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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 19th, 2024.
Later in the program, the city of Bloomington lifted a precautionary boil advisory for all of Monroe County. This comes after the city’s utilities department violated a drinking water standard. More in today’s headlines.
That’s Michelle Moss from the Bloomington Volunteer Network. The annual Volunteer Fair is this Saturday, and Michelle has all the details. Learn how you can connect to a nonprofit that needs your help later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
On Saturday, all of Monroe County was under a precautionary boil water advisory.
Late last week, the city of Bloomington Utilities violated a drinking water standard. C-B-U has stated that the turbidity levels were above the maximum level of 1 unit permitted by federal health regulations.
The city’s utilities department said in a news release that, “because of these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.”
On Monday, the city lifted the precautionary boil advisory with the exception of 207 homes in the Gentry East neighborhood.
Communications Manager for City Utilities Holly McLauchlin said that sand for a new filter, “accidentally spilled out of its tank” at the water treatment plant. This increased the turbidity of the water. McLauchlin said that utilities staff contained the spill and monitored the water every 15 minutes.
According to utilities, the turbidity of the water has returned to normal and no contaminants were detected.
For more information, including specific addresses, you can visit bloomington.in.gov/utilities or call 812-339-1444.
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The city of Bloomington will appeal the recent ruling of the annexation trial.
Earlier this month, Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Kirk ruled that the city could not annex Area 1A and Area 1B into Bloomington.
On Thursday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson released a statement on the annexation ruling, saying, “while we are disappointed, we believe strongly in the merits of our case and remain hopeful about the outcome, though we understand it may take approximately a year to receive a decision on the appeal.”
In a phone call with WFHB News, Margaret Clements, President of the County Residents Against Annexation, said, “I’m a little disappointed in Mayor Thomson, especially because of the amount of taxpayer money spent on this wayward effort.”
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Craig Cowden, a local resident who has a property on Vernal Pike, wants to sell about 53 acres of his land to the county for the purpose of a new jail site.
Cowen spoke to both the county council and the county commissioners this week offering his proposal.
During Wednesday’s meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, Cowden said he didn’t want the jail constructed at the proposed North Park site.
The commissioners signaled that they have their eyes set on the North Park property for the new jail site but they may consider Cowden’s property as a “backup” if plans fall through.
Cowden has gained support from the Greater Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for his property. In a joint letter, the two organizations cited fiscal responsibility, proximity of services and economic development as reasons to support Cowden’s property as a potential site.
During last Tuesday’s meeting of the Monroe County council, Cowden and real estate agent Tom Orman made their plea to council members.
Right now, the commissioners are waiting on an environmental study for the property at North Park on the city’s northwest side as the site for the new jail.
Commissioners Lee Jones and Julie Thomas reiterated that message during their regular session last week.
Ellettsville Town Council
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on August 12th, the council discussed Resolution 28 dash 2024 for the Annexation of 5517 North Union Valley Road.
Town Attorney Darla Brown gave some background information on the resolution, and said that the Ellettsville Plan Commission recommended the approval of the annexation.
The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Next, the council discussed Ordinance 2024-17, to repeal the current Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Control Ordinance and Maps, and instead adopt the new Unified Development Ordinance and Maps.
The Design Consultant the town contracted with to create the new U-D-O was Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group. Their Senior Planner, Shawn Dade (Pron. Dayed like Kade or made but Dade), presented on the U-D-O draft.
Dade walked through the different chapters of the U-D-O, and changes to the proposed zoning map.
Council Member Pamela Samples expressed concern over changing the rules, saying it might be confusing for residents.
Council Member Dan Swafford is a member of the Plan Commission as well, and suggested that the council should send the U-D-O back to the Plan Commission with any proposed changes, and wait 5 weeks until they vote on it again.
Council Member Scott Oldham said that he would like a way to approve the 90 percent of the U-D-O that is ready to go into effect, while still working on the 10 percent to fine tune any issues.
The council then heard from the public. The public spoke for approximately two hours.
Ellettsville Resident Camren Gentry said they were in support of having a new ordinance, however, there were portions he found to be poorly written and vague.
Ellettsville Resident Dan Rarey was in support of the U-D-O and warned that if they wait until the U-D-O is perfect he is worried it won’t ever pass.
The council voted 3 – 2 to send the U-D-O back to the plan commission with proposed changes.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on August 26th.
Feature Report:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers his thoughts on the Capital Improvement Board meetings for the Monroe Convention Center. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
This Saturday the plaza at City Hall will host more than just our bustling farmers’ market. The annual City of Bloomington Volunteer Fair is back this weekend, featuring more than 40 local nonprofits that need your help. Bloomington Volunteer Network coordinator Michelle Moss is here with the details on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
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 Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
