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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 28th, 2022.
Later in the program, the Community Justice Response Committee continued their discussion of the proposed site for a new jail. More in today’s feature report. But first, your daily headlines:
MCPL Board of Trustees Discuss Vital Program, Employee Health Benefits
At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on November 16th, Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report on the library.
Board Member Kari Esarey followed up on his report and asked if the Vital program could be expanded to reach more people on the waiting list. Carson said they can work on getting more volunteer hours for the program.
The board continued their discussion on employee health benefits.
HR Assistant Manager Becky Throckmorton informed the board on the work the managers did in collaboration with J-A Benefits, to assess the library’s health insurance options.
Board Member and Treasurer David L. Ferguson, asked about the Health Savings Account cost over the years and why there has been so much variability.
One staff member explained the reasoning behind the variance over time with the different needs of the staff.
The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on December 14th.
Bloomington City Council Consider Petition To Vacate Alley Next to Johnson Creamery Building
On November 16th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, the council discussed the petition from Peerless Development to vacate the alley next to the Johnson Creamery building. Council Attorney Stephen Lucas explained the petitioner’s proposal to give the city a separate alley in exchange for the alley vacation.
Council Member Susan Sanberg asked if there would be any benefit to the public to have the new alley Peerless has proposed, or if there would be any consequences. City Engineer Andrew Cibor responded that he does not think there are many benefits to the public, and said it would add additional work for the city to take care of the new alleyway.
Council Member Steve Volan said that they already have the responsibility of maintaining the current alleyway and that he didn’t see a problem with maintaining the new alleyway since they would be swapping the alleys.
Council Member Matt Flaherty said he would vote to vacate the alley and that his decision was not contingent upon the inclusion of the new alley.
The council voted to approve the petition in the case that the Bloomington Plan Commission approves of the alley swap. The vote was 6 to 1, with Council Member Dave Rollo voting no on the alley vacation.
The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on November 30th.
Community Justice Response Committee Continues Discussion on Proposed Site for New Monroe County Jail
During the November 21st meeting of the Community Justice Response Committee, Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones reflected on the negative recommendation for the rezoning of the new jail by the Bloomington Plan Commission. Jones said that the measure now goes to the city council where she hopes it will pass.
One member asked whether the proposed Fullerton Pike property would be ideal for a new jail site. She asked about whether or not an 85-acre property on South Rogers Street would be a better fit, since that property has already been rezoned for conditional use as a jail. Jones replied that the property was considered as an option; however, a contract with Catalent and other plans for the location prevented it from being considered.
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Catherine Stafford added that she believes the new jail should be located within city limits.
Jones responded that the Fullerton Pike property is the main prospect for a new jail. She said that if plans for the site fall through, officials would need to look at locations further away from the city.
Stafford expanded on her point of having a centrally-located jail near the city. She made an analogy to the fight over where to place the Courthouse in the 1980s. She said that making the courthouse downtown was the right decision and that she has concerns about the jail not being located downtown.
During public comment, local resident Misty James shared her experience of being incarcerated, and she expressed concerns about what treatment looks like after one leaves the jail.
Executive Director of Courage to Change Sober Living Marilyn Grimes shared a similar concern about what happens when someone is released from the carceral system.
The Community Justice Response Committee will further discuss the proposal for a new jail during its next meeting on December 5th.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
