Council approves water chemical purchase, waives formal bidding; enters executive session on city manager review and bargaining

At the meeting’s business session, the Bloomington City Council approved a resolution waiving formal bidding and authorizing the purchase of powdered activated carbon (PAC) from Calgon Carbon Corporation and took procedural action to enter executive session to discuss personnel and collective bargaining matters.

Powdered activated carbon purchase

Council members voted to waive formal bidding requirements and to authorize the purchase of powdered activated carbon from Calgon Carbon Corporation in the amount of $556,800, as requested by the Water Department. Ed Andrews, the city’s water director, explained the procurement in the context of an operational shift to PAC dosing to reduce taste‑and‑odor compounds (notably MIB) and described earlier and ongoing lab testing and feed arrangements. Andrews said PAC feed on a temporary system began in early March and that the initial results showed improved removal efficiencies on the city’s granular activated carbon (GAC) filters.

The motion to approve the purchase was moved by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Crompler; staff recorded no nays when the chair announced the item passed. The council used clickers for the recorded vote; the clerk indicated the motion passed and no negative votes were announced.

Consent agenda

The council approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting. Council Member Hendricks moved to approve the consent agenda, and the motion was seconded; a small clerical correction to an attendance table was noted and will be fixed before documents are finalized. The chair later announced the consent agenda item passed.

Executive session: City manager review and collective bargaining

At the meeting’s close the council voted to enter executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, citing section 2(c)(1) to discuss personnel matters (the city manager’s annual review) and section 2(c)(2) to discuss collective bargaining. The motion to enter executive session was moved by Council Member Hendricks and seconded by Council Member Ward; the clerk called the roll, and all listed members recorded “yes” for entry into executive session. The council later returned to open session, took no further action, and adjourned.

Ending

City staff said they will continue to provide operational updates on water testing and treatment steps; no further public actions on the PAC procurement or executive‑session items were taken during open session.