Case Date:

4/1/2024

Occupants have been erecting numerous structures made of pallets, wood, and tarps throughout their property for several weeks. The backyard seems completely full of these shanties. Their "construction" continues throughout much of the evening many days of the week, often extending to 10:00pm or later. The banging and power tool noise is a nuisance and the many structures they are creating seem very unsafe, especially for the children that are seen/heard playing there.

Case Date:

4/2/2024

On the ridge overlooking the northernmost part of the B-Line - close to where the B-Line intersects with Adams St. there is a growing camp. The picture here was taken on 4/1/2024. There is trash flowing downhill from the camp on the ridge. Some of the trash includes at least 3 propane tanks. The camp is less than 0.25 miles from homes and a park. It is a bit scary to think that the campers might be using the propane inside their tents. What can be done to help these folks stay warm and dry without the risk of blowing up a neighborhood?

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:

7/9/2023

When is the city going to match the County for work hours/hours worked? Closing at 4pm makes public meetings available to start earlier in the evening, reduces traffic stress on roads as a major employer (remote work accomplishes this too), and creates less confusion on need of City versus County services and what hours they can be reached.

Case Date:

4/4/2024

large hole cut into chainlink fence.

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:

4/6/2024

Bus stop hazard: Can we please move the location of the #5 bus stop sign 30ft north. When the bus stops adjacent to the sign here passengers have to exit the bus right next to large (and growing bigger) sinkhole next to the storm drain. The sinkhole was reported years ago, but it persists. At least let me get off the bus without risking falling into a sinkhole before I have to walk through all that wet grass in the easement. Please?

Case Date:

4/6/2024

Bus stop hazard

Case Date:

4/8/2024

Using the MyBloomington website, ( https://bloomington.in.gov/mybloomington/ ) It would be helpful to list the historic designation per the SHARD for houses both in and out of historic districts. (i.e. C / Contributing, NC / Non-Contributing, O / Outstanding, etc.) and linked to a page that explains WHAT THAT MEANS in terms of modifications to the outsides of houses, whether or not that structure is in an historic district. Many homeowners come before the Historic Preservation Commission angry and uninformed. Consult with the HPC Program Manager, Noah Sandweiss, on what to put in these blurbs - it changes based on whether the property is in a district, as well which district it is in. (Noah’s email: noah.sandweiss@bloomington.in.gov )

Case Date:

4/5/2024

Tripping hazard caused by uneven sidewalk section.