City lobbyist Katie Senn reported Bloomington secured $4 million in state bonding for the North Central Sanitary Sewer project, a liquor license allowing full alcohol sales (not just 3.2 beer) at Dwan Golf Course, and a share of $10 million in Metro Regional Parks and Trails funding. A second bonding priority for Old Shakopee Road did not receive funding, and statewide measures on local gun control, HOA restrictions, and corporate home ownership limits failed to pass.
Auditor Andy Hearing of Redpath and Company reported an unmodified ("clean") opinion on the city's 2025 financial statements with no findings on internal controls or state legal compliance. One federal compliance finding was noted in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program — missing tenant file checklists and incorrect utility/income calculations totaling $4,184 in questioned costs — a repeat finding from 2024 that staff say is being corrected. The council voted 7-0 to accept the 2025 annual comprehensive financial report; general fund balance stood at $55.3 million.
Council Member Nelson pulled item 3.4 (a preliminary/final plat for a lot near Bush Lake) from the consent agenda after residents raised concerns about a new house being squeezed onto a large lot, out of character with the neighborhood, and inadequate notice. The council voted 7-0 to lay the item over to the June 29 meeting so residents can register to speak at the listening session first.
The council approved an ordinance reducing setbacks (30 ft to 20 ft) and minimum lot size/width requirements for corner lots to encourage infill development and accessory dwelling units. A resident, Brian Sevick, testified against the change, arguing it strips neighbors' input rights that used to require a variance process. Council Member Loman cast the lone dissenting vote; the rest of the council approved 6-1.
Council voted 7-0 to rezone four office buildings at Telegraph Road from an unusual R1-planned-development designation to B1 neighborhood commercial, matching decades of actual office use. One property owner (7805 Telegraph Rd) was excluded because they could not be reached for consent; staff said the city could initiate a cleanup rezoning on that parcel later. The change allows uses like daycare and limited retail that were previously barred.
Council debated rezoning and a conditional use permit for the 3700/3750 American Boulevard Park and Fly lot (over 2,000 stalls), which would lock in roughly 9 acres of permanent surface parking while requiring only a 2.75-acre parcel be reserved for future high-intensity development within 10 years. Council Member Nelson strongly opposed the plan as inconsistent with the South Loop District Plan and comprehensive plan, arguing it permanently cements surface parking the city has never previously allowed; Council Members Loman and D'Alessandro expressed reservations but leaned toward supporting it, citing litigation risk and lack of alternatives. The applicant's existing interim use permit expires August 8, 2027; discussion was ongoing without a recorded vote in this session.
