Bloomington City Council Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Bloomington City Council met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM (CDT) to conduct regular business. The agenda included a presentation of four MRPA Awards of Excellence, a public hearing on a Minnesota Investment Fund application for Seagate Technology, approval of a plat for Southtown Shopping Center, a discussion on wetland mitigation for the Minnesota Valley State Trail Phase 2, and an amendment to the 2016 master redevelopment contract for Mall of America land. The council also heard public comments on several community issues and received updates from the city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimous approvals: The council approved the consent agenda (items 3.1–3.11 and 3.13–3.19) by a 7-0 roll call vote.
• Item 3.12 – Olive Isle Edition preliminary and final plat: Councilmember Nelson held this item for two meetings to review code compliance. After discussion, the council approved the plat (7-0) with conditions attached to the staff report. Councilmember Nelson stated the proposal meets city code and obligations, though some provisions are quirky. Councilmember Dalessandro encouraged staff to revisit code if patterns emerge.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nine Mile Creek restoration process (prior to council policy update): Connie Roth, Mark Mercer, and Erica McMullen spoke in opposition to the restoration plan. Matthew Hallett spoke in favor of it. The mayor noted that a public comment opportunity may be offered at the August 3 meeting.
• Olive Isle addition: Mark Hansen and Keith (Kevin) Johnson spoke regarding the item that was later approved.
• Smith Park Shared Use Agreement: Sally Ness spoke on this topic.

Discussion Items

• Item 2.1 – MRPA Awards of Excellence Presentation: Mitchell Cheek (City of Shorewood, MRPA Awards Committee) presented four awards to Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department: 1) Administrative/Management category for data-driven park maintenance and operations plan; 2) Park/Facility category for Logan Lodge Interim Senior Activity Center (temporary senior programming after Creekside closure); 3) Programming/Events category for the Bloomington Indigenous Art Fair (featuring over 40 indigenous artists); 4) Volunteer Initiatives category for Dred Scott Field Improvement Kickoff (with Toro Company support). Council members praised the breadth of achievements. The awards are peer-nominated or self-nominated.
• Item 4.1 – Public Hearing on Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Application for Seagate Technology: Alan Thorpe (Port Authority) presented. Seagate, a mass capacity data storage company, is evaluating Bloomington and two other sites. The city would act as fiduciary for a state MIF loan (0% interest) to support expansion. Councilmember Carter clarified Seagate manufactures storage technology, not a data center. Councilmember Dalessandro questioned why Seagate needs free money given its stock price and profit margins, and expressed skepticism about job creation value. Mayor Busse explained the MIF evolved from the Minnesota Forward Fund (matching CHIPS Act) to retain tech companies. Councilmember Rivas asked about Seagate’s competitiveness moving overseas; the mayor noted Seagate’s headquarters are in Northern Ireland and the loan is leverage. Councilmember Lowman supported job retention. The resolution passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dalessandro abstained).
• Item 4.2 – Southtown Shopping Center Fifth Edition Plat (Reconsidered): Julie Long (City Engineer) explained the plat was previously approved in September 2024 but expired; the applicant (Kraus-Anderson) resubmitted. The first vote passed 7-0, but Councilmember Vandershah (city attorney) noted a public hearing was required but not listed. The council voted 7-0 to reconsider, held a brief public hearing (no speakers), then re-approved the plat 7-0.
• Item 5.1 – Minnesota Valley State Trail Phase 2 Wetland Discussion: Jack Distel (city staff) and Alex Yellick (DNR consultant) presented the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) replacement plan. The DNR proposes a 2.23-mile trail segment with a bridge over Nine Mile Creek, impacting 0.2 acres of floodplain forest permanently plus 128 sq ft temporary impact. The city will seek council action on August 3, pending DNR take permits for protected species (northern long-eared bat, cricket frog). Mitigation would be through purchase of 0.4 acres of wetland credits in the same watershed (2:1 ratio). Council question topics: boardwalk alternative (rejected due to floodplain and maintenance vehicle requirements), use of native seed mixes, and concern about cricket frog take. Councilmember Nelson also questioned the need for vehicular capacity on the bridge and asked about trail access through private property. The item will return for a decision on August 3 or later.
• Item 5.2 – Second Amendment to 2016 Master Redevelopment Contract for MOA Land: Kevin Knuth (Port Authority) presented a two-year extension due to COVID-19 delays. The contract governs financial assistance for redevelopment north of Mall of America. The extension adjusts performance periods from 10/20 years to 12/22 years, reduces the required valuation at the first milestone from $500M to $400M, increases the second milestone from $500M to $800M (total $1.2B remains). The council approved the resolution 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: 7-0 on consent agenda (except 3.12), Olive Isle plat, Southtown plat (after reconsideration), and MOA contract amendment.
• Abstention: Councilmember Dalessandro abstained on Seagate MIF resolution, which passed 6-0.
• Directives: The Minnesota Valley State Trail wetland replacement plan will be brought back for council decision on August 3 (or later) after receipt of state take permits. A public comment opportunity may be scheduled for Nine Mile Creek restoration.
• City manager updates: The Port Authority’s small business loan program (Operation Metro Surge) supported 25 businesses with $180,000 total. The Bloomington Remembers Veterans dog tag sale closes August 1. The Communications department won five Northern Lights Awards. The July 27 council meeting is canceled; next meeting is August 3.