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Council clarifies no eminent-domain action in public outreach on Creekside health center site; hears three public comments
Summary
During the Feb. 10 meeting the council said it is only inquiring about voluntary purchases of nearby properties for green space at the planned Bloomington Health and Wellness Center and heard public comments about the center, a police-family incident and a driveway-parking dispute.
The Bloomington City Council on Monday said the city is not using eminent domain and is not taking homes to expand the planned Bloomington Health and Wellness Center; city officials described ongoing conversations with some property owners as voluntary inquiries about possible purchases.
Mayor Bussey told the council that consultants had reached out to property owners on Newton and Morgan avenues to see whether owners would voluntarily sell parcels that could expand parking or green space near the new facility. “No property is being condemned,” he said; the council and staff emphasized that any purchase would be a voluntary sale and would be considered in public meetings if the council chose to proceed.
The announcement came as part of the council’s policy and issue update and followed a short listening session earlier in the meeting. The listening session included three topics: members of the public spoke about retaining a boutique at the future community center; family members raised concerns about an ongoing police investigation involving the Berry family; and a local small-business owner raised questions about city enforcement of front-yard parking rules.
Speakers at the listening session included residents and small-business owner Andrew Davis, who asked staff to set up a meeting to explore options after receiving code-enforcement guidance about parking equipment and trailers in a driveway. Mayor Bussey said city staff would follow up to connect the resident with community development and public health staff.
City staff also announced two items: Bloomington staff were selected to present on civic engagement work at the International City/County Management Association conference in October, and Council Secretary Safa Mercer will move to a role with the Bloomington Police Department; her last council meeting was Monday.
Mayor Bussey said the city has conducted several rounds of outreach about the new health and wellness center — including surveys, a kickoff event and focus groups — and reiterated that no council decision has been made about purchasing adjacent properties. If property owners elect to sell, he said the city would pay market value and offer relocation assistance; any purchase would require council approval at a future public meeting.
No formal action was required or taken on the property outreach or the public comments; staff will follow up with residents who raised issues during the listening session.
