OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - December 22, 2025

City Council — Monday, December 22, 2025
BodyBloomington, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

0:06

I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order.

0:08

Tonight is Monday, December 22nd, 2025, our last meeting of the year, Council.

0:14

We uh have a full agenda, and we will begin as we always do.

0:18

If you're able to, please stand, remove any head coverings and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:25

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:30

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:32

One nation under God.

0:34

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:43

Thank you to everybody who's joined us here in the chambers this evening, and thanks to everybody watching online.

0:48

Our first order of business tonight, Council is to adopt tonight's agenda.

0:52

Uh we have uh a uh uh a moderate agenda.

0:55

I think we can get out of here at a reasonable hour if we put our minds to it.

0:58

Uh under item two, under introductory items, I'd like to add a small walk-on item there.

1:03

Uh consent business, Councilmember Rivas has our consent items, and we have 17 consent items this evening.

1:09

Under item four, our hearings resolutions and ordinances.

1:12

We have uh one public comment opportunity and three public hearings.

1:16

Item 4.1 is a public comment opportunity regarding the Bloomington Ferry Road Corridor Vision Study.

1:21

Item 4.2 is a hearing regarding the adopt American Boulevard Transit Study.

1:27

Uh public hearing on item 4.3 is an ordinance to vacate a public plaza at the MOA water park extension and deadline resolution and summary publication.

1:36

And item 4.4 is a public hearing regarding our boards and commission ordinance.

1:40

Under item five, our organizational business.

1:42

Uh item 5.1 is an order and authorization to bid Harrison Park Trailhead and Veterans Memorial Plaza Improvement Project and the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Tree Removal Removal Project.

1:53

And item 5.2 is a resolution to revise the compensation plan for full-time, part-time seasonal and temporary non-union employees for the city of Bloomington.

2:02

We'll wrap up as we do with our council policy and issue update.

2:06

And uh I think I said I I mispronounced item 4.2 is the public hearing regarding the adoption of the American Boulevard Transit Study.

2:13

I don't know.

2:14

I I just it felt like I didn't say that correctly, so I wanted to make sure that was clear.

2:18

Uh that is our agenda for this evening, council.

2:21

If there's anything to add or any corrections, I'd like to hear them.

2:23

Otherwise, I will move approval of tonight's agenda.

2:28

We have a motion and a second by council member Rivas to accept tonight's uh agenda.

2:32

Hearing no further discussion on this, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

2:36

Aye.

2:36

Opposed.

2:37

Motion carries 7-0.

2:43

Item five point uh excuse me, item two, under introductory items.

2:46

I said I wanted to walk on on item uh introductory.

2:50

Um typically we might push this later in the evening, but I decided I wanted to do it earlier this evening because otherwise people tune it out and we we lose track of everybody.

2:59

This is the last meeting of um Councilmember at large, Councilmember Saw Mua.

3:04

And um wanted to thank him publicly and congratulate him publicly and call him out for his outstanding work on the Bloomington City Council over the past couple of years.

3:13

So I have appreciated uh the common sense direction that you have brought to this council.

3:19

I greatly appreciate your perspective that you bring as a father with 10, 11 kids three.

3:25

I'm sorry, three.

3:26

There are three of them.

3:27

I'm sorry.

3:27

I lost track.

3:28

Uh and I I appreciate how uh so often you bring the notion of family into your comments, whether it's your uh your your family, your three kids, or your your uh extended family and your parents and your your family at large because uh it shows more than anything that this is uh this is a data-driven job, this is a policy-driven job, but mostly this job is about people and and how you relate to them and how you make the world better for them and how we do our little part of the world here in the city of Bloomington uh to really support and uh make their lives better.

3:58

And so I appreciate that that perspective that you always brought and uh the energy that you brought and your good humor, and I've just so enjoyed having you on council.

4:06

We're gonna miss you.

4:07

Something tells me we haven't seen the last of you, but we we will see.

4:11

Uh but thank you for your work on the city council.

4:13

Thank you so very much for the time that you spent with us.

4:16

And again, congratulations on getting your Monday nights back uh after the first of the year.

4:20

Very well done.

4:21

So thank you so very much.

4:23

Council, anybody else want to chime in?

4:25

Councilmember Dalessandro.

4:27

Thanks, uh, Mr.

4:28

Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety████████████████████████████28%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Personnel Matters██████████████14%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Engagement██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Urban Planning█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - December 22, 2025

The Bloomington City Council held its final meeting of 2025 on Monday, December 22, 2025, starting at approximately 6:00 PM and concluding after 8:46 PM. The agenda included consent business, a public comment opportunity on the Bloomington Ferry Road Corridor Vision Study, public hearings on the American Boulevard Transit Study, a plaza vacation for the MOA water park, and an ordinance on boards and commissions, as well as organizational business items including a trailhead and veterans memorial project, tree removal, and a revised compensation plan for non-union employees. The meeting also featured a farewell to outgoing Councilmember Saw Mua.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 3.1–3.4, 3.6–3.10, 3.12–3.16 were approved unanimously. Items 3.5 (contract change orders), 3.11 (property acquisition for 494/35W project), and 3.17 (amendment to employment rules on funeral leave) were held for separate consideration.
  • Item 3.5: Councilmember Nelson expressed concern that some change orders reflected foreseeable code issues (e.g., exit signs, overhead door power) rather than unforeseen circumstances. He supported the item after clarification that costs are within budget. Councilmember Dalessandro agreed and urged better value engineering. Motion to approve item 3.5 carried 7–0.
  • Item 3.11: Councilmember Nelson noted that eight lots proposed for purchase by MnDOT were not disclosed during the municipal consent presentation and questioned whether they were the same parcels previously returned to the city. After discussion, the council held this item to a future uncertain date (motion carried 7–0).
  • Item 3.17: Councilmember Lohman clarified that the amendment shifts funeral leave into personal leave without reducing total leave, aligning with a new state paid family leave policy and a model from the League of Minnesota Cities. Motion to approve carried 7–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • One member of the public, Andrew Thule, spoke during the public comment opportunity on the Bloomington Ferry Road Corridor Vision Study. He expressed support for maximizing green space in the corridor design and questioned whether additional sidewalk/plaza area would increase maintenance costs (plowing).
  • No other public comments were received for any agenda item.

Discussion Items

  • Bloomington Ferry Road Corridor Vision Study (Item 4.1): Staff presented three concepts (A, B, C) for a corridor redesign, all involving a lane reduction from four to two lanes. Public input (47% preferred Concept C) favored a two-way bikeway on one side with a sidewalk on the other. Estimated cost for full reconstruction is $21M; alternatives add $3–6M but reduce long-term maintenance costs. Interim safety improvements (striping, intersection changes) were also recommended. Councilmember Nelson noted three distinct segments of the road and emphasized the need for a plan tied to actual reconstruction timing. Councilmember Dalessandro expressed preference for the lower-cost option (Concept B) but supported the study. Motion to adopt the recommendations (Concept C with future design preserving existing infrastructure and interim improvements) carried 7–0.
  • American Boulevard Transit Study (Item 4.2): Staff summarized a study aiming to establish a bus rapid transit line, improve land use, and enhance pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure. Two potential routes were identified: from Mall of America to Edina via France Avenue, and an extension of Route 4 from Minneapolis to Mall of America. The study recommended land use changes and a future transit-supportive cross section. Councilmember Rivas opposed, arguing the corridor lacks current demand and that studies can be costly without guarantees (citing a previous failed rail study). Councilmember Mua supported having a plan. Motion to adopt carried 6–1, with Councilmember Rivas voting no.
  • Vacation of Public Plaza at MOA Water Park (Item 4.3): This ordinance extends the deadline for the partial vacation of Lindau Lane from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2027, contingent on project financing and construction commencement. Adopted 7–0; summary publication also 7–0.
  • Boards and Commissions Ordinance (Item 4.4): Staff proposed amending City Code to remove references to City Council members serving on certain commissions (sustainability and creative placemaking), based on stakeholder feedback about power imbalances. The changes also reduce the sustainability commission from 11 to 9 members. Councilmember Lohman requested follow-up with the Charter Commission for additional cleanup. Councilmember Mua supported the change, noting that council presence can unduly influence commissions. The ordinance was adopted 5–2 (Councilmembers Rivas and Lohman opposed). Summary publication also passed 5–2.
  • Harrison Park Trailhead & Veterans Memorial Plaza Improvement and Tree Removal (Item 5.1): Staff requested authorization to bid two early contracts for the Nine Mile Creek Corridor project: winter tree removal (by April 15, 2026, due to bat habitat rules) and the Harrison Park Trailhead and Veterans Memorial Plaza (to open by November 11, 2026). The total estimated cost is approximately $1.5M (including $750K for the Veterans Plaza, funded by grants and city funds). Councilmember Mua requested proactive communication about tree removal. Authorized to bid 7–0.
  • Compensation Plan for Non-Union Employees (Item 5.2): Staff presented a revised plan moving from a 6-step system with a discretionary performance range to a 9-step system with 4% increments, replacing the previous 3% steps. The plan includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and step increases tied to anniversary dates. Overall, the new plan is estimated to save the city about $1M compared to continuing the current plan (average effective increase 4% vs. 5%). The plan was incorporated into the approved 6.96% levy. Several councilmembers expressed reservations about automatic step increases but supported the plan as a budgeted item and committed to revisit the structure in early 2026. Motion to adopt carried 7–0.

Key Outcomes

  • Councilmember Saw Mua Farewell: The mayor and councilmembers honored Councilmember Mua, who is leaving the council after one term. He gave a speech thanking residents, staff, and his family.
  • Consent Items: Approved with holds; item 3.11 held for future information.
  • Bloomington Ferry Road Vision Study: Adopted recommendations (Concept C with interim improvements) 7–0.
  • American Boulevard Transit Study: Adopted 6–1.
  • MOA Water Park Plaza Vacation: Ordinance adopted 7–0; summary publication 7–0.
  • Boards and Commissions Ordinance: Adopted 5–2; summary publication 5–2.
  • Harrison Park Trailhead & Veterans Memorial Project: Authorized to bid 7–0.
  • Compensation Plan: Adopted 7–0, with direction to revisit in early 2026.
  • Listening Session: Three residents spoke during the pre-meeting listening session, opposing the compensation plan.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome. I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order. Tonight is Monday, December 22nd, 2025, our last meeting of the year, Council. We uh have a full agenda, and we will begin as we always do. If you're able to, please stand, remove any head coverings and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you to everybody who's joined us here in the chambers this evening, and thanks to everybody watching online. Our first order of business tonight, Council is to adopt tonight's agenda. Uh we have uh a uh uh a moderate agenda. I think we can get out of here at a reasonable hour if we put our minds to it. Uh under item two, under introductory items, I'd like to add a small walk-on item there. Uh consent business, Councilmember Rivas has our consent items, and we have 17 consent items this evening. Under item four, our hearings resolutions and ordinances. We have uh one public comment opportunity and three public hearings. Item 4.1 is a public comment opportunity regarding the Bloomington Ferry Road Corridor Vision Study. Item 4.2 is a hearing regarding the adopt American Boulevard Transit Study. Uh public hearing on item 4.3 is an ordinance to vacate a public plaza at the MOA water park extension and deadline resolution and summary publication. And item 4.4 is a public hearing regarding our boards and commission ordinance. Under item five, our organizational business. Uh item 5.1 is an order and authorization to bid Harrison Park Trailhead and Veterans Memorial Plaza Improvement Project and the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Tree Removal Removal Project. And item 5.2 is a resolution to revise the compensation plan for full-time, part-time seasonal and temporary non-union employees for the city of Bloomington. We'll wrap up as we do with our council policy and issue update. And uh I think I said I I mispronounced item 4.2 is the public hearing regarding the adoption of the American Boulevard Transit Study. I don't know. I I just it felt like I didn't say that correctly, so I wanted to make sure that was clear. Uh that is our agenda for this evening, council. If there's anything to add or any corrections, I'd like to hear them. Otherwise, I will move approval of tonight's agenda. We have a motion and a second by council member Rivas to accept tonight's uh agenda. Hearing no further discussion on this, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries 7-0. Item five point uh excuse me, item two, under introductory items. I said I wanted to walk on on item uh introductory. Um typically we might push this later in the evening, but I decided I wanted to do it earlier this evening because otherwise people tune it out and we we lose track of everybody. This is the last meeting of um Councilmember at large, Councilmember Saw Mua. And um wanted to thank him publicly and congratulate him publicly and call him out for his outstanding work on the Bloomington City Council over the past couple of years. So I have appreciated uh the common sense direction that you have brought to this council. I greatly appreciate your perspective that you bring as a father with 10, 11 kids three. I'm sorry, three. There are three of them. I'm sorry. I lost track. Uh and I I appreciate how uh so often you bring the notion of family into your comments, whether it's your uh your your family, your three kids, or your your uh extended family and your parents and your your family at large because uh it shows more than anything that this is uh this is a data-driven job, this is a policy-driven job, but mostly this job is about people and and how you relate to them and how you make the world better for them and how we do our little part of the world here in the city of Bloomington uh to really support and uh make their lives better. And so I appreciate that that perspective that you always brought and uh the energy that you brought and your good humor, and I've just so enjoyed having you on council. We're gonna miss you.

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