The Jan. 21 meeting was cancelled, while the Jan. 28 meeting was a joint session with the Plan Commission.
The first two ordinances on the agenda regarded two revising utility ordinances from March 2006.
The first of the utility laws set for reading on the agenda was Ordinance 15-02, which will amend the city’s sewage works bonds. The second law, similar to the first ordinance, proposes to change the waterworks revenue bonds.
According to the city council’s legislative packet, the proposed bond ordinance would save Bloomington approximately $700,000.
Councilman Steve Volan said that by refinancing the bond fund for sewage and waterworks, the city could save money.
Ordinance 15-03 is predicted to save the city about $400,000 dollars, according to the legislative packet.
The last piece of legislation on the agenda was a motion to end the delay on tax abatement for Big O Properties.
At the last regular session for the city council on Jan. 14, the council voted in favor tabling the ordinance at the request of Big O Properties.
The city council voted unanimously on Wednesday to take the legislation off the table and end ?the delay.
Ordinance 15-01 deals with a tax abatement or delay for Big O Properties’ proposed building on 338 S. Walnut St.
Big O Properties changed their original plans and asked the city council to approve a tax abatement because of ?the delay.
During next week’s meeting, the city council is set to discuss the tax ?abatement.
Volan, who said he is familiar with the Friedman family who owns Big O Properties, said he is undecided on how he will vote on the ordinance.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Volan said. “I haven’t seen the details in their plan — at least I haven’t reviewed them thoroughly enough ... To me it’s a tossup,” Volan said.
Volan said he previously voted in favor of a tax reduction for one of Big O’s other properties located on 340 S. Walnut St., but says the current property up for debate may not warrant a similar deduction.
In addition to removing ordinance 15-01 from the table and doing the first reading on the utility bond ordinances, the city council heard public comment where residents spoke up about black history and Bloomington’s goal to achieve status as a ?Platinum Biking City.
During the council’s turn for commenting, Councilman Andy Ruff expressed his worry about the Keystone XL proposed pipeline and its environmental impact, while Council President Dave Rollo used his time to express concern about global climate change.
