Bloomington City Council Organizational Meeting - January 5, 2026

The Bloomington City Council held its first meeting of 2026 on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included the swearing-in of three council members, proclamations, review of the Planning Commission work plan, and approval of numerous annual appointments to boards, commissions, and external organizations. The meeting also featured a substantive debate over HRA board appointments.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 3.1–3.5) was approved, with item 3.3 held separately. Items 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, and 3.5 were approved 6-0. Item 3.3, the first amendment to an agreement with VEP, was approved on a 4-1-1 vote (Councilmember Rivas opposed, Councilmember Nelson abstaining due to a conflict of interest).

Discussion Items

• Oath of Office and Opening Remarks (Item 2.1): Councilmembers Danielle Robertson (at-large), Dwayne Lohman (District 1), and Shawn Nelson (District 2) were sworn in by Acting City Clerk Matt Brillard. Each offered brief remarks thanking voters and pledging to serve the community. Mayor Bussey welcomed Councilmember Robertson, apologizing for initially referring to her by the wrong name.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation (Item 2.2): Mayor Bussey read a proclamation declaring January 19, 2026, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Bloomington. Arian Williams and Shante Brown of the Bloomington Black Employee Network spoke, urging residents to lead with kindness and participate in healing. They announced a National Day of Racial Healing event on January 20, 2026, hosted locally at the Black Box Theater from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
• New Employee Introduction (Item 2.3): Community Development Director Kim Bergen introduced Jake Lee, new office support specialist in building and inspections, who started December 1, 2025. Lee holds a political science and business law degree from the University of Minnesota and previously worked at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• 2026 Planning Commission Work Plan (Item 2.4): Planning Supervisor Dakota Castendate and Planning Commission Vice Chair Kevin Cunningham presented the work plan, which includes 23 projects totaling 4,065 hours, with 17 led by planning staff. Major focus is the 2050 comprehensive plan update. Councilmember Nelson suggested aligning airport parking and sustainability reviews, and recommended using priority-based budgeting and AI tools. Councilmember Carter inquired about community engagement for the comprehensive plan, which will include a resident advisory committee and launch in summer 2026. Councilmember Lohman requested an update on the equity review of the zoning code; Castendate noted it has been reassigned and will use the APA's Zoning for Equity guide, with findings expected by summer 2026. The work plan was approved 6-0.
• Organizational Appointments (Item 5): The council voted on 17 appointments to various boards, commissions, and advisory bodies. Nearly all passed unanimously (6-0) except for the HRA Board of Commissioners appointment (5-1).
  • 5.11 – HRA Board of Commissioners: Councilmember Rivas and Councilmember Robertson both expressed interest. Rivas noted his seniority and desire for diverse viewpoints; Robertson cited her background in housing. After debate, Councilmember Robertson was appointed 5-1 (Rivas opposed). Rivas voiced concerns about inconsistency in appointment practices and asked for written guidelines. Councilmember Carter explained her vote by citing Rivas's prior votes on the HRA levy and remarks perceived as disrespectful to HRA members. Councilmember Lohman supported Rivas based on seniority but accepted the majority decision.
  • 5.8 – I-35W Solutions Alliance: Councilmember Robertson was appointed as representative and Councilmember Nelson as alternate (6-0).
  • 5.16 – Acting Mayor Appointments: A rotation for 2026–2027 was approved: Councilmember Lohman (Jan–Apr 2026), Nelson (May–Aug 2026), Dalessandro (Sep–Dec 2026), Rivas (Jan–Apr 2027), Carter (May–Aug 2027), Robertson (Sep–Dec 2027).
  • Other appointments included depositories/brokers, bond counsel, external auditor, municipal advisor, Fire Department Relief Association, corridor coalitions, Port Authority, SHAC, Travel and Tourism, and council secretary.
• Council Policy and Issues Update: Councilmember Lohman raised concerns about a potential federal government shutdown at the end of January and asked the city manager to prepare a contingency plan. Councilmember Rivas reiterated his call for written appointment guidelines to ensure consistency and public understanding. A brief exchange between Councilmember Carter and Councilmember Rivas covered disagreements over HRA and VEEP funding, with Carter stating she felt disrespected by Rivas's comments about HRA members.

Key Outcomes

• Councilmembers Robertson, Lohman, and Nelson were sworn in for new terms.
• Proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19, 2026) was adopted.
• Jake Lee was welcomed as new office support specialist.
• The 2026 Planning Commission Work Plan was approved (6-0).
• Consent items 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5 approved (6-0); item 3.3 (VEP amendment) approved 4-1-1 (Rivas opposed, Nelson abstained).
• All 17 organizational appointments were approved, most unanimously. The HRA Board appointment (Councilmember Robertson) passed 5-1.
• Acting mayor rotation for 2026–2027 was set.
• The council directed staff to provide federal shutdown updates and consider written guidelines for future appointments.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.