City Council passes demolition delay, appropriates funds

The discussion at Wednesday night's city council meeting, in line with Mayor Mark Kruzan's economic development plan, focused on funds for parks and recreation, the arts, animal care and control, public safety and neighborhood planning.\nThe council passed an ordinance 9-0 that appropriates funds for the 2005 budget in its first regular session of the new year.\n"This appropriation ordinance is about opportunity," Kruzan said while reporting to the council. "All of this money is setting the stage for a better, more exciting 2005."\nCouncilman Stephen Volan emphasized the importance of economic sustainability in Bloomington. He said that maintaining areas such as arts facilities and non-profit organizations will not only directly benefit citizens but will also help maintain the city's economy and bring new people to Bloomington. \n"Quality of life is good business," Volan said. \nOther council members had different reasons for supporting the ordinance, which included provisions to help city employees.\n"I'm voting for it because this is the only way (city) employees will get a raise and insurance benefits," said Councilman David Sabbagh. \nCouncilman Michael Diekhoff commented that the appropriations ordinance will likely affect all Bloomington residents, including IU students. \n"Lots of students have pets. Lots rent property," Diekhoff said. "Students likely use the tennis courts that need repaired. They live and work here in Bloomington. This ordinance is putting funds in lots of different areas."\nAnother topic discussed at the meeting was the preservation of the city's historic buildings. Several councilmen spoke about the importance of these buildings to Bloomington's culture and history. An ordinance was passed in favor of "demolition delay," which means that if a person would like to demolish a building, or part of a building, there will be a waiting period between the time demolition is requested and the time demolition can begin. This is to provide for any possible deliberation before the building can be destroyed. \nSeveral community members spoke about why they felt preserving the city's historic areas makes Bloomington unique. Councilman Chris Gaal agreed with this idea.\n"There are so many examples of other communities losing their historic buildings," he said. "I really believe it will be good for Bloomington's future." \nDiekhoff said that one of the most important issues for the council in the new year will be zoning ordinances, which often deal with rental properties. Zoning will change the way different areas of land can be used, whether residentially, commercially or industrially. \nA living wage ordinance will be another significant and controversial issue this year. A living wage ordinance would seek to require employers to pay their employees wages that are higher than the national and state minimum wages. \n"Living wage will be really, really big this year," said Common Council President Andy Ruff. "Actually, it's probably the biggest thing in four years."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Kelly Ginty at kginty@indiana.edu.