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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 3rd, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Sade Ajishegiri reports on recent, local protests over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, one week ago – Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton gave his seventh annual state of the city address.
That’s coming up in your local headlines.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Board
At the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Board meeting on February 22nd City Landscaper Joanna Sparks presented a contract with Eco Logic for vegetation management at Switchyard Park.
President of the Board Kathleen Mills asked if the management of invasive plants is an ongoing task that could presumably go on forever, or one that has an end date.
Sparks replied saying that invasive species removal is an indefinite task, but that the amount of maintenance needed should decrease after the native plants are more established.
The board approved the contract with Eco Logic unanimously.
The board also approved a contract with Davey Resource Group for the Bicentennial Bond Tree Project. Urban Forester Erin Hatch presented the contract to the board.
The next board meeting will be held on March 22nd.
Mayor John Hamilton Gives 7th Annual State of the City Address
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton gave his seventh annual State of the City Address last Thursday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
To start off the speech, Mayor Hamilton offered a moment of silence for Ukrainian residents who are facing Russian invasion.
Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Monroe County mask mandate is set to expire on Friday, March 4th.
During the State of the City, Hamilton reflected on the pandemic, saying he’s “hopeful” despite not knowing whether we’ve seen the worst of Covid-19.
Hamilton touted the economy of the city – pointing to the new hospital site and investments made by Catalent in the last year.
The mayor also touched on housing – an issue on which he has faced backlash previously.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the median gross rent of the city remains at 917 dollars per month with annual per capita income at nearly 24,000 dollars per year.
Census bureau data shows the city’s poverty rate at 35.3 percent with the national average at 11.4 percent.
According to the city’s 2021 Community Survey published last summer, affordable housing ranked the third least-liked aspect about the city of Bloomington.
However, Mayor Hamilton says he hopes to expand affordable housing with the redevelopment of the old hospital site.
According to the city, Hopewell will contain retail, residential and office spaces with a “range of affordable housing in the area.”
According to the master plan for the redevelopment of the site, the city pointed to “public support” for its inclusion of affordable housing units.
Mayor Hamilton praised the Bloomington City Council for a variety of perceived successes – including updates to the zoning code, the climate action plan, the Recover Forward budget and annexation.
In January, the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation announced that they have enough petitions to successfully remonstrate. As the mayor outlined, a county auditor is currently counting the remonstration waivers.
Feature Report:
Up next, in our feature report, WFHB Correspondent Sade Ajishegiri reports on recent local protests over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We turn to Ajishegiri for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Sade Ajishegiri.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
