See closed case #184736: in front of Mother Bear's on E Third Street. The metal drain cover on the sidewalk again has fallen in and is a tripping hazard for pedestrians. Maybe it is time to look for a more permanent solution rather than just putting it back in its place.
Query the status of my request for a trash can at the Bloomington Transit Mall bus stop (Endwright Center entrance). See also cases #181718 from October 4, 2022, and #184137 from June 8, 2023. See attached picture from today, and that was only part of the trash out there. Thank you!
Once again the storm sewer drains in front of my house and across the street are clogged with debris. I do my share of keeping the drains free, but I think it is also incumbent upon the City of do its share. Keep in mind that it is now yet the season when falling leaves block drains and before the area between the street and sidewalk are dug up again to have more broadband fiber laid.
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.
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.
Raised sidewalk (both sides of slab) caused by tree roots in easement causing tripping hazard.
Raised sidewalk caused by tree roots in easement causing tripping hazard. This is the Brumley Ct. Side of their property.
The brush along the sidewalk has encroached so much that I have to step into the street in a few places. I’m sure the adjacent property is owned by the railroad. Can we clean it up and charge them? This area could use attention by Brighten BTown - the weeds are really tall along the curbs, and there have been many car accidents, but no follow up by a street sweeper.
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?
I am emailing to request a target date we will be required to vacate our space. Warrant Technologies currently resides in the Showers Building at 320 W. 8th St, Suite 207 Bloomington, IN 47404. We have been verbally notified by three different city representatives, one of which was the deputy mayor, that will be required to move out prior to end of our lease. We have inquired each time – When will we be required to move? No response has been provided to date. This is having a detrimental impact to our ability to support our customers. We cannot plan for / execute upgrades needed to include facility security measures, classified holding capability, expanded connectivity to include classified connection, cooling, alarms, and additional access control. Warrant needs an answer to the following questions; • Will we be required to move out? • If yes, when will we be required to move? • If no, will we be able to exercise our lease option years? V/R, Mike Michael Norris Warrant Technologies, LLC Showers Plaza 320 W. 8th St, Suite 207 Bloomington, IN 47404 Office: 812 676 1384 Cell: 812 361 6721