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Welcome to Let&#39;s Talk Bloomington, the City of Bloomington&#39;s website for community conversations. Select the boxes below to learn about projects and conversations taking place in Bloomington. &nbsp;Register to stay up to date on ways to participate.

Welcome to Let's Talk Bloomington

<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/ae1fc7a359c18a79a8aefe0457790749d63c5f18/original/1714580122/26296d2a6f3305da6d975ecf117a644a_Nine_Mile_Creek_bridges.jpg?1714580122" style="width: 400px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-fir">More than two years of input from residents helped the City develop the long-term Bloomington Forward investment plan to support three major community projects for better health, wellness, athletics and recreation.In November 2023, via citywide referendum, Bloomington voters approved a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $155 million in bonds to pay for the projects. This includes the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal project which prioritizes, sustainability and desirable amenities to ensure continued connection of resident to nature and outdoor activities.Background: The 2021 Park System Master Plan assessed existing park infrastructure, and established needs and priorities based on extensive stakeholder and community engagement and input.A community-driven planning process will develop a new vision for Moir/Central Park, with design principles reflecting the Park System Master Plan&rsquo;s priorities of natural resources, park facility needs, trails, mobility and equity.

Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward

<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/9da925d577cd675e7b98adddcec4772b8f8ee9d9/original/1715635182/5ece45033421eded3d1852dcfb737dbd_Construction_workers.jpg?1715635182" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-fir">Prevailing wages are the wages required to be paid on specifically funded state construction projects. Minnesota&#39;s prevailing wage law (<a href="https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=177" target="_blank">Minnesota Statutes 177.41 through 177.44</a>) requires employees working on state-funded construction projects covered by law be paid wage-rates comparable to wages paid for similar work in the area where the project is located.At the December 18, 2023, City Council meeting, members asked about protections for workers while considering a development proposal. Since then the compliance division staff in the City Attorney&#39;s Office have been researching the various options and approaches. Several approaches were presented to the City Council on March 18, 2024. City Council requested more discussion of prevailing wage including the preparation of a local ordinance and the inclusion of additional presenters/perspectives.An overview of prevailing wages and a draft ordinance to cover prevailing wages on city-funded contracts where state prevailing wage does not apply, was presented to the Bloomington City Council on April 29 and is found <a href="https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/24616/widgets/82620/documents/55207">here</a>.At the April 29th meeting, the Bloomington City Council directed staff to gather more public input.

Prevailing Wage Ordinance

<div class="fr-view ehq-surveyQuestionHeading css-1sedbpd">The 2nd Annual Home Energy Workshop will be July 31, 2024Home energy affects our comfort, health, and pocketbooks. The way we fuel our homes also impacts climate change.</div><div class="ehq-sectionQuestion css-0"><div class="fr-view css-1w97tc">The City of Bloomington will be hosting the 2nd annual Home Energy Workshop. This is a free event for residents interested in learning about energy efficiency, home electrification, and solar at home. Event Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024Event Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pmDoors open: 6:00 pmEvent Location: Black Box Theater, Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431Registration Fee: FreeDinner: Free light dinner will be provided</div></div>Espa&ntilde;ol? 952-563-8732Need translation or other accommodation? 952-563-8732 <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><a href="https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/home-energy-workshop/surveys/2024-exhibitor-registration1"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/3da06d25926b8aa4ab4e39d81356bb35c513bcdc/original/1715350963/76e827e2fa5cc9a79a368cc2c1dab677_REGISTER.png?1715350963" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 162px;" alt="The word &quot;register&quot; with a red background"></a><a href="https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/home-energy-workshop/surveys/2024-exhibitor-registration1">Register here</a></div>

Home Energy Workshop

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW100811262 BCX0"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108653278 BCX0"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">The Environmental Standards Review (ESR) aims to study environmental standards for tree preservation, slopes, wildlife and habitat, and landscaping for low-density residential development to ensure that we are protecting our precious environmental assets while addressing the needs of our residents. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">As part of this project, the Planning Division is asking residents and other relevant stakeholders to share their thoughts about environmental standards for low-density residential properties and development, particularly comments about the clarity of regulations, what environmental assets you would like to see more of in the community, and/or comments or concerns about adopting additional or more stringent requirements. This project will advance in Q1 2024 with a Study Item Session to Planning Commission and then to City Council. Further action will be determined from these Study Item Sessions, and updates will be provided post-Meetings.</div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Topics and Themes </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Trees provides significant benefit to the ecosystem by managing stormwater, supporting soil health, providing habitat for wildlife and other plants, and increasing our wellbeing through improved mental health, air quality, and temperature regulation benefits. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Tree Preservation typically covers protection, planting, replacement, and removal activities to ensure that negative impacts are mitigated and the health and resiliency of the tree canopy is maintained over time. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Slopes are unique geological features that provide habitat and steer the flow of water and stormwater to waterbodies and valleys. Slopes are highly susceptible to soil erosion and disruption and can be particularly vulnerable to impacts stemming from human activities and development. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Protecting slopes typically encompasses preventing increased stormwater runoff onto slopes, slope stabilization through techniques like planting vegetation, and minimizing soil disturbance through buffers, grading permits, and development and construction restrictions. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Wildlife and Habitat are important parts of the urban ecosystem. Habitat supports plant species that help with carbon sequestration, stormwater and filtration, pollination, and urban heat island. Wildlife, like insect pollinators and birds, need habitat (trees, grasses, shrubs and bushes) for food, reproduction, and wellbeing. Managing urban ecosystems is a challenging endeavor because of the tremendous human influence and unpredictable weather patterns that can greatly impact the environment. Connected habitat areas are important, but not the only indicator for thriving habitats due to the vast needs of different species, including humans. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Wildlife and habitat standards typically focus on maintaining high quality nature and habitat areas, creating habitat through things like tree planting programs and native landscaping campaigns, identifying sensitive areas and species for protection, and converting prioritized habitats into public land. It is a focused effort between tree preservation, slope maintenance, landscaping, and other regulations to support wildlife and habitat ecosystems.</div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW40497308 BCX0">Landscaping regulations can encourage the creation of habitat for pollinators, birds, and other species, as well has manage urban heat island effects, stormwater management, carbon sequestration, and increase resiliency to ecosystem changes. Native landscaping Code changes are currently being explored by an interdepartmental team at the City of Bloomington that would support more native landscaping in the community. Changes to landscaping policies would give guidance to residents on planting and maintaining native landscaping and regulations would outline items for enforcement, setbacks, and plant heights, and other specifics. </div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108653278 BCX0">Additional Resources and Links</div></div><ul><li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW100811262 BCX0"><a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/plan/minnesota-river-valley-natural-and-cultural-systems-plan#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20the%20Natural,where%20they%20should%20be%20applied." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City of Bloomington Minnesota River Valley Natural and Cultural Systems Plan</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/mnt/natural-area-restoration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">City of Bloomington Natural Resources Prioritization and Management Strategies for Bloomington Parks</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/service-area-and-park-planning">City of Bloomington Park System Master Plan</a> | <a href="https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/parks-master-plan">Park System Master Plan - Let&#39;s Talk Bloomington</a></li></ul>

Environmental Standards Review 

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW54190004 BCX0">The City of Bloomington is developing a comprehensive Bloomington Creative Placemaking Plan that aligns with the City&rsquo;s strategic plan goals and builds off the previous South Loop Creative Placemaking Plan. Expanding creative placemaking citywide was identified by the community as a strategic initiative in the &ldquo;Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. Strategic Plan&rdquo; to advance the strategic outcome of &ldquo;A Connected, Welcoming Community.&rdquo; </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW54190004 BCX0">Through the development of this plan, the City hopes to leverage creativity, art, and placemaking and place keeping strategies to promote social, cultural, and economic activity. The process to develop this Plan will incorporate artist-led community engagement activities to involve the community. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW54190004 BCX0">The City is working with Forecast Public Art as our consultant to develop this Plan, and to coordinate engagement activities throughout the summer. Engagement opportunities and progress will be shared on this page. The final plan is anticipated to be presented by February, 2025. Artwork credit: &quot;Oshun&rsquo;s Existence&quot; by Reggie LeFlore, detail of WE Mural, curated by Ua Si Creative.</div>

Bloomington Creative Placemaking Plan

<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/71baf2e63b5f0051af80a3742eee44f5f213aa34/original/1710789770/daca007c348c18026372d67928bd5e0f_Development_review_icon.jpg?1710789770" style="width: 400px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Some cities are increasingly expanding the size or types of development applications that can be approved administratively as a means to reduce the time and cost of development approvals. Expansion of administrative approvals also helps manage or reduce the agenda workloads of the Planning Commission and City Council related to more routine approvals, assuming full Code compliance. This project would identify potential opportunities to expand administrative approvals and otherwise reduce regulatory barriers for approval. This project was adopted as part of the 2024 Planning Commission Work Plan.

Admin/Streamlined Development Approvals Study

The Port Authority of the City of Bloomington is embarking on a process to develop a 5-year Economic Development Action Plan. The Port Authority is undergoing an evolution as it expands from working primarily in the South Loop District (area east of Highway 77) to working Citywide. The Port&#39;s main services are currently <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/port/development-incentives-and-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">development and redevelopment</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/port/business-assistance" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">small business assistance</a>, and <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pl/creative-placemaking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">creative placemaking</a>. TIP Strategies (<a href="https://tipstrategies.com/">https://tipstrategies.com/</a>) will guide and craft the plan with input from the community. A 13-member Steering Committee will help guide the process. Membership includes representatives from key business stakeholders and partners in Bloomington and region: <ul><li>Bloomington, MN Travel and Tourism</li><li>Elevate Hennepin/Hennepin County</li><li>Greater MSP</li><li>Health Partners</li><li>Larkin Hoffman</li><li>McGough Companies</li><li>Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce</li><li>Nine Mile Brewing</li><li>Northwestern Health Sciences University</li><li>US Bank</li><li>Xcel Energy</li><li>Zawadi Center</li></ul>This site will continually be updated as the planning process progresses. Questions about the project can be directed to Holly Masek, Port Authority Administrator, at <a data-fr-linked="true" href="mailto:hmasek@bloomingtonmn.gov">hmasek@bloomingtonmn.gov</a>.

Port Authority 5-Year Economic Development Plan

The City seeks to create more opportunity for housing affordable to families making 30% of Area Median Income. Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing can provide deeply affordable dwellings to help meet this need. This project will involve studying SROs from a zoning and regulatory perspective. This study will be shared with the Planning Commission, HRA, and City Council to determine next steps. Future action could include drafting Code amendments to refine how SROs are developed and regulated in Bloomington. This project was included in the adopted 2024 Planning Commission Work Plan. <img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/e4608c48fa9e95b563d7ad9b826cd04e712cb48a/original/1710789498/678c28372d7ea86151af10053c9252f3_LTB_logo.png?1710789498" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">

Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Standards

<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><a href="https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/pay-as-you-throw-rate-study/news_feed/join-an-engagement-session" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/e6b843d385517d42fb6edf76d699fe377d6c6b69/original/1712860671/35778ceeb786601b0c7b86891e996945_Join_the_Conversation_Button.png?1712860671">Click to sign up for one of our virtual engagement sessions.</a></div>Bloomington provides curbside collection of <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/12870">garbage</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/12871">recycling</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/12874">organics</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/node/12875">yard waste</a> and bulky items for single-family residential properties, duplexes and certain townhomes. The City is conducting a solid waste study to provide recommendations for possibly expanding our variable solid waste rate structure, also known as Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) rate structure. With PAYT, residents pay for trash collected based on the size of their trash containers. The City already has a minimal PAYT rate structure, with a small different in price for different garbage cart sizes. A Pay-As-You-Throw rate structure with larger difference in price between garbage carts could better reflects the amount of use that residents make of our solid waste programs and incentivize increased recycling, composting and waste reduction.Please note that this study will not be looking at making recycling and organics recycling services optional. The City is required by Hennepin County to offer organics and State law requires that in communities where organics recycling service is available, all residents must be charged for the service. <hr> <a href="https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4a5953b3/Z1B4mlxKnU695fDSaPuTEg?u=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BloomingtonPAYT"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/fb3821fde70891d3ad9f593d1dc505226ea98e53/original/1709567950/06b781ce28747f11e99281ecddbbf65c_Take_our_survey_button.png?1709567950" style="width: 208px;" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dii"></a>The City would like to hear from you regarding your current waste generation behaviors and what would motivate you to reduce waste. The input we receive will help us develop recommendations that will be considered as part of the 2025 rate setting process. Your response is very important. Your answers will not be identiﬁed individually but will be combined with all other answers in our analyses. Thank you for taking our survey. <hr>

Waste Generation Behavior and Rate Study