- Case Date:
- 9/6/2023
Some comments ahead of budget approval: Are staff members being considered throughout this budget cycle? This question comes up frequently from the employee perspective, but it does not seem to be at the forefront of council, the administration, or even HR’s agenda. Staff are continually told how valuable their benefits are while being grossly overworked and underpaid, often carrying the duties of multiple positions because this organization cannot keep a full staff employed. Employees and citizen onlookers watch this dance every year as the mayoral and department head staff continue to get inflated wages while the vast majority of workers are severely underpaid with high expectations of their output. Yet promises are made during the approval of each budget for things that will benefit staff, however staff never reap the benefits. The staff health clinic has yet to have even a proposed plan discussed to internal staff but was promised last year, a compensation study was to commence yet the results have not been provided internally to staff and the amount allocated is laughable seeing as there are still LARGE wage gaps between the work performed at the same pay grade level accross roles within the organization let alone just in individual departments (pay data is public after all), the bonuses were delayed in getting released to staff via paychecks let alone the other health benefit reimbursements that are constantly delayed in processing, and alleged “progressive” benefits such as paid parental leave (in which the city is just behind in offering such a benefit) are still currently a “trial” so no one employee can actually calculate the value of the “benefits” because they don’t exist or do not apply to them (i.e. the bike cash out program that the majority of staff members cannot even use due to location of where they live, yet this is the topic of concern?). It seems that the organization is constantly asking how can we get people to stay in their roles, when the answers are right in front of them every year - skills based hiring, retention pay incentives, and adequate market/competitive pay. Our municipal counterpart in the County and federal roles work less hours (often closing at 4pm), have more paid holidays, have remote and hybrid work options without repercussions, retention incentives, higher pay rates, larger bonus incentives, and continue to float higher cost of living adjustments than the City. When did it become the case that City civil servants should bare the brunt of public backlash and demand, yet make so little that they cannot afford to live in the city they work for? It is very concerning to watch on every year as the average worker in this organization falls off of the organization’s top priority list. After all, how are citizens’ needs and demands going to be met if there are no people running the city each day? It’s really sad to see that the only individual throughout this process so far to discuss the employees’ treatment is the Clerk. This organization should be doing better than this, and set the same priorities for employees with the newly incoming administration. Someone truly needs to address the large pay gaps, the systemic staffing issues, etc. because it has yet to be accomplished.
- Case Date:
- 9/13/2023
Can someone from the city comment on what private property owners can do with scooters abandoned, left, or staged on their property? Calls to the scooter companies to have these moved are not often met with a prompt response.
- Case Date:
- 9/20/2023
County is getting 16 paid holidays and discussion of 8.5% COLA raise with starting salaries already at a higher wage than most comparable positions within the City, in addition to many roles working 8am-4pm. Will this continued deficit in pay and benefits be addressed in the upcoming budget decisions for City staff?
- Case Date:
- 8/14/2018
Please update your police officers on policies regarding insurance, warranted searched, and speed limit postings. I was pulled over yesterday by a police officer who said I was tailgating yet speeding, and when I explained I was tailgating because I had to slam on my brakes since he pulled out into the lane. I believed he was making an emergency maneuver, however was just trying to get in traffic. He pulled me over, said he would cite me if I did not have my insurance, which I did, but it is also a law that I have 24 hours to provide that proof. It is also a law that if he has no reason to search my trunk, he cannot. However, he asked and I, politely, said yes. However, this was not necessary as there was no probable cause to search. Luckily my father is IMPD and was in direct contact with his supervisor. But I would like to make the city aware of this incident, as I felt very uncomfortable. Especially when said officer kept saying things were expired, then changing his mind when I said they were not. He was very unprofessional, and as someone who has been around law enforcement for 21 years, exhibited very concerning behavior.
Thank you.
- Case Date:
- 6/22/2019
I witnessed a man getting sucker punched in front of blue bird nightclub shortly before 12;30am on June 22. Officer 67 arrived within a few minutes and placed handcuffs on the man who was sucker punched. I immediately told officer 67 that I saw the perpetrator walk down the alley, but officer 67 told me to get back and would not listen to me... while I was watching the perpetrator walk down the alley. Other witnesses were also telling officer 67 the perpetrator was getting away. Officer 67 acted emotionally in arresting the victim. It was wrong. I could identify the perpetrator.
Dane Bohnert
317-473-3623
City Performance
320 W 8th ST
- Case Date:
- 1/17/2020
I filed a uReport nearly a year ago (in March 2019). The uReport was passd back and forth between city employees, but I have received no information that the uReport was actually read or responded to. The uReport was case #167846. Speeding is still a problem on Maxwell Lane - it's a four-tenths of a mile straightaway with a blind hill in the center.
City Performance
Bloomington City Hall
- Case Date:
- 8/3/2020
Bloomington bus driver around 7:15 pm near 3rd and Smith wasn't wearing a mask, was around down on his neck. Didn't look like anyone was within 6 feet of him, but shouldn't he always have one on in a confined bus? Can't remember tag. Think ended in 22. 85722, something like that, but couldn't be certain.
City Performance
Bloomington City Hall
- Case Date:
- 9/1/2020
We're trying to slow traffic in our neighborhood on e Morningside. Can Bloomington transit set a better example and go a reasonable speed please
City Performance
401 N Morton ST
- Case Date:
- 1/7/2021
I've noticed that the uReport system no longer shows the text of the updates made. There are only dates and words like "open" and "assignment" and "closed." Citizens cannot see what the City has said or reported about these uReports. There are no details on who is working on the case, what is being done, etc.
Is there a reason why this information has gone away and transparency is now lost?
- Case Date:
- 6/7/2021
Persistent speeding and failure to stop at intersection of Park Ridge and Morningside. Very dangerous next to park and residential area. 95% of area speed problem comes from Summerhouse. Please have police monitor. Has been requested before.