This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 6th, 2024.

Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council made changes to its policy on public comment – limiting the amount of time residents can speak at the public mic from 5-minutes to 3-minutes. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Ellettsville Town Council continued its discussion on forming a redevelopment commission.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Council

The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, May 28th. During department updates, County Assessor Judy Sharp spoke to the council about her concerns with the proposed changes to the county clinic’s healthcare provider.

Sharp then went on to discuss how the facility takes care of the employees year-round, and that it’s incredibly important to the whole county to continue using the same healthcare. She shared information about a petition being signed to halt the change.

County Treasurer Cathy Smith also spoke about the trouble she sees with this change.

Monroe County District 3 Council Member Marty Hawk spoke about her thoughts on the petition.

Monroe County Attorney Molly Turner-King said that this issue is on the Commissioners’s agenda to address any concerns.

Later in the meeting, Monroe County Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge requested approval for the de‐Appropriation of Account Lines Sample Road Phase 2, Hunters Creek Rd Phase 2 and 3, Bicentennial Pathway, and Liberty Drive to Karst Trail. This request was unanimously approved by all County Council Board Members.

The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11th.

The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 28th.They continued their discussion surrounding the formation of a Redevelopment Commission and a TIF district.

Town Manager Mike Farmer introduced the discussion.

Town Attorney Darla Brown shared her answers to questions the council had asked during their discussion last week.

Council Member William Ellis shared concerns about the commission making frivolous purchases that the council would have to spend money to maintain after the 20 year TIF district expired.

Farmer said that might be true in a worst case scenario, however, he reminded Ellis that the TIF is meant to improve the town’s infrastructure and contribute to the town’s economic development. Farmer also suggested that the town council have members on the commission so they would have control over what is being done.

Ellis reiterated that he has seen other county’s left with projects that they could not sustain.

Council Member Scott Oldham asked Attorney Darla Brown if there was a way to ensure the committee had to get their approval for purchases. Brown responded that she was not sure, but thought it was a likely possibility.

Council Member Scott Oldham said he was in support of the Redevelopment Commission since the town council positions change every four years, and said that the commission could add continuity and ensure long term projects like Envision Ellettsville initiatives are followed through.

Brown suggested one way the council will have oversight on what the commission does, is to set up the expectations of the Redevelopment Commission. She shared that after the commission is established, they will draft up their plans for the commission, and the town council and Plan Commission will be involved in the process.

Farmer reminded the council that the reason they considered starting a Redevelopment Commission and a T-I-F district was to meet the city’s basic needs. Ellis remarked that the money could be spent on unnecessary purchases, but Farmer again said that the town has infrastructure needs that are not being met.

Oldham said he thinks a redevelopment commission is needed, but he agrees with Ellis that they need to put parameters on it.

Brown said she would contact Baker Tilly with their questions about setting parameters for the commission.

The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on June 10th.

During the June 5th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council made changes to city code when it comes to public comment. Council members heard an ordinance that would limit public comment to 3-minutes rather than the 5-minute time limit they currently adhere to. City Clerk Nicole Bolden read Ordinance 2024-13 by title and synopsis.

City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith went on to say that people have the opportunity for public comment for items in the agenda at a 3-minute time limit. She said that she believes the ordinance would provide consistency for items not on the agenda.

Furthermore, Piedmont-Smith touched on changes the ordinance would make to the rules of conduct surrounding public comment.

Council Member Dave Rollo said he’s generally supportive of the proposal; however, he asked City Attorney Stephen Lucas about whether the council could suspend the rules in special circumstances if the ordinance passes. Lucas responded that the council could make exceptions by a majority vote.

Then, the city council heard an amendment to the ordinance. Council Parliamentarian Hopi Stosberg walked through the purpose of the amendment.

Council Attorney Stephen Lucas recapped his overall thoughts on the amendment saying he supports it.

The council voted 9-0 on the amendment. Next, local resident and former city council member Jeff Richardson gave public comment on the ordinance as amended, suggesting the council could have separate meetings for more in-depth discussions.

The council voted unanimously in support of the ordinance as amended. The Bloomington City Council will meet again on June 12th for its next regular session.