Bloomington City Council Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Bloomington Common Council met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 4:54 PM. The meeting included reports from council members and commissions, first and second readings of ordinances, and extensive public comment. Key topics included a letter to the Redevelopment Commission regarding the College Square site, a proposal for a seasonal carless Kirkwood Avenue, and a new requirement for councilmember sponsorship of legislation.

Reports from Council Members

• Councilmember Piedmont Smith read a letter to the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) signed by a majority of council members. The letter clarifies that the council is not opposed to the RDC disposing of the College Square site for less than the $6,895,000 purchase price if significant public benefit is gained, such as affordable housing. It recommends considering a land swap with the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) to exchange College Square for Seminary Point property, enabling preservation of affordable housing and allowing a convention center hotel. Councilmember Piedmont Smith noted that the vision requires a full land swap to preserve Seminary Point as affordable housing, commercial property, and community space.
• Councilmember Stasberg recognized June as Pride Month and encouraged involvement with Bloomington Pride. She also raised constituent concerns about affordable housing, livable communities, and traffic enforcement.
• Councilmember Zulik echoed Pride Month remarks, reminding that the first pride celebration was a riot and encouraging “good trouble.”

Reports from Commissions

• Commission on Aging (Chair Dana Thompson): Presented highlights including updated senior resource guides (medical and non-medical), a “Senior Living 101” seminar, and efforts to make Bloomington a dementia-friendly community. The commission plans to continue the seminar, offer dementia-friendly training to city offices, and launch a project highlighting older artists. Transportation and accessibility were identified as key gaps for older adults.
• Commission on the Status of Women (Commissioner Cece Swalline and City Liaison Marissa Parr Scott): Presented the 2025 annual report, noting the Women’s History Month Luncheon, the third annual women’s market (30 vendors, hundreds of attendees), and the Young Women’s Leadership Summit. The commission focuses on legislation, community partnerships, and communication. They collaborate with MCCSC for the summit. Monitoring state legislation affecting women is a priority.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the College Square letter:
  • Bryce Green (Bloomington DSA and Bloomington Homes for All) thanked the council and urged continued pressure on the RDC and CIB to act quickly before lease deadlines (August 31st) force tenants and businesses to leave Seminary Point.
  • Barry Herbers (neighborhood resident) expressed support for preserving Seminary Point’s affordability and community feel.
  • Matthew (therapist and Homes for All member) highlighted that the land serves households at 30–40% AMI and includes flourishing businesses. He noted that negotiations between RDC and CIB have not occurred publicly and stressed urgency.
• On Ordinance 2026-14 (sponsorship):
  • A member of the public expressed concern that the sponsorship requirement would create a barrier to public access to the council agenda, reduce transparency, and disincentivize public discourse.
  • Dave Askins (B Square Bulletin) asked seven questions, including whether the proposal would restrict resident-drafted ordinances, whether it addresses the real problem (administration lack of clarity), and why alternative solutions (e.g., earlier posting of materials) were not considered.
  • Zach Amberman spoke in favor, calling it uncontroversial and a way for the council to assert authority.
• On Ordinance 2026-12 (carless Kirkwood):
  • Jim Norring (Downtown Bloomington Inc. board president, business owner) opposed the closure, stating downtown businesses are “pretty overwhelmingly against this.” He mentioned a four-year revitalization plan being developed with the city.
  • Zach Amberman (Vice Chair, Commission on Sustainability and Resilience) read recommendations in favor of permanent year-round closure, citing success in other cities (Charlottesville, Boulder, Burlington). He urged studying those cities and reframing the program as public space and sustainable transportation, not just outdoor dining.
  • Hillary Martell (co-owner of Hartzell’s Ice Cream) opposed closure, citing lack of parking downtown, especially during IU sessions, and that last summer’s experiment resulted in unused picnic tables and underutilized space. She argued it benefits only a few restaurants.
  • Chris Stirbaum (online) noted historical failures of pedestrian malls (400 attempts, only a dozen left) and said Bloomington lacks the density and parking turnover needed for success.
  • Paul Rousseau (online) supported continued momentum for a seasonal car-free Kirkwood, saying it enables street events and that parking concerns are overblown given proximity to campus.
  • Christer MG (Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce) cautioned that a 7.5-month closure is not a pilot. He urged a cost-benefit analysis, funding plan, and daily management before codification, noting other city assets (e.g., Bryan Park pool, Frank Southern Ice Arena, Winslow Sports Park) need investment.

Discussion Items

• Letter to Redevelopment Commission (College Square): After councilmember presentations, a motion to allow public comment passed 8-0. Council members debated the letter, with some supporting the land swap to preserve affordable housing, others (e.g., Councilmember Flaherty) expressing concerns about setting a precedent for additional public subsidy to the convention center. The letter was approved unanimously (8-0) after a motion and roll call vote.
• Ordinance 2026-13 (Loans Between Utilities): First reading. Director of Utilities Catherine Zager presented the ordinance to create cash reserve funds allowing loans between water and wastewater utilities, following Indiana Code. The immediate need is a loan from wastewater to water (estimated up to $4 million) to cover a deficit while awaiting a water rate case decision. Council members asked about interest rate (none intended), risk of subsidy, and oversight (by the Utility Service Board). Attorney Chris Wheeler (via Zoom) clarified the language mirrors the statute. The ordinance was moved to second reading on June 10, 2026 (8-0).
• Ordinance 2026-14 (Councilmember Sponsorship of Legislation): First reading. Sponsored by Councilmember Piedmont Smith, the ordinance would require every proposed ordinance or resolution (except budget and appropriation ordinances) to be sponsored by a council member. Reasoning: improves communication, prevents confusion, and follows practices in other legislative bodies. Councilmember Rallo noted sponsorship does not necessarily imply support for final passage. The ordinance was moved to second reading on June 10, 2026 (6-2-1, with Councilmembers Rallo and Ruff voting no, Councilmember Rosenbarger abstaining).
• Ordinance 2026-12 (Carless Kirkwood): Second reading and discussion. The ordinance would codify seasonal closure of Kirkwood Avenue to vehicular traffic. Sponsors Councilmembers Rosenbarger and Daly presented the benefits: predictability for businesses, alignment with upcoming convention center expansion and IU events, and transformation of downtown. Councilmembers raised concerns: feasibility of immediate implementation (some support starting in 2027), cost of infrastructure (ADA features, shade, seating), impact on parking and accessibility (e.g., Stone Belt’s bus access to library), and the need for a comprehensive plan. Councilmember Zulik noted that downtown businesses are overwhelmingly opposed. Deputy Mayor Matt Knapp cautioned that successful pedestrian malls in other cities have larger budgets, more police officers, and less student populations; 89% of such projects fail. Director of Planning and Transportation Andrew Sibor noted the ordinance raises two questions: whether to close Kirkwood and whether this is the right mechanism (traffic ordinance vs. use of street ordinance). The Transportation Commission will meet on June 8 to provide a recommendation. The council voted to postpone the ordinance to the next regular meeting on June 10, 2026 (7-1, Councilmember Ruff voting no).
• Resolution 2026-09: A motion to introduce the resolution failed after Councilmember Stasberg objected to its late addition (120 pages added the day before). The roll call resulted in a 2-7 vote (only “yes” votes from Zulik and Sorry? Councilmember Zulik and another? Actually transcript says: Piedmont Smith no, Zurich yes, Sorry? yes, others no. So 2 yes, rest no. Motion did not carry.)

Key Outcomes

• Letter to RDC (College Square): Approved 8-0. The council will send the letter urging the RDC to consider a land swap with CIB to preserve Seminary Point as affordable housing, even if it means selling College Square at less than the purchase price.
• Ordinance 2026-13 (Loans Between Utilities): Moved to second reading on June 10, 2026 (8-0).
• Ordinance 2026-14 (Councilmember Sponsorship): Moved to second reading on June 10, 2026 (6-2-1).
• Ordinance 2026-12 (Carless Kirkwood): Postponed to the next regular meeting on June 10, 2026 (7-1). The Transportation Commission will provide a recommendation on June 8 at 7 p.m.
• Resolution 2026-09: Failed introduction due to insufficient votes.
• Future Schedule: A fiscal committee meeting is set for June 12 to discuss sanitation rates. A special joint session with the county council may be scheduled. A hiring committee meeting will be arranged before the council’s summer recess.