Resident Requests Bird-Safe Windows, Leash Law Changes
The Bloomington City Council heard requests for animal-related city improvements during its Oct. 27 listening session, with one community member presenting concerns about bird safety and dog leash enforcement.
Karen Lumquist, who also serves on the city's Charter Commission, asked the council to install anti-reflective window treatments on city buildings to prevent bird collisions. She cited discovering a dead bird outside the city council building in September, which she said had died after striking the glass windows. Lumquist noted that up to a billion birds die annually from such collisions and requested the treatments be installed on the new community center as well as existing city buildings.
Lumquist also requested amendments to the city's leash ordinance to clarify that electronic collars do not constitute proper restraint for dogs. She said neighbors near Kelly Playfields walk dogs off-leash, with one claiming an electronic collar satisfied leash requirements. Lumquist expressed concern about encounters with unleashed dogs while walking her small dogs.
Council members indicated staff would consider the bird-safety measures when reviewing budgets and designs for the new community center and existing buildings. The city attorney noted that the animal ordinance is already scheduled for review in the legal department's 2026 work plan.
The listening session, held before the regular council meeting, lasted approximately 10 minutes with Lumquist as the only scheduled speaker.
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The Bloomington City Council held a listening session on October 27, 2025, with one community member, Karen Lumquist, presenting two animal-related concerns. She requested anti-reflective window treatments to prevent bird collisions at city buildings and asked for amendments to the leash ordinance to clarify that electronic collars don't constitute proper restraint.
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