Council approves interlocal agreement with Bloomington Transit, adds auto-renewal clause

The Bloomington Common Council unanimously adopted Resolution 20-25-07 on April 16, approving an interlocal cooperation agreement between the city and the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation.

Taylor Brown of the city legal department described the agreement as the ‘‘same standard agreement that’s been approved for the last few years’’ but said it now contains an auto-renewal clause intended to reduce repetitive approvals. "There is now an auto, renewal clause," Brown said, adding the administration recommended the change to streamline renewals.

Brown told council lawyers reviewed state code and concluded council approval is required for interlocal agreements, prompting the item to come to the full council. Council members asked for clarifications about the automatic 3% annual increase in ITS fees built into the renewal and about a clause that permits the city to suspend services if they interfere with core city functions. Brown said the 3% increase is a standard escalation and that the agreement includes a written-notice process to stop auto-renewal.

Councilmember Piedmont Smith thanked the administration for the transparency in bringing the agreement to the council. After questions and a public-comment period with no speakers, the clerk called the roll and recorded a 9–0 vote in favor.

Outcome: Resolution 20-25-07 approved 9–0. The resolution will proceed to the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation board for their action as appropriate.