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June 2021 News Releases

City Reports No New COVID-19 Employee Cases in Previous Four Weeks, First Known COVID-19-Related Employee Death

The City received no reports of employees' having received positive results of COVID-19 viral tests since employee cases were last announced on Thursday, June 24.

City of Bloomington 24-Hour Phone Line Non-Functioning

City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) reports that its 24-hour phone line (812-339-1444) for after-hours emergencies related to water, sewer, streets, etc. is non-functioning at this time.

Fire Department Working to Relocate Downtown

Due to extensive damage caused by last weekend’s flood event, the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) command staff formerly housed at Station 1 (located at 300 East Fourth Street) will be temporarily relocating to the former law offices of Bunger and Robertson, 226 South College Avenue.

Bloomington Transit Reports Positive COVID-19 Test Result

A Bloomington Transit (BT) administrative employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test as of Sunday, June 20. The employee began experiencing symptoms on Wednesday, June 16 and has not worked since that day. No close contacts were identified among the employee's coworkers or the general public. Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset -- or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection -- until the time the patient is isolated. This is the tenth BT staff member to report a positive COVID-19 viral test result over the last fifteen months. 

City Sanitation Announces Plan for Pickup of Materials Related to Residential Flooding

Residents receiving sanitation services from the Sanitation Division of the City of Bloomington Public Works Department can now schedule pickup of items related to flooding from last weekend's weather event.

Bloomington Transit Reports Positive COVID-19 Test Result

A Bloomington Transit (BT) administrative employee reported a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test as of Sunday, June 20.

Flood Damages Bloomington Police Department Facility

The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) building at 220 East Third Street was damaged during the flooding that occurred in the downtown area Friday night into Saturday morning.

Flood Damages Bloomington Fire Department Headquarters

Bloomington’s downtown fire station will be closed for an unknown period of time, with personnel and apparatus reassigned to the other four city fire stations.

Recent Extreme Weather Event

Last night Bloomington and the surrounding area experienced an extreme weather event that included rain, high winds and flooding in some areas.

Lower Cascades Waterfall

Parks and Recreation Staff to Recommend Re-Opening Road Through Lower Cascades Park to Vehicle Traffic Following Road Improvements

City will request approval to continue the temporary closure in order to implement proposed road improvements.

Juneteenth logo

Mayor Hamilton Announces City Holiday Monday in Recognition of Juneteenth

In recognition of the new federal holiday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Mayor John Hamilton has announced that the City of Bloomington will close its offices on Monday, June 21.  City employees who are not scheduled in essential capacities will not be expected to report for work, and will receive holiday pay for the day.  The City’s sanitation schedule will not be delayed.  Juneteenth is not on the 2021 City of Bloomington holiday calendar, but in addition to observing the new holiday on Monday, the administration will present a resolution to Council for its official adoption as a holiday in 2022.   

City Reports BFD Employee is First New COVID-19 Case Among Workforce in Five Weeks

A Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) employee is the first City worker to report a positive result of a COVID-19 viral test in five weeks.  The employee began experiencing symptoms on Thursday, June 10 and received a positive COVID-19 viral test result on Saturday, June 12.  No close contacts were identified among the employee's coworkers or the general public.  (Close contact is defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset--or, for asymptomatic clients, two days prior to positive specimen collection--until the time the patient is isolated.)

City Launches “1,000 Households Who Mulch” Challenge as Expansion of Innovation Pilot to Improve City Service Delivery

In a report to the Bloomington City Council Wednesday evening, the City’s Director of Innovation Devta Kidd announced an expansion of a 2020 pilot program designed to evaluate and improve the City’s leaf collection system.  The 1,000 Households Who Mulch Challenge seeks 1,000 Bloomington households to commit to mulching and composting most of the leaves on their property and opting for a new on-demand vacuum-based leaf collection only if needed at the very end of the leafing season.   

City Accepting Applications for Federal Funding from Agencies Impacted by Pandemic

The City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department (HAND) invites Bloomington-based social service agencies that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for federal funds HAND administers through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program.

City Reports No New COVID-19 Employee Cases in Previous Four Weeks, First Known COVID-19-Related Employee Death

No positive results of COVID-19 viral tests have been reported by City employees in the four weeks since the May 13 announcement.  However, the City received information this week that COVID-19 was among the causes of death of a recently deceased employee. This is the first known COVID-19-related death of a City worker. 

Playground installation

Recover Forward Bus Stop Improvements Underway, Free Parking at Trades Garage Till Monday, Public Input Sought for Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park Playground

Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington.  The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.

Girl with American flag

Deadline to Enter City's Independence Day Reverse Parade is June 11

City's first-ever "reverse parade" limited to 50 entries.

City of Bloomington Utilities Publishes Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has published their annual drinking water quality report. As part of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires community water systems to deliver a Consumer Confidence Report, also known as an annual drinking water quality report, to their customers.

City Sees No New COVID-19 Employee Cases in Previous Three Weeks

The City has received no new reports of positive results of COVID-19 viral tests among employees in the three weeks since the Thursday, May 13 announcement.  

7-Line Kickoff Thursday; City Playgrounds Renewed; Jackson Creek Trail Wends Down High

Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington.  The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.

The City of Bloomington Wears Orange to Honor Survivors of Gun Violence

The City of Bloomington invites the community to observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day Friday, June 4 and to join in events raising awareness about gun violence during Wear Orange weekend, June 4-6.