Residents press Bloomington council on snow clearing, sidewalk safety and police vehicle lighting

Residents used the Jan. 8 public-comment periods to press the council for immediate changes to snow-clearing and pedestrian-priority practices.

Greg Alexander told the council that years of uncleared sidewalks on South Walnut force pedestrians into the street and said the city’s Department of Public Works is not following adopted transportation plans. He cited a past pedestrian fatality, named Jade Sanders, as urgency for action and urged elected members to confront the administration if plans are not implemented.

Adrian Thomas (who said he also goes by Kahadi Yimkola) described his sidewalk at a Bloomington Housing Authority complex as unshoveled while other residents’ walkways were cleared; he called the treatment discriminatory and asked city staff for assistance. Daryl Ruble praised the street crews for snow removal but raised a separate concern about county jail transfer procedures after his daughter was moved and he could not obtain notification of her location.

In contrast, Christopher Tengi of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce publicly thanked public works staff and singled out Director Adam Wayson for efforts during the storm. Council members acknowledged both praise for crews and multiple resident complaints during the meeting.

No formal policy change or staff response resolving the specific allegations was recorded during the meeting; council members noted follow-up items and scheduled a Jan. 15 deliberation meeting to discuss committee oversight and related procedural issues.

Sources: public-comment statements recorded at the Jan. 8, 2025 council meeting.