Common Council Regular Session

Bloomington Common Council-Regular Session Minutes Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, Indiana Wednesday, February 05, 2025, 6:30pm 1. CALL TO ORDER [6:31pm] Council President Stosberg called the meeting to order. 2. ROLL CALL (* indicates participation via Zoom) [6:31pm] Members: Isak Nti Asare At-Large Courtney Daily District 5, Council Parliamentarian Matt Flaherty At-Large Isabel Piedmont-Smith District 1, Council Vice President Dave Rollo District 4 Kate Rosenbarger District 2 Andy Ruff At-Large Hopi Stosberg District 3, Council President Sydney Zulich District 6 City staff, officials, and guests present: Nicole Bolden City Clerk Lisa Lehner Council Attorney Ash Kulak Deputy Council Attorney Jackie Scanlan Development Services Manager, Planning and Transportation Anna Killion-Hanson Director, Housing and Neighborhood Development Jessica McClellan City Controller Margie Rice Corporation Counsel Gretchen Knapp Deputy Mayor 3. AGENDA SUMMATION [6:32pm] Stosberg spoke about Black History Month events, the Black Market and its history, and summarized the agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES [6:36pm] Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded to approve the minutes as amended from May 15, 2024, September 04, 2024, and September 18, 2024. The motion was approved by voice vote. 5. REPORTS [6:37pm] 5.1. Councilmembers Zulich discussed the Kirkwood Avenue street closure including accessibility and Bloomington Transit. She encouraged the community to give feedback. Daily wished everyone a happy Black History Month. She noted her upcoming constituent meeting. Rollo commented on an accident involving a bicycle and a bus on the Seventh Street corridor. He stated the removal of stop signs was hazardous. He discussed traffic-calming efforts and greenways. 1 Meeting Date: February 05, 2025 Piedmont-Smith reported on the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County’s grant from the Lily Endowment totaling $7,394,000 to work on homelessness in the community. She commented on the recent traveling Town Hall, the location of the Bloomington Police headquarters, public safety, and noted her upcoming constituent meeting. Stosberg mentioned her upcoming constituent meeting. 5.2. The Mayor and City Offices Clerk Nicole Bolden reported on council-appointed seats on boards and commissions, parking citation appeals, meeting minutes, the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) board meeting, and legislation that would affect property taxes and city funding. She highlighted legislation that would impact municipalities. She wished everyone a happy Black History Month and spoke about its history and upcoming community events. She suggested that everyone consider being more deliberate in one’s purchasing and to buy from Black-owned brands and companies. 5.3. Council Committees There were no reports from council committees. 5.4. Public Eric Ost spoke about the recent accident on the Seventh Street corridor. 6. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS [7:01pm] On behalf of Interview Committee Team B, Piedmont-Smith moved and Rollo seconded to make the following reappointments:  For the Commission on the Status of Women - to reappoint Landry Culp to seat C-4.  For the Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission - to reappoint Kamala Sparks-Brown to seat C-6.  For the Environmental Commission - to reappoint Adam Martinez to seat C-5.  For the Bloomington Digital Underground Advisory Committee - to reappoint Mike Allen to seat C-1.  For the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission - to reappoint Latonya Wilson to seat C-3. The motion was approved by voice vote. (Ruff out of the room) On behalf of Interview Committee Team C, Zulich moved and Flaherty seconded to recommend the reappointment of Travis Harding to seat C-1 and Stephanie Freeman-Day to seat C-2 on the Tree Commission. The motion was approved by voice vote. On behalf of Interview Committee Team A, Rosenbarger moved and Asare seconded to recommend the appointment of Diana Opata to seat C-1 on the Commission on the Status of Black Males. The motion was approved by voice vote. 7. LEGISLATION FOR FIRST READINGS [7:03pm] 7.1. Ordinance 2025-05 To Amend the Following Titles of the Bloomington Municipal Code Regarding Resident Boards and Commissions: Title 2.12 “Boards, Commissions and Councils”, Title 2.19 “Housing and Neighborhood Development”, Title 2.23 “Community and Family Resources Department”, and Title 2.20 “Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners” 2  Meeting Date: February 05, 2025 Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded that Ordinance 2025-05 be introduced and read by title and synopsis only. The motion was approved by voice vote. Clerk Nicole Bolden read the legislation by title and synopsis. Stosberg referred the legislation for a second reading at the February 19, 2025, meeting. 8. LEGISLATION FOR SECOND READINGS AND RESOLUTIONS [7:12pm] Asare moved and Zulich seconded to amend the agenda. The motion received a roll call vote of Ayes: 3 (Asare, Rosenbarger, Zulich), Nays: 6, Abstain: 0. FAILED 8.1. Appropriation Ordinance 2025-01 To Additionally Appropriate from the General Fund For the Downtown Outreach Program Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded that Appropriation Ordinance 2025-01 be introduced and read by title and synopsis only. The motion was approved by voice vote. Bolden read the legislation by title and synopsis. Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded to adopt Appropriation Ordinance 2025-01. Jessica McClellan, Controller, said there was an error with the fund source and urged council to vote not to pass the legislation. The funding should be allocated from the Opioid Settlement funds and not the General Fund. Appropriation Ordinance 2025-01 had been properly advertised with a public hearing and could not be amended that evening. Stosberg noted that the meeting that evening served as the public hearing. There was no public comment. The motion to adopt Appropriation Ordinance 2025-01 received a roll call vote of Ayes: 0, Nays: 9, Abstain: 0. FAILED 8.2. Ordinance 2025-03 An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance 2024-20 That Fixed the Salaries of Appointed Officers, Non-Union, and A.F.S.C.M.E. Employees For All the Departments of the City of Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana for the Year 2025 Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded that Ordinance 2025-03 be introduced and read by title and synopsis only. The motion was approved by voice vote. Bolden read the legislation by title and synopsis. Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded to adopt Ordinance 2025-03. Erica DeSantis, Director of Compensation and Benefits, Human Resources, explained the Workforce Evaluation and Realignment Committee (WERC) process, salary study phases, impact of state and federal funding losses, and issues specific to the Planning Department. She discussed staff salaries across the city and market rates. There was uncertainty due to the political landscape for federal and state funding. She gave details on the Planning department’s staff salaries and grade increases. DeSantis explained the timeline, department head input, and goals for staff salaries. There was discussion on the sustainability of increased salaries, how the funding would be distributed to staff, and job grades. Piedmont-Smith moved and Asare seconded to adopt Amendment 01 to Ordinance 2025-03. Piedmont- Smith explained the typographical correction. Amendment 01 Synopsis: This amendment, sponsored by Cm. Piedmont-Smith, would clarify that the number of the Grade 8 Project Manager positions within the Engineering Department will be changed from three to two, such that the Engineering Department will have two Grade 8 Project Managers. The third Project Manager is being converted to a Project Manager III position (see Section 1 of the ordinance). There was no public comment. Meeting Date: February 05, 2025 The motion to adopt Amendment 01 to Ordinance 2025-03 was approved by a roll call vote of Ayes: 9, Nays, Abstain: 0. There was discussion on the elimination, and creation, of some jobs in the Engineering department. There was no public comment on Ordinance 2025-03 as amended. Flaherty said that job grades 1, 2, and 3 did not meet the living wage requirement in the city. He clarified that some employees in Legal, ITS, and Engineering had job grades of 12 but were not department heads which was inconsistent. There were errors within the Planning department’s job grades and compensation. He had lost confidence in the administration and the WERC process but he appreciated the modest improvements. The motion to approve Ordinance 2025-03 as amended was approved by a roll call vote of Ayes: 9, Nays: 0, Abstain: 0. 8.3. Ordinance 2025-01 To Amend the District Ordinance and Preliminary Plan of A 3.2 Acre Planned Unit Development (PUD), The Curry PUD, In Order to Amend the Workforce Housing Contribution - Re: 105 S. Pete Ellis Drive (Bloomington SPCW JV, LLC, Petitioner) Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded that Ordinance 2025-01 be introduced and read by title and synopsis only. The motion was approved by voice vote. Bolden read the legislation by title and synopsis. Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded to adopt Ordinance 2025-01. Jackie Scanlan, Development Services Manager, Planning department, noted that it was the third reading for the legislation. She provided a history of the PUD, zoning commitment, and the workforce housing commitment. Council discussed the value of a payment in lieu versus the benefit of workforce housing commitments. The petitioner was unable to fulfill the onsite housing commitment. Anna Killion-Hanson, Director, Housing and Neighborhood Development department, clarified that any petitioner could opt to do a payment in lieu instead of a housing commitment. The city needed to review the incentives for developers. Council discussed the new agreement. Tom Jason, Petitioner representative, confirmed that the petitioner was receptive of the agreement. There was additional discussion on repercussions for not being compliant with the agreement. Kevin Keough offered public comment asking why rents could not be lowered. Killion-Hanson explained that the city had worked with the petitioner to lower the rents, and noted restrictions with workforce housing. Tom Jason said the rents had been reduced and provided a summary of the petitioner’s efforts to fill the vacant units. There was additional discussion on incentives, short term and long term solutions, the housing fund, and how the funds would be used. Council discussed a variety of options the city could take to help fill vacant units. It was noted that all types of housing was needed in the city. There was discussion on the original agreement which focused on workforce housing. The motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-01 received a roll call vote of Ayes: 5 (Ruff, Piedmont-Smith, Daily, Zulich, Asare), Nays: 4 (Flaherty, Rollo, Stosberg, Rosenbarger), Abstain: 0. 8.4. Ordinance 2025-04 To Amend Title 2 of the Bloomington Municipal Code Entitled “Administration and Personnel” - Re: The Establishment of the Transportation Commission Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded that Ordinance 2025-04 be introduced and read by title and synopsis only. The motion received a roll call vote of Ayes: 7, Nays: 2 (Rollo, Ruff), Abstain: 0. 4  Meeting Date: February 05, 2025 Daily moved and Piedmont-Smith seconded to adopt Ordinance 2025-04. Ryan Robling, Planning Services Manager, Planning department summarized the legislation, which he had presented three times already. Piedmont-Smith moved and Daily seconded to adopt Amendment 01 to Ordinance 2025-04. The motion received a roll call vote of Ayes: 9, Nays, Abstain: 0. Piedmont-Smith presented the amendment. Amendment 01 Synopsis: This amendment is sponsored by Councilmember Piedmont-Smith and aims to clarify the expectation that city staff from departments deemed necessary for decision-making to support the city’s transportation and parking goals collaborate with the new Transportation Commission by attending meetings at the commission’s request. This collaboration is essential to accomplish the city’s goals in regard to parking policy and implementation. The amendment also removes one word in the section describing two appointments by the Common Council to the new Commission. It proposes that the word “demonstrated” before “experience using forms of travel other than personal motor vehicles” be deleted, since it is unclear how anyone would demonstrate that qualification. Robling stated that staff supported Amendment 01. Steve Volan, chair of the Parking Commission, was unsure if an amendment to preserve the Parking Commission would get a sponsor. The motion to adopt Amendment 01 to Ordinance 2025-04 received a roll call vote of Ayes: 9, Nays: 0, Abstain: 0. There was discussion on the advisory nature of the Traffic Commission (TC) and the process for traffic calming and greenways. Andrew Cibor, City Engineer, clarified the difference between the establishment of the TC and amending Title 15. Margie Rice, Corporation Counsel, referenced state code which gave the Engineer responsibility to make decisions on traffic calming measures, stop signs, and more. She reiterated that the TC would be an advisory commission to provide public input. There would also be updates to Title 15. Council discussion focused on statutory authority of commissions, council, and the executive body. Steve Volan spoke about the cost of parking, parking data, the Parking Commission, and urged council to sponsor the amendment seeking to maintain the Parking Commission. Christopher Emge, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, spoke about city boards and commissions. Ash Kulak, Deputy Council Attorney, read a comment submitted via Zoom chat by Sam Dove regarding adding stop signs on the 7th Street corridor. Eric Ost urged council to postpone Ordinance 2025-04 indefinitely and referenced state code regarding the city engineer. Lisa Lehner, Council Attorney, reiterated that the proposed changes to Title 2 and Title 15 were separate. Council discussed three traffic studies and which would be brought to the TC. Robling said that combining the commissions into the TC would free up staff’s time. There was discussion on council’s role with traffic and roadway issues, as well as the statutory requirements and responsibilities of the city engineer. Ruff stated he was still unclear with the legislation, and believed it was ideal to postpone the legislation. Piedmont-Smith noted the benefits of having the TC and gave reasons in support. She did not believe that the legislation needed to be postponed due to concerns with Title 15. Rollo expressed concern with empowering a commission like the TC and believed more time was needed in order to better review state code. Flaherty discussed his time as the ex-officio member of the Parking Commission, state code, and how to address concerns. Stosberg said the Title 15 concerns were separate from Title 2 and the creation of the TC. She referenced the purpose of the TC which was not empowered to make final decisions; the TC could make recommendations, do analyses, request appropriations through the mayor and for approval by council. Ruff and Stosberg discussed the current approval process for staff-led greenways and traffic-calming projects. The motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-04 as amended received a roll call vote of Ayes: 7, Nays: 2 (Ruff, Rollo), Abstain: 0. Meeting Date: February 05, 2025 9. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT [10:23pm] Christopher Emge, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, spoke about housing incentives. Steve Volan thanked individuals who served on the Parking Commission. 10. COUNCIL SCHEDULE [10:26pm] Stosberg reviewed the upcoming council schedule and noted that there would be a group photo of council. 11. ADJOURNMENT [10:27pm] Stosberg adjourned the meeting. APPROVED by the Common Council of the City of Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana, upon this 03 ________ September day of __________________________________________, 2025. APPROVE: ATTEST: ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Hopi Stosberg, COUNCIL PRESIDENT City Clerk Nicole Bolden Clerk’s Note: The above minutes summarize the motions passed and issues discussed rather than providing a verbatim account of every word spoken. Bloomington City Council meetings can be watched on the following websites:  Community Action Television Services (CATS) – https://catvstv.net  YouTube – https://youtube.com/@citybloomington Background materials and packets are available at https://bloomington.in.gov/council 6