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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 21st, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Back to Scammer School on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment with host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on September 13th Engineering Senior Project Manager Roy Aten shared the progress on the West 17th Street Multi-Use Path Project.
Next, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development Alex Crowley gave an update on scooters in the city.
Crowley said the scooter companies have evolved, and are willing to work with the city.
Crowley explained the scooter team will be meeting in October to discuss renewing the scoot agreements for the next quarter and will be working on implementing more rules and an additional staff position to ensure the scooters are parked in reasonable locations using Geofencing, and ensure the safety of their riders.
Next, City Legal Chris Wheeler asked the board to appeal a violation of bamboo at a property located at 2739 East Briggs Bend. Wheeler said that although they normally recommend the board fine citizens with bamboo on their property due to its status as an invasive species, this particular property has a concrete planter to contain it.
Wheeler said that the staff is following precedent with the bamboo petitions, and recommends the property is monitored to ensure the planter is containing the bamboo.
The board unanimously voted to appeal the notice of violation.
The next board of public works meeting will be held on September 27th.
Bloomington Plan Commission
At the Bloomington Plan Commission meeting on September 12th, Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan gave her report on the Planning Department. Following Scanlan’s staff report, Commissioner Jillian Kenzie asked if the Planning Department would send out more formal reports to keep the public informed.
Scanlan replied.
Next, the commission discussed an apartment complex University Properties hopes to build next to the football stadium.
Zoning and Long Range Planner for the City of Bloomington Gabriel Holbrow presented an overview of the property.
Hollbrow shared the Planning and Transportation staff’s recommendation to approve the site plan.
Kinzie asked about the sustainability commitment, and if there was any guidance to decide the level of National Green Building Standards and what is required for a project like this
Scanlan responded saying they look to the Environmental Commission for guidance.
The board unanimously approved the site plan.
The next plan commission meeting will be held on October 10th.
Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S. To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to Part III of an interview with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of the disability rights group Westchester Disabled on Move Incorporated.
Up next, Back to Scammer School on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish 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 Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
