Bloomington Council Approves 2025 Legislative Platform, Small Business Code Review
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.
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Votes (2)
Approval of the 2025 City of Bloomington Legislative Platform
The Council discussed the importance of advocating for Bloomington's interests at the state level. The platform includes specific funding requests for key infrastructure projects like the North Central Sanitary Sewer Project ($26 million total, requesting $13 million from state) and the Normandale Boulevard Trail ($9 million total, requesting $4.5 million from state), along with policy changes such as liquor law amendments for Dwan Golf Course and property tax exemptions for development sites. It also covers broader policy areas like economic development, environment, housing, and public safety, developed through a new staff legislative action team process.
Discussion on City Code Standards Affecting Small Businesses
The Council reviewed various city code requirements that can pose barriers for small businesses, including regulations on exterior building materials, parking, rooftop equipment screening, trash/recycling storage, odor control, and grease interceptors. The objective is to identify and potentially modify these standards to foster a more small business-friendly environment in Bloomington. The discussion emphasized the need to balance business facilitation with the protection of public infrastructure and the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Public engagement, including hearings, is planned.
Notable Quotes (2)
IF YOU’RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU’RE ON THE MENU. I’D PREFER BLOOMINGTON TO BE AT THE TABLE.
THE TRICK OF COURSE, IS TO BALANCE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SMALL BUSINESS WITH ANY POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
A list of priorities Bloomington will work on or support during the upcoming legislative session.
State legislation through which Bloomington seeks funding for major infrastructure projects.
Bloomington's request for state funds for the Normandale Boulevard Trail in the previous year.
City regulations and standards applicable to small businesses being reviewed for potential changes.
Document to which the project for reviewing small business code standards was added by the Council.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Council Organizational and Appointment Items
Approval of the 2025 City of Bloomington Legislative Platform
Review and Potential Amendment of City Code Standards for Small Businesses
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