OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026

City Council — Monday, January 26, 2026
BodyBloomington, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, January 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:14

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

1:16

I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order.

1:20

It is Monday, January 26, 2026.

1:23

Thank you everybody for joining us here in the council chambers.

1:25

Thanks to everybody watching online.

1:27

We will begin our meeting as we always do.

1:28

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

1:36

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

1:40

And to the Republic.

1:53

Once again, welcome and thank you for joining us tonight.

1:57

Top of the agenda tonight, Council is uh to approve the agenda.

2:01

And we got a busy one again this evening.

2:04

Uh under introductory items, we have a couple of items.

2:07

Item 2.1, an introduction of new employees.

2:10

And item two point two, we're going to hear the 2025 annual report and the 2026 work plan for the Bloomington Human Rights Commission.

2:18

Moving on to our consent business item three, Councilmember Robertson has consent this evening, and we have 16 items on our consent agenda.

2:25

Under item four hearings resolutions and ordinances, we have three items.

2:29

Uh first is a public hearing uh for a resolution, uh, the host approval and issuance by the city of Hampton, Minnesota, and its revenue note, and uh Lori Economy Schouler will explain that to us uh in in more detail as we get to that.

2:42

And item 4.2, it's a resolution declaring intent to reimburse certain expenditures for the utility system improvements from proceeds of bonds to be issued by the city.

2:51

And item four is uh four point three is a public hearing regarding the third alcohol license violation involving minors at Beni Haha.

2:59

Uh item five, organizational business.

3:01

Uh, we've got item five point one to order and authorize to bid the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project and the Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Management Plan Renewal Project.

3:10

And then Council, under item five, I'd like to uh uh walk on a couple of items.

3:14

I think you've all been informed of this.

3:16

We've got a couple that we will be talking about.

3:18

The first will be item five point two, uh discussion on the local affordable housing aid.

3:23

And we're uh we're hearing a proposal to use that for emergency rental assistance here in the city of Bloomington.

3:29

So that will be item five point two.

3:31

And item five point three uh is a resolution to close the public meeting of the city council and go into closed session, basically to uh to discuss uh some proposed litigation that the city may or may not be part of.

3:42

So that will be item five point three.

3:44

And we'll wrap up as we always do with our city council policy and issues update.

3:49

Again, as I said, a busy evening for us this evening, council.

3:52

Uh, any corrections or additions to the to the agenda?

3:56

If not, I would move tonight's agenda as stated.

3:59

Second.

4:00

Motion and second by councilmember Carter to accept tonight's agenda as stated.

4:03

No further council discussion on this.

4:04

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

4:06

Aye, opposed.

4:08

Motion carries seven zero, and we have an agenda.

4:10

And let's get into it.

4:12

Item two point one is the introduction of new employees.

4:14

Uh, I think we've got a couple, and why don't we start with Amy Cheney, our uh our chief information officer, gonna be doing an introduction for us.

4:26

Good evening.

4:27

Good evening, Mayor, Council.

4:29

Tonight is my pleasure to introduce Carl Soans.

4:32

Carl joined us as a GIS specialist in November of 2025.

4:37

He assists with creating and maintaining spatial data, building web maps for staff and residents, and supporting staff in their use of GIS software.

4:47

In Carl's short time here, he has assisted with building a community resource map that will connect residents to valuable services within the city, such as food and housing support.

5:00

He has also built a custom tool for staff to fulfill data requests more efficiently.

5:04

Prior to Carl joining us at the city, he worked for the Minnesota IT services, providing GIS support to the Department of Health as a GIS developer.

5:14

And prior to that, he interned at uh Hennepin County for two years while attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota.

5:22

Carl also served six years in the Minnesota Army National Guard as a human resources sergeant and plays guitar in a local cover band called Cactus Hat.

5:34

Carl, would you like to say anything?

5:36

Good evening, Carl.

5:37

Welcome.

5:37

Thank you.

5:38

Pleasure to be here.

5:40

Yeah, very excited about the work I've been getting involved in and very excited to uh yeah continue uh contributing to the city.

5:48

We're very happy to have you here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████14%
Affordable Housing█████████████13%
Legal Affairs████████████12%
Cannabis Regulation███████████11%
Public Safety████████8%
Racial Equity███████7%
Urban Forestry Management██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the council chambers. The meeting included introductions of new employees, the 2025 annual report and 2026 work plan of the Human Rights Commission, a consent agenda with 16 items, public hearings on a revenue note, bond reimbursement, and a third alcohol license violation at Benihana, organizational business authorizing the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project, and two walk-on items: allocation of $350,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) for emergency rental assistance and a closed session on potential litigation. The council also reviewed a listening session on immigration enforcement concerns and discussed support for small businesses.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved consent business items 3.1 through 3.11 and 3.13 through 3.16 (15 items) unanimously. Item 3.12 (Axon Enterprise records management system contract) was held for discussion and later approved 7-0 after clarification that the $3 million over three years covers both body cameras and a new records management system, not an increase in existing costs.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • During the pre-meeting listening session (5:45 PM), over 60 residents attended. Speakers including Jamie Wagner, Michelle Abbott, Cody Wright, Douglas Moody, and Constance Ricci expressed concerns about federal ICE enforcement and urged the city to take action to protect immigrant communities. Pam Palmer requested revisiting commercial vehicle parking enforcement on city streets.
  • During the public hearing on the Benihana liquor license violation, Alex Tabolski, general counsel for The One Group (parent company), argued that the license holder should be defined as the ultimate parent company, which changed when The One Group acquired Benihana in May 2024. He presented evidence of retraining and policy changes, and requested a reduced penalty (one-day suspension instead of five-day) by not counting the 2023 violation. Councilmembers questioned the legal interpretation and noted the corporation remained the same entity.

Discussion Items

  • New Employee Introductions: Amy Cheney (CIO) introduced GIS Specialist Carl Soans, who joined in November 2025 and has built a community resource map. Recreation Manager Anthony DeBella introduced Recreation Supervisor Katie Bolverhaus, a Bloomington native and Concordia graduate, who will oversee facility reservations and youth athletic associations.
  • Human Rights Commission Annual Report: Chair Anita Smithson presented the 2025 annual report and 2026 work plan. Highlights included a disability employment awareness event with 75 attendees, seven proclamations, a 96/100 municipal equality index score, and co-hosting an Indigenous Film Fest series in 2026. The commission was realigned from community outreach to the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Workplace Culture. The 2026 work plan was approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing – Benihana Third Alcohol Violation: Deputy City Attorney Peter Zuniga presented the case. Benihana Bloomington Corporation failed compliance checks on Sept 12, 2023, Aug 6, 2024, and Aug 11, 2025. Council heard arguments from Alex Tabolski, who sought to define "license holder" as the parent company to avoid the third violation penalty. Councilmembers noted the same corporate entity held the license throughout. After discussion, the council voted 7-0 to impose the $2,000 penalty and five-day suspension as per city code.
  • Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project: Parks staff presented the $25.6 million project funded by $20 million from Local Option Sales Tax, plus park trail funds, stormwater utility funds, and a $1 million contribution from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. The project includes trail paving, bridge replacements, bank stabilization, a remeander of the creek, invasive species management, and a new picnic shelter at Moyer Park. Construction is expected through fall 2027. Councilmember Nelson expressed concerns about the building shelter costs and requested further review of the Romtech contract. The project was ordered to bid 7-0.
  • LAHA Emergency Rental Assistance: HRA Administrator Sarah Abe presented a walk-on request to allocate $350,000 from Local Affordable Housing Aid for emergency rental assistance, with $50,000 immediately to VEAP. Data showed 243 calls to VEAP in January, with 66 from Bloomington; statewide 211 calls for rent assistance tripled in mid-January; Homeline saw a 72% increase in requests. After debate about evidence of need, the allocation was approved 6-0 (Councilmember Carter recused due to VEAP board membership).
  • Closed Session: The council voted 7-0 to close the meeting to discuss potential litigation. After returning to open session, they voted 6-1 (Rivas opposed) to take actions consistent with the closed session discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the 2026 Human Rights Commission Work Plan (7-0).
  • Approved consent agenda with exception of 3.12 (7-0). Item 3.12 (Axon contract) approved separately (7-0).
  • Approved resolution for host approval and consent to City of Hampton revenue note for Fraser Child and Family Center project (7-0).
  • Approved resolution declaring intent to reimburse utility system improvements from bond proceeds (7-0).
  • Imposed $2,000 penalty and 5-day suspension on Benihana Bloomington Corporation for third alcohol license violation (7-0).
  • Ordered to bid Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project and Lower Valley Management Plan Renewal Project (7-0).
  • Approved allocation of up to $350,000 in LAHA funds for emergency rental assistance, with $50,000 immediate to VEAP (6-0).
  • Approved closed session resolution and subsequent actions on potential litigation (closed session 7-0; action 6-1).
  • Scheduled an extended listening session on immigration enforcement for February 2, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM.
  • Directed staff to explore ways to support local small businesses affected by immigration enforcement impacts.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome. I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order. It is Monday, January 26, 2026. Thank you everybody for joining us here in the council chambers. Thanks to everybody watching online. We will begin our meeting as we always do. If you're able, please stand and remove any head covering and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic. Once again, welcome and thank you for joining us tonight. Top of the agenda tonight, Council is uh to approve the agenda. And we got a busy one again this evening. Uh under introductory items, we have a couple of items. Item 2.1, an introduction of new employees. And item two point two, we're going to hear the 2025 annual report and the 2026 work plan for the Bloomington Human Rights Commission. Moving on to our consent business item three, Councilmember Robertson has consent this evening, and we have 16 items on our consent agenda. Under item four hearings resolutions and ordinances, we have three items. Uh first is a public hearing uh for a resolution, uh, the host approval and issuance by the city of Hampton, Minnesota, and its revenue note, and uh Lori Economy Schouler will explain that to us uh in in more detail as we get to that. And item 4.2, it's a resolution declaring intent to reimburse certain expenditures for the utility system improvements from proceeds of bonds to be issued by the city. And item four is uh four point three is a public hearing regarding the third alcohol license violation involving minors at Beni Haha. Uh item five, organizational business. Uh, we've got item five point one to order and authorize to bid the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project and the Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Management Plan Renewal Project. And then Council, under item five, I'd like to uh uh walk on a couple of items. I think you've all been informed of this. We've got a couple that we will be talking about. The first will be item five point two, uh discussion on the local affordable housing aid. And we're uh we're hearing a proposal to use that for emergency rental assistance here in the city of Bloomington. So that will be item five point two. And item five point three uh is a resolution to close the public meeting of the city council and go into closed session, basically to uh to discuss uh some proposed litigation that the city may or may not be part of. So that will be item five point three. And we'll wrap up as we always do with our city council policy and issues update. Again, as I said, a busy evening for us this evening, council. Uh, any corrections or additions to the to the agenda? If not, I would move tonight's agenda as stated. Second. Motion and second by councilmember Carter to accept tonight's agenda as stated. No further council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye, opposed. Motion carries seven zero, and we have an agenda. And let's get into it. Item two point one is the introduction of new employees. Uh, I think we've got a couple, and why don't we start with Amy Cheney, our uh our chief information officer, gonna be doing an introduction for us. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor, Council. Tonight is my pleasure to introduce Carl Soans. Carl joined us as a GIS specialist in November of 2025. He assists with creating and maintaining spatial data, building web maps for staff and residents, and supporting staff in their use of GIS software. In Carl's short time here, he has assisted with building a community resource map that will connect residents to valuable services within the city, such as food and housing support. He has also built a custom tool for staff to fulfill data requests more efficiently.

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