City of Bloomington, MN / Community News

The pandemic left many in our community out of work and created an increased need for food and housing services. Hear from VEAP staff, volunteers and customers as they reflect on the past year.

An Earth Day and sustainability presentation is came to City Hall. The Bloomington Sustainability Commission and League of Women Voters Bloomington are hosted “Climate Action: Simple Steps to Leave a Better World for Your Children” on Tuesday, April 30, at City Council Chambers, Civic Plaza, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road.

Meet your Sustainability Commission, and learn what you can do that will make a difference. Speakers include Mayor Gene Winstead, members of the Bloomington Sustainability Commission and Twin Cities’ top experts on recycling, sustainable eating, electric vehicles, energy efficiency and renewable electricity.

Recognition of Suburban Employers with Exemplary Commuter Programs & Commuter of the Month winners.

Learn about the many long-term road construction projects in the I-494 area including:
Phase 3 of the 35W@94 to Crosstown project - through 2021
35W Minnesota River Bridge between Bloomington and Burnsville - through 2021
New I-494: Airport to 169 including reconstruction of the I-35W/I-494 interchange and tunnel under I-494 at Knox Avenue (Best Buy Campus)
Transit Project Updates – METRO Orange Line and Southwest LRT/METRO Green Line Extension
Tax Changes Impacting Transportation Fringe Benefits and Non-Profits

Pesented by the Bloomington Athletic Association, the City of Bloomington and Bloomington Public Schools.

No description provided.

The 35W@94 construction from downtown to Crosstown will ramp-up significantly starting June 8th with major impacts including large construction zones, reduced lanes, and many exit/on ramp closures for the next 3.5 years until winter of 2021.

Half of the lanes on I-35W will be reduced for 3.5 years starting this June until winter of 2021.

This employer briefing will provide key information about the project as well as impacts to transit. Knowledgeable representatives from MnDOT, Metro Transit and Commuter Services will present project details and answer your questions.

This major construction project will impact many commuters and no doubt add to traffic delays on Crosstown, I-35W, I-494 and other roads used by your customers and employees.

The key highlights of this 3.5 year-long construction include:

- Reducing I-35W from 10 lanes to five lanes between downtown Minneapolis and 43rd St. South

- Closing half of the 35W/94 interchange for 3.5 years

Northbound I-35W to Westbound I-94 and

Eastbound I-94 to Southbound I-35W

- Closure of several exits/on-ramps to I-35W including Lake St.

Reconstruction of 11 bridges


When completed, this project will result in an improved 35W/94 interchange, added MnPASS capacity, and a new in-line transit station at West Lake Street (to be used by the Orange Line BRT).

What is the current state of air contaminants? How does this affect our health, including our lungs? What are the steps to making the air safe for our children? What role does the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency play? Hear experts from three disciplines on these important concerns.

More specifically, what are the issues around vehicle emissions? Minnesota has been allocated $47 million from the Volkswagen settlement relating to diesel fuel, and the MPCA has issued its draft report and recommendations on how to use the money. Learn about these recommendations and next steps.

Panelists representing three disciplines, will address these issues and answer your questions!

Professor Peter Raynor, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota

Jon Hunter, Director, Clean Air, American Lung Association of Minnesota

Amanda Smith, Air Policy Planner, MPCA

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Join us for a conversation about affordable housing opportunities to hear from local renters, city officials, concerned citizens and community leaders. Listen, learn, share and connect to your neighbors around what we can do to make sure that you and everyone else in Bloomington has a safe, dignified and affordable to place to call home.

2017 Legacy Award for Outstanding Community Service
Presented by the Bloomington Community Foundation

A community event program hosted by Northwestern Health Sciences University and the City of Bloomington. The program opens with a video of interviews and stories from local Vietnam veterans and family. As you watch the video, think about how the Vietnam experience may compare, or differ, from current events and veteran experiences.

A panel discussion follows with Vietnam veterans and veterans recently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as they discuss their experiences and respond to audience questions.

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Trends in Resources, Technology, Demographics & Governance

Resource Trends – Tim Sandry, Bloomington Sustainability Commission Chair

Technology Trends – Chris Locher, Vice President, Software Development, The Nerdery

Demographic Trends – John Johannson, Senior Vice President, Colliers International

Governance Trends –Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor, City of Burnsville

Moderator – Jamie Verbrugge, City Manager

Super Bowl – Mayor Gene Winstead

The LWV gave each City Council Candidate a maximum of five minutes for their testimonial.

The LWV gave each School Board Candidate a maximum of five minutes for their testimonial.

In conjunction with the Cannon River Clay Tour, nationally-recognized Kansas City-based potters, Chandra DeBuse, known for her beautifully illustrated functional pottery, and Tommy Frank, known for thought-provoking hand-built sculptures, speak about their individual and collaborative work and demonstrate handbuilding, wheel throwing, and decoration methods.

In conjunction with the Cannon River Clay Tour, nationally-recognized Kansas City-based potters, Chandra DeBuse, known for her beautifully illustrated functional pottery, and Tommy Frank, known for thought-provoking hand-built sculptures, speak about their individual and collaborative work and demonstrate handbuilding, wheel throwing, and decoration methods.

The Primary Election will be Tuesday, August 8th. Listen to this forum hosted by the Bloomington League of Women Voters to learn how the At Large and District II Candidates stand on the issues facing Bloomington.

• MnDOT Briefing on I-94 and Hwy 169 Construction Projects
• Transit Updates: Southwest LRT, Orange Line BRT and Mobile App
• Health, Wellness and the Intersection of Transportation
• Recognition of suburban employers offering commute programs
• Commuter of the Month Winners - hear from employees who inspire
us with their sustainable commute choices
• Networking with other companies implementing commute programs

Earth Day Program addressing the impact of oil pipelines, including those in Minnesota, on the environment, how tribal rights are implicated, Standing Rock and other demonstrations, and current legislative issues.

The LWV gave each State Legislative candidate a maximum of five minutes for their testimonial.

We’re putting the spotlight on organizations, employers and individuals for their great work in promoting alternatives to driving alone. The 2016 Commuter Choice Awards, a metro-wide program that salutes creative commuting programs and advocates. The program recognizes organizations and employers that promote taking the bus or train, walking, bicycling, vanpooling, carpooling or teleworking. Awards for individuals recognize those who demonstrate a commitment to transportation options in their workplace, school or community. Winners were announced on Thursday, April 28, at Centennial Lakes Park, the following program covers the event.

This presentation will include an update of current research as presented in the League of Women Voters Minnesota's (LWVMN) latest Briefing Paper: "The Impact of Neonicotinoids on Honey Bees” and some information about a local, grass roots 100% volunteer, not for profit bee/pollinator advocacy group, Humming for Bees. You’ll learn about the essential role bees and other pollinators play in our food production and about the chemicals that are affecting their survival.

On February 9, 2016 a special election will be held to fill the vacated seat for the Minnesota House of Representatives - District 50B. With the 2016 legislative session convening March 8, 2016 there will be numerous critical issues that could impact businesses. Please join the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and the candidates for District 50B for an informative meeting and the opportunity to hear from each of them.

The LWV gave each Special Election State Legislative District 50B Candidate a maximum of five minutes for their testimonial.