Mayor Busse read a proclamation declaring June 2026 Pride Month in Bloomington, citing continued discrimination facing LGBTQ+ and transgender communities and the city's commitment to inclusion. Resident Tenzin Gyalki accepted the proclamation, sharing her family's experience living in Bloomington as a queer homeowner. The city's Pride celebration was held June 14 on the Civic Plaza east lawn.
Council approved preliminary and final development plans for a roughly 64,000-square-foot expansion of Seagate's semiconductor manufacturing facility. The mayor noted this completes a trio of local semiconductor expansions alongside Polar and SkyWater. Passed 6-0 as part of consent business.
Council member Dalisandro moved to adopt a resolution supporting tax increment financing assistance for the Adora affordable housing project and to authorize a letter of intent to purchase between the city and JO Companies. The project includes 52 units and 66 underground parking spaces, a net increase in parking. Passed 6-0; a resident raised concerns at the earlier listening session about parking, traffic, and lack of green space in the area.
Council member Nelson requested more time to get answers on a garage/setback dispute tied to a proposed lot separation on Amden Ridge Drive (Olive Isle addition), including questions about the definition of 'habitable space' under the building code. Staff confirmed the structure, damaged by an April fire, has historically been classified as a garage and has not been modified into livable space. Council voted 6-0 to lay the item over to the July 20 meeting; residents Mark Hansen and Kevin Johnson spoke against the proposal at the listening session.
Council voted 6-0 to formally accept a list of donations from community and corporate donors, including Mall of America, Walmart, Normandale Community College, Bundles of Love, the League of Women Voters of Bloomington, and private donors, and directed staff to send thank-you letters.
Council voted 6-0 to approve and adopt the Bloomington Urban Forest Master Plan, directing staff to implement its recommendations. The plan found citywide tree canopy grew 5% over a 10-year study period despite emerald ash borer losses, but that Bloomington is understaffed and underfunded (0.59% of budget) compared to peer cities. Near-term priorities include developing a right-of-way tree-planting program, updating outdated ordinances, and coordinating with the climate action plan; 60% of available planting space is on private property, raising questions about incentive funding.
In a study session on the annual miscellaneous issues ordinance, council supported requiring odor-mitigation standards for cannabis cultivation/manufacturing businesses within 150 feet of residential property (excluding standard retail), allowing car detailing as a permitted use in B2, I1, I2, and I3 zoning districts, and codifying rezoning application requirements. Council agreed to delay a proposed change to ground-floor window/transparency exceptions pending more planning commission work, and directed staff to formally bring back trailer parking rules to match existing RV setback standards. A formal ordinance and public hearing are expected around September.
At the pre-meeting listening session, resident Chris Wickland raised a new complaint about a neighbor's high-frequency pest deterrence device allegedly harming her family and pets. The mayor said staff would investigate since the city currently has no clear policy addressing the issue and will work with the resident and neighbors toward a resolution.
