By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen are not interested in further discussions about providing representation on the city council for residents of Lake Bloomington, north of the Twin-Cities.
That’s one of the city’s water sources. It owns property surrounding the lake and leases the land to residents who’ve been at odds with the city about boat docks and other issues.
Alderman Diana Hauman brought up the idea of some type of council representation at Monday night’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. Alderman Scott Black said the council spends too much time dealing with residents there.
“I’d rather us focus on things that are more pressing like intersections in our community. Are they the most safe that they can be? How can we expand the Constitution Trail, O’Neil Pool, all things that are impacting our residents here instead of talking about a bunch of folks who have, in some cases, almost $1 million worth of property,” said Black.
Aldermen are willing to work with a liaison from Lake Bloomington residents.
New City Manager Tim Gleason commended the council and staff for putting together a tax increment financing district to renovate the old Bloomington High School on East Washington Street, which is being converted into apartments for low-income seniors.
Next month, Gleason plans on introducing a proposal to offer rental assistance for elderly residents who would live there. Gleason calls the project a “home run”.
Gleason also announced aldermen will soon decide whether to move up the starting time of regular council meetings to 6 p.m. Regular council meetings currently start at 7 p.m.
Howard Packowitz can reached at [email protected]
