The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to amend chapter 2 of the city code and make the Special Commission for Safe Communities a permanent advisory commission.

Former commission chair Dr. Scott Denton presented the ordinance, endorsed the draft language and urged adoption. Denton said the commission’s charge is to sustain city violence-prevention strategies with a continued emphasis on gun-violence prevention and recommended meetings every other month to maintain momentum. “We think it’s very good... charged with ensuring the sustained success of the city violence prevention strategies, with a continued focus on gun violence,” Denton said.

Council members generally praised the commission’s work. Member Ward moved approval and member Hendricks seconded; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote with no nays and the ordinance passed.

The ordinance allows the mayor to appoint non-city residents if desired; council members discussed the possibility of broader county participation and agreed to take that idea under advisement.