WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 7th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community-related issues. More coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, last week, the Monroe County Commissioners approved a contract with consulting firm Baker Tilly to “review and analyze” the City of Bloomington’s fiscal plan for annexation. More in today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
Monroe County continues to be at high risk for the 59% of the population that isn’t vaccinated. A majority of the new people being vaccinated are in the preteen and teenager age group. However, the CDC is trying to push for young adults to get the vaccine. Uber and Lyft are giving rides free of charge to vaccine sites until the 4th of July.
The Cedars Preserve has been closed to the public due to the harmful impact that human traffic has caused on the wildlife and plants. The decision made by Sycamore Land Trust was made because of the increase in human activity due to COVID-19. Human traffic has caused the erosion of trails, loss of vegetation and the formation of unauthorized paths.
With Indiana University not requiring documentation for students and faculty being vaccinated, IU is incentivizing documentation to be reported. From June 7th to June 28th, students that show documentation for their vaccine will be put in a raffle to receive $500, IU Dining Benefits, parking passes, gift cards, vouchers and more. Faculty and staff could win an Apple Watch, AirPods Pro, a JBL Speaker and a Yeti cooler. In total, over $70,000 in prizes will be distributed to students, faculty and staff for their cooperation.
COVID-19 Press Conference
At the June 4th Coronavirus press conference, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Indiana University Kirk White discussed changes to the University’s vaccination requirement. He clarified that students, faculty and staff will still be required to have the vaccine to attend I-U, but the need for documentation has changed.
Indiana University Health President Brian Shockney said I-U Health employees need to be fully vaccinated by September 1st. He added the company would honor employees who are not immunized but still receive their final shot before the deadline.
Indiana University Spokesperson Chuck Carney stated that a Coronavirus press conference is planned for June 11th, but hinted that a non-weekly schedule may be in the works.
Monroe County Commissioners Approve Contract with Consulting Firm to “Review and Analyze” Bloomington Annexation
During last Wednesday’s meeting, the Monroe County Commissioners approved a contract with consultant Baker Tilly US to review and analyze the City of Bloomington’s effort to annex roughly 10,000 acres of Monroe County land.
Baker Tilly is a public accounting and consulting firm based in Chicago. According to county commissioners, the amount paid to Baker Tilly should not exceed 50,000 dollars.
During the meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented the agreement to review and analyze the City of Bloomington’s fiscal plan for annexation.
Local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Beacon, asked about the impact on existing property owners that live within current city limits. Cockerill said that the Baker Tilly report could cover the impact on residents who pay city taxes, but that the analysis would not be finished prior to the August 4th annexation meeting.
Jim Shelton, member of the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission, expressed concern on how annexation will impact the county’s tax increment financing, or TIF.
The city plans to host public hearings regarding annexation on August 4th. Then, the Bloomington City Council will vote on annexation proposals in September. For more information from the county on Bloomington annexation, click here.
Monroe County Election Board
At the June 3rd Monroe County Election Board meeting, Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler gave an update on the Voter List Maintenance post card rollout. She said there have been some errors with the first wave of cards but that corrected cards have already been mailed.
Board Chair Carolyn VandeWiele asked Wheeler what residents should do if they have not received a V-L-M card. Wheeler clarified that they should call the Voter Registration Office. She added that residents who receive a card with someone else’s name on it should return those cards to sender.
Ellettsville Plan Commission
Vice President of Design at Smith Design Group Katie Stein presented preliminary plans for a subdivision to the Ellettsville Plan Commission on June 3rd. She said the property would be broken up into 20 lots that are mostly single-family homes.
Commissioners showed concern about the subdivision putting a strain on traffic. Commissioner Dan Swafford questioned Attorney for the Petitioner Greg Lauer whether the petitioner would be seeking an additional exit from the neighborhood. Lauer said the petitioner is seeking permission to build a connection to Centennial Drive but isn’t counting on it.
Commissioner Terry Baker moved to approve the plan. Commissioner David Drake pointed out that the Plan Commission was obligated to approve it by-right. Commissioner Pat Wesolowski (Wiz-uh-lao-ski) voted yes but added the Plan Commission should have more power to address concerns like traffic congestion.
Commissioners voted to approve the lots 4 to 2, with Commissioners Sandra Hash and Pamela Samples dissenting. Commissioner Don Calvert abstained.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson poses questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community-related issues. We turn to Jake Jacobson for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katherine Patterson, Kade Young and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
