council members asked staff for granular data about time costs per megabyte and how fee rules would affect commercial and noncommercial requesters. Several members said they did not want to unintentionally burden noncommercial requesters or to create a revolving-door situation where users could repeatedly request small batches to avoid fees.

Outcome: Council moved to postpone the item so staff could supply more detailed workload and cost information and to return with an amended proposal that distinguishes commercial requests and shows time/cost metrics.

What’s next: Staff will compile time and cost data and return with the item at the council\u0000s first October meeting and will discuss separate treatment for commercial FOIA requesters and thresholds for electronic charges.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 9/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members postponed a proposed change that would have charged for large electronic public-record requests, directing staff to return with data on staff time, request volumes and a proposal that distinguishes commercial from noncommercial requests.","taxTitle","Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois","taxId",2828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128277,"Council accepts missing-middle study for further study, directs staff to pursue targeted overlay districts",1029,10467000,11496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab&start=10467&end=11496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab/thumbnail_10467000.jpg","/articles/6128277/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Council-accepts-missing-middle-study-for-further-study-directs-staff-to-pursue-targeted-overlay-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128277-8ee00a568251a4b3a696e060bc757539/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569402&Signature=oP6NNuOr1u-Ay9k9DnRaDrrobawi90xc7ymz11P2mGdSdHoH7RlZ-0x5YxSFF4WizfKBIUV46rOFS5T9Elt7GaRkwnrQKB33fb3a0~2AmskJAGOmBuHAmdOutiYS2osabASnr4gD360ZdaNqTChZS~IwKhQrkQaN1F78kiAsHVw1482HoVixJ1DtduiTAH6jz5VTZqMWmk3gKKweOMNmBnV7MUILLTwfXjCwL9zmfZJ2IbmxEr~OPSBNa0pjSrTZHk~LdYfB4LFTfk7wK9MJau5vS9POaDuP-Bpklh~9LWFvosu33lEewOyyakhEQ996c9kN8fIitcDxOECsm5Q6CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 8 voted to acknowledge receipt of a consultant study on \"missing middle\" housing by Opticos Design and to direct staff to pursue a targeted implementation path rather than adopt broad, citywide code changes.

Deputy City Manager Tice and planning staff told the council they did not intend the consultant's report to be a turnkey zoning package. Instead staff asked council to accept the document as a study and to authorize staff to study specific areas identified in the city's comprehensive plan (so-called regeneration and preservation areas). Staff said they would evaluate infrastructure, water and sewer, traffic, walkability and other local factors and return to council with proposed, geographically limited overlay districts for council consideration.

The change in phrasing from \"adopt\" to \"acknowledge receipt and direct staff to study further\" followed weeks of public comment and concern from residents in multiple neighborhoods who feared blanket, by-right zoning changes. Residents from Old Farm Lakes, Harvest Point and other subdivisions argued that their neighborhoods lack the walkability and infrastructure the Opticos report identified as necessary for missing-middle housing and said they feared investor-driven conversions and parking, sewer and snow-removal impacts.

Supporters of the Opticos report and the proposed further study, including housing advocates and some local real-estate representatives, urged an incremental, overlay-based approach and said targeted increases in housing diversity are needed to address a local housing shortage. Noah Tang, president of Strongtown Blono, urged council to \"pass items 8 b, 8 c and 8 d\" and described the Opticos recommendations as preliminary and explicitly calling for more detailed, area-specific study.

Council members emphasized the decision taken at the meeting was a study directive, not a zoning change. The council approved the staff recommendation; the clerk announced the motion carried with two nays (Council members Montney and Lee).

What’s next: Staff will evaluate regeneration and preservation areas identified in the comprehensive plan, analyze infrastructure and walkability, propose one or more overlay districts for council review, and hold public outreach in locations proposed for overlays before any ordinance changes are advanced.","Council voted to acknowledge receipt of the Opticos \"missing middle\" housing study and directed staff to perform further, targeted work — focusing on 'regeneration' and 'preservation' areas and proposing overlay districts for limited, walkable places rather than citywide code changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128281,"Council adopts zoning text changes to allow attached-home platting and adjusts multifamily height limits",859,9603000,10462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab&start=9603&end=10462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab/thumbnail_9603000.jpg","/articles/6128281/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Council-adopts-zoning-text-changes-to-allow-attached-home-platting-and-adjusts-multifamily-height-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128281-aebbd212e602998a22ae68ba46346f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569402&Signature=cYN9sepzB1ney1IcuJL2J0-Vdfq-MP182tCBnkGzVeLo5u50KDDhzs74DUVBwnCAygX6MCRDL6exnB8LKpu-sgnXGzwhFyomXm51sY1QoYVaq-jgnbfIVUPB~G2gznZCW-MhfswzVDj9AWbEvRfFUBMK-mmGz~sdzBL5PDAlaWqeIW~OylOEjs1CAFyNB2D5XhGOD8QpLpYiQc4oyeBeWoBSQIia2EPFcq6usFFcyO2Ul3wHj73xEvII8ck2~HCq9VdcRoDmyDU5yGRW7x4-SeMWCpYJ4D9KPE983AEEN9zFQtjNRgcOAm9pJQbE9a563eJeSy1VW-Qq7AO6dqkM3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 8 approved further zoning text amendments intended to clarify subdivision and zoning rules for attached housing (such as townhomes) and to align building-height standards across multifamily zones.

Planning staff said the change resolves inconsistencies that have made it difficult to plat attached homes (where a homeowner owns both house and land) rather than condominium-style ownership. Staff also said the amendment aligns story-and-footage measurements so the table of permitted heights is consistent across code sections: for example, R-3A attached/multi-residential standards were adjusted from 35 feet (2.5 stories) to a higher maximum (48 feet / 4 stories in some contexts), a change staff described as an incremental increase intended to create a mid-range option between lower-intensity housing and taller R-3B multifamily allowances.

Several residents argued the increased height allowance could be imposed in existing subdivisions without neighbor notice because conforming projects would no longer need variances. Opponents told council that neighborhood areas such as Old Farm Lakes Gardens and Harvest Point include attached housing now zoned R-3A and that a blanket change could enable four-story structures near single-family neighborhoods.

Council member Montney voiced specific concern about how the changes would affect R-2 and R-3A pockets inside otherwise single-family areas. Planning staff responded that the changes were intended to create an incremental height scale, not to push tall buildings adjacent to single-family homes, and that other code safeguards and setbacks apply.

At a vote, the ordinance passed; the clerk announced two nays (Council members Montney and Lee).

What’s next: Staff will update zoning maps and development guidance to reflect the clarified platting rules and adjusted height limits and will process development applications under the amended code; projects that fully conform to the new standards will be eligible to proceed without variance.","Council approved zoning-text changes to simplify platting for attached homes (townhomes vs. condos), align subdivision and zoning code provisions, and adjust R-3A multifamily height limits; two council members voted no amid neighborhood concerns about density and height.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128286,"Council narrows ADU approach, approves zoning text amendment allowing accessory units via special use",1523,8197000,9720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab&start=8197&end=9720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab/thumbnail_8197000.jpg","/articles/6128286/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Council-narrows-ADU-approach-approves-zoning-text-amendment-allowing-accessory-units-via-special-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128286-e3f9cb16993d9182b14ef2ff19896c78/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569402&Signature=DMlkjH-xXlwLmCj5Sq7cE5Wyk7HcVZO-wWGVuP0NokgrXc2YBsG~0XD3BVdtPh-BSm1rgCHdycbzDKHi6r4uxWIcoYSP92P3LzBeLhY~xltvtGeQtJ-tz1Aj9DJPFIpjJvKFU8UGi-SaSDzcXK8~zmtWNRIDNoDbSEenIyJPy0MAZraZ~xKIdSsJYC~n25KfVLAkT9kvhXyFyM99lfDicuBrLge0Uwg~0B97kMyI2FjGzH3fZ4CAOjGI3RzKg7ihS~CwSQh9zo-b0AhRPldBbUSlhD2c9QV7i-WiwXn6cXDhotWpQ1inzO5svDU1IYLWUol8vlzwSkyNzPKcqeHd8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 8 approved a zoning text amendment that removes minimum lot-area-per-dwelling restrictions that have hindered accessory dwelling units (ADUs) from being built, while adding a requirement that ADUs be permitted through the city\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000special-use process rather than as a by-right use.

Deputy City Manager Tice and Planning staff said the change is intended to let smaller properties legally host ADUs while preserving neighborhood oversight: ADU proposals would go to the zoning board of appeals and then to council for final approval. Planning manager Alyssa Pemberton told the council existing ADU standards (owner-occupancy requirement, a maximum of 800 square feet for some provisions and a limit on rear-yard coverage) would remain in place.

The amendment passed after residents from multiple neighborhoods, particularly Old Farm Lakes, urged council to slow or narrow changes and raised concerns about infrastructure, parking and property values. Residents argued the Opticos study\u0000the related city consultant report on \"missing middle\" housing\u0000had been interpreted as endorsing blanket, citywide zoning changes. Several residents said Old Farm Lakes is functionally single-family and not walkable to centers the report identified as suitable for missing middle housing. Several speakers asked for neighborhood-specific review before any by-right changes.

Supporters of the text amendment said ADUs provide options for aging-in-place and small-scale housing choices. Julia Sutherland, a resident and organizer, told the council she plans an ADU for her elderly mother and said ADUs historically existed as carriage houses and small dwellings. \"ADUs will provide that kind of home to my mother,\" Sutherland said.

Planning staff said ADU applications still must meet development and stormwater standards; the code continues to require an additional off-street parking space for an ADU. Staff also said the special-use path adds a site-specific review that allows council and neighbors to weigh infrastructure and traffic impacts.

The ordinance was adopted on a council vote; the clerk announced the motion passed with two nays (Council members Montney and Lee).

What’s next: Planning staff will accept ADU applications under the updated code and route special-use petitions to the zoning board of appeals and council; staff advised the public the special-use process includes standards that address traffic, stormwater and neighborhood compatibility.","After extensive public comment, the council approved a zoning text amendment that removes minimum lot-area-per-dwelling barriers for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) but requires ADUs to be approved through a special-use process; vote passed with two council members opposed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128291,"Bloomington Council approves 12-year Axon public-safety technology contract worth $13.56 million",1740,6392000,8132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab&start=6392&end=8132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751205-71dbbc88d6294fdcff06658cef2789ab/thumbnail_6392000.jpg","/articles/6128291/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Bloomington-Council-approves-12-year-Axon-public-safety-technology-contract-worth-1356-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128291-0dc206447acee1cf6c55206b69533104/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569402&Signature=VlisNtvNGddzm8LOQ6XBkGPe0wrxFoniBa-u0dac-DQz6KYpkPEoXM1-nw~Q4gSLOMDSW7Xt38eex2cVEa~u9MsY07c2JbtX89PUN8aqMqiItQL0Gych0F6v1rzmjPbW7t0plva4YG5xAPRHHU0QNGo35jhoF4NEQUvmirf8Tn15heGMMtzlXfrJ8DmR6A1o9Q2jLK1ji-c6K39sgAq0ISB1A8SQwwC62kXXTOt~wabZJSZLF3XNOdHy2zSuZNssv714d0RqTK4Yt5VeoM3NdYs6JofiudXWRSBCZEoOH5Avhd92fpJpcwJl~out-HMO2Eh3pQ6zTZv36CjYveCUPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 8 approved a 12-year bundled equipment and services agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. that city staff said will cover body-worn and in-car cameras, taser refreshes, drones and a records-management system. The total contract figure cited by staff during the meeting was $13,559,883.81.

City officials said the agreement bundles hardware, software and maintenance to secure current equipment, keep pricing stable over time and deliver product upgrades. Deputy City Manager Sue McLaughlin told the council the agreement has been negotiated since July 2024 and “has no connection to the ongoing discussions regarding the shared sales tax agreement with the county, town and the city.”

Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simonton, who led the presentation with project lead Assistant Chief Aaron Veerman, said Axon’s ecosystem already stores the city’s digital evidence and that the bundled contract would protect against equipment downtime and future price increases. “This agreement will prevent some loss of equipment,” Simonton said, and staff told the council the city currently maintains “over 800 terabytes of digital evidence.” Simonton also said the bundled package could save the city an estimated 7–10% each year compared with piecemeal purchases.

The council asked detailed questions about AI features, audit controls and partner-agency interoperability. Council member Scott asked about safeguards against AI “hallucinations” in draft report generation; Simonton said Axon’s draft-report function is designed to force officers to verify flagged or bracketed text before a report can be finalized, and supervisors must review and attest to reports before submission. Council member Ward asked whether the timing required immediate action; staff replied Axon’s quoted pricing and rollout schedule meant delaying could increase costs, but noted the contract contains non-appropriation language and a right to terminate or remove pieces (for example, the records-management module) under defined conditions.

Staff said the agreement includes features the department uses to manage internal accountability (early-warning dashboards, audited permissions), an AI-assisted redaction assistant to speed FOIA processing, tools for video enhancement for court use, and an option for drones and VR training. Axon representative Jake Sheedy attended the meeting and Chief Simonton described the vendor as “responsive” during prior pilots.

Opponents who spoke during the public comment period raised broader concerns about surveillance and long-term contracts for rapidly evolving technologies. Council members pressed staff on interoperability should neighboring agencies choose different records-management systems; staff said middleware (referred to as Boomi in the presentation) can be used to share records across systems.

The council voted to approve the contract. The clerk announced the motion carried with no nays.

Council members said they expect continued oversight. Simonton said the contract contains warranty clauses and maintenance obligations and that Axon has agreed to provide upgrades or refunds if equipment is not maintained.

What’s next: The contract establishes a framework for equipment replacement and software rollout over the next decade; staff will proceed with implementation and coordinate with neighboring agencies that choose to join or interoperate with the system.","The council voted to approve a bundled 12-year equipment and services agreement with Axon covering body cameras, in-car cameras, tasers, drones and records-management services; city officials said the package locks pricing and provides maintenance and upgrades, while critics raised questions about surveillance, AI and contract length.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council postpones decision on proposed electronic FOIA fees, asks staff for time-and-cost data

Council accepts missing-middle study for further study, directs staff to pursue targeted overlay districts

Council adopts zoning text changes to allow attached-home platting and adjusts multifamily height limits

Council narrows ADU approach, approves zoning text amendment allowing accessory units via special use

Bloomington Council approves 12-year Axon public-safety technology contract worth $13.56 million