City council announces new president at meeting

The Bloomington City Council began its first meeting of the new year Jan. 2 by officially announcing its new president.\nTen-year council veteran and District 1 representative Patricia Cole accepted the office and immediately assumed presidential duties. After expressing her gratitude to outgoing council president Tim Mayer and other supporters, Cole presided over the remainder of the short meeting.\nDistrict 2 representative Chris Gaal was named vice president and at-large member Anthony Pizzo kept his office as parliamentarian.\nCole's home district is in the northwest section of the city, which is divided into six districts.\nCole has some presidential experience; she served as interim president during a former president's six-month leave of absence. Cole has also worked as vice president and parliamentarian.\nAs president, Cole oversees the conduct of City Council meetings, which are scheduled for the first four Wednesdays of every month. Formal actions -- including the introduction of legislation -- are made during Regular Sessions on the first and third Wednesdays. The second and fourth Wednesdays are reserved for discussion of committee matters,\nCouncil members, along with Mayor John Fernandez, appoint and receive reports from members of Bloomington's 27 boards and commissions. These advisory groups include the Environmental Commission, Public Safety Board and Traffic Commission. Boards and commissions are responsible for assessing specific community needs, and their findings "are often catalysts for innovative programs and improved services," states the Office of the City Clerk's boards and commissions Web page.\nSeveral appointments were made at the Jan. 2 meeting, including:\n•Board of the Urban Enterprise Association -- David Sabbagh\n•Commission for Bloomington Downtown -- Mike Diekhoff\n•Justice Building -- David Sabbagh\n•Metropolitan Planning Organization -- Andy Ruff\n•Utilities Service Board -- Jeffrey Willsey\nThe next city council meeting will be a double session at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at City Hall.