Six new officers took a ceremonial oath of office before the council. Several came from other agencies, including St. Louis Park, Metro Transit, Prior Lake and Honolulu police. One previously served as a Bloomington police cadet. The police chief said the department only brings officers before the council after they finish field training, so all six are already patrolling the city. More swearing-ins will follow as other recruits complete training.
In an update on the city's partnership with Three Rivers Park District, park officials reported about 1.7 million visits in 2025 to the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. They said visitation in Bloomington rose about 40% from 2024 to 2025. A rebuild of the Bush Lake Beach building, with accessible restrooms, concessions and boat rentals, is in design and targeted for 2027 construction. A proposed mountain bike trail drew about 95 people to an open house last week; some neighbors still have concerns, and comments will be taken for a couple more weeks. Officials also said the fence along Normandale Drive at the golf course is expected to come down in September, and that an aerial deer survey was conducted this winter. Council members asked for the deer survey results to be shared.
The council rezoned six single-family lots on East 86th and East 87th streets from R1 to R3 and approved site and building plans and plats for 30 townhomes. Each vote was 6-1, with Council Member Rivas opposed. At the council's August 3 direction, the developer cut the project from 33 units to 30, which lowers density from just under 12 to 10.9 units per acre. The revision also widens side setbacks to 15 and 19 feet, adds 14.4% more open space for snow storage, and lowers building height to 39 feet 4 inches. A condition requires the applicant to work with Metro Transit on relocating a bus stop on 86th Street. The applicant agreed to Council Member Carter's request that the project's three required affordable units be offered for ownership rather than rent. Rivas and others said neighbors were caught off guard because the homes were bought and torn down before the city reviewed any plans.
Decided: The council approved rezoning six single-family lots on East 86th and East 87th Streets and the plans and lot split for 30 townhomes, after the developer cut the project from 33 units.
Result: Approved, 6 to 1, by voice vote
After a public hearing with no speakers, the council voted 7-0 to amend Chapter 5 of the city code. The change lets the city donate surplus equipment with no resale value to nonprofits and transfer property to other cities for public use, with council approval. The amendment also sets a new rule for money that comes into the city's possession, including cash found or seized by police: if unclaimed for more than 90 days, it is presumed abandoned and goes into the general fund. Owners who prove ownership within six months afterward will be repaid. The council also unanimously adopted the surplus equipment donation policy that state law requires before the city can make donations.
Decided: The council changed city code so the city can donate surplus equipment to nonprofits and keep unclaimed cash after 90 days, with owners able to get it back within six months, and adopted the donation policy state law requires.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by voice vote
The city manager said the council will act on the preliminary 2027 property tax levies at its September 14 meeting and will take public comment then. There is no meeting the week of Labor Day. At the pre-meeting listening session, seven residents spoke on topics including: bike lanes as part of a Humboldt Avenue repaving, the Smith Park shared-use agreement, and impacts from construction of the community health and wellness center. Others raised parking on Park Avenue and suggested mass emails for the neighborhood watch program. Council Member Nelson said he favors studying bike lanes on Humboldt.
Following the townhome vote, several council members called for changes to how the city handles infill redevelopment. Proposals included earlier notice to affected neighbors and an address-based lookup showing what a property's land-use guidance allows. Others suggested disclosing that guidance when homes are sold and drafting neighborhood plans for aging east-side areas. Council Member Nelson asked whether the city should review all R1-zoned land guided for medium density, either rezoning it up front or reguiding it to low density. Nelson also suggested reconsidering the 12-units-per-acre cap for R3 townhomes instead of negotiating density project by project. The mayor said staff should consider the ideas together.
The council voted 7-0 to go into a closed session under attorney-client privilege to discuss litigation strategy related to federal rulemaking. The specific federal rule was not identified. After returning to open session at about 9:21 p.m., the council voted 7-0 to authorize the mayor, city manager, city attorney's office and other staff to act consistent with the closed-door discussion.
Decided: The council met privately with its lawyers about legal strategy over federal rulemaking, then authorized the mayor, city manager, and city attorney to act on what was discussed.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by voice vote
