WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 4th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from our public affairs program, BloomingOUT – one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ focused radio shows. In today’s excerpt, you will hear from Melinda and Carol – special guests from Just Married, a podcast hosted by Jennifer Bass exploring stories of same-sex marriage in the decade of marriage equality. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson reports on a failed ordinance that would have added protections for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington. More following today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
On Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health announced that residents ages 50 and older are now eligible to sign up and receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The age of eligibility has been lowered twice just this week, from 60 plus on Monday. Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers who have not received their vaccination are still eligible as well.
If you qualify, you can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.
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At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the Bloomington Common Council met for a regular session. Wednesday’s session included readings and resolutions on Ordinance 21-06.
Ordinance 21-06 would make a series of amendments to the Bloomington Municipal Code to add protections for people experiencing homelessness.
The ordinance was drafted in response to the multiple evictions of homeless encampments carried out by the City of Bloomington this year, despite guidelines provided by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention that say encampments should be left intact during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost nine hours later, at 3:21 a.m., the Ordinance failed with a 4-4 vote, with councilmembers Dave Rollo, Ron Smith, Sue Sgambelluri, and Susan Sandberg voting against.
Several attempts were made to salvage the ordinance. A vote to send the Ordinance back to committee, where it could be re-worked and re-written, failed 4-4, with the same four council members voting against.
There are nine members of the Bloomington City Council. So, why are there so many tied votes? Council President Jim Sims could not attend Wednesday’s meeting, due to a death in his family. At 1:40 a.m. this morning, Council Member Matt Flaherty made a motion to postpone the vote until the April 7th meeting, so Sims could be in attendance.
Flaherty argued that all nine council members should weigh in on the ordinance. The motion to postpone also failed, with Rollo, Smith, Sgambelluri, and Sandberg again voting against.
Monroe County Commissioners
The Monroe County Commissioners approved Stormwater System User Fee Increases during their March third meeting. Highway Director Lisa Ridge stated the stormwater fee was the lowest in Monroe County. Attorney Dave Shilling spoke about the increased details.
Schilling stated the Indiana Department of Environmental Management increased regulations which created additional tasks for the stormwater staff. He mentioned the fee would occur annually through tax bills. Commissioner Julie Thomas commented on the County Council’s pressure to pass the ordinance on Monday.
Commissioner Lee Jones stated an increased fee was necessary to mitigate flooding and stormwater issues caused by a high rate of development in Monroe County. Thomas mentioned developments should be planned proactively.
Thomas stated the fee would be on the May tax bill.
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
County Planner Drew Myers presented a Side Yard Variance Setback for a property in Perry Township. He spoke of the variance during the March 3rd Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting.
Myers stated the proposed structure is 17 feet tall which is above the allowed 15 foot tall structure. Petitioner Todd Borgman stated the height was due to roof designs.
Board member Margret Clements stated the placement of the garage seemed to devalue the property. Board members approved the variance with Clements voting against.
Feature Reports:
Up next, WFHB Correspondent Katherine Patterson reports on a failed ordinance that would have added protections for people experiencing homelessness. We turn to Patterson for more.
We have an excerpt from our public affairs program, BloomingOUT – one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTIQ focused radio shows. In today’s excerpt, you will hear from Melinda and Carol – special guests from Just Married, a podcast hosted by Jennifer Bass exploring stories of same-sex marriage in the decade of marriage equality.
BloomingOUT airs each Thursday at 6 p.m. on WFHB. You can find the full airing of this program here:
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jake Jacobson, Katherine Patterson and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Melanie Davis.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
