Bloomington City Council Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the council chambers. The meeting included introductions of new employees, proclamations for Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month, recognition of communications awards, a public hearing on liquor license ordinance amendments, a walk-on resolution for nutrition assistance, updates on the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction and American Boulevard transit study, and budget discussions for public safety and legal departments. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:45 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3.1 through 3.13 were approved unanimously (7-0). Councilmember D'Alessandro handled the consent agenda with no holds or discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Listening Session: Karen Lundquist spoke on two issues: (1) a desire for anti-reflective treatment on city glass to prevent bird strikes on new and existing buildings, and (2) concerns about the dog leash ordinance not being enforced. She asked the council to consider tightening enforcement. The city attorney noted that the animal ordinance is under review for the 2026 work plan.
• Public Hearing on Liquor Licenses (Item 4.1): No members of the public spoke; the hearing was closed with a 7-0 vote.

Discussion Items

New Employee Introductions

• Four public health staff were introduced: Ross McKenzie (community resilience specialist), Brittany Wynne (public health specialist, Health in All Policies), Dennis Vu (accountant), and Christine Lees (population health program manager). Also introduced was Evan Eichabone, small business procurement program coordinator in finance. Each shared their backgrounds and excitement for their roles.

Proclamations

• Veterans Day (November 11, 2025): Mayor Bussey read the proclamation. Vietnam veteran Duane accepted on behalf of Bloomington veterans, sharing his service story and the ongoing effort to build a veterans memorial. A veterans appreciation reception will be held November 6, and a POW/MIA flag will fly November 8-15.
• Native American Heritage Month (November 2025): Clarissa Seidel from Bloomington Public Schools' American Indian Education Program accepted the proclamation. She highlighted the program's cultural and educational support for American Indian students.

Communications Awards

• Janine presented awards: The city received nine MAGC awards and two 3CMA national awards. Highlights included a first-place national award for community engagement for the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project. Staff and community partners were recognized for collaborative efforts. Community member Chris Ann thanked the council for fostering constructive dialogue during the project.

Public Hearing & Ordinance on Liquor License Violations (Item 4.1)

• City Clerk Mary Hanson presented proposed amendments: requiring 100% of servers to complete training within 90 days of hire, adding a one-day suspension for a second violation and a five-day suspension for a third (rolling five-year period). Fourth violations could result in up to 30 days suspension at council discretion. Staff recommended adoption.
• Councilmember MUA expressed concern about the 100% training requirement for all servers regardless of compliance history, citing high turnover in restaurants. Councilmember Dalessandro countered that training is inexpensive and a public safety issue. Councilmember Nelson opposed because affected businesses were not directly notified or engaged before the vote. Councilmember Carter asked about training portability; staff confirmed it follows the employee. Councilmember Rebas suggested delaying the effective date to allow notification. Staff noted compliance checks for 2025 are already complete.
• Vote: The ordinance passed 5-2 with Councilmembers Nelson, Loman, and MUA voting no (recorded as 5-2; transcript says 5-2 with MUA, Nelson, and Loman? Actually vote tally: "five two" with Nelson and MUA no, but earlier Councilmember Nelson said he would vote no and Councilmember MUA expressed concern; Councilmember Loman also had concerns. The motion carried with Councilmember Carter's motion; summary publication was approved 7-0. Effective date set to 14 days after adoption with staff directed to notify affected businesses.

Walk-On Resolution: Nutrition Assistance and Food Shelves (Item 4.2)

• City Manager Walker introduced a resolution authorizing budget alterations to use funds for nutrition assistance and infant formula due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. SNAP benefits could stop November 1, affecting 5,200 Bloomington residents. WIC funding for formula is at risk, especially for 138 infants on formula (50 on specialized formula). Public health is financially stable for WIC staffing short-term. The resolution authorizes use of strategic funds as a contingency; reimbursement from the federal government may be possible if conditions are met.
• Councilmember Lohman asked about long-term sustainability; staff said funds would carry into next fiscal year but not multi-year. Dr. Kelly explained priority is to ensure formula supply for infants; pregnant women would be supported through community partners. Councilmember Dalessandro stressed vetting partners to avoid fraud. Councilmember Nelson disclosed his board membership at VEP but stated no direct allocation in the resolution; he noted VEP expects a 25% increase in demand and thanked Thermo King for 2,500 emergency food packs. Councilmember Carter highlighted trusted partners like VEP, Loaves & Fishes. The resolution passed 7-0.

Nicollet Avenue Street Reconstruction Update (Item 5.1)

• Hennepin County project manager Emily Goodell presented an update on the 2.3-mile reconstruction from Old Shakopee Road to American Boulevard. Three public engagement phases were completed. Preferred alternative: shared-use path on one side with sidewalk on the other, three-lane section, traffic signals at existing intersections (except 84th Street), pedestrian median refuges, removal of slip lanes, and median closure at 83rd Street. Estimated cost: $26.4 million; city cost share ~25%. Construction planned for 2027 after 494 project completes in 2026. Councilmember Carter asked about coordination with 494 project; Goodell confirmed sequencing. Councilmember Dalessandro raised concerns about visibility for shared-use path at intersections. Councilmember Rebas questioned the need for bike facilities on the east side, noting low usage. The design eliminates on-street bike lanes in favor of off-street path.

American Boulevard Transit Study (Item 5.2)

• Consultant Adele Hall and Kirk Roberts presented the study covering Normandale Lake District, Penn American, and South Loop. Four BRT route alternatives were evaluated; the best performing options were extension of Route 4 to Mall of America and a route to Southdale. Land use recommendations include high-intensity transit-oriented development (TOD) and corridor-oriented development along American Boulevard. A preferred cross-section concept (94 feet wide) includes one travel lane per direction, dedicated transit lanes, two-way bikeway, and sidewalks—but this is for testing only, not adopted. Next steps: coordination with Metro Transit (results mid-2026), comprehensive plan update (2026-2028), and infrastructure planning after 494 construction ends (~2030). Councilmember Dalessandro and Councilmember Loman both preferred to bring the adoption back for discussion rather than consent; staff will seek Planning Commission input November 6 and return to council December 8.

2026 Budget Discussion: Public Safety & Legal (Item 5.3)

• Fire Department (Chief Eli Seal): Budget increase mainly due to 18 firefighters coming off SAFER grant onto regular funding. Priority-based budgeting analysis found limited applicability but opportunities for shared services. Response metrics improved: roll shorts reduced from 1,333 (2021) to 68 (2025); no fail-to-rolls in 2025. Over 1,000 advanced interventions on EMS calls. Emerging topics: increasing call volume, aging population, built environment challenges, paid parental leave, and mental health wellness. Goal: staff six engines at six stations with four-person crews 24/7. Councilmember Moore urged faster staffing. Councilmember Rebas inquired about partnerships for EMS costs; Chief Seal noted reimbursement gaps and increasing local burden.
• Police Department (Chief Lee): Authorized strength 129 officers, currently 138 (overstaffed for anticipated retirements). Crime rate down 12% from last year (record low). Budget increase driven by materials/supplies and technology. Priority-based budgeting found mostly already implemented. New technologies: Force matrix (database integration), Axon Translate (language translation), and AI report-writing (not yet deployed). Grants and donations average $2.3M annually (6% of operating budget). Pay/parental leave costs 2.5-3 FTEs. Data requests: 3,600 vs. 500 for rest of city, requiring significant staff time. Councilmember Dalessandro asked about funding wellness directly in police vs. public health; Chief noted utilization is higher when internal. Councilmember Loman praised investment and asked about frivolous data requests; Chief confirmed some are burdensome.
• Legal Department (City Attorney Melissa Manderscheid): Budget primarily personnel and technology. PBB recommendations similar to other departments. Restorative court program successful and doubled. Technology use includes legal document management and litigation software. Emerging topics: paid leave, AI, cyber attack preparedness, and ERPOs (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) – Bloomington was first to file. Administrative conferences tripled (up to 3 per week), driven by code compliance issues. Councilmember Dalessandro questioned the disconnect between enforcement expectations and actual workload; Attorney noted a change in legal delivery model for repeat violators.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor License Ordinance (4.1): Adopted 5-2 with effective date 14 days after adoption. Staff directed to notify affected businesses. Summary publication approved 7-0.
• Nutrition Assistance Resolution (4.2): Adopted 7-0 authorizing budget alterations for food shelves and infant formula as a contingency for federal shutdown impacts.
• American Boulevard Transit Study: Planning Commission hearing November 6; council adoption tentatively scheduled for December 8 (likely as a discussion item, not consent).
• Budget Discussions: Continued feedback; final budget and levy approval scheduled for December 22. Next budget session November 24 (public comment opportunity) and December 8 (truth in taxation hearing).
• Council Policy/Issue Update: Listening session speaker's concerns noted; animal ordinance review on 2026 work plan. Councilmember Loman raised a concern about alleged euthanization at the shelter; staff will investigate.