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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - March 2, 2026

City Council — Monday, March 2, 2026

BodyBloomington, Minnesota

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, March 2, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:47:44

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:15

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

1:17

I will call our Bloomington City Council meeting to order.

1:19

Tonight is Monday, March 2nd, 2026.

1:22

Thanks to everyone who is joining us here in the council chambers.

1:24

Thanks to everyone who is watching online.

1:26

We greatly appreciate it.

1:27

We will start our meeting as we always do.

1:29

If you are able, if you could please stand, remove your head coverings and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:37

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:44

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:56

Once again, good evening and welcome to all.

1:58

Thanks for being with us tonight.

1:59

Council, thanks for being here.

2:10

And then I got a cold.

2:12

And so if my voice starts to go, I apologize.

2:14

I'll do my best to get through this meeting.

2:17

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

2:21

And uh it's a it's a full agenda, one I think we can get through.

2:25

Under introductory items, we have three items.

2:27

Uh item 2.1, we have a couple of tra uh proclamations.

2:30

Item 2.1 is a proclamation for transgender day of visibility.

2:34

Item 2.2 is a proclamation for women's history month, and we'll be doing those.

2:38

Item 2.3, we're going to get a community impact update from VEEP.

2:42

Uh Kerry Thompson, the CEO and president, is here to fill us in about the outstanding work that VEEP is doing in our community and uh the very important work right now that VEEP is doing in our community.

2:52

Our consent business includes 16 items this evening, and council member Rivas has our consent agenda tonight.

2:58

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

3:01

One that was added uh a bit later in the process.

3:04

Uh, item 4.1 is a public hearing.

3:07

That's a resolution for host approval for issuance of revenue bonds by the Iowa Finance Authority to Life Space Communities Inc., which is uh Bloomington Friendship Village and Lori Economy Shoulder, our chief uh our our money person is going to explain all that to us once again.

3:22

Item 4.2 is the second public hearing of the evening.

3:24

Uh, this is regarding the American Square TIFF plan amendment.

3:27

And item 4.3 is the one that uh was added a bit late in the process.

3:31

That is a resolution resolution reaffirming the need for local community stability in response to operation Metro Serve and related activities.

3:39

Item five is our organizational business where we'll do council policy issues and updates, and uh we'll get our work done and we will adjourn.

3:46

Council, are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda?

3:53

Hearing none, I would move the agenda as stated.

3:57

Second.

3:57

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

4:01

No further council discussion on this.

4:03

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

4:05

Aye.

4:05

Opposed.

4:06

Motion carries seven zero, and we have an agenda.

4:09

And first off on our agenda is the first of our proclamations, and I'm gonna head down to the podium and I'm gonna bring my water with me.

5:01

So that's great, everybody come on up.

5:16

Proclamation, Transgender Day of Visibility, which is T D O V March 2nd, 2026.

5:22

Whereas Transgender Day of Visibility is observed annually on March 31st and was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall Crocker to honor the lives and contributions of transgender people while raising awareness of the discrimination they continue to face.

5:38

And whereas transgender and gender diverse individuals have been vital to the so to the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Bloomington, contributing to our community's diversity and strength.

5:49

And whereas the city of Bloomington is committed to supporting an inclusive and equitable environment where all people, regardless of gender identity or expression, are valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

6:01

And whereas it is our duty as a city and as a community to promote awareness, equality, and support for transgender individuals, and to stand against discrimination, violence, and misunderstanding.

6:14

And whereas TDOV is a day to celebrate the courage it takes to live openly and authentically, and to affirm the dignity, rights, and humanity of transgender individuals in our community and beyond.

6:27

And whereas we recognize the importance in combating stigma, promoting understanding, and advancing justice for transgender individuals of all ages, races, and backgrounds.

6:38

Now, therefore, I mayor Tim Busy do hereby proclaim March 31st as Transgender Day of Visibility and urge all residents to celebrate and honor the transgender community, to educate ourselves and others, and to foster a community where everyone can live openly and authentically.

7:05

It's always a timely issue, and it's one that uh I'm proud that Bloomington is is able to do, and uh that we have so many folks standing in behind in support of all of this.

7:15

Um I'm gonna turn the microphone over now to Evelyn and Jessica to offer a few remarks.

7:24

Thank you, Mayor.

7:26

I'm Evelyn Jacobson, a 30-plus-year resident of Bloomington.

7:31

Thoughts on Transgender Day of Visibility.

7:35

This year, Transgender Day of Visibility marks my fifth year of being in medical transition.

7:43

2026 is 10 years since my official diagnosis with gender dysphoria.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement██████████████████18%

Affordable Housing██████████████████18%

Procedural█████████████████17%

Community Engagement██████████████14%

Racial Equity██████6%

Public Health Awareness█████5%

Arts And Culture█████5%

Public Safety████4%

Zoning Regulations████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Bloomington City Council Meeting - March 2, 2026

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included proclamations, a community impact update from VEEP, consent business, three public hearings, and organizational business. Key actions included approving a resolution reaffirming local stability in response to Operation Metro Surge, expanding a TIF district for affordable senior housing, and allocating early grant funds to arts organizations.

Consent Calendar

Items 3.1 through 3.15 were approved unanimously (7-0).
Item 3.16 (Arts Organization grants) was held for discussion and approved as amended (7-0). The amendment added reporting requirements for prior extraordinary funding and directed staff to expedite grants to all arts organizations, not just Artistry.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing 4.1 (Revenue Bonds): David Gross Crossworth (Dorsey & Whitney, representing Lifespace) stated he had nothing to add but was available for questions.
Public Hearing 4.2 (American Square TIF Amendment): Matthew Hallett raised concerns about TIF inefficiency, referencing the Mall of America water park situation, and asked for clarification on how unspent TIF funds would be returned to jurisdictions.
Listening Session (Item 5): Five residents spoke:
- Sarah Shepard expressed concern about the city's emergency shelter-in-place notification process, citing a recent incident with Bloomington police assisting Ramsey County that lacked wide dissemination.
- David Freeman, Matthew Hallett, Elise Baldorama, and Paul Coate spoke about Operation Metro Surge, addressing the federal immigration enforcement presence, its impact on residents, and questions about the city's response.

Discussion Items

Proclamations: The council proclaimed March 31, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility and March 2026 as Women's History Month. Evelyn Jacobson (30+ year resident) and Jessica Thornton (Human Rights Commission Chair) spoke on transgender visibility. Bernadette Gillespie (first woman building official) highlighted Women's History Month events.
VEEP Community Impact Update: Carrie Thompson (President/CEO) reported that VEEP serves 300,000 people annually, with a 47% Latino clientele (161% increase since 2019) and a 140% surge in food demand over three years. In 2025, VEEP served 33,639 Bloomington households (122,000 individuals). The city has allocated $350,000 in food and rent assistance, along with an additional $75,000 for rent assistance. VEEP also received $400,000 from the Port Authority for small business assistance. The city manager noted nearly $1 million in total allocations across food, rent, and small business aid.
Item 3.16 (Arts Organization Grants): Councilmember Nelson held the item, requesting accountability for prior extraordinary funding. Councilmember Carter and Councilmember Loman urged equal treatment for all arts organizations and long-term sustainability. Staff agreed to include reporting requirements and expedite funding for all groups.
Public Hearing 4.1 (Revenue Bonds): The council approved a resolution allowing Lifespace Communities Inc. (Bloomington Friendship Village) to use $15 million in revenue bonds from the Iowa Finance Authority. No financial obligation to the city.
Public Hearing 4.2 (American Square TIF Amendment): The council approved expanding TIF District 1-K to include two parcels for converting the Riverview office tower into 75 senior housing units at 60% AMI. The amendment does not commit city funds; further negotiations on subsidy will return to council. The TIF plan budget remains at $23 million.
Public Hearing 4.3 (Resolution on Operation Metro Surge): The council adopted a resolution reaffirming the city's commitment to community stability, constitutional rights, and transparent public safety. It calls for state-level support opposing a federal detention center and federal immigration law reforms. The resolution does not change local police practices or create a sanctuary city ordinance. Councilmember Carter requested a moratorium on detention centers; staff will research and report by end of March.

Key Outcomes

Proclamations: Adopted for Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) and Women's History Month (March 2026).
VEEP Update: Received with appreciation; staff will continue tracking financial impacts.
Consent Item 3.16: Approved with amendments to require reporting on prior extraordinary funding and to expedite grants to all arts organizations (7-0).
Public Hearing 4.1: Resolution approving revenue bonds approved (7-0).
Public Hearing 4.2: Resolution modifying TIF plan for American Square District approved (7-0).
Public Hearing 4.3: Resolution reaffirming local community stability approved (7-0).
Organizational Business:
- Mayor to investigate emergency notification improvements.
- Staff to research restaurant minimum seating capacity (50 seats) requirement.
- Staff to prepare for potential increases in voter registration and passport requests due to federal policy changes.
- State of the City address scheduled for March 12, 2026, will be live-streamed.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome. I will call our Bloomington City Council meeting to order. Tonight is Monday, March 2nd, 2026. Thanks to everyone who is joining us here in the council chambers. Thanks to everyone who is watching online. We greatly appreciate it. We will start our meeting as we always do. If you are able, if you could please stand, remove your 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. Once again, good evening and welcome to all. Thanks for being with us tonight. Council, thanks for being here. And then I got a cold. And so if my voice starts to go, I apologize. I'll do my best to get through this meeting. Our first order of business tonight, Council, is to adopt tonight's agenda. And uh it's a it's a full agenda, one I think we can get through. Under introductory items, we have three items. Uh item 2.1, we have a couple of tra uh proclamations. Item 2.1 is a proclamation for transgender day of visibility. Item 2.2 is a proclamation for women's history month, and we'll be doing those. Item 2.3, we're going to get a community impact update from VEEP. Uh Kerry Thompson, the CEO and president, is here to fill us in about the outstanding work that VEEP is doing in our community and uh the very important work right now that VEEP is doing in our community. Our consent business includes 16 items this evening, and council member Rivas has our consent agenda tonight. Under item four, our hearings resolutions and ordinances, we have three items. One that was added uh a bit later in the process. Uh, item 4.1 is a public hearing. That's a resolution for host approval for issuance of revenue bonds by the Iowa Finance Authority to Life Space Communities Inc., which is uh Bloomington Friendship Village and Lori Economy Shoulder, our chief uh our our money person is going to explain all that to us once again. Item 4.2 is the second public hearing of the evening. Uh, this is regarding the American Square TIFF plan amendment. And item 4.3 is the one that uh was added a bit late in the process. That is a resolution resolution reaffirming the need for local community stability in response to operation Metro Serve and related activities. Item five is our organizational business where we'll do council policy issues and updates, and uh we'll get our work done and we will adjourn. Council, are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda? Hearing none, I would move the agenda as stated. Second. Motion and a 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 first off on our agenda is the first of our proclamations, and I'm gonna head down to the podium and I'm gonna bring my water with me. So that's great, everybody come on up. Proclamation, Transgender Day of Visibility, which is T D O V March 2nd, 2026. Whereas Transgender Day of Visibility is observed annually on March 31st and was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall Crocker to honor the lives and contributions of transgender people while raising awareness of the discrimination they continue to face. And whereas transgender and gender diverse individuals have been vital to the so to the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Bloomington, contributing to our community's diversity and strength. And whereas the city of Bloomington is committed to supporting an inclusive and equitable environment where all people, regardless of gender identity or expression, are valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. And whereas it is our duty as a city and as a community to promote awareness, equality, and support for transgender individuals, and to stand against discrimination, violence, and misunderstanding.

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