- All right. Good evening everyone and welcome to the 2025 State of the City Address.
- [Applause]
- I am Shatoya Moss. I am the Director of the Community and Family Resources Department at the City
- of Bloomington.
- And tonight I am stepping in for Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp who is out sick and unfortunately
- could not be here with us.
- She is sending her best wishes though while she is away with her box of tissues so please send her
- positive thoughts.
- But I am delighted to help begin what promises to be an inspiring evening.
- The John Waldron Art Center is fitting venue for tonight's event as it has played many roles in Bloomington's
- history.
- Once home to City Hall and later the headquarters for our police and fire departments.
- It is now serves as a hub for creativity and community connection.
- As we look ahead tonight the Waldron reminds us that progress and tradition can move forward
- together.
- It also feels especially meaningful for me to open tonight's program by welcoming two leaders I am
- proud to work alongside.
- In my role at the city I collaborate closely with both of these Chiefs to support community safety
- initiatives,
- community well-being and more connected caring Bloomington.
- Please welcome Bloomington Police Chief Mike Decoff and Bloomington Fire Chief Roger Kerr
- as the Bloomington Police Department and the Bloomington Fire Department presents the colors.
- Following the presentation of colors we'll hear our national anthem performed by Andrea De La Rosa,
- the assistant director of small business development in our economic and sustainable development
- department.
- Dee brings both talent and a commitment to serving Bloomington and we are thrilled to hear her sing
- tonight.
- Chief Decoff and Chief Kerr the stage is yours.
- Good evening everyone I'm honored to stand beside Chief Kerr tonight as we highlight our progress
- and path ahead for community safety in Bloomington.
- A safe civil and inclusive city starts with strong public safety teams.
- Under this administration Bloomington has made significant strides fully staffing our police force.
- These gains reflect a renewed sense of support felt across the department driven by investments in
- higher pay,
- new policies on take home cars and modern tools and equipment.
- We're committed to building a culture that continues to improve morale and retention
- and officers are responding with pride, purpose and a clear sense that their work is valued.
- These enhancements ensure our officers are well equipped and energized to do their jobs.
- We are proud to serve our community with excellence.
- I'm very happy to report that violent crime decreased 24.3% this past year.
- And as we strengthen our first responder teams we must also provide appropriate and adequate
- facilities.
- That's why the city is prioritizing a new headquarters for BPD, one that is built to last.
- Currently our officers and civilian staff work out of a building that is too small,
- too old and too outdated to serve them and the public.
- After careful evaluation the city has identified 714 South Roger Street
- as a potential location for the new Bloomington Police Department headquarters.
- This site was proposed for strong concrete construction and its ability to meet the needs of a
- modern police force.
- It provides a central location with easy access to public transit,
- additional room for secure victim interviews in collaboration with service providers
- and adequate space for 50 more years of public safety service.
- 714 South Rogers is supported by both police staff and union members
- and public outreach to neighbors and residents has been positive and will continue over the coming
- months.
- We believe this location offers a promising site for a secure and modern headquarters
- to serve our community for generations to come.
- On the fire department side we've also made significant progress.
- Last year the union contract passed unanimously with competitive pay that allowed us to become
- fully staffed in September.
- We are also well on our way to offering our firefighters the modern facilities they need to respond
- to emergencies effectively.
- Fire Station 1 is now open after extensive renovations.
- This station has been central to Bloomington's public safety for years
- and these upgrades enable our firefighters to serve the downtown area and beyond better.
- Across the city multiple fire stations have received significant upgrades
- from remodeled kitchens and bathrooms to new office recorders and fully interior renovations.
- Station 3's full renovation and expansion is well underway and expected to be completed this fall.
- Finally we are building a new logistics center that will allow greater efficiency
- and provide long-term home for training exercises.
- This building has been planned for years and is now becoming a reality.
- The 18,000 square foot facility will consolidate logistics operations, improve safety,
- and provide classroom, gear storage, and space for backup emergency vehicles.
- Additionally, our mobile integrated health program continues to lead the way in Indiana,
- combining emergency services with health care to provide a more effective,
- compassionate response to those in need.
- Through a grant from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security,
- Bloomington's mobile integrated health has become the first in the U.S. to receive telemedicine
- kits.
- These kits enable real-time medical assessments, including vital signs, ECG readings,
- allowing doctors to make faster, more informed decisions that improve patient outcomes.
- We are grateful for the city's commitment to public safety and for the trust the community places
- in us.
- None of this progress happens without the dedicated men and women who serve in uniform,
- and we will take a moment to recognize them tonight.
- With that, we would like the Bloomington Police Department and the Fire Department Collar Guard to
- present their collars.
- So if everybody would please rise and remain standing as we present the collars,
- and afterwards please stand as we have the National Anthem performed.
- [BLANK_AUDIO]
- On our present arms.
- [BLANK_AUDIO]
- On our feet, forward march.
- [BLANK_AUDIO]
- [MUSIC]
- [APPLAUSE]
- [BLANK_AUDIO]
- >> Thank you, Chief Decoff, Chief Kerr, Dee, and the Color Guard for
- your wonderful contributions to tonight's program.
- To our Bloomington Police and Fire Departments, thank you.
- You protect and serve with excellence and compassion every day.
- You lead with inclusivity and professionalism.
- And when lives are on the line, the people of Bloomington know they can count on you
- in the worst days, thank you.
- Now, Deputy Susan Stoll and Council President Hopi Stoll-Stossberg will
- handle the official proceedings.
- [BLANK_AUDIO]
- >> Hi, good evening and thank you all for being here.
- I'm Council President Hopi Stossberg and I represent District 3 on the council.
- And I would like to officially call this special session of the Bloomington Common Council for
- Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 to order.
- And I'd like to introduce Deputy Clerk Susan Stoll to proceed with roll call.
- Good evening. Council Member Flaherty.
- Council Member Ruff.
- Here.
- Rollo.
- Here.
- Piedmont-Smith.
- Here.
- Stasberg.
- Here.
- Daly.
- Here.
- Zulek.
- Present.
- Rosenberger.
- Sorry.
- Present.
- Thank you.
- And I would like to note that this special session will adjourn following closing remarks from
- Mayor Kerry Thompson.
- I will now give the Land and Labor Acknowledgement for the City of Bloomington.
- As we gather tonight for the 2025 State of the City Address, we take a moment to honor the land on
- which we stand.
- We recognize that the City of Bloomington sits on native land.
- The city, as well as city administrative buildings, are on the traditional homelands of the Miami,
- Delaware, Potawatomi, and Shawnee people, and we acknowledge that they are past, present, and
- future caretakers of this land.
- We also acknowledge that much of the economic progress and development in Indiana, and specifically
- Bloomington, resulted from the unpaid labor and forced servitude of people of color, specifically
- enslaved African labor.
- We acknowledge that this land remains home to and a site of gathering and healing for many
- indigenous and other people of color, and commit to the work necessary to create and promote a more
- equitable and just Bloomington.
- We move forward knowing and acknowledging our rich, complicated, and sometimes painful past so that
- we can learn from it and create a land of true opportunity.
- And now I'm delighted to introduce Bloomington Mayor Carrie Thompson, and tonight she will share
- the state of the city. Please help me welcome her to the stage.
- Hi everyone, it is such a delight to get to be here with you this evening.
- I am Carrie Thompson and while I can't really see you because of all of these lights. I got to
- greet many of you on your way in your presence here tonight shows that you care about where we're
- headed.
- And together, I want you to know that we have the power to guide the future that we want to see.
- I want to begin by saying how grateful I am that our community made it through these recent storms
- safely. And as we learned this past winter with our historical snow event, Mother Nature doesn't
- always ask permission.
- And when the weather shows up, we rely on one another.
- To our emergency responders and to our city crews who were out in the weather protecting lives and
- clearing the way time and again. I want to thank you.
- And even as last night storm passed, we woke up to another kind of damage this morning. Two
- buildings in our trades district, the kiln and the forge were vandalized last night.
- This was really senseless destruction of places built by and for our community.
- And I want to be clear, destruction has no place in Bloomington.
- In Bloomington, we protect the spaces where inclusion, innovation and opportunity take root.
- Every dollar our businesses have to spend repairing unnecessary and reckless destruction is a
- dollar they can't put toward helping our community thrive.
- We're investigating, we are responding and we are moving forward, but let's all commit to using our
- powers for good.
- Our creativity for the benefit of our whole and our energy to build up and not break down.
- About this time last year, I stood here on my 100th day in office.
- I knew a lot more about where we started by then and where we planned to go, but I really had no
- idea how quickly progress would be made.
- I knew, though, I had only one top priority on my first day in office and I was going to be laser
- focused on that until that work was completed.
- My top priority was to build the cabinet and the team to meet this moment of opportunity for the
- city of Bloomington.
- I've done that, and if you've met the cabinet, if you've met a member of our team, I know that you're
- as proud of them as I am.
- I found myself writing this year's remarks, trying to whittle them down into a list that's achievable
- in about an hour, even just in the form of a highlight reel.
- And that's really something. That work gets done with a big team.
- If you're part of our city of Bloomington staff, would you please stand?
- Thank you.
- Our community thanks you for what you do every day.
- They say that government moves slowly, but clearly they haven't met this team that's with you
- tonight.
- We've done so much.
- We ran out of time to fit it all into tonight's program.
- And I'm just really grateful, humbled and honored to be able to work with you.
- I also want to thank briefly Kathleen, who is here with a tricky job of translating the many words
- tonight.
- So we can we can give Kathleen a round of applause this way or that way.
- And I want to recognize the other elected officials who are with us tonight.
- I know we have county partners here and of course, our city council. Can you please stand and let
- us thank you for the courage that it takes to run for office and to serve the public?
- I am so proud to partner with all of you to help make our community better.
- Before we dive in, here's a quick roadmap of where we're headed tonight.
- We'll walk through three chapters of our shared journey, all within just the first 15 months of
- this administration.
- We'll talk about where we started, what we stepped into, including the complex systems, processes
- and the state of our city that we encountered on day one.
- We'll talk about where we are now, what we've been doing following that essential period of
- discovery and alignment.
- And finally, we'll talk about where we're going, the strategic steps that will carry us forward.
- We live in a city full of life, of energy and possibility, a community where neighbors and newcomers
- come together to create a place of connection, where every street, park and gathering place is an
- opportunity to grow and to belong together.
- Bloomington deserves a government that embodies our values, inclusivity, honesty, compassion and
- transparency.
- At City Hall, everything we do is grounded in a clear set of values, values that keep us focused,
- accountable and true to the people we serve.
- Because a lot of Girl Scout troops at City Hall, I have found out, they're all learning about how
- government works and a few months ago, one of the Scouts asked me, what do you do most as mayor?
- That's a pretty easy one.
- I listen.
- I do a ton of listening.
- Because leadership in Bloomington looks like listening.
- That's where it starts, listening to staff, listening to residents, experts, and especially to
- those whose voices haven't always been heard.
- When our administration took office, we inherited things that needed to be acknowledged and
- addressed.
- I started by listening. Across departments, staff shared stories of burnout, outdated systems,
- unclear expectations, and wondering if their expertise and input truly mattered.
- We found an organization with many, many dedicated public servants and also some unanswered
- questions that needed to change.
- So we began with what matters most, our people. Building a culture that values our community, the
- service we provide, and the people who do the work.
- Last summer, my cabinet came together to define the values that would guide us forward, not just as
- a government, but as a team with purpose, vision, and integrity.
- These values now ground every decision we make, especially the hard ones. They reflect who we are,
- what we stand for, and how we will continue to lead Bloomington into the future.
- Let me share how they've shaped the year behind us and the direction that we're headed next. We are
- co-creators of our community. We know the best ideas come from partnership.
- It was clear during our downtown community cleanup day when over 90 neighbors and business owners
- showed up to reclaim pride in our shared spaces alongside the many city staff who joined them.
- We are accountable servant leaders. We take our responsibility seriously, especially when stewarding
- taxpayer dollars.
- After a June 25th storm knocked out power for over 60,000 residents, we responded quickly, clearing
- trees from right-of-ways and then helping you, our residents, by initiating a pickup service to
- dispose of the limbs that you had cleared.
- And then we launched a full after-action review to learn and to improve. Those reviews happen after
- every major incident now.
- That's what we do. We are accountable.
- And that's what accountability looks like, showing up, owning the outcome, and getting better every
- single time.
- We are demystifying government. A transparent government is a trustworthy government.
- We want you to know what we're doing, how we're doing it, and why we're doing it.
- We're focused on cutting through the red tape, making it easier for you to get involved, and
- ensuring that government is a resource, not a barrier.
- That's why I've made it a priority to meet people where they are.
- Each month, I'm out knocking doors in neighborhoods across the city to hear directly from residents
- at their doors about their experiences, their hopes, and their concerns.
- That kind of face-to-face connection keeps us grounded and keeps us responsive.
- We launched the new Climate Action Dashboard, a user-friendly tool that gives residents real-time
- access to progress on local sustainability efforts,
- including emissions data, project updates, and actionable steps that you, our residents, can take
- to affect climate.
- In this way, our climate work is visible, accountable, and participatory.
- Finally, we are Architects of Joy.
- This value of joy is about creating a place that works and feels good to be a part of.
- In 2024, joy looked like new possibilities. We finalized the long-awaited closing on the Trades
- District properties, unlocking future opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job
- creation.
- We moved the Hopewell redevelopment into action, soon to bring new housing, green space, and
- community gathering places to a site that's long been waiting for new life.
- We made long-awaited progress on expanding the Convention Center, finally moving from planning to
- action on a project the community has championed for years.
- My thanks to the CIB and to the county for that incredible partnership.
- We acted quickly to seize one-time opportunities, investing $2.5 million in long-overdue downtown
- street and sidewalk improvements using expiring creed funds.
- We upgraded ADA ramps, enhanced pedestrian safety, and made our downtown more accessible for
- everyone, because joy looks like inclusion.
- And yes, sometimes joy arrives when we least expect it, like IU football's winning season.
- It was very unexpected. It filled our restaurants, packed downtown streets, and reminded us how
- powerful community spirit can be.
- We can't control the scoreboard, but we can make sure Bloomington is ready when the spotlight
- shines on us.
- These moments matter. Joy lights the spark and pride fans the flame, and participation keeps the
- fire of community burning bright.
- Whether through policy, partnerships, or simply showing up, this first year has been filled with
- meaningful progress and meaningful listening.
- We're proud of what we've built, and we're not finished.
- I can count on ESOC for the enthusiasm line all the time.
- At the heart of all of this shared commitment to service and teamwork, the principles that will
- continue to drive us forward will remain steady.
- And now it's my pleasure to introduce someone who exemplifies that commitment, our Director of
- Human Resources, Dr. Shar Paycheck.
- Shar has been instrumental in supporting and strengthening our team through new compensation
- strategy that reflects our values.
- And honestly, I have no idea how Dr. Paycheck gets everything done.
- She is truly incredible. Thanks, Shar.
- Thank you so much, Mayor Thompson.
- I am excited to speak about one of the most important investments the city of Bloomington is making,
- and that is our employees.
- When the administration came into office, it became clear that our internal systems, especially
- around personnel policies and pay, weren't meeting the needs of our employees or serving our
- community.
- We knew we needed to make some changes.
- As we dug in, we heard directly from our staff. Over half of them, 51%, said salary, understaffing,
- and retention were the biggest issues.
- Yet 76% said what kept them motivated at work was their team, the strong culture in their
- departments, and the meaningful work that they do every day.
- Still, the systems meant to support them were outdated.
- The city's personnel manual hadn't been updated for over a decade.
- Pay grades had become stagnant and job descriptions hadn't been updated and reviewed in years.
- Our hiring process didn't consider experience, education, or increasing workloads of our employees.
- Compensation practices were outdated, and many HR systems were still paper-based, leading to errors
- and also inefficiencies.
- Our team had the talent and the drive, but we didn't have the tools or the support.
- It became very clear that a reset was necessary.
- From the start, the administration was very clear that HR systems and supporting employees was our
- top priority.
- It wasn't easy, but we got to work.
- In 2024, we focused on improving HR partnerships, communication, and services.
- With leadership support from the Office of the Mayor, with the backing of the City Council,
- we were able to secure approval for updated salary grades, a foundational step towards making sure
- our compensation is fair for everyone.
- And importantly, we truly appreciate the patience from the department heads and our employees as we
- work through these challenges together.
- It was a critical first step, and we should be proud of the progress that we've made so far.
- Here are some additional highlights of what we have accomplished.
- We reviewed and regraded hundreds of city job descriptions, bringing clarity and consistency to
- roles that hadn't been updated in years.
- Pay scales were adjusted to reflect employees' experience and their time on the job so that their
- work was fairly rewarded.
- The open enrollment process was improved, covering not just pay, but all of the valuable benefits
- employees receive.
- A new employee handbook was launched to replace the outdated manual from over a decade ago.
- And with that, a committee of people from different departments across the city were set up to meet
- regularly and update policies,
- ensuring that they always serve both the workforce and also the city effectively.
- The AFSCME salary study has also been initiated so that all employee groups are included in the
- broader compensation improvements.
- HR partners from different departments across the city meet regularly to discuss challenges and
- collaborate on solutions.
- Recruitment and onboarding is improved, with more evident support for employees in their first year.
- Employee appreciation events were ramped up to recognize employees at all levels from interns to
- those who have 20 or more years of service.
- We are not alone in this work.
- The legal department and the office of the mayor helped negotiate new contracts for the fire and
- the police departments, both of which were approved unanimously.
- The fire department will be fully staffed in September.
- And the police department is also making progress.
- After announcing higher salaries, we saw the largest applicant pool in years.
- 11 strong applicants are in process, and if hired, this will mark our biggest onboarding class in
- two decades.
- There you go.
- That's progress.
- So what's next?
- In 2025, our focus is on making our HR practices more efficient and effective.
- We continue to go digital, moving away from those paper forms for faster, easier to use processes
- for a smooth behind the scenes operation.
- We're streamlining and modernizing our systems from the start of an employee's journey to their
- exit and everything in between.
- We're standardizing consistent pay practices across the board.
- Additionally, we're providing leadership training to foster continuous improvement in workplace
- environments.
- What drives all of this is simple, a city government that works for everyone.
- That means being fair, responsive, and built to last.
- This is just the beginning.
- While there's still work to be done, we're committed to making sure our city government works for
- everyone, our employees, and the people we serve.
- Thank you to the Mayor, City Council, HR team, consultants, department heads, and especially to our
- employees for your patience, partnership, and continued dedication.
- [applause]
- I look forward to everything that we can accomplish together in the future. Thank you.
- [applause]
- I always tell people, if you have questions about the city and you don't know who to ask, give me a
- call, send me an email, I will help you.
- I'll track it down. If I don't know the answer, I'll find out who has the answer, and we'll get you
- in touch with the right person.
- I am the Neighborhood Services Program Manager, and I work with neighborhood associations. We do a
- lot of community building.
- For the City of Bloomington as an entity, I always believe that government's role is to serve
- people, and I feel like it's just our responsibility to do that.
- Working for the city, you can actually make a difference in your community. I do arts initiatives
- as well as larger economic development projects. We're able to say, "Hey, here's the resources on
- how you can do that."
- We have a unique role in the City of Bloomington in our department, and I'm really happy to be a
- part of it.
- We're here to provide services for the people that need them, you know, and so however we can do
- that better and make their lives better, I love that part of it.
- What is really cool about working for Bloomington in general, we truly want to help others, and
- there are so many agencies here designed to help others.
- We are heavily supported, and if they support us, then we are able to support the community.
- You feel like your job has a tangible impact in the community, especially if you live here. I get
- to directly see and watch how I do impacts Bloomington.
- And that's really attractive to me, as well as the fact that working at the City and being involved
- in the community, there's just a lot of good people with a lot of good ideas and great heart.
- It's just such a beautiful thing to be a part of making the community run and thrive.
- The City is a fun place to work because the aspect of giving back to the community, that's really
- the best part about it for me.
- I'm very proud to tell people that I work for the City of Bloomington.
- I absolutely love it that Dr. Paycheck's vision and her big dream is that she's going to have to
- wear shades and a hat around town because we're going to have no more open positions available in
- the City of Bloomington.
- And Shar, I share your dream. Thank you for your thoughtful leadership and your commitment to Bloomington's
- promise of service and of responsiveness.
- With our shared values at the foundation and momentum on our side, let's look ahead at what comes
- next, what challenges remain, and how we will continue leading with clarity and care.
- One of our most urgent challenges is expanding access to housing and creating a city where everyone
- feels safe, supported, and at home.
- Street homelessness is a crisis that affects us all. Those experiencing it firsthand, the service
- providers working tirelessly to support them, and the business owners and residents navigating its
- impact.
- We are not alone in this. We join communities across the nation facing the same crisis, but I know
- Bloomington can solve it.
- In Bloomington, we can solve it because in Bloomington we choose to act with compassion, with
- urgency, and with lasting impact. When I committed to serving as your mayor, I committed to finding
- solutions that prioritize respect and dignity.
- That includes being honest about what's not working and courageous enough to fix it at the root.
- I will not keep pouring dollars into resources and other resources into temporary fixes.
- We need real solutions, and we need them now. And at the start of 2024, I convened local housing
- experts, heading home and frontline service providers gathered, and I requested a clear, community-driven,
- data-informed response to street homelessness.
- Together, they delivered the Housing Action Plan. It is a plan created by the experts. The plan is
- already in motion and strikes the right balance between immediate action and long-term strategy.
- It prioritizes coordinated outreach so people don't fall through the cracks. It calls for more case
- managers so support is consistent and centered on human connection.
- It demands more medical respite, that's hard to say, for individuals too sick to be on the streets
- but that don't qualify for hospitalization. It focuses on prevention, keeping people housed before
- crisis hits.
- It aims to increase deeply affordable housing and for bolstered security and services for permanent
- supportive housing so that we prevent exits back into homelessness.
- It emphasizes, yes, thanks Peter.
- Once we house people we have to keep them housed.
- It emphasizes regional collaboration to address inflow from surrounding counties and strengthen our
- collective response.
- And it calls for a thoughtful assessment of our shelter capacity so we can responsibly meet local
- needs without overwhelming our system.
- This plan is collaborative and evolving. It is owned and created by the experts. It is not a city
- plan.
- It has my full support though, and I know our partners will implement it assess its impact and
- refine it as we learn.
- I keep your promise and I'm keeping it. City funding will go only to organizations and community
- partners aligned with this coordinated framework.
- If you're not part of the solution, you won't be part of our funding.
- When we bring compassion, collaboration, and commitment to the table, real change is within reach.
- But it's just one piece of the puzzle.
- Across the board, we need more housing for the people who work here, contribute to this community,
- and want to call Bloomington home for the long run.
- One way we're tackling this is by doing the necessary work behind the scenes, cleaning up longstanding
- issues that had been ignored for too long.
- Issues that were stalling progress, wasting resources, and putting future investments at risk.
- When I took office, the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department was in crisis.
- It was out of alignment with federal funding requirements, falling short of its mission, and
- failing the community it was meant to serve.
- My top priority was housing, and yet the department that was charged with doing the work was far
- from equipped to achieve progress.
- Years of inconsistent leadership had led to four federal audits in just 12 months.
- That's highly unusual and deeply concerning.
- Those audits uncovered outdated practices, compliance failures, and development deals that didn't
- deliver on promises, especially when it came to workforce housing.
- We had to act decisively to protect our federal partnerships and the integrity of our housing work
- here in Bloomington moving forward.
- We inherited some dysfunction, but we didn't flinch. We fixed it.
- I'm proud to share that after a year of intensive effort, we have officially closed out all of the
- HUD monitorings.
- Many thanks to Anna Killian Hansen and her team.
- We have turned a very major corner.
- Our team overhauled policies and procedures, completed compliance, training, implemented new
- software,
- and renewed its focus to the work that matters most, delivering housing support that impacts lives
- every single day.
- In addition to these internal improvements, HAND has continued to deliver support that directly
- affects residents.
- Over the past year, this administration has supported the creation of new homes, the preservation
- of affordable rentals,
- and the rehabilitation of existing housing stock.
- HAND has developed first-time homebuyers, prevented foreclosures, expanded access to housing
- counseling,
- and supported vulnerable populations, including survivors of domestic violence and those
- experiencing homelessness.
- We've invested in land acquisition and lot development to ensure future pathways to affordable
- homeownership,
- partnering with organizations like Beacon to create their new shelter and the Bloomington Housing
- Authority, creating permanent housing.
- Last fall, our administration launched an inclusive community-wide outreach effort to shape Bloomington's
- new Consolidated Plan,
- which is a federally required roadmap that guides how we invest in housing and community
- development.
- We led nine public outreach sessions and continued targeted discussions with our key partners.
- These conversations are critical to ensure the plan reflects the real needs of our community, of
- our residents,
- and that it positions us to direct federal resources where they will have the greatest impact.
- This hands-on, boots-on-the-ground strategy is how we turn housing goals into real, everyday impact,
- meeting people where they are, when they need it most.
- At the same time, we are revisiting our permitting process and our Unified Development Ordinance,
- or the UDO,
- which is a set of rules that guide how and where development happens in Bloomington,
- a process that will include its own robust public input opportunities.
- These updates will support the housing that our community truly needs,
- all while keeping development on a responsible path.
- As we explore policy changes, we're making sure there's a solid process for you to weigh in,
- because we're about co-creating solutions.
- We want to make sure that your voice is not only heard, but that it actively shapes the outcomes.
- That future is already taking shape in places like the Summit District,
- where there's an opportunity for creative development focused on sustainable, walkable communities.
- We're exploring partnerships that ensure a healthy mix of market rate and affordable housing,
- striking a balance to meet our community's needs.
- Housing is medicine. When we invest in housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunity,
- we're not just addressing today's challenges.
- We're building a city where everyone can truly thrive.
- That's the future I think is worth the hard work that we're all committed to doing.
- As I mentioned earlier, transparency and engagement are how we are leading.
- Every decision we make from policies to budgets should be clear, accessible,
- and most importantly shaped by the people that we serve.
- A government that listens and then acts is a government that works.
- Over the past year, we've expanded direct engagement opportunities
- and increased public input in decision making.
- I've kept my promise to take City Hall into the community each month
- through traveling town halls with cabinet and council members,
- one-on-one office hours, and listening sessions with nonprofits and faith leaders.
- I've worked to make it easier for residents and community leaders to ask questions,
- raise concerns, share their hopes, and engage directly with their government.
- What's been really most delightful about these conversations
- is that they're often filled with people who have never set foot in City Hall before,
- voices that are new to the process, and voices that are essential to our solutions.
- When I ran for mayor, I promised to listen, to discern, and only then to lead.
- That remains my commitment, especially when the decisions are big and the stakes are high.
- That commitment doesn't shift based on what's happening in other branches of government.
- Real progress requires real dialogue, not decisions made behind closed doors.
- When tackling complex challenges, my administration is committed to co-creating solutions.
- We know the best ideas emerge when we work together, when we improve one another's thinking through
- open, inclusive dialogue.
- That's hard to do when public input is limited to a few minutes on a proposal that's already been
- developed with no current public input.
- Those conversations can be uncomfortable. I want to acknowledge that.
- However, I refuse to shy away from complexity.
- Instead, I'm committed to leaning into it together and presuming goodwill every step of the way.
- I know that not everyone will always get their way, but we will do what we said we'd do.
- And we will do it in the open, with the public, and for the people.
- Decisions should be shaped by public input, not by politics.
- The work ahead is too important to let division define us.
- So let's choose a better path. Let's keep showing up side by side and ready to collaborate.
- We don't need the division that we see on the national stage.
- We are Bloomington, and together I think we might be surprised that the solutions that we co-create
- are much better than the ones we started with on our own.
- So let's not forget that transparency isn't just about being available, it's also about access to
- information.
- And over the past year, we've taken a hard look at how we respond to public records requests
- and found real opportunities to improve both our processes and our customer service.
- I've also focused on how people find information in the first place, simplifying procedures,
- removing bureaucratic hurdles, and proactively sharing documents, data, and decisions before
- someone even has to ask.
- At the core of this effort is my belief that residents should be treated like valued customers.
- When we lead with service and stay accountable to taxpayers, we build trust and we make government
- feel a little more human.
- Looking ahead, we're planning a full overhaul of the city's website to improve navigation and ease
- of access.
- We have launched a citywide digital accessibility strategic plan, beginning with a comprehensive
- audit to ensure all residents,
- including those with disabilities, can access critical services and information.
- Every decision, project, and investment should be easy to understand and easy to track.
- If something's unclear, we want to know.
- So what's next? A thriving Bloomington doesn't happen accidentally.
- It requires careful planning, smart investments, and a long-term vision.
- A one-year budget alone can't support the scale of what Bloomington needs for its long-term future.
- We must develop long-term financial strategies that fund recurring expenses, capital projects, and
- the infrastructure that underpins our daily lives.
- Under my direction, our Cabinet delivered comprehensive action plans in public safety,
- infrastructure, and economic development,
- as well as major initiatives like Hopewell, the Trades District, fiber and data upgrades, park
- renovations, and new public safety facilities.
- Sustainability, fiscal, social, and operational requires clear planning and collective commitment.
- Behind every well-functioning city is a strong public works department.
- They keep Bloomington running, clearing snow, filling potholes, and managing sanitation, among
- other things.
- Their work is critical to community pride, business investment, and community safety.
- Critical work, yet ours operates out of outdated facilities and faces a $3 million annual shortfall
- just to maintain current road conditions,
- which if you're the mayor, you hear about every day.
- Over the past year, it's become clear just how long this investment was neglected, pushed aside,
- under-prioritized, and it is now overdue.
- For decades, Bloomington hasn't kept up with the necessary maintenance grade for our streets, and
- the consequences are truly catching up with us.
- If we want Bloomington to function at its highest level, we need to act.
- We've prioritized and invested in modern facilities for fire, and soon we'll do the same for police.
- Public works deserves no less.
- Outdated systems are holding us back. The same is true for our most essential resource, water.
- We have some water fans. I'm one of them.
- When I took office, the Monroe Water Plant was also facing over $10 million in needed repairs, with
- delayed funding leaving critical infrastructure very vulnerable.
- We acted, bringing in Wessler Engineering to assess the systems, prioritize repairs, and create a
- clear, actionable roadmap to secure Bloomington's water future.
- We're seeing the effects of growing without long-term maintenance planning.
- But Parks is taking the lead in this. Parks, just like the Powerline Trail, the Bryant Park Playground,
- and soon Hopewell Commons, are beautiful additions and they add a great sense of pride to our
- community.
- But they come with rising operational costs and budget pressures, including for security and upkeep.
- In response, our Parks and Rec Department is undergoing a full master planning process to chart a
- smarter, more sustainable path forward so that as we continue to grow, we maintain and care for
- what we already have.
- We can't afford to kick the can down the road. We must do needed maintenance and sustainable plans
- now.
- Our administration has something, and what it is is an opportunity, and we also have the
- responsibility to invest wisely right now.
- Our quality of life truly does depend on it. In each case, the need is clear.
- We must invest now to avoid higher costs and deeper consequences later.
- When our city runs well, businesses thrive, jobs grow, and Bloomington becomes an even better place
- to live, work, and play.
- I'm focused on attracting new businesses while also supporting the incredible entrepreneurial
- spirit that already exists in our community.
- As part of that work, we've prioritized something that's been long overlooked, how Bloomington
- presents itself to the world.
- Thriving economies are built on identity, our story, our values, our sense of place.
- They all shape the way that we grow and who chooses to grow with us, and I know we have some future
- residents with us tonight, so welcome to Bloomington.
- As of last month and over the next year, we're engaged in a comprehensive city and place branding
- initiative in collaboration with consultants and, most importantly, in deep partnership with the
- people of Bloomington.
- Let me be clear that this is far more than a logo or a marketing campaign.
- This is about uncovering the compelling and authentic narrative of who we are as a community and
- what makes Bloomington distinct, magnetic, and meaningful.
- That matters for economic development, and this work is long overdue.
- We have great wage disparity in Bloomington, and in 2016, the Wage Growth Task Force report
- recommended that the city work to brand Bloomington, recognizing how important identity and
- perception are to economic growth.
- Yet despite that call to action nine years ago, no progress has been made.
- Under our leadership, we have engaged and taken the first real steps to build a cohesive identity
- that makes Bloomington more competitive, attracting businesses, talent, and visitors who align with
- our values and contribute to a strong, values-driven economy.
- When people understand what Bloomington stands for, when they see their own values reflected in our
- identity, they're more likely to stay, to invest, and to contribute.
- These efforts—investing in housing, increasing transparency, maintaining financial health,
- supporting our economy, and telling Bloomington's story—are all interconnected.
- They're part of a vision—a vibrant, inclusive, forward-moving Bloomington built on a foundation
- of strength and shared opportunity.
- Now I'd like to turn things over to Jane Coopersmith, our Director of Economic and Sustainable
- Development, who will share how we're driving this economic growth.
- Hi, everyone. So good to be with you tonight, and I just want to say I'm so grateful to be part of
- this hardworking team.
- In economic and sustainable development, our job is to create the conditions for a strong,
- resilient, and thriving Bloomington.
- Current economic pressures do not make our work very easy or any easier. Despite these national
- headwinds, we've stayed focused, and we're delivering.
- We're reducing housing barriers, we're securing outside investments in Bloomington, and we're
- making long-term strategic commitments to our shared future.
- It's not always easy, but our team shows up, follows through, and is getting results. The Trades
- District continues to grow as a hub for Bloomington's tech sector.
- Last November, we completed the Forge, which Kerry described earlier, Mayor Thompson described
- earlier, a 22,000-square-foot LEED Silver office space supported in part by an EDA grant.
- It's already advancing our strategy to attract and scale tech businesses and to foster
- collaboration in the district, and we're just getting started.
- With the $16 million college and community collaboration grant from the Lilly Endowment, IU, the
- mill, and the city will continue to advance that same work.
- We will be developing the remaining parcels, formalizing and improving connections between campus
- and the community, and installing six new public art pieces.
- More wins in the trades district. We just wrapped construction for the commercial tenants in the
- trades district garage, and we handed them their keys on Tuesday.
- Yeah.
- The the kiln building, which was developed by the kiln collective came online in 2024 and it looks
- incredible. And finally, the installation of the long awaited piece by Stefan Reese OT 987 began
- install I didn't say that right guys, let's do it over.
- Finally, the installation of the long awaited stuff on rice, it's because there are too many adjectives
- OT 987 trades gateway sculpture began this week at 10th and Madison.
- We hope you can join us and our many incredible partners, including the artists for launch party on
- April 10.
- 6 to 9pm. Speaking of the arts. We know that creative economies are strong economies in 2024 we
- formalized a partnership with secretly group to build out 10,000 square feet of affordable studio
- space to create the incubator and provide artists
- the tools space and support that they need to have thriving practices in Bloomington. This photo.
- Oh no we're not there. Well there is a photo of Julie Schenkel Schenkel Berg's piece, which was
- created during her residency at the incubator
- and was on display at the Grunewald gallery last month, the incubator will formally launched this
- fall, and we'll invite you to that party too.
- Yeah.
- Joining next to Hopewell in 2024 Mayor Thompson led a strategic reset of the Hopewell development
- to ensure it delivers on its promises to the community.
- The Redevelopment Commission issued an updated public offering on Hopewell South and on Hopewell
- East, moving us toward a thoughtful and inclusive development construction of Hopewell Commons is
- now complete, including a green space, a 1% for the arts
- space by John race act that will begin installation this summer, and temporary pickleball courts.
- Yeah.
- Please join us to celebrate Hopewell Commons this month on April 23, will also host another public
- information session later this spring, where you can do a full project download.
- For the convention center incredible progress was seen in 2024. The interlocal agreement was signed
- new appointments were made to the capital improvement board.
- The design is in its final stages site prep work is underway and construction is on the horizon.
- The CIB selected Dora hospitality as the hotel developer, and the convention center received a new
- name, the Bloomington Convention Center.
- Yeah.
- It was dicey there for a minute.
- But perhaps most importantly, the Bloomington City Council made an incredible commitment to issue
- bonds in support of the construction of the convention center.
- Yes, thank you. This. This investment will be transformative for our community, whether for the
- jobs that will be created to manage and support the convention center operations, the dollars that
- it will attract into our local community from across the state and beyond the center's dedication
- to the arts, or the positive impact of off cycle business activity.
- Changing from all of these projects is a picture of future Bloomington with discrete neighborhoods
- connected along the beeline, each with a unique identity to offer residents and visitors.
- Turning now to climate. There isn't enough time to cover all of the city's work in this area but I
- wanted to give you some quick hits of what our sustainable sustainability team, and our many
- partners have been up to.
- In July with Noah and Kappa strategies to conduct Bloomington's first ever heat mapping campaign
- and air quality study, giving us critical neighborhood data to give to guide future investments.
- This data is already shaping projects like cool corridors which kicked off last month with a tree
- planting in the Crestmont neighborhood in partnership with canopy Bloomington.
- We expanded stay cool Bloomington, a program that increased safety on high heat days with free AC
- units to low income residents.
- It provided more than 16,000 free pool admissions on high heat days and access to cooling centers.
- We've also helped homeowners and small businesses go solar boost energy efficiency and save money
- on utility bills.
- We helped, I had to redo this math, 32 low income individuals get new e-bikes and we helped 20 non-low
- income individuals get access to e-bikes as well.
- That helps them make green affordable commutes across the city.
- We also advanced Project 46, our regional climate alliance with Columbus and Nashville and key
- partners like Cummins, IU Health and the Environmental Resilience Institute.
- This work is ambitious, but it only works if we do it together.
- So we're asking you today and we will ask you throughout the rest of the year to join us.
- And with that, I'd like to pass it back to Mayor Thompson.
- Jane, thank you for keeping climate at the forefront of all that we do in the city.
- Really, your voice and your leadership along with your team has been so incredibly important.
- I know you're probably tired of hearing from me as much as I am tired of trying to enumerate all of
- the incredible work that our team has done in collaboration with our community.
- And I appreciate you sticking with us tonight because tonight is really a celebration.
- As we conclude, I'm filled just truly with pride and gratitude for all that we've accomplished
- together.
- And I'm also energized by the opportunities that we have ahead.
- Reflecting on this past year, I'm reminded of the ground we've covered, progress made, challenges
- faced, and the discoveries made along the way.
- Many of those discoveries about our systems, our culture, and our assumptions weren't easy.
- And we can truly say it's been a team building year and we really are ready to soar.
- These were necessary and essential discoveries that we have grown from.
- We've chosen to face them with transparency and accountability and in doing so, we've begun to lay
- a stronger foundation.
- One built on shared values, a renewed sense of purpose, and a deep commitment to the people of Bloomington.
- My promise remains this, I will lead a city government that is open, responsive, and built to serve
- the people who call Bloomington home.
- A city where barriers are removed, ideas are welcomed with compassion and curiosity, and
- collaboration is our first instinct.
- We've made more progress than a single speech can capture, and that's the kind of challenge every
- city should be lucky enough to have.
- Our team has delivered in big, meaningful ways, but the best is truly yet to come.
- Earlier this evening, Director Shatoya Moss opened this program by grounding us in the significance
- of the Waldron Arts Center, an iconic space that has continually reinvented itself in service to
- Bloomington.
- This building respects our roots and embraces transformation, which go hand in hand.
- That's what makes us resilient. That's what makes us Bloomington.
- Yes, there is still a lot of work ahead, but the foundation has been laid, and the Bloomington I
- believe in is the Bloomington that's built not just by policies and plans, but by people.
- People like you.
- In a time when so many are pushed to the margins, we must choose to be a center of gravity for
- belonging, for hope, and for possibility.
- A city is strongest when its people are seen, heard, and empowered, and that's not idealism, it's
- leadership.
- I'm listening.
- I will keep learning, and I'll keep doing the work of building a city where everyone has a place
- and a purpose, and I hope you'll keep showing up, because Bloomington is better with you in it.
- Thank you once again for being here tonight, for your commitment, and for your continued engagement.
- We are stepping ahead into a new chapter, brimming with hope and momentum.
- To close out this evening as co-creators and architects of joy themselves, I am so excited to
- introduce a performance by Girls Rock Bloomington.
- This incredible organization empowers young women through music education and creative expression,
- embodying the spirit of innovation, joy, and collaboration that we hold dear in this city.
- Please join me in welcoming Amy Olsner, the founder and director of Girls Rock Bloomington.
- Thank you so much. I just wanted to say off the cuff that I was one of the recipients of the e-bike
- grant, and it's actually been life-changing for me.
- I now fully commute by e-bike. I wrote it here. So thank you so much for that.
- So I'm Amy Olsner. I'm the founder and director of Girls Rock Bloomington.
- It's such an honor to be here tonight. Thank you to all the organizers of the event and to Mayor
- Thompson for inviting us.
- Girls Rock Bloomington is a mentor and music education nonprofit founded in 2019 for girls, trans,
- and non-binary youth ages 8 to 17.
- We provide an annual summer camp in which campers take instrument lessons in guitar, vocals, bass,
- drums, and keyboards,
- form bands, and write original songs to perform at a final showcase event that's open to the public,
- all while forming supportive, joyful connections with their peers and adult mentors.
- We pride ourselves in creating a non-judgmental, kid-led, fun-forward, inclusive space that allows
- our participants to bloom creatively regardless of skill or experience level.
- In addition to our annual summer camp, we also provide year-round after-school workshops, open mic
- nights, open to all ages and identities, and other community events and projects.
- We love partnering with as many community organizations, venues, and artists as possible as a way
- of infusing energy and abundance into the Bloomington arts, music, and nonprofit scene.
- We're always open to working with new volunteers, so if anyone's interested, we're taking volunteer
- applications at our website, girlsrockbloomington.com, for this year's summer camp.
- We are so proud of all of our campers, and especially so of this next band who you're going to hear.
- The Saratones are comprised of Tesla, Sagan, and Natasha, who are between the ages of 13 to 14.
- They have been attending our camps and programs since the very beginning in 2019, and after forming
- the first iteration of the Saratones at our 2022 camp, they have absolutely been crushing it and
- growing as a band on their own time.
- Some of their accomplishments include recording and releasing their own original EP, "Happy But
- Alone," and performing at multiple festivals in town, including Grand Faloon, Reel Fest, Street
- Dance Rewind Block Party, and the upcoming Burning Couch Fest.
- Not only have they accomplished a lot musically, but they also deeply inspire me with their
- supportive and collaborative approach that they have towards making music together as a band.
- I've witnessed them lifting each other up and their peers countless times, and it makes me feel so
- proud and excited for the future for Bloomington. Please welcome the Saratones.
- [applause]
- Thank you everyone. Thank you all for coming. This is Waljah from the New City providing us here.
- It's been such an honor to perform, and thank you for using us and saying such sweet words.
- It's been such an amazing experience, and I'm really excited to continue to work with these amazing
- people, and I just don't think I can thank any of them enough.
- The first song we have for you today is one of our originals that we wrote on February 14th, 2024,
- which, now thinking about it, was almost a year ago, which seems so short ago, but in the large
- scheme of things, it just slipped under the cracks.
- So this is our first song we have for you today called "Blood Letters."
- [music]
- [singing "Blood Letters"]
- Goodbye in a river of tears
- I've been laughing to hide all my fears
- But that is just part of what I'd say
- This year
- (Instrumental)
- I will love no later
- I will have a song to hear
- I will love no later
- I will have a song to hear
- (Applause)
- So the next song that we're going to be playing
- is one that we wrote around the same time as "Love Letters"
- and it's one of our favorites to play, it's really fun
- and we're excited to play it for you
- Yeah, the next song is "Here to Play"
- (Applause)
- (Instrumental)
- I sold my heart in pieces
- Bought my soul in kisses
- Leave your misses behind
- (Instrumental)
- I sold my life in a drive
- It'll all be worth more
- Steal me away in a runaway train
- (Instrumental)
- You're in vain, my heart's in vain
- (Instrumental)
- Escape from my life as a gun, no
- He's texted me, it's been too long
- (Instrumental)
- I sold my heart in pieces
- Bought my soul in kisses
- Leave your misses behind, be mine
- (Applause)
- Alright, so the last song we have for you today is a cover of "The Feminine Urge" by The Last
- Dinner Party.
- This is one of our singers' favorite songs, and we're really happy to be able to play it today.
- (Instrumental)
- Your boots are frozen, push me down
- I'm only here for your entertainment
- I am a dark red urge, it's not on the books, not on the voice, not in the book, it's not on the tip-off,
- it's not the feminine urge
- I know it's so bad, I'm not sure the world is loved by them
- The power you have in the know, I've been holding it for too long, I'm running ahead
- Do you feel that pain when I can't talk back? Do you want me under your control?
- Better to commit to the right than to the false, you don't know, do you want me under your control?
- When your trust is in me, I can't wait no more
- Until I fall, I wish the trees would swallow me up, maybe first, take away my soul
- I can give the curse to her, I can live with people to find, with people who are kind
- I am a dark leper, she's got all the books, all the points, and I can burn it in a time of sin
- I've come to live in inertia, I know it's so frail, but now she'll lose my mind
- Rather be nothing but the weight of it all, and it's fine to hold the rod in your hand
- Do you feel like you need when I can't talk back?
- Do you want me under your control?
- There's a girl meant to do right, and there was a failure, you achieved on your own
- Do you want me to die for when you just disappear?
- I can't wait anymore
- I am a dark leper, she's got all the books, all the points, and I can burn it in a time of sin
- And when it comes to bending and urge, I know it's a whale, and I chew the wounds of a hale
- Give me that dark relic bird, it's got all the books, all the points, and I can burn it in a time
- of sin
- And when it comes to bending and urge, I know it's a whale, and I chew the wounds of a hale
- [applause]
- Thank you, Stair Tows. Please join us downstairs for some refreshments.
- [music]