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From YouTube: Council Minute September 13
Description
In this week’s Council Minute Councilmember Lona Dallessandro fills in for Mayor Tim Busse. She shares information on economic development in Bloomington, the City’s 2024 budget and elections plus, an invitation to participate in Welcoming Week and a congratulations to all who helped make the 3rd annual Bloomington Pride a success.
A
Hello,
Bloomington
I'm
acting
mayor,
Luna
D'alessandro,
and
this
is
the
council
minute
for
the
week
of
September
10th.
We
didn't
have
a
council
meeting
this
week,
but
there
are
a
few
things.
I
want
to
catch
you
up
on
today.
So
first
off
where's,
mayor
Bussey,
well
he's
attending
the
53rd
annual
conference
of
the
midwest
U.S
Japan
Association.
The
state
of
Minnesota
has
had
a
long-standing
relationship
with
Japan's
business
sector
and
this
Association,
and
this
year
Governor
Tim
wall
specifically
invited
Bloomington
to
participate.
A
Our
Council
and
the
Port
Authority
have
been
pursuing
projects
to
make
Bloomington
into
a
hub
of
high-tech
Manufacturing.
In
just
the
past
couple
of
weeks,
we
finalized
an
agreement
with
sick
Industries
to
expand
their
North
American
headquarters
here
in
Bloomington
and
pass
the
resolution
of
support
for
an
application
by
polar
semiconductor
for
funding
through
the
chips
and
science
act.
It's
part
of
our
ongoing
efforts
to
bolster
our
high-tech
sector,
an
industry
that
frankly,
has
been
around
for
more
than
50
years
here
in
Bloomington.
A
This
budget
proposal
continues
investments
in
public
safety,
while
maintaining
City
service
levels,
that
residents
value
and
expect
the
2024
preliminary
Levy
sets
the
maximum
amount.
The
city
can
collect
through
property
taxes.
Next
year.
The
council
can
lower
that
number
on
December
4th
when
the
final
2024
tax
levy
is
set,
but
it
can't
raise
it
beyond
the
amount
set
on
September
18.
A
in
October
and
November.
There
will
be
Department
budget
presentations
as
we
move
closer
to
setting
the
final
tax
levy
in
budget
staff
has
been
out
and
about
in
the
community.
At
numerous
events
across
the
city
to
obtain
public
feedback
for
the
budget,
they
will
be
at
the
farmers
market
again.
This
Saturday,
as
well
as
at
the
Fire
Department
open
house
at
fire
station
number
one
next
month
on
October
14th.
You
can
also
leave
your
comments
and
rank
your
budget
priorities
online
at
blm.mn.
Let's
talk
we
look
forward
to
hearing
from
you.
A
Election
season
is
upon
us
again
this
year.
All
seven
seats
on
the
Bloomington
city
council
are
on
the
ballot.
Voters
will
also
see
three
Bloomington
forward
sales
tax
questions,
as
well
as
a
School
Board
Race
voting
begins
in
person
at
Civic
Plaza
on
Friday
September
22nd.
Voters
are
welcome
to
stop
by
from
8
to
4
30
Monday
through
Friday
to
cast
their
ballot
early,
we'll
also
be
open
for
voting.
The
Saturday
before
election
day
from
9
to
3
and
the
Monday
before
election
day
until
five
election
day
is
November
7th.
A
We
have
have
some
great
resources
for
voters.
Looking
for
additional
information
on
mnvotes.gov
voters
can
look
up
their
sample
ballot
and
find
their
polling
place
and
register
to
vote
on
hennepin.us
elections.
Voters
can
request
a
mailed
ballot
and
on
blm.mn
vote
voters
can
learn
more
about
ranked
Choice
voting
candidate
filings
and
forums
and
view
an
election
guide
in
six
different
languages
and,
of
course,
voters
are
always
welcome
to
contact
the
city
clerk's
office
directly
at
952-563-8729.
A
As
I
mentioned
a
moment
ago,
Bloomington
voters
will
decide
whether
the
city
should
use
a
half
percent
local
sales
tax
to
invest
in
three
major
public
projects:
a
new
Community
Health
and
Wellness
Center
renovation
of
the
Bloomington
Ice
garden
and
restoration
and
preservation
of
the
Nine
Mile
Creek
Corridor.
The
city
has
recently
received
questions
about
the
third
initiative,
which
would
invest
20
million
to
restore
protect
and
enhance
the
Nine
Mile
Creek,
Corridor
and
Moyer
and
Central
Parks,
so
I
thought
that
I
would
address
some
of
those
questions
today,
The
Nine,
Mile
Corridor
is
vulnerable.
A
Invasive
species
such
as
Buckthorn
and
garlic
mustard
are
taking
a
toll
on
this
Bloomington
Jewel,
Riverbank
erosion
and
loss
of
woodlands
and
wetlands
also
threaten
the
corridor's
long-term
future.
This
ballot
measure
is
first
and
foremost,
a
preservation
initiative.
The
goal
is
to
protect
the
creek
and
the
Parkland
and
the
watershed's
natural
resources,
if
approved,
the
half
percent
sales
tax
would
provide
critical
Investments
to
enhance
and
preserve
The
Nine,
Mile
Creek
Corridor
by
restoring
Riverbanks
wetlands
and
Woodland
areas
protecting
habitat
and
removing
invasive
species.
A
Other
improvements
would
include
new
outdoor
recreation
amenities,
such
as
the
outdoor
Gathering
space
at
Moyer,
Park
and
overdue
repairs
such
as
addressing
the
rotting
stairs
in
Central
Park.
We've
also
been
exploring
how
to
enhance
public
access
to
the
corridor,
including
additional
trails
and
bridges
that
could
accommodate
bicycles
and
Ada
accessibility
improvements.
While
we
want
to
ensure
that
everyone
who
wants
to
connect
with
nature
has
access
to
it.
Any
investment
to
improve
access
needs
to
be
balanced
with
our
steadfast
commitment
to
preserve
the
corridor
and
protect
the
safety
and
enjoyment
of
all
Trail
users.
A
That
means
we
will
be
especially
responsive
to
the
needs
and
desires
of
pedestrians,
as
well
as
to
the
natural
resources
in
the
area.
A
formal
planning
process
for
the
Nine
Mile
Creek
renovation,
which
would
determine
among
other
items
whether
or
not
to
include
Trails
for
bicycle
access,
has
not
yet
been
completed.
A
If
funding
for
the
project
is
approved
by
voters
in
November,
Architects
and
Engineers
would
be
selected
and
hired
and,
most
importantly,
you,
our
residents
would
be
engaged
to
help
determine
the
exact
improvements
for
the
corridor.
We
are
committed
to
providing
our
public
with
a
voice
in
decisions
that
will
impact
the
corridor,
including
any
potential
bicycle
access.
If
you
want
more
information
or
have
questions
about
the
Bloomington
forward
initiative.
A
Visit,
bloomingtonforward.org
September,
8th
through
17th,
is
welcoming
week
welcoming
week
is
an
annual
campaign
that
celebrates
the
working
communities
to
become
welcoming
places
for
all,
including
immigrants
launched
in
2012
by
welcoming
America
and
its
members
welcoming
week
provides
individuals
and
organizations
the
opportunity
to
showcase
their
values
through
events
and
initiatives
that
Foster
connections
and
collaboration
between
immigrants
and
non-immigrants,
as
well
as
belonging
for
all
this
week.
As
acting
mayor,
I
have
signed
a
proclamation
to
honor
and
celebrate
welcoming
week
for
more
information
visit.
A
The
link
on
your
screen
and
finally
I'd
like
to
conclude
with
a
recap
of
a
wonderful
event
held
this
past
Sunday
engulfed
in
sunlight
and
a
sea
of
rainbows
Smiles
could
be
seen
on
the
faces
of
more
than
3
500
people
who
gather
to
celebrate
the
third
annual
Bloomington
pride
festival
at
Bloomington,
Civic
Plaza.
This
year's
event
was
two
hours
longer,
with
twice
as
many
vendors
and
food
trucks
compared
to
last
year.
A
After
the
Vikings
game,
fans
joined
the
event
for
the
closing
band
closer
to
Indigo
Twin
Cities
Pride,
who
helped
organize
this
year's
celebration
for
the
first
time
received
many
compliments
from
attendees
and
commented
that
the
grounds
at
Civic
Plaza
looked
beautiful.
They
were
especially
proud
of
the
young
volunteers
who
helped
make
the
event
such
a
success.
This
new
partnership
ensures
that
residents
continue
to
be
the
leading
voices
in
local
Pride
event
planning
and
allows
this
important
community-centered
event
to
continue
to
grow.
A
The
festival
links
directly
to
our
strategic
plan
Bloomington
tomorrow,
together,
which
supports
efforts
to
strengthen
a
well-connected,
diverse
and
welcoming
Community
thanks
to
everyone
for
showing
up
and
supporting
your
lgbtq
plus
friends
and
neighbors
expressions
of
Love
towards
one
another
are
always
cause
for
celebration.
That's
it
for
the
council
minute
this
week.
Thank
you
very
much
for
tuning
in
until
next
time,
stay
safe,
Bloomington,.