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Bloomington Board upholds noise and multiple snow‑removal citations after appeals
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Summary
The Board of Public Works denied a noise appeal and multiple snow‑removal appeals on Feb. 24, finding no evidence of clearing at the time citations were issued and upholding notices for addresses including 2038 N. Walnut and 530 N. Grant.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works on Feb. 24 denied a noise appeal and several appeals of sidewalk snow‑removal citations, saying inspectors’ evidence showed little or no attempt to clear sidewalks when citations were issued.
Public Works Director Adam Wason told the board the noise citation at 2038 North Walnut was issued Jan. 29 after officers observed loud music; the appellant was not present and staff recommended upholding the citation. The board moved to deny the appeal; the roll call recorded Cox Deckard and Carone voting 'Aye' and the motion passed.
The board then reviewed a series of snow‑removal appeals. City legal cited Bloomington Municipal Code provisions requiring property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after accumulation stops. Taylor Brown, City Legal, anchored the city’s enforcement position in the code and in inspector reports.
Susan Goldsworthy, managing member of Powder Monkey LLC, spoke for the appellant at 530 North Grant and asked for leniency, saying the storm was “not a typical snowfall” and requesting that the citation “be reduced to a warning this time” because crews and property managers had difficulty obtaining equipment and reaching properties. Adam Wason and the issuing inspector said the photographic evidence and follow‑up visits showed no clearing effort at the time the citation was issued. The board voted to deny the appeal and uphold the notice.
Inspectors and staff made similar findings for other properties reviewed that night — 801 West Howe, 2811–2817 East Third Street (commercial corridor near Chili’s and Arby’s) and four notices for 1013 North College Avenue — citing either a lack of clearing attempts or the lapse of several days between the end of accumulation and issuance. In the East Third Street case, inspectors said state plows had pushed large mounds onto the sidewalk, but they also said managers had time to respond after a warning and had not done so before the citation was issued.
Each appeal was decided by motion and roll call; the minutes record Cox Deckard and Carone as voting 'Aye' on motions that passed. The board did not announce additional sanctions beyond upholding the citations.
