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Bloomington sustainability commission adopts rodenticide phase‑out, announces state grant for Buskirk Chumley upgrades
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability heard formal training led by Deputy Clerk Jennifer Crossley, learned that a state energy grant will fund HVAC, solar and battery upgrades at the Buskirk Chumley Theater and help fund four public climate talks in 2027, and approved a resolution urging the city to phase out certain rodenticides used in glue traps.
At its June 9 meeting the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability completed formal training for board members and approved a resolution urging the city to phase out certain rodenticides used in glue traps.
Deputy clerk Jennifer Crossley led the training, which covered public communications, conflicts-of-interest guidance and requirements under Indiana’s open‑door law, the program host said. A commission speaker said liaisons had already completed their training and that the board member sessions will wrap up this week.
Sustainability staff announced a state energy grant through the Indiana Office of Energy Development that will fund building- system upgrades and public programming at the Buskirk Chumley Theater. "We received a grant for the Buskirk Chumley Theater," a staff speaker said, adding the project will upgrade the HVAC system, install solar and a battery backup system and support four climate talks in 2027. The staffer identified the program as the Empowering Energy Partnerships and Communities grant and said the funding will defray energy upgrades and related work at the theater.
Commissioners also discussed a potential joint effort with the environmental commission on reducing light pollution. The commission approved a resolution that calls for Bloomington to phase out certain rodenticides in glue traps, citing wildlife and pet safety concerns. One commissioner warned the practice poisons predators that eat rodents and can create a feedback loop that harms wildlife populations: "We're creating a circular, a feedback loop ..." the member said.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for July 14.
Why this matters: the grant will fund physical upgrades to a downtown performing-arts facility and public climate programming; the rodenticide resolution signals the commission’s intent to shape city policy on wildlife and pet safety and could prompt future ordinance or administrative changes.
Speakers quoted or cited in this story: Deputy clerk Jennifer Crossley (training leader); anonymous sustainability staff (grant details); a committee member who spoke for the resolution (rodenticide quote).
