Council advances and adopts several measures including fiber connectivity and surety bond fund; multiple ordinances introduced

The Bloomington Common Council on Sept. 17 introduced several ordinances for second reading and acted on a group of items tied to the city's fiber network and a contractor surety bond.

Key actions

- The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 20-25-34 to establish a dedicated fund to hold $1,000,000 the city received from a surety bond tied to Meridian/M Street Fiber subcontractor work in the public right-of-way. Corporation Counsel Margie Rice explained the fund will hold the payment while departments determine whether the proceeds are needed for right-of-way repairs, fines or other lawful city purposes. The council clarified the fund will be used for city purposes, not payments to private individuals. The vote was recorded by roll call and the ordinance passed unanimously.

- The council adopted Ordinance 20-25-33, establishing a fiber connectivity fund to support digital opportunity initiatives and to underwrite connections for income-eligible households. Controller McClellan and ITS Director Rick Dietz explained the ordinance implements a city commitment in a master development agreement with Meridian (now referred to as M Street Fiber).…