WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Bloomington Common Council is expected to vote on changes to its harassment policies tonight.
The council is likely to approve policy changes that extend protections to independent contractors, volunteers, and interns doing work for the city.
Both the city of Bloomington and Monroe County are reviewing changes to their harassment and abuse policies. Tonight is the second meeting in which the city council has reviewed changes to its harassment policies. At last week’s meeting Council Member Jim Sims said the changes stem from accusations of sexual harassment that were leveled at former County Commissioner Amanda Barge, by a former county contractor.
Bloomington Communications Director Yael Ksander says the city is looking to extend its current harassment policies to extend to previously unprotected contractors, volunteers, and interns.
Tonight’s consideration of changes to the city’s harassment policies comes as Monroe County is grappling with their own revisions. County Attorney Marjorie Rice told County Commissioners during a work session last month the county’s policy revisions are being reviewed by two area judges. She told Commissioners the county’s revisions will largely depend on existing state law, as it pertains to harassment by a superior or an elected official.
The Bloomington City Council took a straw poll of their proposed policy changes last week, but most council members abstained from voting. Council Members Alison Chopra and Andy Ruff both voted in favor of the changes, last Wednesday. The Common Council is expected to pass the extended harassment policies after reviewing revisions to the proposal tonight.
Tonight’s City Council meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Common Council Chambers, in Bloomington City Hall.
