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Description
This week's episode of Bloomington Today is a special edition year in review show. We'll highlight some of the big stories that happened in and around Bloomington in 2011.
A
A
This
year
has
been
a
busy
and
exciting
one
for
the
city
of
Bloomington.
In
March,
Bloomington
state
of
the
city
presentation
was
held
at
Civic
Plaza.
This
year's
theme
Bloomington
connected
highlighted
the
power
technology,
has
to
help
increase
the
quality
of
services
provided
to
the
residents
of
Bloomington
over.
B
The
years
people
form
communities
to
interface
with
each
other
and
take
advantage
of
opportunities
for
employment,
cultural
and
social
interactions
and
education
that
didn't
exist
on
the
farms
and
in
the
rural
areas.
Now
people
are
able
to
connect
with
friends
and
family
and
businesses
in
new
ways
and
most
of
the
time
it's
using
technology
that
is
changing
ever
so
fast
during.
A
The
presentation
mayor,
Winstead
and
city
manager,
Mark
Barnard,
ssin,
discussed
up-and-coming
projects
like
the
pen,
American
district
and
the
south
loop
district
renewal
highlights
from
the
past
year
an
estimated
service
cost
both
agreed
that
meeting
the
needs
of
today
meant
using
technology
to
sustain
Bloomington
for
the
long
term.
Three
of
the
many
ways
the
city
is
doing.
This
is
through
snow
removal.
Information
updates
changes
that
enhance
City
police
cars
and
embracing
the
growing
popularity
of
social
media.
My.
C
A
You
ask
most
Minnesotans:
winter
is
the
longest
season
by
far
city
of
Bloomington,
street
maintenance
teams
are
choosing
to
embrace
the
long
season
by
researching
and
formulating
new
and
improved
ways
to
manage
snow
cleanup.
The
year
2010
marked
a
milestone
for
public
works
crews,
as
they
took
the
first
step
to
making
a
sought-after
dream
a
reality.
We.
C
A
C
Hoping
to
use
that
information
to
analyze
the
different
plow
routes
are
we
being
as
efficient
as
we
can
be.
We
can
pull
the
data
from
the
vehicles
to
see
how
much
salt
we
use
in
there
from
watershed
districts
and
therefore
plow
areas,
and
even
how
much
a
particular
driver
has
used
throughout
the
city
during
his
route.
Each.
A
C
A
C
A
C
Addition
of
the
GPS
to
our
plow
fleet
will
help
us
to
be
more
efficient
in
our
routing
of
vehicles.
They'll
help
us
be
more
efficient
in
our
use
of
materials
and
ultimately,
it'll
help
us
connect
with
the
residents
of
Bloomington
by
allowing
them
to
see
where
the
plows
have
been
and
when
they
might
get
to
their
street
down
the
road.
D
A
Men
and
women,
sworn
and
civilian
alike,
of
the
Bloomington
Police
Department
are
dedicated
professional
and
caring
individuals.
Protecting
the
city
is
all
in
a
day's
work
and
finding
new
and
improved
advancements
in
technology
to
assist
in
that
is
essential
to
providing
service
to
the
community.
One
way
to
provide
this
service
is
through
video
surveillance
mounted
in
every
squad.
Car
used
to
record
offenses
that
can
cause
serious
harm
to
the
driving
public.
A
D
Saw
this
as
a
great
opportunity
to
get
in
on
that
state,
grant
money
and
try
to
outfit
our
entire
patrol
fleet.
Within
squad
cameras,
we
made
a
bid
to
outfit
the
entire
fleet.
We
ended
up
getting
17
cameras
paid
for
by
the
state
at
a
price
of
almost
five
thousand
dollars
apiece.
So
it
was
a
very
sizable
grant.
The.
A
D
Is
the
camera
system
right
here?
It's
got
some
controls
on
it
here
and
then
everything
is
also
controlled
on
the
on
the
MDC
itself.
On
the
touchscreen,
the
camera
I
said.
Is
it's
running
all
the
time
so
that
when
I
actually
activate
my
lights
or
I
hit
the
record
button?
It's
already
it
backs
up
the
record
30
seconds.
So
if
I
see
a
violator
around
the
red
light
in
front
of
me
and
I
hit
the
record
button,
I've
already
recorded
30
seconds
before
that,
and
so
I
see
the
actual
violation.
Our.
A
Quick
logging
allows
officers
to
write
reports
in
a
timely
manner
and
ultimately
will
keep
many
cases
out
of
court
because,
as
commander
Herman
put
it,
if
a
picture
is
worth
a
thousand
words
imagine
what
a
moving
picture
is
worth.
Officers
can
spend
time
on
the
streets
where
they
can
be
most
productive,
serving
the
residents
of
blooming
10.
A
A
This
work
will
lower
lindo
lane
just
north
of
the
mall
of
america,
so
the
mall
can
expand
into
the
space
next
to
ikea
and
extend
lindo
lane
from
its
current
end
at
twenty
fourth
avenue
to
30th
Avenue,
it
will
establish
pedestrian
friendly,
multimodal
transportation
corridor
connecting
south
loops
to
major
developments,
bloomington
central
station
and
the
Mall
of
America
work
on
the
south
loops
radisson
blu
hotel
project
is
already
well
underway,
as
we
head
into
2012.
Crews
broke
ground
in
June.
A
This
500
room,
13
story,
luxury
hotel
is
already
taking
shape
and
will
be
the
first
hotel
to
be
physically
connected
to
the
mall
of
america.
It's
expected
to
bring
jobs
and
revenue
to
the
city
from
guests
who
will
stay
at
the
hotel
and
shop
at
the
mall.
This
project
is
slated
for
completion
in
early
2013
changes
inside
the
mall
have
also
revitalized.
The
South
Loop
area,
sealife
Minnesota,
was
unveiled
to
the
public
in
March.
This
multi-million
dollar
makeover
brought
the
number
of
animals
from
5,000
to
ten
thousand
in
the
various
exhibits.
A
A
new
atlantis
themed
aquarium
was
added
as
well
as
more
interactive
play
areas
where
people
can
actually
get
their
hands
wet.
The
Mall
of
America
is
also
undergoing
a
major
light.
Fixture
replacement
in
the
parking
ramp,
they'll
change
out,
5,400
lights
with
new
LED
fixtures.
The
yellowish
glow
is
from
the
sodium
fixtures
being
replaced.
The
soft
white
light
are
the
new
LED
lights.
The
project
began
in
early
September
and
will
result
in
significant
energy
savings
at
Mall
of
America
cutting
costs
by
nearly
two-thirds.
A
The
south
loop
district
plan
is
expected
to
go
to
the
City
Council
in
early
2012
and
is
here
that
final
plans
will
be
reviewed
and
approved.
The
highway
169
I
494
interchange
has
been
dubbed
by
MnDOT
as
one
of
the
busiest
interchange
systems
in
the
metro
area
and
in
early
2011
work
kicked
off
to
make
over
the
entire
interchange
system.
There's.
E
A
lot
of
congestion
at
this
interchange,
both
during
the
morning
and
evening
rush
hours,
particularly
due
to
the
traffic
signals
there.
So
what
this
project
will
do
will
be
to
reconstruct
the
interchange
as
it
is
now
and
remove
the
three
traffic
signals
we'll
be
putting
in,
as
you
can
see,
multiple
flyover
ramp
so
that
there's
free-flowing
movement
at
the
interchange
in.
A
2011,
the
northbound
lane
of
169
was
completed
and
the
new
washington
avenue
bridge
spanning
I
494
is
now
open.
The
traffic
signals
along
169
were
disabled
and
the
frontage
road
system
and
fly
over
bridges
were
partially
constructed.
Two
of
the
six
roundabouts
that
will
be
along
the
frontage
road
are
now
open
to
motorist.
A
Construction
was
halted
for
nearly
a
month
during
the
July
state
government
shutdown
which
put
the
project
a
bit
behind
schedule
in
2012
MnDOT,
says
they'll
reconstruct
the
southbound
lanes
of
highway
169
finished
the
remaining
work
on
the
frontage
roads
and
construct
the
remaining
fly
over
bridges
and
about
it's
now
time
for
a
short
break.
When
we
come
back,
we'll
discuss
more
city
projects,
events
and
services
from
this
past
year
stay
right
here.
H
I
A
A
In
celebration
of
older
Americans
month
in
May,
Human
Services
invited
nationally
known
blue
ribbon,
Baker
Marjorie
Johnson
to
host
a
baking
demonstration
with
mayor
Winstead
for
a
sold-out
crowd
at
Bloomington
Civic
Plaza
Marjorie
is
well
known
for
her
work,
as
a
Jay
Leno
tonight
show
correspondent
and
frequently
appears
on
shows.
Like
the
view
dr
oz
and
the
Rosie
O'donnell
show
together
mayor,
Winstead
and
Marjorie
baked
gingersnaps.
Then.
B
K
K
A
Roaring
with
laughter
and
a
room
filled
with
the
sweet
smell
of
cookies
was
a
sure
sign
that
Johnson
was
in
the
building
and
after
the
cookies
had
cool.
She
stayed
on
hand
to
sign
copies
of
her
cookbook,
the
road
to
Blue
Ribbon
baking
with
Marjorie,
that's
filled
with
award
winning
recipes
before
becoming
a
popular
figure.
She
is
today
Marjorie
a
Minnesota
native
first
gained
attention
after
winning
over
a
thousand
blue
ribbons
at
the
Minnesota
State
Fair
this
year,
Parks
and
Recreation
answered
the
requests
of
residents
by
expanding
the
number
of
community
garden
plots.
This.
F
A
82
plots
at
smith
and
hair
Arsene
Park
were
quickly
reserved
by
residents
and
throughout
the
summer
we
stopped
out
at
the
plots
to
see
how
things
were
growing
vegetables
herbs,
flowers,
you
name
it.
The
gardens
quickly
reached
their
full
glory.
This
season,
URI
says
that
offering
community
gardens
gives
apartment
and
condo
dwellers
or
even
single-family
home
owners
a
chance
to
try
the
Hobby
out,
Parks
and
Recreation
says
they'll.
Keep
the
expanded
plots
in
2012
for
rental.
A
A
Bloomington
made
a
push
this
past
year
in
doing
what
it
can
to
promote
healthy,
active
lifestyles
for
residents
and
as
a
part
of
that,
push
the
mayors
of
Bloomington
Edina
and
richfield
partnered
with
Blue
Cross
Blue
Shield
of
Minnesota
and
kicked
off
a
campaign
to
promote
healthy
lifestyles
in
the
three
neighboring
communities
called
do
town
do.
Town
is
designed
to
improve
the
health
of
residents
by
encouraging
exercise
and
providing
access
to
healthy
food
choices.
The
late-september
kickoff
event
consisted
of
a
presentation
and
a
walk.
A
J
A
City
has
already
embarked
on
several
health
initiatives,
including
bike
trail
and
bike,
lane
updates
community
gardens
and
weekly
farmers
markets
just
to
name
a
few
over
the
course
of
the
next
18
months.
There
will
be
more
opportunities
for
residents
to
eat,
right,
stay,
active
and
create
healthier
homes,
workplaces
and
schools,
and
to
prove
just
how
seriously
mayor
Winstead
takes
the
health
of
the
city.
He
shows
off
one
way
he
stays
active
by
grooving,
his
body
I'm.
B
Jean
Winstead,
mayor
of
the
city
of
Bloomington,
really
excited
about
a
collaborative
between
the
cities
of
Bloomington,
Richfield
and
edina
in
partnership
with
Blue
Cross
Blue
Shield
everything
we
do
in
the
planning
and
development
of
our
city.
We
can
keep
in
mind
different
ways
to
allow
people
to
live,
healthier
lives.
A
2011
was
an
election
year
as
well.
Several
council
seats
and
the
mayor's
office
was
up
for
election.
This
past
fall.
A
general
election
was
held
on
november
eighth
gene
Winstead
was
re-elected
for
a
four-year
term.
Mayor
Winstead
has
served
the
city
of
Bloomington
for
more
than
25
years
in
various
roles,
including
the
city's
Planning
Commission
HRA
commissioner,
and
as
a
city
council
member
for
council
member
at
large
timba,
see
was
elected
with
more
than
5,000
votes.
Bussy
took
the
place
of
former
council
member
Steve
Elkins
after
his
appointment
to
the
Metropolitan
Council
in
April.
A
Bussy
has
a
20
year
background
in
communications
and
currently
serves
as
the
director
for
University
services.
At
the
University
of
Minnesota
Jack
bulaga
was
elected
as
council.
Member
for
district
3
bulova
has
previously
served
on
the
city's
Planning
Commission.
He
has
three
decades
of
experience
as
a
real
estate
developer
and
has
worked
with
ten
nonprofit
groups.
Vern
Wilcox,
who
ran
unopposed,
was
re-elected
as
the
City
Council
representative
for
district
4.
He
has
served
on
the
City
Council
since
1993.
He
also
has
42
years
of
community
and
military
involvement
in
his
background.
A
According
to
the
City
Clerk's
office,
the
total
number
of
ballots
cast
was
eleven
thousand
106
of
the
50
1115
registered
voters
in
Bloomington,
making
voter
turnout
about
twenty
one
point:
seven:
three
percent.
Also
in
early
November,
we
were
given
the
unique
opportunity
to
find
out
how
Street
maintenance
crews
learn
to
operate.
The
giant
plows
that
dig
out
Bloomington
after
a
snowfall
by
being
on
hand
for
the
Public
Works
snowplow
rodeo,
take
a
look.
A
L
Snowplow
rodeo
course
is
designed
to
give
the
drivers
an
opportunity
to
refresh
their
skills,
driving
a
plow
truck
specifically
with
the
front
plow
in
the
wings
that
extend
beyond
what
a
normal
truck
is.
So
it
gives
them
a
chance
to
go
through
the
course
and
remember
how
to
drive
and
be
careful
that
wing
that
sticks
out
on
the
side
of
the
truck.
The.
A
L
Idea
of
these
dingers
is
it's
a
piece
of
rebar.
That's
bet.
The
idea
is
that
when
you
come
by
with
the
plow
that
you
just
touch
the
dinger
and
make
it
spin,
that
means
you're
close
enough
to
the
curb
or
close
enough
to
the
object
with
the
plow,
hopefully
without
knocking
the
whole
dinner
over,
which
means
you
went
too
far.
You
have
now
cause
some
kind
of
damage,
so
it's
a
way
for
us
to
gauge
how
close
the
drivers
are
getting
to
curb
lines.
Drivers.
L
A
Took
a
turn
at
the
obstacle
course,
and
let
me
tell
you:
snowplow
drivers
deserve
a
lot
of
credit.
Parked
cars
seem
to
disappear
when
you
get
near
them.
You
have
to
be
aware
of
several
plow
components
at
once,
while
keeping
a
lookout
for
mailboxes,
curbs
and
other
obstructions
eyler
agrees,
and
that
everyone
stands
to
benefit
from
the
training
offered
to
drivers
through
bloomington
snowplow
rodeo.
The.
L
Employees
benefit
because
they
get
a
chance
to
sharpen
their
driving
skills.
The
city
benefits
because
we
have
a
better
quality
driver
out
there.
So
we
have
the
potential
of
less
damage,
particularly
turf
damage.
Trying
to
find
curbs
is
difficult,
so
that's
less
things
that
we
have
to
fix
in
the
spring.
The
residents
benefit
from
it
because
we
have
a
better
plowing
service
set.
We
do
a
better
job
of
plowing
the
streets.
It's.
A
Exercises
like
the
snow,
plow
rodeo
that
prepare
drivers
for
all
types
of
winter
weather
situations
and
that's
all
the
time
we
have
for
today
to
get
more
information
on
city
projects,
parks,
road
construction
and
events
visit.
The
city's
website
to
check
out
past
bloomington
today
shows
or
other
city
productions
visit,
Bloomington's
youtube
channel
accessible
right
from
the
city's
homepage.
That
in
so
much
more
is
online
right
now
at
wwc,
I,
bloomington,
MN
us.
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Facebook
or
Twitter,
isn't
your
thing
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up
for
a
subscription.