[00:00] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Good morning, everyone. I would like to call to order this special meeting of the Bloomington City Council starting early on Saturday, January 7th. We are doing our second round of interviews—or excuse me, a second batch of first-round interviews—to fill the Council At-Large seat to replace Nathan Coulter. As I said, this is our second batch of interviews. We interviewed the first group of candidates on Wednesday evening, and we interviewed nine on Wednesday night. We're going to do ten today. Basically, I say "interview," and this is indeed more or less a job interview for each of the candidates. We have asked that they submit a resume and a cover letter, and then we provided four questions for them to prepare for and to be ready for this interview panel. I had a very good set of interviews on Wednesday night and am looking forward to today's candidates. Well, the plan is we will finish up today, and then Monday night at our Council meeting, we will winnow this group down from 19 people to a more manageable group of three, or four, or five—however it works out—and ask them back for second interviews. We'll be doing a second interview of those folks and, based off of the information we have from the application materials they submitted and the two interviews, we will be making our selection. I think it is the first meeting in February. We are moving quickly on this because we want to make sure that we have the Council seat filled; we don't want that Council seat to sit empty for too long. So that is the groundwork and the foundation of what we're doing today. And now we will bring in our first candidates and welcome them, and off we go. I thought Christina saw me give the "high sign," but apparently not, so she's here. We are right here at the podium. Okay, the questions are there. I'll just make sure you speak into the mic here. Good morning, Mr. Johnson. Welcome. [00:02] **Mr. Johnson:** Good morning. [00:02] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thanks for being here. Thank you for your application this morning. I'm glad you're in front of us and thanks, as I said, for your application and your interest in this position. We have four questions that we've asked. We asked everybody on Wednesday night and we'll be asking everybody the same four questions today. We're limiting everybody to eight minutes, and the clock is up over there to your right so you can see that and see how much time you have. We ask that you budget accordingly so we can ask and answer four questions and make sure that we get the information from you that we're hoping to get this morning. Okay? [00:03] **Mr. Johnson:** So, Sarah mentioned there was like a ten-minute period and there was going to be two minutes where I explained and then the last eight was you guys asking? [00:03] **Mayor Tim Busse:** This was updated; it kind of evolved as we moved forward. I must have missed that email and I apologize. Right. So what we're going to do is simply ask the questions as we head right on down the dais here and the clock will start as we do this. We'll start with Councilmember Lowman. Councilmember Lowman, why don't you kick us off? [00:03] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Thank you, Mayor. Welcome. Good morning. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good City Councilmember. [00:04] **Mr. Johnson:** I am a senior citizen, so I represent probably a large segment of the city that I don't know is represented on the Council currently. As an At-Large Council seat, I like that opportunity because it means I don't answer necessarily or cater only to the people on the East Side or the West Side; I deal with everybody in the city. That unity is, I think, important. I've lived in six different cities in my life. I grew up in Minneapolis, I spent a lot of time in Brooklyn Park. I spent a lot of time in community activism in that I was part of the Lions in Brooklyn Park. I spent a lot of personal time volunteering, raising money, and working on city projects. [00:05] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So, what project or initiative in the last year do you see as the most aligned with the direction of where Bloomington is headed? [00:05] **Mr. Johnson:** Well, luckily for the City of Bloomington, I'm new, so I bring in the experience from living in six different communities. The majority of my life was spent in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, but I've also lived in Hopkins, Portland (Oregon), and Maple Grove. I've only been here since May of last year, so I don't have that deep of a view of what's going on prior to that. But I think the recent focus on Police and Fire are the most impressive to me because that's what's going to keep your community growing. When people see that that's where your focus is, those are the services that they rely on to make their life a good place. When people want to decide where to go live, that's a key factor. [00:06] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Good morning. Excuse me, first time I've spoken today. My voice is a little... apologies. I only have dogs and cats at home. Oh, you know the meetings all the time. No, no, I meant this morning. The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. So, what are one or two things you'd like to see in ten years that will make this community better? [00:06] **Mr. Johnson:** A couple of things. One: work to keep the taxes reasonable. To say "low" is a misnomer because that's relative, and "reasonable" is also a wide-open term. But if your taxes start to exceed your neighboring cities that are in a comparable situation, you will not attract new people. According to statistics, Bloomington has been in a downward progression in population since its height. Since then, you have had growth of less than 10% in most years, and some have gone down. You're losing population. So, keeping taxes low and supporting owner-occupancy in your city is key. As your city becomes more rental-focused, you lose people who are involved in the community because they have less at stake. Ownership of a home takes support. I think of the six different cities I've lived in, the ones that have higher owner-occupancy—you can tell those neighborhoods when you drive through them. [00:07] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes and please describe how you'd like to help the city succeed going forward. [00:07] **Mr. Johnson:** Okay, well, having been here since May, I haven't done a whole lot yet. I'm still figuring out where to go in Bloomington—I just found a mechanic! When I lived in Brooklyn Park for several years as a member of the Lions, we did a lot of things. You volunteer time, you raise money, and then that money is used for funding requests. I was very involved; I managed their largest fundraiser, which has been the longest-running event in the city of Brooklyn Park. People need to get involved. I don't just say, "Gee, I wish that was going to be changed." Wishing doesn't change it. If you want to see a change, you have to get involved. [00:08] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Mr. Johnson, thank you very much for being here this morning. Those were the four questions we had. As I said, thanks for your application and your interest in this position. [00:08] **Mr. Johnson:** Do I have any minutes left? [00:08] **Mayor Tim Busse:** You've got a minute 28, but what we are trying to do is keep it the same for everybody so that everyone answers the same questions and we have the same information. [00:08] **Mr. Johnson:** I did want to bring up that looking at the makeup of the Council currently, I think I might be the only person here—if I make it past this—that is a senior citizen on Social Security, over the age of 65, on a set income, and a renter rather than a homeowner. I can address an aspect of the population in the City of Bloomington that currently doesn't have a Council person with the same demographics. I think my demographics are an important area that should be represented, and I can be an advocate for them. Thank you so much for your time today. [00:09] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Mr. Johnson, thank you. Good morning, Ms. Pollack. Welcome. [00:09] **Beth Pollack:** Morning. Thank you. [00:09] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you for being here with us this morning. We are asking each of the applicants the same four questions to get a better understanding of who you are and your thoughts on the city. We have eight minutes allocated. We'd ask that you budget your time to make sure we can get all four questions in. We are just going to head right down the dais. Councilmember Lowman, please. [00:10] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Thank you, Mayor. Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good City Councilmember. [00:10] **Beth Pollack:** Well, good morning. My name is Beth Pollack. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I have a degree in international relations and political science. I do believe that helps build a foundation. I also have life experience. I am particularly good at seeing the big picture as well as listening and learning. I have the corporate America job—I go downtown to Minneapolis a few times a week—but I also have the second job and the third job, working in retail and the hospitality and service industry, which is a big part of the community here. I also rent in a neighborhood that is mostly home ownership. I also have my own business. A big part of a city is being fiscally responsible, balancing the wants and needs of the community, and being mindful of non-income streams. I don't have all the answers, but I can help find the pathways to help make Bloomington a sustainable, healthy city for the future. [00:11] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [00:11] **Beth Pollack:** One I particularly was proud to see was the curbside organics pickup. No longer do I have to walk down the road to deposit my organics. Having the green and sustainable future and making that a big part of where we are going is great. Also, the commitment to diversity—being aware of discrimination, prejudice, and cognitive bias so we can learn and grow from that. [00:12] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Thanks for being here. The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. So what are one or two things you'd like to see in ten years that will make our community better? [00:12] **Beth Pollack:** I'd like to see racial, ethnic, and even economic diversity within neighborhoods, making sure everyone is able to live where they want. Also, the importance of green spaces and changing our perspectives on what is "good" for lawns—it doesn't necessarily have to be weed-free. Public transportation is another big one; for me, it's actually easier to go to a neighboring community to get on a bus to work in Minneapolis than within my own community. Finally, addressing the mental health crisis is so important to the housing and job security everyone wants. [00:13] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes and please describe how you'd like to help the city succeed going forward. [00:13] **Beth Pollack:** I have contributed by participating in what the city has to offer. This past summer, I had a piece in the "Come As You Are" exhibition. It was a great way to show my allyship. I also participated in square dancing lessons right down the hall here. You may have also seen or even purchased some of my stained glass pieces from the Winter Markets held in this building. I want to be able to help grow the community as a public servant. [00:14] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you very much, Ms. Pollack. Good morning, Ms. Carmen. Welcome. [00:14] **Isabel Carmen:** Good morning, Mayor and City Council. [00:14] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you for being here. We have eight minutes on the clock for the same four questions. Councilmember Lowman will kick us off. [00:14] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Thank you, Mayor. Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good Councilmember. [00:15] **Isabel Carmen:** Thank you. My name is Isabel Carmen and I've been a Bloomington resident for the last 19 years. I have been very connected to the city through my work as an educator with Bloomington Public Schools for the last 24 years. I have served on the Planning Commission for the past four and a half years and was a member of the Forward 2040 Advisory Committee. I was also in the first cohort of the Bloomington Learn to Lead initiative. But my longest experience has been as a School Board member for Bloomington schools for the last 11 years. I know what it entails to be a serving elected official. As a chair of the Bloomington School Board during the first two years of the pandemic, I proved that I was able to remain calm and focused during a time of crisis. I believe I have gained the tools and skills necessary to contribute to the city council. [00:16] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [00:16] **Isabel Carmen:** I’d like to talk about "Bloomington Tomorrow." You have this great initiative of bringing the community together and listening to the different voices to create a vision where everyone can thrive. This plan encompasses a set of goals and strategies that align with the mission to cultivate an enduring and remarkable community. It also aligns with the vision of the Forward 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which includes life, work, recreation, safety, and community engagement. [00:17] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. One or two things you'd like to see in ten years that will make the community better? [00:17] **Isabel Carmen:** In ten years, I would like to see that Bloomington has moved in the direction established in the Forward 2040 plan—that the quality of life has improved with more opportunities for work, education, and housing for all people. I definitely like to see more families with young children moving to Bloomington and staying here. I have met families that had to leave Bloomington because they did not find housing opportunities. Also, the World Expo—I think this is a great opportunity for our families and youth. [00:18] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes and please describe how you'd like to help the city succeed going forward. [00:18] **Isabel Carmen:** My biggest contribution has been on the Bloomington School Board, working directly with our families and students. I would like to work together with the Council to help our families move forward. [00:19] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Ms. Carmen, thank you. Good morning, Ms. Dannie. [00:19] **Dannie:** Good morning. Hi. [00:19] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thanks for being here. You have eight minutes for the four questions. Councilmember Lowman, please. [00:19] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Thank you, Mayor. Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good City Councilmember. [00:19] **Dannie:** My name is Dannie. I’m a mom of two, both go to Bloomington Public Schools. I work at HealthPartners here in Bloomington as a content production lead. I'm currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Bloomington Early Childhood Advisory Council. I moved to Minnesota about 17 years ago to go to the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, focusing on social policy. I’m a disability self-advocate. Why I think I’m a good fit is because I am good at building consensus. In my job, I sit in a room with lawyers, doctors, and developers, and we have to come up with a way so that when your grandmother gets cancer and logs onto the website, she feels supported, not confused. I want to be in a place where that kind of collaboration happens. [00:20] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [00:20] **Dannie:** The number one thing is your commitment to communication with residents being a two-way street. I love the use of the online portal, but specifically, the Parks Master Plan meetings—where you came into the community to talk to people where they are—really shows a commitment. When you go and stand in your hiking boots and ask people how they use the space, it creates an investment where everyone is working to make the city better. [00:21] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Good morning. The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. What are one or two things that you'd like to see in ten years that will make our community better? [00:21] **Dannie:** I want to see that you’re building a city with inclusion as "design," not as an "accommodation." I want to see a place where every single person is nourished and feels they belong. [00:22] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes and please describe how you'd like to help the city succeed going forward. [00:22] **Dannie:** My work on the Early Childhood Advisory Council. Last year we raised over $5,000 to overhaul equipment at Southwood Early Learning Center and Pond Center. We've also raised money for diapers and cold weather gear. Going forward, I’m very good at synthesizing information—taking data from staff and research and turning it into an easy-to-understand analysis. I also like to ask questions that challenge us to move forward and find our blind spots. [00:23] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Dannie, thank you for your input. Mr. Mueller, good morning. [00:24] **Samra Mueller:** Good morning. [00:24] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thanks for being here. You have eight minutes. Councilmember Lowman, please. [00:24] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good Councilmember. [00:24] **Samra Mueller:** My first name is pronounced "Samra"—like "chainsaw." I’ve been a resident in Bloomington for seven years, but my connection spans back decades; my parents-in-law grew up here. Bloomington is a kaleidoscope of change. As a first-generation American of Hmong descent, I have been living my life bringing worlds together. I remember translating for my parents at teacher conferences and helping with paperwork for their store. My life experiences will give this Council a view into how we can build bridges across worlds. [00:25] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [00:25] **Samra Mueller:** The shift in how you approach community engagement and transparency. I’m a grad of the Bloomington Leadership Program, and more recently, I was part of the core planning team to set the city’s strategic plan. Regardless of whether I'm appointed, I will continue to champion that level of resident engagement. [00:26] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** Good morning. The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. What are one or two things you'd like to see in ten years that will make our community better? [00:26] **Samra Mueller:** I want to see our parks, playgrounds, and skating rinks bursting with children and grandparents. That would mean we were able to execute on our fair housing plans, build a robust business community, and attract new residents while supporting current ones. [00:27] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes and please describe how you'd like to help the city succeed going forward. [00:27] **Samra Mueller:** Being part of the Community Budget Advisory Committee during the pandemic and the strategic plan core team. But honestly, the most successful thing is finding my "being" here. My family stumbled upon the "Toddler Park" community during the pandemic. It was just parents looking to allow our kids to be kids. That is the seed I want to sow so that residents have a place to be. [00:29] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Mr. Mueller, thank you. We’re going to take a quick ten-minute break and come back at 10:00 for our next applicant on WebEx. *** [10:00] **Mayor Tim Busse:** I’m going to reconvene. Our next person is David Clark via WebEx. Mr. Clark, I can see you. We have eight minutes for the four questions. Councilmember Lowman. [10:01] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you'd make a good Councilmember. [10:01] **David Clark:** I grew up overseas in South America and saw the effects of bad governance. For the last 20 years, I’ve been a proud Bloomington resident. I think I’d be a great Council member because I think differently and I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo or ask "why?" Why does this budget need to be passed this way? Does this ordinance violate constitutional rights? As a commercial pilot and business consultant, I’m paid to think ahead and build consensus. [10:02] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [10:02] **David Clark:** I’ve been a vocal critic of the Council, but there are bright spots. The financing for the Mall of America waterpark is a great project. The World’s Fair—as long as we have safeguards—could be a boon. Hiring Police Chief Hodges was a brilliant move, and hiring someone to go after grant money will pay for itself. [10:03] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. What are one or two things you'd like to see in ten years that would make our community better? [10:03] **David Clark:** Bloomington can be a "smart city." In ten years, we can have electric vehicles in the air and on the ground. We can be a destination for business headquarters because of our location. We can be the home of a great research university. Most of all, we can have the lowest per capita cost of local government in the metro area. [10:04] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes? [10:04] **David Clark:** I’m a founding member of "Residents for Better Bloomington," a group dedicated to increasing civic engagement. We have over 4,000 people on our list. I’ve talked to thousands of people about issues that matter. I’ll always fight for transparency, election integrity, and fiscal responsibility. [10:05] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you, Mr. Clark. Good morning, Mr. Ostlund. Welcome. [10:06] **Joey Ostlund:** Good morning. I'm probably going to walk around because I despise public speaking. [10:06] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Well, we need you on the microphone for the cable feed. You have eight minutes. Councilmember Lowman. [10:06] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Welcome. Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good Councilmember. [10:06] **Joey Ostlund:** My name is Joey Ostlund. I've lived in Bloomington about 25 years. I have four kids and two dogs. I know a little bit about a lot of things. My daughter is Type 1 diabetic, so I’ve learned a lot about the health insurance system. As a realtor, I have a lot of connections; people often come to me looking for jobs or advice. [10:07] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [10:07] **Joey Ostlund:** The sustainable city piece and the Sustainability Commission. If we don't have a planet, we don't have much else. Social equity is right behind that. Teaching residents about native prairies and "No Mow May"—those little things help people live better. [10:08] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** The decisions we make often don't have an impact until many years later. What are one or two things you'd like to see in ten years that would make our community better? [10:08] **Joey Ostlund:** We need more cohesion. If you look at the Bloomington Facebook groups, it’s as toxic as it can get. We need to get people to understand that we’re neighbors. I want to see a city where people understand we’re working for a common goal. I also want to see progress in affordable housing. There’s not an "East Bloomington" and "West Bloomington"—we're all neighbors. [10:09] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes? [10:09] **Joey Ostlund:** Most of my focus has been on housing and the HRA. I was on the board of the Bloomington Housing Foundation. We need to get more dense and look at smart, sustainable development. I also bring a lot of community building through my church, Oak Grove. [10:11] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Mr. Ostlund, thank you. Ms. Taylor, good morning. [10:12] **Taylor:** Good morning. [10:12] **Mayor Tim Busse:** You have eight minutes. Councilmember Lowman. [10:12] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Tell us about yourself and why you think you'd make a good Councilmember. [10:12] **Taylor:** My husband and I have lived here for several years. For 15 years, I was President of two Metro Chambers of Commerce. I also ran my family’s transportation company. I’ve worked with city administration and Council on building consensus. Advocating for transit, housing, and economic development has been my focus. I also ran for Hennepin County Commissioner and learned firsthand what keeps residents up at night. [10:13] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [10:13] **Taylor:** The strategic plan—One Bloomington. Also, the Small Business Development Center. 84% of respondents in a recent survey believed the creation of that center was a great idea. [10:14] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** One or two things you'd like to see in ten years? [10:14] **Taylor:** A community health and wellness center, investment in infrastructure, and increased transit services. [10:15] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes? [10:15] **Taylor:** I served on the boards of VEAP and Cornerstone. I was also appointed to the Community Center Task Force and served on the Budget Advisory Committee in 2020. I understand the complexities of the city budget and the property tax levy. [10:17] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you, Ms. Taylor. Mr. Moore, good morning. Welcome. [10:18] **Ted Moore:** Good morning. [10:18] **Mayor Tim Busse:** You have eight minutes. Councilmember Lowman. [10:18] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** Tell us about yourself. Why you think you'd make a good Councilmember? [10:18] **Ted Moore:** My name is Ted Moore. I'm a homemaker and parent to two children in Bloomington Public Schools. I’m curious about how government could better serve our residents. I'm collegial and believe the best policy comes through collaboration. I share this Council’s vision of equity and sustainability. [10:19] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** So what project or initiative in the last year do you see as most aligned with the direction Bloomington is headed and why? [10:19] **Ted Moore:** Sick and Safe Leave, for three reasons: it addresses adverse effects on communities of color, it responds to the public health system gaps exposed by COVID, and it shows Bloomington’s leadership in regional action. [10:20] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** One or two things you'd like to see in ten years that would make our community better? [10:20] **Ted Moore:** Expansion of high-speed internet—potentially the city acting as a municipal utility. Second: drought-resistant infrastructure. We need drought mitigation strategies like living roofs and greywater systems. [10:21] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Where have you contributed most to the city's past successes? [10:21] **Ted Moore:** We moved here in 2020, and most of my time has been spent inside our children's schools. Parent involvement strengthens the community and shows kids we are invested in their success. I want to help this Council continue to make certain all residents feel heard and valued. [10:23] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Mr. Moore, thank you. Our final applicant appears to be a no-show. We’ve talked to 18 prospective candidates. It's an impressive group of people. On Monday night, we will try and winnow this group down from 18 to a more manageable number. We’ll look for candidates who have at least four members of the Council voting in favor. Then we'll bring them back for a second interview that will be more like a conversation—a give and take. Any questions on the process? [10:25] **Councilmember Dwayne Lowman:** I wanted to thank you, Mayor, for putting together these questions. They were well done. I also want to thank Matt and Christina for their work in this process. [10:26] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Priyanka Rai, our Secretary, and Christina Scipione, our City Clerk, have done outstanding work. Thank you. [10:26] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** I’m wondering if you have an idea of how many people we will be voting on Monday? [10:26] **Mayor Tim Busse:** I think everyone will vote for their top five, and we’ll see who gets at least four votes. I’d like to see a group of three to five advance. [10:27] **Councilmember Shawn Nelson:** Thank you. Having the questions formatted this way was very helpful. [10:28] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** One other person that hasn't been given kudos is Grant in the booth, who came in on a Saturday to help us out. [10:28] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Thank you, Grant. These interviews are on YouTube, and I encourage the community to watch. I would look for a motion to adjourn. [10:29] **Councilmember Lona Dallessandro:** So moved. [10:29] **Councilmember Jenna Carter:** Second. [10:29] **Mayor Tim Busse:** Motion by Dallessandro, second by Carter (Martin). All those in favor signify by saying aye. Motion carries 5-0. Thank you, Council.