City Hall
Meetings & votes
October 20th 2026Port Authority Meeting
Port Authority weighs in on draft vision and priorities for Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan; Staff propose overhaul of Opportunity Housing Ordinance, including higher fee-in-lieu and new affordability tiers; Commissioners warn rehab trigger in housing ordinance could deter building upkeep; Commissioner questions whether inclusionary mandate suppresses overall housing supply
October 19th 2026City Council Study Meeting
Council reviews draft 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan; final vote set for December; Animal shelter replacement estimate raised to $7 million; $45 million water park parking ramp would be funded entirely by tax increment, staff says; External services budget would rise 7.3% to $116.3 million in 2027; Proposed 2027 utility rates: 9% hike for wastewater, 3–4% for water, storm and solid waste; Police budget up 3.9%; city to begin billing for executive protection details; Fire department seeks nine new full-time firefighters as call volume climbs; Parks budget eliminates Ice Garden tax subsidy; new wellness center set to open next fall
October 13th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA approves consent agenda including Southview Estates rehab final agreements and Met Council grant support; HRA approves 2027 Housing Choice Voucher annual and administrative plans after public hearing with no speakers; Staff seek $622,222 in state housing aid to close nearly $700,000 gap on The Heights condo garage repair; Commissioners question accountability and three-year forgiveness term on Heights funding request; Heights HOA leader describes condemned building, fixed-income owners and rising costs
October 12th 2026City Council Meeting
Council approves expanded Axon contract adding drone-as-first-responder program; Police chief urges residents not to blame Somali American community after shooting and threat; Council adopts 2026 street reconstruction assessments; payoff window runs to Nov. 24; Council approves 9-home James Avenue City Homes rezoning on 5-2 votes; Council cuts off-street parking minimums and allows six vehicles outside homes; Internal service departments propose net $197K cut for 2027; election precincts to drop from 30 to 20; Council asks staff to explore humane pet store and animal-free circus ordinances; parking sign changes to get study session
October 1st 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Planning Commission approves 490-space remote airport parking operation in RiverView parking ramp near MSP; Applicant details shuttle plans and multimillion-dollar ramp rehab; commissioner laments shuttles over nearby light rail; City weighs letting gyms and sports facilities into industrial zones, with 10,000-square-foot size threshold; Oct. 15 meeting canceled; Oct. 29 agenda to include capital improvement plan and 2050 comprehensive plan update; South Loop building height and intensity standards study coming later this year
September 28th 2026City Council Meeting
Council renames stub of Hopkins Road to Mission Road, effective after election; Zoning change lets dance studio and other athletic training facilities into FD-2 district; Annual zoning cleanup approved, including allowing sheep as well as goats for grazing; New rules on cannabis odor, auto detailing, trailer parking and tree preservation adopted; Bloomington among three finalists for CenterPoint networked geothermal pilot; Residents press council on health center construction, park agreement and housing code complaints
September 17th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Commission backs renaming part of Hopkins Road to Mission Road after intersection redesign; Planning Commission recommends cutting Bloomington's parking minimums, 4-1; Proposed limit of six vehicles per home draws resident concern; Bakery family raises employee-parking crunch at 98th and Lyndale shopping center; Proposal to scrap parking minimums in redevelopment districts fails 3-2; Upcoming: airport remote-parking permit at Riverview Office Tower, fitness-use study; City engineer explains France Avenue restriping and planned 102nd Street study
September 15th 2026Port Authority Meeting
Port Authority approves 3-year development consulting contract with Ehlers; Staff report: Bloomington's aging, undersized industrial stock is losing site-selection leads; Top 20 employers account for nearly a third of Bloomington jobs; Commissioners discuss renewed city land assembly for redevelopment, with caution about small businesses; City Council approves Port Authority's preliminary levy ceiling; Port Authority to have two open commissioner seats; fall business events announced; City small-business staffer to receive immigrant entrepreneur award
September 14th 2026City Council Meeting
Hatch Bloomington awards $124,000 to five existing local businesses; Retired planning commissioner appointed to Merit Board after member's death; Advisory Board of Health bylaw changes pass 6-1; Council sets 6.64% preliminary 2027 tax levy, adopts $129.9M general fund budget; Resident objects to Axon and drone police technology in budget; others question tax growth; Council adopts delinquent utility and tree removal assessment rolls; resident pitches lawn-conversion relief; Council waives leaf-bag removal charge for resident who was abroad caring for dying mother
September 8th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA adds $55,000 in state housing aid to emergency rental assistance through VEP; HRA rejects group-home operator's $85,224 repair request, citing lack of a formal application process; No one speaks at hearing on federal CDBG annual report; HRA sends it to City Council; Commissioners wary of triplex pilot and density changes for former church site at 86th and Xerxes; Applications open for vacant HRA commissioner seat; Cost overruns at 'Heights' project may lead to new funding request
September 3rd 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Planning Commission backs allowing athletic training facilities in FD2 freeway zoning, clearing way for dance studio on American Boulevard; Council member, commissioner raise traffic and parking questions about the dance studio; Commission recommends 2026 zoning code cleanup package; Commission backs cannabis odor rules, new car-detailing use and other zoning policy changes; Upcoming hearings: street renaming, parking ordinance, airport parking permit; Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan moves to commission review phase
August 31st 2026City Council Meeting
Six new Bloomington police officers sworn in; Three Rivers reports visitor surge at Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes and plans Bush Lake Beach building rebuild; Council approves Bloomshine Village Town Homes on 6-1 votes after developer trims project to 30 units; City can now donate surplus equipment and keep unclaimed cash after 90 days; Preliminary 2027 property tax levy up for action Sept. 14; residents raise bike lanes, construction impacts; Council members push for earlier neighbor notice and a review of zoning for redevelopment; Council meets privately on litigation strategy over federal rulemaking
August 25th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA accepts clean 2025 audit; repeat federal finding on Section 8 voucher files; Civil Site Group hired for $96,100 to design affordable homeownership site at 8630 Xerxes (St. Mark's); HRA awards 10 'Bring It Home' rental vouchers to CommonBond's Bloomington Family Townhomes; HRA proposes $3 million preliminary 2027 levy and adopts first two-year budget; St. Mark's site wins $225,000 Metropolitan Council grant; Emergency rental aid contract exhausted; new funding with looser eligibility coming in September; HRA in cost discussions over Heights project; commissioner seat open
August 6th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Staff detail cost and multi-year timeline of development review process; Commission declines to lower public-testimony time-limit flexibility; Planning Commission elects new officers for 2026-27; Upcoming public hearings previewed: cannabis facility, more townhomes, code amendments; City Council sends James Avenue detached townhome rezoning back for redesign
August 3rd 2026City Council Meeting
National Night Out proclamation issued for August 4, 2026; Council denies petition to revisit Nine Mile Creek environmental review; Council awards two contracts to advance Nine Mile Creek restoration project; Extended public comment on Nine Mile Creek oak savanna restoration
July 21st 2026Port Authority Meeting
Port Authority approves two-year extension for Mall of America water park redevelopment contract, 4-2; External auditor delivers clean opinion on 2025 Port Authority finances; Small-business grant program tied to 'Operation Metro Surge' wraps up, aided 25 businesses; Port Authority reviews SAC (sewer availability charge) fee assistance programs; Development roundup: Seagate expansion, Southtown/Dick's House of Sport skips TIF, new apartment projects; Council-approved Park-and-Fly/Park-and-Go changes granted permanent parking rights, extended timeline
July 20th 2026City Council Meeting
Bloomington Parks & Recreation receives four state Awards of Excellence; Preliminary/final plat approved for Amstel Ridge Drive property after being held twice over zoning concerns; Council votes to support $5M state loan application for Seagate Technology facility
July 14th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA weighs $85,240 request from Mount Olivet Rolling Acres for group-home repairs, defers decision; HRA reviews outcomes of $175,000 ARP homelessness-prevention grants to three nonprofits; Commissioner publicly discloses personal rehab-loan application per state conflict-of-interest statute; Commissioner questions unfinished basements and affordability of homeownership properties (likely 9030 Park area)
July 9th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
New planning commissioner Robert Coleman sworn in; Planning Commission recommends rezoning for 33-unit Bloomshine Village town homes; City traffic engineer: new town homes will add modest traffic, no major road upgrades needed; Residents pack hearing to oppose town home project, citing botched demolition and poor notice; Public hearing opened on cannabis manufacturing facility conditional use permit
June 29th 2026City Council Meeting
Pride Month proclamation issued; Seagate Technology expansion approved; Council approves TIF assistance and purchase letter of intent for Adora affordable housing project; Olive Isle/Amden Ridge Drive lot-split proposal tabled to July 20; City donations accepted from Mall of America, Walmart, Normandale Community College, and others; Council adopts final Urban Forest Master Plan; Council gives staff direction on six proposed zoning ordinance updates; Resident reports high-frequency pest deterrent device affecting neighboring family and pets
June 23rd 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA backs Adora Apartments, up to $300,000 in financial assistance approved
June 18th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Planning Commission approves Seagate campus expansion, 5-0; Commission pushes back on proposed cuts to open-space and setback standards; Commissioners want deeper affordability targeting in Opportunity Housing Ordinance changes; Commission backs 150-foot odor buffer requirement for cannabis cultivation/manufacturing; Staff floats new zoning definition allowing car detailing businesses in commercial/industrial districts; Commission rejects staff proposal to lower ground-floor window transparency requirement to 25%
June 16th 2026Port Authority Meeting
Workforce internship program grows to 23 interns from 132 applicants; Hatch Bloomington grant applications open through July 6; $100,000 award to five local businesses; Lindahl Apartments, 180-unit affordable housing project, heads to HRA for funding decision; Council advances Adora Apartments, a 52-unit tax-credit housing project at 13th & American; Southtown redevelopment vision update pushed to July 21 meeting; McGough resumes talks with equity investors for active-senior building phase of development; Commissioner questions Council's off-airport parking decision on South Loop sites, park dedication policy
June 15th 2026City Council Meeting
Lobbyist: Bloomington won $4M for sewer project, new golf course liquor license in 2026 legislative session; External audit: city receives clean opinion, one finding on housing voucher program; Subdivision plan near Bush Lake held over after resident pushback; Council adopts new corner lot zoning standards, 6-1; Telegraph Hill Office Park rezoned from R1 to B1, unlocking daycare and retail uses; Park & Fly airport parking site: contentious rezoning debate, no consensus
June 9th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
City proclaims June 2026 'Homeownership Month' in Bloomington; HRA approves $500K gap-funding deal for two Outlaw Development affordable homes; HRA weighing redesign of St. Mark's site toward duplexes/triplexes under new 'missing middle' ordinance; Board tables Habitat for Humanity down-payment assistance contract amid transparency concerns; Annual 'All Things Housing' report shows rising rents, low vacancy, persistent racial homeownership gap; HOA law changes and property-management updates highlighted in administrator report; HRA to add special meeting June 23 for tax-credit housing project deadline
June 4th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Dance school home business approved for Mount Curve Road garage; Second cannabis facility (cultivation) approved near residential area; City presents 20-year Urban Forest Master Plan, citywide tree canopy at 35%; New planning commissioners appointed; upcoming agenda items previewed; City Council approved Gallery Apartments at 7900 Xerxes
June 1st 2026City Council Meeting
Council splits 6-1 on Human Rights Commission appointment; Council questions reserve-fund flexibility and recurring arts funding requests; Council unanimously approves five charter amendment ordinances; 270-unit Gallery Apartments project approved near I-494; Contentious quasi-judicial hearing opens on Underdog Recovery Homes housing limit appeal
May 21st 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Telegraph Hill office park rezoning recommended for approval; Park and Fly airport parking site rezoned to allow permanent operation, future mixed-use development; Park and Go airport lot at 7901 International Drive gets matching rezoning and CUP; City-initiated corner lot zoning reforms approved for recommendation; Commission chair criticizes lack of public process on 98th & Lyndale clock tower removal
May 18th 2026City Council Meeting
Council member withdraws request to reconsider Dar Al-Farooq use agreement; Missing-middle housing project (item 3.3) advances near River Crest townhomes; Council approves $20.3 million bond sale for North Central Sanitary Sewer project; Council approves gas and electric franchise fee increases for CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy; Rezoning approved for 8030 Old Cedar Avenue South to allow retail spa/salon tenant; Fire Department reports missed response-time goals, staffing shortfalls, and lithium battery fire dangers
May 12th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA gives 'soft yes' to 180-unit Lyndale Apartments affordable housing project; Board approves 2025 budget amendment adding $10,000 for Senior Community Services; 2026 CDBG public service funds awarded to VEAP, Bridging, and HomeLine; Commissioner presses staff on status of minority homeownership initiative with Habitat for Humanity; Commissioner raises concern over reduced HRA meeting frequency and lack of updates
May 7th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
West Haven 16-unit detached town home development recommended for approval; Gallery Apartments rezoning and 270-unit development recommended for approval; Southtown freestanding sign variances approved 5-1
May 4th 2026City Council Meeting
Council approves amended Smith Park shared-use agreement with Darul Farooq, ending city upkeep of football field; Council adopts ordinance allowing existing cell towers to remain at redeveloped former church/assembly sites; Consultant presents early findings on Bloomington Center for the Arts strategic plan, flags no mission statement and cost-recovery gaps; Update: Senior programming transition from Creekside to Logan Lodge largely successful; boutique sales down; Community Health and Wellness Center pro forma updated: projecting 90% cost recovery in year one, 106%+ by year five; Council opens study session on rightsizing Bloomington's off-street parking requirements
April 27th 2026City Council Meeting
Council repeals local earned sick and safe time ordinance, deferring to state law; Council adopts supplemental 'missing middle' housing ordinance cleaning up March zoning changes; Council raises license, permit and development fees, some by 60%+, to match rising costs; Council debates new fee on charitable gambling proceeds to fund animal shelter, sends topic toward a public hearing; City assessor reports median home value up 2.9%, condo values falling, industrial values declining for first time in years
April 23rd 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Commission recommends rezoning near Mall of America for salon/spa tenant
April 16th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
New city manager Zach Walker introduces himself to the commission; Commission debates overhauling decades-old off-street parking minimums; Commission signals support for loosening on-street parking restrictions citywide; Two upcoming public hearings set for April 23; Three public hearings scheduled for May 7, including 360-unit Gallery Apartments project; Two Planning Commission seats opening, including chair's departure
April 13th 2026City Council Meeting
Parks Commission's 2026 work plan approved, including naming-rights talks for Ice Garden and Wellness Center; Council approves $24.63M in sewer revenue bonds for Pan-Am district sewer line; Council adopts 2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan after public hearing draws no comments; Council debates loosening corner-lot zoning standards; leans toward planning commission's middle-ground option; Police chief reports 10% drop in crime, announces new executive protection unit and human trafficking unit; Community Health and Wellness Center construction on track; third gymnasium added to project
April 2nd 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Cannabis manufacturing use approved for 86th Street industrial building; Commission recommends code amendment allowing cell towers to remain at redeveloped church sites
March 23rd 2026City Council Meeting
City recognized for completed upgrades to Dred Scott softball fields; Council adopts 'missing middle' housing ordinance, allows detached townhouses in R1 zones; Council approves temporary drawdown of Woodbridge Marsh and Polly's Pond for storm sewer repairs; Council passes one-year moratorium on detention facilities amid ICE 'Metro Surge' concerns; Remote airport parking rezoning ordinance reaches public hearing after years-long dispute
March 19th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Planning Commission backs easing corner-lot setback rules citywide; Commission favors narrower minimum lot widths for corner lots; Commission leans toward keeping single-family corner lot area same as interior lots; Commission supports allowing sheds, gazebos and garages closer to the street on corner lots; City kicks off 2050 Comprehensive Plan process, considers advisory council makeup; February 19 meeting minutes approved 4-0-3; Upcoming hearings: cannabis manufacturing permit, wireless tower ordinance, and Old Cedar Avenue rezoning
March 10th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA board approves St. Mark's infrastructure grant application; Board recommends $465,000 CDBG budget for 2026, shifts funds to demolition and public services; Staff flag slow CDBG spend-down and HUD 'timeliness test' risk; Annual Home Fair set for April 25; St. Mark's site clears cell tower hurdle, closing expected late March
March 10th 2026City Council/HRA/Planning/Sustainability/PortAuthority Concurrent Meeting
Consultants recommend raising affordable-housing in-lieu fee and adding lower-AMI compliance tiers to Opportunity Housing Ordinance; OHO has produced 621 affordable units since 2019, but nearly two-thirds are at higher 60% AMI, not the deeper affordability levels city policy targets; Staff propose overhauling affordable-ownership requirements to align with 115% AMI subsidy program; HRA commissioner criticizes proposed shift toward higher AMI thresholds as departure from OHO's original intent; City kicks off Bloomington 2050 comprehensive plan update, targeting Metropolitan Council adoption by end of 2028; Council member pushes for standalone equity and inclusion chapter in 2050 comprehensive plan; City Manager Zack Walker rated 'fully meets expectations' in first performance review
March 9th 2026City Council Study Meeting
Council backs flat-rate franchise fee increase, adds retaining walls as new funded category; Eliminating franchise fees would require a 9% property tax levy increase; Urban Forest Master Plan data unveiled: 35% citywide tree canopy, 24,549 street trees inventoried via LiDAR; Council leans toward hybrid right-of-way tree planting program combining resident permits and targeted equity planting; City to maintain hands-off policy on private-property tree removal, revisit tree replacement rules for redevelopment; Council closes meeting for city manager's first performance evaluation
March 2nd 2026City Council Meeting
Council proclaims Transgender Day of Visibility and Women's History Month; VEP reports surging Bloomington food and rent-assistance demand amid immigration enforcement fallout; Arts grant funds to Artistry accelerated, with new reporting/accountability strings attached; Host approval granted for $15M Lifespace/Friendship Village revenue bond issuance; American Square TIF district expanded to allow senior affordable housing conversion; Resident raises concerns over TIF fund mechanics and possible loss of Mall of America fiscal disparities revenue; Council reaffirms community stability resolution in response to ICE's 'Operation Metro Surge'
February 24th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA approves $1-a-lot land sales for two affordable homes to Magnolia Homes; Commissioner presses staff for long-term tracking of local affordable housing aid (LAHA) spending; HRA approves $1-a-lot land sales for two affordable homes to Outlaw Development; HRA approves $700,000 local match and 31-year loan deferral for South View Estates rehab; HRA to pursue zoning code amendment enabling cell tower at St. Mark's redevelopment site
February 23rd 2026City Council Meeting
Council appoints new members to five boards and commissions; Creative Placemaking Commission 2026 work plan approved; Public hearing on Wixon site redevelopment draws opposition over setbacks, traffic and safety; Council leans toward approving Wixon rezoning despite resident pushback
February 19th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Planning Commission approves city salt/brine storage facility and variance on James Avenue; Commission grants 6-inch lot-width variance at 9211 Columbus Ave South despite neighbor objections; Commission narrowly recommends citywide fence code overhaul, but strips out 8-foot front-yard fence provision; Commission unanimously backs rezoning path for Park and Go/Park and Fly airport parking lots to permanent use; Staff proposes raising six development-application fees, unchanged since 2010
February 17th 2026Port Authority Meeting
New commissioners sworn in: Mayor Tim Busy and Sean Nelson; Port Authority expands American Square TIF district to add Riverview Tower for senior affordable housing; Port Authority approves $400,000 small-business grant program for immigration-enforcement-impacted businesses; 2025 Port Authority general fund closed with $1.9M surplus; budget carryovers approved; Board adopts 2026 Port Authority work plan; Port Authority Administrator announces three-month parental leave; longtime bond counsel Julie Edington retiring
February 10th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA elects new board officers for 2026; Board cuts meeting schedule from twice to once a month; HRA approves 2026 work plan; highlights opportunity housing ordinance progress; HRA approves up to $215,000 in emergency rental assistance contracts amid surging need; Roslin senior housing draws 194 applicants for 8 open spots ahead of March opening
February 9th 2026City Council Study Meeting
Council directs staff toward new animal shelter facility with regional partnerships; Railroad quiet zone study put on hold pending more data; Police Chief: Bloomington PD does not cooperate with ICE amid Operation Metro Surge; City rejects several proposed immigration-enforcement ordinances, floats longer eviction notice
February 2nd 2026City Council Meeting
Council approves $18.27M in sales tax revenue bonds for Nine Mile Creek Corridor project
January 27th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
HRA reviews plan for first round of 'Bring It Home' project-based vouchers; Commissioners question vetting of developers amid state program shutdowns; HRA commits up to $350,000 in emergency rental assistance amid surging demand; HRA sets February 10 annual meeting, April 25 Home Fair, and joint March meeting on comp plan; Federal spending bill passes House with modest increase for HRA programs; Senate outcome uncertain; The Heights redevelopment project underway; demolition started, construction on schedule
January 26th 2026City Council Meeting
Human Rights Commission presents 2025 year-in-review and council approves 2026 work plan; Council questions, then approves, ~$3 million Axon records management contract; Council approves host consent for Frasier Child and Family Service Center project financing; Council approves up to $33 million in reimbursement bonding for North Central Sanitary Diversion Project; Council upholds $2,000 fine, 5-day suspension for Benihana's third alcohol violation involving minors; NM Creek Corridor and Lower Valley Management Plan renewal project presented for bid authorization
January 22nd 2026Planning Commission Meeting
Conditional use permit approved for auto repair reuse of vacant building at 9200 Lindale Ave S; Cannabis cultivation facility approved at 333 West 86th Street; Mall of America approved for remote overnight airport parking on east ramp; Parking reduction recommended for cannabis dispensary retail space at 8101 34th Ave S; Missing Middle Housing Ordinance Phase 2 recommended for approval
January 15th 2026Planning Commission Meeting
QuickTrip gas station/convenience store approved off I-35W at 94th Street; Cannabis manufacturing facility approved at 8200 Grand Avenue South; Commission flags parking-sharing ordinance gap after Toro testimony; 180-unit affordable apartment building on Lindale Avenue recommended for approval despite neighbor objections; Staff previews five public hearings for January 22 meeting
January 13th 2026Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
New commissioner sworn in as council representative; Board approves 6-month deferral of $7M Blooming Meadows South loan payments; HRA approves 'Bring It Home' rental assistance program administrative plan; Board discusses 2026 draft work plan priorities; Senior housing voucher waitlist open through February 6
January 5th 2026City Council Meeting
Three council members take oath of office for 2026; Council proclaims Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, 2026; 2026 Planning Commission work plan adopted 6-0; VEP funding amendment passes 4-1 with one abstention; Robertson named to I-35W Solutions Alliance, Nelson to alternate; Robertson appointed to Housing and Redevelopment Authority board over Rivas; Council flags concern over possible federal government shutdown impact; Public dispute over fairness of HRA/board appointment process
