Bloomington City Council Meeting – September 28, 2026

The Bloomington City Council met on September 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM, with Acting Mayor Lona Dalessandro presiding due to the absence of Councilmember Loman and Mayor Tim Bussey. The meeting covered proclamations, new employee introductions, consent business, four public hearings, an informational presentation on a geothermal pilot, and council policy updates. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approval: Motion by Councilmember Carter, second by Councilmember Robertson. Approved 5-0.
• Consent business (items 3.2–3.13): Approved 5-0 without discussion.
• Donations (item 3.1): Councilmember Carter held this item to acknowledge community partners. Donations included: American Legion Post 550 (five dog tags for memorial), anonymous donations to BPD (office supplies, snacks, youth leadership lunch, wellness program), Bloomington Community Foundation ($10,000 for wellness summit), and additional donations for public health (Narcan, baby blankets, newborn bundles). Councilmember Carter thanked donors and moved to approve; second by Councilmember Robertson. Approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation: Martha Mendiola Rios and Juan Cerezo Cortez (30-year Bloomington residents) accepted the proclamation, expressing gratitude for the city’s recognition of Hispanic/Latino culture and for making Bloomington a safe, welcoming home.
• Listening Session (recap): Acting Mayor Dalessandro summarized four speakers from the evening’s listening session:
  • Brian Emerson and Elizabeth Carbone: Expressed concerns about construction of the Community Health and Wellness Center.
  • Sally Ness: Spoke again about the Smith Park Shared Agreement.
  • Matthew Hallett: Advocated for policies to support food growing, reducing sod, and sustainable residential practices.
  • Deb Harper: Raised concerns about the notice of corrections process for residential code violations.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month: The council observed September 15 – October 15, 2026 as Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Acting Mayor Dalessandro read the proclamation highlighting that 11.2% of Bloomington residents identify as Hispanic/Latino, and the contributions of the community and the city’s employee resource group OLA.
• New Employee Introductions:
  • Scott Frost – Civil Engineer, Utilities Division (public works). Grew up in Bloomington, graduate of Jefferson High School, brings experience from Met Council, White Bear Township, and St. Paul Regional Water.
  • Dr. Jen Fuller – Sustainability Coordinator. Holds a PhD in environmental social science from Arizona State University, 20 years’ experience in environmental education and policy, will lead the city’s climate action plan implementation.
• Public Hearing 4.1 – Street Name Change: City Engineer Julie Long presented renaming a portion of Hopkins Road (northwesterly of 10526 Hopkins Road and 600 Mission Road) to Mission Road to resolve confusion at a Y intersection. Two parcels would be re-addressed from Hopkins to Mission; the city proposed a $1,000 stipend per home to offset costs. After public hearing (no speakers), council discussed an effective date after the November 3, 2026 election. Councilmember Nelson asked about voter registration implications – staff to notify affected residents. Adopted 5-0, effective November 4, 2026.
• Public Hearing 4.2 – Zoning Amendment for Sports Training Facilities: Kareem Sherrard (staff) presented a privately initiated code amendment to allow sports training facilities (e.g., dance studio) in the FD2 freeway development district. The applicant (Just for Kicks, represented by Perry Platicia) would occupy 8,790 sq ft at 1321 American Boulevard, operating off-peak with ~60 kids peak times. No public opposition. Amended Chapter 21 of city code. Adopted 5-0, summary publication 5-0.
• Public Hearing 4.3 – Miscellaneous Issues Cleanup Items: Emily Hestbeck presented 16 cleanup items correcting errors and improving consistency (e.g., corner lot definitions, missing middle housing occupancy standards, hotel airport parking). Planning commission unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember Carter asked about goat/sheep grazing (Ordinance B) – clarified that the permit requires a minimum one-acre parcel. Adopted 5-0, summary publication 5-0.
• Public Hearing 4.4 – Miscellaneous Issues Minor Policy Updates: Hestbeck presented five minor policy updates:
  • Odor mitigation for cannabis businesses within 150 ft of residential properties.
  • Separate use for car detailing (permitted in B2, I1, I2, I3 districts) distinct from car washes.
  • Clarifying tree preservation standards for missing middle housing.
  • Restoring trailer parking standards to allow trailers on grass in rear yards with 5-ft setback.
  • Clarifying rezoning application requirements. No public testimony. Adopted 5-0, summary publication 5-0.
• Informational Presentation – CenterPoint Energy Networked Geothermal Pilot: CenterPoint (Kat Knutson, Emma Ingebretsen) presented a pilot under the Natural Gas Innovation Act. Bloomington is one of three finalist sites. Potential buildings: Civic Plaza, Public Works, single-family homes (opt-in). Construction timeline: final site selection early 2027, construction late 2027/early 2028. Community open house Saturday, September 28? (October 3?) from 10-12 at the Center for the Arts. Council asked about construction impact (coordination with Community Health Center construction) and possible developer programs. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Street name change adopted (Ordinance): 5-0, effective November 4, 2026.
• Zoning amendment (sports training facilities in FD2) adopted: 5-0; summary publication approved 5-0.
• Cleanup items (ordinances A–J, L–Q) adopted: 5-0; summary publication 5-0.
• Minor policy updates (ordinances R–V) adopted: 5-0; summary publication 5-0.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.