Bloomington City Council Meeting - September 29, 2025

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, September 29, 2025. The meeting included the celebration of the 2025 Hatch Bloomington winner, a proclamation for Disability Employee Awareness Month, introduction of a new employee, approval of a corrected preliminary tax levy resolution, adoption of an airport parking study ordinance, and study items on commercial vehicles and miscellaneous ordinances. Updates were provided on the I-494 project and priority-based budgeting.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3.2 through 3.22 were approved 7-0, with a noted typo correction on item 3.6.
• Item 3.1 (resolution rescinding and reestablishing preliminary tax levies) was held for discussion and later passed 6-1 (Councilmember Rivas opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was given during the public hearing for item 4.2 (vacation of easements).

Discussion Items

• 2025 Hatch Bloomington Celebration: Staff presented results of the retail pitch competition. The winner was Book Mother, founded by Twilight Dang. Statistics: 50 applications, 35 complete, 20,000+ public votes, 189 media mentions reaching 240 million, $5 million earned media value. The mayor expressed pride in all participants.
• Disability Employee Awareness Month Proclamation: The mayor read a proclamation declaring October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Maxine Pigos Illica and Ben Venar from the city's ERG spoke about the importance of inclusion. An event will be held October 31.
• New Employee Introduction: Public Works introduced Callie Doden, a civil engineer working on drinking water and wastewater projects.
• Item 3.1 – Preliminary Tax Levy: Councilmember Rivas held the item, requesting staff bring the levy down to a total of 9.8% including HRA and Port Authority levies. Councilmember Dalessandro noted these bodies set their own levies. The corrected resolution passed 6-1.
• Item 4.1 – Airport Parking Study Ordinance: Three ordinance options were presented. The council adopted the staff recommended option that retains interim use permits for existing remote airport parking until August 2027 and continues negotiations with operators. Vote 5-2 (Councilmembers Moo and Rivas opposed). Summary publication passed 7-0.
• Item 4.2 – Vacation of Easements: A public hearing was held with no speakers. The ordinance approving the vacation for the community health center site was adopted 7-0.
• Item 5.1 – Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts (Study): Staff presented data on current code and enforcement (280 violations in 2024, 141 for oversized trailers). Council provided feedback on height/length limits, vehicle quantities, and screening. No formal action; staff will draft an ordinance.
• Item 5.2 – Miscellaneous Issues Ordinance (Study): Staff reviewed proposed language cleanup and policy changes (e.g., exterior lighting, mixed-use residential allowances, garage height limits, art structures). Council offered input on several items. No action taken; revised ordinances expected in November.
• Item 5.3 – I-494 Project Phase 2 Update: MnDOT presented the project scope, schedule (2027-2030), and local cost share items. Council requested improved traffic management and communication with residents during construction. Municipal consent request scheduled for October 13.
• Item 5.4 – Priority-Based Budgeting Update: Staff presented the scoring process (441 programs), impact matrix results, and emerging opportunities. Council discussed lessons learned, alignment with strategic plan, and future two-year budget cycles. Further details will come in October meetings.
• Council Policy and Issue Update: Mayor reported on a gun violence forum and the upcoming tri-city mental health summit. Councilmember Carter raised concerns about Lake Normandale water quality and infrastructure. Councilmember Loman thanked staff for work on a compliance issue and the Newton Avenue community center.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7-0): Consent agenda items 3.2-3.22; vacation of easements (4.2); summary publication for airport ordinance.
• Approved (6-1): Corrected preliminary tax levy resolution (3.1), with Councilmember Rivas opposed.
• Approved (5-2): Airport parking ordinance adopting the IUP extension option (4.1), opposed by Councilmembers Moo and Rivas.
• Study Items: No formal action on commercial vehicles (5.1) or miscellaneous issues (5.2); staff directed to return with draft ordinances.
• Upcoming: Municipal consent for I-494 Phase 2 (Oct 13); budget deliberations continuing through December; PBB recommendations to follow.