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Local Government

Archived Live Report: Bloomington city council organizational meeting (Jan. 7, 2025) | Asare now president

This is a live report from Bloomington's Wednesday (Dec. 7) city council meeting.

Archived Live Report: Bloomington city council organizational meeting (Jan. 7, 2025) | Asare now president

Events at the Bloomington city council will be logged here. You should not need to refresh the page.

7:25 p.m.  Asare has adjourned the meeting.
7:18 p.m.  Kevin Keough, retired accountant, is speaking from the public mic via Zoom. He is calling for a timely completion of the city's ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report). He's asking the council to make the ACFR a governance priority not just a staff deliverable.
7:15 p.m.  Now under consideration is Resolution 2026-01 – To Update Membership Requirements And Program Funding Conditions Of The Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding Committee Of The Common Council
7:14 p.m.  First reading for introduction of Ordinance 2026-03 passes unanimously – To Amend Ordinance 2025-40 To Fix The Salaries Of Appointed Officers, Non-union, And A.F.S.C.M.E. Employees For All The Departments Of The City Of Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana For The Year 2026
7:13 p.m.  First reading for introduction of Ordinance 2026-02 passes unanimously – To Amend Title 20 (Unified Development Ordinance) Of The Bloomington Municipal Code – Re: Response To Resolution 2025-17 Related To Amending The Eligibility Subsection, The Qualifying Standards For Planned Unit Development Subsection, and Defined Terms Section Of Title 20
7:11 p.m.  First reading for introduction of Ordinance 2026-01 passes unanimously – To Amend Title 20 (Unified Development Ordinance) Of The Bloomington Municipal Code – Re: Response To Resolution 2025-12 Related To Amending The Affordable Housing Incentives and Payment-In-Lieu Provisions.
7:05 p.m.  None of these has been controversial so far.
6:56 p.m. Appointments are as follows.
Jack Hopkins Social Services Committee: Daily (chair), Ruff, Rollo, Asare
Committee on Council Processes: Stosberg (chair), Piedmont-Smith, Zulich, Daily
Sidewalk Committee: Rosenbarger (chair), Ruff, Zulich , Daily
Fiscal Committee: Piedmont-Smith (chair), Flaherty, Rollo, Stosberg
Interview Committee A: Asare (chair), Rosenbarger, Stosberg
Interview Committee B: Ruff (chair), Flaherty, Daily
Interview Committee C: Zulich (chair), Rollo, Piedmont-Smith
Bloomington Economic Development Corporation: Asare
Downtown Bloomington Inc. (DBI) Board: Zulich
Economic Development Commission (County): Asare
Economic Development Commission (City): Asare
Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA): Stosberg
Plan Commission: Stosberg
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): Stosberg
Transportation Commission: Flaherty
CDBG Social Services: Daily
CDBG Physical Improvements: Rosenbarger
Food & Beverage Tax Advisory Commission: Zulich
Public Safety Local Income Tax Committee: Daily, Piedmont-Smith, Rollo, Ruff
Utilities Service Board (ex officio): Flaherty
Project 46 Advisory Committee: Piedmont-Smith
Bloomington Commission on Sustainability (BCOS): Stosberg, Rollo
Waste Reduction District Board: Piedmont-Smith
Environmental Resources Advisory Council: Ruff
6:55 p.m.  Now we're on to appointments to boards and commissions. These will also be backfilled.
6:53 p.m.  The B Square will backfill all these committee assignments later. They are going by pretty fast.
6:53 p.m.  We're on to committee assignments from Asare.
6:52 p.m.  From left to right: Flaherty, Stosberg, Piedmont-Smith, Zulich, Asare, Daily, Rollo, Ruff, and Rosenbarger.
6:50 p.m.  Asare is assigning seats.
6:49 p.m.  Piedmont-Smith is now presenting outgoing president Stosberg with a ceremonial gavel.
6:49 p.m.  Again the officers.
President: Isak Asare.
Vice president: Sydney Zulich
Parliamentarian: Courtney Daily
6:48 p.m.  No one else has any questions. Stosberg calls for a voice vote. All vote in favor.
6:47 p.m.  Daily says she only reluctantly took on the role of parliamentarian last year, but this year she feels more confident and prepared to take on the role.
6:46 p.m.  Zulich says that the role of the vice president is to support the president and to work to staff, which she is looking forward to. She wants to recenter the public as the focus of the "political universe."
6:45 p.m.  Asare says the role of the president is to serve the other members of the council that the president needs to makes sure that the views of the minority are respected. There is room for improvement among councilmembers in terms of communication, Asare says.
6:45 p.m.  Piedmont-Smith wants to hear from each nominee how they would serve the council in the coming year.
6:44 p.m.  Stosberg asks if there are questions.
6:43 p.m.  Stosberg entertains nominations for officers. Ruff nominates the following.
President: Isak Asare.
Vice president: Sydney Zulich
Parliamentarian: Courtney Daily
6:43 p.m.  That's it for public comment.
6:40 p.m.  First up is Christopher Emge, directory of advocacy for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Emge thanks the council for its seriousness. He says housing availability and affordability is a big theme among the concerns of chamber membership. Another big priority for chamber membership is safety and public order.
6:40 p.m.  We're now on for remarks from the public mic.
6:39 p.m.  Stosberg announces that she is holding constituent meetings by appointment this year. It's on her public calendar on her council web page.
6:38 p.m.  Daily is also noting the death of Dan Combs, says she did not know him well, but is "in awe" of his body of work.
6:38 p.m.  Asare, Rosenbarger, and Zulich have no reports.
6:37 p.m.  Piedmont-Smith says she will keep speaking and and using whatever small leverage she might have.
6:35 p.m.  Piedmont-Smith also mourns the death of Dan Combs. She mentions the report on last year's tornados. Piedmont-Smith denounces the events of Jan. 6, 2021 as an insurrection. She also denounces recent military action against Venezuela.
6:34 p.m.  Rollo also notes the death of Dan Combs. He calls Combs a "local sage" and a "person of kindness" and "advocate for those in need."
6:34 p.m.  Ruff echoes sentiments of Ruff.
6:33 p.m.  Flaherty has no report but thanks outgoing council leadership.
6:31 p.m.  Ruff has arrived. Stosberg is reciting the contents of the agenda. One highlight will be the election of officers for the coming year.
6:31 p.m.  Stosberg is giving remarks on the recent death of Perry Township trustee Dan Combs
6:29 p.m.  All councilmembers have now arrived except for Andy Ruff. Council president Hopi Stosberg is calling the meeting to order.
6:23 p.m.  Here's a link: meeting information packet.
6:23 p.m.  Council staff Lisa Lehner and Kari Bennett are also here.
6:22 p.m.  Courtney Daily has arrived.
6:21 p.m.  Dave Rollo and Sydney Zulich have now arrived. City clerk Nicole Bolden is also now here.
6:14 p.m.  Currently the only two councilmembers who have arrived in council chambers are Isak Asare and Hopi Stosberg.

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