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:

9/6/2023

Tickets in uReport assigned to new mayors office contact (Nicholas) need reassigned and addressed in a timely manner. Reports are being left not responded to.

Case Date:

9/11/2023

At what point does the city of Bloomington try to address the homelessness issue that is making areas of Bloomington disgusting, unsafe and unusable. Money spent on parks and the b-line wasted because it’s just parking spots for shopping carts and users going through withdrawal. Pleasant neighborhoods now frequently dealing with derelict arguments. Feeling safe at night around most of Bloomington is quickly becoming a thing of the past. It’s very disheartening to see such a nice, fun town being dragged down due to the inability of those in charge to fix issues everyone can see and everyone is impacted by. Do better Bloomington.

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:

9/18/2023

It would be nice if the city gave a little notice when utility contractors come through neighborhoods.

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:

9/25/2023

In reference to report #185705, this one random report is not reflective of the whole community’s views or the future of the modern workplace/workforce. Embracing hybrid and remote options is the way of the world as society was globally changed in 2020. We saw for now 3 years that this can work and does work well. One sour apple shouldn’t ruin the whole bunch. That report also showed a mentality of ‘I have it bad so others should have it bad too’. This is not inclusive, progressive behavior that we should be pushing for. Please continue to progress this city and workplace and do not revert back to outdated ways just because ‘it’s the way it’s always been done’.

Case Date:

10/2/2023

I beg of the city to do something about the homeless using stolen shopping carts! It’s been going on way too long!! There are dozens upon dozens of shopping carts all over town. (That you can see…prob 5xs that in the woods, streams, sewers) Either in use by homeless or abandoned they need returned! It is a huge eye sore and is making this city look like crap. Most are downtown and around seminary park and the shalom center! I can’t imagine the expense impacting local businesses!!

Case Date:

10/5/2023

Thank you for all your efforts to resolve the issues reported. It seems a never-ending and thankless task. Your efforts are not unnoticed. I wish our fellow citizens took as much pride in the city as our city staff.

Case Date:

10/12/2023

Since the corrupt,racist and morally bankrupt organization known as Black Lives Matter has shown their true colors by supporting the murder of innocent people along with the rape and murder of women the murder and mutilation of the elderly and the beheading of children, will Hamilton continue to support them? Immediately remove the graffiti from 6th street and remove the banner from the mill. By continuing to support this communist organization, this administration is saying they support terrorist!! For once in your little grease ball life do the right thing. You can take some of the one million dollars for the 40 foot phalic “ode to me” and remove all things related to this organization once and for all. Now we know that all of your under the desk bootlicks like wasson, boldin and zody etc-etc will do everything they can to keep you from seeing this. Nobody wants to say little Johnny is ever wrong about anything. The city of Bloomington can’t be rid of you and your staff soon enough. And if the new female version of Hamilton stands with Black Lives Matter there should be an immediate recall. #John Hamilton and the city of Bloomington stand with terrorist!!