Departments request for 2003 budgets approved

The Bloomington City Council gave preliminary approval for two proposed departmental budgets last Thursday night. \nBoth the planning department and the housing and neighborhood development (HAND) department received praise from the council for their budgets for 2003. \nTom Micuda, planning director, presented the department's plan to the council, and outlined the increases his department is requesting. \nMicuda stated that he wanted to hire a "Senior Transportation Manager" who would be "devoted exclusively to alternative transportation plans."\nMicuda said inclusion of the new manager in the budget was suggested to him, and would help the city meet the goals discussed in the Alternative Transportation and Greenways Plan. This plan is a comprehensive plan for how Bloomington should alleviate car traffic by encouraging other forms of travel.\nHe said alternative transportation in Bloomington would be more successful with this position.\n"You're not going to knock the dominant trend (of car use), but you're going to augment it (with alternative transportation)," Micuda said.\nCouncil member David Sabbagh liked the idea of people being able to walk throughout Bloomington more easily.\n"I think the (pedestrian) part is extremely important," Sabbagh said. "People need to feel safe."\nThe other budget increases were mostly for higher salaries for current employees. Some of the planning department staff members are paid lower than comparable employees in other departments of the city. Micuda felt it was time to increase their salaries. \nEven after the council was satisfied that the new transportation manager was necessary, council member Jeffrey Willsey asked Micuda if he needed more staff members for other projects in the department, specifically enforcement of zoning regulations. Micuda replied that his staff would be sufficient for 2003.\nThe council also gave preliminary approval to HAND. HAND helps improve the quality of neighborhoods, and offers various housing programs throughout the city.\nCouncil member Mike Diekhoff, a member of the city police force, asked what role HAND has in the "Quiet Nights" initiative. "Quiet Nights" is an initiative aimed at reducing noise in the city during overnight hours. \nHAND Director Doris Sims responded that the department includes information in city mailings and distributes flyers among the IU student body near the beginning of the school year. \nThe city council will finalize the 2003 budget in September.