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Bloomington council to put proposed ethics code on May 26 agenda; members debate new rules for in‑meeting amendments
Summary
Councilors supported placing a proposed formal code of ethics on the May 26 agenda and engaged in a lengthy debate over a proposed rule requiring substantive amendments be filed in advance; members split between tighter process to avoid last‑minute drafting errors and preserving in‑meeting collaboration.
The Bloomington City Council on May 18 agreed to place a proposed formal code of ethics — developed by an ethics committee led by Barb Stewart — on the May 26 agenda for further consideration.
Council members praised the committee's work and several members said the town of Normal and the county had adopted similar codes. "I appreciate the opportunity to reestablish our values and repeat those for the community," one councilor said.
Separately, councilors debated a proposed process change that would require substantive amendments to be submitted in advance (examples discussed included 48‑hour notice or a deadline of noon on the day of the meeting). Proponents said a formal deadline would reduce on‑the‑fly drafting errors and provide staff time to prepare clean ordinance language. "I highly recommend we put something in place where they can get the wording right... in the cozy confines of their own desk," one member said.
Opponents argued that a strict pre‑submission rule could curtail democratic discussion and prevent timely amendments that arise from public comment. "It takes away the opportunity for us to collaborate among ourselves as council members, but it takes away the opportunity for us to actually collaborate with the public," Council member Ward said.
The mayor directed staff to refine the proposal and return a revised amendment process draft for council consideration after consulting members and staff; no code change to council rules was adopted on May 18.
What happens next: staff will prepare the ethics code for the May 26 agenda and refine the proposed amendment‑submission process for future consideration; council requested options that balance advance notice with in‑meeting flexibility.
