The Bloomington City Council approved its 2025 Legislative Platform during its first meeting of the year Monday, outlining funding requests totaling $17.5 million for state bonding projects and other municipal priorities.

The platform includes a $13 million request for the North Central Sanitary Sewer Project, which would upgrade sewer infrastructure along Highway 494 in the Southtown and Penn American areas. The $26 million project represents needed improvements to aging infrastructure, with the city seeking state funding for half the total cost. The council also renewed its request for $4.5 million toward the $9 million Normandale Boulevard Trail project, which would replace and upgrade the existing trail between 94th Street and Old Shakopee Road.

Additional legislative priorities include lifting liquor restrictions at Dwan Golf Course, which currently can only sell 3.2 beer under state law, and extending the property tax exemption for the former Thunderbird Hotel site for six more years. The city also seeks funding for rooftop solar panel installations on municipal buildings including the Ice Garden, Civic Plaza, the 82nd Street Water Reservoir and Public Works North Garage.

The council advanced a review of city code standards that may create barriers for small businesses, directing staff to examine requirements for exterior building materials, parking, rooftop equipment screening, trash storage, odor control and grease interceptors. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed changes in March, followed by a City Council hearing tentatively scheduled for April.

Mayor Tim Busse said the city developed the legislative platform through a new process involving a staff Legislative Action Team working with lobbying teams, the city manager's office and council members. The platform addresses broader municipal priorities including economic development, environment, housing and public safety beyond Bloomington-specific requests.