This transcript has been formatted with speaker names based on the context provided and the dialogue. Note that several names mentioned in the dialogue (like "Muir," which is a transcription error for Councilmember Patrick Martin, and "Karla Henderson") were identified using the city's organizational context for that date. *** **[0:00:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Good evening everyone and welcome. Thanks for being here this evening. I like to call this regular business meeting of the Bloomington City Council to order tonight. It is Monday, March 20th, 2023. Thanks for being here. As I said, we will start our meeting as we always do. If you can and if you're able, please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. *(Pledge of Allegiance Recited)* **[0:00:30] Mayor Tim Busse:** Once again, thank you. Thanks for the folks who are joining us here in the Council Chambers and I know there's probably a lot of people watching online tonight as well. First order of business tonight is to approve tonight's agenda. On our agenda we have under Item Two, our introductory items, we have three items: an introduction of new employees and we're going to hear a couple of work plans for 2023. Item 2.2 is the Park, Arts and Recreation Commission work plan and Item 2.3 is the Sustainability Commission 2023 work plan. Under our Consent Business, we have 15 items. Councilmember Martin [transcribed as Muir] will have our consent business for the first time—looking forward to hearing from you. Under Four: Hearings, Resolutions, and Ordinances, we have three of those. Item 4.1 is a public hearing regarding Chapter One of the City Code related to enforcement of ordinances and laws; we'll hear from the Deputy City Attorney Peter Zuniga and our Chief Ulie Seal on those changes. 4.2 is a public hearing regarding an expansion of Luther Hyundai. And 4.3, which I think a lot of folks are probably here for this evening, a public hearing regarding a City Code amendment regarding single and two-family residential standards and Comprehensive Plan text amendments. Under Item Five, we will have a discussion on franchise fees and then we will wrap up the evening as we always do with our City Council policy and issue update. Council, any questions, any additions, subtractions? Councilmember Dallessandro? **[0:01:45] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was just wondering if it's appropriate to consider a change in the order of ordinance for the public hearings given the interest and the amount of folks that are in attendance—potentially move 4.3 to 4.1. **[0:01:55] Mayor Tim Busse:** Do I hear that as a motion, Councilmember? **[0:01:58] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** I ask about appropriateness of offering it. **[0:02:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** You certainly can. I mean, we have done that in the past and we certainly could if you would like a motion and a second to just rearrange the agenda in that way. **[0:02:10] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** I so move. **[0:02:12] Mayor Tim Busse:** Very good. Council, any additional changes? Hearing none, I would move approval of tonight's agenda, noting the change moving Item 4.3 to the top of the list under our Hearings of Resolutions and Ordinances. So we'll go 4.3, 4.1, and 4.2. That is the amended agenda. Do we have a second? **[0:02:30] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Second. **[0:02:32] Mayor Tim Busse:** We have a motion and a second to adopt tonight's agenda as amended. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed? The motion carries 7-0. Item 2.1 on our agenda is the introduction of new employees. We have three new employees we're going to be welcoming this evening. Karla Henderson is going to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for this. Good evening, Ms. Henderson. **[0:03:00] Karla Henderson (Community Development Director):** Good evening, Mr. Mayor and City Council members. I have the pleasure of introducing three new Community Development employees. We're going to start with Natalie Barrett. She is our HRA Office Coordinator and she began at the end of February. She comes to us with almost a decade in leadership experience at Twin Cities Orthopedics and with the last three years in real estate at Property Executives Realty. She's almost Bloomington born and raised—moved here at a very young age and has been calling Bloomington home ever since. She went through the Bloomington Public Schools, but it's a Bloomington public family affair because she is married to our Deputy Chief in the Fire Department. She has three small children, loves Minnesota outdoors, and can cook just about anything. And I understand that you will use your relationship with your husband to get information on stuff that's going on in the city. So we love that you have connection! Welcome. **[0:04:00] Natalie Barrett (HRA Office Coordinator):** Thank you, Mayor and Council. It is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. I am excited to serve the city as it has served me for almost my entire life. I have an extensive background in management and real estate, including software implementation and office expansion, so I'm excited to contribute to the HRA department and the city. **[0:04:20] Mayor Tim Busse:** We're very glad to have you. The HRA is going to be busy this year as they are every year, but I think they're going to be especially busy this year with the refocused responsibilities that they do have. I'm glad to have you on board. **[0:04:30] Karla Henderson:** All right. And next we have Cameron Pinch. Cameron started at the end of this February. While he is new to the position, he is not new to the city because he worked as an intern in Environmental Health over the summer of 2019. He comes to us as an Environmental Health Specialist. He has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and more recently, he worked at Hennepin County Environmental Health Division as a food and lodging inspector. I will tell you, Lynn Moore and the team are thrilled to have him back in the Code Enforcement and Housing Inspection team. **[0:04:55] Cameron Pinch (Environmental Health Specialist):** Thank you. Yeah, it's certainly great to be back, meeting a lot of new city personnel and staff. I'm certainly coming back to a lot of familiar faces, but super excited to be here. **[0:05:05] Mayor Tim Busse:** Glad to be back and glad to have you on. Glad we've made that type of impression on you as an intern that you wanted to come back to Bloomington. Glad to see you back. **[0:05:15] Karla Henderson:** All right. And last but not least is Shawn Lundy, who is serving as our Special Projects and Initiatives Manager due to Barb Will's promotion as Assistant Port Authority Administrator. He started with the city a few weeks ago on March 3rd. Shawn just recently received his MBA from Carlson at the University of Minnesota and before coming to Bloomington, he worked for the president of the World Cocoa Foundation. Prior to that, Shawn joined the Peace Corps after double majoring in Global Research Systems and Nutrition at Iowa State. He grew up in Saint Paul. He's currently a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and I will tell you, he is using those skills—he led his first meeting today and at the top of the agenda it said "BLUF." He said that's what they do in the Army: "Bottom Line Up Front." And so that's how he kicked off a meeting this morning. **[0:06:00] Shawn Lundy (Special Projects Manager):** Thank you. I'm very excited to be here. As Karla said, in the Army we do not waste time. So, Bottom Line Up Front: I'm very excited to work here and see what I can do with Community Development. Thank you. **[0:06:15] Mayor Tim Busse:** Excited to have you, thank you for your service and thanks for being here in Bloomington. That is all. Item 2.2 on our agenda is a review of the 2023 Work Plan for our Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission. Our Parks and Recreation Director [Ann Kattreh] is going to kick us off and the Park Chair, Andy Hoffman, is going to join her as well. **[0:06:35] Ann Kattreh (Parks and Recreation Director):** Good evening, Mayor and members of the Council. Thank you very much. I am very pleased to introduce Andy Hoffman. Andy has been the Vice Chair of the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission. The Commission has been doing just amazing work for the past few years, especially focusing on the Park Master Plan. I'll let Andy give you an introduction to what we're working on in 2023. **[0:07:00] Andy Hoffman (PARC Vice Chair):** Good evening. Thank you, Mayor. I'm doing well. I was here last year with the same presentation, but we've got a few more things on our work plan because, as you can imagine, with the Parks Master Plan now in place, the rubber hits the road. *(Proceeds to outline the ten work plan items including Bryant/Trapper park projects, capital improvement, cultural arts grants, fees, and collaboration with Sustainability.)* **[0:10:45] Andy Hoffman:** Number nine is the Three Rivers Park District partnership... and last but definitely not least, the donations policy. We want it to be consistent and put the thought behind it that it needs. With that, I probably skipped a few notes but I talked fast because we do have a lot of things on our agenda this year. We'll open it up for questions. **[0:11:05] Mayor Tim Busse:** You do indeed have a lot on your agenda. Questions to the Vice Chair? Councilmember Dallessandro? **[0:11:10] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Thank you. Nice to see you again. As it relates to the Adopt-a-Park program and donations, one of the things we've talked about is corporate sponsorship. Are you encompassing that? **[0:11:20] Andy Hoffman:** Maybe a little bit too early, but we'd be open to that. **[0:11:25] Ann Kattreh:** Councilmember Dallessandro, we would be happy to explore that. We want to get the basic donation policy kicked off first, then we could explore naming policies. **[0:11:40] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** Thank you, Mayor. I'm excited to see the work you are continuing to do. I would just hope that in these initiatives there are plans to engage with our sports, athletic, and arts organizations to get their input. **[0:12:00] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Nice work here. With the natural resources plans, what's the vision for next year? And regarding playground equipment across the city, are we in a cycle where we need to re-up that? **[0:12:15] Ann Kattreh:** It will all be included in our Capital Improvement Plan for sure. **[0:12:20] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I just want to echo Councilmember Dallessandro's point regarding corporate sponsorship. I think there is significant untapped money out there. I think the business community is ready and prepared to do that. **[0:12:40] Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you, Councilmember. If not, thank you so very much. I will look for a motion to adopt the 2023 Work Plan for the Parks and Recreation Commission. **[0:12:55] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So moved. **[0:12:57] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Second. **[0:13:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion by Councilmember Carter, second by Councilmember Dallessandro. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries 7-0. Item 2.3 is the Sustainability Commission Work Plan. We have Emma Struss, our Sustainability Coordinator, and Deanna White, Sustainability Commission Chair. **[0:13:20] Deanna White (Sustainability Commission Chair):** Good evening. Thank you so much for allowing us to be here. My name is Deanna White. This year I want to talk about the overall goals. This is a Commission plan and doesn't represent all the work in sustainability happening across Bloomington. Staff across divisions have really made an effort to incorporate sustainability. We recognize we have declared a climate emergency and recognize we need to do more. **[0:14:45] Emma Struss (Sustainability Coordinator):** Thank you, Chair. Tonight we will go over who is on the commission, highlights from last year, and then the proposed work plan. *(Emma presents highlights: 1,000 households through the Time of Sale energy program, curbside organics reaching 26% participation, and ecological stewardship events.)* **[0:17:30] Emma Struss:** We'll be hiring and onboarding two new sustainability staff around climate and solid waste soon. Finally, a big thanks to Commissioner Tim Sandry who is retiring after six years. **[0:18:15] Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you for the presentation. Councilmember Lowman, anything to add as a member of the Sustainability Commission? **[0:18:25] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I want to thank Tim Sandry for all his work. His voice will be missed. **[0:19:00] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** On the energy disclosure, do we have data on how many people moved forward with improvements? **[0:19:10] Emma Struss:** We are meeting with staff this week to track that. Regarding solar, we are starting at Public Works and hope to have a recommendation to Council by the end of the year. **[0:20:00] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** One last thing: curbside clean-up. People are confused because this is not a curbside clean-up year. Getting that information out would be helpful. **[0:20:30] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** My understanding was our bulky waste program kicks off June 23rd. You can go to the city website for details. **[0:21:45] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** People are getting mailers that will describe the garbage, recycling, and organics programs in detail soon. **[0:22:00] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Regarding water conservation and organics—some seniors ask why they must have a full cart when they generate so little. Can they share with a neighbor? I encourage the commission to think creatively about those budget and logistical reliefs. **[0:23:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** I would look for a motion to adopt the Sustainability Commission 2023 workplan. **[0:23:05] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** So moved. **[0:23:07] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Second. **[0:23:10] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion by Councilmember Dallessandro, second by Councilmember Lowman. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Council: Aye). Motion carries 7-0. Item 3 is our Consent Agenda. Councilmember Martin [transcribed as Muir] has the consent agenda. **[0:23:30] Councilmember Patrick Martin:** Thank you, Mayor. I have a hold from Councilmember Nelson on 3.7. Any other holds? Seeing none, I would move to approve Consent Agenda items 3.1 through 3.6 and 3.8 through 3.15. **[0:23:50] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Second. **[0:24:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion by Councilmember Martin, second by Councilmember Lowman. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Council: Aye). Motion carries 7-0. Item 3.7, Councilmember Nelson. **[0:24:10] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to pull this one regarding the Artistry appointment to Creative Placemaking. Is it correct that going forward, we will be taking this out of the code so that Artistry does not have a direct appointment? **[0:24:30] Melissa Manderschied (City Attorney) / Jamie Verbrugge (City Manager):** That is accurate. Staff is doing a code review right now. **[0:24:45] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I just want to make sure the people on here know this is not a personal thing about them. It's an organizational thing. I move approval of 3.7. **[0:24:55] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Second. **[0:25:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion carries 7-0. Moving on to Item 4. As we discussed, we've moved Item 4.3 to the top. We will have a staff presentation from Mr. Markert and Mr. Johnson, then open the public hearing. **[0:25:30] Glenn Markert (Planning Staff):** Good evening. Nick Johnson and I will be tag-teaming this. We want to talk about key project goals. First, providing more housing options—specifically smaller homes. Currently, Bloomington requires at least 1,040 square feet and two garage stalls. We want to open the door to smaller, more affordable, and sustainable types of housing. **[0:28:00] Glenn Markert:** Another goal is to address the homeownership opportunity gap. In Bloomington, the gap between white households and households of color is 26%, which is larger than the state and national average. Allowing smaller lots is a step toward addressing this. **[0:31:00] Nick Johnson (Planning Manager):** To clarify the density ranges, we are proposing a cap of 12 units per acre. This is not about urban sprawl, but about evaluating sites for two-family dwellings or ADUs. We looked at peer communities like Roseville and Richfield who are doing similar things. *(Presentation continues with "Candidate Analysis" and "Neighborhood Snapshots" for Norman Ridge and other areas.)* **[0:45:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you for that thorough presentation. Councilmember Carter? **[0:45:10] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** On the slide for two-family homes, how long have we allowed those in our single-family districts? **[0:45:20] Glenn Markert:** That goes back many decades, but we haven't seen them built in these specific three neighborhoods recently. **[0:46:15] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Regarding the Comprehensive Plan text amendment—where did these 0-5 and 5-10 density ranges come from? **[0:46:25] Glenn Markert:** Those designations flow out of the 1980 Comprehensive Plan. The reason for the amendment is to clarify that ADUs and two-family homes are consistent with the density of those neighborhoods. **[0:48:00] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I have a question about the letter from the attorney representing the Norman Ridge coalition. Does staff see a need to create a separate environmental overlay or an "Interstate Act Zone" as they suggested? **[0:48:45] Nick Johnson:** The DNR habitat corridor they referenced is a high-level planning document, not a precise regulatory tool. We suggest any overlay be narrowly tailored, like our bluff protection overlay. **[0:50:00] Dave Hanson (Natural Resources Manager):** That DNR map is very general. We use the same data for prioritization, but the map itself cuts across neighborhoods and industrial areas without being property-specific. **[0:52:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** I will now open the public hearing on Item 4.3. Every speaker is limited to 5 minutes. **[0:53:00] Kimberly Sullivan (Resident):** My name is Kimberly Sullivan, 329 Norman Ridge Drive. As a former council member, I understand balancing density, but Norman Ridge is unique. It's a natural home for wildlife. I request an approach that accomplishes the city's goals while preserving neighborhood character. **[0:56:00] Rochelle Gibbs (Resident):** I live at 92nd and Poplar Bridge Road. I object to this rezoning. We will lose breathing space and property values. I also think the communication was subpar—I didn't see this in the *Briefing*. **[1:01:00] Myra Levin Danowski (Resident):** My concern is "Cars, Cars, Cars." Higher density brings cars parked on the street. Without sidewalks, pedestrians are at risk. **[1:05:00] Dan Curry (Resident):** I live at 105 Norman Ridge Drive. I am representing the coalition. We proposed retaining the median lot width requirement at 50%. We do not want to obstruct the city's goals, but we want to protect natural resources. Over 60% of our neighborhood signed in support of our modified approach. **[1:09:00] Nick Erickson (Housing First Minnesota):** We have one of the most broken housing markets in the country. This proposal provides options and access. Nothing in this mandates a landowner do anything—it just gives them the choice. **[1:13:00] Ed Sauer (Resident):** Tearing down a less expensive home to build two more expensive homes does not increase affordability. It seems the real goal is just density. **[1:17:00] Abdoulaye Farah (Resident):** I am a community organizer and resident. These amendments can create a more inclusive housing market. I wholeheartedly support these changes. **[1:21:00] Denise Royer (Resident):** I live on Pleasant Avenue. I value having a range of housing options. This helps seniors transition to smaller housing while remaining in the city. **[1:25:00] John Lovold (MACV):** We serve veterans experiencing homelessness. Most need one-bedroom units or small homes. Easing these regulations makes odd-shaped or donated lots usable for organizations like ours. **[1:29:00] Kevin Schilling (Resident):** I live on Norman Ridge. Most of the citizens who wrote in are in opposition. This proposal doesn't keep us safe—it increases traffic on streets without sidewalks. **[1:33:00] Jack Dickinson (Resident):** I've lived on Norman Ridge for 20 years. Children are being dropped off at bus stops on a blind curve with no sidewalks. Increased density will make this more dangerous. **[1:36:00] Amina Adam (Resident):** As a mother and educator, I see the lack of affordable housing. The flexibility in lot sizes will enable more families to find a suitable home. **[1:38:00] Marie Miriam (Resident):** I'm a realtor. I think relaxing square footage requirements is better than just increasing density. **[1:39:30] Dawn Dolan (Resident):** Bloomington is the "crown jewel" because it's green and affordable. We want to maintain that community feel. Please reconsider. **[1:42:00] Susan Jacobson (Resident):** What does "affordable" housing actually mean? Construction is so expensive right now; I don't see how tearing down a house to build two smaller ones results in a "poor" person being able to buy it. **[1:44:00] Mona Naguib (Resident):** I live in a multi-generational home on Norman Ridge. Our bus stop situation is already dangerous. Additional traffic and off-street parking will further endanger our school children. **[1:47:00] Amanda Littlefield (Resident):** I'm all for affordable housing, but I'm concerned these new homes will just be expensive "American Dream" homes for profit, not actual affordable housing. **[1:49:00] Ms. Knutson (Resident):** My dog was hit by an Amazon truck on the Ridge. The infrastructure is not large enough for this density. Please vote no. **[1:51:00] Steve Furlong (Developer - via phone):** New construction creates opportunity for families to vacate existing, more affordable homes. We need to create more homes to meet the needs of the region. **[1:55:00] Claire Seaver (Resident):** Why does this have to be a blanket change? Why can't it be on an individual basis? Once this change is made, we can't put it back in the box. **[1:58:00] Laura Hunt (Resident):** There is no "one size fits all" solution. Developers, not homeowners, will be the ones benefiting from this. **[2:02:00] Anthony Peters (Resident):** Was there an evaluation on simply having *more* varied residential zoning categories rather than just one R-1 category? **[2:03:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** I'll look for a motion to close the public hearing. **[2:03:05] Councilmember Patrick Martin:** So moved. **[2:03:07] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Second. **[2:03:10] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion carries 7-0. To staff: what is the definition of "Affordable Housing" used here? **[2:04:15] Glenn Markert:** According to the Metropolitan Council, 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) translates to a house price of roughly $355,000. **[2:05:30] Erica Coleman (HRA Manager):** Regarding the 9030 Park Avenue project, that is through a land trust. It would be a 99-year lease targeted at a 50% AMI household—it remains perpetually affordable. **[2:07:00] Jamie Verbrugge (City Manager):** Zoning is a precondition; it removes the *barriers* to development. It doesn't guarantee the end price, but it creates the conditions where it’s possible. **[2:09:00] Councilmember Patrick Martin:** We have a record number of seniors looking to downsize and first-year cops and firefighters who can't afford a house here. For 50 years, we have codified "East vs. West Bloomington" in our zoning code. This is an opportunity to change that. **[2:11:00] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I'm mindful of the coalition of 60 residents. I want to know if we can consider their proposal for a 50% median width requirement. **[2:12:15] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** I think adopting something brought forward by one neighborhood that impacts the whole city is not equitable to residents who cannot afford an attorney. **[2:13:30] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** I'm for 92% of the changes, like reducing parking and unit size. I'm just hung up on the single-lot subdivision math. I'd like to see us go through this line-by-line. **[2:15:00] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** I'm in support of Councilmember Dallessandro's idea. I can't make the math work on affordability for single-family lot splits either. **[2:16:45] Mayor Tim Busse:** I agree. I don't know that what we have tonight does what we hope. I'm intrigued by the notion of a line-by-line conversation. **[2:17:30] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I move to postpone Case PL2022-221 for additional staff consideration line-by-line, to a date certain determined by staff. **[2:17:45] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Second. **[2:18:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion to postpone carries 6-1, with Councilmember Martin opposing. We will bring this back as a study session. **[2:19:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Item 4.1, Chapter One City Code amendments. Ulie Seal? **[2:19:15] Ulie Seal (Fire Chief):** These changes align the City Code with the Minnesota State Fire Code and simplify references. It also includes a small increase in fire department permit fees. **[2:20:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Hearing no questions, I open the public hearing. *(No public comment)* **[2:20:30] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** I move to adopt the ordinance for Item 4.1. **[2:20:35] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** Second. **[2:20:45] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion carries 7-0. Item 4.2, Luther Hyundai expansion. **[2:21:00] Glenn Markert:** This involves rezoning and development plans for a 9,200 square foot expansion at Luther Hyundai. Staff recommends approval. **[2:22:30] Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I move to adopt the ordinance for Item 4.2. **[2:22:35] Councilmember Danielle Robertson:** Second. **[2:23:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion carries 7-0. Item 5.1, Franchise Fees. **[2:23:15] Laurie Economy-Scholer (CFO):** I'm joined by Julie Long and Bob Simonds. To maintain the Pavement Management Program, we are looking at an increase of $1.35 for residential rates in 2024. This follows a delay during COVID. Our rates will still be lower than St. Louis Park and Brooklyn Park. **[2:26:00] Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** I'd like to see us invest more proportionately in sidewalks and trails where we can. **[2:27:00] Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you. We'll wrap up with the Policy and Issue update. **[2:28:00] Jamie Verbrugge:** We have a concurrent meeting with the School Board this Wednesday at Oak Grove Middle School. Also, the Governor included our $10 million request for the Expo in his revised budget. **[2:29:00] Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I saw concerns on Facebook about radioactive waste in the water. We should be proactive in communicating that our water is safe. **[2:29:45] Mayor Tim Busse:** State of the City is this Thursday morning at the Radisson. I look for a motion to adjourn. **[2:30:00] Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So moved. **[2:30:05] Councilmember Patrick Martin:** Second. **[2:30:10] Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion carries 7-0. Good night.