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Eight City workers have reported positive results of COVID-19 laboratory tests since the December 23 update, including one Parks & Recreation (Parks) employee, five Bloomington Police Department (BPD) employees and two employees of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The City of Bloomington invites 501(c)3 organizations to apply for City funding to fund projects that will improve the human condition of Bloomington residents who are unhoused or who are in jeopardy of becoming homeless.
The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) recently received final approval of an updated rate tariff from the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC). The new water rates will achieve fairer allocations among customer classes and support long-needed improvements to the water plant as well as accelerated water main replacements. The average CBU customer should expect a monthly increase of less than $2 on their water bill.
Five City workers have reported positive results of COVID-19 laboratory tests since the December 16 update, including one City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employee, two Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employees, one Bloomington Police Department (BPD) employee, and one employee of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
Mayor John Hamilton announced today the appointment of Andrew Krebbs to the position of Communications Director for the City of Bloomington. Krebbs will begin his new role on December 25, 2021, and will earn an annual salary of $71,966. As Communications Director, Krebbs will develop and implement the City’s overall communications and branding strategy and activities.
Eight City workers have reported positive results of COVID-19 laboratory tests since the December 9 update, including one Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA) employee, three Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employees, and four City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employees. This week’s report also includes a positive case from the Parks and Recreation department that was inadvertently omitted from last week’s case report.
The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for City funding to improve their neighborhoods. Applications for funding through the four kinds of neighborhood grants described below will be accepted for the 2022 application cycle beginning January 3, 2022.
Apply by Jan. 14 to receive full consideration.
South Lincoln Street will reopen from Smith Avenue to East Third Street on Wednesday, December 15 with reconfigured public on-street parking and a widened sidewalk.
The City of Bloomington’s Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Mayor are accepting applications from community members who would like to serve on one of the City’s boards or commissions. Some of these bodies are anticipating vacancies as current terms expire in December 2021 and January 2022. Applications are sought to fill spaces on the Parking Commission, Commission on Sustainability, Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Redevelopment Commission, and others.
A detailed third-party report delivered late Friday, December 10 concluded that samples of air, surface dust, surface soil and leaf litter collected in the vicinity of a recent controlled burn exhibited no lead contamination in excess of state and federal standards, and recommended that no further action is warranted.
The Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) is seeking nominations for its 2022 Human Rights Award, recognizing an individual or group that has made specific, significant contributions to improving civil rights, human relations, or civility in our community. Nomination forms are available at https://bloomington.in.gov/boards/human-rights. The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 11, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Eleven City workers have reported positive results of COVID-19 laboratory tests since the December 2 update, including six Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employees, three City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employees, one City Hall employee, and one Bloomington Transit (BT) employee.
At their December 1 meeting, the Bloomington City Council approved Resolution 21-36 “supporting the establishment of a sibling city relationship with the City of Palo Alto, California.” The cities will pilot the first domestic relationship of its kind in conjunction with a national program being launched simultaneously, Sibling Cities USA (SCUSA). The goal of the relationship is to foster cross-regional connection to forge understanding, respect and friendship through cultural exchange, community service, and civil discourse; and to promote economic and business opportunities. Bloomington’s proposed pairing with Palo Alto was announced in a joint press conference November 9, and approved by the Palo Alto city council November 15 before the Bloomington City Council’s vote last week.
The City of Bloomington Information and Technology Services department applications team invites members of the public to review and evaluate a series of updates to the City website. During the public testing period December 6 - 10 users may explore the alpha-version of the updated City website and provide feedback.
Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) personnel will offer finger-prick blood testing for any resident concerned about elevated lead levels after the November 5 controlled burn. The testing will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BFD headquarters, 226 South College Avenue. Additional testing may be made available if demand warrants.
Three City workers have reported positive results of COVID-19 laboratory tests since the November 24 update. None of the cases being reported today are linked to previous cases at the City, and no close contacts were subsequently identified among these employees’ co-workers or the general public.
The City of Bloomington invites community members to a celebration of the installation of the artwork Aurora Almanac at the Trades District Garage.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, in partnership with the Equality Federation, has announced that Bloomington has again been awarded a perfect score on the annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Now in its tenth year, the index of 506 cities nationwide uses 49 criteria to evaluate how inclusive a city’s laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Bloomington was one of 110 cities in the U.S. to earn a perfect score this year, up from 94 last year.
Installation of the Fourth Street Garage’s custom artwork beginning Monday, November 29 will require closure of the eastbound lane of Fourth Street between College Avenue and Walnut Street, and the sidewalk on the south side of the street from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday, December 2. The left, parking lane of Walnut St. and the sidewalk on the west side of the street will be closed (and unavailable for parking) between Third and Fourth Streets from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., December 3 through 17. The closures have been approved by the Board of Public Works.
A single positive COVID-19 viral test result has been reported among the City workforce since the November 18 update. This week’s case was not linked to a previous case at the City.
Soil samples taken from properties where debris was most heavily dispersed after the November 5 controlled burn do not contain levels of lead exceeding IDEM limits for residential or direct contact exposure.
The City of Bloomington will offer free parking on the street downtown and in City garages from Thursday, November 25 through Sunday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday and to support downtown business activity.
The city will host three USA Softball girls fastpitch championships in 2022, one in 2023
One City Hall employee, one employee of the Department of Public Works (DPW), and one Bloomington Transit (BT) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week.
The City of Bloomington invites community members to a celebration of the completion of the North Star/Hoosier Line art installations at Switchyard Park.
Mayor John Hamilton today announced the appointment of Beth Cate to the position of Corporation Counsel for the City of Bloomington.
Mayor John Hamilton announced today that the City of Bloomington and Meridiam have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the firm to build and operate a fiber network to bring high-speed internet to Bloomington residences. By the end of the year, the City plans to enter into an agreement with the infrastructure developer to construct an open-access fiber-optic network delivering gigabit-class (and greater) broadband service throughout Bloomington, including the city’s low-income neighborhoods. Meridiam intends to begin construction in 2022.
Air testing conducted by Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. (EACI) and VET Environmental Engineering, LLC (VET) at the City’s direction indicates that there is no detectable lead dust contamination in the air surrounding the site of the controlled burn conducted at 1213 South High Street on November 5.
The City of Bloomington invites community members to a ribbon-cutting marking the completion of the 7-Line, a transformation of 7th Street providing a protected east-west bicycle lane, improved bus stops, and improved pedestrian features.
The City did not receive a positive COVID-19 viral test result from its workforce in the week since the November 4 report.
The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) continue to investigate and address environmental impacts of the controlled burn of a structure at 1213 South High Street on Friday, November 5. The BFD has developed a map of affected properties based on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)’s evaluation integrated with results of lead testing completed by the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND).
Palo Alto Mayor Tom DuBois and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton announced today a proposal to establish a Sibling Cities relationship, the first domestic relationship of its kind between United States cities. The relationship seeks to foster community building, further goodwill and enhance civic dialogue and public policy discussions in the two cities through a new organization, Sibling Cities USA. The Palo Alto City council will consider approval of the relationship on November 15 and Bloomington City Council will follow shortly thereafter.
The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) are leading the cleanup of debris generated by the controlled burn of a structure at 1213 South High Street on Friday, November 5. Residents in the vicinity may request that their property be evaluated for remediation by completing this form on the City’s website. After encountering delays in contracting with one environmental remediation company, the BFD is working to identify and contract with an alternate service provider to conduct the evaluation and cleanup, to be offered at no charge to affected residents.
The nature preserve is closed beginning at 11 p.m. on Fridays through 5 a.m. the following Monday.
Water service must be shut off each fall to prevent damage to supply lines and fixtures.
The Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) completed a controlled live burn training series at 1213 South High Street Tuesday through Friday of this week. Already slated and approved for demolition, the two-story house at that address was donated by the owners for use by the BFD as an opportunity to conduct live fire training. All of the required permits for the training were granted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and published in the Herald Times on September 21.
A City Hall employee reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test today, Thursday, November 4 after first experiencing symptoms on Monday, November 1.
The City of Bloomington Utilities Department (CBU) invites homeowners to apply for funding through the fourth annual Residential Stormwater Grants Program. A total of $100,000 has been dedicated in CBU’s 2022 budget to this program assisting owners of single-family residential property with environmentally-friendly drainage projects such as rain gardens, bioswales, and detention pond maintenance.
The Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) will be conducting a controlled live burn training at 1213 South High Street Tuesday through Friday of this week. Already slated for demolition, the two-story house at that address was donated to the BFD as an opportunity to conduct live fire training. All of the required permits for the training have been granted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). In compliance with state and federal requirements, all utilities have been disconnected and household items removed, including furniture, carpeting, asphalt roofing shingles, roofing underlayment, and vinyl siding.
To address an ongoing safety concern, the City of Bloomington recently implemented changes to traffic patterns along East Third Street near the Indiana University campus where the road transitions from two-way to one-way traffic flow.
A Bloomington Transit (BT) employee reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test on Friday, October 22 after first experiencing symptoms on Thursday, October 21. It is the only positive COVID-19 viral test result reported among the City’s workforce over the past seven days. The employee had not been identified as a close contact of a prior COVID-19 case among the City workforce, and no co-workers or members of the public were in turn identified as close contacts of this employee.
The City of Bloomington’s Environmental Commission announces the winners of the 2021 Eco-Heroes Art Contest, who were recognized September 24 in a presentation posted to the Environmental Commission’s Facebook page. Seeking to encourage a connection to the natural world through creativity, the contest invited residents to submit works of art on the theme “Mission: Lower Emissions.” The winning pieces were selected from drawings, videos, sculptures, paintings, essays, poetry, and other works of art submitted by 40 local artists of all ages highlighting the importance of using cleaner energy, lowering emissions, and promoting environmental sustainability.
The City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Program (SCCP) invites middle and high school-aged female-identifying students to attend a one-day Young Women’s Leadership Summit on Thursday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom. “The Big Idea” is the theme of the third annual summit. Although focused on African American and Latina girls, the summit is open to young women of all races and backgrounds.
The City of Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) Department invites local organizations to apply for City funding to increase economically disadvantaged residents’ access to healthy, fresh, and affordable foods. The 2021 Local Food Mini-Grant program is designed to create quick and simple access to funding for organizations that are already working in food insecurity and may support a range of activities in service of food access. Funded through the ESD operational budget to address financial food insecurity and improve local food access (per Climate Action Plan Strategy FA 1-A), the 2021 program offers funding up to $2,500 per organization.
Mayor John Hamilton provided an update relating to the 2022 City budget ahead of the City Council vote scheduled for Wednesday, October 27. The update reflects ongoing dialogue and discussion with Council members and the public, which began in earnest in April and have continued through this month.
Updated plan includes additional seating, accessible trails
The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services Department (ITS) announces the 2021 Digital Equity Grants awards to support Bloomington-based nonprofit organization efforts to bridge the digital divide and increase digital resources for residents. Now in its second year, this grant program is funded through Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative to help Bloomington recover from the pandemic and economic collapse, and advance racial, economic, and climate justice.
Bloomington has received the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) Community Placemaking Award for the development of Switchyard Park. The award was announced October 6 during the 2021 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick, Ind. Bloomington won the statewide award in the greater than 50,000 population category.
The City of Bloomington Information Technology Services (ITS) Department will be donating recently decommissioned surplus equipment to United Way of Monroe County and the Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA), which operates the City’s public housing and housing voucher program. In all, seventeen monitors and computers will be donated to United Way and the BHA for use in their operations or those of their clients.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton invites community members to attend an update to the Common Council on progress toward achieving community climate and sustainability goals. The presentation will cover the state of sustainability and climate action in Bloomington and the City’s ongoing efforts and investments to increase it.
Mayor John Hamilton joins City leaders in recognizing the City’s recent attainment of a 1/1x score from the Insurance Services Office, the first city in Indiana to do so.
The City of Bloomington advises motorists to be aware of a new traffic pattern on East Seventh Street as the 7-Line project nears completion. All stop signs on E. Seventh St. between North Walnut Street and North Indiana Avenue have been removed and traffic along the corridor is no longer required to stop at the intersecting streets.
One Bloomington Transit (BT) employee, one City Hall employee, and one employee of the Street Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test over the last week. None of these employees had been identified as a close contact of a prior COVID-19 case among the City workforce.
The Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) and the Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) are seeking applications for funding to foster the arts and cultivate cultural experiences in Bloomington as part of Mayor John Hamilton’s initiative to Recover Forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four employees in the Sanitation Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and two Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employees reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week.
The City of Bloomington Planning and Transportation Department is hosting public input meetings for the East 7th Street Greenway and the Graham/Broadview Neighborhood Greenway projects. At the following meetings, staff from the City’s departments of Planning and Transportation and Engineering will share the preliminary design of each greenway and collect input from residents and users:
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton will formally introduce the 2022 budget resolutions for City Council review on Wednesday evening, September 29. The 2022 City budget requests $107 million for the civil city and $179 million in overall expenditures, and represents the third phase of the administration’s plan to Recover Forward from the pandemic and the associated economic recession. Hamilton’s budget proposal is built on advancing sustainability and equity, to address the climate emergency and long-term racial injustice.
The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has again earned its place among the nation’s top parks and recreation agencies with its fifth accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). For the first time since first becoming accredited in 2001, the department demonstrated 100% compliance with the 154 standards on which accreditation is based. Bloomington Parks will be recognized for its renewed accreditation during the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference in October.
Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases and close contacts at the Sanitation Division of the Department of Public Works, workforce numbers are currently at less than 50% of what is needed for normal operations. Sanitation has reported a total of three new positive cases and six additional potential exposures since the City’s last weekly report (September 23) of COVID-19 cases among the workforce.
Two City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employees and one Department of Public Works (DPW) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. Details of each case are as follows:
The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Police Department will host the 2021 National Conference on Police Social Work October 18-20 in downtown Bloomington.
Only hunters who have applied and been selected may participate in the CHAP hunt.
Four City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employees, one Department of Public Works (DPW) employee, and one Bloomington Police Department (BPD) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. These employees were not traced to previous cases among the City workforce, nor to each other.
Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore has announced that the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) today received the highest Public Protection Classification (PPC) from Insurance Service Office, Inc. (ISO). The department has been awarded an ISO Class 1/1x rating for its protection of incorporated areas of the City of Bloomington.
City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) began to receive a series of taste and odor complaints on Friday, September 10 from across the service area. Drinking water tests performed multiple times daily have demonstrated that samples continue to be free of contaminants that affect public health.
With summer’s end, the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) advises residents draining swimming pools, spas, and water features that treated water can pollute our ecosystem. The treated water may contain chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, salt, and more which are harmful to waterways, wildlife and plants, pets, and humans.
The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Children and Youth (CSCY) invites high school-aged students to participate in the 4th Annual Teen Roundtable Saturday, October 23 from 11 a.m to noon at the Monroe County Public Library and Sunday, October 24 from 1-2 p.m via Zoom. Eligible students include those enrolled at any public or private high school in Bloomington or Monroe County or those who are home-schooled. Registration may be made www.bloomington.in.gov/cscy until October 9.
A City of Bloomington employee whose work station is at City Hall reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test Wednesday, September 8. The employee first started experiencing symptoms on Saturday, September 4. The employee’s coworkers who were identified as close contacts have been notified. No members of the public were placed at risk of exposure to COVID-19 by the employee in the course of their work.
First announced Friday, September 3, the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the City of Bloomington a $3.5 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant to support the construction of the Trades District Technology Center. The City of Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) were co-applicants for the grant. Acting on behalf of the City, the RDC will match the federal investment with a $1.6 million pledge to the project. The EDA projects that the grant will create 530 jobs and generate $51 million in private investment in the region.
Priority deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
Mayor John Hamilton and Bloomington Police Chief Michael Diekhoff have shared the following joint statement with the Bloomington Common Council regarding Resolution 21-27:
Mayor John Hamilton has announced that Holly Warren is the City’s new Assistant Director for the Arts in the Economic and Sustainable Development Department. The Assistant Director for the Arts represents the City to other organizations in matters related to arts and culture, oversees and coordinates public art projects, cultural activities and community events, and supports community artists and cultural organizations.
The City of Bloomington has received a $3.5 million CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Recovery) Act Recovery Assistance grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
One City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employee and one City of Bloomington employee whose work station is at City Hall reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week.
The City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Program (SCCP) and Young Women's Leadership Summit (YWLS) committee invite proposals from prospective speakers for the Third Annual Young Women’s Leadership Summit taking place Thursday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom.
Two Bloomington Transit (BT) employees, one employee of the Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks), and one Bloomington Housing Authority (BHA) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week.
The City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission invites community members to visit the Black History 101 Mobile Museum on September 11 from 9 a.m. to noon in Council Chambers at City Hall (401 N. Morton Street). Admission is free and no registration is required.
The replacement Fourth Street Garage will be open for parking starting Monday, August 23. The environmentally certified structure provides parking for more than 500 vehicles (with dedicated spaces for accessible, compact, and electric vehicles) and a covered bicycle depot; will house commercial/retail space, public bathrooms, and City Parking Management offices; and activate adjacent pedestrian plazas on its southern and western sides. A dynamic art component integrated into the building’s facade will be installed by early October. The City will host a public event to dedicate the facility this fall upon completion of all components.
One City employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in the past week. The Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employee received the result on Monday, August 16 after first experiencing symptoms on Saturday, August 14.
One City employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in the past week. The Bloomington Police Department employee, who works in the Central Emergency Dispatch Center, received a positive COVID-19 viral test result on Tuesday, August 10 after first experiencing symptoms on Monday, August 9.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Based on resident input, and in consultation with City staff and Bloomington City Council members, Mayor John Hamilton will recommend to the Council that Area 7 be removed from the scope of land currently proposed for annexation.
The City of Bloomington invites nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to support their efforts to bridge the digital divide and increase digital resources for residents.
The City has received no reports of positive COVID-19 viral test results among employees since Thursday, July 22.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Just six weeks after severe flooding rendered its headquarters uninhabitable, the Bloomington Fire Department’s (BFD) new temporary headquarters at 226 South College Avenue are fully functional.
The joint City of Bloomington/Indiana University (IU) task force convened by Mayor John Hamilton to recommend new name options for Jordan Avenue has completed its report. Starting in April, the Renaming Task Force reviewed more than 500 names submitted to the City’s website by members of the public to develop their unanimous recommendations for the road’s two sections:
The Near West Side Neighborhood Association (NWSNA), in collaboration with the City of Bloomington Art Commission (BAC), is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an innovative street mural celebrating the diversity and history of the Near West Side.
As the Monroe County Community School Corporation welcomes students back to school August 4, the City of Bloomington reminds motorists to exercise extra caution in school zones.
The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) invites community members to a celebration of the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Saturday, July 31.
One City employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in the past week. The employee, who works in the Parks and Recreation Department, received a positive COVID-19 viral test result on Wednesday, July 21. No members of the public were placed at risk of COVID-19 exposure by this employee while working; one coworker was identified as a close contact and notified. (Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset--or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection--until the time the patient is isolated.)
Last night (July 21) around 11:40 p.m., Bloomington Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a report of multiple shots being fired and vehicles fleeing the scene of a residential address in the Crescent Bend neighborhood on Bloomington’s northwest side. No injuries or property damage were reported as a result of this incident, but police found bullets and spent casings in the vicinity. The incident is the third shooting in the area, following incidents July 2 and July 8 in the nearby Crestmont Park playground that resulted in injuries to four individuals.
Results of the third biennial city-wide survey were presented at the July 21 meeting of the Bloomington City Council. As in 2019 and 2017, the randomized, scientifically valid survey conducted in March and April of this year gave residents the opportunity to provide feedback on their general perceptions of the quality of life in Bloomington; to evaluate City programs, services, government performance; and to identify projects or issues facing the City. Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton initiated the effort to conduct the first city-wide survey in 2016 to grow public engagement, increase transparency, establish a baseline of public opinion, and acquire data to inform decisions about resource deployment. A complete report of the 2021 community survey is available here.
As part of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative, the City of Bloomington is offering a new opportunity for residents to invest in green home improvements with the 2021Bloomington Green Home Improvement Program (BGHIP). The program will provide qualified homeowners with $1,000 rebates and low-interest loans for solar, geothermal, and energy efficiency projects, which also provide federal tax credits if completed in 2021 or 2022. BGHIP helps Bloomington homeowners finance energy efficiency upgrades, reduce their utility bills, and increase the environmental sustainability of their houses, in accordance with the City's goals to improve environmental and economic equity in Bloomington.
The City of Bloomington encourages local artists of color to apply for participation in the Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival (BBBAF), taking place Sunday August 8 at the Switchyard Park Pavilion and performance stage beginning at 2 p.m.
In partnership with WorkOne, My Sister’s Closet, and Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center and Department of Economic & Sustainable Development will host two employability skills training sessions this month. Session 1 will take place on Thursday, July 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MCUM, 827 West 14th Court (next to Tri-North Middle School), and Session 2 will take place on Saturday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Banneker Community Center, 930 West 7th Street.
The City of Bloomington has been recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as a 2021 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer. First launched in 2016, Digital Inclusion Trailblazers is a public inventory of local government initiatives promoting digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents.
A Parks and Recreation department employee is the first City worker to report a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in three weeks.
The Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) will hold a Public Information Meeting on Monday, July 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with the goal of gaining public input for development of the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Members of the public may join the meeting via the following Zoom link:
The City of Bloomington has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the management and operation of the John Waldron Arts Center.
Neighborhood residential parking permits for 2021-22 are now available for purchase online at https://bloomington.t2hosted.com/. A map identifying the zones where a neighborhood parking permit is required for on-street parking in Bloomington is available here.
The City received no reports of employees' having received positive results of COVID-19 viral tests since employee cases were last announced on Thursday, June 24.
City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) reports that its 24-hour phone line (812-339-1444) for after-hours emergencies related to water, sewer, streets, etc. is non-functioning at this time.
Due to extensive damage caused by last weekend’s flood event, the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) command staff formerly housed at Station 1 (located at 300 East Fourth Street) will be temporarily relocating to the former law offices of Bunger and Robertson, 226 South College Avenue.
A Bloomington Transit (BT) administrative employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test as of Sunday, June 20. The employee began experiencing symptoms on Wednesday, June 16 and has not worked since that day. No close contacts were identified among the employee's coworkers or the general public. Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset -- or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection -- until the time the patient is isolated. This is the tenth BT staff member to report a positive COVID-19 viral test result over the last fifteen months.
Residents receiving sanitation services from the Sanitation Division of the City of Bloomington Public Works Department can now schedule pickup of items related to flooding from last weekend's weather event.
A Bloomington Transit (BT) administrative employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test as of Sunday, June 20.
The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) building at 220 East Third Street was damaged during the flooding that occurred in the downtown area Friday night into Saturday morning.
Bloomington’s downtown fire station will be closed for an unknown period of time, with personnel and apparatus reassigned to the other four city fire stations.
Last night Bloomington and the surrounding area experienced an extreme weather event that included rain, high winds and flooding in some areas.
City will request approval to continue the temporary closure in order to implement proposed road improvements.
In recognition of the new federal holiday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Mayor John Hamilton has announced that the City of Bloomington will close its offices on Monday, June 21. City employees who are not scheduled in essential capacities will not be expected to report for work, and will receive holiday pay for the day. The City’s sanitation schedule will not be delayed. Juneteenth is not on the 2021 City of Bloomington holiday calendar, but in addition to observing the new holiday on Monday, the administration will present a resolution to Council for its official adoption as a holiday in 2022.
A Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employee is the first City worker to report a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in five weeks. The employee began experiencing symptoms on Thursday, June 10 and received a positive COVID-19 viral test result on Saturday, June 12. No close contacts were identified among the employee's coworkers or the general public. (Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset--or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection--until the time the patient is isolated.)
In a report to the Bloomington City Council Wednesday evening, the City’s Director of Innovation Devta Kidd announced an expansion of a 2020 pilot program designed to evaluate and improve the City’s leaf collection system. The 1,000 Households Who Mulch Challenge seeks 1,000 Bloomington households to commit to mulching and composting most of the leaves on their property and opting for a new on-demand vacuum-based leaf collection only if needed at the very end of the leafing season.
The City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) invites Bloomington-based social service agencies that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for federal funds HAND administers through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program.
No positive results of COVID-19 viral tests have been reported by City employees in the four weeks since the May 13 announcement. However, the City received information this week that COVID-19 was among the causes of death of a recently deceased employee. This is the first known COVID-19-related death of a City worker.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
City's first-ever "reverse parade" limited to 50 entries.
City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has published their annual drinking water quality report. As part of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires community water systems to deliver a Consumer Confidence Report, also known as an annual drinking water quality report, to their customers.
The City has received no new reports of positive results of COVID-19 viral tests among employees in the three weeks since the Thursday, May 13 announcement.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
The City of Bloomington invites the community to observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day Friday, June 4 and to join in events raising awareness about gun violence during Wear Orange weekend, June 4-6.
The City of Bloomington will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 19 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Switchyard Park (1601 South Rogers Street). Juneteenth is the annual, national commemoration of the ending of slavery.
he City of Bloomington invites community members to a kickoff marking the start of construction of the 7-Line, a transformation of 7th Street providing a protected east-west bicycle lane, improved bus stops, and improved pedestrian features. The multimodal corridor will connect the B-Line, downtown, the Indiana University campus, and neighborhoods on the city’s east and west sides while improving comfort, safety, and efficiency for all road users.
The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for the 2021 Citizens’ Academy, to be held on ten consecutive Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., August 26 to October 28.
The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility’s Transportation and Mobility Committee is hosting a community conversation on “Increasing Pedestrian Accessibility Opportunities for All” on Monday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A new resident-led task force has been named to review and make recommendations about law enforcement in Bloomington and Monroe County. The Future of Policing Task Force is being established as part of the City’s commitment to the reduction of racial inequities and continuous improvement of outcomes for all residents, as outlined in Mayor John Hamilton’s 2020 Recover Forward initiative and the City’s Plan to Advance Racial Equity.
The first Tuesday Market and A Fair of the Arts of the 2021 season are June 1 at Switchyard Park
Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool open Saturday, May 29 at 11 a.m. Admission is $5/person.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
An affordable homeownership program funded through Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative has successfully helped a first participant purchase a home of her own.
Mayor John Hamilton today issued Executive Order 20-04, which rescinds the City of Bloomington’s Executive Order 20-03, limiting the size of non-commercial gatherings within the city limits to 15 people. The City’s new order goes into effect Monday, May 17, 2021.
A Bloomington Police Department (BPD) employee was the only city worker to report a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test over the past week. The employee was not a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. (Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset--or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection--until the time the patient is isolated.)
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
The Bloomington Commission on Aging is observing Older Americans Month in May with the launch of the Senior Focus program. The program will recognize the contributions of older adults in the community by highlighting individuals for their accomplishments, resilience in the face of challenge, and presence as a role model for others in the community. The 2021 theme of Older Americans Month is “Communities of Strength.”
The Center for Equity and Inclusion has been selected to lead anti-racism training for City of Bloomington department heads and elected officials. Mayor John Hamilton and City Clerk Nicole Bolden announced their commitment to providing and participating in anti-racism training in July 2020, and invited the City’s other elected officials and appointed department heads to join in the training.
The Waldron Recommendation Task Force has issued a report summarizing its activities, findings, and recommendations for future uses for the circa-1915 building at 122 South Walnut Street. The ownership of the building reverted from Ivy Tech Community College to City of Bloomington in January 2021. The report, available here, will inform the City’s actions with regard to the building’s future.
A Parks and Recreation department employee and a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. Neither of these employees was a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Mayor John Hamilton announced in coordination with City Council leadership that the city annexation process underway four years ago is scheduled to resume in early May. The City was in the middle of a months-long annexation process, heading for more public discussion and ultimately a council vote, when the state legislature unconstitutionally ordered action halted in April 2017.
The City of Bloomington invites residents to participate in the online 2021 Bloomington Community Survey from April 21 - May 5. The survey is available at https://bloomington.in.gov/communitysurvey. This open participation survey complements the scientific survey that was mailed to a random sample of 3,000 Bloomington households during the last week of March. Residents who were not mailed the randomized survey now have the option of completing the same survey online. The confidential responses to each part of the survey will be collected, analyzed, and published (anonymously) in separate data sets that will provide the City critical feedback about the quality and value of City services and conditions.
Six Bloomington community members were honored in an online presentation of the Be More Awards on Thursday, April 22. The recipients of this year’s awards honoring local volunteers for committed community service, response, and support were revealed in a video presentation Thursday at noon that may be viewed at www.BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org/bemore.
In coordination with Indiana University, the City of Bloomington has begun the process of renaming Jordan Avenue and invites residents to propose alternative street names using this online form. Mayor John Hamilton has convened a task force to review proposals and select new name options for the road south of 17th Street and other options for the extension north of 17th. The Renaming Task Force comprises the following city residents and IU faculty and administrators:
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
A presentation of the City of Bloomington Climate Action Plan (CAP) to the Bloomington Common Council, with the recommendation for Council to pass a resolution to accept it as an advisory document for the City of Bloomington and broader community.
The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) invites middle school- and high school-aged males to attend a one-day Black Male Youth Summit in Bloomington on Thursday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom. “More Life” is the theme of the second annual summit. The summit, focused on African American and Latino males, is open to young men of all races and backgrounds.
The City’s second Black Lives Matter street mural was approved April 13 by the Board of Public Works for installation on the north side of the downtown square. The first mural having been installed next to the Banneker Center last fall, the second will be painted on West Sixth Street between North College Avenue and North Walnut Street on Saturday, April 17, weather permitting (with a rain date scheduled for Saturday, May 1). The block will be closed to traffic and its parking spaces unavailable on the day of installation from 6 a.m until 8 p.m., while the sidewalks will remain open. Local businesses have been notified of the closure.
The Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) invites area arts groups to apply for funding through the Spring 2021 Grants for the Arts program. Nonprofit organizations and arts-based entities in the arts and cultural sectors may apply for operational funds (only for eligible nonprofits) or support for projects that foster the arts and cultivate cultural experiences in Bloomington.
Mayor John Hamilton invites the press and the public to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the Trades District Garage. The event will include remarks by the mayor and other local leaders, tours of the new facility, and an opportunity to contribute to the public artwork commissioned for it. The ribbon-cutting will be held in keeping with current public health protocols for physical distancing and face covering.
The City of Bloomington’s longstanding commitment to the arts will produce four major public artworks in 2021, as the city recovers from the pandemic and its distressing effects on the economy and the arts. Projects at the Trades District, Switchyard Park, the Trades District Garage and the Fourth Street Garage, funded through the One Percent for the Arts Ordinance mechanism, will be installed this year. An expanded search process and creative funding arrangements have resulted in a selection of works by a diverse range of artists.
One Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employee and one Parks and Recreation employee reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. None of the employees was a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. Projects are described at the City’s website, and regular public updates offered on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Sixty-four new homes are on track to be built on City-owned land adjacent to Switchyard Park, with groundbreaking scheduled for June. Retreat @ the Switchyard will provide a mix of supportive and affordable housing as well as market-rate units in a new apartment building at 1730 South Walnut Street. The City’s Redevelopment Commission (RDC) purchased the 1.5-acre site at the park’s eastern entrance in 2017 to help steer development consistent with the community’s long-term goals.
Mayor John Hamilton and Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) firefighters held a push-in ceremony Thursday, April 1 at 5 p.m. at Station Two (209 South Fairfield Drive) to dedicate the City’s newest fire apparatus. The 2021 Typhoon class, 100-foot aerial ladder truck that will be known as Truck 2 was purchased through Public Safety Local Income Tax (PS-LIT) revenues for $1.19 million to replace a 20-year-old 75-foot dual axle aerial apparatus.
One Bloomington Transit (BT) employee, one Parks and Recreation employee, and a Public Works employee each reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test over the last week. None of the employees was a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City.
TechPoint, a nonprofit, industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s tech ecosystem, announced today that it will recognize the City of Bloomington with a prestigious Rising Tech City Award during the 22nd annual Mira Awards gala on Thursday, April 22. The Mira Awards celebrate the outstanding people, companies, and products in Indiana’s tech sector each year.
Bloomington has been named a Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Cities of the World is a program founded by The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize cities around the globe that have committed to growing and maintaining their urban forest.
The City has received no reports of employees’ having received a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test since the last public update on March 18. The last case of COVID-19 among City staff was announced Thursday, February 25.
The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) is currently coordinating with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to resolve the effects of a water main break earlier this month in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
In a continued effort to safely advance economic vitality and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Bloomington will again create pedestrian-only spaces on three blocks of Kirkwood Avenue, beginning March 25, 2021 and running through June 30, 2021. This timeline may be modified due to the status of the state of emergency and/or COVID-related health department guidelines should the need arise.
The Monroe County Domestic Violence Coalition invites community members to attend its 2021 spring conference on April 8 and 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m each day via Zoom video conferencing. The conference Ending Violence Together: Addressing Key Needs Described by Survivors will feature a keynote address by Colleen Yeakle, Coordinator of Prevention Initiatives, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
In the service of improving public safety, Mayor John Hamilton today introduced the details of a pilot program announced last fall designed to help retain and recruit police officers and deepen the Bloomington Police Department’s (BPD) connections in the community. The pilot program includes support for housing and for take-home cars focused on BPD officers living in the city. In combination with other enhancements, such as increased numbers of social workers and neighborhood specialists, resident-based reviews of racial equity and the future of policing, and continual review of best practices through the Board of Public Safety, these changes are designed to continue to improve BPD’s effectiveness in protecting public safety and sustaining public confidence in and relationships with the BPD.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
The City invites members of the public to apply for an upcoming vacancy on the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC). The RDC oversees housing and neighborhood development, and has the power to investigate opportunities for economic development and redevelopment in the City of Bloomington and the power to create economic development areas, areas needing redevelopment, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. The RDC meets twice a month on Mondays at 5 p.m., currently via video conferencing.
The City received no reports of employees’ having received positive results of COVID-19 viral tests since employee cases were last announced on Thursday, February 25.
Mayor John Hamilton has announced that he will appoint lifelong Bloomingtonian Donald C. Griffin, Jr. as Deputy Mayor, succeeding Mick Renneisen, who has announced his retirement effective April 23. Griffin is a Bloomington native with decades of community service and leadership. He founded, owns and leads Griffin Realty Holdings, Inc. As Deputy Mayor, Griffin will coordinate and oversee 16 City departments and 850 employees working to implement the Hamilton administration's policies and goals, including job creation, affordable housing, quality of life improvements, and efficient and transparent basic governmental services.
On behalf of the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission (RDC), the City of Bloomington has issued a Request for Information (RFI) from qualified real estate developers to submit their proposals for potential adaptive reuse of the Kohr Administration Building as a long-term affordable or mixed-income, multi-family residential project.
Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Mayor John Hamilton announced today that the City of Bloomington has achieved LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) through the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system.
The City of Bloomington and the Indiana University Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center invite the community to the 17th Annual Black History Month Gala which will take place on Saturday, February 27 beginning at 6 p.m. The ticketed, public event will be held over Zoom video conferencing, with e-ticket reservations available in advance through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, online at www.bctboxoffice.org or by phone at 812-323-3020.
Mayor John Hamilton today announced the names of the three women to be honored for their outstanding service to the Bloomington community during the local observance of Women’s History Month in March.
The City of Bloomington Utilities Department (CBU) alerts residents to the potential for flooding this weekend. Due to heavy snowfall during recent weeks and higher temperatures expected over the weekend, we will likely experience snow melt.
Mayor John Hamilton presents his sixth annual State of the City address to the community. In the online presentation, the mayor will reflect on the community’s journey over the course of the historic year and chart the course ahead in remarks titled “Remember, Recover, Renew.”
The Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) today recognized 29 firefighters for exceptional service to the community in 2020 during a video presentation of the department’s annual awards ceremony.
Mayor John Hamilton today announced Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen’s plans to retire from his position on April 23, after four decades of service to the City of Bloomington and the community.
In consideration of the amount of snow accumulation thus far this week and the potential for further accumulation overnight on Wednesday, the City of Bloomington Sanitation Division has announced that trash and recycling collection will be cancelled for the remainder of the week to protect sanitation workers’ safety.
City of Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton encourages all community members to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Be More Awards, the community volunteer awards presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. Nominations are being accepted now through Friday, March 12 at www.BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org/bemore.
As part of Mayor John Hamilton’s initiative to Recover Forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) has awarded a second round of grant funding to cultural organizations and artists that foster the arts and nurture communities.
Due to the anticipated cold temperatures and snow accumulation, the City of Bloomington Sanitation Division has announced that collection on Tuesday, February 16 will be postponed.
In anticipation of bitter cold temperatures and additional snowfall in the next few days, the City of Bloomington advises residents for their safety to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, and to check on elderly family members and neighbors often to assure their safety.
A revised version of the draft Bloomington Zoning Map and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendments was announced today, to be formally introduced at a March 8 Plan Commission hearing. The revisions reflect feedback received through broad public engagement over the three months since release of the Public Outreach Draft last October.
One employee of the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) reported receiving a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test on Friday, February 5 after starting to experience symptoms on Thursday, February 4. The employee’s last shift was Tuesday, February 2.
On Monday, February 15, the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) launches a project reconstructing the downtown stormwater infrastructure that prevents flooding during rain events.
Mayor John Hamilton joined Bloomington’s public safety directors to deliver the fifth annual State of Public Safety report presentation via video conference this morning. The public presentation showcased progress made toward shared goals for public safety by the Bloomington Police Department (BPD), the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) and the Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD).
Mayor John Hamilton today announced the appointment of John Zody to the position of Director of the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND).
As part of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative, the City of Bloomington is providing support for organizations to improve building efficiency through projects such as solar installation, appliance and lighting upgrades, and weatherization with the goals of reducing utility costs and saving energy.
One employee of the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) and another of the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. Neither of the employees had been identified as a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. Details of each case are as follows:
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton invites the press and the public to attend the fifth annual joint Public Safety Report to the Community. The online presentation will update the community on the state of public safety in Bloomington, and the City’s continuous efforts to improve it.
The City of Bloomington again became the owner of the building known as the Waldron Art Center in late January, after Ivy Tech Community College transferred title back to the City as per notice provided in May 2020. Ivy Tech had owned and operated the building at 122 South Walnut Street as a community art center since 2010, when it was conveyed by the City for that purpose. Per the agreement made at that time, the deed’s reversion to the City did not involve any financial exchange.
Limits on gathering sizes contributed to the difficult season.
Switchyard Park, whose landscape design emphasizes native landscaping, was nominated for the award.
One City Hall employee, one employee of the Department of Public Works, and two City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employees have reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. None of the employees had been identified as a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. Details of each case are as follows:
Residents are invited to apply for participation in a new resident-led task force being formed to help increase racial equity throughout the city of Bloomington. The Racial Equity Task Force is being established based on recommendations of the City’s Plan to Advance Racial Equity, accessible at the City’s website at https://bloomington.in.gov/inclusion. This task force, dedicated to addressing broad issues of racism in the community and developing recommendations to address them, will comprise a broad selection of up to 15 residents. City residents interested in applying for a seat on the Racial Equity Task Force may complete this application by Monday, February 15 at midnight and will be notified of their selection by Tuesday, February 23.
The City of Bloomington and the Indiana University Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center invite the community to kick off Black History Month at the 2021 Opening Celebration on January 29. Beginning at 6 p.m., the free, public event will be held over Zoom video conferencing and streamed live on the City’s social media pages. Registration to attend the event over Zoom must be made in advance at go.iu.edu/bhmkickoff.
The City of Bloomington Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission (BPSC) is seeking proposals for resident-led projects to install traffic-calming devices on neighborhood and residential streets. Funding will be awarded through the Traffic Calming and Greenways (TCGP) Program to manage motor vehicle traffic through the installation of speed cushions and speed humps (in rare instances other devices may be considered). Prospective applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) on or before Sunday, February 21. Submission information is available at https://bloomington.in.gov/tcgp
Goat Farm design plan for passive recreation elements will be presented for public review in 2021.
One City of Bloomington employee, two Bloomington Transit (BT) employees, and one City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) employee have reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. None of the employees had been identified as a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. Details of each case are as follows:
Proposals from Food and Beverage Artisans and Applications from Farmers due Feb. 22
The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) invites residents to apply for City funding to improve their neighborhoods. Applications for funding through four neighborhood grant programs are currently being accepted for the 2021 application cycle.
Residents are invited to attend the third and final community meeting about innovating the City’s leaf collection service. The meeting will be held over Zoom video conferencing on Tuesday January 26 from 6:30-8pm and can be joined either by phone or computer (computer recommended for better access to visual presentation and breakout sessions) at this link:
Since early December, the City has actively coordinated with community partners to connect people who have been illegally camping in the Seminary Park area with better options for safe shelter. The number of those spending the night in the park or the right-of-way has declined over the last five weeks with that extensive outreach, and enforcement of the rules against overnight camping in City parks and in the right-of-way resumed Thursday, January 14 in order to protect the safety and health of these individuals and the community.
The City today published the master plan report for redevelopment of the current Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital site. In 2018, the City contracted to purchase the 24-acre site in order to strengthen downtown with jobs and affordable housing, and pursue additional community goals for sustainability, equity, and inclusion. The plan provides a broad, overall framework for the site’s redevelopment, focused on the 24 acres but also connecting with the wider area, to frame and align future decisions with the community’s goals.
Two City of Bloomington employees have reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests over the last week. Neither employee had been identified as a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. Details of each case are as follows:
In its ongoing effort to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the services it delivers, the City is offering residents a new tool for accessing information about and scheduling sanitation services.
Mayor John Hamilton invites the community to the 2021 City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, Monday, January 18. To be held virtually this year, the event will include remarks by Hamilton, members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission, and others starting at 7 p.m.
Two City of Bloomington employees reported receiving positive results of COVID-19 viral tests this week. Neither employee had been identified as a close contact of a previous COVID-19 case at the City. Details of each case are as follows
The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has begun the process of requesting an increase in customers’ water rates in order to modernize and improve the public water utility.
