admin_v3_pages

age_question

analytics

archival_summary_mailer

brainstormer_emails

brainstormer_upgrades

campaign_monitor

chain_mailers

collect_only_year

consultation_hub

content_security_policy

content_security_policy_report_only

content_security_policy_strict

cookie_policy

custom_code

custom_js_tracking

dashboard

dashboard_filters_visibility

demographic_filter_text_analysis

digest_email_subscription

disable_akismet

disable_engagement_depth_query_optimization

disable_facebook_sdk

disable_google_analytics

disable_twitter_widget

disable_user_analytics_tracking

disallow_platform_admin_access

drip_campaigns

emoji_question

enable_active_directory_signup

enable_auto_hide_past_key_dates

enable_ehq_newsletter

enable_email_sharing_snippet

enable_froala_participant_css

enable_market_place

enable_material_sidebar

enable_modelled_data_age

enable_modelled_data_location

enable_newsfeed_date_settings

enable_participant_page_hub_filters

enable_pfe_authentication

enable_pfe_ideas

enable_pfe_survey

enable_reporting_filter_builder

enable_secret_key_question

enable_site_onboarding

enable_site_recaptcha

enable_static_page_question

enable_stock_image_library

enforce_sso

enhanced_skip_to_menu

enhanced_social_share

enhancements_on_places

esri_places_migration

follow_project_widget

forum_topic_optimization

full_page_graphs_in_reporting

google_translation_enabled

gov_delivery_integration

hide_participant_details_survey_analysis_pdf

homepage_upgrades

html_emails

hub_admin

hubs_on_new_appearance_editor

idea-tool-unverified-participation

idea_unverified_participation

image_editor

imgix_for_homepages

imgix_for_project_pages

intercom

load_theme_css_first

location_question

mailchimp

mapboxgl

marketplace_sms_integration

matomo_tracking

mentions

microcopy_overrides

modelled_data_ethnicity_field

modelled_data_gender_field

multi_level_links

multilingual_admin_interface

new_badge_paradigm

new_comment_feature

new_cookie_consent_manager

new_login_page_design

new_mapper

new_project_pages

new_story_telling_tool

new_surveys

new_user_profile

newsletter_tracking_code

notifications

open_documents_inline

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overview_dashboard_sharing

participants_page_revamp

pfe_header_v2

pfe_share_ideas_board

places_ui_upgrades

places_upgrade

port_project_to_bluehaven

prevent-protected-projects-in-catalogs

privacy_and_security

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project_page_refresh

project_settings

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protected_hubs_on_new_appearance_editor

quickpoll_share_link

readspeaker

registration_upgrades

render_site_header_in_places

report_download_confirmation

reporting_dashboard_optimised

reporting_dashboard_v2

reporting_ui

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saved_filter_dashboard_sharing

scim_toggle

segment_analytics

segment_analytics_admin

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social_share_modal

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submission_manager

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survey_analysis

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survey_share_link

switch_to_admin_ui

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text_analysis_2023

text_analysis_2023_sentiment_analysis

text_analysis_2024_entities

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tool_enhancements

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user_imports

user_profile_phase_2

v1_reports

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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

A collection of projects including traffic, transportation, constructions, lakes and natural resources and utilities.

Public Works

Engagement and Information on Bloomington Forward Projects and Park Master Plan projects. 

Parks and Recreation

We need your input to make a difference! Your experiences and feedback are vital for us to understand the community's needs. Please take a moment to complete the 2024 Community Mental Health Survey, available in English, Spanish, and Somali. The information from this brief, 3-minute survey will guide us in developing better services and programs. The survey will be open until September 8, 2024. Thank you for contributing to this important effort to enhance the well-being of our community.Background: The Bloomington Public Health Division, serving Bloomington, Edina and Richfield, is conducting a community health assessment (CHA). Minnesota's community health boards are required by statute to complete a CHA at least every five years. The focus of the CHA is mental health, which is driven by data indicating a decline in mental well-being. This focus also aligns with the priorities identified by community partners and external stakeholders across the three cities. Information from the U.S. Surgeon General: The document, Protecting Youth Mental Health illustrates the urgent need to address the mental health crisis among young people, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The advisory calls for a collective effort from individuals, communities, organizations, and policymakers to create a supportive environment that prioritizes youth mental health. For more detailed information, read the full advisory.The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, released in May 2023, addresses the significant public health crisis posed by loneliness and social isolation. For more detailed information, read the full advisory.

Community Health Assessment

<a href="https://www.bloomingtonforward.org/9mile/#Engagement"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-us-california/3e3975c23694fd98b0653699aea57c88422049fd/original/1720460561/e963d507a1e71ceba30c2ce2db00dc2d_Moir_Shelter_with_Flowers_-_small.JPG?1720460561" style="width: 400px;">Help Plan Moir Park, Wednesday, August 7, 5 - 7 p.m. 10320 Morgan Avenue South, Bloomington. Click for details. </a> More than two years of input from residents helped the City develop the long-term <a href="https://www.bloomingtonforward.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bloomington Forward</a> 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. <hr>Answers to common questions (FAQs) about the Nine Mile Creek Corridor project can be found on the <a href="https://www.bloomingtonforward.org/9mile/#FAQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">project website</a>.Do you want to receive email updates about the Nine Mile Creek Renewal Project? <a href="https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/com/e-subscribe-email-subscription-service" target="_blank">Sign up for E-Subscribe</a> and select the Trails Projects In and Around Bloomington topic.

Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward

Each year the City Council approves a budget to fund City services such as Public Safety, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. The 2025 budget priorities are driven by the Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together. Strategic Plan. Ranking these priorities gives the City Council a general idea of the interests of the public. The City Council will make the final budget decision in December. Throughout summer and fall, staff will host information tables seeking community feedback on the 2025 budget. If you can't make it to one of the dates listed below, play our budget game virtually! Visit blm.mn/budget for more information including links to the budget discussions with City Council, presentation materials, and historical and current budget documents. The page will be updated continuously through the budget cycle.

2025 City Budget

<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

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