Bloomington City Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Bloomington City Council met in Council Chambers with an online audience. The agenda and minutes were not separately available, so this summary is based entirely on the meeting transcript. The council adopted the agenda 7-0, approved a Native American Heritage Month proclamation, welcomed new employees, heard a Hennepin County update, acted on consent business, discussed a sports and recreation zoning study item, and adjourned 7-0.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Robertson.
• Consent business items 3.1 through 3.10 were approved 7-0 on a motion by Councilmember Loman, seconded by Councilmember Dalessandro.
• Councilmember Loman pulled item 3.11, a resolution amending the city of Bloomington employment rules, and said he would vote against it. Councilmember Dalessandro moved approval, Councilmember Carter seconded, and the resolution carried 6-1 with Councilmember Loman opposed.

Proclamations, Presentations, and Introductions

• Mayor Tim Bussi proclaimed November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month. Nat Kirk, Equity and Inclusion Project Manager, accepted the proclamation and spoke about her mixed Native ancestry, the history of survivance, and the meaning of the month. She invited the community to a screening of The People's Protectors on November 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Schneider Theater.
• Community Development staff introduced two new employees: long-range planner Elena Franzen, who started September 21 and previously worked in Plymouth and Arden Hills, and environmental health specialist Alma Guerrero Sanchez, who rejoined on August 31 after a 2025 internship.
• Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel gave an annual update. She described Hennepin County as Minnesota's second-largest government and largest local government unit, with a budget of nearly $3.2 billion. She reported that the county absorbed $10.8 million in federal cuts during the 2026 budget year and faces roughly $27 million to $28 million in cuts for 2027, including $59 million in combined HUD, SNAP, and Medicaid pressures, and $52 million the following year. She discussed an 8.15 percent property tax levy increase, the county board's assumption of the HCMC hospital board role to prevent closure, affordable housing investments of $19.4 million creating or preserving 1,339 affordable rental units and 69 affordable homeowner options, Elevate Hennepin assistance to more than 4,500 entrepreneurs, a youth crisis stabilization center with 13 beds, tree canopy programs, and the county board's September 15 affirmation of free and fair elections. She also answered council questions about Hennepin Health work requirements, HCMC funding options, possible service cuts, and the levy increase.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The mayor reported the evening's community listening session included six speakers, then named five: Matthew Hallett made four suggestions about climate resiliency; John Crampton, representing Third Act, urged the city to adopt SolarAPP+ to speed residential solar permitting; Deb Harper raised code enforcement concerns affecting her neighbors; John Hutmaker discussed budget forecasts, tariffs, and household costs; and Kathy Jones, a neighbor to the James Avenue townhomes approved at the previous meeting, shared reactions to that project. Council members indicated staff would follow up on several of these items.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 was a study item on a sports, health, and recreation use review, presented by planning staff Emily Hesbeck; no decision was required. Staff proposed combining the current health club and sports training facility uses into a new category called fitness and sports facility, with indoor recreation and entertainment remaining separate. The proposal would allow the new use in all commercial districts except B1 and, in industrial districts, would permit facilities under 10,000 square feet and larger facilities only when adjacent to an arterial or collector road. Staff noted current health club rules require adjacency to an arterial or collector and limit use to 50 percent of a building's floor area.
• Existing examples cited included Vertical Endeavors, Northern Elite All Stars, and M1 Volleyball. Planning Commission feedback on October 1 included adding hockey facilities and ice rinks and requesting additional data on industrial vacancies and traffic.
• Council discussion raised definitional questions about fitness businesses, food and beverage service, saunas and cold plunge facilities, and membership-only versus public access. Councilmembers expressed concerns about safety for children near heavy industrial uses, preserving industrial land and tax base, the usefulness of the 10,000-square-foot threshold, tournament parking demand, and the need for performance standards on lighting, pedestrian routes, building entrances, and parking. Some councilmembers suggested phasing the allowance into lighter industrial districts and letting the market guide which buildings are reused. Staff clarified the review was not tied to a specific development project and that the fire code restricts some hazardous uses from sharing buildings.
• No formal action was taken. Staff said public hearings will likely be held in December or January.

Council Policy & Issue Updates

• Mayor Bussi summarized the listening session comments and reminded residents that Election Day is November 3, with early voting available at City Hall.
• The City Manager thanked Fire Chief Yuli Seal for 50 years and five months of service, noting he is the city's first and only fire chief; remarks mentioned a November 6 retirement date before correcting to a November 9 celebration.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and consent items approved; item 3.11 approved 6-1.
• November 2026 proclaimed Native American Heritage Month; new employees introduced; county update received.
• Sports-use study item discussed with no vote; staff will refine the proposed ordinance and return for public hearings in December or January.
• Listening-session items, including SolarAPP+ and climate resiliency, were referred for staff follow-up.
• The meeting adjourned 7-0.