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City of Bloomington, MN / Council Minute 2020 / 23 Sep 2020
City of Bloomington, MN / Council Minute 2020 / 23 Sep 2020
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From YouTube: September 21 Council Minute

Description

Mayor Tim Busse brings an update on the sustainability work being done in the City, provides guidance on early voting and ballot drop-off at Civic Plaza and shares a budget update.

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(Music).

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Hello bloomington, I'm mayor tim busse, and this is the council minute for the week of september 21st this week the city council received an update on sustainability efforts in.

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Bloomington we heard from the chair of our sustainability, commission, tim sandry and our sustainability coordinator emma.

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Struss for some quick background, the city council included sustainability.

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As one of its strategic priorities in 2016.

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We established a sustainability commission to work with the staff and.

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The council to carry out a very important work plan.

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The sustainability commission advises the city council staff and the.

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Bloomington community on policies, practices, procedures and.

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Proposals on sustainability related issues, the.

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Commission helps to ensure that our natural resources, like air.

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Water, energy, land and ecological resources.

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Will be sustained and will continue to provide for a high quality of life.

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For all of us right now, but also for our kids.

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Our grandchildren and generations to come.

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One of the commission's most important projects is the energy action plan.

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The plan is intended to help bloomington achieve a number of aggressive.

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City-Wide goals by the year 2035., these goals include a 75 percent.

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Reduction in energy related greenhouse gas emissions, a 95 percent reduction in electricity.

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Related greenhouse gas emissions and a 33.

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Percent reduction in natural gas related greenhouse gas.

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Emissions, it also calls on the community to pursue.

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All opportunities for promoting the elimination of vehicle.

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Emissions, including support for electric vehicles, increased public.

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Transportation, higher density and mixed-use zoning more.

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Sidewalks and bike lanes and telecommuting we're very early.

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In this change process, we've just started to measure the impact.

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Of our work, bloomington is one of only 30 cities in the state to reach.

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Step four in the minnesota greenstep city program, step: four.

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Of the five step system means that we're measuring.

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And reporting on more than 50 performance, metrics.

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The green steps program includes 29 best practices in the areas of.

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Buildings and lighting land use transportation.

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Environmental management and resilient economic and community development.

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I'm very proud that our staff and the sustainability commission.

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Is measuring and reporting on 21 of the 29 best practices.

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Folks, this work is important. Climate change is real.

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Our environment is changing globally and locally.

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And we need to take steps to both prepare for the effects of a changing.

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Climate such as warming, winters, increased heavy rainfall.

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Events and extended heat waves, and also to adjust our city operations.

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To reduce the impact on the climate, we also have an obligation to work with.

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Our business community and our residents to help everyone understand what steps.

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Can be taken to reduce energy consumption, reduce.

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Greenhouse gas emissions and make sustainable living a habit.

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Fall is just a couple of days old, but early voting for the november general.

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Election has already begun, and we know that this.

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Year is going to be especially challenging for a number of reasons.

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The first is the most obvious: the pandemic is going to change our.

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Processes just a bit but rest assured that we will provide a.

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Safe secure and accessible election here in bloomington, if you want to cast your vote ahead of election day, you can vote in person at civic, plaza.

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Every day, monday, through friday, during business hours,.

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Right up until election day and in the week before the election.

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There will also be saturday voting hours. You can also.

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Drop off your absentee ballot in civic plaza, if you aren't comfortable mailing.

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It in now, having said that, I want to assure you that returning your ballot through the u.s mail is safe and secure.

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As long as you don't wait until the last minute, your mailed ballot will.

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Absolutely be counted new. This year we will have a ballot drop box in the.

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Parking lot of civic plaza, we're still working to get the structure.

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In place and installed so look for more information about how.

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To use this drive up feature in the next week or so.

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We all know that this is going to be an election like none other.

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Voter intensity is running high in my prediction is that we are going to see.

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Record voter turnout by not waiting until election day.

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You can avoid the crowds and vote on your own terms.

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I also want to say this elections in minnesota.

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Are widely recognized as being among the best run in the country.

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Ignore all the conspiracy theories intended to undermine confidence in our.

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Elections in minnesota, we have a long history of efficient, fair.

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And clean elections, much of that is because we have very knowledgeable.

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Election administration in the city of bloomington and across the state.

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And we also have top-notch election judges.

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These election judges are your neighbors, many of them step up year after year to.

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Serve they work long hours and they do a great.

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Job whenever you vote be sure to thank your.

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Election judges for the work they do and while we're talking about the.

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Election remember: there are three local questions on the ballot. This.

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Year related to organized collection and ranked choice, voting.

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Make sure your voice is heard. I know you've spent a lot of time over the past.

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Few months talking about the city's budget, well this week the city council worked through a few of our internal service.

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Fund budgets, we review more than 30 different fund.

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Budgets every year and that's in addition to the general.

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Fund budget, where most of the direct city services, like public safety and.

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Public works are funded, our community budget advisory committee.

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Is working on the general fund budget right now, they're putting together options to balance our budget in 2021 options that will be presented.

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To the city council in november, but before we see it.

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You get a chance to weigh in mark on your calendar the dates of october 15th.

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And october 17th we'll be hosting community input meetings via zoom.

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So residents can provide direct feedback on the options being considered.

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By the budget advisory committee we mean it, your voice is important. We need to.

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Hear what you have to say plan to attend one of those sessions in.

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October, well, that's a wrap on this week's council minute. Thanks for tuning in we'll see you next week be well and stay.

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Safe bloomington.