City of Bloomington, Indiana City Council, 30 Sep 2020

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From YouTube: Bloomington City Council, September 30, 2020, Part 2

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meeting agenda: https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/download?meetingFile_id=7658

A

Additional questions before we go to public comment.

A

And then we'll come back to council after that.

A

Council, member rosenberger is that a hand or.

B

Yeah I'm hesitant, but I I.

B

I guess I mean I want to talk about transportation demand management a little more. I'm sorry for all this, but I wanted to ask: did we.

B

Consult the consultant, who did the tdm plan.

B

About where we should house this, following up on that, I.

B

I just said a lot of looking at different cities that are similar to us.

B

Not only do they have transportation departments that stand alone, they have.

B

Tdm housed in the transportation department so- and I mean on those websites- it was just so easy to.

B

Get information because I could type in something like transportation and find.

B

Everything I needed so just wondering if we asked the consultant about that, and I think I would just like to ask.

B

This is kind of a hot topic and in the beginning,.

B

Then the mayor said that tdm this tdm position fit in both.

B

Departments so maybe I would like to hear why it also.

B

Fits well in planning and transportation, and if this move would be considered.

C

Well, I'm I'm sorry uh what was the is. The question.

C

About whether the move would be considered or is the question about.

C

The uh the the place for the current proposed place.

D

I remember rosenberger, I'm happy to I when I said it could be in either place.

D

uh We had a lot of discussion, and mr robinson may want to step in if he wants.

D

To which is fine, it could fit in either place um they're, pluses and minuses. um I think, as I tried to do in my too long opening.

D

Statement uh explained that.

D

In essence, uh look I am deeply committed to accomplishing the results and.

D

Delivering the results of the transportation demand.

D

Plan which is not easy to do and trying to figure out how do we best.

D

Accomplish that- and uh I am perfectly willing and think it's.

D

Great to be held accountable, are we accomplishing those objectives.

D

I think from my assessment and talking with our.

D

Leadership and things on their plates and relationships.

D

That they have it's my assessment that the best way to actually get the results that we want from a tdm.

D

Position in terms of marketing and outreach to the private sector, employers.

D

For example, we did that, as we had to close the forestry garage working with.

D

Them to try to reduce their need for parking in the interim. That kind of.

D

Relationship in improving commuting incentives and improving.

D

uh Programs that employers may do that that's most likely to be most successful.

D

If we launch it in esd- and I perfectly respect that you may have a different.

D

View on that uh and others may too, but I guess.

D

From my perspective, if, if you want to fund a tdm program.

D

I'd ask you to let the administration accomplish those objectives.

D

As effectively as we can and hold us accountable for whether we get the.

D

Results done or not, rather than analyze, who reports to whom uh in in the.

D

Structure but but again it's certainly a reasonable position. Planning was important in the development of the tdm uh position, but in terms of executing it.

D

And delivering and getting the results of increasing the numbers of employers.

D

Who have those programs we think launching it? Here is more.

D

E

Additional questions.

A

Okay and while you're thinking about that members of the public.

A

If you have an interest in offering comment on ordinance.

A

2023, you may want to use start using the raise hand, function.

A

um Or type into chat and we'll be getting to that as soon as.

A

We finish with council questions, uh council member flaherty sure thanks.

F

uh Between the budget hearings in august and now have there been any.

F

Changes to the budget uh proposal that are a result of council member.

F

Concerns and requests for a change.

F

That's the full question, um absolutely I mean we. We talked about.

D

Police department changes uh proposals was the main one.

D

uh In terms of um and of course, the police department recommendations.

D

Varied quite a bit there were, there were a number of uh different.

D

Recommendations on what to do in connection with the police department.

D

That would be the I think, the major change, mr underwood.

D

May reflect some some minor.

D

Monetary changes, um I think the two re, the two.

D

Some views about not having an engineering department.

D

Or about where tdm ought to be placed, uh I.

D

I gave you my explanations on that. I think it's probably relevant to.

D

D

Note as well that the the potential changes in.

D

Implementing the budget in 2021, depending upon revenue.

D

I I we haven't taken any action on those, but those I wanted to give a.

D

Heads up on some of the pressures that I think are are.

D

Built into the budget as it stands, but we didn't change the numbers.

D

Due to that, thanks and I understand, and I appreciate the.

F

Comments at the beginning uh of the evening about the administration's.

F

Position regarding uh various you know.

F

Series or themes and the questions that emerged from council but.

F

uh On the police, I I realized there are changes.

F

To police, uh policing and how we structure, policing and new positions.

F

Added this year, so those are changes as it changes from last year. But I guess.

F

More specifically, what I meant in my question was between the proposal that.

F

We heard at the budget hearings in august and now have there been any changes, um uh and I I guess I feel like um maybe.

F

Your initial uh remarks may or hamilton um were responsive to a different question. If that makes sense.

F

Well, maybe I didn't follow it exactly. um We with 140 questions that we got.

D

D

I'm not really aware of substantial recommendations.

D

Outside of that, if, if you're asking about responses to.

D

Council member um requests uh th those that we got that that I.

D

Think were substantial and again I'm sorry if I'm missing some.

D

Of the 142 questions, uh most of those were really about.

D

Information but the suggestions really, as I tried to.

D

Identify them came out to those three main.

D

Questions about engineering, tdm location for both of those and then various.

D

Aspects of the police budget and I would say that some of the.

D

Things I talked about tonight with regard to police planning and and.

D

Proposals for 2021, including the talking about that.

D

Community-Based committee, and where it ought to be.

D

Located and how to do it, I propose something in july: we've talked about it and there's still kind of different ideas. uh Responding to.

D

Different ideas about that and then the.

D

Ideas of potential other actions that could be taken.

D

In connection with the police force, particularly sworn officers that may.

D

Help produce a better police department in 2021. Those are actions that directly resulted from conversations.

D

With council members and the public, but those those three areas, if there are.

D

Areas besides that that that we have missed.

D

I'm certainly welcome to hear those too okay.

D

G

Is the chair frozen.

G

uh Mr sims, I think that you have the helm.

G

Until she unfreezes okay, do we have any more.

H

Can you hear me, thank you until she comes back, do we have any more council.

H

Comments before we go to the public, okay, seeing none uh clerk, bowden.

H

Do we have any public comments? I see five. I think, on a raised hand.

H

I

Sorry, that's okay,.

I

First up is randy paul and mr paul. If you'd like to unmute, you can go ahead.

J

Okay, thank you. Can you hear me? Okay,.

J

Yeah all right! Okay! Thank you. Yes, just wanted to comment.

J

I commented on the exchange that alex crowley and councilman.

J

Remember, smith had and it's a continued concern. I have.

J

Where we're using the pandemic as a reason to back off.

J

Climate change, uh I heard the same arguments made about bloomington transit.

J

That the usage was down during this period of time.

J

And I think we really ought to thank alex crowley and his department.

J

I mean I've, read the things they've done. I read the reports they've initiated.

J

I think if we turn the city budget over his department, we'd be a lot farther.

J

Ahead in climate change than we are currently- and I just.

J

I think leadership requires us to get through the current pandemic, but we will.

J

Get through it eventually and on the other side of this climate change is going to be staring us in the face and we're frankly.

J

Losing time and it's a mistake, I think to not.

J

Address both, and I would hope that that.

J

Climate change still is considered the number one objective uh within our.

J

Government thanks. Thank you, mr paul.

H

I see chair scandaloury has returned. um Thank you. um I will ask the clerk for.

H

The next public comment and uh the next voice you hear after that.

H

Will be our chair, so council clerk bowden? Do we have anyone.

H

Else, uh yes, next, thank you. A comment from.

I

Sam dove, which will be read by the council, attorney.

K

Yes, thank you. uh Sam dove's comment, I think, is actually a question.

K

Sam wants to know when the coronavirus will be done.

K

uh Which is a comment or a sentiment? I'm sure we all share.

K

So, thank you. Sam.

I

Okay, thank you, um and next up we have lisa padoca. If you'd like to unmute, you.

I

L

Hi, can you hear me yes great? um I just have a quick question about.

L

Something that um caroline shaw said um I I just really appreciated how.

L

Comprehensive her bullet points were, and so this one definitely went by a little.

L

Quickly, so um I apologize if I misunderstood what.

L

She was saying, but it just um popped out at me, so I just wanted to.

L

Clarify about it- and I understand if she can't, um if you can't caroline shaw, uh respond directly to this, but because I think it.

L

Might be relatively straightforward, I'd love, if you could.

L

um I thought I heard you mention that the.

L

Title of crime, an analyst- will now be called a data analyst, and I was just.

L

Wondering, first of all why this change and second.

L

Of all, if that reflects any change in duties or whether it's just a simple.

L

Issue of nomenclature, that's my question. Thank you.

A

Thank you, michelle did you want to respond to that now or do we want a.

A

Continuous public comment and then come back to you with that.

M

I um am I allowed to respond to that. I I I just I didn't think I was.

M

Permitted to respond to that, you may be right. Tell you what hold up.

A

And okay, I think we have a couple more comments. So let's go, let's finish those up, so click bolden. Okay. Next we have danielle bird. If you'd.

I

Like to unmute yourself, you can go ahead, hello. This is danielle bird. I'm a.

N

Social worker in bloomington, I'm not speaking on behalf.

N

Of the entire profession or any employer, but I want to say that there are over.

N

Over 150 people signed a petition that stated they do.

N

Not want to see the power and scope of policing.

N

Increased in the way that's currently proposed by adding more social workers.

N

Adding more neighborhood resource specialists.

N

The data analysts and many of those people.

N

Who worked on that survey or the petition.

N

And signed it, including myself, are social workers.

N

Service providers and people with lived experience.

N

Chief decoff and the mayor don't acknowledge that other community.

N

Agencies provide types of services that the police, social worker and the neighborhood resource specialist provide, but they do there's shalom doing outreach.

N

Middleweight does crisis work for domestic violence and rape, youth.

N

Service bureau works with families and children. The.

N

Hand staff used to provide neighborhood services.

N

I'm not sure what they're doing now area 10 agency on aging works with aging.

N

And elderly new leaf new life works with folks who.

N

Have been incarcerated and who are trying to stay out of jail.

N

With the increased funds for these positions,.

N

They could increase capacity and provide more services.

N

In their interim, so that we can take that time,.

N

To study what you know, we deserve more measured, equitable.

N

Anti-Racist approach to these community safety.

N

And expanding the scope of the police is is just.

N

Not the way forward, and also as council member flaherty stated, this.

N

Creates a past dependency issue, I heard your hr person. um I believe that.

N

Was ms shaw and chief decoff are talking about.

N

How this uh the approach that we're using here in bloomington is being used as a model for other communities.

N

There are other social workers across the nation.

N

Right now, who are organizing against this structure,.

N

We recognize social workers are wonderful to respond to crises.

N

And you know there are crisis intervention.

N

Services uh and programs out there that that.

N

Do this in a different way, and they do it in a different way, because.

N

That's what the community and vulnerable community members wanted.

N

We have cahoots doing it over 30 years out in eugene, oregon, denver, star program.

N

So uh they're doing it they've started a pilot's, been very successful. It saves the community money, so there are other ways to do this. We don't need to jump on this.

N

Right now and set this precedent so that we can be held up.

N

Across the nation, as this is how we should do social work and provide social.

N

Services and safety to our community, so um I just urge you to hit pause uh on.

N

This on these increases right now, and we can still we can. We can add more capacity to these.

N

Agencies that do these crisis interventions, we don't have to go down this road. Please.

N

Take some more time study this some more listen.

N

Center center, the needs of the vulnerable community members.

N

um And listen to their voices and I think.

N

Bloomington deserves better, so thank you.

A

Thank you, miss byrd and madam clerk, who is up next.

I

Next up, we have alex goodlab, mr goodlatte, if you'd like to unmute.

I

Yourself, you can go ahead, I will with pleasure. So um I would.

O

I guess first like to um uh add my voice in agreement with uh the.

O

Last two comments and and urge uh the council to hit pause on.

O

On on the initiative, to you know, make the police do.

O

Everything they don't need to do everything and they shouldn't.

O

For many reasons that were eloquently stated by.

O

Everyone else um and uh and and let's uh let's get rid of the.

O

Gas masks while we're at it, but you know different different item.

O

While we're at this item, I would, I would also like to um uh go into an exchange.

O

Okay, um all right yeah. I would like to go into a different exchange about.

O

uh Changing the name of the um of a department um and.

O

I I guess the exchange between volin and alex crowley with.

O

Volun asking alex and john and the mayor to name an example and.

O

It doesn't seem like an example was, was named and.

O

um I think that speaks to kind of what the optics.

O

Has been of these meetings, which suggests that.

O

um Currently, we don't have the political will behind.

O

Mass transit and alternative modes of transportations- and I think we got to.

O

Set our uh game up in that.

O

um And then, finally, um I I want to mention something involving the uh the.

O

The data analyst or whoever does data that the name being.

O

Changed I I hope that um data is being collected on.

O

You know the um the discrepancies and arrest rates and use of force rates.

O

With the police, because because right now as it stands, you know me as a.

O

Blogger does does a better job collecting that data than what's going.

O

On and I know that, there's a lot of short staffness.

O

And whatnot, but um let's let's: let's try to do better on that. However, we can.

O

um All and not just the police, but everyone has a community.

O

Trying to gather data on um on this issue, that's very, very important to our.

O

Community I yield thanks.

I

Okay and last up, we have aaron predmore aaron. If you'd like to go ahead and.

I

Mute yourself, you can speak.

P

Thank you very much um good evening. Everyone, it's erin fredmore with the.

P

Chamber of commerce- um and I just wanted to bring uh kind of.

P

A timeline to everyone's attention just for public discussion, as we.

P

Consider the budget tonight um just to remind everyone and all of our.

P

Attendees and listeners tonight we had our original presentation.

P

From the administration in august the first time to comment, it was at that.

P

Time after receiving the budget, the proceeding friday, so it was on that wednesday, uh which I know was it was a great deal of information and and many people, including many council members, uh were still digesting the material at.

P

That time, um the next time that we had an opportunity to weigh in is uh tonight. However, the chamber discovered last week.

P

That the budget has was uh formally noticed which eliminates all ability was.

P

Formally noticed by the administration to the state and the public, which eliminates all ability to increase any line item at.

P

This point right now: the council can only decrease.

P

Or cut and no other changes can be made. The.

P

Chamber's uh disappointed by the lack of transparency and collaboration.

P

uh Once again, this timetable was not clear to us.

P

uh As we understand it, nor was it clear to many council members or the public.

P

And it was not particularly well publicized.

P

In the coming years, we know that the budget process will be harder because of.

P

Reduced revenues and the process instead of what we've experienced this year, it must be more open, clear and.

P

Community-Facing perhaps we would want to the council.

P

Would want to consider an ordinance that sets out a timeline with set days and times and and dates just for publication, for the entire public.

P

I know this year was unique in that there were many people that cared a great deal as we're hearing again tonight about different line items and issues that are going into the budget.

P

And I know I've heard from many of you directly that you've received many emails and calls around about concerns around.

P

Bpd funding around transportation. I mean just all the same things that we're hearing tonight. If the public itself cannot have a set and public way.

P

To con convey their thoughts to both you, the council members.

P

And the administration, um then it makes this entire.

P

Process a force which is, I know not what we want to have in our community of.

P

Bloomington, and uh so I encourage you all to look closely at that and to use your own opportunities to publicize this.

P

And invite engagement from the public overall thank.

P

You very much thank you, miss pridmore, madam clerk, who.

A

Is our next speaker? Next up we have katie yoder, ms yoder. If.

I

You'd like to go ahead, you can unmute yourself hi.

Q

um I am in council member smith's um district in parkridge east and we've.

Q

Recently had some conversations in our neighborhood association.

Q

About speeding in the neighborhood and I've had communication, I'm on.

Q

Our executive committee and I've had communication.

Q

With the planning and transportation department about.

Q

Some things that are forthcoming on the table regarding.

Q

Traffic calming and that kind of thing, and tonight I'm just trying to keep my.

Q

Ear to the ground kind of on, what's going on with council, so I can.

Q

Prepare to communicate with the council about this.

Q

You know, hopefully in favor, of a less onerous policy in order.

Q

To make some changes in the neighborhood and I'm really nervous.

Q

That this initiative is just going to disappear because I haven't.

Q

Seen it yet, but then to find out tonight that it might be absorbed into the.

Q

Gosh economic department, and just you know that and the larger problem of.

Q

Climate change- it's just pretty concerning, and I especially.

Q

You know I want council members to take note that.

Q

This could be an impact of something like that being changed so.

Q

That's all I didn't intend to comment tonight, but I got a little concerned.

Q

Hearing that, thank you, you miss yoder.

A

um Thank you. Do we have any additional comments.

I

I do not see any additional requests for comment and.

I

I'm just checking the chat to make sure that that holds true.

I

So I think that's everybody.

A

Okay, let's give it a few more seconds.

A

A

Seeing none: let's return to council um council questions, additional council.

A

Questions related to ordinance, 2023.

A

Council, member piedmont, smith. Is that a hand? I can't quite see.

R

Yes, um I was wondering if ms shaw wanted to respond to the.

R

Question about the crime analysts being changed to data analysts.

R

That one of the members of the public had I'm happy to.

M

um And I will repeat what I think chief decoff said earlier and he can chime in.

M

If I get something wrong, it's just a title change and this.

M

It's a more appropriate title change because they do a lot of data analysis.

M

Not just focused on crime is that I can't remember her full question was.

M

There more to that.

R

I think that was it I think so.

A

Additional questions from council council member piedmont, snap! Well I I.

R

Was wondering if you would let me just clarify something from the last.

R

Public commenter, please go ahead.

R

Ms yoder was concerned about the neighborhood.

R

Traffic calming program and when that might come up uh so that that.

R

Is totally separate from the transportation demand management.

R

Position that we've been discussing this evening as part of the budget.

R

um And I believe that the neighborhood traffic coming program, the new.

R

More streamlined program will be on our agenda for next wednesday, so.

R

Never fear it is coming.

E

Thank you additional questions, council member smith,.

S

Thank you, council person, piedmont, smith, I'm so glad that uh you clarified that.

S

I was gonna ask for somebody to clarify it so.

S

Thank you very much because um we want some traffic coming.

S

Look see and uh maybe some speed bumps in our neighborhood.

S

A

Any additional questions before we go to final comment.

E

And let's go to final comment, then: on ordinance, 2023.

A

Councilmember vollen I'd hope to hear a persuasive argument.

G

Tonight as to why the new tdm position should be housed in.

G

Esd um the number one question.

G

That uh I would ask them, was addressed in the.

G

General questions and comments on the 2021.

G

Budget hearings was my question about transportation policy.

G

I pointed out that we're creating an engineering department.

G

Consolidating parking services into a division of public works.

G

And hiring a tdm manager but placing it in esd.

G

I said I saw a new and problematic fragmentation.

G

Of authority over transportation policy that the people who should have the last.

G

Word on determining it besides, the mayor should be planners.

G

Not economic development officials, not public works officials.

G

Not engineers and I was looking for a written statement.

G

Of administrative, if not mayoral, policy regarding how.

G

Transportation decisions will be made what I've heard tonight.

G

The news is, the mayor is intending to remove the word transportation from the.

G

Title of any department the mayor is planning to. If the there is.

G

There's been no written statement of this, uh but it certainly tells me it reaf, uh uh reasserts sort of the.

G

The trending emphasis that this administration has had.

G

On uh not wanting to talk about transportation policy.

G

Explicitly, uh I am thinking back to the fourth street garage how for about.

G

Three hundred thousand dollars of extra expense in order to keep it.

G

Repaired the council last year by a 5-4 vote.

G

Agreed to reopen the question to build a new garage, well, the cost overruns on that garage in terms of amount of extra time it took.

G

To get started, uh the amount of uh of money spent on it if it hasn't.

G

Exceeded it it will, it hasn't, exceeded the the cost of.

G

Repairing the old garage, while we did tdm planning.

G

uh I am thinking now about the links to which the administration tried to.

G

Invoke eminent domain to remove uh a a.

G

Land holder, in order to make a bigger parking garage.

G

This does not say tdm to me. This says how much car parking can we get now.

G

uh We can disagree about the degree to which we should emphasize the.

G

Car but I I don't think I've been.

G

Shy about my concern that we should be emphasizing.

G

Transportation demand not supply and so far.

G

Despite the words said by various administration officials,.

G

The only thing I've seen in actions are an erosion.

G

Of a centralized transportation authority.

G

Now the administration wanted to say: well, we think transportation's, so.

G

Important that we're spreading it among the entire city. You know I might have bought that argument a while ago, but right now, what I see is an unwillingness to commit to the kind of questions asked.

G

By council members, flaherty and rosenberger over college mall road, it's not even like.

G

You know that they wanted to see something done there to.

G

Pay more than lip service to bike and pet infrastructure.

G

Okay, but the impulse of this administration across the board.

G

Seems to be well, it's not that important they're not saying it's not important,.

G

But it's not important enough. It seems like I have to.

G

Vote no on the budget in order to say how.

G

Important it was, I remembered at the budget advance on april 29th, six.

G

Out of nine council members argued for an increase in transportation.

G

Infrastructure of some kind, and by that I specifically meant bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and I was struck at how many people said.

G

As much, that seems to be the priority of this.

G

Council, it does not seem to be sufficiently the priority of the administration and I'm very disappointed.

G

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in it, except to say.

G

That I'm voting no right now on this on this ordinance. Thank you.

E

Thank you additional council comment.

A

Council, member piedmont, smith and council member flaherty.

R

Yeah, um I think, uh when I look at the memo that we've.

R

Received from controller underwood yesterday.

R

Telling us about the changes that have occurred in the budget proposal.

R

R

There are no changes that reflect concerns.

R

Of council members, the only change is because.

R

Of duke energy, increasing uh rates and and a few adjustments.

R

Of of um payroll, because of because of uh you know,.

R

Longevity I mean uh turnover and stuff like that. There's no.

R

Change that was requested by any colleagues. As far as I know,.

R

Certainly, not those that uh were requested by me.

R

I wrote the mayor on september 22nd after we received the petition.

R

From uh danielle byrd about the social workers.

R

Being placed within the police department.

R

And the ethical concerns of somebody who is a licensed social worker.

R

Reporting to law enforcement and those raised real concerns for me.

R

But I did not receive any response from the mayor to my to my email message.

R

I also expressed concern to him about the transportation demand management.

R

Position and that it really should uh be in.

R

Planning and transportation, like our uh tdm consultants,.

R

Who worked on our plan uh recommended? um I.

R

I do not see the administration as being collaborative or forthcoming.

R

In this budget process- and I haven't seen it.

R

In any of my many years on this city, council.

R

And I'm tired of it. um What ms predmore of the chamber said.

R

Regarding the process and the the need to.

R

Advertise the budget and such it is largely true. I think that we have.

R

A a slightly bit more wiggle room um because.

R

Of the schedule that we've set out for ourselves.

R

But yes, I I think that the forms are all filled out.

R

And um we have very little opportunity. We have no opportunity really.

R

To make any changes to the budget other than that cuts.

R

So I think a colleague of mine has said you know we have.

R

A hammer to do the job of a scalpel- all we can do is just say no.

R

And that's kind of the nuclear option that nobody wants to take.

R

But this administration has has just not shown that they really want.

R

To listen to what we have to say, I think what my colleague, councilmember volun said about. You know the budget advance.

R

um Is true that we expressed many concerns that were then not really.

R

Reflected in the budget, several of us wanted a.

R

Parking cash out program and have wanted it for years and that's still not part of the budget.

R

So I I you know, I think there are good things in this.

R

This ordinance um there um are some necessary new positions, some.

R

Changes that you know were reviewed by human resource professionals and and I have no issue with those.

R

But I do, I do have an issue with the tdm position not being in the.

R

Planning and transportation department- and I do have an issue with continuing.

R

This trend of social workers, reporting to law enforcement.

R

So at this point I'm going to be voting no.

R

On this ordinance, thank you. Thank you, council member flaherty,.

T

Yes, thanks I'll be voting, though, on the do pass vote for this ordinance tonight.

F

um The issues for me are largely structural.

F

uh You know, as far as I can tell, and I ask this question.

F

The budget as presented today is a representation solely of the mayor's.

F

Vision and priorities, um zero changes were made.

F

Between the budget hearings and now in response to council member concerns.

F

And requests, um and nor do I, in addition to my.

F

Colleagues feel like our requests and our um preferences and.

F

Policy priorities, as uh laid out in the budget advance.

F

Meeting were taken seriously, I talked to um most council members and.

F

I don't believe there was any follow-up from that meeting. There was no discussion of what it would mean to to implement some of the things we.

F

Talked about- and I don't feel like this budget- reflects those.

F

A lot of those priorities that were stated by council members.

F

Mayor hamilton has said that the city budget is the biggest and most important policy document. The city has, and I agree um and a final yes or no.

F

Vote is simply not an adequate level of input for the city's elected fiscal body. All of us on the council have policy.

F

Priorities and views that deserve meaningful collaboration.

F

And some measure of compromise from the mayoral administration in reaching a.

F

Consensus budget, even if it's not the preferred outcome of the mayor.

F

And we simply haven't seen that and that's true of other appropriation ordinances as well. uh So there are broader takeaways here.

F

Substantial you know and fundamental changes that I think we need to make regarding our budgeting process going forward.

F

Some of those are timing and simply allowing more time and clarifying.

F

Timelines for the council and for public about how to do things. But, um as ms.

F

Predmore spoke to um there's really a need for.

F

For some built-in codified opportunity for a meaningful public engagement.

F

Council, member and an executive back and forth that would allow for some level of compromise and an actual um you know, discussion of.

F

Trade-Offs as opposed to this, um we heard your concerns did nothing.

F

And here's the budget vote yes or no, that's just not adequate. um Let's see um you know on policing and public safety.

F

There's this is a very, very big and complicated issue, obviously, and.

F

There's a lot of um things we could discuss. uh I will say.

F

I'm I've been generally disappointed with the answers to the questions that I've posed, um both in meetings and in written questions.

F

I feel like a lot of the questions. I've asked simply don't get answered or.

F

They're sort of answered with the don't answer to a different question or.

F

They're only partially answered um in particular, I've asked repeatedly.

F

About what the police department is doing to engage with the movement for black lives, um which is a coalition of of.

F

Over 50 groups, representing not just the black lives matter network, but.

F

uh Many others and endorsed by groups like.

F

Color of change and others, it's it's um if you're not familiar folks should.

F

Check out, you know their advocacy and website and I feel like they are.

F

Thought leaders in progressive public safety advocacy in this country and I.

F

Keep being told that we're a progressive police department, one of the most progressive in the country, and if that is true, we can't be ignoring the policy conversation. That is.

F

Happening around reinvestment in community addressing.

F

Root causes of crime and and real transformative and.

F

Structural changes to public safety that address the long-standing.

F

Socio-Economic and racial disparities in in policing outcomes that we see.

F

Locally here in bloomington, as our data show just like we see everywhere nationally- and I really just don't think- there's been much meaningful engagement with that conversation at all yet and that's very disappointing. um I expressed my disappointment about the.

F

The placement of the social worker positions and.

F

Resource specialists as well- and I think I thank miss byrd for commenting tonight-.

F

And I broadly agree with with um the position.

F

You know that she and others have advocated. Finally,.

F

um Regarding tdm, um you know. Similarly, I, the mayor and city staff, a.

F

Number of times tonight have referenced the novak consulting report.

F

uh And justified you know, moving engineering because of the results of.

F

The recommendations of that report, but but when we have a tdm report that.

F

Recommends placing a tdm program in the transportation department.

F

Just like most cities do uh we ignore that um and that doesn't make sense to.

F

Me um it's it's transportation policy.

F

That is what it is um and, and frankly you know, I share some.

F

Of the concerns that, based on recent past experience with regard to.

F

Transportation supply and demand issues um that there are some some.

F

Meaningful gaps in in in sound policy understanding uh with.

F

Regards to transportation in the esd department- and that's that's.

F

Not I don't intend any disrespect there. Esd is very good at.

F

Many things um I just don't view transfer transportation policy as.

F

As one of them necessarily um so sorry, I just I know, that's a lot. I.

F

Kind of wanted to speak to the main sticking points for me um again. It comes back to structural issues.

F

um And a couple of policy issues that are particular sticking points.

F

um I think these these are questions that.

F

The council should have a meaningful role in addressing and some level of.

F

Collaboration and compromise with the administration as needed, and we just haven't seen that so again I'll be voting no tonight thanks.

A

Thank you additional final comment from any.

A

Council members.

A

A

And may I council, member rosenberg.

B

I'll go ahead and give one, although I think I'm going to sound a little repetitive uh based on what's been said so far,.

B

You know as a new council member, this is my first budget experience and I would.

B

Say it is not exactly how I thought it would happen.

B

I know we had the budget advanced in may and I I think that was a time for.

B

Council members right to talk about what we'd like to see, and I think that was potentially our first opportunity to do that.

B

And I don't see much of that reflected in this year's budget. Of course it's a.

B

Difficult time we're in a pandemic, but I think you know the budget that was.

B

Presented to us, it feels like we just in a way wasted.

B

All of those hours, and then I mean, I would say out of the nine of us.

B

We've collectively spent hundreds of hours on this.

B

And it almost feels like for what I'm hoping that, after this.

B

This process this year, we can get to a place where we'd be brief, where we talk.

B

About what makes sense um times that, maybe we need to we're.

J

Sorry, um maybe there are times we need to.

B

Put in put in writing or have you know, have more of a back and forth.

B

I just I feel, like we've been more on the the administration, maybe has been.

B

More on the defensive in defending the budget, instead of working with us to.

B

Talk about some changes that might be possible.

B

You know I tdm is one example of that to me: it's not a big move, especially.

B

Especially with the mayor saying, it could fit in both spaces, so.

B

If you know it's the difference of an opinion.

B

Why not sometimes give and take a little a little to.

B

You know, and just in the spirit of we're all elected officials here and we're.

B

Trying to do our best and maybe sometimes we don't see exactly.

B

The same way, but it can still be good right so.

B

um Tdm in general is concerning, for me I mean I I think most of this is more of.

B

Like a systemic problem- and I know, there's been a lot of.

B

Talk of collaborating together, but so far in these 10 months, nine months I.

B

Haven't I haven't seen that and I I think maybe.

B

The only way to get something to change is to make big moves.

B

Right so for this ordinance tonight.

B

My plan is to vote no, I'm hoping between now and when we actually vote on the.

B

Budget some changes could be made because I.

B

Think we all want to pass a budget for the city thanks.

E

A

And that was last call. Are there any remaining comments.

A

Okay, mayor hamilton, did you want to offer a comment.

D

Well, I I do appreciate it, I know it's, it's not.

D

Typical, but I feel like there have been quite a few references to.

D

um Actions or inactions, and I do I do appreciate the chance just.

D

To to to address you very briefly, I.

D

And I look forward to working with you all on this.

D

Look, this is a state process that is no different this year than it's been for.

D

Many many years in terms of timing having to give notice all those.

D

Things- uh and we certainly um have actually.

D

Been more transparent than ever with that giving some of the new.

D

Stuff we're doing online, but I just I do want to respond. I actually think.

D

This administration has tried to listen carefully to goals and.

D

One example is the pay scale for temporary workers. That was absolutely a.

D

Huge change in the budget uh in a couple years ago, that was in response to uh feedback on the budget and and the.

D

Idea that we didn't respond to that in recover forward. As you all know, this.

D

Year, just to be direct about this, I think you'll all.

D

Affirm that in july, when I put the proposal for recover.

D

Forward I shared with each of you a very detailed.

D

Spreadsheet about what could be invested in 2020 and 2021.

D

In recover forward with all those line, items and saying.

D

What do you think we should do? What is your input on what we should spend, what.

D

We should invest in recover for it. I asked each of you for input on all of those items and some of you gave it and.

D

And it affected it, it definitely affected that.

D

um uh So it is a little frustrating to hear.

D

A reference to that, um the the um in terms of the budget advance, which is.

D

A early thing in april, we heard the investment in sidewalks and.

D

Transportation is important. Look at the recover forward. Investment.

D

That you have supported in 2020 and that we have in the budget in 2021.

D

It has hundreds of thousands of new dollars to invest.

D

In sidewalks and to support bt and other things, because of that.

D

Discussion so I just I just wanted to to share that. uh It's it's a little.

D

Frustrating to hear that and as you well know too, uh we did meet.

D

Directly and many and several times about the police.

D

To talk about different ideas, so you have different ideas.

D

Nine of you have different ideas of what should be done and I'm trying to.

D

Hear those ideas and respect them and and came back with different changes.

D

Tonight you also know we meet regularly with your leadership. Every week we've offered to meet every other week.

D

On pure substantive discussions about issues like that and welcome all of.

D

Those meetings, so I I certainly welcome more input. I just.

D

Want to make clear that we do adjust the budget based upon that.

D

Input we have adjusted the budget, we continue to adjust the budget. We.

D

Welcome input on this budget, as I said, the three things I heard were.

D

Move tdm, don't do engineering and change police and we've talked about all those.

D

And I know we don't all agree on all that, but your feedback's been really helpful and important in that so I'll I'll. Let you.

D

Go back to regular order. Thank you thank you, and that was unusual and a bit.

A

Out of order, but certainly I recognized you mayor so.

A

With that, are there any final comments from council.

A

And seeing none I'll need to move, do you path.

G

Move move to your pass. Second, second: council members.

A

I'll, let people sort that out later, madam clerk, will you call the role.

A

I

Yes, councilmember rosenberger, no sims.

T

Yes, volun, no piedmont, smith.

I

No clarity, no smith, no.

I

Sandberg, yes,.

I

Rallo, yes, scandalory no.

A

And I have that as three six zero.

A

And with that we move on to the third of three salary ordinances. This is.

A

Ordinance 2024 to fix the salaries of all elected city officials for the city.

A

Of bloomington year 2021, ms shaw.

M

Good evening again, council members, this next ordinance, is.

M

The ordinance for elected officials for the city of bloomington ordinance number.

M

2024, it sets the maximum 2021 salary rates.

M

For city of bloomington elected officials, which include the mayor.

M

City, council, members and the city clerk these maximum salaries represent a.

M

Two-Person increase and are consistent with the current.

M

Ordinance um 2024, which also assigns an additional one thousand dollars per year,.

M

To city council president and 800 per year for the city council, vice president.

M

Due to the additional responsibilities of those positions, I'm happy to take any.

M

Questions regarding this ordinance at that at this time.

A

Questions from council.

A

See none shall we go to public comment.

T

I

I do not see any hands raised for this ordinance or any public comment.

I

Let's just give it another few seconds.

E

A

And let's come back to counsel for any additional questions or final comment.

A

Seeing none is there a move? Do you pass so moved? Second,.

A

And click folder. Will you call the role please.

I

Yes, council, member volun.

G

Yes, feed mount smith, yes,.

I

Clarity, yes, smith,.

U

E

I

Sandberg, yes,.

I

Rollo, yes, scandaloury yeah, rosenberger.

A

Yes and sims: yes, okay,.

A

And that's: nine: zero zero! Thank you that finishes up the three salary.

A

Ordinances for 2021 and now we'll be moving into appropriation.

A

Ordinances so again we are doing these a little bit out of order numerically.

A

But let's go first to appropriation, ordinance 2005.

A

This is an ordinance adopting a budget for the operation maintenance, debt.

A

Service and capital improvements for the water and wastewater utility.

A

Departments of the city of bloomington- and I believe we have mr kelson with us.

V

Can everyone see me and hear me yes good evening, everyone, I'm vick helson.

V

Utilities, director for the city, um I would appreciate, if you would.

V

Indulge me for just a moment uh before I start, because I want to.

V

Share a story with you: yesterday there was an accident, a delivery vehicle.

V

Hit one of our trucks and when our truck was.

V

Hit it spun around and it hit.

V

A pedestrian we don't know what condition the pedestrian is in, but.

V

I do want to on the behalf of the department to express our our our concern and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

V

uh To the pedestrian who was hit, so I just.

V

Wanted to make mention of that um we're here tonight.

V

To discuss uh the water and wastewater budget.

V

uh For water we are bringing essentially this.

V

For both total budgets, it's the same as it was during the budget hearing.

V

The changes that have been made were corrections to the salary lines that.

V

Were made one by one line by line in cooperation.

V

With the controller's office, there were just some things that had been.

V

Misentered, so they were corrected because of the way we budget. uh We.

V

Budget, every dollar of of anticipated revenue.

V

And the uh the way it all works is we budget the.

V

The personnel services, the supplies, the other services, the debt.

V

Service sinking fund uh and then whatever else is left of.

V

Anticipated revenues goes into a category called.

V

Extensions and replacements so for each utility.

V

When corrections were made and numbers were added.

V

To the personnel services those dollars were removed from.

V

Extensions and replacements so where we are.

V

Is in water personnel, services of 4.75 million dollars.

V

For supplies, 1.74 million dollars other services, 3.84 million dollars.

V

uh The sinking fund is 5.3 million dollars.

V

And then extensions and replacements are about 2.1 million dollars for a grand.

V

Total of 17 million seven hundred three.

V

Thousand dollars is seven 700, sorry, 17 million 700 3.

V

768 on the sewer and storm water side, both budgets are.

V

Both the budgets for the sewer works and the stormwater utility are combined into.

V

One budget for personal services: it's around 9.1 million dollars for.

V

Supplies around one and 1.25 million dollars.

V

For other services about 5.1 million dollars.

V

The debt service sinking fund is around 5.04 million dollars.

V

And that's about four and a half million dollars for sewer.

V

And uh almost a million dollars for storm.

V

uh And then for extensions and replacements, uh it's a total of.

V

Five point: uh five point: three: seven million dollars uh for for.

V

Sewer and and storm combined uh about.

V

Nine hundred thousand of that is uh for the stormwater utility.

V

The grand total uh budget for the sewer works and stormwater utility.

V

Is 25 million eight hundred forty three thousand.

V

uh Forty nine dollars, uh I'm happy to take any questions.

V

That you have, but the only change that we've had since the hearings.

V

Was the correction of the salary numbers? Thank you.

A

Thank you, mr kelson. Let's go to council questions, council.

A

Member piedmont, smith,.

R

Yeah, um mr kelson, could you please explain.

R

In the uh section one for the water utility.

R

Where does the revenue called fire protection come from.

V

uh Everyone's bill has a line on it for fire protection.

V

uh It basically pays for the uh maintenance of all the fire lines.

V

That we of all the fire fire infrastructure we provide, which is.

V

Hydrants and so forth, but it's a it's a line on your bill.

R

Okay, you can tell in my household I'm not the one who pays that bill.

R

um And then the other question was uh the.

R

Other income, where does that come from um uh in the water utility yeah.

V

Oh, that's a question. I don't know the answer to that.

V

uh In uh right off the top of my head, I can ask our finance director.

V

That and and get back to you, okay, thank you.

A

Councilmember, piedmont, smith was that all your questions.

A

Yes, thank you. Okay, additional questions.

A

Seeing none, let's go to public comment.

A

Madam clerk, sorry, um no, I do not see any.

I

Comment from the public in either hands raised or.

I

Chat- let's just wait a few more seconds then.

I

um I do have a question for the council attorney.

I

Should we mention that this is the comment part.

I

Portion of this deliberation is the statutorily required.

I

Public hearing, I believe that announcement applies to app.

K

Ward, 2004 and 2006. this is 25.. I thought we were on 2004.. I.

I

Apologize okay and are any additional.

A

Members of the public wishing to comment.

A

What golden okay! Thank you! Let's come back to council for.

A

Final questions.

A

Or final comment.

A

Thank you, council, member sandberg. Is there a second.

J

Second thanks. Thank you all, madam clerk, will you please call the vote.

I

Absolutely council, member.

I

Piedmont: smith.

I

Yes, clarity, yes, smith,.

S

Yes, sandberg, yes, rolo, yes, scandalory.

I

Yeah rosenberger, yes, sims. Yes,.

I

And golan yes and that's: nine: zero zero! Thank you.

V

Thank you everyone. Thank you, mr kelson, with that, let's go to the second of.

A

Three appropriation ordinances: this is appropriation, ordinance, 2006,.

A

Appropriations and tax rates for bloomington transportation.

A

Corporation for 2021- and I believe we have mr may with us.

W

Good evening, can you hear me yes, thank you.

W

Thank you, I'm lou, may I'm general manager for bloomington public.

W

Transportation corporation, since I was here last in august at our.

W

Budget presentation, then there have been no changes to our.

W

Budget proposed for 2021, we are proposing a.

W

Budget in 2021 of 14 million.

W

505 793 dollars, and that is a 3.8 percent increase.

W

Over the 2020 budget, thank you for your past support of.

W

Public transportation, specifically bloomington transit in the community.

W

And I'm glad to entertain any questions or comments that you may have about the.

W

Proposed 2021 budget. Thank you, mr may. Let's come to council.

A

A

Being questions, let's move to public comment.

A

Madam clerk, are you seeing any requests for public comments.

A

Not at all mr lucas now I'll jump in and say that the public.

K

Comment portion of uh on this item constitutes the.

K

Legally required public hearing on this budget.

A

A

No last call then for public comment and let's come back to counsel any.

A

Additional questions.

A

Council, member volun, sorry didn't see you right away.

G

Yes, uh mr may I'd like to pick up on a a theme that councilman smith.

G

Discussed earlier this evening, he said that, because.

G

Of the pandemic, there's a reduced emphasis on transportation.

G

I wonder if you might comment on how you and bt are thinking about.

G

Transportation during the pandemic about the funding of transportation.

G

And about the future of public transit uh with respect to the pandemic.

W

Great question: thank you.

W

As the cliche that you've heard so often, there is no playbook there's no game.

W

Plan to navigate through a pandemic, this is.

W

The first time that that we've done it as as well as all transit systems across.

W

The country and across the world for that matter so.

W

We're in uncharted waters so to speak and um we're greatly concerned about the.

W

Impact that the pandemic has had on our ridership.

W

We're currently running about 23 of normal compared to the same time.

W

A year ago, and so we've lost more than three quarters of our total.

W

Ridership and I've often said that.

W

Social distancing and mass transit aren't very compatible concepts.

W

They don't work as very well together, they don't mesh.

W

So we're concerned about it going forward. We.

W

Have seen impacts on our funding for public transit.

W

For example, in the 2021 budget, the state of indiana has done an.

W

Across-The-Board 13 reduction in state funding for transit.

W

And presumably that's due to a reduction in.

W

General revenues that that the state is realizing as a result.

W

Of the pandemic, there, no doubt we're going to see.

W

Impacts to local funding as we move forward.

W

We don't anticipate any major impacts in the 2021 budget.

W

For things like local income tax, but chances are by the time we get to.

W

2022 and beyond, there probably are going to be some.

W

Significant reductions in local income tax and possibly other.

W

Local taxes that help to support public transportation.

W

We are fortunate in that the federal government has provided.

W

Us with a large infusion of cares, act funding. We have a total of about 7.8.

W

Million dollars, and that is going to help us in the.

W

Short term, meaning probably the next two to two and a half years or so.

W

There is a possibility that the federal government may provide some additional.

W

Assistance for public transit systems that are.

W

Really hemorrhaging, ridership and and seeing significant reductions in their.

W

Funding across the country there, so uh it's it's hard to predict.

W

uh When this is going to end and when things are going to return to normal.

W

I think it's going to be a long time. It's going to be several years.

W

Maybe more than five years before we we see it, it.

W

Some of it, I think, depends on the availability of a vaccine.

W

Herd immunity and other factors we and it's difficult to answer some of those.

W

Questions um so I'm greatly concerned, I guess to.

W

Answer your question, I'm sorry, I don't have real good answers.

W

Except to communicate the concerns that I have.

G

Maybe the one follow-up I would ask is: do you think.

G

Now is a time to invest less in public transit.

G

If you're any kind of a policy maker decision maker.

W

I I don't think so. um We've talked, I know you as a council.

W

I've talked a lot tonight about climate change and the importance of.

W

That issue uh on a national and global.

W

Scale and that that issue isn't going away.

W

And public transportation, I think, makes a.

W

uh Or offers a great strategy to address that issue, and uh I I.

W

Would encourage policy makers at the local.

W

State and federal level not to disinvest in transit at this time.

W

Because of the the way that we can help uh affect this, this topic- that is so.

W

Dear to our country and to the world, thank you, mr may. I.

G

Appreciate it, thank you additional questions.

A

Council member flaherty or oh okay, seeing none then let's go to any.

A

A

Being none, may I have a motion for do you pass.

G

So moved! Okay, thank you, madam clerk. Will you please call the.

A

Roll for us, yes, councilmember flaherty,.

T

Yes, smith, yes, sandberg. Yes,.

I

Marilla, yes, scandaloury, yes, rosenberger.

Q

T

Yes, volun, yes and piedmont. Smith.

I

Yes, that's: nine! Zero! Zero! Thank you. Thank you very much.

A

And with that we come to the third of three appropriation ordinances. This is.

A

Appropriation ordinance 2004 an ordinance for appropriation and tax.

A

Rates establishing 21 the excuse me, the 2021 civil city,.

A

Budget for the city of bloomington- and I believe we have mr underwood with us good evening.

X

I I don't usually get to go last, it's a little different for me. So.

X

Hang on just a minute here, I'm going to share my screen. Hopefully.

X

All right, can you see that yeah all right? Let's start from the beginning,.

X

uh Good evening, um what I'll do tonight is.

X

This is an updated memo uh from what I presented.

X

Back in august and talk about some of the differences both in.

X

Presentation and changes that have been made.

X

As you know, we do four nights of hearings.

X

uh In august that are in a program budget.

X

uh Format that is uh different than uh what you see um as being presented to.

X

You uh as an apple uh as a.

X

App board uh that's mandated by the state, so everything that we've kind of.

X

Did uh from prior to this is processes that.

X

We've developed collaboratively between the council and the mayor's.

X

Office and my budget and my office as well to present the budget in a.

X

Format: that's probably more user friendly. It's more granular.

X

And uh it really dives down into the programs of those and we've worked with.

X

The council, uh over the last four years to uh kind.

X

Of define that and make changes, and and finally this year uh I think we we got to a good point.

X

Where we show the programs we show the population served, we show the amount of employees and ftes.

X

That presented in those programs- uh and we had 20 hours of hearings that also.

X

Included opportunities for public comment in that.

X

Time you all submitted to us uh numerous questions of.

X

Which we were happy to answer back and then, as I spoke back in august, we moved.

X

Into the more formal process, that's completely mandated by the state.

X

The state requires the types of forms that you have seen.

X

You you only vote on an app, or that is the different.

X

Funds that we have presented budgets out of.

X

The opportunity for you there is a vote up or down.

X

You can decrease as well any of those individual.

X

Funds themselves, we're required to post uh 10 days in advance of the public.

X

Hearing uh which is tonight on the department of uh government.

X

Finance uh uh advertisement that advertises uh both.

X

The fund balances and the uh the levies that go with that.

X

So, uh unfortunately, as we get into this part of it, it's very mandated by the state, we can't uh we can't alter from that process, and then we also have to advertise.

X

The night that the budget will be considered.

X

uh For a vote and again that's an up or down or.

X

As I said, you can cut so uh wanted to bring that out that.

X

uh We do this differently than most uh municipalities. I've talked to many of.

X

Them and they're surprised that we do four nights of hearings that we.

X

Do budget presentations that are completely different from the state forms? Typically, a lot of places do the two nights they do the public hearing and then they do uh the passage and if they do other.

X

Nights they use the state forms only to do that.

X

So we essentially do a budget twice. We do it in the program budget format and then we translate that into the.

X

State's required process, so a lot of work goes into it.

X

Thank you for all your input as well. I'd like to thank my staff and.

X

Department heads that have worked many long hours on this budget and uh so.

X

I'll dive back in you know we we're in unusual times we're in the middle of a pandemic.

X

We've seen significant reduction in revenues already in.

X

Streets and parks and and the food and beverage.

X

We obviously believe that's going to continue on to other revenues.

X

Especially in 22 and 23, as we've said, those tend to lag behind any significant.

X

Reduction in those revenues, cash reserved again, we we continue to.

X

Remain strong in 2019, we ended with uh uh between the general fund balance and.

X

The rainy day fund balance 50.9 uh percent, which basically would cover.

X

50 of the city's general fund expenditures.

X

We're projecting those levels to be 36 and 29.4.

X

At the ends of 20 and 21. uh property taxes continue to be the biggest.

X

Fund element for the general fund represents 51.3 percent of the total.

X

Revenues in the general fund- and uh we expect.

X

Those to increase by 4.2 percent miscellaneous revenues, uh such as fees.

X

For services, fines, interest, income, uh reimbursements from the federal.

X

Government represent 23 of the total city budget uh and, as we've.

X

Noted uh we're proposing to use two million dollars from the rainy day fund this year in order to provide.

X

Funding for recover forward initiatives, in addition, we'll be using approximately.

X

uh 1.3 million dollars in reserves uh to continue funding and maintaining.

X

Ongoing services, uh local income taxes, uh there's been a.

X

Lot of discussion about that, obviously this year was much different.

X

With the pandemic and the governor moving out uh the tax filing deadlines from april until june.

X

And then moving out uh the timelines for uh the state budget agency and the.

X

Department of local government finance to get us those estimates uh they had.

X

Suggested using 90 we budgeted at 100 levels, I'm happy to.

X

Say but unfortunately, the timing was such that we had to push the button to advertise to hit that 10-day.

X

uh Notice that we got the revised totals right about that time, so we expect about.

X

A 1.18 million dollars uh in additional um tiff.

X

Lit funds this year and while it doesn't impact the overall budget request.

X

It will provide a backstop to the city's general fund reserves.

X

uh Expenditure side of things, the overall budget.

X

uh Is 95 million, uh which is a decrease of 3.5 million or.

X

Six percent uh this decreases primarily due to a decrease of five million.

X

Dollars in food beverage funds uh in the general fund, the overall.

X

Budget request is uh just over 48.5 million dollars.

X

This is an increase of about 1.8 million dollars or 3.8 percent.

X

When you factor in the 2 million dollars for recover forward.

X

And uh 194 000 decrease in property taxes.

X

Basically, the general fund request this year.

X

Was flat uh parks general fund is actually a decrease.

X

At 8.5 million or 1.2 percent and then public safety uh is a component.

X

Of the lit that comes in separately, uh we expect to.

X

Receive about 5.3 million dollars there and another 928 000 in e-911 revenues.

X

uh 2.7 2.2 million dollars of the lit and 900 to all of the e911 money.

X

Will go to fund this uh central dispatch and then the other three million dollars.

X

Goes to fund the police and fire operations, and primarily uh capital plus.

X

Some operating costs this year um summary of changes, the total budget.

X

uh From what was presented in august is an actual decrease of about 17.

X

000 and a decrease of 136 thousand dollars, so the general fund.

X

uh Changes are primarily in category one in categories three.

X

Categories, one personnel costs- and these are just adjustments and corrections.

X

uh The various positions, the amounts calculated by the position- budgeting.

X

Software, so we make those changes as we go. The other.

X

Thing that came through in between times was that.

X

uh Duke energy uh got approved for a rate increase and we'd received the notice of that after the budget was presented in august and then finally, the other uh material.

X

Change was a transfer in uh of thirty five thousand 000 and recover.

X

Forward funds that moved from esd to uh information technology and that.

X

Was for the funding of the coding school uh jumping down? uh This is an exhibit.

X

Just to show you by category that changes the top half of.

X

This is by fund, so you see the general fund, public safety, lit parks, general fund, local roads and streets.

X

Mvh motor vehicle highway parking facilities, solid waste and fleet.

X

Maintenance and the changes and again uh 108 000 decrease in category one.

X

Total uh 91 000 increase in category three.

X

Related to uh duke energy uh and a total decrease.

X

Is just over 17 000 and then bro? I broke that down for.

X

In the general fund, so you could actually see by department uh where those changes were and again the majority of them were.

X

uh In personnel were in three departments and then.

X

Energy cost accounted for the other. uh Sixteen thousand dollars.

X

Taking a look at uh of how things break down so.

X

When we talk about uh breakdown of function, uh this is.

X

uh Not uh this is how we operate so much so, as you can see in the.

X

Parks and general fund public safety represents about 42.

X

Of the budget parks and recreation about 15.

X

Services, these are the forward-facing departments like.

X

Cfrd and hand represent 29 capitals, another 1 and then.

X

Administrative departments like the comptroller's.

X

Office legal department, hr represents about 12. We try to be around.

X

10 to 12 of that, um then, when you take a look at.

X

It by uh category this is the formal categories categories, one two three and four.

X

uh You can see that uh what a picture this paints.

X

That in the two general operating departments of the city.

X

73 of the budgeted costs are personnel, uh so it's people, uh services are about.

X

22 percent supplies about three percent, so the.

X

Services you're, seeing your electric bills and those kinds of things supplies.

X

Very small part of what we do when you take a look at all of.

X

The budgeted funds that we present you can see public safety drops down to.

X

About 34 services jump up to forty percent.

X

Administration drops down to nine percent and parks and recreation is nine percent, and you also have dark.

X

Debt service, your capital expenditures and tax caps.

X

When you look at that from uh the categories, one two three and four again.

X

You can see of the total budgeted funds of that 95.

X

Million dollars, 52 million dollars- that is, for personnel.

X

Cost so again we're in the people business. uh This is.

X

Just the historic levee growth that we've looked at and.

X

You can see uh in 2009 when we started to get into.

X

Economic downturn that lag impact uh that was.

X

uh Hit in 2011 and really didn't start to recover from until 2017.

X

Started an upward trend and then I think, we'll start to see.

X

That go back down, especially if the pandemic continues to move along.

X

um This is just showing the reserves numbers that we talked about with the.

X

The 36 percent and the 29.4 again this is in the general fund.

X

uh The breakdown of uh budgets within the general fund by department.

X

And again we broke it out a little bit different for you this year to show you.

X

uh The base budget request and then adding in the.

X

Recover forward, so you get some idea of what the base budget request was, which.

X

Was 46.5 million dollars and last year's budget was 46.7 so.

X

You add back in that reduction in the tax cap. So that's where you get that.

X

Zero percent uh and again the parks department down.

X

105 000: uh this is just the historic uh cash.

X

Balances uh that we show you that we've uh that the council had asked that we.

X

Present and we've done this- is your number two for you now, so you can see.

X

What those trends have been in the different funds, but really interesting.

X

To look at what the general fund was back in 2008, where it was a negative.

X

Number uh to where we got the reserves at the end of 19 uh up to 50.9 percent.

X

uh And then, finally, uh the projections for the ps lit uh capital.

X

Funds for the fire department going out to.

X

2030, as well as the fire department, our police department and then finally,.

X

um How that got allocated for this year and then the capitalist that you all ask.

X

That we begin to include as well. This was an ad.

X

Starting last year, the breakdown of the capital.

X

uh So with that, uh I will be happy to answer questions.

X

uh My fellow department heads are here as well.

X

uh And um we'd be happy to entertain questions from the council and the.

X

Public, thank you, mr underwood. I mean they need you to share screen.

A

Again at some point: if people want to see a graph again but.

A

Thank you for being ready to do that. Let's come to council for questions.

A

Mr apollo, mr rolo, I'm sorry I missed it. Thank you, uh mr underwood.

Y

Would you say what would you say would be.

Y

uh The greatest potential um so far, unrealized.

Y

uh Risk that we're facing financially uh would it would it be.

Y

A real estate decline with with the attendant decline in assessed, values.

X

I would say first the the extended pandemic if.

X

If uh you know businesses aren't allowed to operate.

X

At full percent, the local income tax is one of the true local taxes that we get.

X

To control, uh that's uh you know that that's the.

X

Second largest revenue stream that we have uh so I think that that's potentials out there.

X

Followed by a lack of investment um in in growth in the community.

X

Bloomington and monroe county have been very lucky in that our assessed value and investment in brick and mortar has been.

X

Very very strong uh outperforming the rest of the state in.

X

Many cases where they were going downhill, uh our property tax caps well not insignificant.

X

uh Haven't been nearly as bad as other.

X

Communities, so that would be the second biggest thing is if.

X

uh Investment goes down, people start hitting the caps.

X

Then your property tax revenues are going to go down, so those are the two biggest threats that I see that if this pandemic.

X

Continues to go long term. So if we have a significant.

X

Second wave: we've, we've kind of seen things tick.

X

Back up things, opening back up, we've seen food beverage start to.

X

Tick back up, which is always a good sign, because that's kind of a lead lead revenue. um So uh if we, if we get that second wave.

X

And things get shuttered again, then that's going to have a longer lasting.

X

Impact and as I recall in 2008 I mean there was.

Y

Considerable intervention by the federal government and also.

Y

um uh The federal reserve, for instance, and.

Y

um You know, uh I think the federal reserve is.

Y

Essentially, out of ammunition at this point, but.

Y

We could have federal, depending upon the administration.

Y

uh In the coming term, we could have uh funding packages that could assist us.

Y

But uh that recovery was relatively quick.

Y

Wasn't it for us, when did we get back to full capacity as a city after 2008? What.

Y

Did it take two years? Well, you could see that.

X

Probably 2015 before we started looking at.

X

Starting to increase back up staffing levels, uh there were significant cuts.

X

And and um deputy mayor renheisen he's got.

X

I that was kind of a period I was gone but uh from the chart. Well, I know from.

X

From a hiring perspective 2015, we just began to rehire.

X

uh Refill positions that have been that have been frozen out.

X

And, as you can see from the the uh levy growth, it was 2017 so.

Y

So it was well more than it was six seven. Eight years.

X

Right, yeah and again, you saw the biggest things that what came back.

X

uh First was starting to hire people uh and then.

X

An investment in training. You know we were able to get that up uh back up.

X

Relatively quickly and the lag has been, uh the capital we've been able to do a.

X

Lot, obviously, with the the ps lit and selling of bonds.

X

Been able to tackle a huge amount of the backlog on capital, investment.

X

And that's really dial that generates multiple dollars, because it.

X

It creates employment opportunities it. It creates.

X

Spending by those people, so um you know, construction projects are always nice.

X

Because they they, the dollars are three or four times what you spend. um But what we've you know: we've not.

X

Fully recovered from that, we were getting close, uh that to plug that hole in the repair and maintenance that we should be.

X

Doing on a regular basis, while we were able to get to some of.

X

That we didn't get to 100 yet so um I'm hoping it'll be.

X

Short-Lived, but uh you know we'll we'll have to be.

X

Strategic on that, and uh you know, departments you know.

X

We've seen with the parks department and with the street department.

X

And that's already they're already being hit.

Y

I see uh thanks for elaborating on that.

A

Thank you additional questions, council, member piedmont, smith.

R

Yes, um I was looking at the budget form one for the various.

R

Departments and there's always a line that says.

R

Property tax caps, but it's always zero. So could you.

R

Explain where our property tax caps are, if they're not.

R

In this form, the uh the uh the state I I plug it in.

X

um You can see as a separate item on the the exhibit that I put together for.

X

The general fund, the state, does their magic, where uh I think it's.

X

Actually, and if you'll give me a minute because they move it on us every year,.

X

Because I just recently found it.

X

Give me a minute I'll I'll point it out to you.

X

X

Oh okay, uh on the notice, the budget, it's on form three.

X

uh You can see that uh in the middle of that they.

X

They talk about the uh estimated civil city max levy right in the middle of the.

X

Page of 33.2 million dollars and the property tax credit estimate of.

X

745 000, so it gets hidden uh in this process.

X

They have it in the forms, uh form ones, and I plug it in for.

X

Our purposes, but we do that all out of the general fund. They put a line.

X

In for every department, almost in every fund, but we choose to.

X

uh Take those impacts in the general fund and not hurt anybody else.

R

So where is it it's in uh form three, so that the first one.

X

Yeah, I noticed the taxpayers.

R

I'm sure it's there, I still don't see it, but.

R

I'll find it, I had a couple: it's right, it's it's right! In the middle before you.

X

Get into the budgets it's up in the wording section.

R

Oh in the okay, um I wanted. Oh, I see it. Okay,.

R

So it doesn't need to be spelled out per department.

X

No yeah yeah, which some some say some some municipalities, they.

X

They break it up between funds, they break it up between book departments. I just show it as a lump sum: okay in the general fund, we don't. We don't hit the parks department because.

X

They're funding so tight anyway or any other fund with it. Okay, thank you.

X

Mm-Hmm, ms gambaleri, I had another question.

R

Also kind of a technical, um so uh you mentioned in your.

R

Memo from yesterday, that uh of the changes um in the changes in.

R

Category three are related to a rate increase from duke energy.

R

um So I and then you had a listing of the.

R

Different funds that had changes in category three and one of.

R

Them was local roads and streets, and I was trying to figure out in my.

R

Head how how a duke energy rate increase would affect they paid.

X

Straight they pay the utility bills for their building.

R

Forty nine thousand dollars they're they're, a significant user of.

X

Of electricity, but we can get to- I can give you the breakdown of.

X

What those bills are, I mean they're, not in city hall,.

R

So that's the biggest building. We have right.

R

It's just disproportionate to me, yeah! I I can get you some additional.

X

Information on that, okay, thank you.

E

Additional questions.

A

While council members are thinking about that.

A

For those of you in the public who may wish to offer public comment.

A

You may want to start using the raise hand, function.

A

Or entering a note in chat and again to use the raise hand, function.

A

You'll want to go to participants and then scroll all the way down and.

A

You'll have that option to raise your hand.

A

Did I say that, did I do that right? Yes, okay,.

A

So back to counsel: are there any any questions.

A

Okay with that, let's go to public comment on appropriation order.

A

I I had another question. Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I apologize.

R

um So, uh mr underwood, also in your um your memo, you said that.

R

In the all funds, the overall budget was 95 million, which is a decrease of.

R

About 3.5 million, but that's primarily due to a decrease.

R

Of 5 million in the food and beverage tax- yes, so does that mean that overall, the budget.

R

Actually increased if we take out the food and beverage tax.

X

uh Slightly because uh it went up, it went down three point.

X

uh Let me get to my notes here.

X

It went down three and a half million dollars and five yeah, so it went up.

X

About a million and a half total.

R

So does that include the 1.3 million that we are investing in recover forward.

R

uh Yes, okay, so it's that 1.3 million and then a little more.

R

uh Yeah, actually, what's the increase the budget? The way it was presented was.

X

Two million dollars for recover forward and then we needed another 1.3 million.

X

Dollars for um to um that was deficit spending so.

X

Yeah, so if you, if you throw the two million dollars in there, then yeah it's.

X

Coming back to about zero, well, I thought that the two million.

R

Was coming from rainy day fund right, yeah, but that's included in the 90.

X

Yeah, oh, that's, that's also included in the 95.

R

Million yeah because it's a transfer over to the general fund so that.

X

Increased spending we put all the spending in the general fund so.

X

If you put back out that two million dollars.

R

So, in an in a more normal year where we had food and beverage revenue.

R

um That I'm trying to understand and now food.

R

And beverage revenue it can only be spent, of course,.

R

On the convention center expansion right, I mean.

T

I don't really count that as it's it's a little difficult from from year.

X

To year you know on the on the overall total budget, because.

X

Some funds come into play one year and not the next, so in this case food and beverage, didn't we didn't appropriate any money, we're.

X

Getting revenues in but because there's a pause to the.

X

Expansion of the convention center, we didn't appropriate any additional money.

X

Out of those funds, so that budget last year was an appropriation of five.

X

Million dollars and it's a zero line this year, so there.

X

Was a five million dollar decrease in the actual overall request.

X

uh On on the total budget, obviously others.

X

Increased because the net impact was three and a half million dollars.

X

Well, two million dollars was what, from the rainy day fund, so the general fund.

X

Went up uh another two million dollars so all in.

X

All the bottom line of the total budget in the general fund budget is it was pretty much break. Even we.

X

Tried to hold the line as much as we could in all of them and in some cases it was a matter of funding. We just you're not getting the.

X

Funding the street department uh was a perfect example that we had to cut over a million dollars out of that budget.

X

To make it fit within the revenue stream and cash balance that we had.

X

And that's something that I should have mentioned at the very beginning: under indiana constitution, you have to present a budget, a balanced.

X

Budget now that's a combination of cash and revenue.

X

So if your expenditures are 1 million dollars, you have to have at least one million dollars of revenues.

X

And unencumbered cash that you can use to fund that budget so that that's how.

X

We were able to do that this year. To present a balanced budget was we're using funds out of the general fund itself to the.

X

Tune of about 1.3 million dollars and 2 million out of the rainy day fund.

X

To make that budget balance so to make up for the the motor vehicle.

R

Highway fund right shortfalls and to make some.

R

Investments and recover from yes yeah all right. Thank you.

A

Thank you any final comments for or excuse me any final questions before we.

A

Go to public comment.

E

Seeing none I'll go to to clerk bolden, I see a couple raised hands and.

A

Particularly to the public, thank you for those of you who are still with us. I.

A

Know this is a long meeting and it means a great deal that you're willing to stay with us and offer your thoughts so clark, bolden. Okay, the first hand I see is jerry hayes. Mr.

I

Hayes if you'd like to go ahead.

Z

Thank you I'll have to start by saying I'm a little disappointed.

Z

To learn from an earlier public comment that.

Z

Night items can only be reduced at this point, not increased.

Z

That's what was news to me so it may make my.

Z

Comments mood, but I'm going to give them anyway,.

Z

I've waited this long um in late, 2016 or early 2017.

Z

Mayor hamilton commissioned the downtown safety civility and justice task force.

Z

That task force was comprised of bill. Biggs he's an attorney with bunger.

Z

And robertson, talisha copic, downtown bloomington inc.

Z

4Th gilmore shalom center, donald griffin, jr.

Z

Griffin associates linda grove, paul center stone, wendy hernandez iu health.

Z

Williamson hospital very lesso, united way of monroe county.

Z

Randy lord t.m crowley, susan riney. I just ran here.

Z

I'm sorry I may mispronounce that life design and kirk fight with indiana university in their uh report dated june 2017.

Z

They stated, and I quote many factors go into determining the number of police.

Z

Officers needed in the city analysis of an agency's current and.

Z

Projected future workloads, population, size, examination, 9-1-1, calls.

Z

Comparison to agencies in comparable size, cities.

Z

To name a few at 100 sworn officers when fully staffed.

Z

Bpd staffing is not seen to keep pace with the growing need in the community.

Z

The department consistently ranks lower per capita in officers than similar big.

Z

Ten cities and similar size cities in indiana.

Z

The task force recognizes that many of our recommendations require.

Z

Additional community resources that currently may or may not be available.

Z

To that end, we strongly recommend that the city of bloomington.

Z

Adopt a plan to adequately staff and support public safety initiatives.

Z

Specifically, including police officers at a level found in similar communities.

Z

According to and that's in the quote, there.

Z

According to the 2018 fbi, uniform crime report.

Z

Bloomington has one of the lowest number of officers per thousand.

Z

Citizens other college towns in indiana, south bend, is 2.3 officers per.

Z

Thousand lafayette is 1.9 and muncie is 1.5, while bloomington was 1.1.

Z

To put that into perspective, currently, I think we have.

Z

According to the website police department website, we have 103.

Z

Sworn officers and approximate population of 85 000, so that puts us at.

Z

About 1.2 currently to put that in perspective, if.

Z

We were to increase that to 1.3 that would be 110 sworn officers.

Z

Vigrancy and violent crimes seem to be increasing in bloomington.

Z

Vagrants are becoming more aggressive even to the point of attacking people.

Z

Downtown we've recently had two shootings within.

Z

A 30-day period on the south side and if you watch the nightly news.

Z

Multiple murders occur every day in indianapolis.

Z

We need a robust public safety policy and a strong police presence to present.

Z

A similar to prevent a similar increase in violence in bloomington.

Z

Public safety is a cornerstone for making bloomington a vibrant.

Z

Safe place to live work and play, and I appreciate all the police department.

Z

Does with the limited resources available to them.

Z

Please keep wilmington safe and support funding for bloomington police.

Z

Department, that's adequate to number one pay a.

Z

Competitive wage to retain the officers we have two.

Z

Hire additional sworn officers to get us to a level found in similar communities.

Z

As recommended by the task force and three provide training to ensure.

Z

Everyone is treated equally. Thank you. Thank you, mr hayes again thank.

A

You for staying with us so late is bolden. Are there additional comments.

I

um Yes, I have a comment from dave: askins.

I

With the b square beacon, thank you, mr askins. Do you want to read.

A

This, or is it in chat it's in the chat. I.

I

Think yes, difficulty connecting so give me just a second I'm going to.

I

I

Okay from dave askins with the b square beacon.

I

If the city council voted down this 2021 budget appropriation, ordinance.

I

Then, as I understand it under indiana code, here's what would happen.

I

Quote the most recent annual appropriations and annual tax levy are.

I

Continued for the ensuing budget year end quote: if we confine our attention to.

I

Just the general fund it looks like that would mean foregoing.

I

Nine hundred seven thousand five hundred forty seven dollars worth.

I

Of property tax levy for twenty twenty one.

I

Question does the growth quotient next year apply to the actual levy from the.

I

Previous year, or does it apply to theoretical maximum.

I

Levy that is, would we be foregoing the nearly.

I

1 million dollars of general fund levy, just in 2021 or.

I

Would we effectively be foregoing another 1 million dollars in 2022.

I

And every year into the future, I have a second set of questions.

I

Regarding the difference between the salary ordinance and this appropriation.

I

Ordinance, my understanding is that voting down the salary ordinance.

I

Does not have the same impact as voting down the appropriation ordinance.

I

The salary ordinance wouldn't carry over from last year. Would it.

I

That is if six council members voted no on the salary ordinance on october 14th.

I

Like they did tonight, wouldn't that mean that no employee covered by the salary.

I

Ordinance can get paid in 2021. Why can the city council not express its.

I

Legislative will about things like departmental organization or the number of positions by just amending the salary ordinance. As.

I

Opposed to just voting it down specifically.

I

What would stop the council from amending the salary ordinance to move.

I

Tdm to the planning and transportation department.

I

As opposed to voting, no on the whole ordinance.

I

The salary ordinance doesn't change appropriations.

I

So any statutory prohibition against touching those.

I

Those prohibitions don't seem like they would apply.

I

And that is the full state question. Thank you so much.

A

Are there additional individuals wanting public performing top or public comment.

I

I do not see any other hands raised. Okay, let's give it another few seconds.

A

And last call for public comment.

A

And with that, let's come back to counsel or are there additional questions from.

A

A

Okay, if I don't see any takers, I will jump in.

A

um Mr underwood, in particular, if you could comment.

A

Most of us have talked about it, but primarily for the benefit of the public.

A

At this point, could you comment on the implications of.

A

A no vote on october 14th.

A

Mr askins started to allude to this, but can you comment on.

A

What exactly that means and what happened.

X

I will speak to the fiscal side and and corporation council.

X

Lope guthrie can talk about uh some of the other aspects of it.

X

uh All of the budgets would revert back, there would be.

X

No changes to that and the same for the levy.

X

uh The the other revenue streams we would continue to get so.

X

Lit public safety lit and then all the miscellaneous stuff we would get those.

X

However, we would have to if those exceeded budgets requests.

X

uh The administration would have the opportunity to come back in the next.

X

Year uh and ask for an additional appropriation that could only use cash. That would not.

X

uh Change the levy, my understanding is, we would have to.

X

Make a special request to recover that lost levied that we.

X

Would not automatically get it the next year because we would have adopted the essentially the same levies. The year.

X

Before and we would have to show uh the state.

X

That we would need to recover that those funds so and that's a very.

X

Difficult process, so it would be fairly difficult for us to.

X

Ever get that back and that's into perpetuity uh the item of pay. uh If employees are employed, they have to.

X

Be paid now at what levels um you know we would go back. I think.

X

It would revert back to last year's uh salary words that you would continue on.

X

The salaries that had been approved, uh the the adoption.

X

Of another ordinance uh might change those, but.

X

um I'll, let philippa talk about the legal aspects of that, but.

X

You can't have people work and not pay them that much. I know so.

A

um And just because this may inform ms guthrie's response as well.

A

And it's an extension of the same question: what would be the implications.

A

Of voting yes on the civil city, appropriation, ordinance.

A

But no on the ordinance 2023, which sets the salaries so and this.

A

Guthrie, I don't know that I know the answer to.

U

That actually, okay, I will have to check.

U

I mean, I think it reverts as the budget does, but I don't know I'll have to.

U

I'll have to research, it.

A

Anything in addition to mr underwood's no response he covered what I would have.

U

Said? Okay, thank you. Additional questions from.

A

Council, council, member piedmont, smith.

R

So uh the ordinance 2023 uh it's an ordinance. It's not an.

R

Appropriation ordinance, so I assume that we could.

R

Have passed an amendment to it? um So if we passed an amendment theoretically.

R

um To take money out of one department's, you know take a position.

R

Out of one department and put it into another department, um would that I mean it would still be in the general fund.

R

Would that be uh at a level of detail enough to.

R

Contradict the app ord, I don't believe so.

X

uh We break it down by department as a courtesy.

X

We're not required to do that. Many municipalities just have a.

X

That just the listing of the employees and not by department, we break it down.

X

By department again for transparency's sake, to see you know where, where these positions planned for and how are they funded.

X

uh I think if you amended the salary ordinance.

X

uh It wouldn't really have any impact on where the positions.

X

Stood and who it reported to that that's a personnel issue.

R

Wait it would have an impact on where the position stood. If we.

R

Amend it only from the salary ordinance standpoint.

X

The funding would still remain in the department that that it was.

X

Basically, that we're showing you where the employees are in the department.

X

It all rolls up into one appropriation, ordinance and one salary ordinance.

X

Now I'll, let if, if I'm speaking out of turn I'll, let.

X

Philippa jump in and tell me I'm wrong.

U

I believe your authority is over the dollars.

U

Not necessarily um the personnel decisions about who is.

U

U

That's that's my first instinct, but again I will have to look at these.

U

Issues I don't know that they've come up well.

U

They certainly haven't come up since I've been here.

R

All right, thank you. Thank you. Additional questions.

E

And let's go see, none, let's go to final comment from council.

A

Council member ralu.

Y

I just wanted to comment on mr hayes uh comment. I appreciate how to appreciate.

Y

Him stay uh for the duration, this meeting, I I.

Y

Just wanted to say that I do indeed support the bloomington.

Y

Police department and I also support the investment.

Y

Required to uh to keep our officers in.

Y

uh And to expand the police force in the future.

Y

Thank you. Thank you.

E

Any additional comments.

A

Council member sandberg and then council, member piedmont, smith.

AA

I also agree that we have some issues. We need to take a very hard look at with.

AA

The bloomington police department- I've done my best to work cooperatively.

AA

And in in tandem with the administration on.

AA

How we can problem solve this and how we can meet their needs.

AA

uh That are going to help us stem the tide of the.

AA

The exodus that we are we are experiencing.

AA

I will continue to do that, regardless of what happens with this budget.

AA

By staying, you know in time.

AA

Touch uh listening very very carefully to.

AA

The boots on the ground, as it were, and also with respect to the.

AA

Social worker issue- I have done social work myself in the past.

AA

I am very mindful and well aware of the ethics involved with social work and.

AA

It's a completely different career and it's a completely different.

AA

Set of work and principles from what police officers, foreign.

AA

Trained police officers do what the bpd has done and what the city.

AA

Of bloomington has done in our attempts to be progressive and to be.

AA

Innovative is we have tried to fill some gaps, some.

AA

Need gaps in this community by incorporating the neighborhood.

AA

Resource officers, the dros and now social workers into the bpd.

AA

It actually makes sense to me to have them there, because.

AA

This is all about responding to calls and so having it with bpd.

AA

You're there with dispatch and when calls come in those can be determined.

AA

What are the calls that absolutely have to be done.

AA

Have to be answered by sworn officers and what could maybe be better served by.

AA

A social worker who has a different set of skills and certainly is not.

AA

Trained to do the emergency work that an officer has to do.

AA

So it's been a cooperation and a coordination.

AA

Everybody knows what their role is and what their role isn't and from.

AA

Where I can see from talking with these individuals who are in these jobs,.

AA

There is supervision, there are staff who can.

AA

Advise this the new social work staff on no, that's, not a call. You should go on.

AA

That there there is some intrinsic danger there. So that's that.

AA

One's not for you. We absolutely need a sworn officer to go.

AA

Out on this one that coordination, if the city of.

AA

Bloomington is going to be doing this at all.

AA

I think is essential to make this program work.

AA

If there is a criticism that we shouldn't even be in the business of.

AA

Adding social works, then all I would say is I would.

AA

Encourage non-profit organizations that do social work.

AA

uh To step up and do that because my understanding from what cahoots is in.

AA

Eugene oregon, it's not that city managing the program.

AA

It is a coordination between the city and the police and a non-profit.

AA

Organization, but it is a very strong partnership.

AA

What that sounds like to me is what we now have with our stride.

AA

Center, so again, if it's not appropriate to have social workers with our bpd by.

AA

All means, let's move them to where they need to be.

AA

In order to respond in an appropriate fashion and then let the bloomington police department get back to what they do.

AA

What they're trained to do and what they need to be supported to do and do well.

AA

And to do safely, so that's my opinion on that. I will continue to have it. I will.

AA

Continue to work it, but I'm certainly not going to hold up a.

AA

Budget and vote no on the budget, just because I'm a little bit displeased.

AA

By our inability to get our staffing numbers up to where I think they need to.

AA

Be I think uh that is something we all need to think long and hard about, but I will want to continue to work with.

AA

The public with the community with our administration and try our very best to work in in a better.

AA

Collaborative manner so that we don't get to these standoffs.

AA

When it comes to the budget, because it's this is a little bit unprecedented, so.

AA

Thank you very much, I think, for the most part, it's a good budget. I think for the.

AA

Most part we have been operating in extremely.

AA

Difficult times that have tried the patience of us all.

AA

Both nationally statewide locally we've got a we've got.

AA

A coveted crisis and we're facing an economic downturn so.

AA

We need to keep our heads about us. We need to work smart in.

AA

A smart fashion and we need to work in a more collaborative fashion,.

AA

I'm hoping we can continue to do that in the coming year. Thank you.

E

Thank you additional comments.

A

Councilmember smith and then council member volun, I think.

R

I thought I was after. Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

A

I apologize, I remember, piedmont smith. I was psyching myself up there.

R

Several seconds have a laugh since I said that so.

R

Please I'm sorry, thank you. um I uh I appreciate mr hayes comments.

R

About the downtown safety and civility task force and.

R

You know it reminds me of um the budget hearings. You know two years.

R

Ago and last year, especially two years ago, when we had all.

R

Of the event, the business owners from kirkwood avenue come and.

R

Tell us we need more police, um and I you know, I think I was sympathetic.

R

To to what they had to say at the time- and I probably supported.

R

uh The increase in officers in those last two years.

R

um And so people have asked me, you know what what has changed.

R

Aren't you, you know being hypocritical and suddenly saying we don't need more.

R

Police officers: well, um I think what has changed.

R

For me, as a white person is something that.

R

uh Black people in in this in this country have.

R

Have known for for decades and centuries is that that I've realized.

R

The systemic racism inherent in the police as an institution and I'm.

R

Not blaming the bloomington police department, I'm.

R

Not blaming any individuals in the bloomington police department.

R

But the police, as an institution in this country,.

R

Were founded on racism and have in the last.

R

R

Repeatedly gotten away with murder of african-americans.

R

And it's uh no wonder that people throughout this country.

R

Especially people of color, um many of them do not trust the police.

R

Anymore and would not call the police if there was a problem.

R

That's why I am looking for alternative solutions like the cahoots.

R

Program for situations in which.

R

There's a mental health crisis or a drug misuse crisis.

R

Or just an argument with a neighbor about mowing the lawn on sunday morning.

R

Because I think that uh sometimes police- just by being there in uniform in.

R

The coming in the car exacerbate a situation.

R

Because it it there is a feeling among many people.

R

Of all colors that.

R

They may overreact that I'm you know I. I don't fully trust this institution.

R

Not this individual, who I don't know and who may be wonderful,.

R

But the institution and and it has been tarnished throughout this country and.

R

Bloomington is not some golden exception. Yes, we have enacted many good reforms.

R

And excellent trainings and we are a good police department, but.

R

We are not exempt from what is happening across this country, and so this budget.

R

Represents a very small and modest shift and recognition that sworn officers are.

R

Not always the best uh people to respond to.

R

Emergency situations.

R

By only moving five officers, five positions from sworn officers.

R

To more social worker type, social assistance, workers.

R

And a data analyst, which also is very important.

R

um I think we are going in the right direction.

R

And it's not that you know. Suddenly things changed since.

R

Last year, it's that I've realized it.

R

um And you know, even even two years ago, when we had the.

R

The the trouble on kirkwood avenue and and all.

R

The police, you know, move people out of people's park.

R

Did that solve anything that solved nothing that just moved.

R

uh Transit people to seminary square park and to.

R

District five- and you know it didn't it didn't get at the root problems.

R

And we really need to reevaluate public safety and say.

R

What are the group problems here, and they are homelessness? They are drug.

R

Addiction, they are lack of mental health care and so in the.

R

Long term, we need to address those problems. I'm not saying that.

R

We can do that today or that city council can solve all these things.

R

But more police- I don't think, are the answer to these problems.

R

So I support the mayor's move with this budget to change.

R

uh Five sworn officer positions to non-sworn positions.

R

I do worry that there are social workers reporting to law enforcement. I don't.

R

Think that's the most appropriate role for social workers.

R

But I think we can hopefully address that.

R

In the coming year, and not get in the rut and say.

R

They're there now and they have to stay there. I think we have heard from the.

R

Mayor that there's some flexibility in the future with those particular.

R

Positions: I've also heard from the mayor and have.

R

Been working myself with some colleagues on having a uh a group of.

R

A commissioner, a committee from the public.

R

With far-reaching representation from demographic groups that.

R

Are often mistreated by authority figures of authority.

R

And don't often have a voice to ask them to contribute to this conversation on.

R

Public safety, people who are homeless people who have drug addiction problems.

R

People who are marginalized in other ways.

R

Due to their racial or ethnic background, due to.

R

Mental health issues: we need a broad swath of the community to come.

R

To the table and discuss the future of.

R

Public safety and how to improve public safety for everybody.

R

In our community- and it may not be through the police, there may be other.

R

Better ways to do this, and so I very much hope.

R

And will work towards having that commission.

R

Active and and prepared to make recommendations to us.

R

As a body and to the mayor uh for the budget for 2022.

R

So at this point, uh I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna vote.

R

Tonight, um because I there are some problems with the budget, as I've mentioned before. I think the tdm position should really be in planning transportation.

R

But I just on this essential issue of the police.

R

We need to recognize and the bloomington police, like all police departments, need.

R

To grapple with the reality that there has been a fundamental.

R

Breaking of trust- and it has largely been caused by police in other.

R

Parts of the united states and it and we are not exempt from that.

R

Here and we need to recognize that, thank you. Thank you.

A

Additional comments: oh councilmember smith,.

A

I think what's next.

S

Oh, thank you. So what strikes me is.

S

I'll be so I'll, be supporting this budget overall.

S

But what strikes me overall is, we all have voiced various dissatisfaction.

S

With different parts of the budget- and it seems like it's, it's the process and.

S

The collaborative nature of it just somehow isn't there.

S

I think a lot of our issues we might have been able to.

S

Work through some of them earlier before the budget was presented to us.

S

And I I kind of think it would have resulted in a better budget.

S

Not that it's a terrible budget, don't that's not what I mean, but.

S

um We all have ideas on how to refine it and that we could have.

S

Solicited some feedback from our constituents.

S

From chamber of commerce, just just the whole environment that we.

S

Exist in and I'd like to see us move, you know in the future.

S

Towards more collaborative with the city council, as an institution.

S

Being a stronger partner.

S

And so that that's really what I wanted to say.

S

Thank you. Thank you. Additional comments.

A

Council member volun.

G

So I got hot-headed earlier tonight because I didn't see coming the.

G

Admission that uh transportation is being decentralized.

G

In the hamilton administration that it intends to remove it.

G

From the title of the planning and transportation department.

G

And that we found out only from explicit questioning tonight.

G

It's rare that I'm genuinely surprised by something I hear in a budget meeting.

G

Like this, the mayor says he has listened and worked with and taken seriously. The.

G

Input of counsel, if so, we should have had no compunction.

G

About announcing his intention about transportation as policy initiative, there show should be no reason.

G

Under the logic of his uh silos argument and our answers to budget.

G

Questions to consolidate parking services in one division in public works under a director.

G

Why not leave it spread among several departments, as parking has been for many.

G

Years, if that's so desirable, despite the.

G

Existence of the tdm plan, the administration in my eyes.

G

Is decreasing and defocusing from transportation going forward.

G

Doing little more than accommodating public transit bike and pet.

G

Infrastructure as part of a smorgasbord of other initiatives, it doesn't matter apparently where.

G

Functions are housed in the city because- and I quote, the administration does not view any of our departments as silos.

G

All are part of a larger organization under the direction of the mayor.

G

Unquote it shouldn't matter, then what departments we have.

G

Or that new ones require approval by the council.

G

I want to refer the mayor to indiana code 36.

G

4 9 the executive needs permission from the legislative body to create.

G

Or terminate executive departments and their administrative functions.

G

The mayor should not assume that he can have us agree to create a department.

G

And then change its name and mission it will. It does make a difference.

G

Where functions are housed, doesn't it because I really think otherwise we.

G

Should have a department of fire information technology parks and.

G

Recreation and I'm looking forward to forming that department with support of my colleagues on council.

G

Seriously, though, and more importantly, I think the mayor should no longer assume.

G

That vague statements like we have worked with council.

G

Are sufficient? I've made my primary concern clear, but across the board there.

G

Are concerns by a majority of members on a variety of.

G

Topics that a majority has even thought about.

G

Voting no on the budget should give him pause, but.

G

It does not seem to have uh this year, it's been a sobering.

G

Education for me to learn just how limiting state law makes council authority over the act of appropriating money.

G

What most council members are becoming concerned with, to my mind,.

G

Is the very budget process itself and the authority over legislation that.

G

Council delegated long ago before any of us took office to.

G

The administration, especially on appropriation matters.

G

I think that the administration needs to rethink.

G

The way that it approaches working with council.

G

Because that term no longer means anything to me.

G

I'll be voting no on this tonight. Thank you.

E

Thank you additional comments.

G

Call the question actually I'll finish up. If there are no, I want to give.

A

Everybody ample chance to do this um so I'll.

A

Close out with some comments of my own here.

A

One of the terms that's been used, informally.

A

A little bit in this meeting, I think, but but elsewhere is the notion of a nuclear.

A

Option um the decision, a vote by council not to.

A

Adopt um the budget that is proposed by the.

A

A

I don't mean to speak for my colleagues but but let's just say, I'm pretty.

A

Confident that none of us ever want to get to that.

A

Position we would prefer additional collaboration.

A

And genuine collaboration up front um to be able to do that. I also.

A

I appreciate mr underwood and miss guthrie.

A

Laying out some of the implications of what a no vote could mean and.

A

um I want them to hear. I want the administration here that I take that.

A

Very seriously, um the notion of not.

A

Passing about not passing ordinances that allow for the.

A

The increase in raise the raises that we've discussed all this time.

A

And that's going to affect hundreds and hundreds of our employees.

A

I take that very seriously and that's not a place. I want to be.

A

That said, I think there are some real concerns here. We've.

A

Talked about uh the two largest discussion themes tonight.

A

One focused on the transportation demand management position and where it's.

A

Located, I confess that I don't have strong.

A

Feelings myself, but I take very seriously the expertise.

A

And the insights of my colleagues on this council.

A

Who know a great deal about this field and.

A

I can't ignore their comments. I think they're quite telling.

A

um What I care very deeply about is a discussion we're having about.

A

Bpd I want to applaud and and promote and encourage a.

A

Continued multi-disciplinary approach.

A

A multi-dimensional approach to the social challenges, we fear.

A

um I believe policing has its place and I also believe.

A

That our social service agencies play a critical role in that we have a.

A

Formidable social services network here in bloomington- um I really do want to applaud the mayor's.

A

Decision to expand the number of social workers.

A

At bpd, I think that is an excellent decision.

A

And I believe it will make the department better what I.

A

Question is the wisdom of cannibalizing sworn officer positions.

A

To do it, and I have very serious reservations about that.

A

I think, given all the discussion we've heard about tdm tonight and about.

A

Policing tonight.

A

I think there is still some work to be done on this budget and some.

A

Conversations that need to be had, I think, it's very reasonable to expect.

A

Some additional discussions, and possibly some.

A

Amendments to come forward and I look forward to being part of those.

A

Conversations so I will actually be passing tonight.

A

Until some of those conversations unfold, so any additional comment.

A

May I hear a move, do you pass.

G

Move recommend you pass. Second, thank you or recommend you pass. Thank you. um Clerk.

A

Bolden, will you please call the goal for us? Yes, councilmember.

I

Smith, yes, sandberg. Yes,.

AA

Y

Yes, scandalory pass rosenbarker.

R

No sims, yes, fallen.

G

No piedmont, smith.

R

Pass and flaherty: no, that's four.

A

Three two: thank you for that. um Just a reminder for the public too,.

A

What we've done tonight are non-binding votes, but they do give an indication uh of council's response to what's been.

A

Presented to us the final adoption vote for the budget.

A

Is planned for wednesday october 14th.

A

And with that, if there are no objections, I'll call for adjournment.

A

Go move. Second, third, very well! Thank you. Everybody particular thanks to.

A

The members of the public who've been with us this evening, so good night. Everyone.

AB