The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Black History Month, appointments to multiple boards and commissions, a presentation of the 2026 Creative Placemaking Work Plan, consent business, two public hearings (a 180-unit affordable housing development on Lyndale Avenue and the Missing Middle Housing Phase Two ordinance), and proposed fee increases for community development services. All votes were 6-0 unless otherwise noted.
Good evening, everyone, and welcome. I will call this Bloomington City Council meeting to order. Tonight is Monday, February 23rd. Thank you all for joining us here in the council chambers, and thanks to everybody watching online. We will begin our council meeting as we always do. If you are able, 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. Once again, welcome. Council, thanks for being here tonight. Our last meeting in February of this year. Thanks to everybody who is here. Items two point two through two point seven. We're going to be making appointments. Two point two is appointments to our advisory board of health, two point three, creative placemaking commission, two point four human rights commission, two point five Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, two point six sustainability commission, and two point seven Bloomington Creative Placemaking Commission. Under item four, our hearings resolutions and ordinances. Dalessandrous? Aye. Nelson, Robertson, aye, Carter. Aye, Mayor Bussi. Aye. Motion carries 6-0, and we have an agenda for this evening. And our first item on that agenda is a proclamation for Black History Month, and I am gonna head down to the Dais and make this presentation. But I'm gonna take my computer with me because I don't think I have the proclamation. Do you have the proclamation is there? Very good. Thank you. Please do, yes. Everybody can get inside in behind if you'd like to uh join me up here this evening. The cameras with the uh the one with the red light on. Now neither of them has red light on. There's the camera, so make sure you can see the camera. This is a proclamation for Black History Month, February 2026. Whereas Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915, initiated Negro History Week in 1926 as a way of highlighting the involvement and accomplishments of black Americans in the development of our nation's democracy. And whereas, as part of the national the nation's bicentennial, Negro History Week was expanded to Black History Month in 1976. And whereas during Black History Month, we acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by Black Americans to our nation's economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development. And whereas observing Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Black History as American history in the United States and to acknowledge the centuries of struggles for equality and freedom as well as the achievements and successes. And whereas in 2021, to celebrate Black History Month, the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging introduced Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers, a profile series featuring local black leaders who are working to advance civil rights and remove barriers to equity. And whereas in this annual profile series, the city honors pioneers who have done much, so much to chart the path to where we are today and change makers who are paving the way for future generations. And whereas each year we will continue to highlight and honor dedicated black leaders in the city of Bloomington. Now, therefore, I, Mayor Tim Bussi, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Bloomington, dated this 23rd day of February 2026. I want to thank you all for joining me here this evening. Thank you for standing up here with me and being recognized for Black History Month. I'd like to introduce now Catherine Murray. She is a creative placemaking specialist in community development, a member of the Bloomington Black Employee Network, and she's gonna offer some remarks. Please thank you. Good evening, Mayor Bussy, Council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak and accept this proclamation marking the hundred years of Black History Month commemorations. As I prepare today, I reflected on how we reached a moment when voices that speak truth are stifled, and stories that speak justice and truth are banned.