Bloomington honors student activists with Omar Bondaroot Human Rights Award; council adopts annual appointments and proclaims Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Bloomington City Council on Monday night presented the 2024 Omar Bondaroot Human Rights Award to the Bloomington Freedom to Read student group, read a proclamation recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and honored departing City Manager Jamie Verbrugge in ceremonial remarks.

Human Rights award

Anita Smithson, chair of the Bloomington Human Rights Commission, introduced the award and praised the student group for its advocacy to protect First Amendment access to diverse literature in school libraries. "This amazing group of young people was nominated twice for this award this year," Smithson said, citing their role speaking at school‑board sessions and helping spur local policy changes.

Members of Bloomington Freedom to Read — founding members identified in the meeting as Kate Bolvin, Shay Ross, Nora Rickenstrud, Johnny Kerwin, Ayla Rash, Lily Mortensen, Abigail Clavin Schmitz and Amber Colvin — told the council they organized in response to book challenges and spoke at school board meetings and statewide forums. A member of the group said, "Books are often a place where you can find yourself represented, and you don't feel like you are alone." City leaders recognized the group for their work after the school board revised library materials policy and the state enacted a law that students called a win for protecting access to books.

Proclamations and city manager recognition

Mayor Tim Bussey read a proclamation declaring Jan. 20, 2025, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Bloomington, tracing federal observance to 1986 and noting the holiday did not become observed in all 50 states until 2000. Later the mayor presented a proclamation honoring Jamie Verbrugge’s decade as city manager; Verbrugge said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the city and praised staff and community partners before noting he is leaving to take a position with Catholic Charities.

Organizational business and votes at a glance

After the ceremonial items the council completed its annual organizational business and approved a series of appointments and routine consent items. The council approved the agenda and accepted the consent agenda (consent items 3.3–3.19) and later approved items 3.1 and 3.2 with one abstention recorded for Council member Lohmann on that pair. Council members then made the usual yearly appointments to boards, commissions and outside agencies (below). The Planning Commission’s 2025 work plan was adopted as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt agenda: Motion passed, vote recorded as 6–0 (Mayor Tim Bussey moved; Council member Wohman seconded). - Consent agenda (items 3.3–3.19): Approved 6–0. - Consent items 3.1 and 3.2: Approved 5–0 with 1 abstention (Council member Lohmann). - Appointments (selected): - Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association trustees (2025): Reappointed Julie Seal (Fire Chief), Lori Economy Schoeller (CFO) and Council member Duane Lohmann as ex‑officio — approved 6–0. - I‑494 Corridor Commission (2025): Appointed Council member D'Alessandro as representative and Council member Rivas as alternate; staff Kim Bergen as staff rep — approved 6–0. - Sustainability Commission (2025): Appointed Council member Duane Lohmann — approved 6–0; council directed staff within 30 days to recommend a process for council involvement on volunteer commissions. - State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (2025): Appointed Council member Carter; alternate Dr. Nick Kelly — approved 6–0. - Planning Commission 2025 work plan: Adopted — approved 6–0. - Bloomington Travel & Tourism (Board of Directors 2025): Appointed Mayor Tim Bussey, Council member Nelson and Kim Bergen — approved 6–0. - Council secretary (2025): Appointed Seffa Mercer as council secretary and Denise Christiansen as acting secretary when absent — approved 6–0. - Greater Metropolitan Area Foreign Trade Zone: Appointed Council member Lohmann and port authority staff Holly Macek — approved 6–0.

What council members said

Council members praised the students and Human Rights Commission. Council member Lohmann and others offered formal thanks to City Manager Verbrugge for his decade of service; Verbrugge emphasized staff professionalism and said he valued the chance to lead Bloomington. Council members also discussed a council‑level review of the role of council members on city advisory commissions and directed staff to return within 30 days with options for a standardized process.