City of Bloomington, MN City Council, 1 May 2023

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From YouTube: May 1, 2023 Bloomington City Council Meeting

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May 1, 2023 Bloomington Minnesota City Council Meeting

0:00:00 Start

0:04:00 1. Approval of Agenda
0:05:30 2.1 Swearing In of Officers
0:20:49 2.2 Proclamation - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
0:28:00 2.3 Proclamation - National Drinking Water Week
0:31:50 Consent Business
3.1 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
3.2 Approve Travel Expenses - City Council
3.3 Approve MSP Noise Oversight Committee Appointments
3.4 Resolution Adopting Parking Zone Modifications
3.5 Designation of Additional Official Depositories for Certificates of Deposit
3.6 Resolution to Award 2023-101 PMP Street Improvement Project
0:32:26 4.1 Public Hearing: Ordinance Amending Chapters 13, 14 and Appendix A of the City Code Relating to Business Licensing
0:42:03 4.2 Public Hearing: Franchise Fees Increase
1:09:58 4.3 Public Hearing: Tree Assessment Levy Plans
1:47:27 5.1 Discussion of City Code Amendment and Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment - Single and Two-Family Residential Standards
4:44:00 5.2 City Council Policy & Issue Update

A

Thank you, foreign.

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Everyone and welcome to call this meeting of the Bloomington city council to order Monday May 1st, already thanks everybody for being here this evening. We traditionally start our meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance and on special occasions we have the honor of having the colors presented by the Bloomington Police honor guard and with our swearing-in of officers this evening. This is a special occasion, so we're looking forward to that and with that I'm going to turn it over to Chief Booker Hodges.

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I pledge allegiance to this lady of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under the ground, indivisible with liberty and justice.

C

Ready Step.

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You can be seated.

A

It's always such a great way to start a meeting. Let's give a thanks to the Bloomington honor guard for their work.

A

Once again, thank you to everyone here in the council chambers, thanks to those folks joining us at home. Our first item of a business tonight is the approval of tonight's agenda and our agenda first starts with introductory items, and the first item of business will be the swearing Universe, Bloomington Police Department officers and introduction of new our new Bloomington Police employees.

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We also have two proclamations, one for Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month and a second for National drinking water week under a consent, business item three honor agenda, councilmember dalessandro, has the consent business. We have six items on the consent agenda under number four hearings, resolutions and ordinances. We do have three public hearings this evening, one an ordinance, Amendment amend an ordinance amending chapters, 13 14 and appendix day of the city code related to business, licensing, the second, a public hearing regarding franchise fees and the third, a public hearing on our tree assessment.

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Levy plans under our organizational business we'll have our continue. Our discussion on the city code, amendments and comprehensive plan text, amendments for single and two family residential standards and we'll wrap up our evening Council as we always do with our city, council policy and issue, update, Council, anything to add or corrections to tonight's agenda.

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If not, I would move the agenda, as stated second motion and a second by council member Lohman to accept tonight's agenda. No further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye I opposed motion carries 7-0 and we have an agenda. Thank you very much item 2.1, the swearing-in of our Bloomington Police Department officers and introduction of new employees.

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Chief Hodges.

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All right good afternoon uh evening, I think that's what it is so before we get started. I just want to say that this is my first group that I've hired um here. So it's a really special group to me and uh what you're gonna get here on Bloomington. We changed things up a lot of times.

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People will come to Council meetings and present officers uh prior to them completing their training, but uh these eight officers uh that you're going to get today one is on vacation, so you'll get seven they're all done with their training, so they're on the street. We are very fortunate here in Bloomington to be a fully staffed, Police Department!

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Oh, that's, not something that you see around the Metro or around the nation, and we are very fortunate for that and you're going to get to see some very um amazing human beings today that are going to join this most noble profession and what I believe the best police department in the country and uh with that I'll stop talking so I'll. Let them come up and introduce themselves and then we'll do the swearing in.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Matthew Rausch I was born and raised just across the river in Burnsville. uh I have a associate's degree um and I'm going for my bachelor's. Currently, my Law Enforcement Training consisted of about seven years in the Seattle area, um a five-month Academy out there and seven years after that. Prior to that, I was in the Marine Corps um very happy to be here blessed to be here, um and thank you for your time.

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Thank you officer, Roush welcome.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Nona Christopherson I grew up in New Brighton Minnesota I obtained an associate's degree in law enforcement from Century College prior to coming to Bloomington. I worked for Scott County Sheriff's Department as a corrections officer and I'm very happy to be here. Thank you for your time.

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We're happy to have you officer Christopherson. Thank you.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Kevin schlette I grew up here in the Twin Cities I have an associate's degree in law enforcement. My education and law enforcement comes from erasmussen University skills program, then priority prior to becoming a police officer. Here. I was also a police kid out here.

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Welcome officer, sweet.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Angelica balgo Ben, Diaz I grew up in Lakeville Minnesota. My degree is in criminal justice from Normandale here in Bloomington, before coming to BPD I was Mall security at Mall of America, which we work pretty often so it's nice to have that experience prior to that I was a server bartender makeup artist, so a little bit of everything Bloomington exactly where I wanted to end it up so I'm happy to be here. Thank you for your time.

A

We're happy to have you here. Welcome.

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City council manager, city council, my name is Austin Style I grew up in Eagan, Minnesota I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in Psychology before I worked here, I worked about six years in construction. No previous law enforcement experience, I'm very excited and blessed to be here.

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Welcome options now.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Jake Murphy I grew up in Saint Croix Falls Wisconsin I attained my associate's degree from Saint Cloud States prior to coming here. I was a Saint Cloud police officer for two years fortunate to be here and happy to be here. So thank you. Thank.

A

You officer, Murphy I, think every department needs an officer Murphy, don't they.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Edon Mitchell I grew up in South Minneapolis I, attended, Minnesota, State, University, Mankato and graduated with my bachelor's degree in law enforcement. Prior to this I worked at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. I'm extremely grateful to be here.

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Welcome officer.

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With the introductions complete now, I'll welcome up our city clerk Christina scipioni to administer the offer the glasses excuse me, the oath of office and I want to say to our family members out there. This is going to happen once you get one shot at this. Do not be shy about getting the picture that you want so feel free to stand up, move around get closer if you'd like to you're. Certainly welcome um we'll hold off just a minute here. Let everybody get in position.

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I, take it away.

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Please raise your right hand, please State your first and last name and repeat after me: do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.

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L

The state of Minnesota and will Faithfully discharge the duties of a police officer for the city of Bloomington Minnesota to the best of my judgment and ability.

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Congratulations.

A

Officers, I want to say, congratulations and welcome aboard to the city of Bloomington, so glad to have you here uh you're. uh You obviously understand the responsibilities that come with you regarding the culture, the history, the the practice of the Bloomington Police Department and the reputation that we carry across the metro, metro area and across Minnesota, and we I can't wait for you to uphold it.

A

You've got that extra added burden of being uh Chief Hodge's first class here, so you know he's going to be keeping an eye on you, but couldn't be happier to have you on board and couldn't be prouder and thank you, Chief Hodges and your entire hiring team for bringing on such an impressive group of officers well done.

A

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You know cops, don't want to stay around. I want to get out of here right.

C

It's just like the hockey game at the end of the game, shake the hands.

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C

Oh yeah I'll see you guys upstairs anyway. Oh you don't need a shake. My hand. I'll see you guys later.

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All right so for the families, though we're gonna have the Gathering up in The Hague right after we get through with the civilian staff here so mayor, city manager, city council. If you allow me, I would like to bring up some of our new civilian staff members uh here in Bloomington, we have a Cadet program which allows us to stay ahead of the hiring curve and also allows us to bring in quality people to the organization so and our dispatchers. So we've been fortunate to uh have a Dispatch Center.

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That's increasing Staffing 50 since I've been here. So that's uh great also, and then we added a position that you allowed us to have, which is they dispatch trainer? So we have our trainer on board, which I just want. The citizens of Bloomington are saying how important that position is, because previously all of our dispatchers would have to train somebody, and they wouldn't have opportunities to get training theirself. But now, with this person, able to provide that training that our dispatchers can get training and also it helps us maintain our staff on morale and wellness.

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So with that I'll bring up the civilian staff, are you guys learning order either.

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Mayor city, council, city manager, my name is Josh Davis I uh I'm in the cadet position. I am currently obtaining my associate's degree at Century, College and prior to this, I was just a student.

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A

You welcome aboard Josh. Where were you just a student Josh.

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It's cool, Century, College, very good, welcome aboard. Thank you.

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Thank you, mayor city, council, city manager. My name is Melissa bechtold I grew up in the Hopkins school district. I have a double major in theater and broadcast journalism from Saint Cloud State University um I have worked many different jobs, I also lived in Mexico and did photos for scuba trips and I worked at bike shops so all over the place. I'm currently in my theory, post classes at hempen, Tech and then I will do skills this summer. I'm very grateful to be here. Thank you.

A

I'm glad to have you on board welcome.

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Foreign city, council, city manager, my name, is Dalton Gruber I'm, the radio technician here. I grew up in Eagan and my previous experiences I worked at a Motorola dealer in Burnsville. Doing the same kind of stuff and I really enjoyed it so far and happy to be here. Welcome.

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Q

Good evening Mayors city council, city manager, I'm Molly, the the new dispatcher I, grew up in Pine Island Minnesota. My degree is actually an audio production and Engineering, which has much different than here at the police department. But I've done everything with event: coordinations from live production to event. Safety to you know getting dumpsters and porta potties. So I'm happy to be here.

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Welcome aboard Molly.

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Hello, mayor city manager, city council, my name is Katrina Trudeau I am the new dispatch, training and quality assurance coordinator. I am very grateful to be here. My prior experiences I've been a 911 dispatcher for about 12 years I. Previously, here, I worked at Hennepin County dispatch um I, like I, said I'm very grateful to be here. I'm was so happy when this position was created and approved through you find people so I look forward to proving myself to everyone.

H

Well, welcome aboard Katrina thank.

A

You thank you well to all of you. uh Welcome aboard thanks very much. We know how important the obviously the the uniform staff is, but the the staff that supports the uniform staff and our Cadets. We we know just how important it is and how it contributes to Safety in Bloomington, so very glad to have you welcome aboard look forward to seeing more of you out and about in the city of Bloomington. Thank you.

A

Now I know how much all of you would love to stay for the rest of the city council meeting, but if you want to go to the reception upstairs now would be the time to do so and we'll pause for just a moment here in the in the uh in the meeting and and let you make your way out. Thank you thanks for being here.

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Actually, second of two.

A

All right, we will move on with our agenda and on to item 2.2, which is a proclamation for Asian, American and Pacific Islander heritage month, and it's celebrated annually to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. And we have we have folks here who are going to accept this. uh Our human rights commissioner Nicole Guan and our officers of the Asian American and Pacific Islander, employee, Resource, Group, Mary, Lee and Vidya did I do well with that or not.

A

We will see. uh So uh we want to come on up and join me if you could come and say, read the proclamation and then we will do the official grip and grin turn it over to whoever is going to be speaking this evening.

A

It's quite possibly the smallest type I've ever seen on a proclamation. So this is uh gonna, be a challenge in my eyes: Proclamation for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 2023, whereas the city of Bloomington, through its Human Rights Commission, joins our nation in recognizing the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander, Heritage Month. And whereas, during the month of May, we commemorate the rich and diverse culture of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and recognize that these individuals come from the 48 countries which make up Asia.

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And whereas the 2020 census reports that 6.7 percent of bloomington's population identifies as Asian or Pacific, Islander American and the city is home to a diverse group of Asian American Pacific Islanders, including Vietnamese Cambodian, Chinese, laoisian, Tibetan, Filipino hmong and Indian.

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And whereas we honor the perseverance of those who are courageously reached for their hopes and dreams in a new land. And we celebrate the important impact this community has made on bloomington's progress.

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And whereas the Asian, American and Pacific Islander Community constitutes a vital dimension of bloomington's, diverse ethnic and social fabric, whose languages, cultures and religious beliefs have enriched communities in all parts of the state. And whereas from the recent immigrant who who brings fresh Global networks, businesses, Healthcare agriculture, Workforce and languages to the child of mixed race, who represents the diversity of all our communities, they have helped to uphold the founding principles of Bloomington for Generations and whereas taking into account the increasing anti-asian hate, crimes and xenophobia against the Asian.

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American and Pacific Islander Community Bloomington denounces these crimes and will continue to address the needs and concerns of our valued residents.

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And whereas the city of Bloomington, Asian, American, Pacific, Islander, employee Resource Group was created in January 2023, with a mission to promote an inclusive environment for all Asian identified employees, where members have the ability to share their cultural heritage, offer educational and professional development opportunities and advocate for the communities we serve, and whereas the city of Bloomington, Asian, American, Pacific, Islander, employee resource will host a celebration in May to commemorate the history, culture and Heritage of Asian American Pacific Islander identified individuals and communities who contribute to the state of Minnesota and the United States.

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Now, therefore, be it resolved that I mayor Tim Bussey, who hereby proclaim the month of May 2023 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the city of Bloomington, dated this first day of May 2023..

A

Thank you all for being here this evening. Greatly appreciated I'm, going to turn the mic over who who's, who speak. Okay, very good step on up and I will turn that over to you.

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I would like to thank the mayor and Council for having me my entire life has truly been a journey of tearing down and building back up. My cultural Pride I was one of the few Asian American students in my predominantly white Elementary in middle schools and the sons of inferiority had fueled, my resentment towards my distinctions, I stuck out with my black hair that voided liking in my eyes that folded like the intricacies of a paper crane, and these aspects were the true embellishments of my debt of my identity.

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Yet I hid them now, as a high school senior I still attend a white majority School. However, my scope of diversity is expanding.

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In my sophomore year, I participated in the Bloomington anti-racist coalition's, racial affinity group, the first that I and many other Bloomington students have ever heard of the established safe space was where I first candidly expressed my cultural desolation.

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I recognize them a consistent concern about my outward perception had deprived the potential of my cultural appreciation. Thus I became empowered to amend my pride in being Chinese. Additionally I participated in my school's Asian American Student Union I was devoted in acknowledging the diversity and intricacy of Asian cultures. The club was an open armed Community for members to embrace their unique cultures, while exploring the cultures of others, whether it was Boba, social's recipe sharing or Sudoku races, I proudly indulge in the activities I would have otherwise denounced without communion support.

T

Moreover, I ease your embody in my self-expression when surrounded by individuals who understood my identity throughout High, School I strive to provide myself and others with the cultural visibility and unity that I wish I had in my youth. On that note, it is an honor for me to be here today to celebrate Asian, American and Pacific Islander heritage heritage month with you all this month is a time to especially recognize and celebrate the incredibly Rich culture and history of Asian, Americans and Pacific Islanders.

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This month we celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in science, technology, business, art, literature and so much more. We also recognize the sacrifices and hardships that many have faced in order to achieve these accomplishments.

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It is for the acts against civil Injustice that Asian, Americans and Pacific Islanders have sacrificed that I am able to speak to you all today. Additionally, I would like to thank all of the communities that have supported me and becoming proud of who I am as we celebrate this month. Let us remember the importance of diversity and the need to embrace and appreciate the different cultures and backgrounds that enrich our city country and lives. Thank you.

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Anything anybody else, no, no, okay, here's, the grip and grin part of all of this hold the proclamation right in the middle.

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We're good to go. Congratulations thank.

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You all so much for being.

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Here, thanks thanks.

A

Adam 2.3 on our agenda is our second proclamation of the evening. This for National drinking water week and I will say when I started on the city council a long time ago. This was the first Proclamation that I can recall primarily because of the uh the uh the drop of water there. That's exactly it. So we have a national drinking water week. Proclamation recognizing uh this week is National drinking water week drinking water week, May 7th through well actually come on up, get let's get in the shot we gotta.

A

We gotta make this a good shot. I can't forget that I think we have uh utility operators, kale, Sprout and Adam lingle and.

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Eric Hershey, oh.

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I'm sorry, they gave me the wrong sheet.

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I apologize, Eric I apologize drinking water week, May 7th through the 13th 2023., whereas water is our most valuable natural resource and whereas only tap water delivers, Public Health protection, fire protection, support for our economy and the quality of life we enjoy and whereas any measure of a successful, Society, low morality rates, economic growth and diversity, productivity and Public Safety are in some way related to access to Safe Water and whereas we are all stewards of the water infrastructure upon which future Generations depend, and whereas each citizen in our community is called upon to help protect our source Waters from pollution to practice water conservation and to get involved in local water issues by getting to know their water.

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Now, therefore, I'm air Tim Bussey, do you hereby Proclaim May 7th through the 13th 2023 as drinking water week in the city of Bloomington, and I, urge all citizens to continue their efforts to protect our most valuable natural resource?

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The fourth, whereas that I mentioned there we're all stewards of the water infrastructure upon which uh we and our future Generations depend, is a testament to the gentleman behind me, because it is a an incredibly important part of what we do in the city is providing safe and accessible drinking water.

A

When you turn on the tap uh the only time you notice it is when the water doesn't come out, and these folks do an outstanding job making sure it does come out making sure that the infrastructure is in shape and uh and and can deliver to each City and not only that they just don't provide the basic services.

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We have the best drinking water in the nation without question and that's it's been proven in a couple of uh taste tests and and contests Across the Nation, but everybody I know talks about it. Everybody I know, compliments it, especially in comparison to our neighbor cities. So hats off, gentlemen, hats off and it I'm remembering the name. Is it.

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uh Kale and Eric is it what's the name of the uh drippy.

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That's what I was going for? That's what I was going for. Gentlemen. Thank you very much appreciate it. Let's get a picture here really. Can you hold the proclamation for us here there you go.

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There you go very good. Thank you guys. Thank you very much.

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Item three on our agenda is our consent business for this evening, councilmember Dallas hondro has the consent, business councilmember dalessandro. Thank.

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You Mr Mayor I heard of No Holds I'll, make one quick final, ask otherwise, no takers great then I will move tonight's consent agenda items 3.1 through 3.6. Second,.

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Motion by councilmember dalessandro, second by council member Martin, to accept our consent business, as stated this evening. No further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion carries 7-0. Thank you, councilmember dalessandro, moving item four on our agenda. This is our hearings, resolutions and ordinances, and our first public hearing of the evening is a public hearing on an ordinance amending chapters. 1314 Independence appendix a of the city code related to business, licensing and Mr Doug junker. Our Deputy clerk is here Mr junker good evening, good.

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Evening Council mayor.

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And Council ah maybe remember back to February when we kind of presented. Oh I get my clicker tonight. um We've talked about this kind of tea. This some got your thoughts on this back on February 27th, um some code amendments here to kind of help, both staff and the applicants through the process a little bit a little bit more efficiency.

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We have a few of them that had some really weird fees that we tried to clean up and then um and just trying to get caught up with the times the modern day um he gave us some direction back then and I think we uh took some more ideas for me: you'll see as we get into it.

W

um The first one is just simple fee: laundromats. We have a very odd fee structure on that there's a per machine basis with a minimum and a maximum and all this kind of stuff. All our all our laundromats are at the max, um and uh we just wanted to try to make that simple. Okay,.

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To advance the slider and.

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um There we go well, you give me a clicker now, I have to do it myself, so there.

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U

We're throwing me a.

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Curveball tonight, all right they. Finally, let me drive and I screwed it up all.

A

Right they lit they leave you hanging, Doug I, know, I, felt.

W

It believe me all right so laundromats have the um the per machine with the minimum and the max um we're just proposing the um the 350. The 350 is kind of a interpretation of what may come in the May 22nd meeting. We have fees coming back to you, then, um with a three percent increase, so this is less than three percent over the 341.50, so just a flat rate fee, keeping it simple. Obviously, even if it's 10 machines or 20 machines, environmental health is in there for quite a time doing that inspection.

W

So it's pretty similar click all right, um massage therapy I know you're all very familiar with this. um This is not a state mandate. It's in our code that we license massage and in our code we require that all new massage is Council approved, and that includes every new massage license, even though it's an existing license and they move spaces. I come back so um with body art, it's administrative, I approve all the body art and we don't really see a lot of difference between body, art and massage.

W

So we're looking at this being an administrative approval. No, no council approval and I'm just going to add at this point with massage and any other license we have if we ever have a violation that we want to talk about, revocation or suspension. That's not up to me!

W

We'll always come back to you guys for that um that that discussion- and this also doesn't take away any other part of the code as far as our background checks and what we do with liquor or massage or any of those nothing's changing we're just talking about that having to put it in the paper, the formal announcement and coming to you every time we do these these hearing or these uh licenses.

W

Next up was for liquor. Again we did a survey and we found it was kind of a little bit all over the place. There's some cities that were like us that had formal hearings, but there was like a half a dozen cities that just did it on consent and that's what we're looking at here state does require that you sign off on liquor licenses. So that's why we we do need to have a council approval on these, but there's nothing that says it has to be a formal public hearing.

W

We can do this on consent, so real simple there, where this really helps us, especially with liquor, and it's just so happened. I've I was going back and forth with a potential Hotel cell sale today is trying to hit that timing mark with the sale and when I have to factor in three weeks to advertise. For that hearing, it's really hard for me to hit that, but now we can kind of pick a date and I can get it on the next next consent. If we have to so.

W

This is really going to help us and again with that talk of the World Expo and all these other things coming up. This will really streamline that that liquor portion, so it liquor, is a very timely one. Already a lot of backgrounds, a lot of things we check, but that three weeks of advertising is, is really hard for us. There's some money, saving the stuff too, with those ads they're, always a big ad, especially with those renewals, big big ad.

W

And finally, removing some stuff out of code, as we discussed taxis, have gotten way ahead of us: Uber Lyft, Everybody Ride, sharing whatever you want to call. It has gotten way out in front of us um and we haven't had a taxi driver or a car in about five or six years. It's it where we used to be really hot and heavy with that it just it just died off about six years ago.

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um Again, we promise that we'll keep an eye on this industry. This thing's changing and changing all the time, and if there's something that we feel, we need to regulate, we'll definitely jump on that and get it back to you. So in our ordinance Amendment we've taken out the entire taxi section. We also discussed Amusement devices. It was very similar to laundry with this weird fee structure and a lot of you kept asking why?

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Why do we even do them and we got back in the office and we started kind of questioning that too, so we moved Amusement devices from fixing the feed actually striking it. If it's a gambling device the states all over that, we would refer that to the state anyways, um but uh Amusement devices. We didn't really find any value in trying to license them anymore either. So we're proposing that we, we strike that from the code foreign, that's about it.

W

Any questions for me.

A

Thank you, Mr junker uh Council. We talked about this as Mr junker said back in February. I had a good conversation on that I'm. Just amazed to hear that there are zero taxi cab licenses, given the number of hotels in the city that we have zero taxi cab licenses in the city of Bloomington how's, it possible.

W

Not saying Mr Mayor not saying there isn't any taxis in Bloomington, but even when I drive around to what used to my my old haunts, the old taxi stands I'm, not seeing it nearly as many taxis or any of them. You go to the mall and there's more Uber and Lyft than there is taxis. Now, Uber and Lyft really put the taxi industry on their ear in a way and a lot of the taxi companies. The Smart Ones moved with it.

W

So airport created eye hail, we had um 1010 Taxi move-in from Colorado and when they came, I knew the end was near they're, very, very cool cab company and it's all I paid iPad based and Technology based and our code's all about these meters and all this other stuff, and it was something we'd never seen before. So we knew the new age of Taxi was coming when they came to town.

W

um So there are taxis still here and there, but they just stopped coming to get licensed, and it was really hard talking to the officers on the street too. It was really hard for them when it was Uber, Uber, Lyft, Uber, taxi Uber Lyft. Are they supposed to go write that one guy a ticket, it's kind of hard when all these other guys are there so yeah? It's it's something that we definitely want to keep an eye on and we've talked about.

W

You know automated cars and all these other weird things that are being discussed in all the science, magazines and stuff. um Something I definitely will probably want to look into. As these things materialize.

A

Interesting and you're right, a rapidly evolving industry very quickly, yep, absolutely Council questions of Mr junker on this no.

H

Questions Council.

A

Very good, uh thank you, Mr junker. This is a public hearing and so I will open the public hearing item 4.1. It's a hearing on an ordinance amending chapters 13 and 14, and appendix a of the city code related to business licensing. Anyone in the council chambers wishing to speak to item 4.1 this evening, Mr Sable, do we have anyone on the line.

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Mr mayor council members, no one is on the line.

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Last call for anybody in the chambers Council no one coming forward in the chambers. No one on the phone wishing to speak to item 4.1 I'll. Look for a motion to close the public hearing.

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Second, motion.

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By council member Martin, second by council member Carter to close the public hearing and item 4.1, no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 Council. Any questions or conversation discussion on item 4.1.

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If non-counsel I look for action on item 4.1 come here, councilmember.

Y

Martin, thank you. I will move that we adopt an ordinance amending chapters, 13 14 in appendix a of the city code relating to business, licensing.

X

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Motion by councilmember Martin, second by council member Carter, to adopt an ordinance amending chapters, 1314 and appendix of the city code related to business, licensing. No further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 councilmember.

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Mayor I will also most motion that we adapt to resolution directing summary publication for the ordinance amending chapters 1314 in appendix a of the city code related to business. Licensing. Second motion.

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By council member Martin, second by council member Carter for summary publication item 4.1 no further Council discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion carries 7-0. Thank you much! Thank you. Mr junker I'm, assuming we're going to see you less and less now after uh the the adoption of this, uh but thank you for uh pulling this all together for your work on this item. 4.2 on our agenda this evening is a public hearing regarding an increase to our franchise fees.

A

We have our CFO Lori economy shoulder and we've got our engineering staff here, Julie long and Bob Simons. To talk to us about this good evening. Welcome good.

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Evening, mayor and Council good.

M

Evening, good morning, good evening, mayor and Council uh we're back here tonight to talk about our franchise fee. Update for 2024. I'll, kick off the presentation, give a little bit information on background and history. I'm Bob Simons with our engineering department Julie, will get into some current status and condition and then lori'll finish it off with some information on our 2024 proposed rates and we'll also give some information on the public engagement that we've done through over the course of the past month and a half a little bit of background uh back in 2015.

M

uh Franchise fees were implemented with the goal to implement changes in funding for the pavement Management program, showing council's commitment to maintaining a sustainable and consistent funding source for our PMP overlay, seal coding, Park, Trail construction and maintenance, and right away Trail, construction and maintenance, and when we these were implemented, it was never intended to fund fully fund the pavement Management program, but rather using these four different um or funding. With these four different areas.

M

uh History of the franchise fees in Bloomington in December of 2015 uh city council, approved the implementation of franchise fees with the next increase scheduled to be in January 1st of 2021. in April of 2016. We began collection of those franchise fees um from 2016 through the present franchise fees have been used to fund our overlays, our seal Cults, our Park Trail construction and maintenance, our right away, right away, construction and maintenance and we'll show a few slides of the work.

M

That's been that's been done here shortly in the summer of 2020, due to covid-19, the increase That was supposed to occur. At that point, management decided to delay that um scheduled, 2021 rate increase to 2022 and then in July of 2021. We came back in Council to council and approve the franchise fee increase for 2022, which also included some future CIP multimodal projects and the inclusion of sidewalks as well.

M

Just once again, the four different areas that are funded by our franchise fees.

M

um How our funding for the utilization of our franchise fees is used for our PMP program for our street reconstruction projects. We do not use franchise fees, that's funded through our property tax levy and special assessments. Our street million overlay uses franchise fees and also our infrastructure, replacement, fund or Minnesota state aid, maintenance dollars, Sealcoat uses franchise fees, trails and parks, and right-of-way construction and maintenance uses franchise fees and sidewalks use two different pots of money, both the property tax levy and franchise fees, and we'll give a little bit more information on that here shortly.

M

Here you can see our seal code Street segments from 2016 through the present we've done just over 50 miles of Street Sealcoat. Since 2016.

M

you can see our overlay segments here, we've done I believe it's a hundred and yeah just over 150. Excuse me just over 150 miles of Sealcoat segments. We've done just about 60 miles of overlay segments, you'll notice on the east side of town. You don't see as much of the street million overlays east side of town. We have much better soils.

M

The streets hold up very well and that's also the area where we have the a percentage of our streets that don't have existing curb and gutter, and we typically per the program, do not Mill and overlay streets that don't have a carbon gutter. We either seal cold or we fully reconstruct them. It's just better. Better cost benefit for us in the long run, and then we have our Trail reconstructs, both right-of-way trails and blue and Park trails in red.

M

uh Since 2016, approximately eight miles of right-of-way Trails have been reconstructed and two miles of Park trails and we'll show in an upcoming Slide. The overall plan for the city, showing both right-of-way Trail, Park Trail, and some sidewalk inclusion as well and Julia, will give some information on the status and condition.

S

So we have 341 Centerline miles of streets and we inspect those every three years: people walk and segue on the streets and count the different cracks, and so we end up with a category of reconstruct overlay and seal coat.

S

um We have about 210 miles of concrete sidewalk and in general, those are in really good condition and you'll see that we don't have our same kind of pavement condition index on those because if you've ever walked, sidewalk you're going to be like five panels are great, there's one crappy panel, because maybe a tree root or something else, and then you know, we've got good panels again, so we we've been doing them as in generally good or poor conditions, we're not rating them like we do a street that you're familiar with the other thing we're looking at is deficient with so a lot of bloomingtons sidewalks when Bloomington was originally constructed.

S

It was attached, sidewalk, immediately adjacent to the curb, and it's only four feet wide. It's a problem now when we have sidewalk plows that are six feet wide, so we have a math problem there, so we have 23 miles of those. We have 43 miles of asphalt, Trails 27 of them are in the right-of-way and 16 miles are in the Park trails, and you can see that we have about four and a half miles of what we would consider deficient trails around town.

S

Those are primarily on Normandale Boulevard and Old Shakopee Road and as Bob mentioned earlier, when we started with this program, we had 10 miles. So we've made really good progress.

S

um This is our pavement life cycle that Council has seen frequently, but for the public and those who are watching if we build a street or a trail and do no maintenance on your average kind of soil, not your East Side, really sandy stuff and not your West Side, really crappy clay stuff, but on your average soil you'd expect to get about 20 years out of service life out of that road.

S

If we provide seal coats and overlays similar to, if you take your car with a combustion engine and you get oil changes appropriately and you get engine tune-ups, you can make that vehicle last longer. We can make that pavement last longer. So that's what we're looking to do with our pavement life cycle.

S

So here is the map of the 23 miles of deficient sidewalk across town. You can see it's all over the place. These are our non-compliant. Pedestrian, ramps and I know it's very disheartening to look at that and you won't be able to tell the difference, but this next one 51 are compliance out of those um almost 4 800 pedestrian Rams. So we're we've made good progress and you can also kind of see all of them in straight lines. Those are appealing to the engineer who sees them as pavement management projects.

S

So um one of the things we have talked about is doing more sidewalk with the pavement Management program and with some of the franchise fees, and so we just wanted to highlight one of the projects. That's actually on this year's PMP project.

S

um We are connecting a sidewalk connection from Bloomington Avenue to East 80th, and it actually connects to sidewalk that we built with the PMP in back in 2017 and so there's a large pedestrian population with Georgetown and Tiki apartments, and so we find this very useful and it's one of those things that when we come and approve plans and specs, we don't usually highlight them for you, and we thought this is a good opportunity to just to let you know what good work we're doing with those funds.

S

So these are the future trails and sidewalks that Bob mentioned. It shows not only the trails and sidewalk with the pavement management program, but also in the capital Improvement plan and the park master plan and some of the work that's going to be done with the MnDOT 494 project.

S

These are the PMP Sealcoat projections. um It's traditionally our sealcoats in the 25 to 30 mile range, excluding 2020 when due to covid and some concerns with the budget, we eliminated the seal coat. One of the changes that you're going to see here in 2023 is we are joining The Joint Powers agreement to do Sealcoat with many of our surrounding communities like Burnsville, Eagan Shakopee.

S

These are the overlay projections um we're proposing to do well. Actually, we've been awarded um close to 10 miles of overlay this year, we're reducing it to nine miles in the next two years and then eight miles, and that has to do with mainly when the streets were built. So there's a big bell curve and we're coming at the end of the bell curve and we'll be looking at that. This is the PMP Park Trail projections.

S

It is not only including the Reconstruction of Park trails along the right-of-way, but also includes those that are connecting to the park master plan, so it will include areas upcoming soon like Brian, trettbra, Countryside and Moyer.

S

um These are the right-of-way Trails.

S

um We continue to work on those and we're also, you can see some bumps here and there with some additional sidewalks that we have a couple years programmed where we have about a half mile, a sidewalk um and again the bigger years, the larger segments in 24 and 25. Those are the upcoming Normandale Trail projects turned it over to Lori.

Z

Mayor and council, with the the increase proposed on the screen, it is currently a dollar 35 for the residential increase that we are showing for 2024.

Z

um When we put the franchise in an initial increase.

Z

You know we had scheduled an increase back in for 2021 and we delayed that one and we've only put in for 20 223 the rate that's currently out there at 4 4.60 for the residential we put in the lowest possible amount that we could to maintain the program up until knowing that we were going to start coming back every two years.

Z

um This is a larger bump um at a dollar 35, and then, when you look at what we might look at for 2026, it's about 75 cents to a dollar range there. So I mean this. Is the bump that's going to get us caught up to where we were starting to program back in on 2016 when we started the program and um so putting all the numbers from Public Works in what they need for all these improvements.

Z

The this is the schedule that we are proposing for the dollar amounts the dollar 35 for the residential and the commercials all have um the same. The same percentage increase in their rates at I'm, currently at 29, but we're catching up from before. So there's that public engagement.

M

All right a little bit information on the public engagement we've done over the course of the past month. um Our we held an open house and on Thursday April 13th from five to six and the Bloomington Civic Plaza. The intention was to host that adjacent to the Planning Commission meeting.

M

But after we had already sent out all of our social media blasts and got all the information out there to everybody that Planning Commission meeting was canceled so trying to coincide with it, but it didn't work out so well for us, but um so, as I mentioned, we had social media blasts go out in the week of March 27th and April 10th. For that open house also for the open house and for the public hearing. There was also a pop-up event that was held at Southgate on Wednesday April 19th.

M

There was a Spanish translator that was available at that that pop-up event and we did have two individuals at the open house and then five individuals at the the pop-up event at Southgate, and then we also hosted a let's talk. Bloomington page, um the page went live on March 20th on let's talk Bloomington.

M

um It was an update to the page that we had previously two years ago when we did our last update um and we put it on social media. All of our e-subscribe folks got it all to as much many folks as we could and we did have nine questions that were posted on the page. A few phone calls as well and those questions and answers are included in your packet.

M

uh The remaining timeline here um we're here tonight for the public hearing May 1st. um uh If, if the this is approved tonight, um the 90-day period will start for the Public Utilities Commission to process and request the prep and prepare for the collection of the fees and then January 1st of 2024. Those new rates would go into effect and with that we just have the Motions for Center, Point, Energy and Excel and we'll open it up to any questions.

A

Thank you very much. Thanks for the information um for both the uh for for both of the types of trails, both flavor of trails, there was a pretty good increase over the next decade or so I'm I'm, assuming that's an increase in Trails, as opposed to just an increase in cost, am I correcting that assumption.

S

It's both it's.

A

Both construction.

S

Costs have gone up significantly, so we're anticipating additional um costs for the trail circumens that were programmed along with some additional materials.

A

So we do, we do see an additional amount of work, that's going to be going on, but we also see additional costs that kind of come with the inflation of it all got it, and uh if you could uh as long you mentioned the joint Powers agreement. Tell me more about that. If you could.

S

I will do my best, but I am not an expert on our Sealcoat program, um but we used to bid our work and do it internally ourselves, but because of some procurement um contract things, the supplier didn't want to bid on our job any longer.

S

So we were looking at alternatives to find a way to do that and in the South Metro there's a group of communities that do it together, and so we've done that we've started that we've seen the crack ceiling has been out by contract this year and then the sealco will be done that same way.

A

Look forward to hearing how that goes and learn more about that in terms of both how you get it done and what the um the financial impact might be on that so Council.

H

Additional questions on.

A

This councilmember dalessandro.

V

I just had a you, your question spawns uh sparked a question for me: um is there? Is it a single bidder? Is that the is there's no competitive offering for those sealcoats? Is that what we're I mean? Is that why we're going into the Consortium, because they don't want to bid on our work? But there's only one there's only one operator in town.

S

When we were looking at a supplier when we were trying to find the oil to put down with the seal coat, yes, Flint, Hills Refinery, but given their location, was the only bidder that we would get bids from now that they're in the Consortium there are other vendors who will do it, but I do believe. Flint Hills is probably still the only supplier understood thanks.

H

Additional customers.

AA

Councilmember Lowman I think you mayor and I'm not sure if this is really for staff. I do know that there were some questions that were um in the uh from from a public engagement uh where, um where the response was thank you for your inquiry and your correspondence will be shared with the Bloomington city, council and so I wasn't sure with any of those ones. If the expectation was that we would answer that at this point in time. Some of those questions that are that are there, you know just for example.

AA

We have one here that says you know. Why could you possibly need an increase that large when homeowners pay uh for new streets I'm? Already you know cleaning, gutters and snow from hydrants. You know didn't property taxes go up, you know enough, you know, I, don't know. If that's a you know, that's something we want to answer. You know as a council, but there were a number of ones that were you know placed in there and um uh that I just I wonder if they need a response to something.

A

Councilmember I think based on the fact that you're in the packet- and you had a chance to read them, we all had the chance to read them. They have indeed been shared with the city council and if it was a if it was part of a public hearing, the folks came forward in the public hearing more often than not. If, unless there was a specific question, what we would be doing would be taking their feedback, we would be listening if they wanted specific.

A

You know if they had specific questions, they would be answered by staff, but what those uh responses and I saw those as well I think what those responses did more than anything was just present an opinion of folks of certain people regarding this program in general and again the fact that they were in the pack that the fact that we all had the chance to read them, I I read them. You read them obviously, and then I'm sure everybody else did as well.

A

They they are part of the record, and they have been in fact presented to the council. Thank.

AA

You I appreciate that mayor uh for your response to that, because I just wanted to be sure that folks don't get the impression that one we don't read those um and you know and and that we don't uh you know, reading and understanding or there's that I think there's some some really good, interesting ones that were raised here and I think that staff has has, to a degree answered a lot of those those questions about it.

AA

And some of these are, as you said, opinions but I wanted to not let this get by, because there were quite a few of those that were uh kind of noted. That way and I wanted to make sure there was some type of response.

A

Very good, thank you. Councilmember Council, anything else. Councilmember Nelson.

AB

Thank you, mayor um I I just wanted to State uh that I support these, but I also because of the projects that they do. But I also would like to continue to look at alternative City away from the franchise fees and just put this into the Levee into our regular budget process, and things like that and I think I've stated that before, but um just wanted to bring it up again so, but the projects are good, they need to be funded and absent. A different Source at this point, um I I, would support them.

A

Thank you, councilmember Nelson,.

H

Also anything else.

A

If not Council, this is a public hearing and I'm going to open the public hearing now. Thank you very much for the presentation appreciate it. Public hearing on item 4.2 regarding our franchise fee increase. Is there anyone in the council chambers here wishing to speak to item 4.2 on tonight's agenda.

A

Mr Sable anyone on the phone.

J

Mr mayor council members, no one on the phone.

A

Last call for anybody in the chambers: nobody in the chamber is coming forward and no one on the phone counselor I'd look for a motion to close the public hearing at item 4.2, so moved.

N

A

By council member lowmansek, my council member mua to close the public hearing on item 4.2, no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0, closing the public hearing, uh so councilmember eleven you bring up a good point and I did see those some of the comments and some of the questions about what we were.

A

What we were doing here and the spending on this I think this is uh another in a line of examples that we've been showing how our, how our programming, how the operations, how we're spending at the city reflect the values of the community, reflect what we hear from people. uh We've seen the last two Council meetings, swearing in 18, firefighters and seven new, seven new police officers. Tonight we heard from the council that there's this value and this desire for Public Safety spending and that's what we've done.

A

We've heard countless times the uh the the community looking for spending on on Trails, whether they're in Parks or in rights of way uh for both recreational use, but also for just walkability of the city. We've heard that a number of times and that's what this is for right now, we've heard that people value good streets. uh We heard it especially this winter when anybody had to travel outside of the city of Bloomington, how much they value the quality of the streets in Bloomington. That's what this is funding.

A

This is, uh as I said, an example of the city funding and reacting to the values and the desires of the community. And uh yes, it is an increase because, as as we heard from the staff report, costs are increasing, demands are increasing. People want more, uh we are a 50 year old Community, where things are aging out and we need to continue the work to keep our infrastructure up to up to speed and up to Quality, and that's what we're doing here.

A

I, certainly understand and appreciate the commentary and some of the questions we see we received through. Let's talk Bloomington, but I do think this, as I said, is another in a line of examples of the council, reacting to the uh to the desires into the values of the community. Councilmember.

AA

Lawman, you know Merit, thank you. uh You know for your for your statements and I also heard uh you know from staff talk about. You know the the fact you know they're they're, you know. Certainly we we, you know, heard this as a part of our strategic uh priority. You know, folks, are you know sensitive, you know to um you, know price changes and you know increases in taxes and fees and that type of thing um you know but I I.

AA

What I also heard from this presentation is that staff, you know diligently, you know, took an approach by which to you know, to keep those keep those those fees down over those couple of years and I wanted to add that on to that, that I think that our staff tries to do that. You know really throughout our entire policies, trying to figure out ways in which to make it the most sustainable um from a financial uh kind of standpoint. uh You know and married or you've talked about that many times.

AA

You know um in the past too, so I don't want to. You know, but I do think that you know from overall perspective this idea of of the values in which that we support here um and the thing that I particularly like that we were able to get done with this particular Council, was around sidewalks and bringing that and getting a sustainable uh place to be able to to have those dwell and and really create this Equity.

AA

uh You know across the city and so I absolutely agree uh with with your statement in terms of these, reflecting uh these values and I don't know if anybody else has anything else to say, but I'm more than happy to to move this with that with the with the things you've said, and what this counsel I know, values.

A

We'll get to the motion in just a second council member councilmember dalessandro.

V

Thank you, Mr, Mayor, um yeah, so I think I. Think a couple of things just to note you know I know we talk about this being a a franchise fee update, but each of us is going to get hit twice with this right, one for our Excel Bill and one for our our Center Point Energy bill. So we should talk about it as it being twice as much as this for a resident right um uh and I. Think that that's that's important now I'm not suggesting that it's not um it's not necessary.

V

I I would agree actually with councilmember Nelson that we should just include it in the public works general fund Levy. Frankly, because we already know that that's a value that the the the city residents share with us um uh and as it is water week, um you know a good example of why we spend the money where we spend it right.

V

um So if, if we really do care about it, we would just make it part of our core budget. In my opinion, because that's where the values then are um my only comment is I would really like to see. I know. I've said this before I'm, going to talk about a road diet, you're all going to hate me, but I. The people in the city do value our Trails on our sidewalks and multimodal transportation, and I would like to see us doing on a proportional basis.

V

Less with these dollars on maintenance of roads and I'm, not saying they should go badly, but there's a lot of room between that .65 and that 0.35 and I'm not 100 sure that we have to do yearly maintenance every time in order to get this done and I'd love to see that work done so that this time next year, we whether we bring it into the next year's budget or we do a franchise fee increase in two years or whatever it is we're. Looking at that a little bit differently going forward.

H

Thanks councilmember also any other comments, questions.

H

If not councilmember.

A

Lowman we have actually two motions: one for Center, Point Energy and one for excellent energy. I.

AA

Didn't look when I when I agreed to do this feeling it now I'll move to adopted ordinance amending Bloomington city ordinance, uh 2021-22, to amend the gas franchise fee on Center Point Energy for providing gas service within the city of Bloomington Minnesota and to adopt a resolution directly I think we have to do that separately.

A

Yep, let's do these circles I'm sure, let's do these separately. We have a motion. Do we have a second second.

H

A

A motion by councilmember Lowman, second by council member MOA, to adopt the ordinance amending Bloomington city ordinance to and the gas franchise fee on, Center Point Energy. Now for the council discussion on this, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 council member Lowman uh summary publication on this. One.

AA

Oh well, okay, now, if I would have saw that I would have stopped right away, uh move to adopt resolution directing some republication of an ordinance amending Bloomington city ordinance to amend the gas franchise fee on Center Point Energy for providing gas services within the city of Bloomington.

AC

Second, motion.

A

By councilmember Lowman, second by council member for summary publication on the center point, energy portion of item 4.2 no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion carries 7-0 for summary, publication council member.

AA

Lohman I'll move to adopt an ordinance amending Bloomington city ordinance 2021-23 to amend the electrical franchise fee on northern states, power company DBA, Excel Energy for providing electric services within the city of Bloomington Minnesota.

J

A

Motion by councilmember Malone, second by council member MOA, to adopt an ordinance amending the city ordinance to amend the electric franchise fee on I, miss NSP on Northern State's power, doing business as XL Energy.

A

No further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 and councilmember move.

AA

To adopt a resolution directing some republication of an ordinance amending Bloomington city ordinance, 2021-23 to amend the electrical franchise fee on northern states, power company, DBA, Excel Energy for providing Excel electric services within the city of Bloomington Minnesota. Second,.

A

Motion by councilmember Lowman, second by council member MOA for summary publication on the Excel Energy portion of item 4.2, no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion carries 7-0. Thank you, member councilmember Lowman. Thank you to stand for the presentation on this thanks. So very much moving on item 4.3 on our agenda. Our last public hearing of the evening. Excuse me Mr Mayor, uh councilmember, dalessandro,.

V

Yeah, if I may I have like a general question about the ordinances we just passed, if that's all right with you, I'm just I'm, just wondering, if um is there an obligation that that Excel and Center Point passed those fees on to Residents or they do have the choice not to don't they do. You know.

A

Miss Murder She had Mr verbrugge I I do believe they have the option to but I don't think it's a a feasible opportunity option. Is it.

AD

uh Mayor members, uh my understanding is that the next step is that, should they desire to raise rates, they would then proceed to the Public Utilities Commission, uh and then they they would go through that rate raising process. We also have um our newest attorney here, Nick Redmond, who would possibly also be able to add more to it. If you want more information.

H

You can't remember: does that help it.

V

Does I just wondered if it it feels like a pass through, but I just don't know if it has to be a pass-through and then so my comment would be to the public if they want to make commentary to the Public Utilities Commission about those things they can do that.

A

Okay, good point: Thank you! Thank you very good. Unless there are further questions, we will move on to item 4.3 on our agenda tonight. This is regarding uh public hearing regarding our tree assessment, Levy plans. We had this this discussion back in February I'm, trying to recall when we had this discussion and uh welcome back we'll. Have the conversation continue. The conversation, Ms economy, shoulder.

Z

Good evening, mayor and Council um with me this evening is.

AC

I'm Dave Hansen mayor City, Council.

AE

And I'm Dustin Jacobson.

Z

So we're here to present the public hearing announcement, information for the tree assessment, ordinance and Levy plan changes. So last September we presented the information to the city council in regards to just where the tree assessments were. At that point, you can see in 2022 there's 157 invoices totaled in 2022 and in conversations when you look at the 22 amount moving over the average invoice, for that was almost nineteen hundred dollars. That represents at least two trees to be removed from On average on each one of these um properties.

Z

When you move through that and there's the number that 2021 was at 100 invoices and 2050 and 157 in 2022,.

Z

And so in looking at some of the comments and feedback the council presented gave to us about uh five six weeks ago is just the number of Levy um situations or events that we could do and if we moved it to a three, a five and a ten year versus what we had proposed. We're capturing 83 percent of um the Assessments in the first go round. It'll allow them up to a three-year Levy assessment.

AC

Over to me, so we included some information on on our program and some data, so this first graphic shows the addresses where private tree removal has occurred from Emerald dashboard. Like Lori said many of these addresses have more than one tree, so the The Legend on the right is just the number of addresses.

AC

Some of the notable things on this chart is. It really illustrates where we are discovering it more. It illustrates where we discovered it initially back in 2016 down by Mount Springs Park um was was some of the original private trees that we discovered, but of note, is that it was originally discovered in the area at Fort Snelling at the golf course in particular.

AC

So if you look in the northeastern part of the city, you'll see some green dots that correspond with some of the earlier um infested trees that we discovered and then moving just a little bit to the West. You see that large cluster of yellow and orange that indicates the the newest discoveries of just last few years. One thing to know about this past is that it's really difficult to detect at low levels when we first knew we had it in town, we spent a lot of time, stripping, barked and taking trees.

AC

Apart now, the the pest levels at such so high that the woodpeckers tell us where the trees are now and they're they're a lot easier to to identify just by the Woodpecker activity. Blonding. The bark um I will add that this uh these dots represent about 1300 private trees that we've taken down through this program, since we found Emerald Ash Border in Bloomington and also notable is um the DNR Community Forest survey tells us that about 15 percent of our overall canopy in Bloomington is ash trees.

AC

We don't know exactly what that number is, but we do believe that 15 percent is ash trees.

Z

AC

Right and then our next map, this indicates all the public tree removals. Now we didn't break these down by year we broke them down by Boulevard and parked, so the blue dots represent removals in Parks.

AC

um So some of the things that are interesting about this map. For us, um we know where these ash trees are in Parks. We know where they are on boulevards. This map shows where we've done all preemptive work.

AC

Most of these trees were taken out ahead of being noticeably infested and it's just an indication of how ash trees are spread across um across our city and where we've been dealing with it, um if you think about east Bloomington and where we first discovered it near Columbus play lot within the first couple years, we were able to get all the ash trees down and replaced within within a mile of Columbus play lot, so that included Kelly and running sones Parker's picnic area.

AC

All those Parks we've eliminated all the ash, trees out of that and replanted over the last five six years.

AC

For specific numbers, the public park trees that we've removed is 1450 through this plan and we've removed 1 340ish Boulevard trees, and we have a replanting effort too so through largely through our gravel bed Nursery, but some contracted larger Baldwin burlap trees and a few donations from tree trust, we've put back just over 2 000 trees into parks and then right of ways that we manage adjacent to public property or streetscape areas like 98th and Lyndale or along the ferry bridge in medians. We do not do planting adjacent to private property in boulevards.

AC

And I think that's all I wanted to highlight on this slide so.

Z

So existing within our current ordinance is a one-year assessment and an interest rate of eight percent and in the proposed ordinance, we can allow up to 10 years for payment of the trees, and we are proposing an interest rate at six and a half percent.

Z

Currently again, that eight percent uh a one Levy year term,.

Z

What we had originally discuss with Council were these four Levy terms, and currently we are looking at these three, where, in the first um less than three thousand dollar piece, um we can capture 83 percent of those that have been taken down so far in that three-year period, and it will really ease the burden of financial impact to the residents.

Z

So, just some follow-up from our April discussion. We have worked with our office of racial equity and belonging to do a racial impact assessment and um Faith Jackson our racial Equity, our chief recreational Equity um person, has gone through and walked financed through filling out the form and completing the form. And then we've um got some payment timelines because there was some questions on how they can make some prepayments before the levy is assessed. Some tree removal process that Dave and Dustin will go through and then tree replacement.

Z

So I know this is a little more difficult to read, but um they have the you would see here where um in the Orange is where the tree was removed and the green is when it was first invoiced. The light blue or kind of purple bar across is where the resident would have the ability to make payments throughout the whole period of um from when it was taken down to when um and before the Levee is heard before the city council and then when it is sent to the Hennepin County.

Z

So there's, depending again on the timing of when the tree is removed and most emerald ash borer trees are removed over the winter months. Dave could comment on this, but it was a learning process for me is that they do it during the winter months to keep the larvae from spreading.

AC

Yeah, okay, mayor city council, so it's still a best practice to do that, work in the winter when the insects are dormant and it's contrary to the way we used to manage Elm trees, which I think sometimes leads to confusion. Elm streams worked visibly infected until they leafed out in the spring, and we were highly motivated to get those down and sanitize and disposed of properly before the insects that feed on the elm trees that Vector around the fungus could move it to the next tree, so managing Emerald Ash bores completely different in that regard.

AC

So thank you for letting me talk about that. Well,.

Z

You taught me something new.

Z

And then you guys can talk about this one yeah.

AE

So this is kind of my level of expertise over the last 15 years, mostly doing a lot of tree inspections and marking trees. Before my current position, uh so everybody's kind of wondering, sometimes when they have their tree marked by me or one of my associates who called. Why are you here? You know what did I do to deserve this?

AE

Sometimes that's it's! The anonymous call that you know I think my neighbor has something in the backyard that needs to be marked. Sometimes people call for their own properties a lot of times. That is the case and they're noticing that the tree is starting to die back.

AE

You know when we do our best to go out and smooth those situations over. Certainly if it's a disease tree issue Dutch on disease is what primarily I did the my first years being here was Dutch realm disease in Oak Wilt in a sense move to Emerald Ash Borer.

AE

um So, at the time when I arrive at the scene, I'll uh knock on the front door, see if anybody's home I usually make contact with whoever uh was calling in the notice um if I'm able to gain access to a backyard or such that would be indicated by the property owner. I wouldn't enter the property without essentially trying to make contact with them. First.

AE

If the tree does in fact have a disease, I would measure it and Mark it with spray paint so that we can identify it in the future that it's been marked and identified.

AE

At that time, I'm able to go off of what our city contract disease removal price sheet gives for the tree removal so on the notice that I can either leave with the homeowner in person when I make contact or leave it on the door that will establish what that homeowner can remove the tree for under our city contract price.

AE

uh If they would like to do it themselves, we're able to connect them with who best to dispose it with. We want to make sure that it's properly disposed of or if they are willing to just use uh the contractor of their own choice at that time we give them on the notice. It says please call within three days so that we can kind of gauge the involvement of the homeowner if they're willing to take action on this. If we need to you know, maybe have a little further discussion.

AE

Sometimes people just need the time to um you know, get other bids and get other estimates on what that removal price would be with emerald ash. Borer um we're like I, said: the process is a little bit differently administered in the winter time, because the time frame um isn't quite so rushed the sanitation actions that need to be done can happen throughout the winter time. So. Well, that's you know. Ideally, we would like people to remove their trees within 30 days. We know that that's not always convenient and uh not necessary, as well.

AE

So as long as it's removed before the period when the wood would be a danger in the spring. um After that point, we allow, if they do choose to use our contractor. We allow our contractor to establish the timeline that they're able to get to it.

AE

We try to work within that month, time frame as best we can.

AE

If the property owner decides to have their own contract to remove it, they're removed it themselves. We just request that they, uh let us know when that's going to happen once the tree is removed as well. I will perform a re-inspection or one of our tree inspectors to verify that the tree is in fact removed that the wood has been hauled away and disposed of properly, and then at that point it goes on to the billing process.

AC

Do you want me to take this one.

AC

Our goal overall was to plant at least one for one for every tree that was removed on CD property, uh uh whether it's Park a building, a traffic median island or a streetscape.

AC

um When possible, we try and get in ahead of time to to plant. Not always do we have room to do that so once in a while, we have to go in and cut down some trees ahead of time to make room, and sometimes- and in some cases we have had the the infestation get big enough, where we weren't able to be very surgical about that. Bryant Park was one of those where Midway through the winter.

AC

We noticed that wow all these trees look really heavily infested now when they did before so we at during this have had instances where we've had to take down more trees than we wanted to making a bigger impact. You know the whole idea of us doing the preemptive stuff was to get just to do it little by little, so it it lessened the blow. If you will um that didn't always work, and we know that.

AE

Another instance of that that I always kind of used to gauge people is uh at the Lindell Avenue Cemetery. We had a similar sort of experience where early October I went out to inspect all the trees. You know found I believe it was maybe a dozen trees that you know were visibly being attacked by woodpeckers had the kind of Telltale sign of it.

AE

um You know it was a big number to take out of there at once, but uh well all right. Well, that's good that we're not taking them all at once. We, you know, hopefully these next ones we can gauge out the next year um and then the attendant that works at the cemetery.

AE

Let me know about three weeks later, he said I think there's a few more out there uh before the contractor gets here, or would you like to Mark those, so we can get them at the same time and sure enough, just in the process of that three week, time frame uh the woodpeckers had made evident uh many more trees that were actually infested and that's trees that were infested.

AE

Obviously, when I was there three weeks from prior but was not as uh visibly evident so sometimes it's just that that quick that you find that you're more infested than you thought.

AC

And it's really sensitive to have better looking trees in your Parks than the ones that you're marking in people's private property. We know that so um I mentioned earlier, that we do not do replanting on right away, adjacent to private property, I'll touch on the tree sale, which is really happening this week for Arbor Day, um that tree sales gotten, probably 4 000 trees out to Residents to plants on private property ahead of EAB, but it still continues with the a b and even more so. This was a record year at 355. Trees.

AC

Last year was the second place here at 277.. So the interest in that program is is picking up. If anything, um it's important to know that the trees that we get for that tree sale are only available in the spring bare root and so to our last point, if we do explore options to provide a lower, no cost tree to Residents, to replace trees, loss through EAB or other we'd have to go about that. Somehow, in the spring, we wouldn't be able to automatically give them a tree at any time of the year they would.

AC

It would have to be a voucher and some process where we'd we'd distribute those trees the following spring. If you will so like.

Z

That's what we needed.

AC

To communicate on that side as well too so.

Z

Yep so at this point we'll stand for questions.

A

Any questions on the presentation, councilmember.

AA

Lohman, thank you. Mayor I noticed that in the uh in the equity um uh piece that there was a discussion with respect to the concentration of trees in the in the Northeast portion of the city and I, do know that when we've looked at other, you know, for example, billing that type of thing just because of the homes being concentrated uh there or just the density just being different than if you kind of move further west uh to the city.

AA

um You know so I just wanted to see how much that plays a role in this, or are we really seeing an overall? You know if we say from you know: Portland Avenue kind of going uh um East. Is there just a higher number of concentration of those those numbers there? It's not! You know you know. Hopefully you understand what I'm what I'm asking here, because as I'm looking at this thing, I'm like is why I'm seeing the the truth, you know in terms of there's just more concentration there.

AE

I think the I think the biggest difference in concentration, too, is um I, honestly I think there's a higher concentration that will be as we move west from that portion of Portland um there's a fairly regular and very even just like the neighborhoods are, are very evenly distributed.

AE

There was a lot more of a response to Dutch elm disease. Replanting, so I think that they're, that's part of why the maybe the percentage is a little bit lower is that they were kind of the take rate on maybe replanting, whereas if you move like further west in the city, uh you know after Penn Avenue.

AE

um You know all the way up. Normandale you're going to start to see the newer developing neighborhoods that were just planted right off the bat with green ash trees and it was uh sort of a preferred uh Panacea species at the time they thought well, there's nothing!

AE

That's going to take these out, so the I think there was a bigger push to actually have more ash trees in some of those neighborhoods and that's and that's kind of why I was really glad that we had that second map, that sort of shows off like what our city removals has, because I would say that that more closely matches where the distribution of ash trees probably is there's definitely some on the farther east or excuse me farther west end of the of the city. But it's just as a percentage I'd say, lower.

H

Councilmember Carter.

X

uh Thank you mayor. Thank you for the presentation. It was super helpful. I. Just have a really quick question. I know: Hennepin County does their healthy tree, canopy grants and I'm just curious. If we are have we applied for that in the past.

AC

um We we have one healthy tree, canopy grant that we're working on now we have applied for and received a DNR Grant that helped us with the initial response. That was a bonding grant that was available in 2016.

AC

um and that was kind of the end of that cycle. We took advantage of that. So we've done some grants for this. There's a there's, a multitude of them out there.

AE

We know that yeah I mean we've definitely been looking at sort of the options for grant funding.

AE

um Obviously, there's more programs coming down the line, uh certainly with the Hennepin County Grant, tends to be a little bit more public, centered and so sort of the administration of that um you know do their own horn. We do a pretty good job. Replanting, our our city, trees, uh and what I would really jump at is is grant opportunities that we can extend private properties and administer better.

AE

You know, I, think and I think that's the biggest drawback in some of those programs is how do you administer to that many properties and do the follow-up.

E

AE

And stuff to to justify that, thank you. Yeah.

H

Councilman councilmember dalessandro.

V

Thank you just a quick comment on on your point: councilmember Carter. If, if Hennepin would give you money to to spend it on our public trees, maybe we could move that money over to the private program or something to that effect. I'm wondering um but I I I'm, very interested in the in the program that makes it easy for people to get replacement. Trees.

V

um You'll be hearing from me because I have a woodpecker infested ash tree that needs to come down this uh winter, which is really sad for me. I planted a Bur Oak with the idea that it would last a little bit longer and it's not gonna last unfortunately, so it's.

AE

Tough to get them established to get them established.

V

Yeah yeah it's hard. It really is I feel bad too, because there's at least three like squirrel nests up in there anyway. Not for me to talk. My question is um um I know that there are.

V

There are folks that um believe that we have not planted as many trees as we've taken down and when I, when I did the math I felt like we were about one to one but I'm wondering if that Gap is in that private area, where we've had to take them down from those private areas and the private property owner has not yet planted a tree. For whatever reason um is that number one is that correct? And if so, can you estimate how many trees that might be.

U

I'll take this one yeah mayor.

AC

Council member dalessandro I can estimate um when I. What we don't know is how many people instantly replace their lost ash tree with their own tree. We do know that through the tree, sale we're selling a lot of trees and we hope they're going to that.

AC

Certainly over the life of the tree sale we've um more than doubled the number of trees that we've gotten out into the public for private planting over what we've taken out, which is 1300 or so I think one area of confusion is, is that we take down a lot of Boulevard ash trees that are planted on in front of private property and in general Boulevard trees are not a program that Bloomington has we don't re-establish them and, in fact, they're not allowed, generally speaking to be planted up on the right-of-way.

AC

If it's to be planted, it's advised to be 15 feet or so back to get it out of there right away, um though those trees when they are on the right away. The ordinance says that it's the the care and the responsibilities of the Jason property owner as soon as they become diseased or infested with insects. It's a city that takes care of it, we take responsibility or in um storm situations or if they become hazardous, the city steps in and takes care of them, then.

AC

So there is some confusion there on what our program is all about.

V

Does that help I, it does thanks. We appreciate it.

AE

I would also say it as the main person that's been placing the planted trees back in the Parks too. That that's also the difficulty too A lot of times is uh I would say in general, we've been putting more trees back into the parks than we have been taking out of them. So part of those numbers that have been coming off.

AE

The boulevards have also been going into Park property and such too so sometimes it's it's a judgment call to to place them appropriately, so they will be in the right place and and not crowded, and not a problem in the future.

H

AF

Remember more, thank you um question about the replanting. You talk through what we do for a diversity of trees, given that we've gone through Dutch young disease, Oak will to now emerald ash borer I'm, just looking into the future, how we don't run into another tree pandemic. Yeah.

AE

Absolutely I mean uh We've: was it 24 different species this year? So just in the last uh two weeks, we actually did a big planting uh of trees that we weren't able to get planted last fall due to the unfortunate early snowfall that we got so we had some trees that were left over from our gravel bed.

AE

um We have just a a great representation of of trees at St Bonaventure now around that field.

AE

What I like to do I mean I, my planting style is, is not every other or whatever I like to mix it up as much as possible. um I think just at St Bonaventure there's at least 10 different species, just in that 38 trees that we planted.

AE

So that is that is the primary way that we're going to achieve a healthier future for us and basically um we're continuing to Branch out into different uh species as well. So we're doing some some pilot trees, yeah I, can't resist the fun when it's branching out. So uh you know, and and trying out some species that are also going to be climate adapted more to zone five um and things that some other cities are also trying.

AE

Like Saint Paul, pecan, Hickory things that are native, but maybe a little further south than we're used to here.

AF

And then, um when we talk about the the pricing for the city uh LED one, can you share what we are competitively with the private sector? My concern here is that we're pushing people to utilize or we're kind of cornering the market. So just can you explain where we are at competitively with the private market and then also what, if a homeowner chooses not to do anything about the tree? What does the city do at that point?.

AC

No, they don't went up.

AE

I could start out or I would even.

Z

um I mean it just currently went out for RFP, um and um it was more than a 60 increase on costs on and we, the the same, um the lowest bidder that we had last year is still the lowest bidder, but it is a sixty percent increase in prices.

Z

um Just because there's such an abundance of trees um being disposed of, um the cost to dispose has increased for those vendors, so I mean we are taking competitive bids and the lowest bid would be awarded a resident, has their opportunity to utilize the city's contract or or shop around, and we're not enforcing them to take our our proposal, one um if they can find a a wonderful, cheaper bid. I I hope they take. That.

AE

And I just like to reinforce that as the person that's generally been doing, that over the last 15 years, is that um what I I really appreciate our system in having that that bid price available to the homeowner prior to working for the city of Bloomington, I work for the city of Eagan, and my job was basically just to Mark the tree and require that it be removed, and since coming here, I've come to realize that that's a great asset um to at least a lot of times get homeowners foot in the door of the process.

AE

I think there's a lot of people that are overwhelmed by um the the prospect of of going through that and having to find a contractor, and in fact, most of the time what I do is I use that contracted bid and say look.

AE

This is this is what our contractor can do it for I think this is a great bargaining chip to go to other contractors, in fact, and and to use that bid to see if they'll beat it um so I I fully use it to the best of my ability to to help the homeowner out and if it's required I think that's a great opportunity for them to utilize our payment program as well.

A

Also, if there are no other questions, we can move on to the public hearing on this item very good. Thank you. Much for the presentation greatly appreciated item 4.3 is a public hearing regarding our tree assessment. Levy plans and I will open the public hearing now and ask if there's anyone in the council chambers who wishes to speak to this. Anyone wishing to speak to item 4.3, Mr Sable, anyone on the phone Mr mayor council members, no one on the phone last call on the council chambers.

A

No one coming forward. Council I'd, look for a motion to close the public hearing on item 4.3.

A

Motion by councilmember dalessandro, second by council member Carter to close the public Hearing in item 4.3, no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 closing the public hearing Council uh discussion on this, and we talked about this at length. I. Think uh at the the previous meeting, when we first brought this forward and staff first brought this forward. I like the um I like the proposal that staff has brought forward, and it's interesting.

A

It kind of goes back to my earlier statements about you know the policies and and operations that kind of reflect the values of our community and I. Think this shows that we know full well that, where the trees are coming out, the cost of the trees and the cost burden on a lot of homeowners with this and to have an opportunity, an option for a 10-year Levy period to to spread out the cost.

A

uh I think is it's a bit more Equitable and it certainly helps out a number of of our residents because, as I said, we know full well and we've all heard stories about Twenty Thousand, Dollar, Tree removals uh and because this is the cost we're seeing are per tree and it's very often very typical. It's not one tree in the yard. Coming out so I like the I, like the proposal brought forward by staff, I I think it's, it makes sense. It's manageable, I! Think it's Equitable and I.

A

Think it's a it's a good step forward for the city.

H

Councilmember Carter.

X

um I just wanted to Echo I agree. I also wanted to voice my support for the low or no cost replacement trees to Residents who have had theirs removed, or even you know, kind of reserved vouchers for those residents for the tree. Sale, I myself had one of our trees removed and so needs to replace and I was a little too late to the tree. Sale and I didn't get one and so I think just having those vouchers available for people when the tree sale is coming around would be really.

A

Absolutely agree: councilmember, thank you for that Council. Anything.

H

Else, councilmember Moore.

AF

uh Thank you, mayor, I, think my biggest concern with this as a whole is that I don't want the city to become a tree.

AF

Removal contractor or be acting as a bank, so I would love to be able to see if something come back in a couple years to so that we can fully understand what the impact of this is like to ensure that we are not inadvertently impacting the private sector allowing businesses to do their business and that homeowners aren't taking advantage of you know Rising interest rates or that kind of thing and using the city as a bank, and that kind of thing.

AF

So I would like to see some follow-up in the future to understand where we're trending with those things.

A

Could we look for a 12 and 24 month update on where we stand on all this very good? Thank you good good suggestion, councilmember. Thank you Council. If there's no more commentary on this I would look for a motion on item 4.3 this evening. Councilmember dalessandro, yeah.

V

To council, member muaz and I didn't think about it as a bank thing as much as I thought about it as a nice way for folks who may have may may have, homes may not be able to take out a conventional loan, but can get this done, which is better for the environment better for our community, so I kind of took the opposite attack, but I understand the the point there and I think it would be good for us to take a look at it. um Okay, with that I'd love to make this motion.

V

So what am I doing here, I am making the motion to adopt an ordinance amending chapter, 18 and appendix a of the Bloomington city code related to trimming, treatment or removal of trees and administrative assessments. Therefore,.

A

Most of my council member dalessandro, second by council member Carter, to adopt an ordinance amending chapter, 18 and appendix day of the Bloomington code regarding the related to the trimming, treatment and removal of trees.

H

Now further Council discussion on this.

A

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 council member dalessandro.

V

I am making a motion to adopt a resolution directing some republication of an ordinance amending chapter, 18 and appendix a of the Bloomington city code related to trimming, treatment or removal of trees and administrative assessments. Therefore,.

A

Motion by council member dalessandro, second by council member Carter for summary publication of item 4.3, no further Council discussion on this. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye aye opposed motion, carries 7-0 on summary publication. Thank you very much, and uh thanks for the discussion on this Council I think this is uh we we heard about this. We heard um uh Community concerns about this and the impact of the emerald dashboard.

A

The cost of tree removal and I think this is a good step forward just to help folks, as councilmember dalessandro said, uh both financially but environmentally as well. To get these trees out when we can to try and at least slow down the emerald ash borer spread and get the new trees planted and growing as quickly as possible. So thank you for it thanks. Thanks for your work staff on this.

A

Well done with that, we'll move on to item five, our organizational business this evening and item 5.1 is our continuing discussion of city code amendments and the comprehensive plan text, amendments for single and two family residential standards.

A

We have Erica Coleman our hre administrator Nick Johnson our senior planner, to bring this forward with us this evening and continue this discussion as I said good evening to both of you welcome good.

AG

Evening, mayor council members, how are you this evening good? So um I am here to talk about the overall housing ecosystem, which I'm kind of excited about. So you know bear with me if I nerd out um what our role is and what is the role of the HRA as we work together with Partners to achieve affordability, as well as provide access to the opportunity which is the built environment and the human-centered approach.

AG

As this is a discussion. I, do welcome questions and points of clarification as I move through my 10 slides before my colleagues from planning speak about the proposed ordinance.

AG

So with that when I started in 2020, I did hear and receive clear direction from the city council, the HRA board and through the community engagement efforts during various plans, initiatives to continue with rental housing opportunities and to increase access to opportunities in affordable home ownership.

AG

The city council approved the recommendations to focus the HRA on Service Coordination, expanding housing, stability assistance and offering Pathways to home ownership, including encouragement development, encouraging development of missing middle housing through the HRA and Port Authority assessment that was completed in 2022.

AG

So what is the housing ecosystem?

AG

The housing ecosystem is a complex, interconnected network of cause and effect, driven by economic, political, Regulatory and social forces determining the built environment of housing, types and livability, and so with that, when one piece of the ecosystem isn't working, it affects the rest.

AG

The ecosystem allows the community to see the full housing and homelessness system, as well as the separate parts and how they relate to each other. It is one part of a multi-step process in creating a culture of continuous Improvement.

AG

There are five main areas of the housing ecosystem, big external forces and current conditions refer to broader areas of political, economic and the market, areas that we all know and feel, but have many components outside of local control plans. Projects and initiatives are the action models that guide productivity, purpose and dictate outcomes specific to whatever lens is applied in constructing the plan's policies and initiatives which can be National, Regional, local or otherwise.

AG

Actors and tools are those such as local government, using what is in their wheelhouse of influence and, most importantly, control and all of these components determine the types of housing available affordable to whom and where the housing is physically located.

AG

So this handout was provided in the agenda packet and it's quite detailed. The visuals from the Minnesota Governor's task force on housing that was convened in 2018 to help guide decisions and funding opportunities for needs of minnesotans.

AG

More specifically, I am drawing your eyes to the actors and tools section and specifically where local control is within the vast and complex housing ecosystem is zoning and land use. This is a small portion, but it's the portion. We as a city have most control.

AG

The city is an actor. The tools are planning, bless you, land, use and Zoning, as well as code enforcement permitting and Rental licensing. This is, in addition to the potential sources of funding directly connected to ownership opportunities.

AG

I'd like to mention that this that, within this control was the opportunity, housing ordinance, a zoning ordinance that allows for incentives in the creation and preservation of rental and ownership, housing of 20 units or more.

AG

So the housing market is a complex system and its overall outcomes who finds a home at a price they can afford in a place they want to be, are going to largely be shaped by Ecology of causes and effects.

AG

So using data from our assessing Division and the most recent assessing report in Bloomington in the last five years, we've gone for four from fourteen thousand seven hundred ninety seven single-family detached homes under three hundred thousand dollars to 3870 single-family homes, affordable at three hundred thousand dollars or less the very affordable ranges have pretty much disappeared.

AG

In 2019 there were 1832 homes under two hundred thousand dollars now down to 86 this year.

AG

To put this in perspective, we have about 21 000 single-family detached homes in the city, so we went from about 70 percent of our homes under 300 000 dollars five years ago to about 18 percent. Today,.

AG

The median Bloomington household income is around eighty thousand five hundred dollars. Which is less than eighty percent area meeting income currently for the region, which is a little over eighty nine thousand dollars.

AG

What this means in home ownership opportunity numbers is that the median income for the city of Bloomington allows for household to afford a home price at two hundred, eighty thousand dollars or less as today's current interest rates of a little bit more than six percent.

AG

So as the interest rates are rising, the affordability of what the principal and interest on a mortgage, not including taxes, not including any additional assistance that somebody might get not including homeowner association fees, if it's a town home or a condo, just principal and interest 80 Ami median household in Bloomington, should be able to afford two hundred eighty thousand dollars.

AF

AG

Using data from the Minneapolis Association of Realtors, since 2019, we have seen an overall increase in purchase price of single-family homes on the market in Bloomington in 2019, the median purchase price was 296 148 dollars an affordable price in the market to an 80 percent median income household compared to 2022, which was 375 thousand dollars, which is Affordable to a household at 115 to 120 percent.

AG

There is becoming an issue in supply and demand, therefore, with Supply decreasing demand increases and with that price of what the market will bear, because the real estate market is what an able willing buyer is willing to pay able willing buyers are willing to pay 375 thousand dollars as of last year in Bloomington, the majority of them were not 80, Ami buyers. They were over that.

AG

So, overall, the regional Baseline of affordability at 80 Ami does not compute for Bloomington in terms of median household income nor median home purchase price. There is a loss of affordability and supply, and the trend will continue without local action.

AG

Part of the housing ecosystem is plans, policies and initiatives. These can be National, Statewide, Regional, local and even neighborhood, based usually plans policies. Initiatives are all of the above specifically to Bloomington. We use them to guide our day-to-day work direction of resiliency and growth and overall future planning here, I've provided specific plans, policies and initiatives by year.

AG

The reason for these specific ones is because each of them has tie backs and action items related to housing and, more specifically, addressing home ownership opportunities, access to them and Equitable steps to take in creating them I'm calling attention to the fair housing policy and the comprehensive plan, because these are required at a regional and National level, and they are directly tied to the city and HRA for funding for action. Steps.

AG

So the fair housing policy we just celebrated um fair housing month, which April was National Fair Housing month. It was the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of the Civil Rights Act of 1968., the act that was passed after the long hot summer.

AG

The city council for Bloomington adopted a fair housing policy in August of 2018.. This was done because it was required by Hud for us to have one in 2015, the affirmatively furthering fair housing rule was provided by Hud in 2016. An analysis of impediments to housing was completed on a regional level through our involvement with the fair housing implementation, Council or better known as the Fig.

AG

The analysis provided that zoning restrictions in single-family housing at the community level has an impact and has a higher probability of barriers to housing, affordability, opportunities for protected characteristics.

AG

Bloomington adopted this policy and in it stated that it would take meaningful action to overcome historic lack of access to opportunity in housing and specifically, would review its housing periodically to examine the affordability of both rental and ownership, to inform future city actions, review its Municipal Code periodically, with specific focus on ordinances related to zoning building and occupancy standards, to identify any potential for disparate impact or treatment that City Planning functions and development review will will consider housing issues, including whether potential projects May perpetuate segregation or lead to displacement of protected classes and review.

AG

The recommendations from the analysis for potential integration into City Planning documents, including the Consolidated plan, the comprehensive plan and other related documents.

AG

Additionally the city and the HRA certify that we are taking meaningful action steps every year. We do so by receiving the Community Development block grant and our housing Choice voucher funds, and we have to renew those contracts every single year and every single year. We have to sign off on certifications that we are doing these things in both. We must provide goals, steps and outcomes as to how we are upholding this requirement and why we continue to deserve the federal funds that we receive and use to create housing and homeownership opportunities.

AG

So we have our comprehensive plan. State law encourages, but cities within the seven County Metro are required to adopt a comprehensive plan, which is a 20-year plan but updated every 10 years. The comprehensive plan sets forth vision and goals for the city's future guides development and Zoning decisions and sets priorities for public investment.

AG

So in 2016 there was a Data Book on Bloomington, and its growth in 2017 was a comprehensive housing analysis in 2018 was the fair housing policy and 2019 was our comprehensive plan of date. Approval, as well as the passage of our opportunity, housing ordinance.

AG

The data Gathering engagement, assessment of where Bloomington was and where we are headed, was all happening at the same time and that information was used to inform our comprehensive Plan update at the direction of city council that instructed staff to review analyze and recommend amendments to zoning, to reduce barriers to creation of non-traditional housing types, which is basically to get creative with the tools in our toolbox. Within our realm of control, zoning and land use.

AG

A direct charge of Bloomington in forward 2040 taking shape together, was to Foster affordability, which is providing affordable housing choices that help build a stable, well-balanced, economically resilient community.

AG

Many variables affect the cost of housing, including unit size, age, location and level of amenities. Overall supply and demand directly influence fluctuations in the housing cost.

AG

So how do we reach affordability and what does that mean?

AG

Well, first I'm showing a chart of cost to the left, which is a simple breakdown of development, of a single-family home in Bloomington under the current ordinance, and then that of the proposed ordinance. I want to note two things, one in the published agenda item for this Slide. The math was wrong in case you didn't catch it. That is corrected on this slide in front of you and two. This information is based on the HRA buying and selling land for housing opportunities development.

AG

The HRA has four years purchased property that have had a substandard structure on it, remove the structure and ready the lot for redevelopment and sale in the last three years. A lot has not been priced at less than a hundred twenty thousand dollars, which is in most instances a break even number for the HRA, but in a few, but a few are less than the money put into the parcel at 120 000. So what that means is we were working with a seller that voluntarily sells their home to the HRA.

AG

Usually it has code violations or different things on it, but it's a substandard property. Usually we do tear the home down. We have to pull a permit. We have to follow the process that anybody would have to follow. We have to have the building in official inspected and sign off on it. We have it the site cleared and we have the site ready for redevelopment.

AG

That usually is around 120 000 breaking even, but it has been less than what we have put into the property at times, including when we want to encourage more affordable home ownership opportunities. We will write that lot down to a dollar with working with mission-based organizations. So already that's a hundred and twenty thousand dollars of subsidy, that's going to help create an affordable, 121, 120, 000 and one dollar going to create affordability.

AG

So, um with that being a break, even there's a specific, there is specific to the statutory authority of the HRA, which is to remedy the shortage of housing for low and moderate income, households and situations that require government participation and or subsidy. That is what we are doing as the HRA.

AG

So, under the current ordinance, land costs would be around a hundred and twenty thousand dollars in most cases in Bloomington. More than this, then constructing a single-family home is around three hundred fifty thousand dollars. That is a total development cost of four hundred seventy thousand dollars. This number includes all materials, labor and fees.

AG

Now, looking at the proposed ordinance, land costs could be less than the current, and the construction costs would be the same, considering Redevelopment of the same size and type of single family home.

AG

All the proposed are good quality homes due to our requirements and enforcement by our planning, division that promotes health and safety and harmonious land use through zoning ordinance and are building an Inspections Division that ensures compliance with building codes for safety. So I want to be clear what the HRA is doing or working with Partners to provide affordable home ownership does not lessen the quality of the constructed structure.

AG

It is of the same quality to Target, a home buyer mortgage of two hundred thousand dollars, some on the sources chart now, which, in today's numbers, is Affordable for an 80, Ami household and would even be affordable to a 50 Ami household. It will take the work of multiple partners, as that is how affordabilities achieve so here.

AG

I show how the cost of to construct a home are coming from: State, Regional, County and local sources, This Is, What, It Takes, when constructing rental or ownership housing that is Affordable collaboration of multiple actors and tools, homeownership affordability and access to achieve homeownership, affordability and access providing for smaller lots. That would cost less, would allow for the city and or the HRA funds to go further in increasing Supply and providing affordability, opportunities and home ownership.

AG

So where we would do maybe one or two properties we could possibly do two to four properties. Instead of just doing one or two mortgage affordability is available to the end home buyer and the changes being proposed are intended to lower project costs which allow more efficient use of the money of the many sources coming in. So many of these types of projects can get done.

AG

So, where does the home buyer come from right? We're talking a two hundred thousand dollar mortgage who are the home buyers? Where do they come from? Well, the city and the HRA have tools that are working together to create and reach targeted home buyers. For instance, education.

AG

We have our journey to home ownership and home stretch courses which are free courses offered on a regular basis here at Center for the Arts, through partnership with project for pride and living, who is a mission-based organization, focused on job training and homeownership opportunities?

AG

We, the housing, Choice Voucher, homeownership Program, this was approved by the HRA board, is included in the process identified for HUD for implementation, but this allows for the education and opportunity for current housing, Choice voucher, renters to become homeowners here in Bloomington, after securing mortgage financing and finding a home, so those things have to be available and they have to be able to access them. Mortgage financing, finding a home on their own part of that program is we do not help them find that home rental homes for future home buyers.

AG

This is the hra's five-year program for households to rent a home while attending homebuyer education, Financial education and escrowing money towards a down payment on a home down payment assistance.

AG

The city council approved the use of American Rescue plan act dollars for a pilot down payment assistance program that requires homebuyer education, one-to-one Financial education and a Max of 80 percent area, median income to use on the purchase of a home in Bloomington development, Gap assistance, providing funding for the creation and or Rehabilitation of housing for affordable homeownership, whether through the city or the HRA, by mission-based organizations with both down payment assistance and development, Gap assistance, deed, restricted.

AG

Homeownership is a mechanism for preserving the long-term affordability of the units whose price was reduced to below market levels through a government or philanthropic subsidy, because that's how we achieve affordability, inclusionary, zoning and or affordability incentive.

AG

Additionally, when it comes to affordability for those that have been historically marginalized or specifically excluded due to funding restrictions, zoning restrictions, restrictive deed covenants or actions by individuals, there are opportunities to work towards undoing those Harms funding or mortgages being one of the biggest barriers.

AG

They are now the use of special purpose, credit programs. These were passed by Congress in the 1970s under the Equal and Credit Opportunity Act. They provided for a tailored way to meet special social needs and benefit economically disadvantaged groups, including groups that share a common characteristic, such as race, national origin or gender.

AG

Now, in 2023, these programs special purpose credit which can be mortgages down payment assistance or other special purpose. Programs are becoming more of a topic because in December of 2021 HUD provided a legal opinion that this type of program does not violate fair housing from the 70s to 2021. It was an understanding that being able to right or wrong through government practices and policies violated a different law HUD and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau have come together and they both agree. Now. This does not violate fair housing and it is the right step to take.

AG

Populations, this type of program and model is being explored for creation by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

AG

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity offers mortgage products as well as build wealth Minnesota. Another mission-based organization focused on increasing homeownership opportunities for those that have barriers so with the proposal of what does the housing costs and sources look like and who would be able to purchase these homes I just named off our partners, and that's just a few of them. I also named off the different programs and initiatives we already have and are doing and how we would marry and marry them together and in marrying all of these things.

AG

The collaboration on the supply side to create affordable homeownership opportunities in the built environment and on the human-centered side of Education assistance and specific programming to have a direct pull of home buyers is how we create and serve for homeownership affordability.

AG

What this means is that, while there is local control on how land use happens and Zoning dictating what can and cannot be to achieve desired outcomes, it takes leadership, creativity and funding, support from State, Regional, non-profit philanthropic and sometimes private and other entities such as housing authorities working together.

AG

We as a city as the HRA play the role of facilitator, convener and coordinator to achieve the hra's mission, which is to help provide affordable housing opportunities for those who are not adequately served by the marketplace. To coordinate the city's efforts to preserve existing neighborhoods and promote development and Redevelopment that enhance Bloomington.

AG

So the main categories of housing, interventions, prevention, diversion temporary housing and permanent housing together. These interventions address housing, stability and homeless, instability and homelessness.

AG

However, it is important to note that this is not a linear process, a household May Teeter on the edge of housing, instability and homelessness for a long time and some households who move from homelessness to housing, stability, May return, one or even multiple times, seeing the full system allows the community to better understand such patterns and identify areas for intervention.

AG

While this is the housing Continuum from a human-centered standpoint, showing that any person, regardless of age, race, gender or other characteristics can be at any place on this cyclical Continuum at any point in their life. The built environment of housing directly overlays with this Continuum and is fully impacted by single and two family zoning standards.

AG

So you might be wondering how so I'll, let you know, homelessness, emergency shelter and transitional housing. The first three Encompass trusted independent organizations such as macv, Simpson, housing and Cornerstone, which work with domestic violence survivors community housing, which is the fourth one encompasses group homes for differently, abled neurodiverse, as well as senior housing facilities, just to name a few.

AG

Next we have affordable rental. This is multi-family and single into family homes which allow for larger households that may be multi-generational or have increased dependence, because we all know that increased dependence do not mean higher income, just mean more mouths to feed those also Encompass opportunities for our First Responders, firefighters and police, as well as public school staff teachers and support staff working with children every day in this community or those in our bustling hospitality industry.

AG

That would also like to live here and own a home or affordable rental, affordable home ownership encompasses the mission and work of the organizations such as the HRA West Hennepin, affordable housing, Land, Trust Habitat for Humanity and project for pride in living, all of which have completed Rehabilitation Redevelopment in the city of Bloomington, and desire to continue to do so.

AG

It includes the opportunity for households and professions that I named in the affordable rental space, Market Value Rental encompasses our opportunity, housing, ordinance and other developments, but also our ability to provide rental assistance, programs and market value home could be our sustainability efforts down payment assistance or even our home improvement loans, as well as the regular cycle of housing that could provide for naturally occurring affordable, homeownership opportunities with the size and age of housing.

AG

So, for instance, using the city of Bloomington down payment assistance program that this Council approved and trusted staff to go forward and implement a bipod home buyer who is at 50 percent area? Median income was able to purchase a home in Bloomington that home under the current ordinance would not be allowed to be built today that home built in 1948 is 600 square feet.

AG

One bedroom one bathroom two-car, detached garage on a 7, 800 square foot lot.

AG

This house was on the Open Market at two hundred thousand dollars and is one of the 86 properties left that are valued at two hundred thousand dollars or less in Bloomington an example of naturally occurring affordable home ownership.

AG

In the 50s, zoning was changed in Bloomington to require bigger Lots. This is during after a boom in population, the use of the GI Bill for World War, II veterans to purchase housing, but that very tool was not allowed to be used for black veterans to purchase and racially restrictive language in Deeds, prohibiting purchase by people of other races.

AG

Ownership is important in that it builds individual wealth with which is a very big deal.

AG

So here are my key points. The housing ecosystem is vast and complex. However, most impactful local control is through zoning and land use. There is a loss in affordability and supply, and the trend will continue without local action.

AG

Collaboration of multiple actors and tools is how affordability and homeownership is achieved, and single and two family zoning directly impacts the whole housing Continuum from homelessness to home ownership.

AG

So when you layer the benefits of home ownership on top of the disparity in home ownership in Bloomington, the need for Creative Solutions becomes apparent in 2022 Bloomington, home ownership rate is was 66 percent of the total homeownership rates among white residents was about 74 percent.

AG

That percentage drops off drastically as you look at other races and ethnicities and about 27 percent of black or African American residents own their homes in Bloomington, the homeownership Gap in Bloomington between white households and all households of color is 32.6 percent.

AG

This Gap is worse than the state of Minnesota, which is at 30.9 percent and the United States as a whole, which is at 26.2 percent.

AG

Our mission, as identified in Bloomington tomorrow together, is to cultivate an enduring and remarkable Community where people want to be it's great to want to be somewhere, but can people who want to be here be here our role through local control, such as zoning and through the HRA and various Partnerships, is to do just that to cultivate an enduring and remarkable Community where people can be any questions.

A

Coleman Council questions councilmember Carter and the council member Nelson councilmember Carter.

X

Thank you mayor, um so Ms Coleman. Thank you for the very thorough presentation. I know for me. It was really helpful to better understand, just kind of the bigger picture and how what we're talking about tonight aligns to the bigger picture and the broader ecosystem of housing.

X

um So I am in general, mostly supportive of the changes that staff are proposing. The one thing that I continue to struggle with and I'm trying to keep an open mind is the affordability, piece and I appreciate that you said that it takes collaboration of multiple actors and tools um to really get to affordability, which you clearly demonstrated right with the Partnerships.

X

um So yesterday, I was kind of you know, doing the Google and the literature review and trying to figure out like what does the research say, and there are kind of mixed outcomes in terms of broad affordability that whenever you kind of do this broad up zoning that the market can then heat up and home values actually increase.

X

And we know that Bloomington is a community with many low-income residents right and so how I mean I, guess I'm, just hoping that you can speak to kind of the mixed information that is in the literature in terms of how upzoning can improve affordability, I get it as it relates to city-owned properties and City Partnerships, but I guess for the broader Market I mean we already are hearing from residents all the time about their home values increasing and how they're they're asking us how they're going to afford to stay in Bloomington, right and so I guess I just want to put that question out there and would love to hear any kind of thoughts or more of your expertise and to help us kind of understand that or help me understand.

X

That piece. Thank.

AG

You uh thank you, mayor, councilmember, Carter, members of the council, so uh one of the things that come into play is that Bloomington is predominantly built out City. So with that, when you look at, as you said up zoning when you look at that, there would be a majority of the requirement to buy property and remove the house.

AG

Well, I just showed you that in 2022 it was 375 thousand dollars. I have been in real estate for over 25 years, I'm not used to anybody wanting to pay 375 thousand dollars for a good house. So that's a house that does not need to be torn down might need some upgrades, but not need to be torn down.

AG

It's not a tear down, tear it down at well over, probably a hundred thousand dollars once you tear it down, then rebuild and rebuild at maybe three hundred and fifty thousand dollars to rebuild I'm not used to seeing that um that is not something that would be fiscally responsible. It wouldn't pencil out by any means, and anybody proposing to do that so buy a house for 375 000, put a hundred thousand into it to take it down. That's a 475 000 now rebuild at 350 000. wow we're over eight hundred thousand dollars it doesn't.

AG

It doesn't make sense and as someone who's been in real estate for 25 years, they will not be able to get the appraised value for what they put into that property, and so it does not. It just doesn't make sense and it doesn't add up and anybody that is not a mission-based organization that we can say. Oh paint them with a broad brush they're in it to make money.

AG

They wouldn't do it either because they would not be making money so and they definitely wouldn't be getting any kind of support for from philanthropic or government entities because they wouldn't qualify for that. So that's what I can provide you for that question and does that answer your question.

H

Councilmember Nelson.

AB

Thank you mayor, um so um actually I think to council member Carter's question here with regards to that ecosystem.

AB

um You talked about all of the players that helped Drive Building housing, but the housing itself is a Continuum, and one of the things that you see is that's driving up the values as you, as you mentioned, people that have the ability to pay, 375 thousand dollars are buying those houses and driving up the prices is one of the reasons that they're buying. That house is because there aren't 375 000 houses, there aren't 450 000 houses for them to buy so they're having to go.

AB

Maybe settle on a house that they, maybe a few years ago or a decade ago, would not have settled on. Is that part of from your experience in the real estate market? How a little bit of that Continuum works?.

AG

Thank you, mayor council, member Nelson, members of the council somewhat. You know um we saw the market take off in 2020. and the one of the reasons that we saw, that is, people were home, so in 2020 2021 people were home. People were reassessing what was important and what was of value to them. So I can't say they were necessarily settling at 375 thousand dollars a big settlement.

AG

um It's a big commitment to settle for that. um But I can say one of the reasons that the homes are more likely. 375 000 is because of lack of supply.

AG

The demand is there. People want to know what their payment is going to be. They want to be in one stable place. This discussion is about the housing ecosystem as a whole, so you can't talk about the housing ecosystem as a whole. Without talking about area median income that HUD says is for the region is not keeping up with what incomes actually are.

AG

So our area meeting income for Minnesota for this region, Minneapolis St Paul Bloomington- is 118 200 dollars, T minus 14 days, I'm waiting for HUD to come out with the new amount for 2023.

AG

I guarantee you it's going to go up just by a little bit. Who do we know? That's really making 118 200 000 every year, they're, not a part of this discussion at this point.

AG

So what we're looking at is that rents are going up. Evictions are on the rise, people, don't know where they're where they can be, and they would like to stay and put their Roots down. They have children in Bloomington, Public Schools, and they want to stay in Bloomington. So they want to purchase a home. If somebody can settle for 375 thousand dollars, they're, not at 80 Ami, buyer.

AB

Yeah and I think to that point that's my point is that that's the people that are buying some of those houses, and then you also made the point that Supply isn't there um and from what I've seen in the marketplace recently, that's because people aren't selling their house they're staying there and they're making the improvements in that house um I mean you see it in today's Marketplace new constructions down 43 percent residential remodeling's up significantly and extremely strong they're that we are losing out on that Supply, because not only do we not build the houses at affordable rates, we aren't building houses that people can afford that they want at higher price points.

AB

And what used to happen is you know someone would have that first house, and then they would their family would grow. They would do better with their jobs and they'd buy another house, that's exactly my story. I I mean, and candidly I bought a house that you can't legally build in Bloomington. Today, um one car garage was not legal anymore. Maybe we'll fix that.

AB

But um you know, and as we grew out and I'll have a you know, two-story house, a few more bedrooms and that sort of thing- and one of my goals is at some point- I'll get a smaller house and we have so many people that are in those two-story houses that don't have a good place to go because there's not a lot of locations to build those smaller houses. That would be very appropriate for seniors and things like that.

AB

So that's what I was kind of getting at with regards to that whole team of housing in terms of price points in terms of life that, frankly we just we got stuck and there's just not enough Supply in the marketplace, and we need to look at ways to bring Supply from from what I'm hearing from you.

AG

Yes and to your point, that is also in our comprehensive plan to focus on life cycle housing. When you don't allow for diversity of housing types, you cannot focus on life cycle housing, life cycle. Housing is just that as council member Nelson mentioned, you start out, you grow you downsize, but you have the ability to stay within the same Community to achieve all of that. Not only just affordability but stability.

H

Councilmember Martin.

Y

Thank you mayor. um The the point about the literature I appreciated because that's kind of a question I had as I was doing some reading. So I guess my gut kind of tells me when one city or even major, maybe even a larger City moves forward with allowing a greater variety of say, owner occupied housing options, I mean that's, not one city moving forward that isn't going to be enough to change the supply demand calculus to drive down market-wide prices, I'm guessing I mean I.

Y

I could absolutely see why, if one city does it everybody's gonna flood in because you got a lot further to go before that market hits an equilibrium so I know there's proposals floating around at the Minnesota Legislature. There have been for years, there's more and more people coming from all the time to just take this Authority away from local governments completely saying that, because to this point it seemed like local governments are all waiting for somebody else to take the lead and jump in and Lead enough cities to move this direction to hit market equilibrium.

Y

So I guess the the studies that that look at single cities moving forward with these changes do we know, is that a reliable gauge for what that would do with affordability? Or is this a collective action problem that we need everybody to jump in ones.

AG

Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you, mayor council, member Nelson, our second Martin members of the council, I I, don't think it's a collective action and the reason being is Bloomington didn't take Collective action when they moved there lot sizes to 11 000 square feet.

AG

So it's not a collective action to remedy it. However, Bloomington has the opportunity to be a leader in this space of following the plans, policies and initiatives that has been put out. But in addition to that there is the Itasca project. The Itasca project is a regional project that was done, um spearheaded by the federal Minneapolis Federal Reserve I, sat on the housing affordability committee for that project for Bloomington, so bloomington's represented and called out in that report.

AG

One of the actions that they did discuss and talk about and include in that final report was looking at zoning was looking at what you allow and the reason being is. Zoning has historically been used as a restrictive component to be exclusive.

AG

So what is happening actually Across the Nation some states, the legislature, has successfully taken that away from local cities, local municipalities, but in a lot of States they are talking at the local level about what does this look like? Why do we have single family zoning when we have prevailing wage minimum lot sizes minimum households like so? Why do we have all these layers of things that are saying?

AG

You can't do this, so what I will say is I think that one Bloomington doing it does not just cause multiple people to rush in one we're predominantly built City. So we do have that on our side, um two, it it has to take time and it's multiple things. It's multiple actors, it's multiple tools. It is not this one thing by itself that it takes three.

AG

There are plenty other cities that are already in discussions and already looking at this, and some have already taken some actions and some have not so this is just it's not going to cause a collect. It's not a collective thing happening, but it is one of the first cities to do something. If you choose to go that route- um and you will see other cities soon coming behind, but it's not because they're, not in discussions about it or they're, not already looking at it. I just named the Itasca project.

AG

This was also something that was in the governor's task force on housing in 2018.. So it's been in discussions for a very long time, at least in our state, and it's also in some of our information that I provided when I brought forward the down payment assistance proposal.

AG

It was in that report as well to layer it with down payment assistance. You still have to allow for the opportunity for Supply. So to answer your question. I, don't think it's going to cause people to flock in and I, don't think it's a wait for a collaborative approach. Either. Bloomington is and I love to say this, the fourth largest city in the state, the third largest city in the Twin Cities metro, the second largest city in Hennepin County, the most populous county in the state.

AG

But Bloomington is the largest suburb and we have to rightfully hold our place in that.

H

That's remember: dalessandro.

V

H

V

um Yeah this has been as a very substantive and much appreciated conversation. Thank you. uh You put a lot of work into making sure that not only could we take your dozens of years of experience and and understand it, but also that the folks that are watching could get a great primer, I felt like I went to school today and I mean that in a very good way. I do so. Thank you for that. um uh We're grateful that you're on our team.

V

um One of the things we one of the things that I have been the most hung up on in my discussion around this has not actually been um so all the levers that you're trying to pull make sense to me and I um I'm I, think I. Think when I looked at the 12 items that were on the list, I was good, with 10 to 12 of them, like 10 of 12., so I'm in really good shape in terms of what I hope we can deliver for you.

V

um I have been fixated, though, on this conversation around single and two family lots, and yet we don't talk about the development of two family. Lots in this city and I.

V

Don't understand that, given the fact that we wouldn't have to do any of what we're doing tonight for you for for folks to get houses on our Lots HRA owned or otherwise, um they could be built right now and we could have families in those homes today and- and so if you have a reason that you can share with me about why these same partners that you're involved in won't go with you right now today and build two family lot, two family homes on these Lots with you.

V

If you can help me understand why there's a valid reason for that I'd love to hear about it because it. It really is hard for me to understand.

AG

At Lee, thank you, mayor, councilmember, dalessandro, members of the city council. So um in particular the HRA has 90 30 Park, which we are under a memorandum of understanding with West Hennepin, affordable housing, land trusts, doing business as homes, Within Reach, so one Walt has not, under the previous executive director, been constructing new construction.

AG

So there is a Direction Change under the new executive director which she's not doing anymore, but the new executive director to actually construct homes and not just rehabilitate them. So that's number one number two 90 30 Park uh this the HRA board approved holding that from marketing. While we explored other options with Western, affordable housing, land trust, one of those things is, is that we told them. We would like to see a two-family home. They said great. We need to do fundraising.

AG

So what comes back to, in particular, to achieve the affordable homeownership, whether it's a single family, home or a two-family home, is fundraising and putting those sources together. So we entered into a memorandum understanding with Walt that went into effect, I want to say in 2021 they didn't get approval from Minnesota housing until November of 2022.

AG

for funding for anything on that lot. So one that's a big hold up. It's just putting the multiple sources together so that it's not completely on the HRA or the city in trying to achieve this, but they are absolutely on board with wanting to build a two-family home.

AG

Secondly, we do have and I believe my colleague Nick Johnson can speak to this a little bit more. There are certain restrictions in Bloomington for two family homes. They cannot be within so many feet of another two-family home, and that is something that historically, the HRA has supported, because it was an assumption that two family homes would be more rental property.

AG

So it was something that was put into place to be exclusive again, but this time against renters um so I say all that to say that when the executive director Brenda came from Waltz to present to the HRA board, she did provide, we can do a two-family home or we can try and do something- that's really not in the market, in the cities that we work in, which is provide single family plus Adu. And how can we increase the opportunities for Adu when we previously had this discussion?

AG

I had mentioned about multi-generational and the Restriction I want to be clear. That is a restriction that West Hennepin, affordable housing, Land Trust would have on a property in which they have an Adu habitat PPL, any other mission-based organization or the HRA that builds a single-family home with Adu or two family homes with adus would not put that restriction on there. We would just want it to be owner occupied. We would not require it to be multi-generational owner occupied.

AG

So I just want to be clear about that, but with potential zoning changes we could look at not just two family homes, but on some qualifying Lots two family homes with adus and so right. Now it's really trying to be more creative to address the needs of people that just do not get served at all in our community. Multi-Generational households or people that are looking to have Adu um is why so, just with the approval of November 2022 is when Walt finally got all their funding together for 90 30 Park in particular,.

V

Thanks thanks, uh thank you for that. That's super helpful, so absent of the specifics of that particular lot. As an example um are, are there any active projects to build two family homes on any of the HRA owned Lots? At this time,.

AG

No, the AJ owns two lots: okay, one on First and 90, 30, Park, okay and the one on first we were exploring other opportunities and other options, but we have to move through our HRA board. It is a potential change to our program. uh Blighted homes has been the only program that we've administered so in terms of new construction. So what I want to bring forward is that hras are changing.

AG

Housing authorities are changing Across. The Nation, and one of the reasons for this is that as HUD is moving away from public housing, so public housing is a particular type of Housing and funding. Hud is moving away from that and moving more towards housing, Choice voucher or different homeownership opportunities, as they move away from public housing.

AG

Hras are now becoming in the place of being developers, and so one of the things that we're seeing here that I'm bringing forward is this hasn't been the typical HRA in Bloomington and we're evolving we're evolving with the city we're involving with the needs of our community, but we're evolving as an organization, and so that's where this may feel like. Oh, what's going on here, you haven't done it before.

AG

Why are you trying to do it now because we're evolving and we're addressing the needs and the plans, policies, initiatives that have already been identified and we have the statutory authority to do such.

V

That's great, thank you that was kind of a big part of my question. Was um you know it would if, if given the the standards that we had today, especially if we made some of these changes and and and we did all this work and we're like this is still not enough- and you know we have to keep moving like you have to keep getting creative.

V

That would make more sense if to me this, um the the general feeling I've had for a while is that we're being asked to do a lot at one time and I'm much more of an incrementalist just in general right do one thing see how it works.

V

Do the next thing see how it works, and so it helps to understand that part of what is being done here is an attempt to kind of align um the overall zoning uh districts and other things like that, with with the multiple levers that you, as an authority, are trying to pull so I appreciate that context. Thanks.

H

Additional questions, councilmember Lowman.

AA

All right, thank you, mayor um phenomenal uh presentation. uh I talked with the manager earlier today and I called it the Texas two-step. You know one you kind of do all the zoning and the next pieces you deal with all the uh uh the the implements and the tools that we used in order to get that affordability um across um so I appreciate the the longer piece of it. um uh It's certainly having studied urban planning.

AA

um um You know in college, I I totally get the the picture in terms of that piece, the the piece that I kind of keep going to um you know one of my colleagues sitting to the right of me. um You know also shares this concern as well.

AA

He stated that during the last meeting, so if I look at the overall amount of of units of of housing that we have in the city and I, don't know what the year is of this one here that I'm looking at here, um there's something in the neighborhood of twenty five thousand. You know, plus owner occupied uh and I, like the number that you used um uh with about four homes that we can as a city right at this point. Kind of you know bring the bear the amount of uh resources Financial Resources.

AA

Now, of course, obviously you know if the city council decided to change that that number we could, we could do more and if we partner with the private sector so I'm, not so I'm, just using this as a as a gauge, um you know to try to have understanding. So, let's say over 20 years, we you know we're unable to go above that four, which I don't believe that I think this Council I was a part of that Council. That originally said, let's do this stuff, you know around around affordable housing and I'm.

AA

Certainly uh you know for that. But if I look at that percentage, you know it really doesn't even move that needle you know. If we talk about you know in terms of, and that's not a reason not not to do it I'm not not saying that at all, but it it.

AA

um You know it's almost less than one percent in over 20 years that we're you know it's even far less and that's half a percentage when you look at that. uh So in terms of the goals that which that we've we've put in place, that's kind of where the question lies for me. So, for example, if I look at what Minneapolis um you know has done, I think they've done away completely with some degree uh with uh you know, with this type of of zoning all together. If my understanding is correct,.

AG

They had a good marketing campaign, but they did not do away. They.

AA

Didn't do away without it.

AG

All they had a very good marketing campaign.

AA

But no um and so I guess I guess the question that that I kind of get to um you know when we we look at those numbers and I'm just talking 20 years.

AA

um You know and I know that you know we have. You know within the ordinance here the lower denser. We can move up to 12 no units per per acre um and I also recognize and I think we as a community need to recognize. You you've stated it much more eloquently that where our city is located at you know we're in a uh you know we're we're in the urban core of this of the city. We are at a time span by which um uh that you know it necessitates this.

AA

This density in terms of our our growth of as a city, um and so the question I keep going to and I know we got to start somewhere, and this really isn't that much density.

AA

Really, if you kind of stop- and if you look at the you look at the numbers and you look what you get out of that- that this really isn't that that big of a lift- and so that's that's sort of where my problem lies, uh you know, and so um I I, just don't I, don't see how we get to those goals. I, don't it's a starting point? You got to start somewhere and it's definitely going to make a difference. You know for those those families. Certainly I was you know one of those beneficiaries.

AA

Those ones are able to get in into the city, um and so that's where I'm troubled with with with this particular uh piece, you know certainly got the market out there, but I just I, just I struggle with with with the with the numbers.

AA

If you sit there and you really look at the numbers- and you know help me understand how this could be pushed further um to to make this make sense, uh because I I just don't I, don't it certainly, you know we gotta start somewhere, but that that's where I I want you to help me understand beyond the four homes you know: how do we? How do we make that dent in that Gap there, because these numbers don't add up.

AG

Absolutely thank you, mayor councilmember, Lowman, members of the council. Well, one you're talking to the HRA administrator now I can fully work with quantitative results, but let's talk about qualitative results. You said four homes in 20 years, 20 years is a generation people aren't staying in homes as long as they used to some people argue with me, but people are not staying in homes as long as they used to.

AG

So, if you take that and think on average that people are staying at homes five to ten years, you just didn't impact four households, you impacted eight eight households that may be at least four family members wow.

AG

The number of people that you are impacting in the city of Bloomington to allow them to be in the community where they want to be, but that they can be is making a dent. It's making a huge dent. It's just not one that you can put in quantitative percentages, however, being able to create those four households at less money than what it would have normally taken allows the HRA and the city to move forward on other efforts. We still have Home Improvement loans. We still have down payment assistance.

AG

We still have Rehabilitation of current structure structures to create affordable, homeownership opportunities. We now just allow for that funding to go a lot further and impact the lives of the children in Bloomington, Public Schools of which around this area have some of the highest highly mobile and homelessness, so that qualitative impact is that they were able to stay in school and become educated.

AG

They were possibly able to get good paying jobs and not consist consistently be in maybe the same factors in which they were raised in which being at low income and they're able to stay in the community in which they want to stay in I, get it. When you put the numbers together, it's four homes doesn't sound like a lot, but from the hra's perspective, from the work that we do and from that housing Continuum, that's human centered.

AG

It's immeasurable.

AA

uh Thank you mayor. uh You know I, appreciate that and that that I think that that that message of qualitative you know that was that's made all the difference in my family's life. um You know we wouldn't be in Bloomington. You know.

AG

Would you be a council member, probably.

AA

Wouldn't be no I mean the veteran. You know the veteran uh Home Mortgage uh piece uh you know, allowed our family to uh to to move here.

AA

You know, and it was another story too that I want to share and I I shared this before in the past and I know we're just in the question phase of of this piece, but so inform my my question I'm going to ask my last question and move on here is that you know I remember at a period of time uh when my my mother was on the human rights uh or on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority with a former mayor, um and uh always the question was um at the time because they're like well, we don't need to have these these loans or any of these assistants for people who want to be able to have affordable housing in the city of Bloomington I.

AA

Remember my mom coming home and saying to me: hey, you know, gosh. You know they're showing me these facts and figures. You know in terms of that people are not coming to. You know take advantage of the dollars and I when I asked her I said: hey, uh you know: when are they having these? You know these applications uh well, the applications were were set up during the middle of the day, and people could not come and take advantage. In fact they were.

AA

They were scheduled at which a time where there weren't any buses that would come for those folks who were able to take advantage of that. Well, we were able to get that changed and we were able to see a change uh with that piece. So I I, I wanna, you know I just think it's so important in terms of and I want you to help me understand this. You know when you talk about qualitative and quantitative, you know measures.

AA

How do we most effectively measure qualitative pieces when we're looking at the goals? The four goals that you know this Council and and past councils uh set up and I wonder if you could help me, you know with those four goals that were you know that were were stated. You know so long ago, the increase in affordable home ownership opportunities, provide home housing options uh and housing types and provide opportunities for infill housing and seek to address homeownership opportunity gaps uh among race.

AG

Thank you, mayor, councilmember, Lowman, members of the council will one it starts with something that this council did put in place and that's continuous Community engagement.

AG

You have to ask the people that are most impacted or benefited what their impacts are and how has it? How has it worked for them? That's number one number two. We prove we collect data on a regular basis on the different types of programs and things that we have to use. Number three I mentioned the housing Choice Voucher, homeownership Program.

AG

This would be fairly new Minneapolis used to have a program that they administered years ago and they shut it down and then there's a couple other counties and or cities around the state that have this program. But that's one direct qualitative measure. Are we taking people from being on housing? Choice vouchers considered some of the lowest income and able to provide them with the education and the tools to not only access homeownership but maintain and sustain it.

AG

That's a huge qualitative measure.

AG

In addition to that, when we look at our home improvement loans, our home improvement loans are helping, people not only stay where they are but be able to again take advantage of the real estate market and sell their property for a value, as they have slated stayed in that property and increased their equity.

AG

Those are all qualitative mind you I get it there's all numbers involved in those, so they're quantitative as well, but those are all qualitative measures that we would use to assess against our four goals.

H

AF

Emir, thank you Erica for the presentation, um so I wanted to confirm with you. So this this goes beyond just the HRA right, because this is the community as a whole. So when we think about that life cycle, it's not just for people of lower income, it's for every one of every income in the city, so that you have the opportunity to get your starter house, move up to a bigger house, move to a bigger house or come back down whatever you want to do so. This is not just for the HRA.

AF

This is for the city as a whole.

AG

Thank you, councilmember. That is correct. It is for the city as a whole, but one caveat that I want to throw in there because, as a growing city, you know, I have high aspirations for us um statutorily.

AG

Bloomington HRA can help those that are not adequately served by the marketplace. We have four items in statute that put together our mission and what we're supposed to do in statute. There's a fifth item and that fifth item is cities of the first class can help anyone.

AG

So cities of the first class means that we have hit and maintained a hundredth at least a hundred thousand residents.

AG

When that happens, we know it's going to happen just not when, but when that happens, the HRA actually will be able to help many people across the city and not no longer not just be restricted to those not adequately served by the marketplace. So, yes and I wanted to offer that.

A

Thank you, Miss Coleman. Let's get down to Mr Mr Johnson's presentation. If we could, uh we do have a second part of this presentation and then we can double back with questions as we need to how about that so keep things moving. Thank you, Mr. Thank you.

AH

Thank you, mayor bossy and members of the council um before I begin I'm going to try and plug this computer in I'm. Also going to answer uh every question that you asked a zoning practitioner is going to have a slightly different response, just coming from a totally different uh perspective than a housing practitioner. So I wanted to answer your question from a zoning perspective and councilmember Dalessandro's question about two family dwellings, because it's a little bit of a different uh take on those things that might be relevant.

AH

So sorry I just want to make sure this doesn't die at me.

AH

I'm gonna do this on the sneak where it was less disruptive.

AH

There we go okay! Thank you. Okay, the the question about uh councilmember Carter. So, um irrespective of this ordinance, the planning department uh in the city of Bloomington gets calls all the time uh from people looking to sell their homes or just interested in what they can potentially do at their property. They're saying can I subdivide my lot I've gotten this question 50 times prior to any discussion about this ordinance and most of the time. The answer to that question is no.

AH

You cannot and so I anticipate that that question whatever happens with the single and two family ordinance uh this evening or uh in in the future.

AH

Irrespective of what happens with it, we'll continue to get that question the point about what is the impact in terms of heating the market in terms of the value increasing value on other people's homes, when we did that candidate site analysis, I provided a long list of caveats about how all these candidate sites, specifically for single-family subdivisions might be somewhat flawed or problematic, but the number that we arrived at was a little over 1800 lots and that's drawing from 21 700 R1 Zone Lots.

AH

What you're, really talking about is eight percent of the Lots would have the potential um uh to do some type of subdivision, so when you're talking about uh impacts respective to Value, if you're talking about the actual ability to subdivide uh the top end of that number is eight percent. Because again those candidate site analysis is not perfect. It didn't take into account. Corner Lots site characteristics, all these things that would likely result in some sites, not being good candidates for subdivision.

AH

The other component to that is that many of these sites have a tremendous amount of value and are valuable to people looking to move into them as single unit dwellings, single family dwellings, so any prospective developer who'd be looking to do. That would be competing against a much larger group of buyers also trying to acquire that property.

AH

The third thing I'll talk about a little bit about two family homes too, is that what I've learned in this process is just there's a much smaller pool of developer actors in this base than in other development spaces, multi-family commercial, industrial. Whatever the case may be, there's just a much smaller pool of actors. Doing this work, so just a couple things to consider.

AH

When you talk about the marketplace, the zoning perspectives on, why of not more two family dwellings uh been built, so I wrote down four factors, two of which 2.5, maybe of which the city has some control. On the issue of converting existing single-family home to a two-family home, the city has a 50-foot front setback requirement for two family homes, so very few of our single-family homes meet a 50-foot front setback.

AH

So if you're transitioning it to a two-family dwelling you're, taking a tremendous amount of lots out of the pool right away in terms of conversion standpoint, the same thing goes for our garage requirements. Anyone who would say they met a 50-foot setback. What would be before them in order to conform with our requirements? Is they would have to build two if sometimes three additional garage parking spaces to conform to our requirements, to build a two-family home, so the conversion of single-family homes. There hasn't been any conversions in the years that I've worked here.

AH

I, don't know what the data looks like before that, but converting a single family home to a two-family home is very difficult on the basis of our zoning rules and I have gotten some calls inquiries about doing that, and it just doesn't pencil out for those reasons about the existing structure, location and the the parking requirements.

AH

The second factor to that is has to do with site selection, so 67 percent of our lats don't meet the lot size requirements for a two-family home. The proposal in this ordinance lowering that limit to 13 000 on the interior size. That would add approximately three thousand plus Parcels into the pot of available uh Parcels that could be candidate through a two-family dwelling. So that's lowering the sites that don't conform to from 67 to 52 percent Erica talked about the grouping issue in terms of, if there's another one within 500 feet.

AH

It requires a much more extensive and costly approval process in order to gain approval for a two-family dwelling. So that's another component and it's also a highly discretionary action on the part of the city council, because it involves rezoning to a plan development. So you're talking about a much costlier longer process and a process, that's not by right development. It's a little bit more rolling the dice on the part of the developer.

AH

um The third and fourth issue is ones that we have less control over. It has to do with again the thing I talked about: there's just less developers doing this work, so there's just less actors in that space and then the fourth issue is Land. Development building costs generally also have a factor. So those are the questions. I've read that I wanted to provide a zoning perspective on and now I'll get into. My slides and I'll try and be brief or brisk about it.

AH

um Yes, okay, um so my planning my agenda for the planning, slides, really quick. uh The point is certainly interrupt me. Provide questions. Discussion certainly want it to be more that informal study, session, uh type uh atmosphere or Dynamics I certainly welcome that. Don't hesitate to stop me as we go before I get into the specific groupings of different uh proposals. I did want to just uh touch on some new information. That's come to light since we last met on March 20th. So I'll start at that point.

AH

One of the things we've consistently heard, both from the public and from uh you know, advisory boards and commissions, but also the council, is okay.

AH

What is the actual dollars and cents to a lot of these Provisions that we're talking about and as planning folks who don't have a lot of consistent interaction with building materials and labor costs, and all these types of things and utility costs and all those types of things we wanted to get an external source of information outside of the city, to really put some numbers to some of these things, and so housing first Minnesota agreed to do an analysis uh they're the the main Residential Building trade Association in Minnesota.

AH

They agreed to do some analysis about all these different provisions and how they relate to actual dollars and cents. One thing I'll note about this analysis: is they don't include land costs? They didn't want to include that factor, because it's too variable across the whole region and the state in which they work. So they didn't want to provide any estimate as to the reduced land cost the HRA. Provided you some of that potential information, it's going to vary on a side-to-site basis, but just keep that in mind as well.

AH

The unit size Factor, certainly that's a substantial potential reduction if you are able to build or desire to build smaller belongings, you're going to save a lot of money just on the per square foot cost of construction, reducing the garage and Associated driveway you have. You have up to the potential to save 7 7 500, approximately per unit the front setback. Most people don't think about that kind of a component of added cost, but that does increa include longer utility runs to your home.

AH

It also does include additional driveway, typically to your attacher detached garage, so those things can have a cost factor to them. The approval processes. We've talked a little bit about this in terms of the length and the increased cost of some of our applications. Again. If your goal is going to be to try and have additional infill development proposals, lowering the cost of entry on some of these things and the time that it takes to do them certainly can be a stimulative factor and how you look at it.

AH

So from like a single unit perspective single family perspective, you know just under 50 000 for two family per unit, just under forty two thousand dollars in potential savings and again that is irrespective of land costs.

AH

So the city. Is there any questions about that before I move on that one's more straightforward right? Okay, um so the city did get a zoning proposal uh from a coalition of Norman Ridge residents, so they did submit a letter from Larkin Hoffman that did include a potential creation of a new zoning District called the residential Environmental Protection uh district.

AH

There was four main components to it, two of which had to do with increased lot size and lot width and the other two components: kind of built off of existing environmental, related performance standards in the city, code of tree preservation and 35 percent impervious surface limits retaining those in certain areas.

AH

They did put themselves forward as a potential pilot for this new zoning District, so that request- or that idea is before you and the the lot sizes that they're suggesting is 22 000 square feet, and they also would suggest, within this District, to retain a 65 percent median lot width. So it builds up our existing standard of as opposed to an 80 on medium lot. Width.

H

Question councilmember Carter.

X

Yes, thank you mayor, um so the residents come forward during the lesson. Listen just to provide a point of clarity, and so is it am I correct in my understanding that there was just a misunderstanding on their part and they do want it. They their recommendation is for it to be the current 11 000 square feet. Is that correct.

AH

I I believe they submitted a letter today that had 22.

X

000., okay, maybe.

V

AH

H

V

Council member card I think I can give you a a bit of a an understanding. um The current R1 is 11 000. The current rs1 is 33 000. They were proposing a compromise of those two.

AH

So good deal uh yeah. Oh.

A

Customer Nelson, thank you. Good got him behind you. There.

AB

So, um thank you mayor all right. So just a clarification um because I know part of what they had talked about was that we have other uh districts that apply to things that are important to the community, uh to protect I, think protecting and preserving trees is obviously important to the community. We had a whole presentation on it earlier and uh so uh and I think that is, you know sincerely one of the the big concerns that I've heard from them.

AB

um But my question is looking at like a bluff and steep slope, and things like that. Do any of those modify the lot sizes.

AH

uh Mayor councilmember, Nelson council members, the overlay districts that you're referring to the bluff protection overlay, District flood Hazard. Those do not establish minimum lot sizes in a residential zoning District. Okay, they can have impacts that would necessitate you planning a larger lot. Theoretically, yeah.

AB

Or they would impact like a rear yard set back, because you have to be so many feet from where at the steep slope starts or something like that, and that may require a larger lot. But the standard isn't set forth the conditions of the lot dictate. That is, that accurate to minors.

AH

Mayor counselor, Nelson I agree with that statement. Okay,.

AB

But we do, we do have other ways that we address things that are of importance to the community in those things is is so is that, and we already have a tree preservation standard within our code, so that is something that can be looked at to address. That concern is that accurate.

AH

Mayor councilman Nelson, that's accurate and um I have two more slides about this. That.

U

AA

AH

Of these questions, and maybe, if I just kind of go through my little Spiel or the staff's analysis of these Provisions, then maybe I'll Circle back to you- is that okay, that does that work. um So uh these are the these are the provisions of what's in the proposal. This is a map that we provided to you as part of our prior analysis and um uh and uh kudos to some of the residents of Northern Ridge they're very engaged, and they do their homework and they're leaning into it.

AH

um uh Learning a lot about land use and city code, so I give them all their credit in that respect.

AH

um As far as what we showed you before, if you recall there was five lots that were likely subdividable and doing a lot doing kind of a neighborhood scale analysis. Every lot has a different median lot width because you have to go 500 feet from every individual lot so as a way to expedite that we kind of established some neighborhood medians, but in the process of doing that, I think in our materials. What we presented to you. We thought that their proposal would move the subdivision.

AH

The subdividable Lots in the existing condition from five to four I think in discussion with a neighbor. He corrected me that one of those lots would actually become subdividable, so I think it's five to five I think it's basically a wash in effect, but what I will say about that is that Norman Ridge is a neighborhood that has quite varying lot sizes.

AH

I would say there are other subdivisions where this, where this District could be attractive or desired on the part of some residents in theory that has uh maybe could where this proposal could be more impactful from a perspective requiring a minimum 22 000 Square lot in terms of going backwards and the number of lots that are subdividable today. It's hard to state that emphatically, without doing a lot by lot, neighborhood by neighborhood analysis, but I guess I, say absent that it is possible that in some perspective, these could be washes to the existing condition.

AH

In some neighborhood perspectives it could be going in the opposite direction. I just want to be clear about that. um So what is what is staff's perspective on these things? You know, as with anything- and maybe that's more, your role as policy makers but I, think the question we asked ourselves first with any new.

AH

uh The creation of a new zoning district is not an insignificant uh action uh to take um uh an analysis that we would do is uh what is the value or the benefit that you're receiving from adding this uh regulatory complexity uh versus um uh how you know what are the potential uh downsides or what areas other areas of the city code can kind of cover these things that are of uh concern. I, think this is what councilmember Nelson was talking about a little bit um so uh just generically speaking uh the the zoning.

AH

The the zoning proposal submitted by The Neighborhood Coalition from staff's Viewpoint, is not consistent with the project goals of the overall project, not recognizing that there's characteristics that differ all across the city, just from viewing it from the standpoint of the overall project goals. In our view, it's not consistent with furthering those goals.

AH

Okay, I'm gonna keep going on that, but um one thing I would say on my second bullet in relation to this, and you could make some of these similar Arguments for rs1. Theoretically. But one of the concerns on the part of staff is that the criteria you talked about the bluff, protection overlay, District or flood Hazard or Shoreland ordinance. These are all Provisions that are very precisely prescribed on the land, usually via a contour or a particular slope, or something along those lines.

AH

Enacting a new zoning District on the basis of criteria that to many people could be certainly deemed subjective in a way. How much of vegetation does it take to become highly vegetated? How much? What is the correct slope where it becomes a steep slope lot at a minimum? What is the level of non-conformity in terms of the minimum lot size that the city is willing to accept in in terms of looking at rezoning actions?

AH

So one of the concerns on the part of Staff with establishing a new zoning District as a pilot, it seems like a very innocuous innocuous or a small action, but as you start to build momentum in other parts of the city, theoretically, where in in Residence view or in their view, this new district is appropriate or applicable, based on this kind of semi-vay criteria that you have now established, it can kind of take on a life of its own, and sometimes it can be fairly contentious process too.

AH

I think that's what staff working on the rs1 analysis learned in the early 2000s as well as kind of the development of that District. So, yes, there was staff who are still here who are part of that process, not me, but that's just something to keep in mind, as I said in my previous conversation about analysis of rs1. If the council wants to push in that direction, if they want us to look at rezoning certain properties, that's at the discretion of the council.

AH

You are the policy makers, but what we would say is what we would encourage you to do is to create a very consistent uh line by line criteria that you will apply uniformly across every request that the city could potentially see or if the city chooses to do. It proactively is to just be very consistent on that front um yeah and as as these as this requests continue to come forward uh again. That would be uh ultimate in the Judgment of Staff, also against inference of the project goals.

AH

So I repeat that point from the front. um As far as the perspective about the the provisions themselves, you have in stats perspective, you have the lot size provisions and that's kind of in one bucket. Then you have these other components that are in the other bucket. You have increasing tree preservation and you have um uh limiting impervious surface so to councilmember Nelson's point about. Can we look at those things?

AH

That's where I finally circled back after five minutes uh is that uh if, if you know when the tree preservation ordinance was written in the mid-2000s, we were living in a different uh circumstance than we are now. The city of Bloomington has uh has drawn very strong goals and actionable items around climate, and some of these other things and so staff would fully welcome uh the idea that we need to evaluate some of these Environmental Protection components within our city code to see that if they are actually doing what it was intended number one.

AH

But are they adequate just from a perspective of the world that we're living in now versus in the mid-2000s? So if, if city council thinks that 30 percent reforestation line is appropriate in this particular area, staff would urge you that that might be an appropriate threshold across the entirety of the city, not not in one particular location, and this is more my problem. But every uh you know regulatory complexity, it's very difficult to have standards that are different in all different low density residential zones over time.

AH

If the Zone were to expand, so maybe that's a lower Point than the other one, but it's something that can create problems um impervious surface, so I don't want to stall on this too long. But some of the areas that are in the included in the analysis are quite larger, large lot areas, and so there is a a possibility that many of these Lots, if you were actually to subdivide them down the middle, would exceed 11 000 square feet anyway, on the basis of the lot depth of the areas.

AH

At that point, they would be subject to a 35 percent impervious surface limit, irrespective of that. But if the council was concerned that within certain particular areas of the city that the provisions that are in this ordinance are inappropriate, we can identify them precisely as to why staff is open to looking at including those types of Provisions establishing some of those types of limits, because that would still allow the project goals to continue to move forward. If that makes sense, um Devil's in the details, of course, I'm sure legislating from the Deus aside.

AH

um The one thing I would say uh about- and this maybe just gets to the end- um I've enjoyed working with a number of residents over the really nice folks, um but one thing I do want to state is that uh 22, larger Lots unto themselves: don't necessarily prevent outcomes that are bad for the environment.

AH

There's actually been a number of homes built in well I've, been working in Bloomington or in my former jurisdiction, where it is a large lot area, but because of all the grading and the larger structure that gets constructed, it actually wipes out a lot of trees or it disrupts a lot of the natural environment on a 22 000 square foot lot, you can build almost 8 000 square feet of impervious surface at 35 percent.

AH

So I don't want people to think that, just as a blanket statement that that will kind of resolve an Environmental Protection unto itself. So just that point so I I listen to the listening session. A couple weeks back when this first proposal was first made. I know there was some discussion around storm water management. I, don't want to spend too much time on this, but I just want to um uh restate that new homes that get built in 2023 are subject to the most rigorous storm water management standards than any single family dwellings.

AH

You know up up until this point in time in Minnesota, so there's all these components that they have to meet, and this actually is a cost. This hurts housing, affordability by the way. This is again one of those issues of conflicting objectives. uh Obviously so storm pre-construction projects, post-construction can't send more water faster off their site than was the pre-construction condition. That's how the storm water rules are set up. They have to retain a certain rate and volume of water, and there has to be quality treatment and that has to do with phosphorus and pollutants.

AH

Not sending these things to our storm source. So I know there's some discussion about that at the list session. I just want to follow back and provide information about that Wetland same thing, I know, there's concern about how development can affect Wetlands. Wetlands are protected under the Wetland Conservation act. That really has to do with the actual disturbance of wetlands not allowed to do that and Watershed districts enforce buffering requirements. So what does that mean?

AH

That means native vegetation can have turf grass all these long grasses catch the pollutants before they get to the Wetland you you can water can go to Wetlands water's supposed to go to Wetlands? It's just you don't want the pollutants going there so really quickly.

AH

Two quick examples: these are single-family builds in Bloomington within the last five years. These are storm water management facilities that had to be built with these homes. Infiltration ponds in this next example, there's a wetland just to the west of this property. Those dashed lines that you see delineated around the Wetland are the required Wetland buffers by The Watershed District, fortunately, for this property owner on the site adjacent to them, but a review of the storm water management plan does occur prior to a building permit being issued.

AH

So this is just two quick examples so getting to the heart of the matter. Yes, councilmember, Nelson, sorry I'm, not in charge of this thing.

H

A

Then councilmember Lowman councilmember Nelson. Thank you mayor.

AB

um Just a couple, quick questions for you, um you had said there. There may be some consequences with regards to those larger laws, because they could have more impervious surface, so they could put pools and patios and have all that type of stuff. In addition to the house and the driveway, and things like that, is that accurate.

AH

Mayor council, member Nelson: yes, as long as they're maintaining 135 percent limit, they can Okay, add hardscapes.

AB

And as part of that process, they could take down trees to put those things in up to the limits and the ordinance that.

AH

Mayor McAlister, Nelson, that's correct. Our tree preservation standards apply only at subdivision supplying actions.

AB

AH

Not a building permits.

AB

um Just follow up with that, so you can take down more trees than what's in there if, as long as there isn't a building permit involved, I'm.

AH

Sorry, maybe I misunderstood your question, you're saying if a site was subject to a tree preservation plan yeah, so the tree preservation plan expires after a certain duration after the Plaid approval. Okay,.

AB

Yes, um so and then the where I'm trying to go with this is um so let's say you have a larger lot that is subdividable under whatever rules we end up with, but you've used up a lot of that with impervious surface.

AB

Do you get somehow grandfathered in like if you take a 22, 000 square foot lot and you have 8 000 of impervious surface between your house and your amenities? You divide that by you know, in half and you're over the amount you can have what happens.

AH

Mayor councilman Nelson that person I would have no other uh regulatory Outlet other than to seek a variance which we would not support, because it's a situation purely created by the landowner. It doesn't meet the state and the local tests for variance I mean I, looked at our Council about that. But no, that's that's going to result in them. Not subdividing that a lot okay.

H

Thank you, councilmember.

AA

Lowman, thank you. I I should have stopped you earlier, because I had a question about. uh You have the community zoning proposal, the staff feedback- um and you know I I, want to just say, I appreciate the staff's uh perspective and point of view in this, and the question that I want to just be clear, in my mind, is um for the RS Zone. That's not really. A part of this proposal at all right am I. Am I, am I correct in terms of my thinking with that.

AA

In terms of that, that's not really a part of what we're looking at here.

AH

Yeah mayor council, member Lohman, to be precise, there was some very modest adjustments to the lot with requirement of rs1, but the area remains 33 000 square feet and the median lot width requirement is still in place. So.

AA

If I were to, if I were to lay down, if I wanted to say, I want to include that that piece or that zoning piece in this proposal and I were to lay you know uh what the community has put forward because I'm certainly interested um uh in in bringing in in density, no matter what the what the district is, if I were to lay out that RS Zone, um you know to this particular proposal. Would staff you know have some of the same findings or would would you find that it's just kind of unfair?

AA

You know because I'm putting you on the spot, you know, uh would you have some of the same findings or would you find some distinguishing um characteristics between you know what what they're putting forward and and what's in that RS Zone.

AH

Yeah mayor council, member uh Lohman, we certainly we want to know what our history is and why decisions were made and what actions got us to where we are. So we want to be differential to the decisions that prior councils have made and what they felt was in the best interest of the community at that time. um I, what I would say about the rs1 areas is that they they're the characteristics of them are of larger Lots than I know.

AH

We've spent a lot of time talking about this particular neighborhood, but what we did do as part of this effort is, do an analysis in terms of the level of uh non-conformity of the site area within those neighborhoods and they met. You know varying levels of thresholds and that's where I'm that's. What I meant by is that a lot of pressure can be exerted on decision-making bodies about my Neighborhood meets your criteria. Well, maybe you know at different levels. Some of these things are so you know we didn't include it, because we were thinking.

AH

We were being deferential to the decisions that were made then, and the characteristics of those lots are more assistant with that District of how it was created and established. It was a pretty extensive study that was done when they created it. So that's where we're at okay.

AA

Yeah no I mean um uh you know. Thank you for that. um uh You know we just heard the conversation just prior to this, and so I take this in that that context you know in terms of, um and so that's that's sort of where I gotta have another problem with with the proposal. If our goals are those four stated goals, uh and then we have a district, that's has no density at all um gosh. That seems strange to me and now I got a proposal here that provides some type of density now.

AA

I, don't necessarily agree with the density that's here, but to me it's certainly better and I know we're in the question uh period of thing. So that's you know so. I really didn't hear an answer to my question in terms of you know that comparison mayor.

AH

If I can provide one more point about that with rs1, we're in the Glenn has the number the exact number on his computer back there, but it's it's a little over 100, some Lots rs1, um but so from our perspective, uh you know uh why. Why are we so emphasizing R1? It's because that's where all the opportunity is that you know the very high percentage of your low density uh residential areas are zoned are one rs1?

AH

Is it's over 100 Lots in the city, so the opportunity is much uh less, even if you were to pursue those types of uh policies make them applicable to the rs-1 at that point, if, if it were, let me let me take one step back another important point. We did not want to rezone any properties as part of this process.

AH

If you are going to make the rules of the rs1 equivalent to the R1, it doesn't make sense to have an rs1 District, which we in which we would pursue rezoning those properties, as opposed to changing the underlying rules of the R1 zoning District. Thank.

AA

You that provides I think that's very helpful. For me. You know as a policy maker as we look at the proposal. That's coming coming forward because you know the question: I have myself as well. Why don't they just go under the RS District? Well, there's no density there. Well, it's only 100 Lots, but then that the same arguments that are made to not do this or the same arguments that can be made for that RS uh folks, you know uh taking the flight if you will out of the r R1 Zone into this other one.

AA

So I guess for me: I I need to look at all of this. So I. Just that's the question so I appreciate that answer.

H

Councilmember Carter.

X

Thank you, mayor, I, guess, I'm, just um wanting to better understand what the point you're making and are you so? Are you saying that we should also be looking at rs1? So if we're looking at R1 changing the standards around all of the things that we're considering right, not just slot size, but all of the things that we should also be looking at that for rs1, maybe not the same numbers but at least considering those lots like maybe, instead of 30 three thousand square foot, I'm, not sure what it is like.

X

Maybe it should be 28 or 25 I, don't know, but is that what you're saying yeah.

AA

Thank you, uh councilman Ricardo yeah, no I I, you know Mike. My question is okay. We've got this proposal here and staff is saying it just just you've eloquently stated it: you know um we don't want you to. You know. We wouldn't recommend to do that. Well, okay, I! Get that. But then why are we not touching anything with our? You know RSP.

AA

So if we're talking about Equity inclusion, even though it's a hundred Lots well, you know if I'd said over 20 years, I'm taking you know uh you know get you know for four lots and I'm claiming I get 80 Lots. That's you know we're not using quantity. You know it's, it's it's uh qualitative! So yeah! That's! That's kind of the question that's rolling around in my brain.

AH

Mayor. Thank you. I'll proceed. If, on the buckets uh discussion.

A

Should please, okay.

AH

Okay, so- uh and please uh certainly free flow discussion on uh this component of the discussion- um uh the way that we've kind of structured- this is just uh that we've we see all of the provisions that are within this ordinance in five buckets and the reason that they are grouped together is that- uh and some of them are more singular, but everything within a particular bucket is related to one another uh in some fashion, so I'll pause as I I'll present a bucket or a grouping of amendments, and then I'll pause and can take your questions or discussion and I.

AH

Think the goal of this is just trying to get a consensus or direction for staff in terms of how we should proceed with these particular amendments.

AH

um uh One thing I will say about the ordinance that I don't know if I've emphasized this in Prior presentations or prior other staff. Who've worked on this, but the the ordinance before you from staff's perspective represents The Sweet Spot of opportunity for what bloomington's infrastructure allows and the reason I say that is that our storm sewer can only take on so much storm.

AH

Water you're limited to certain x amount of impervious surface and most of Bloomington is not in an alley loaded configuration and so in terms of looking at different lot sizes or how we arrived at these things. I don't know if that's been said before, but I'm just stating it in those terms because I think oftentimes like how did we get here so I just want to make that point. I heard one other point too: maybe I should just go forward, sorry, so minimum unit size.

AH

What what we're going to do as part of these buckets is try and just again just summarize where the current standard lies and what is being proposed and what are the direct connections uh to the the city goals that we've talked about on many levels? So the existing standard is 1040 for a single family dwelling, two family, nine sixty we're proposing to eliminate these based on favoring minimum occupancy standards in the State Building Code.

AH

Certainly, as people go through the expense to constructible habitable dwellings, they're they're going to provide them a certain size, but currently there's many dwellings in Bloomington that we think serve a very important purpose and serve a wide, a good spectrum of Bloomington residents that you can't build today and one thing I, don't know if Erica said this exactly the way that I'll say it, but in a lot of ways, building a smaller dwelling now, even though it's quite expensive to do new construction now will at some point, be uh naturally occurring, affordable, housing at some point in the future.

AH

At what point in the future of that inflection harder to estimate that, but at some point that can occur there. So what are the direct impacts of of getting rid of minimum unit sizes? I mentioned the housing first cost analysis on the per square foot, so there's a direct connection to affordability in terms of the ability to build a smaller home. That certainly has impacts on trying to go at the ownership. Gap that's been talked about tonight and then the new housing types.

AH

This is maybe the biggest or one that resonates with me and I heard councilmember Nelson talk about seniors and other types who are just looking for a different product than what Bloomington has to offer at least does not have enough of maybe I'd say, and so that's that's that bucket and that one's maybe more self-explanatory or but is there any questions or discussion about that? One.

H

No, no questions.

AH

Okay, so I'll move forward to the uh the building front setback so again in our single family areas, two slides here for this bucket. uh We do have this prevailing lot setback uh requirement in our experience and enforcing the uh or reviewing the city code.

AH

um There's there tens there does tend to be some uh situations of kind of uh arbitrary applicability uh in terms of where certain dwellings have to meet a greater setback. We talked about the utilities and the driveway runs um that there's some cost savings to be had there, but also from a sustainability standpoint having additional. If you have to have a 50 foot, long driveway, that's 20 feet of extra pavement. That is unnecessary, that our storm, Water Management Systems, have to account for that are heating up the area, et cetera et cetera.

AH

So that's something to be considered. It also does push the dwelling further into the backyard. Everyone uses their property differently. Some people want to emphasize backyard Recreation or who knows what? But these are just some things to think about. With respect to prevailing setback.

AH

um uh With respect to the two family. Drawing front sent back. I talked about convertibility of existing single-family homes. To two family, uh the the number one thing that uh presents a barrier to that is that front setback of 50 feet uh so similar factors here in terms of impact on the city goals, just moving it to a 30-foot flat setback.

AH

This one is uh this: one does have a direct connection to more infill housing opportunities. We do have a lot of lots that are have substantial depth and can account for a 50-foot setback, but some lots are shallower and when you have a 50-foot front structure, setback that makes the usability of that lot much more difficult to pencil out a site plan that makes sense for people and also meeting the 30-foot rear yard setback requirement, so that can in staff's way of thinking it's not just the area that might put more Lots on the table.

AH

It's also addressing that setback, because some lots are shallower and a 50-foot setback. Just is not a good um situation in that regard, so I'm sorry, I should have paused there. Any questions about setbacks in that bucket or discussion.

A

I think the group will speak up if there's.

AH

Questions: okay, thank you, mayor I'm, sorry um garage parking, uh both relative relevant to both uh single and two family dwellings. um uh We talked about the housing First Data 7 500 uh per additional garage stall.

AH

So that certainly is a factor uh here um uh as if you, as you look to narrower Lots, potentially having the ability to only construct one stall. Does a lot in terms of being able to cite the structure appropriately.

AH

So there's a number of factors that um and that kind of gets into the more info housing opportunities, but more housing types, just not all households need a two-car garage. Some would argue, don't need a garage, but we think that the sweet spot is one. um You know we're cognizant of having to need some storage too. Our environmental health folks do value that that it does help in some of those regards so just making those points sustainability, you know again additional driveway space that is unnecessary.

AH

Theoretically, if you don't want that as well as just the the building materials themselves are come at a cost in that regard as well.

AA

So Mary got a question on that one, okay. So um so, when we you know, if we want to just you know we kind of, did you know what we ended up doing with uh with Apartments? We just said you know what the Market's going to bear that. Why don't we just lift the you know? Let the market, you know, drive that that decision from a you know to Staff feel that we we're at a point. You know because at some point you know we may not even have cars.

AA

You know coming you know to these residential areas uh depending on how the technology goes. You know maybe I know you mentioned the storage, but some of that storage could be handled either by a temporary. You know a shed or you know, within the house, I mean obviously there's certain you know doing the stuff for the fire department stuff you can't put in there, but uh why not just lift that and let the market drive that that decision making around that.

AH

Mayor councilmember, Lowman um I, don't think uh you know um that's a little. That's probably one on the staff level, there's probably a lot of different opinions uh in the room in terms of what the right approach is so I think we view this as the correct compromise uh position on that at this time. If it's something that we got data on and that we did more thorough analysis of subsequent of the approval, we certainly could look at that again at a later date, I'm not trying to not answer your question. I promise.

AH

It's just I think it's there's a there's in kind of the the cooking process or the you know, there's just a lot of cooks in the kitchen. I think that that's that's where we landed.

AA

I appreciate that I know I've come around uh full circle on my my belief system in terms of storage inside of an apartment, building and I. Don't know that I see this any any different. I I really do think the market will will really drive the correct decision from a construction standpoint. So thank you. Yeah.

AH

Okay, get into the approval processes, so there's two different processes that are involved in this Ordinance one has to do with subdivisions uh that don't result in more than two lots so lot splits in effect and the other one is for the grouping of two family dwellings. So, first we'll just talk about the lot splits.

AH

um uh There's a there's going to be a table in both this slide and the next slide in the upper right corner, which gives you the diff the cost differences uh between what is being proposed by moving it from a Type 3 to a type 1 lot. The timeline that it takes to get a plat approved is also is also shorter and so staff's perspective on. That is that it, you know it's all just under a thousand dollars of savings and application fees. The time does have value as well.

AH

We're thinking that this could expedite more or help could help support more infill development opportunities, as time goes on, I I do want to come with it. Full be honest with it on both sides. Is that a Type 3 plot does require a public hearing at the Planning Commission.

AH

So it doesn't involve that neighborhood notification, and so that's the process that people have to go through right now in order to subdivide a lot moving it to a type one would forgo the public hearing component at the Planning Commission, but city council does have to take action. Those splits are typically on your your type 1 plots, not splits, because those are type three right now. Those are typically on your consent. Agendas is how you're, typically taking action on those.

AH

Is there any questions on that particular one.

H

Councilmember Nelson and council member Martin councilmember Nelson thank.

AB

You mayor: um is there a significant cost to doing the mailing just to let people know in case they did have a concern and want to reach out to the council, um and also you had mentioned earlier, I believe about just regulatory complexity. You know making your internal processes the same all the time. So is there a concern there? Is there a cost concern of just providing that notice to the neighbors.

AH

Yeah councilmember uh I'm, sorry, mayor, busty, councilmember, Nelson, so um a couple things to think about there. um uh You know, there's probably a lot of different actions that the city takes uh that are kind of locational uh based where they said, because it wasn't necessarily required in city code that we did a mailed notice.

AH

um So we certainly could look with that. uh One concern about that is just kind of picking and choosing when we do with that. If you do, if you do embed that in the city code, obviously we wouldn't be picking and choosing, we would be doing a male notice. um The cost isn't that significant I mean it. It can uh be quite a bit different if you have a condo property say with many different sub addresses within a nearby proximity area. But you know with staff time and with uh doing the postage.

AH

You know it's typically in the range of at one dollar and fifty cents per uh property or per recipient. I will note that we are working on air ways as a pilot to also do mailed notices to renters in a dinner tenants in addition to just property owners, so that cost. So don't quote me on well, the 150 per makes sense, but it's hard for me to put a hard number, because every property is going to have a different situation around them in terms of how many properties you're notifying.

AH

So we could adjust for that in the fees the fee for the type 3 does account for the notice and there is no fee for the notice in the type 1 currently in our fee schedule.

H

Councilmember Martin.

Y

All right, thank you, mayor just briefly and I like the point about giving kind of a heads up potentially but just discussion if we were to move forward with these changes.

Y

I do like the idea of setting up the expectation that, if the platting action were to Matt that were to meet all the standards that we have put forward, the expectation is that it would be due course of the city to move something like that forward, um whereas kind of setting up a full public hearing kind of creates the expectation of uh that these would be at that point, more controversial, I guess, maybe it's the wrong word than they would need to be otherwise.

Y

um So if we say these changes and these type of plots are in alignment with our strategic plan in the direction of the community, I think we should be treating them like items that are purposed for a consent agenda. That's just me. Yeah.

AH

Mayor Buster, if I can add to that, of course, if there was any variance or any other action that did necessitate that was associated with it, then of course there would have to be a public hearing.

AB

Mayor can I follow up on that quick.

H

AB

Nelson I think uh councilmember Martin makes a good point just in terms of expectations. I know we've uh in the past had people leave unhappy um because really we have no choice. It meets all the requirements. I mean there. There isn't something for us to consider there and by by having that public meeting, there's a presumption that your input could move the decision.

AB

Yet if it meets all the requirements we have probably um you know we actually had it one where you know they, the courts told us. No, you can't do that and uh so I just I, don't know that that applies to the mail notice. I just would want to make sure people didn't have a misunderstanding of what they were doing or what uh what was being asked to them. So.

AH

Mayor, thank you um if that's okay, I'll move on to the next approval process, and that has to do with the groupings of two family dwellings. Again, if there is another two family dwelling within 500 feet along the streets. Currently it's considered a grouping under our code. It is allowed, but only the approval of a plan development process, so you're talking about a substantial fee associated with that process of 4150 an eight to ten week process, as I mentioned earlier on.

AH

My presentation involves a rezoning which is at the highest level of discretion on the part of the city council to take action on it. So some uncertainty there, the proposed process. We have a number of different uses in Bloomington that are approved by the Planning Commission subject to appeal: that's kind of the key point there at the end.

AH

So that's what we would propose as a cup related to groupings of two family dwellings. The approximate timeline of that process is six weeks and that does involve a notice, a public hearing notice to the neighbors.

AH

So I'm touching on. You know other goals. I mentioned this in other slides, but this one does impact affordability. From our perspective, it will encourage additional infill development when you, when the procedural hurdles are a little bit lower to clear. We just think that it does stimulate more activity.

AH

So if there's no questions about that, one I can keep keep going. Okay, I think this is kind of the main event here is the lot size and lot width requirements for I'll start with the two family, but also the single family, and so um hopefully one of the theme words that's been.

AH

The through line of this process is opportunity, and so these are the provisions within this ordinance that either create or reduce the most amount of opportunity in terms of what the potential outcomes are, the potential value you were talking about, the numbers earlier: councilmember Lowman, so with respect to two family dwellings. Right now, the minimum interior lot size is 15. 000 we'd propose to reduce that to 13 000 with a site width of 80 feet. The corner site size is a little bit larger because, of course, to accommodate front setbacks on both sides.

AH

I will note uh in my answer about the conversion of single-family dwellings earlier or why are not more single-family dwellings being built, so these General site sizes do add about three thousand plus to the candidate list. Now that doesn't mean they don't have to go through their own individual review and they might not be good candidates and the the existing dwellings on many of these Lots themselves have value that exceed uh the the don't tip the scales towards uh full Redevelopment. Although some conversion might be possible there, but yeah so I mean I.

AH

Think it's really just about opportunity. As we mentioned at the March 20th meeting, a substantial proportion of our two family dwellings are actually home owner occupied I. Think that was kind of a misconception that was we were hearing earlier on in the process. Is that they're they're predominantly rentals? That's not true on the basis of how many rental licenses we have with on our two family dwellings.

AH

So when you talk about more affordable ownership opportunities, you know with the condo laws the way that they are it's just difficult um uh to in a built out, City to keep adding opportunities and a two-family dwelling might be a good way to do that.

AH

um Yeah I think that kind of touches on everything I wanted to say on that slide.

AA

So Mary I've got a question on this one here, um customer Lohman, so uh we did the 15 000 down to thirteen thousand in other slides. You've talked about. You know why that number helped me understand. You know why why the 13 13 000 as opposed to twelve thousand or or split it all the way down to seven thousand.

AH

Yeah, thank you mayor, councilmember Lowman, um uh my brain is a little bit swim. I was in the room when that, when uh these things were all uh created, Mike Palermo, you remember, former planner Mike Palermo.

AA

A lot of stuff going on shout.

AH

Out to Mike um uh I he did, uh he did basically a land area analysis of what uh the various needs. Minimum lot area needs were in relation to other standards that we were talking about, um so some of it had to do with um uh kind of the reduced setback requirement associated with Corner Lots, like what the lot area savings was attributed to that and I think it included attributing some of that proportion or percentage to Interior Lots as well, um but yeah I'd.

AH

Forgive me, I I was involved with that work, but it does have to do with a proportional reduction in terms of what we still think a dwelling can be accommodated on and still meet the impervious surface requirements and the other elements that are required. So we did look at that too, but we would look at that with any kind of use because we're bringing that down.

AA

AH

Okay, uh the single family lot size with an impervious surface standards, and the comprehensive plan is also related to these specific components of the ordinance but again reducing the minimum interior lot from 11 000 to 7 800 the corner lot from fifteen thousand to eleven thousand fifty uh with the associated widths. As you see on the slide, the impervious surface, maximum for 11 000 square foot Lots would be allowed to uh go up to 45 percent, although would need additional storm.

AH

Water management to mitigate that increase in storm water and staff is also proposing that those lots if they were to take advantage of that provision, would have to subsequently have to add more trees to their property. We currently don't have a landscaping requirement for single family dwellings in Bloomington. We do for two family dwellings, but this would be above and beyond. What that requirement would be. I would note that that the language of the 45 percent is existing in our not the tree component, but is existing in our 2 two family Provisions today.

AH

So it's kind of modeled on that and the other thing a point I made earlier is that in larger lot areas. Theoretically, unless you're doing a very odd lot configuration of where you draw your lot boundary, many of these Lots will exceed 11 000 square feet and at that point the code provision would require them to be capped at 35 percent. So this isn't a kind of a this, isn't retroactive or applicable to all Sites.

AH

What it's really accommodating for is the scenario that we see, typically in Eastern and Central Bloomington, where you've got a little bit more constrained site, it's hard to meet that 35 percent cap in some situations. So that's really what it's accommodating for um before. Maybe the discussion can I proceed on this next slide. I just want to show this.

AH

To is that this isn't a slide we showed before, but just to the point about staff, evaluating kind of what are the impacts on alternative solutions to this uh issue of about opportunity, and so we did some analysis similar to our candidate site analysis. It's the exact same uh program there we uh um we dialed in what would a 65 foot wide lot, look like with uh 8400 square feet, minimum lot size. What would a 70 foot wide lot? Look like at 9 100. What would a 75 foot wide lot?

AH

Look like at seven at 97.50. So, as you can see, there's just a very much Clear trend line that the amount of opportunity is drops off significantly the further you dial that minimum lot area upwards. So hopefully that is pretty clear, so kind of getting back to that point about The, Sweet Spot between the opportunity and the infrastructure of what's available to us here.

AH

um The comp plan Amendment I'll, go back to the single family, I'm sure there's discussion about that. But um the point of the comp plan I hope this was communicated before, uh but really it's just to implement the outcomes that are consistent with the ordinance itself. If you were to allow a 7 800 square foot lot, that's a 5.5 units per acre. One home is exceeding your max density of your existing comp plan.

AH

If you want to allow that, if you think that type of lad is appropriate and an Adu can be accommodated in a code complying fashion, you're now at two lots that gets you up to 11.3 units to the acre. So we view this as very much just an adjustment of uh to accommodate the desired goals and performance standards that are included within this ordinance. I would say that all of the existing density ranges all of your multi-family districts, for example, all have minimum Max density ranges.

AH

All of those things still govern what the uses are themselves still govern. I know that there's uses listed in the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is a guidance document. It's about a future vision for the community. What is actually allowed on the ground is in your zoning code. So I just want to be clear about that.

AH

So uh yeah, that's kind of and I have the ranges. If you want to look at that, but we can go back to the lot size if you like I, know, there's been discussion about that or questions, um but yeah.

H

Councilmember dalessandro.

V

Thank you, Mr Mayor I have more of a I guess a general question.

V

um What what are we trying to get accomplished tonight in terms of of of Direction I? Assume, okay,.

V

Okay, um you mentioned you had six specific things: um I'm literally fine with one two one, two, six one, two, a two B three, four, a four B and six I'm on the fence, I'm struggling with number five, which is the single family stuff.

V

Do we want to talk about those things and get consensus if we have it or whatever, first and then deal with this? That seems to be to be maybe something we could get accomplished and feel good about as a group. So we could then focus our efforts on the where we might have um disagreement and or conflict whatever you want to call.

A

It well, our goal tonight is to give staff direction as to where we're headed next yeah, whether we're going to uh accept what the staff has brought forward, whether we're going to make modifications to it, whether we're going to whatever we're going to do and and how we're going to do it so I do think it makes good sense um with the with the the major buckets that uh that was were presented here.

A

Maybe we could have those discussions right and um figure out where we, you know where we are in consensus and where we have to have the continued discussion. Okay,.

V

Okay, thank you so so, then, let me propose my my thoughts on those buckets and then we yeah right, there's perfect, um and then we can. We can talk about it um to be blunt unit, size, setbacks, long streets off, Street, Parking, Garage requirements, approval processes, I I, am in fine shape with all of them.

V

If everybody else is in fine shape with all of them or if we have issues there, I think we need to spend more time on the last one, but I think those first four I think were in largely in agreement, am I correct on that councilmember.

A

Dalessandro has thrown this out uh councilmember Carter.

X

Thank you, mayor I am in agreement. I also just wanted to clarify so again, even with unit size, setbacks, off-street parking and approval process that still is only applying to R1.

X

Those changes will not apply to RS what correct.

AH

Mayor councilmember, Carter, uh um the so there's the zoning district and then there's the use, uh single-family dwelling so parking um and approval processes. Those do apply to um because it applies to the use. Okay,.

X

Thank you for clarifying that. Yes,.

AH

uh I, let me back up sorry Devil's in the details, uh prevailing setback is proposed to remain in rs1 again based on the characteristics of those neighborhoods. So, okay.

X

AH

Setback for single family dwellings in rs1 is, as currently drafted, still includes prevailing setback.

X

Okay, all right, thank you.

H

A

Questions uh councilmember, lowen well.

AA

I can kick through this thing. You know, I, think you know from a unit size piece you know. I do have some issues with that. You know I mean I've. I've stated. You know stated that um those pieces in the garage piece. um You know I'd like to see something different with that. It's not enough for me to hold this whole thing up, but uh you know certainly um I think as we're as we're looking at trying to to maximize um uh what we're trying to do here.

AA

um I I just think that uh that I think will get to a point in time uh where we will look at this and say: hey is it you know? Is it just two or is it three? Is it four you know units we want to look at. You know on a particular um uh plot of property and I. Don't want to have a garage shut that down. You know um yeah. So, but again um those things could be adjusted and changed later on, so I don't want to get get stuck with that.

AA

That piece so I'm certainly happy to come back and have a look at that later on. So.

A

Thank you councilmember.

A

So from a bucket perspective, as we're talking unit size, the setbacks, Osprey parking garage requirements and approval process do I see enough nodding heads to direct staff that we want to move forward with what the staff has recommended to this point. Councilmember dalessandro yeah.

V

I think that's what I'm, proposing and I do like uh councilmember Nelson's idea of a mailing option on uh as part of the approval process on the splits, but if that's doable, I, don't know what cost that comes back, but if we could get an option out like a look at that I think that makes sense. Do you be.

A

A good suggestion.

V

As you can see, Justin.

A

All right- and that leaves us, then with a lot size, width, impervious surface and the comp plan amendments. So as uh as Nick said, the main event here with all of this, um we have the the two different breakdowns. It breaks down a number of different ways: we've got the two family lot size, the single family, lot size and a perfect surface, and um and then the comp plan possible amendments as well um thoughts on the on the councilmember.

V

Dallas I'm, just going to keep trying here just I, want to make sure we get to the the heart of the conflicts that we have and I think you know. Thankfully, we've had so much lovely residential input and things like that I think we all kind of heard the same things, and so um so um on the two family, stuff I, don't have any challenges with the size and width requirements. I don't know if anybody else is in a different spot there. But those looked fine to me.

V

um In fact, as you can probably hear from my comments earlier, I wish we were doing that first, so that we could get a sense for what that would do to our our thing before we went and made a change all over the city, because there's 5 000 properties.

V

They could get that done today without any changes, and so I I'm struggling with this idea that because people don't want to build it, we're not building it when when we can give people all kinds of reasons to build things in the city and we do it every day um so um but I. So if you'll move to the slide, Nick I apologize, the uh the.

AH

Two family family: that's.

V

What I'm, looking for oh I'm, sorry, that's, okay, yeah, I I would be. Does anybody have any major issues with this one.

H

AA

About it, well, let's keep it moving. I'm, not gonna, shut it down here. In my mind, what this has to do with with uh you know the other zoning districts, so um I want to just be sure that we're, including everything so um and I, also think that this could could be lower too, but I, don't again, I, don't think, there's a widespread amount of folks that are that are gonna jump on with me on that so I'm willing to kind of let this roll uh roll on. So.

V

I would like to request that when we talk about measuring success and we throw impact on City goals as affordability, because I personally don't believe it's doing anything for person for affordability, we should put the number of two family units constructed and the affordability percentage there. If we really want to track what we're saying it is going to do because I have a feeling we're not going to see that. But that's okay, let's make sure we're measuring it.

H

V

Anybody everybody else is good. Okay, let's keep going then all right. Why not Mr Mayor? Are you? Okay with that I.

A

Am okay with that yeah, okay,.

V

um Let's skip this one go to the next one, we'll get back, we'll get it okay, so this one I'm this one I'm, also I I. Don't personally have any challenges with this. This made sense to me just given the fact that, as a planning document, we wouldn't want a comprehensive planning document that is misaligned with changes. We've made that make sense to me. Does anybody else have an.

A

Issue I think to Mr Johnson's point I mean this. This is a planning or a perceptive document, as opposed to the zoning code, which is actually the boots on the ground kind of yeah requirement sale. Yes,.

AH

Should I go backwards.

V

Yeah, so what do we have left? Is it just this right here, I think so it's.

H

V

V

um So I think that the the challenge that I have especially when we think about some of the variety of of.

V

The the impact here is larger proportionally on some residents and not others right. So you have residents who have you have residents who have lot sizes that are this size? You have residents who have lot sizes that are twice this size. You have residents in the city. You have lot sizes that are three times the size um of our current standard, who are all going to be asked to go to a minimum width now I. Don't necessarily I understand that, just because we changed the minimum doesn't mean we change the outcome for that property.

V

I I totally get that. um But the the question um that I want to ask is you know: is there an? Is there a better way to manage that proportionality, the portion of proportional impact on those? So, for example, I know our residents at Norman, Ridge proposed a 22, 000 square foot thing the rs1, the rs1 zoning District wasn't implicated in here at all.

V

But if you proportionally and and by the way the Norman Ridge Community is not currently eligible per planning for the rs1 designation because of the because of the variety of lot sizes that they have.

V

However, if we did to the rs1 district, what we're doing here, which is proportionally reducing its width by 30 percent, they would become compliant, and so it gives us the opportunity to without adding a new zoning District into the mix potentially solve some of the particular environmental and other challenges that certain residents have brought to our attention, without necessarily um not without introducing a new zoning district and with the idea that we would also increase the density options for that entire rs1 District, which we are not considering tonight and I think, would be a net benefit, so I throw that out there as a as a way to compromise here.

V

A little bit I do understand that we open ourselves up for lots of different neighborhoods, potentially petitioning, to become rs1. I, get that and I. You know we have to manage that, but if they have good reasons to be so I, don't know why we wouldn't considering it's an existing ordinance today, so that that that is what I throw out there as an as an option to potentially resolve what I personally have as a conflict in peanut buttering. This.

V

In my opinion, very blanket change to the whole city when we know we have some real variability, both in cost and size and affordability, and everything like that thoughts.

H

Councilmember Martin councilmember Lowman, council member councilmember, Martin.

Y

Thank you, councilmember Dale, Sandra I know, we've exchanged messages out, I think it's a it's a thoughtful approach to maintain I think that the part I'm getting hung up on is- uh and this is a pretty sweeping statement, but it feels like some of that variability um has created some real structural issues. I mean the fact that we have- and I've mentioned this before it feels like two. We have Richfield stapled to Eden Prairie with a highway in the middle in terms of everything from our road layout to our lot sizes.

Y

To let me just look at the map and you see it and I think. That's part of the reason we see the yawning disparities we do between the two apps of our community is because we haven't addressed or or done, a better job of mixing those two models together in a cohesive way.

Y

um Yeah Health outcomes, lifetime income and even just a perception of this being one community, so I I do see the the concern with the one size fits all approach, but I think it would be a step in the right direction, even just symbolically uh to saying. If we're one Community one size is something to start moving towards or one set of standards um and I think I I would be.

Y

Obviously I spoke on this quite a bit last time, so I'll keep it short, but I I'm in favor of moving forward with staff's proposal as put together here, but I would like to come back and take a look at something like the rs1 and I'm intrigued by the idea of the Environmental Protection overlay generally. uh But if that were to come back and we would move that direction, it seems like an assertion that these changes would have an environmental impact, but I haven't seen any real evidence of that yeah yeah.

Y

So I are we going to lose trees if we do lose trees? Is that a big deal? We've got a lot of trees in a habitat Corridor. What kind of habitat is it or I mean endangered or threatened species already have plenty of protections. Is this coyotes and deer moving through the habitat corridors, because I get a lot of emails about? Why we're not shooting some of those animals, so it when that comes back for additional study, I.

Y

Think setting this as a baseline of moving towards more unified Direction, but then saying once a lot of those questions are answered. Where do we do those targeted improvements um because I'm just kind of surprised? A lot of those concerns don't come up if our current standards are so environmentally degrading until a conversation like this, so anyway, it's all over the place, but.

AA

That's remember the moment. Thank you, mayor um yeah, you know, uh density to me uh does not necessitate um you know a harm to sustainability. I, just I. Don't agree with that. That thesis, that's just not something I'm gonna I'm, ever gonna ever gonna agree with I just I. Don't necessarily think that because we we make these changes and we make um housing more dense that that this, that that in and of itself is going to create uh an environmental uh uh situation.

AA

The the problem that I have uh tonight is, you know we have the Norman Ridge Neighborhood um they've come forward um and they've asked for you know, kind of what the RS area you know already has, and so um you know I mean so I guess you know the only way. I look at this is you know you gotta, you gotta include them somewhere, um because you know they've got a problem with this, so my thing is I I'm trying to figure out where to put these guys, you know: do they go?

AA

Do they go into the the rs1, um but now I don't have any density at all um at one bit at all uh with that at least the proposal that they brought forward now, I, don't necessarily agree really uh with you know how that is structured and set up in terms of the premise. I I got a problem with that I, don't you know, but that that's the same. You know there's some premise: that's going on with the RS rs1 as well they're, somehow it's only 100 Lots, you know, but you know you know these.

AA

Are you know a few few lots too? So I guess my my problem is is if we we talk about equity uh and and inclusion, um you know I think we really need to be also looking at the the RS Lots. You know rs1 lots tonight, I just I I, just for myself tonight. I just cannot move forward until I have um uh some resolution uh to that, because I just don't know that we can we can.

AA

We can talk about those four goals that we talked about and somehow we've got a small zoning District that this just doesn't apply to that.

AA

Just doesn't make any sense to me at all so um I, you know I I think I would be more open to um you know it just kind of putting this aside here and then pull that Norman Ridge uh piece in there and looking at what um what we're doing with the rs1 and this this other proposal and I guess doing nothing with 100 um Lots just doesn't strike me that doesn't make sense and I know, there's been historical things, but we we've changed R1 already, but we're making those changes there.

AA

Why wouldn't that apply to 100 lots and then Norman Ridge is asking for something as well, so that that's that's the piece where I'm kind of stuck here um and so I. You know as a compromise I would go with what you said tonight. I.

V

Think I said what you asked for actually yeah.

AA

V

I, if I can be blunt.

E

V

Excuse me Mr Mayor. um What I'm proposing is that we do do it in a similar densification to The, rs1 District and then you'll consider a petition from the Norman Ridge Community to be considered in the rs1 zone. That's what that's! What I think I'm saying and I think you're saying the same thing in the sense that let's let's bring back this along with rs1, we got everything done else done, which is great congrats. That's amazing!

V

We bring the we bring the team back to to do this income in in and have it be comprehensive to include the rs1 district and understand what the densification opportunity is there as well, and then we can res. We can solve those things together and then any any part of the city that would like to apply or petition to be part of rs1, as opposed to R1, can do that that doesn't preclude. That's not that's not precluding any other part of the city that might meet those qualifications, am I, I mean all over the city.

V

AA

I mean I think that last part is where I got a little more problems with that. But you know I think that I think that's the beginning, part to kind of start off with, because you know there's got to be density there, which I think we agree. We agree that there's there's got to be density in that rs1, um I. Think I'm. Okay, uh with with the idea uh that um you know certainly that 22 000, that was in their proposal, I like that better uh better than the 32..

AA

That's that's a much better I would prefer that it we brought it all the way down to the to the existing standard uh that we have here. um um But you know we could always ask the uh staff to come back after 10 years and and look at that again.

AA

um So no I think I'm with you I'm not really open to you know other than adding the Norman Ridge I'm, not really open to adding more uh folks to that. um uh To that to that District other than the Norman Ridge they've been here, they've made that proposal um I'd really like to keep that as a closed um that 100, plus whatever the Norman Ridge would be.

AA

um But you know, I I could certainly want to come back and have that conversation later in terms of what that openness is just so we can kind of get to a conclusion. Tonight. Staff has spent a lot of time on this um I I. Just you know in my in my perspective, that's where I would have the problems.

A

Let me see if I'm, if I, have this correct so uh moving forward on what we're talking about here, we've got agreement on a good chunk of it. Maybe a bit more discussion on the single family, then to similarly move forward with the R1 zoning District rs1. Excuse me rs1. Thank you uh to to try and increase the density in the rs1, maybe limit or reduce lot size. Is that what you're saying council members so.

H

A

Do what we've done with the R1 we kind of do something similar, but not to the quite the extreme, with the RS one to try and increase density density in the rs1 district? Yes,.

V

Sir, so the I mean I, don't know if this is the right number, but if you took the 29 reduction, that's proposed in R1 and you applied that same proportion to the rs1 district, where it's now 33 000 you'd be at 23, 400 square feet, and so I don't know if that I don't know, if that they haven't done the analysis to know whether or not what that does in terms of opening up opportunity, but I think that's what I would like to see. Okay.

T

V

Does what does that do to opening up the the same opportunities we're trying to yield from the other functions.

A

And councilmember Lawman, if I'm understanding what you're saying is that you would be open to doing something like that in the rs1 district, but only as it applies to Norman Ridge, because you don't want others to uh yeah.

AA

Apply for the rs1.

A

AA

Yeah I think the rs1 is is fine in the in adding Norman region. Here, that's fine when we start adding in more folks I'm not open to that that that's a piece I, don't agree with.

A

uh Questions specific to this uh council member Carter.

X

To clarify I mean still have very specific rs1 standards, so any neighborhood could apply, but they would have to meet the criteria which I'm guessing most neighborhoods across the city, probably well, depending on what it is right like. We can't really say that at this point.

E

X

I guess um there's a process, though we couldn't just say only this neighborhood can do it all the rest. You can't like there is a process that neighbors.

H

AH

H

Would go through Mr.

A

H

AH

Wait in here mayor uh um so much good uh things are happening. I don't want to get in the way and I goof things up, but what I would say is that one of the challenges that we've had with rs1 is that the how it has been applied to properties has not been uniform in terms of the level of Conformity that has been applied to so a few of the neighborhoods there's varying levels of meeting that 33 000 and as policy makers, you have every right to Zone a property how you want to.

AH

But if those Parcels don't meet the underlying zoning District requirements, that's not a planning best practice. That's not what you learn in planning, School kind of thing, but um uh so what I'm getting at is that if you lower it to 22 000, what staff is urging you to do is establish very rigid criteria that you follow and I mean I'm not going to tell an individual council member how to uh what their perspective should or should not be. I.

AH

Just think that the city should be consistent in how they approach that and what levels of Conformity that the city will tolerate. In a subsequent request, if you were to go in that direction, and that's not the only that's one of five factors- yeah.

V

Just just to put a finer point on that: uh Mr Mayor, um if you do, if you do go back as I, have had the opportunity to do thanks to some diligent folks in the neighborhood there go back to 2003 um the neighborhood just to the south of Norman Ridge was granted rs1 status with less criteria than this neighborhood has been sitting and waiting for for 20 years.

V

um They they were, they were put into a position where it was said. You probably should look at them for this status, and then it just never happened for 20 years. So so we that inconsistence, that inconsistent application as you're referring to is, is exemplified in the rs1 district, in fact, to the detriment of the neighbors that are sitting here in front of you today. So um I think we can get to a consistent rs1 standard I think we should try to do that.

V

I think it should be more dense than it is now and I think we'll get some opportunity there, but we haven't done the analysis. So we don't know what that looks like and then I guess what I'm asking for is. Maybe we can take a look and then, and then Norman, Ridge and or any other community that wants to apply for that status can do that.

H

A

Councilmember was next on the list and then we'll Bank, councilmember Nelson councilmember.

AF

I think the big thing with me is that uh it had there have. We have to have a step forward and I had a a challenge with the outcome. Piece right, I didn't think that this was going to do enough. I think this one piece is the biggest part of the conversation, the policy that's here, so we take this one piece out that takes out a lot of what we're trying to do to establish a Baseline and, as I've been thinking about this. The word that comes out that we talked about tonight was opportunity.

AF

The other word I want to include is choice is because it, regardless of what these puzzles, are it's continuing to be up to the homeowner in the market to drive what happens with the lots that are in Bloomington just because we change these doesn't necessarily mean overnight. Every house that qualifies is gonna, get torn down and new houses are going to be built up to replace those. That's just not going to happen.

AF

It's just not Market feasible, it's not financially feasible, but what it does it creates that opportunity so that if you as a homeowner have worked your whole life to to have an opportunity to buy a house- and you want to do something with your land- the government should not be in the way to allow you to do that, and that's the biggest thing for me is that if you're a homeowner, you worked your whole life to do this, you do what you want to do with your land.

AF

It's not your neighbor who's, going to be the one that tells you you can't do this. It's not gonna be the city that tells you that you can't do this. If you want to not sell to a developer, you can do that. This developer is not covered under Fair Housing practices. They don't fall in those things.

AF

If you want to sell to another single family home so that a single home family occupier will be in your house when you move on, you can do that, and so this, if we take this, one out, removes the opportunity and it doesn't allow us to take a step forward to establish those baselines, because the conversations we're gonna have with Iris one are in addition on top of this, and it's not enough to take this one piece out for me in this case.

AB

H

AB

Yeah, thank you mayor and uh thank you. Councilman Moore I think you said that very eloquently. um The reality is is I question the need for multiple zoning districts for single family and two family homes. They're the same I, don't see why the same standard doesn't apply to everyone and then allow the marketplace to go within there. It's a beautiful neighborhood in Norman Ridge.

AB

We have other places with lots of natural things, and you know what people that can afford it buy lots and build nice houses there and that's what happens and frankly, that's why Norman Ridge exists it. It was not built to the minimum standard. It was built larger than that and I think. It's also important to keep in mind because we are talking about Norman Ridge I'm, not not trying to to put them on the spot, but the reality is: is half of the people that live in the Norman.

AB

Ridge Development only live in houses because Lots were subdivided so that has already happened there and it's still a wonderful awesome neighborhood and it will continue to be I. I, don't see the need for for two different things. I think Norman Ridge folks have brought forth a lot of really good stuff in terms of how do we utilize our zones to protect those things that are important to the community um and I?

AB

Think those are important to discussions to have the other thing I would say about having multiple zones is the history of these things of residential zoning is somewhat intentionally awful.

AB

A lot unintentionally has huge negative consequences, and we know that we know that as we sit here today, we had a presentation about it earlier, but we all know that we all know that this has been used as a tool to exclude and I'm not prepared to use government power to exclude opportunities from people. I think that opportunities I think our job is to provide more opportunities for people. Let them get in the marketplace. Let them have those things and let's come up with new places for people to live.

AB

Our seniors have a place to downsize into new families coming into the community. Just like I did when I bought my first home here. Let's find more opportunities, not not try to exclude those paths.

AB

um I think that the Norman Ridge folks are extremely sincere in their beliefs and what they have brought forward and their neighborhood and I I love the passion. I absolutely do, and you should be passionate about your neighborhood, um as should so many neighborhoods within this community and I, truly honestly believe that your neighborhood will be amazing. 50 years from now, just like when it started well, probably started 70 years ago, I always feel like I'm younger than I used to be so.

AB

um So that that's my thoughts in terms of uh you know, I think I can wait to do the rs1 and I think that there is still a pathway that we could talk about that. But you know if you want my honest opinion as I said here today, without any analysis or data I'd wait for that to make a decision, but I just get rid of rs1 and apologize I think you already went through that fight or something so, maybe maybe some others did but I.

AB

You know I just think one uniform standard and let the Marketplace Drive. It probably said the same thing four times now, so um that that's where I'm at on this I I think it'll work, I, think it'll work throughout the community.

H

Councilmember Martin and councilmember Carter thank.

Y

You thank you and I'll I'll try and be brief on this one I I agree with councilmember Nelson wholeheartedly and I would bet the reason why there's very specific, there's like four very specific, very small, rs1, neighborhoods and I got a feeling. It arises out of some of the problematic things that you first brought up when those came around decades and decades and decades ago and and I'd be curious.

Y

What curious what might be on some Deeds uh but overall I, think I I, like the idea of moving forward with uh the reduction to R1 as a Baseline and coming back with proposed changes alongside that to rs1, because the criteria, assuming both of those R1, went forward. The criteria I would like to see a neighborhood need to demonstrate to qualify to upgrading is not the right term, but upgrading from R1 to rs1. At that point, I don't think exist like I.

Y

Don't see a viable reason why a neighborhood would go to R1 to rs1, but if we pass both of those and in that conversation we can come up with those objective criteria. I'll be the first one to say that makes sense, so just for the Baseline of of getting this work done, I would say moving forward with both of these on a parallel track, with the intention of at least passing R1, and if we can figure out rs1 at the time getting that done as.

A

Well, thank you, council member councilmember, Carter I, apologize, I lost track of who was in the queue and.

H

A

Bad council, member, no.

X

um So first I just want to thank you Nick and Erica. You guys did such a phenomenal job, um not just tonight, but throughout um these conversations for many months now and just really appreciate the diligent work listening to community I, know, you've really been taking into consideration everything they're saying to taking into consideration what we're all saying and so just really appreciate it.

X

um So I'll just kind of start high level. Of course, I am very supportive of affordable housing. I am so supportive of the city's Partnerships to create affordable home ownership opportunities. I think it's absolutely the right path to go down, especially because I actually do not believe that these zoning changes in and of themselves would increase. Affordability like the research does not prove it. It doesn't, and so, um and actually some research suggests the opposite right, that it actually increases home values, which then is not providing accessibility or opportunity, and it can lead to displacement.

X

So I feel like we haven't, talked enough about that piece, but I just want to put it out there um very supportive of reviewing and changing if needed, the Environmental, Protection components of our city code across the residentially Zone districts, and then I do agree that we should be looking at rs1 I.

X

Don't know why we would exempt them um whether it is making everything one residential zone or I, don't know what the outcome would be, um but it doesn't seem fair to apply this across the city but exempt small little pockets right um and then kind of going back. To my my point about affordability, um one of the studies that I was reading uh suggested that there may be unintended consequences which I talked about of broader up zoning, which relates to broader affordability and so I, guess before I would feel super comfortable.

X

Moving with the moving forward. This single family law, size I, want to know what can we do to mitigate those unintended consequences? So if we start to see that we're not actually producing affordable units other than the city properties that we're working with Partners on? And what are we going to do about that? How do we mitigate that? And there are some suggestions in literature.

X

We have not talked about those things at all, and so- and this is not on staff, because we haven't talked about it as a council, but I just think that, like we, we have to go in eyes wide open at like these broader. These zoning changes in and of themselves will not necessarily increase affordability.

X

There are cities like Austin who, when those decision makers passed, they're zoning they're up zoning, they promised affordability to their community, and that is not what is happening and so I just don't want us to pass these changes with the assumption that we're just going to have that it's going to create all these affordable housing opportunities, because it may not necessarily do that, and so um those are my comments. I I would rather kind of wait and look comprehensively at R1 and rs1 together and compare and make decisions, then.

X

um So that's where I'm at.

A

Thank you, council member, um but before we keep chiming in here we're down to nine minutes before our our cutoff time. uh I, don't know that we're going to be done at 11. I would like to be um but I'm going to move right now that we extend the deadline until 11 15. uh no later than 11 15. I'll make. That motion got a motion to second to extend our end time to 11 no later than 11 15, all in favor aye past seven zero. So we've got that under our belt.

A

um But now that puts us on a deadline. So I think we need to kind of come around a bit of cohesion here and the cohesion can be we move forward or not I mean if we. If we we know that we need five votes to get to uh approval of this ultimately, and if we can't direct staff in such a way with five nodding heads, it doesn't make sense to move this on and and continue this conversation and um that might take a little give and take between everybody to try and get to.

A

You know if we're going to get to five or again, as I said or not, I mean that's an entirely possible outcome of this as well. uh In order, I saw councilmember, Nelson, councilmember, Dallas hondro and then councilmember Lawman, councilmember, Nelson yeah.

AB

Thank you, mayor um I actually tend to agree with councilmember Carter that I don't think this will produce a ton of affordable housing and I I. Don't think that's the only reason to do it. I think housing units or housing units families, our families they deserve to have the opportunity to live somewhere um and I agree. I mean I think with the whole ecosystem of what we, what we heard about I.

AB

Think if you look at the whole region, um there are just so many pressures on that, and you know there are places where people will go to build houses but they're very, very challenged, even with the cost savings that we can see from what we're taking a look at.

AB

You know you're still, not if you know, even if you do those things, I mean the HRA, with all its support can build a house for 470 thousand dollars, we're not all of a sudden going to start building two hundred thousand dollar houses and where I see a lot of like the up zoning, you know taking a look at type things is, you know, looking going from single and two family to three and four family and and really trying to push that density and um that type of thing which, which I think residential single family and two family areas are um important to the Suburban experience and and our part and parcel of why a lot of people are here and what they're looking for um and so I'm not quite ready to go there, but I I, don't think we should sell it as affordable housing.

AB

I I I completely agree with that. But I don't think that means you don't do it.

H

Because remember dalessandro.

V

Thanks Mr Mayor um I'm, a very outcome, driven person and and I appreciate the notion of opportunity and everything else and by the way, I'm not suggesting I, think I think the the. If, if anybody imply that I'm not for reducing the Zone, the width and and square footage of single family, that's not what I'm saying that's not what I'm saying I'm saying it I think it's I think it's um I think it is disingenuous to assume that that is the biggest driver for the changes we can make. When we heard that's just not true.

V

Today we heard our our great HRA director talk about um uh the the fact that they can do two family today they have two lots to work with so I, don't really know what we're talking about. But okay, let's go there, the the two family stuff that we have all over the city already. If we could get incentive incentives to to actually build them, would do infinitely more infinitely more today without a single change.

V

The lot size infinitely more today to actually solve the infills like opportunity, Gap than anything else, we could do as a council right now is to find ways to pull the levers onto family dwellings in this city. That's what the data tells us. We've actually said that we're going to move forward and fix the setback requirement and and and and fix the garage requirements. Those are the two biggest things that our planner said tonight were the reasons that those calls that he gets for two family dwellings can't be said.

V

He can't say yes to solving those so I, you know, I, don't think that I don't think it's true to say that, because we're not doing this one piece of this thing tonight that we're not making great progress and on the ability, the the opportunity to have housing in the city I. Just don't think that that's true now, there's also a couple of other things that we need to consider right.

V

um There are people, I, don't know if anybody's ever read it just me, probably because I'm a weirdo land value taxes, the idea that there's an idea out there that you tax the land more than you tax, the house and guess what people who have lots of land do build more houses.

V

We haven't pulled that trigger tonight, but that's an option for us. You want to talk about increasing opportunity. We can do that. I mean those things are we you know, I, don't know what goal we're trying to specifically achieve and why we have to do this. One thing in order to make that goal a reality, because I don't see that that's true, because of all the other things that we've talked about tonight.

V

So at the end of the day, if you guys have, if you have five votes for this, go ahead and see, if you do, if you don't all I'm saying, is I'd like to have a more I'd like to have the R1 and rs1 uh plans brought together so that we can vote on them and and take a look at them comprehensively.

V

So we, if we decide to get rid of rs1 if we decide what whatever it is, we do, but we can bring them together, so we're truly impacting the city single zone whatever and everything else they can get started on as far as I'm concerned, because we got consensus on it tonight. That sounds like a lot of progress.

V

So um that's that's where I'm at. If you got the five votes to pass it anyway, though Mr Mayor go for.

H

It councilmember.

AA

Lowman well, mayor I'm, you know I'm, counting noses and I, don't think we're there. Yet what's what's what's with what you're yeah I know, just just based on what I'm hearing I don't know, maybe I'm I'm reading the tea leaves wrong too. That could be it. So let me let me suggest a couple of things um so I too kind of results, oriented as well and I'd hate to see us not get anything accomplished here, so I think there's the items we've pretty much.

AA

You know with respect for, except for me, I'm, not the odd duck and I'm fine with that uh we could get those those things pushed forward. I I do know that you know this one that we're looking at right here is an issue for some of us. It's the you know the RS piece. That's got to be resolved, so I wonder if we could. You know pass those other other four things tonight, because I think we can all let.

A

Me just clarify we're not passing anything tonight recommending.

AA

That we have to move this forward. Thank you for uh clarifying that recommend that we uh pass those four things at a at a subsequent meeting and then um uh look to resolve that RS.

AA

um One zoning district with respect to the R1 District um have more discussion around that, eliminate that one bring it together create different standards. uh You know whoever it may be, find that as a different solution and then what I may suggest is a third thing that we could look to do because I think part of it. This is data driven and I, don't absent not having any data. I. Think it's hard to argue against this and my my question that I have just myself I, say: hey!

AA

You know, um you know what would be the alternative if, if we we don't go down this route, that staff has- and we spent a lot of time, a lot of energy- a lot of tax resources to do that. So I wonder if it makes some sense, um because I I too, um you know have the trouble with the uh with the affordability of this and again I. Don't have any problems with adding more homes and more things. I agree with councilmember Nelson, councilmember, Carter and I.

AA

Think they've said it very eloquently, I wonder if we we move forward with some type of pilot or we take part of the city and I, don't know what that looks like you know where we say you know we're going to do this. Just as this is here we're going to take a part of the city, uh that's representative of the city and let's implement this and see you know what what happens with that roll it through for a while as we're talking about these other.

AA

This other element here of whether or not we want to eliminate the art of the the r rs2 or blend them into R1, so I just wonder if that's a way to kind of get some data um keep moving forward on this um separate because it would have the three pieces there and that might be a way to kind of move forward. So, in summary, in a future time, move forward the four things that we absolutely seem to all agree on.

AA

uh Secondarily, I'll look to have a broader discussion to bring forward the rs1 and uh and R1 zoning districts. In the meantime, while the other ones are already working, and there are two we we look at a pilot program uh to try to try to see if it actually works.

A

Thanks councilmember I I, don't know that zoning is a pilot program. Is a thing I, don't know that it's doable I, don't know if it's legal I don't know if it's doable well.

AA

Let's, let's ask staff I mean, can I ask Stafford, see you know if you know if we could pick a part of the city.

AH

Yeah mayor councilmember alone and I think uh to create a pilot you'd, be creating a new zoning. District I believe an alternative to the R1 R1 uh um I, don't know what we would call it, but, uh but it basically it would be equivalent to an alternative zoning District. So it just a heads up about that that might involve rezoning, uh Properties or rezoning actions like we talked about um one component.

AH

Another thing, just speaking with uh kind of my colleagues back uh there was that the Arkansas, not uh I, don't want to discourage you, but one concern that we have is that, in order to gather any amount of actionable data, it would take a minimum of five years to really learn something about the pilot area. If you will it's not a it, wouldn't be something that has a short turnaround of learning. uh What the kind of takeaways were so just two things to think about. There.

AA

And uh how much I mean, because, theoretically, if we did create this other Zone, that we would pile, it would be the things we're getting ready to do. Essentially, if we said hey, this is going to work, we could simply rezone the rest of the city with that that zone right I mean we'd already just have a head start on that piece.

AH

uh Mayor councilmember Lowman, you could do that you would be noticing all those properties and having public hearings around all of what their perspectives are of of doing that with the rezoning actions similar to any rezoning. As you know,.

AA

AH

AA

Yeah I mean I, just I, don't unless you can think of some other way to to test this out. um uh That's why that's where I'm struggling you know.

G

AA

Is the only way I could I could come up with this? Could you could you use a plan? You know a.

AH

Mayor council, member Lowman, one and four I wish that we had a uh um I wish that we had some Greenfield development areas in the city to do some of those things, not that those would uh be affordable by any means uh in today's environment either. But that's one of the challenges uh we have is that I recall an uh a a thoughtful resident during the public hearing.

AH

Talk about you know: why can't we do development via PD plan development, doing a PD with lower lot standards, even if it it's just not worth it to a developer. To do a three lot. Pd I mean I can think of very few Parcels in Bloomington, where you could get a substitute, a substantive amount of density to make it kind of worth their while in a single family even to family uh um setting like that doing PD development. So that's kind of akin to a pilot. This PD, but um I just don't think it's there.

A

I don't own a an 11 o'clock kind of Monday night. We want to take a bite and something like that is a you know: dive into a pilot program that we're not sure with everything else, councilmember Carter and then councilmember Nelson, and then, uh let's see if we can figure out a direction here. Councilmember Carter.

X

The only other um piece that I would speak to is part of my comments of just mitigating unintended consequences, and I am assuming that you all have thought through these things. It's just us not knowing what they are, and so, if you could come back with some of the things that you would suggest, as you know like what are the things that we should be looking at in terms of indicators to watch I. Think you brought that up in terms of like really measuring affordability.

X

If we're saying that affordability is our goal in some of these things, um but then also yeah, just within the state of Minnesota. What what else do we have the capacity or the capabilities to do? Or what else are we allowed to do to try to help mitigate some of those consequences? If we do start to see that you know we're not really doing anything around affordability.

AH

Yeah mayor councilmember, Carter I, would say we do have a very robust assessing department and they will have the ability, assuming some changes, go forward. They would have the ability to evaluate that against some of our peer communities. Certainly again I, don't think it's a short time window I think it would be a long time study to actually realize what those potential differences are. But subsequent councils have every right to dial make adjustments that they feel are necessary to address that very issue.

X

um Seen in some of the papers that I was reading that, like I, think one of the options was the one that Lona talked about um taxing land value.

X

This paper in front of me says: property, tax relief, I, don't know if we could even do that in Minnesota inclusionary zoning, which we already have our opportunity, housing, ordinance, I, don't know if there'd be something else that we could do with that racial Equity analyzes. How do we incorporate those into the like this decision making and through the planning process and approval process like there?

X

Those are some of the things that we're really catching my attention when I was reading through the paper so- and maybe that's already built in- and you could just highlight those things, but then, if there are other things that we could be looking at, I think.

H

AB

Remember Nelson thank you mayor, um so just a question for Mr Johnson Is. It feasible for you from a staff perspective to take out the single family and bring forth something we can move forward and then work on R1, rs1 and maybe get that done at a later time. Is that feasible from a staff level mayor.

AH

Council, member Nelson, uh yes, we can revise the ordinance to bring back the elements that has Council consensus and Direction on certainly.

AB

um I think that was your proposal yeah okay, at least in part in part yeah, and then because it sounds like we don't have consensus on the single-family standards and which way we should go, how we should do rs1 all of that stuff. So we may need a little bit more time, a little bit more information to council member lowman's point about data. I think that there is probably data out there.

AB

Minneapolis has done this previously I think St, Louis, Park, maybe I think we could work with those cities and just ask their planning team to see. If we could do that or we could work with the realtors association who have a tremendous amount of data to see if we can get that data to help provide some of that information and it'll it'll give us more information more data, but we don't have to wait five years. We don't have to wait to try to figure out a new zoning or a PD, or something like that.

AB

um If that's acceptable to my colleagues, uh the other thing uh councilmember Lowman had a list of things. I still think it's a value to consider what I heard was maybe one of the biggest factors from the neighborhood and that's the tree and natural resource reservation, and should our rules be stricter, tighter, better totally different than what we have I, don't know, but I think it's it's worth discussing, because that was the big thing that I heard about from people within the neighborhood is that's what they love about their neighborhood.

AB

Is they had that and, and is there a way to protect that in in a way that you know benefits the entire Community I think makes sense. um Think those are my only oh one. Last Point subsidy for affordable housing is absolutely something that is necessary.

AB

Would I get frustrated about, and I've talked about this about mostly family is when we subsidize our own rules that drive up the cost of something so we're taking money from taxpayers to pay for the our own rules about it. But I think you know, council, member Dalessandro's right. A lot of what we see in here will reduce costs, uh even if we don't get that single family portion of it done next meeting.

AB

Next month, in a little while I think it's important to do I put out where I think we should go, but these other things will help Drive costs and and provide opportunities. So um all.

A

Right, that's that's yeah, we're pushing up here, let's, let's count noses really quick. uh We've talked about all the other buckets, except for the single family lot size with impervious surface. Can everybody agree to the uh the other buckets that we had talked about earlier? Can I see at least five nodding heads? We can do that all right. We can do that um for the single family lot size with impervious surface I'm. Counting at least a couple of folks who are saying this is a must-have is.

A

Is that correct and I've seen at least a couple of folks who are still on the fence? Who are not quite sure about this on the fence? um If we and then also the question about whether or not we do rs1, you know if we continue the review of rs1, um the thoughts on I mean nodding. Heads on that do we do. We continue the review of rs1 as we push forward on this I'm, not I'm, not seeing five here so I, okay, okay, so we could do that.

A

um So if we do that also agree with your comment about uh tree cover and so on, because as as Nick mentioned earlier, given how the world has changed just environmentally in the past five years, that's probably something we need to review anyway, so put that on the to-do list. Also because you got nothing else going on, and we can do this very quickly.

X

I think it was uh trees were a really important thing to the neighborhood but I think even in your presentation, language, Environmental, Protection components or something like that. I wrote it down when you said it I think it's kind of broader.

A

Or broader than trees, right, like.

X

As we because we did declare climate emergency, what are the things that we should be looking at Beyond trees, right, whether it's impervious surface or all of the things yep yep.

A

uh And then here's what I'm I'm going to suggest also as we bring this forward and just and see where we end up with this I. Think it's worth the discussion and and to put to get some work done to move this forward. We've talked about moving the things forward that we've talked about I'm, going to suggest also to move forward. The single family lot size. Have the discussion at a public hearing, take a vote on it and it's up or down, and then then we can move forward.

A

Then we can have staff move forward on what we do pass and if not this, then then not this I think it gives us an opportunity just to keep moving on this and uh we can, as as council member dalessandro said, there are things we can claim as as something that we got done in terms of the uh the other pieces, the other buckets of of all of this. So we can separate them out and we can.

A

We can do it and we can structure this in such a way that we can look at the different possibilities and and have a discussion on and make a decision on the single family would that be amenable to folks, council member.

AB

Super quick, um this isn't like a development project. If we vote something down, we can continue to work on and bring it back right away. We don't have to wait a certain time period. Okay,.

A

AB

To make sure we won't boxing.

A

Ourselves out, yeah, that's a good point, that's a good point! So I think it just it makes sense it. It allows we can start to move forward as long as said we can move forward on at least some things. We can talk about the continuing the discussion of the rs-1. We can. We can talk about the rest of this, but rather than you know, sacrificing the good from looking for the you know the perfect we can. We can at least start moving forward.

AA

I just want to ask one one question: um so if I, if I join with other other members here uh and just uh do the first Direction mayor, would you be willing to go along with that?

AA

um I didn't I, don't know what you're asking there so um so I think there is um Martin so saw, and and uh so what I'm asking is it's you directly if I, if I say that I would go along with it. With this, this first uh Direction direct staff to bring the city code Amendment and comprehensive plan text Amendment as proposed. Would you be willing.

A

To go on with that. Well, I think we just kind of talked about that with all these things. We've talked about we're willing to push forward, but I do want them separated out so that if we we can have I think the individual discussion and the vote on the single family I think that's, yes, I think that's that would be acceptable.

A

Everybody cool with that does that make sense to staff.

AH

I think so you.

A

AH

Have to watch the video again, but.

A

We you got it yep, Oh.

P

That's okay, yep good.

A

Enough all right, okay! Well! Thank you! Yeah.

AH

A

Thanks for thanks for the discussion, Council thanks for the discussion and I think and and we'll continue the discussion, I think as we as we bring this back.

A

We've made enough of the change that we'll we'll have a public hearing we'll make sure that we can talk our way through this, but then I think to commit to move forward on what we want to move forward on and if we decide not to move more forward on another piece, I think I think we can break this out, but at least keep moving it forward and keep doing something and trying to accomplish the goals that we're looking for all right.

A

Thank you Nick. Thank you, Erica well done and thank you Glenn for your leadership over there well done yep.

A

uh Our final piece is the uh Council policy and issue update uh just very quickly here uh recap of our listening session.

A

We heard from Wilson Edwards who's planning, a football and rugby event camp on July, 8th at Jefferson, High, School and yeah he's looking for support, and we said we would certainly do that and we're going to help him out as well as we can, and then we also received the the uh petition from our friends uh Dan and Kim from the Norman Ridge Neighborhood, and we had to answer a quick question there, but that was the extent of our listening session this evening.

A

Mr faroogie, anything to add not a chance, Mr, not a chance good enough, Council. Anything to add look for a motion to adjourn so moved. Motion of the second to adjourn all in favor aye motion carries 7-0. Thank you so very much thanks, Council thanks staff, thanks to the neighbors who stuck us out, stuck it out with us thanks much thanks.