Evening public works director for the city of Bloomington. It is Tuesday March 10th 2026 and we are
in the Bloomington City Hall council chambers for one North Morton Street. We also have a live zoom
link with a meeting ID and passcode on the agenda for tonight's meeting.
And if you are on zoom and need to offer any comment or answer any questions We'll use the raise hand
function or for your agenda item. We'll just unmute you and Otherwise, i'll turn it over to elizabeth
corrone president of the board of public works Thank you adam. I will call to order tonight's meeting
of march 10th 2026 First we have messages from the board members. Are there any messages from the board?
None we will move to petitions and remonstrances. This is the time for anyone who has questions about
items that are not on the agenda There's no one in council chambers other than staff if there's anybody
on zoom with a question about something not on the agenda Please use the chat function or raise your
hand Okay And we will move to the consent
Agenda tonight's consent agenda includes minutes from December 16 2025 minutes from December 29 2025
resolution 2026-012 ITS surplus to binary heart resolution 2026-013 pushcart license for big dog cart
LLC change orders to
48 and 49 for the Hopewell East construction contract with milestone contractors LLC public improvement
bond acceptance for Renwick phase 3 Addendum to the service agreement with Ivy Tech for a CDL program
and payroll There are any items that need to be removed from the consent agenda tonight Any questions
from the board on the consent agenda Public comment on the consent agenda
None on zoom. All right seeing none. Is there a motion? I move we approve the consent agenda for March
10th 2026 second With a motion in a second, I will call the roll Cox Deckard. I Roach I Caron I motion
passes Next we will move on to new business
The first item is Amendment 3 to the on call service agreement with R.E.A. for engineering services.
Good evening Neil Copper with the engineering department. This is an existing contract with R.E.A. It
provides as needed assistance with engineering services.
This amendment increases the total contract amount to allow continued use, supporting various projects,
particularly working on design for resurfacing contracts, supporting the public works department. The
amendment increases the total amount by $100,000 for a new total not to exceed of $404,143 and 60 cents.
Staff has reviewed and supports this amendment and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
Questions from the board on this item.
Public comment on this item. None on zoom. All right. Seeing none is there a motion. I move that we
approve the amendment three to on call service agreement with R.E.A. for engineering services. Second.
I will call the roll. Cox Deckard aye. Roach aye. Caron aye. Motion passes.
Next item is the LPA consulting agreement with our EA for engineering services for downtown curb ramps
phase five Neil copper again. This is a new contract for a project that is expected to include curb
ramps and crosswalk improvements along both east
both East 3rd Street and Atwater Avenue adjacent to IU campus. The project is programmed in the Metropolitan
Planning Organization for federal funding support for both design and construction. REA was selected
to perform the design services for the project based on their response to a request for proposals. The
contract is set at a total not to exceed amount of $271,490.
Construction is anticipated to occur in 2029 staff has reviewed and supports this contract and I would
be happy to answer any questions Thank you questions from the board I Just Want to confirm that at water
and east third between Indiana and High Street That's generally the area. Correct?
Public comment on this item. Okay. Is there a motion. I move that we approve the LPA consulting agreement
with R.E.A. for engineering services for downtown curb ramps phase five. Second. I will call the roll.
Cox Deckard aye. Roach aye. Caron aye. Motion passes. Thank you.
Thank you. Next item is the right of way closure request for Centerpoint Energy. Good evening. Kyle
ball from engineering. So Miller pipeline on behalf of Centerpoint Energy is requesting sidewalk closures
lane closures and alley closures associated with utility work along West Second Street from South Walker
Street to South Maple Street.
This work is required to relocate utilities in advance of the Second Street modernization project. These
closures are requested to occur in the timeframe between March 16th and May 31st of this year. I have
an on-site meeting planned with Miller Pipeline to go over expectations, how to execute the closures,
ensuring that they're not closing any paired sidewalks, anything like that.
And we'll continue to work with them to work with Bloomington Transit and MCC SC To make sure that those
closures aren't prohibitive to them to them rather and happy to take any questions I think yesterday
in the work session. We had just talked a little bit about that cooperation with MCC SC and Bloomington
Transit and given that the project is getting ready to start I mean fairly soon
Have you received information that they have coordinated that or is someone here on their behalf to
I believe we have Robin Cooper from Miller on the call Those coordinations I planned on having our meeting
this week Shouldn't shouldn't be closing off any access or anything just a slight delay with the lane
closure. Okay, I
Also as we discussed yesterday the lane closure will happen in phases correct as it goes through the
project. Okay. Questions from the public on this item. I'm sorry public comment on this item none on
zoom. All right. Seeing none I will call actually their motion.
I move that we approve the right-of-way closure requests for Centerpoint energy second Now I will call
the roll and I promise I will get the hang of this at some point soon Cox-Duckard. I Roach I Caron I
motion passes Next is the right-of-way closure request for FA Wilhelm at the Poplar's development
Kyle ball engineering once again FA Willam is requesting sidewalk closure on North Grant Street as part
of the Beverly project located at 400 East 7th Street This request is for facade work as well as final
landscaping work This requested closure would take place March 18th through April 10th of this year
Thank you questions from the board We just
talked during the work session about the fact that this is likely the last item that we are going to
receive as far as closures right of way closures. That was the last indication that we had from them.
And I will say I think we spelled out kind of the plan for execution here is to finalize this western
side and then the project completion would move from this sidewalk to the southern sidewalk on seventh
and then the western sidewalk on done.
I just want to clarify it's not there won't be more permanent applications But they have right away
permanent applications that are currently valid Correct. Yeah, they're the end of use I believe was
end of July if I'm not mistaken for this other phases All right other questions Public comment on this item
Could you please state your name for the record? Hi, I'm Greg Alexander I think we got to look at the
history of this because they're using the MOT that was used last June for a pair of sidewalk closures
on done and on grant and the logic behind that MOT was that there is no way to put a walk around on
done and done is a higher priority street because of the bus traffic there, but that's Those things
aren't true about grant. We just decided to screw over grant too because we screwed over done Another
consideration was that last
June's proposal was affecting the summer, which was people like me and my kids walking in the street
rather than undergraduates walking in the street. But this is happening in the middle of the semester,
a very busy travel time, very busy visit time, family weekends. I'm telling you, every single time I
was there and the Grant Street sidewalk was closed, which I go through there almost every day, I saw
pedestrians in the street. It is a very well-used, there are going to be groups of drunk undergraduates,
there are going to be groups of parents walking in the street on Grant.
if you approve this closure. That's antithetical to our stated goals and the law in this instance. You're
not allowed to close a sidewalk unless they have a walk-around that fully reproduces the desirable
characteristics of the original path. The 7th Street sidewalk has been closed for much more than a year
now. That's insane to close a sidewalk. That's our priority, transportation infrastructure, and it's
just closed for more than a year as if it doesn't matter. So this is already a stressed environment
for pedestrians.
So this isn't summer, and this is a screw pedestrians detour, and I'm trying not to use bad words, but
we have to be clear, it's very hard to do these things. Somebody's gonna have to give, the contractor's
gonna have to give, the cars are gonna have to give, somebody's gonna have to give. Well, it's always
easiest to pick the lowest priority person and make them give, so screw pedestrians. But you don't have
the legal authority to screw pedestrians. Pedestrians are in law enshrined as the highest priority.
And another piece of history you just need to be aware of is that the seven line was closed.
That was a poor decision. There was a mistake by the part of this board. But because it was closed for,
what, about eight months, you guys extended it for another two months. Once you establish this precedent,
last summer you closed grant. You shouldn't have, but you did. Because you established this precedent,
it goes on and on. And so they say, well, it's not a big deal because it's a short closure. But short
closures become long closures. Bad closures become repeated closures. Thank you. Thank you. Any other
public comment on this item?
None on Zoom. All right. Is there a motion. I move we approve the right of way closure request for F.A.
Wilhelm at Poplar's development. Second with a motion and a second I will call the roll. Cox Deckard
aye. Roach aye. Caron aye. Motion passes.
Next item is the right of way closure request from high Decker Wheat Lake Company for Fritz Terrace
gas line modernization Hello Zach Bell engineering High Decker Wheat Lake Company is requesting an extension
of an approved right away permit from 14 days to eight months the closures for this work will consist
of single-lane closures with the southwest portion within the southwest portion of Fritz Terrace as
part of the gas main modernization project and
This request is to accommodate fifteen thousand thirty five linear feet of boring. The traffic control
would be in place from March 9th through October 8th 2026. Hi Decker Wheat Lake Company has supplied
maintenance of traffic plans for all work and they have placed door hangers in advance of all work.
Bloomington High School North has also been notified. Thank you. Questions from the board on this item.
Yesterday in the work session we had asked if MCC SC had been notified because it indicates Bloomington
High School North but there are probably some other impacts for the other schools. Were you able to
confirm that or is there someone on the line that can confirm that. I don't believe that anybody's on
the line. If further communication with the school corporation is required I can get that from them.
My standpoint was the main priority was just Bloomington North is right there. Most of this will be
well all of this will be within Fritz Terrace. So only the local and the non arterial roads in here.
So I actually don't really see any other effects directly affecting the schools aside from Bloomington.
Yeah there'll be bus traffic or the other schools so it will be good just to make sure that transportation
MCCSE transportation knows in case they need to you know adjust their timing or communicate that and
that's something I can ask I can make that happen and just to reassure you this is one crew will be
out here and it will only be single lane closure so very minimal handle
We shouldn't see a traffic jam in front stairs, but if we do At least MCC SC will know right? Yeah Could
you also repeat what we talked about at the work session? Which is the permit extension from 14 days?
Sounds like a long time. So they they had submitted their Application and wanted to get started. So
within my jurisdiction or within my abilities I can
approved for up to 14 days on this street. So I went ahead and did that expecting that it would be passed.
Thank you. Public comment on this item. None on zoom. All right. Is there a motion. I move that we approve
the right of way closure request from Heidecker Wheat Lake Company for Fritz Harris gas line modernization. Second.
I will call the roll Cox Decker. I roach. I Caron. I motion passes Next is the right-of-way closure
request for Duke Energy Zach Bell again Duke Energy is requesting three weeks of lane and sidewalk closures
on South Sarah Road This request is to accommodate boring of underground utilities Traffic control would
be in place for three weeks with the dates dependent upon approval
Duke has supplied maintenance of traffic plans for all work. They have also notified MCC and will modify
their work schedule accordingly. Questions from the board.
I think one thing we discussed yesterday was just the very nearby impacts of the school there with Jackson
Creek and the fact that the crew was planning on adjusting their work times based on the traffic flow
for the school. Yes and times they've been directed to start. I think it was eight thirty and then wrap
up for pick up at two forty five I believe. So they have to be out of the road at that time.
I think pick up is 3 15 there or somewhere around there but then they can they may come back but they
have to be out of the road during those time frames for pick up and drop off. And the sidewalk will
reopen each and those will also reopen when they're in outside of the modified work schedule.
Any other questions from the board. All right. Public comment on this item. None on Zoom. All right.
Is there a motion to move that we approve the right of way closure request for Duke Energy. Second.
I will call the roll. Cox Deckard I Roach I Caron I motion passes. Next we move on to staff reports.
Kyle's gonna start with one on this right-of-way request for Myron age them and then I'll follow up
Yeah, kind of all from engineering again So yesterday afternoon we had a request from Myron age M who
is responsible for the Arlington multifamily project Right there on Arlington just adjacent to the roundabout
there 17th in Arlington and
So they were doing some field work and realized that they did not have the adequate spacing from the
infrastructure, the traffic circle infrastructure to facilitate a lane closure in this area. So their
proposal was to have a closure during the spring break period. So starting March 14th this weekend and
then concluding by March 22nd.
So in talks with Mr. Wason, the director of engineering and our traffic engineer, we felt like this
was a decent plan and would help minimize impacts. If they push this down the road, no pun intended,
they would impact a larger volume of traffic as they push these dates out. I have been working with
them as well as Bloomington Transit.
Bloomington transits concern was access to tell you ride to the apartment complex back there We haven't
had any indication that that was going to be limited in any capacity Local access will be maintained
for those few private businesses on the west side of the street As well as the homes that are a little
just north of the project there Can can you just clarify I was gonna make sure I'm understanding that's
correct. So we're talking about like distance northbound
Arlington and not enough distance to Scoop cars over is that what we're talking about? So there's a
taper minimum distance as we required according to the Indiana MUT CD That distance is 60 feet. There's
roughly 30 feet from the location of the manhole that they're going to be accessing So they're gonna
be digging a trench there trench boxes that whole deal and it's
too close of a proximity to, basically in that traffic circle, there's those pedestrian islands with
the triangles. So that would be the limiting factor to create that distance that they would need for
that. So you're telling me that scoot over is not a technical term? I use that term a lot, James,
but I'm, yeah, scoot over is a term that everyone understands but does not show up in the MUTCD. The
big issue here is they do need to,
The trench box is ensuring is the real big issue here that's changed the elevations of the sewer lateral
have caused some of this and so While we did not while we were always hopeful that we wouldn't need
a full closure of Arlington for this When we reviewed all the factors this morning There's just no option
to try to fit all of this in and so really trying to push them next week We may do did they respond
about night work at all? Not yet
We did ask him if it was possible for them to continue later into the evening and such and so we may
do an Administrative level noise permit depending on if they're able to do a couple of extra nights
of night work to try to really limit it to that spring break period But we're talking about a full closure
and not just a northbound lane closure, right? It's a full closure And had this we would have normally
wanted this to come through as a normal regular agenda item given the timing and and
Knowing spring break is next week. We wanted to go go go to try to avoid any impacts of a full closure
after spring break The residences and businesses that are directly impacted been specifically notified.
I'll be sure that they are That's what we're working on right now. They're getting signed should be
out today Awesome sign boards out everything in advance. Thank you. Yeah, and just for framing here
I think the original request from this project was closure for the entire summer Last summer that didn't
end up happening for a number of factors
So we reduced that to the lane closure and we were happy with that plan until we realized the link which
we didn't have quite enough room so They've been great working with us on this Flagging it as soon as
they realized it and you know providing all the materials and doing the lake work that we would typically
ask Perfect. Thank you Kyle. We'll keep you up to speed if anything changes on that just via email I've
got a couple items for the board just to go over, you know, I do want to
Just offer some comment about when these when a sidewalk closure comes to the board We have exhausted
options for walk-arounds and such, you know, mr. Alexander's passionate about keeping all the pedestrian
right away is open at all times I understand that the issue here, you know, there are sidewalk detours
and if we ever have a closure We're gonna have a detour in place for a sidewalk. So while it's not ideal
Trying we would the idea that
Putting in full walk arounds or reducing traffic lanes in this area is going to create more of an issue
than it is to try to detour those pedestrians for a short amount of time we get that, you know, he disagrees
with us on that but Kyle and the team and engineering are always trying to find the best solutions.
I can tell you we were not thrilled about the seven line issue and it being extended. We had lots of
conversations. There are other requests from Wilhelm that are not coming to the board because we have
told them no you've asked for too much at this point.
There may be a request still come through for Sunday work if that does come through to the board It's
not going to be supported by staff. So we are trying to keep their project within limited, you know
within The scope of what we can control there. So just some points there on that one I did want to let
you know the public and the board knows some additional work that's going to go on during spring break
next week That's going to have a road closure undone we found out we found from a got word from our
contractor that is doing the
Bollard installation project in a few locations around Kirkwood that they are able they were able to
get the materials in for the Dunn Street Installation and we thought let's go go go and so they're committed
to being there Monday The closure may bleed into the following Monday after spring break, but much better
than you know a couple three weeks so
We're gonna be working with Cassie and everybody to get word out about that closure for Dunn. Good thing
is everything's open down there, so traffic will still be able to circulate east and west when they
do get to Kirkwood and Dunn. These ballers are going in between basically Kilroy's on Kirkwood and Jimmy
John's for points of reference there.
Otherwise, it's weather season in Indiana. So possible severe weather this evening with thunderstorms
and then next Tuesday, they're talking like we could get some snow again. So Yeah, we're we're dealing
with all the weather in Indiana Yeah, so Any questions from board happy to answer those? Thank you Next
we go to approval of claims questions from the board on claims tonight
All right. Public comment on claims none on zoom. All right. Is there a motion. I move that we approve
the claims in the amount of two million four hundred eighty one thousand five hundred ninety two dollars
and fifty cents. Second. I will call the roll. Cox Decker. I Roach I Caron. I motion passes and seeing
that there is nothing else on the agenda I will call for adjournment.