The city's Hatch Bloomington competition shifted this year from funding one new storefront business to supporting existing businesses facing economic strain. The program was renamed Hatch Bloomington Loves Local. The Port Authority added $24,000 to the original $100,000 pot. The five winners are an auto body and collision shop, an Afghan restaurant, Bloomington's first brewery and taproom, a garden center and landscape company, and Zeke's Place diner. Staff estimated the program has generated about $11.7 million in publicity value since 2024.
The council voted 7-0 to appoint Paige Roman to the city Merit Board, filling a vacancy left by the death of a longtime member. Roman is a University of Minnesota operations leader and a six-year Planning Commission veteran, and was recommended by the interview panel from five applicants. The term runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
Decided: The council appointed a former Bloomington planning commissioner to the Merit Board through December 31, 2026, filling the seat left by a longtime member who died.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by roll call
A council member pulled the Advisory Board of Health bylaws and rules of procedure from the consent agenda in order to vote against the changes. The council member did not elaborate on the reasons. The item passed 6-1, and the remaining consent items passed 7-0.
Decided: The council approved new rules for how the Advisory Board of Health operates.
Result: Approved, 6 to 1, by roll call
The council voted 7-0 to set a preliminary 2027 city tax levy of $100.2 million, an increase of $6.24 million or 6.64%, and 7-0 to adopt a preliminary 2027 general fund budget of about $129.9 million. Staff said the median-value home would see about a 7.75% increase in city property tax, roughly $128 a year, because values are shifting toward residential property. Drivers include nine more firefighter positions, staffing for the community health and wellness center opening in late fall 2027, and $500,000 for police technology. A $1.9 million cut in the debt levy, funded by paying off bonds early, partly offsets the increase. The levy can be lowered but not raised before final adoption in December. A conceptual 2028 budget, projecting a roughly 9.8% levy increase, also passed 7-0.
Decided: The council set a preliminary 2027 city tax levy of $100.2 million, a 6.64% increase that can still go down but not up before final approval in December. It also adopted a $129.9 million preliminary 2027 general fund budget and a non-binding conceptual 2028 budget.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by roll call
During public comment on the levy, a resident objected to the proposed $500,000 public safety technology investment, which includes an integrated Axon platform and a drone first responder program. The resident argued Axon is comparable to Flock license-plate cameras and shares data with ICE. Another longtime resident said repeated increases above inflation burden older residents on fixed incomes. The mayor said the police department had declined Flock and that he would follow up on whether Axon is comparable. The city manager said consumer inflation is not a good comparison for city costs, since personnel makes up 74% of the general fund.
After public hearings, the council voted 7-0 to adopt assessment rolls for delinquent water, sewer, stormwater, garbage, recycling and organics charges. It also voted 7-0 on tree removal costs, spread over three-, five- and 10-year levies, and on weed and brush removal. A resident suggested letting residents work off utility debt by converting lawns to native plantings or rain gardens. The same resident suggested selling removed trees for reuse or turning them into biochar. The mayor asked staff to look into a possible debt-forgiveness approach. Unpaid amounts must be paid by Nov. 24 or be certified onto 2027 property taxes.
Decided: The council voted to add unpaid water, sewer, garbage and other utility bills, and city tree-removal costs, to the affected owners' property taxes. Tree-removal costs can be paid over 3, 5 or 10 years.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by roll call
A 36-year Bloomington resident told the council he had placed leaf bags against his house to block drafts, then traveled to Egypt last winter because his mother was dying. While he was away, a city-hired contractor removed nine bags and billed $155, or about $17 a bag at $75 an hour. Council members noted the city's own leaf-bag pickup fee is $4.81 per bag and questioned why removal was urgent in March. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the public nuisance abatement assessment roll with that property exempted; staff said the related fine had already been waived. One council member also raised concern about a rising number of nuisance and civil-fine assessments and asked whether enforcement is actually producing compliance.
Decided: The council approved this year's charges for cleaning up nuisance properties, but dropped the $155 leaf-bag removal charge for a resident who was abroad caring for his dying mother.
Result: Approved, 7 to 0, by roll call
Oct. 12 · Vote
James Avenue CityHomes returns to the council as item 4.2, with no new public hearing and an optional 40-foot height cap. The outcome hadn't been posted when we checked.
Oct. 12 · Vote
The 10-year, $22.1 million Axon police technology agreement is on the council's consent agenda (item 3.12). The outcome hadn't been posted when we checked.
Nov. 12 · Deadline
The city's 120-day deadline to act on the James Avenue CityHomes rezoning, site plans and plat.
Nov. 16 · Meeting
Council budget study session with public comment on the 2027 levy and budget.
Nov. 24 · Deadline
Last day to pay a 2026 assessment in full before the city certifies it to Hennepin County for 2027 property taxes. Truth in Taxation notices showing proposed taxes arrive by the same date.
Dec. 7 · Public hearing
Truth in Taxation public hearing on the 2027 levy and general fund budget, 6:30 p.m., council chambers.
Dec. 14 · Vote
The council is set to adopt the final 2027 levy and budget, which can't exceed the 6.64% preliminary increase.
Dec. 31 · Deadline
Paige Rohman's appointment to the Merit Board runs through this date.
No date yet · Follow-up
Mayor Busse said he'd report back on whether Axon is comparable to Flock.
No date yet · Follow-up
The city attorney said she'd look into adding pending fines and assessments to the time-of-sale process.
No date yet · Follow-up
The mayor asked staff to look into debt forgiveness for delinquent utility bills, such as paying it off by converting a lawn to native plants. He said it won't happen this year.
No date yet · Follow-up
Councilmember Dallessandro asked for a future work-plan review of nuisance abatement and civil fines, noting more cases going to assessment.
What was asked, what the room said, and what the public record answers. Times are from the captions and approximate.
Asked by Councilmember Lowman
In the room
City Manager Walker said CPI isn't the right yardstick: the city is "in the people business," with 74% of costs in personnel, insurance and infrastructure.
What the record says
The preliminary 2027 levy is $100.2 million, up 6.64%. Personnel is 74% of the general fund. For the median-value home that's a 7.75% increase, about $128 a year. The council can still lower the levy in December but can't raise it.
Asked by Councilmember Carter
In the room
Walker said the city would either draw on reserves within its financial policies or cut spending right away through hiring freezes or service reductions.
What the record says
Federal grants are about $6 million, or 4.66%, of the 2027 general fund revenue; property taxes are 69%. The city's minimum reserve level wasn't stated at the meeting, and we didn't find it in the budget packet.
Asked by Resident Allen (public comment; surname unclear in captions)
In the room
Mayor Busse said he didn't know whether Axon is equivalent to Flock and would have to get back to him.
What the record says
Still open on Axon's data handling. A 10-year, $22.1 million Axon deal that includes license plate readers and drones is on the Oct. 12 consent agenda. State law says plate data not tied to an active criminal case must be deleted within 60 days and shared only with other police under set standards. Bloomington says its police don't take part in immigration enforcement.
Asked by A caller (public hearing), then Councilmember Dallessandro
In the room
City Attorney Manderschied said title companies usually call the city and are told about pending charges, but the city can't track every pending sale. She said she would look into adding something to the time-of-sale process. Councilmember Nelson noted sellers must disclose material facts.
What the record says
Buyers and title companies can request a written special assessment search from the Assessor's Office at 952-563-8722. This year two homes had $2,200 in fines dropped because a former owner ran them up and sold. Whether time-of-sale rules will add pending fines is still open.
Asked by A Crest Road resident (public hearing); Councilmembers Lowman and Nelson
In the room
The resident said he was abroad when notices came. Councilmembers compared it to the city's roughly $4.81-per-bag pickup fee, and the council removed the charge, 7-0.
What the record says
The council took the $155.36 off the roll. The city's notice went out Feb. 18, 2025, and the bags were removed March 19, 2025. The city's on-call bag pickup doesn't start until mid-April. Staff had already dropped a $100 inspection fee.
Asked by Kathy Jones (public hearing)
In the room
Staff said the main difference is setbacks, 30 feet in R-1 vs. 20 in R-3, and staying R-1 would probably cost one or two lots.
What the record says
The lots have been guided for medium density, up to 15 units an acre, since 1981. R-3 caps density at 12 an acre, and the plan is nine. Detached townhomes are allowed in R-1 too, with larger front and rear setbacks.
Asked by Councilmember Carter
In the room
Staff said R-3 has no minimum, and changing the plan later would mean a new plat process. The developer said he keeps control of the site until all nine lots sell.
What the record says
The developer plans to sell lots, not build homes, so builders and buyers set the pace. An HOA would maintain the private drive. The city has until Nov. 12 to act.
Asked by Councilmember Dallessandro
In the room
Staff said a construction management plan can't limit height, but the council could add a condition if the developer agreed.
What the record says
Since then the developer has offered a 40-foot cap, and staff drafted it as a condition for Oct. 12. Concept plans show a 20-foot one-story and a 40-foot two-story home.
Asked by Scott Theers (public hearing)
In the room
Staff said no fence is on the plans and deferred to the developer, who didn't answer it at the meeting.
What the record says
No fence is required in the draft conditions. The developer has since added 12 arborvitae shrubs along parts of the north and south lines for screening.
Asked by Lanne Miguel and Sue Winchester (public hearing)
In the room
Traffic engineer Kirk Roberts said James Avenue carries about 200 cars a day, well under the 500 that draws concern, and the project adds about 66 trips.
What the record says
Staff estimate 66 more trips a day on a 32-foot street that allows parking on both sides. Construction equipment can't be stored on the street, work hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a construction management plan is required before permits.
