Bloomington City Council Meeting – April 27, 2026

Mayor Tim Bussey called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM on Monday, April 27, 2026. The council adopted the agenda 7-0 and proceeded through a full evening including proclamations, new employee introductions, the Bloomington Leadership Program recap, three public hearings, and organizational business items on charitable gambling, the 2026 property assessment, and charter commission recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 16 consent items (3.1 through 3.16) unanimously (7-0). Councilmember Loman highlighted two items: acceptance of grant funding for home visiting services (Supporting Families through Home Visiting, item 3.9) and local approval of state legislation allowing alcohol service at De Witt Golf Course (item 3.15).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Savig spoke during the public hearing on the supplemental missing middle housing ordinance. He asked for clarification on how recent zoning changes could affect single‑family neighborhoods without property owner consent. Staff agreed to discuss the matter with him after the hearing.
• During the council’s listening session prior to the meeting, Timothy Angstrom (gambling manager for American Legion Post 550 and communications director for the American Legion Department of Minnesota) offered comments on charitable gambling regulation. He was encouraged to participate in the future public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation for Drinking Water Week (May 3–9, 2026): The mayor presented the proclamation; city staff expressed pride in Bloomington’s drinking water quality.
• Introduction of New Employees: City Clerk Jamie Hanson introduced Wayne Barnhart (Lead Licensing Specialist); Community Development Director Kim Bergum introduced Bryce Turney (Program Specialist, HRA) and Raquel Diaz (Environmental Health Specialist).
• Bloomington Leadership Program Recap: Three graduates (Nikoya Ingram, Maddie Johnson, Danny Indivino‑Collie) described their experiences. The 2026 cohort had 17 residents, meeting 10 times over 8 weeks. The program has graduated approximately 140+ residents over eight years.
• Public Hearing 4.1 – Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance Repeal: Staff recommended deleting the local ESST chapter because state law now covers the issue and the dual system creates burdens. Council heard no public testimony. Councilmember Dalessandro expressed concern about losing local protections if state law changes, but city attorney Melissa Mandershine noted any future ordinance would need substantial revisions anyway. The council voted 7‑0 to adopt the repeal and summary publication.
• Public Hearing 4.2 – Supplemental Missing Middle Housing Ordinance: Staff explained that this ordinance adds five new housing types (three‑family dwellings, fourplexes, detached townhouses, cottage courts, multiplexes) into the Opportunity Housing Ordinance (OHO) and rental licensing requirements. Council heard one public question. Councilmember Nelson and Dalessandro voiced support and interest in incentivizing owner‑occupied units. The ordinance passed 7‑0, and summary publication was approved 7‑0.
• Public Hearing 4.3 – Amendment to Fee Schedule (Appendix A): Deputy City Clerk Briller presented a 6% across‑the‑board adjustment for most business licenses, with larger increases for off‑sale liquor, tobacco, and gas station licenses to align with peer cities. Building and planning fees were also increased for the first time since 2017. No public testimony. Council supported the changes and requested regular updates every two years. The ordinance passed 7‑0, and summary publication was approved 7‑0.
• Organizational Business 5.1 – Charitable Gambling Discussion: City Clerk Jamie Hanson reviewed current regulations, comparative data from the ten largest Minnesota cities, and potential code changes. Staff recommended additional reporting requirements, a compliance revocation process, and establishing a 10% city‑administered fund (estimated $195,000 annually from 2025 profits) to support the animal shelter. Council members expressed mixed views: Councilmember Dalessandro preferred voluntary contributions over a mandatory fee, Councilmember Loman wanted funds tied to administrative costs or gambling‑addiction education, and Councilmember Nelson supported covering costs but not using gambling revenue for other purposes. No action was taken; the item will return for a public hearing.
• Organizational Business 5.2 – 2026 Assessment Report: City Assessor Tim Bulger presented the annual report. Key data: total city value $18 billion; median single‑family home value $376,000 (up 2.9% year‑over‑year); condos declined 4.2% due to HOA and insurance costs; commercial/industrial flat; apartment values stable. He noted a slight tax shift to residential properties. Council asked about the proportion of unimproved land and rental vs. owner‑occupied homes under $250,000.
• Organizational Business 5.3 – Charter Commission Recommendations: City Attorney Mandershine outlined the process. The Charter Commission recommended five amendments to clarify sample petition language (Chapter 5) and bonding, budget adoption date, and disbursement procedures (Chapter 7). The council unanimously (7‑0) acknowledged receipt of the resolutions and set a public hearing for June 1, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Votes taken (all 7‑0):
  • Adoption of the agenda.
  • Consent calendar approval.
  • Ordinance repealing the local Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance (ESST).
  • Ordinance adopting the supplemental missing middle housing regulations.
  • Ordinance amending the fee schedule (Appendix A).
  • Resolution to set public hearing for Charter Commission recommendations (June 1, 2026).
• No vote on charitable gambling: The council will continue discussions and schedule a public hearing.
• Next steps for fee schedule: Staff committed to reviewing fees at least every two years to avoid large increases.
• Charter amendments: The council must act by July 1, 2026, and a unanimous 7‑0 vote will be required for adoption.