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Bloomington board applies to PSC for $1,000 water connection fee; approves routine cost-sharing and hears enforcement reports
Summary
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Village Board voted unanimously to ask the Public Service Commission to approve a $1,000 water system connection fee, approved several cost-sharing measures for tree and sidewalk work, and reviewed animal-control and utilities-ordinance updates.
The Village Board of Bloomington voted Aug. 4 to apply to the Public Service Commission for approval to charge a $1,000 water system connection fee, the board said at its regular monthly meeting.
The motion to apply to the commission was moved by Alan Mergen and seconded by Dennis Moris; it carried unanimously. Village President Robert McLimans told the board the commission had previously disallowed a $500 connection charge because it had not been properly approved and one resident had been refunded that fee, prompting the new $1,000 application.
The board also reviewed a set of proposed utilities-ordinance edits discussed with Logan Hoffman of Delta 3 and based in part on input from staff. The board agreed to combine ordinance sections 1102 and 1106; to record ownership of water service at the curb stop (as confirmed by Keith Leitzinger); to set the penalty for illegal sewage use at $10 per day (equivalent to about $3,650 per year); and to state that sewer-lateral ownership extends to the public right-of-way except where the sewer main lies outside the right-of-way. The board voted to keep user charges by classification rather than convert to residential-equivalent units and to continue allowing garbage disposals and drains. The board requested that all water and sewer rates and charges be published on the village website.
Officer Small delivered the police report, noting three recent barking-dog complaints on 4th Street. The officer said the resident was informed that a citation could be issued and was given a compliance deadline of Sept. 1, 2025, to reduce the number of dogs to five; failure to comply could lead to daily citations and, if necessary, an administrative warrant to seize and rehome animals at the owner’s expense. Officer Small said the resident initially cooperated but later contacted the sheriff’s office with concerns about the officer’s presence; that contact was clarified as non-actionable and a formal complaint form was provided but not filed. Officer Small also reported follow-ups on junk-violation cleanup with most properties given a Sept. 1 deadline.
On public-works items, Keith Leitzinger reported crews had cut and trimmed trees that were blocking drivers and are monitoring a lightning-struck tree in the square that appears likely to recover. The board approved a motion, moved by President Robert McLimans and seconded by Chasity Allen, to remove a village-owned tree with overhanging branches at 730 3rd Street and share the trimming cost with the homeowner. The board also approved paying half the cost of a sidewalk replacement at 628 4th Street (motion moved by McLimans and seconded by Alan Mergen).
The board voted to complete, sign and return the petition for 2026 County Aid Construction funds to the Grant County Highway Department to support road improvements (motion moved by Dennis Moris and seconded by Michelle Atterbury). Members also discussed that Republic Services will honor the village's existing Town and Country Sanitation contract after an acquisition but warned that collection may occur later in the day.
The board entered and reconvened from a closed session under Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider personnel matters. Clerk/Treasurer Shawna Atterbury reported she is catching up on bank reconciliations after a leave of absence. McLimans reminded the board the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting adjourned.
