WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 17th, 2024.
Later in the program, WFHB News reports on Indiana’s power grid – how it works, how it’s outdated and how the state can shift to more renewable forms of energy for its power. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works
During the July 16th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, board members heard a resolution that would give the board authority to make special purchases under emergency conditions. The public works board would need prior written approval of payments from the city’s controller before authorizing payments. City Attorney Alex Pratt and Public Works Director Adam Wason gave an overview of the resolution.
The board approved the resolution unanimously. Next, the city approved funding for emergency storm debris cleanup. This comes after a supercell storm hit Bloomington and surrounding areas causing power outages and damage. The city’s public works board approved two contracts with Williams Tree Company in Martinsville – one for 150,000 dollars and another for 350,000 dollars – for cleanup efforts of debris. Public Works Director Adam Wason introduced the resolution.
The board approved the resolution 2-0. The Board of Public Works will meet again on July 30th.
Monroe County Storm Water Management Board
At the Monroe County Storm Water Management Board meeting on July 10th, the board heard from Friends of Lake Monroe Founder and Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker asking for the county’s support of the non-profits lake conservation efforts with a three year matching grant.
Friends of Lake Monroe Founder and Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker spoke to the board and shared what they hope to accomplish in the next few years.
Board Member Trohn Enright-Randolph asked if the City of Bloomington had committed to funding the matching grant as well. Mitchell-Bruker said that they have been in communication with the city, and she thinks it is almost guaranteed, however she said that it hasn’t been formalized yet.
The board motioned to approve the support of the 319 Implementation Grant.
Later in the meeting, M-S-4 Coordinator Kelsey Thetonia shared the preliminary budget for the Stormwater Department for 2025. One of the subjects discussed was the creation of a new staff position, for a Stormwater Technician.
The board was in support of creating the new position. Board Member Julie Thomas suggested that even though the position will need to be approved by the Personnel Administration Committee, they still include the position in the 2025 budget in expectation of its approval.
The next Monroe County Storm Water Management Board meeting will be held on August 14th.
Monroe County Council
The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, July 9th. During their meeting, the council members tabled a de-appropriation of funds in local income tax bonds for the new county jail. Along with noting recent county-wide issues and duress, council members spoke to the contentious jail site decision and continuing disagreements with the county commissioners.
Council President Trent Deckard explained that the resolution is the result of council discussion they had about four weeks ago. Deckard then suggested they table the resolution indefinitely saying that in those four weeks they have struggled with a storm and a cyber attack, and have not had time to properly contemplate the resolution.
Council Member Kate Wiltz commented on the decision to table the resolution.
Council member Marty Hawk also spoke on the resolution.
Council Member Geoff McKim weighed in, drawing attention to their role in the process of choosing a jail site.
The next Monroe County Council meeting is Tuesday, July 23rd.
Feature Report:
On June 26th, a supercell storm hit Bloomington leaving thousands of residents without power. In today’s feature report, we revisit Part II of our series on Indiana’s Power Grid. This previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Now it’s time for Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young, Kate C. and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
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.
