►
From YouTube: State of the City Presentation 2013
Description
Watch the annual State of the City presentation, featuring Mayor Gene Winstead and City Manager Mark Bernhardson. (March 2013)
A
Welcome
to
the
2013
Bloomington
state
of
the
city
address
featuring
Mayor,
Jean
Winstead
and
city
manager,
Mark
Bernard
ssin.
Today's
luncheon
is
co-sponsored
by
the
Bloomington
Chamber
of
Commerce
and
the
Rotary
Club
of
Bloomington
noon.
My
name
is
Jim
casserly
and
I
have
the
privilege
of
serving
as
this
year's
president
of
the
Rotary
Club
now
I.
Ask
that
you
please
rise
for
the
presentation
of
colors
by
the
Bloomington
police
honor
guard.
Please
remain
standing
as
Bloomington
chamber
board
member
in
Bloomington,
Police
Chief,
Jeff
pots
leads
us
in
the
Pledge
of
Allegiance.
C
C
A
D
Well,
we
started
in
the
morning
we're
in
the
afternoon
now,
because
you
were
here
at
eleven-thirty-
is
1230
now,
so
just
want
to
welcome
you
all
to
our
beautiful
hotel.
I
have
been
here
11
months,
but
you
have
been
here
all
your
life.
Looking
waiting
for
this
property
to
open
up
in
the
last
at
least
four
five
six
years,
I
think
so.
Thank
you
for
being
here.
I
hope,
you'll
use
our
outlets,
you'll
use
our
function,
space
you'll
use
our
500
rooms
and
we
have
some
tours
after
the
event.
D
A
Well,
we
need
to
thank
Harry
and
the
staff
at
the
radisson
blu
for
hosting
us
in
their
beautiful
facility.
Now
I'd
like
to
take
a
moment
to
introduce
rotary
to
those
of
you
who
may
not
be
familiar
with
the
organization.
I've
told
I've
been
told
to
be
brief
and
I
will
rotary
is
not
a
political
organization,
but
all
wrote.
Aryans
are
vitally
concerned
with
everything
pertaining
to
good
citizenship
and
the
election
of
good
men
and
women
to
public
office.
A
noble
goal
for
sure
rotary
is
not
a
charitable
organization.
A
Yet
its
activities
exemplify
the
decency
and
caring
that
one
should
expect
from
people
who
believe
that
they
have
a
responsibility
to
help.
Others
rotary
is
an
organization
of
business
and
professional
people
pledge
to
upholding
the
highest
Professional.
Standards
wrote
Aryans
believe
that
worldwide,
fellowship
in
international
peace
can
be
achieved
when
business
and
professional
people
unite
under
the
banner
of
service.
A
Bloomington
has
two
Rotary
Clubs
the
Rotary
Club
of
Bloomington
noon.
In
the
Bloomington
day
makers,
our
clubs
participate
in
local
and
international
service
projects
with
the
goal
of
trying
to
make
our
community
and
the
world
a
better
place.
We
offer
support
to
local
programs,
such
as
meals
on
wheels
and
veep.
A
We
mentor
students
in
our
schools
and
we
support
a
medical
clinic
in
India
wrote
Arians,
do
not
shy
from
a
challenge
and
gladly
accept
such
lofty
lofty
goals
as
the
elimination
of
polio
from
the
face
of
the
planet
which
we
plan
to
achieve
within
the
next
several
years.
This
rotary,
this
year's
rotary
motto,
is
peace
through
service,
and
it
is
a
message
in
which
we
firmly
believe
if
rotary
projects
and
goals
seem
worthwhile
to
you.
Please
ask
a
Rotarian
to
share
with
you
information
about
the
opportunities
our
club
has
to
offer.
A
E
Thank
you
very
much
Jim
good
afternoon.
Everyone,
that's
wonderful!
Thank
you.
We
are
pleased
that
you
could
join
us
here
today
to
hear
about
the
state
of
the
city
by
Mayor,
Jean,
Winstead
and
city
manager,
Mark
Barnard
said
we
are
very
pleased
with
the
connections
that
the
city
of
Bloomington
in
the
Bloomington
chamber
are
making
throughout
the
business
community.
I
first
would
like
to
acknowledge
our
member
sponsors
for
today's
program.
Mall
of
America
Rasmussen
College
tria
orthopedic
center
Raymond
James
John
Stanley,
with
the
representatives
from
the
mall
of
america,
Raymond
Jane's.
E
Without
sponsors,
for
today's
event,
we
would
not
be
able
to
put
on
such
a
wonderful
program
for
all
of
you
today.
Please
keep
in
mind.
Our
sponsors
do
have
some
display
tables
outside
and
after
the
program
feel
free
to
stop
by
visit
with
them
and
pick
up
any
information
that
you
might
find
of
interest.
I
would
also
like
to
especially
recognize
the
general
manager
of
the
Radisson
Blu
Hotel
Harry,
gorse,
teen,
Harry
I,
know
you've
been
up
all
night,
vacuuming,
dusting
and
washing
the
lettuce.
You
have
done
an
incredible
job,
you
and
your
staff.
E
And
again,
as
Harry
mentioned,
the
radisson
blu
staff
will
be
here
after
the
program
right
outside
the
doors,
to
give
all
of
you
a
very
special
preview
tour
of
this
beautiful
property.
So
please
it
will
be
well
worth
your
time
to
see,
see
this
great
property.
Next
I
would
like
to
welcome
our
public
elected
officials
who
are
here
with
us
today.
Bloomington
City,
Council
members,
timba
see
Tom
halting
Karen
nordstrom
Steve
Peterson
Vern
Wilcox
could
all
be.
Please
stand.
E
E
E
As
you
all
know-
and
it
will
be-
I
talked
about
a
little
further
in
the
program
this
this
hotel.
This
project
would
not
have
happened
if
it
weren't
for
the
true
private
public
partnership
with
the
city
of
Bloomington,
hennepin,
county
mall
of
america
and
the
state
legislature.
So
really
this
is
truly
a
success
story
and
when
we
bring
the
people
the
right
parties
together,
this
is
the
end
result.
E
The
Bloomington
chamber
is
an
affiliate
of
the
Minneapolis
Regional
Chamber
of
Commerce
and
is
committed
to
addressing
the
needs
and
concerns
of
the
business
businesses
in
Bloomington.
The
Bloomington
chamber
continues
to
build
relationships
with
community
leaders
in
and
around
bloomington,
enabling
the
chamber
to
serve
as
a
connector
between
the
local
business
associations
decision
decision
makers
on
substantive
issues
that
impact
the
broader
business
community.
E
The
chamber
is
honored
to
have
the
city
as
a
vital
partner.
We
are
working
with
the
city
on
development,
Public,
Works
and
public
safety
issues,
as
these
are
extremely
important
to
our
members
and
the
welfare
of
the
chamber.
Our
public
affairs
committee
works
in
conjunction
with
the
city's
Community
Development
Department,
City,
Council
and
other
City
departments.
To
be
informed
as
to
what
projects,
ordinances
and
developments
are
being
discussed
and
worked
on,
this
allows
the
chamber
to
provide
feedback
to
the
city
on
various
issues,
projects
that
could
very
well
impact
our
member
businesses.
E
E
In
a
renewed
interested
in
our
activities
from
the
city
to
regional
level,
we
have
seen
the
business
community
respond
to
the
positive
economic
climate
as
it
continues
to
grow
at
a
steady
pace
such
as
adding
jobs
to
the
community.
We
need
to
continue
to
work
closely
with
the
city
to
allow
for
development
projects
such
as
the
south
loop
district,
which
will
further
enhance
and
make
our
community
a
better
place
to
live,
work
and
play,
and
now
it
is
time
for
our
main
event.
E
It
is
an
honor
and
a
privilege,
as
I
call
to
the
podium
Neil
Peterson
to
introduce
our
speakers
for
today,
Neil
served
as
Bloomington
City
Council
member
from
nineteen.
Seventy
eight
to
nineteen,
eighty,
nine
mayor
from
1992
1994
and
state
representative
from
two
thousand
five
to
two
thousand
eight
and
I
believe
you
had
a
short
time
at
the
bloomington
chamber
of
commerce
as
well.
Yeah.
F
Many
of
us
recall
the
the
atrophy
of
the
chamber
a
number
of
years
ago
and
she
has
brought
it
back
and
I
really
compliment
her
on
that
well
I'm,
here
to
to
introduce
the
mayor
and
the
city
manager
and
I
woke
up
last
night
about
ten
o'clock.
Now
what
in
the
world
am
I
going
to
say
and
if
I
burnham
like
I
was
planning
and
I
thought
well,
they're
not
going
to
invite
me
back
anyway.
So
it's
probably
ok
but
then
I
I
started
thinking.
What
did
I
want
to
convey?
F
So
then
we
had
to
go
out
and
we
had
to
start
the
process
of
recruiting
for
a
new
city
manager
of
City
Bloomington.
We
got
thousands
and
thousands
now
several
town,
but
we
got
huge
number
of
applications,
don't
a
dream
and
that
process
started
and
so
I
had
remembered
a
young
man
that
I
had
met
through
association
work
who
at
that
time
had
been
the
administrator
out
in
or
no
and
so
as
we
went
through
resumes
and
we
kept
collecting
the
pile
and
the
pile
of
resumes
got
smaller
and
smaller.
F
One
of
them
stayed
on
the
pile
and
we
got
down
to
the
final
three
and
we
called
them
in
to
interview
and
I.
Remember
so
well,
and
some
couple
of
these
candidates
were
had
big-ticket
resumes,
and
so
we
asked
the
standard
question
that
you
would
ask
of
applicants.
What
give
me
the
one
great
thing
that
you
have
done?
F
What's
your
greatest
accomplishment
and
he
looked
over,
he
smiled
he
said
making
it
to
this
resume
and
making
it
to
this
meeting
and
we
said
hired,
that's
the
kind
of
guy
that
we
wanted,
so
the
dream
continued
and
we
went
on
through
construction,
but
the
good
news.
At
that
time
we
had
a
chairman
of
the
Planning
Commission
gene
Winstead,
and
so
we
had
our
back
covered
at
the
Planning
Commission
and
we
were
starting
to
move
ahead
with
the
change
orders
of
the
dream
grow
Museum.
F
F
We
got
a
lower
level
exit
fire
passageway
and
that's
not
legal,
and
we
said,
oh
that's,
baloney
and
they
handed
us
a
confession
of
judgment
and
said
where
you
sign
this
and
we'll
examine
it,
and
we
said
no,
we
turn
around
walked
out,
came
back
to
bloomington,
I.
Think
that's!
When
marks
hair
began
to
transition-
and
you
know
I've
been
there
a
couple
of
weeks,
I
think
the
next
step
in
the
dream
grew
mission
was
in
1992.
F
August
in
92
was
the
grand
opening
great
great
party.
It
was
a
marvelous,
tux
and
tennies.
If
I
remember
correctly
was
it
was
a
marvelous
marvelous
time
and
that
continued
this
dream
and
it
continued
to
go
and
this
dream
grammys
Ian
came
out
of
the
ground
and
they
opened,
and
here
it
was
and
the
naysayers
didn't
know
what
to
say.
They
all
came
out
and
shopped
and
participated.
F
And
at
that
point,
when
she
vacated
her
seat
on
the
council
to
become
mayor,
then
we
brought
the
chair
of
the
Planning
Commission
up.
Gene
Winstead
came
on
to
the
city
council
and
the
dream.
Grammys
IAM
continued
the
important
thing
then
in
coral
then
left
in
99
annan,
chinos
elected
mayor
and
the
dream
continued.
But
during
that
last
period
the
dream
now
has
morphed.
F
It
isn't
just
dream:
grammys
Ian,
it's
a
dream:
Bloomington
with
the
grammys
Ian
with
the
mall
and
that
the
mall
didn't
overwrite
every
decision
we
made,
but
you
can
understand
the
impact
that
had
and
now
the
dream
is
that
of
of
Grammys
Ian
and
a
Bloomington
and
away
we
go
they
have
now.
Gene
has
now
served
since
99
was
at
14
years.
The
longest-serving
mayor
that
the
city
has
had
he
has
been
able
to
team
with
Mark
Barnard
ssin
this
entire
time
and
they
have
made
an
incredible
dream
and
it
made
the
dream
control.
F
They
have
added
to
that
dream,
and
now
they
are
the
dream
catchers.
So
I
don't
need
to
say
more
about
them,
because
you
guys
paid
forty
five
bucks
to
get
here
and
I
figured.
You
know
who
you're
going
to
talk
to
and
who
is
going
to
what
you
were
going
to.
Listen
to
so
I
want
to
introduce
the
team
of
GW
mb
to
talk
about
what
is
the
state
of
our
dream
now.
G
Well,
that
was
a
tremendous
introduction
and
it
really
was
a
good
trip
down
history
down
memory
lane
and
a
lot
of
history
there.
Well
I
want
to
welcome
you
to
the
2013
state
of
the
city
address
happy
to
be
here
today,
and
this
is
just
a
wonderful
facility
and
Harry.
Thank
you
for
hosting
this
today,
a
little
bit
of
information
here
for
you,
tech,
heads,
you'll
notice
on
your
table.
There's
a
table
tent
and
it's
regarding
a
way
to
maybe
ask
some
questions
during
the
presentation.
G
Regarding
the
city
of
Bloomington
that
you
might
find
of
interest
also
like
to
thank
the
Chamber
of
Commerce
and
its
sponsors,
as
well
as
the
Bloomington
noon,
rotary
for
making
this
event
possible
stated
opening
only
five
days
ago.
The
Radisson
Blu
is
a
first-rate
4-star
hotel.
This
hotel
is
a
hundred
and
thirty
nine
million
dollar
project.
G
That
is
a
great
example
of
a
public-private
partnership
between
Carlson
companies,
Mortensen
development
and
construction.
Mall
of
America
city
of
Bloomington,
the
Bloomington
port
authority,
as
well
as
Hennepin,
County
and
hennepin
county,
was
so
instrumental
in
really
providing
to
this
project
that
last
increment
of
financing
that
was
necessary
through
its
using
of
the
economic
recovery
zone,
bonds
that
the
county
had
available
to
them
and
they
applied
them
to
this
project.
We
need
to
call
out
Randy
Johnson
for
that,
seeing
to
it
that
that
happened
so
he's
very
instrumental
in
making
this
all
come
together.
G
This
has
been
an
extremely
complicated
hotel
deal
to
put
together
and
ultimately
construct,
as
evidenced
by
the
more
than
200
legal
financing,
partnership
and
approval
documents
that
were
prepared
to
make
it
happen.
It
is
estimated
this
project
created
two
50
full-time
construction
jobs
over
the
past
two
years,
and
now
it
has
created
240,
full-time,
permanent
hotel
jobs
going
forward.
G
Thank
you,
general
manager,
Harry
gorgeous
teen
for
the
rat
is
in
the
Radisson
Blu
staff
for
all
that
you've
done
and
what's
happening
here,
we're
here
at
the
Radisson
Blu,
which
is
the
latest
property
and
are
ever
so
important
hospitality
industry
in
Bloomington.
This
now
makes
38
hotels
with
8300
hotel
rooms
in
our
city.
It's
interesting
that
about
twenty-five
percent
of
the
hotel
room
spending
in
the
entire
metropolitan
area.
That's
one
dollar
out
of
every
four
dollars
spent,
is
spent
in
a
Bloomington
hotel.
G
Bloomington
also
stands
out
when
it
comes
to
hotels,
near
airports,
hotels,
com,
according
to
them,
the
Minneapolis
st.
Paul
International
Airport
is
ranked
number
two
in
the
nation
for
quality
hotels
near
a
major
airport.
The
only
airport,
rated
better
was
Ronald
Reagan
International
in
Washington
DC,
and
we
are
grateful
and
proud
of
all
the
hotels
in
the
hospitality
industry
in
the
city
of
Bloomington,
which
collectively
is
the
largest
industry
in
our
city.
G
Considering
that,
where
you
are
seated,
was
once
a
parking
lot,
perhaps
a
sub-theme
of
today
is
turning
visions
into
reality,
because
you
will
be
hearing
that
throughout
you'll
be
hearing
that
throughout
this
presentation,
we
can
accomplish
our
goals,
because
we
have
a
vision
and
the
ability
and
resources
to
carry
it
out.
Our
vision
to
build
and
renew
the
community
by
providing
services
promoting
renewal
and
guiding
growth
in
an
even
more
sustainable,
fiscally
sound
manner.
G
This
defines
our
strategy
to
continue
to
keep
this
community
thriving
for
the
long
term
to
help
the
city's
strategic
planning
and
vision.
We
conducted
a
community
survey
in
2012.
This
highly
accurate
survey
was
conducted
by
the
National
Research
Center
out
of
Boulder
Colorado.
Thousands
of
residents
were
contacted
to
get
their
views
on
Bloomington
and
all
of
its
strengths
and
weaknesses.
G
The
National
Research
Center
has
surveyed
more
than
500
cities
and
we
were
able
to
take
our
bloomington
results
and
compare
them
directly
with
21
high-performance
peer
cities
that
are
similar
to
bloomington
and
size,
location,
demographics,
population
and
employment
base.
So
how
are
we
doing
well
I'm
happy
to
discover
that
I'm,
not
the
only
one
who
loves
Bloomington.
The
survey
showed
residents
also
love
their
city
when
asked
about
when
asked
about
their
opinions
of
Bloomington
ninety-four
percent
praised
Bloomington
as
a
place
to
live,
ninety-four
percent
also
would
recommend
living
in
Bloomington.
G
Ninety
percent
rated
the
overall
quality
of
life,
is
excellent
or
good.
Life
is
never
without
a
list
of
challenges,
but
life
is
good.
In
Bloomington.
These
ratings
were
well
above
our
national
peer
cities.
We
will
again
conduct
a
survey
in
2013
to
gather
feedback
that
will
continue
to
guide
our
direction
for
the
future.
We
are
focused
on
continuing
to
ensure
that
the
quality
of
life
remains
high
in
Bloomington,
quality
of
life
begins
with
healthy
residents
and
a
healthy
community.
G
Bloomington
is
doing
its
part
with
the
adoption
of
our
alternative
transportation
plan
that
led
to
a
more
walkable
and
bikeable
community,
with
the
adoption
of
the
Complete
Streets
policy
to
develop
a
transportation
system
that
enhances
safety,
health
and
livability.
An
example
of
this
is
the
redesigned
86
street
to
make
Viking
safer
and
easier
way
to
travel
and
provide
activity.
We
have
also
added
new
bike:
racks,
it's
city
and
school
properties.
G
Healthy
food
and
healthy
eating
is
important
to
a
healthy
community.
We
have
provided
awareness
and
created
opportunities
to
buy
fresh
fruits
and
vegetables.
The
farmers
market
has
been
hugely
successful
and
began.
Accepting
program
benefits
that
help
those
struggling
financially
afford.
Fresh
food.
There
are
97
city,
operated
community
garden,
plots
that
allow
residents
to
grow
their
own
produce.
In
addition,
there
are
school
and
faith-based
organization
that
added
garden
plots
around
the
city.
We
are
also
now
selling
healthier
foods
in
our
city
operated
recreational
facilities.
If
our
residents
are
healthier,
we
have
achieved
our
ultimate
goal.
G
That's
why
we
started
do
town
do
town,
the
partnership
between
Bloomington,
Edina,
Richfield
and
blue
cross
and
blue
shield
that
was
formed
almost
two
years
ago,
as
an
effort
to
improve
the
health
of
people
by
driving.
Changes
that
support
healthy
eating
and
active
living
do
town
is
about
making
adjustments
to
how
we
operate
as
a
city,
how
we
build
and
rebuild
our
infrastructure
and
how
we
implement
policies
so
that
all
of
the
surroundings
in
our
city
give
people
more
ways
to
eat
right
and
be
active.
G
All
of
this
is
to
make
the
Healthy
Choice
the
easy
choice.
Again.
If
our
residents
are
healthier,
we
have
reached
our
ultimate
goal.
A
healthy
local
economy
is
key
to
the
quality
of
life
in
Bloomington.
Compared
to
previous
years.
I'm
happy
to
say
that
the
local
economy
appears
to
be
back
on
track.
The
commercial
and
industrial
property
values
have
increased
by
five
point:
six
percent.
In
the
last
year
alone,
housing
prices
are
stabilizing
in
Bloomington.
G
The
monthly
supply
of
homes
for
sale
is
the
lowest
it's
been
in
seven
years,
and
now
the
number
of
homes
for
sale
is
having
a
hard
time
keeping
up
with
the
demand.
This
past
year
in
2012,
Bloomington
issued
11,400
building
and
trade
permits
for
over
two
hundred
million
dollars
of
new
construction
and
remodeling.
G
The
value
of
the
permits
was
twenty-seven
percent
greater
than
the
value
of
permits
issued
during
bloomington's
downturn
years
in
a
typical
year.
A
quarter
of
the
31
quarter
of
this
spending
is
on
residential
properties.
That
means
that
three-quarters
of
the
spending
is
on
commercial
and
industrial
properties
throughout
the
city.
In
addition,
another
interesting
indicator
of
the
health
of
our
local
economy
is
that
the
2012
lodging
tax
revenues
have
rebounded
to
their
2008
totals,
which
was
a
peak
for
that
hospitality.
Tax.
G
Collector
employment
is
an
important
indicator
of
a
healthy
economy
and
I'm
happy
to
report
that
again
this
year
things
are
looking
up
in
the
area
of
jobs,
these
unemployment
comparisons
and
they're,
not
seasonally,
adjusted
r,
4,
2011
and
2012.
You
can
see
here.
The
United
States
is
now
at
seven
point,
six
percent.
Is
it
compared
to
eight
point
three
percent
in
2011
Minnesota
now
at
five
point,
four
percent
compared
to
five
point:
seven
percent
in
2011
the
metro
area
currently
at
5.1
/
salt,
5.1
percent
for
2012
as
compared
to
five
point.
G
Five
percent
2011
in
bloomington
is
down
to
four
point:
nine
percent.
It's
past
year,
that's
down
from
five
point
two
percent
in
2011,
as
you
can
see,
bloomington
unemployment
rate
is
lower
than
the
nation
state
in
the
region.
It
was
june
of
2009
that
bloomington
unemployment
rate
hit
a
peak
of
eight
point,
six
percent
and
it
has
been
falling
ever
since
we
still
have
many
unemployed,
underemployed
and
people
with
considerable
challenges
in
bloomington
that
need
some
additional
help.
G
I'm
announcing
that
volunteers
enlisted
to
assist
people
beep
our
local
food
shelf,
transportation
and
social
service
provider
will
be
ceasing
operations
at
its
current
location.
I
wish
I
could
make
that
announcement,
because
there
was
no
longer
a
need
for
food
shelf
or
other
helping
services
within
our
community,
but
the
need
is
still
there
and
beep
has
taken
on
the
challenge
to
meet
those
needs
by
moving
into
an
improved
facility
at
a
better
location.
G
Beeps
next
chapter
is
a
7.2
million
dollar
campaign
to
expand
program
capacity,
deepen
and
strengthen
veep's
impact
on
programs
and
services
and
renovate
its
new
facility
at
9600,
aldrich
Avenue
I'd
like
to
recognize
veep
today.
Many
of
them
are
here,
are
to
their
board
and-
and
others
are
here
today
and
really
create
an
awareness
for
all
that
V
provides
to
our
community
and
really
their
next
chapter
campaign,
which
is
going
to
be
chaired
by
Joe
Schmidt
and
his
wife.
G
G
Employment
is
one
of
the
main
elements
of
a
healthy
Bloomington
economy
in
the
survey
in
the
area
of
our
community
as
a
place
to
work
Bloomington
ranked
number
one
out
of
our
national
peer
cities
group
for
employment
opportunities.
Eighty-Three
percent
of
the
residents
responded
that
Bloomington
was
an
excellent
or
a
good
place
to
work.
G
A
wide
range
of
available
jobs
is
one
of
the
things
that
affects
our
residents
and
our
neighborhoods
employed
and
working
residents
keep
neighborhoods
viable
and,
in
turn,
keep
housing
prices
stable,
because
the
number
of
jobs
in
Bloomington
exceeds
the
number
of
workers
living
in
Bloomington.
The
United
States
Census
Bureau
defines
Bloomington
as
a
principal
city.
G
That's
why
the
Census
Bureau's
official
name
for
this
metropolitan
statistical
area
is
Minneapolis,
st.
Paul
Bloomington,
so
much
for
this
region
being
referred
to
as
the
Twin
Cities
and
I
believe
that
we
are
the
real
tri-cities
and
I.
Think
I
need
to
work
to
promote
that,
so
keep
that
one
going
forward.
G
H
2012
was
a
year
of
redevelopment
for
Bloomington
phase,
one
of
the
pen
American
district,
wrapped
up
with
the
completion
of
Genesee
apartments
and
townhomes
new
dining
establishments
like
a
Laurel,
Mexican,
restaurant
and
toppers
pizza
opened
in
Bloomington
also
nationally
recognized
retailers
like
world
market.
Big
lots
were
welcomed
to
the
city
Bloomington.
I
H
J
H
J
I
G
G
Maria
described
her
decision
to
locate
a
dance
studio
in
bloomington,
spin,
american
district
and
maria
is
not
alone.
Here
are
a
few
of
the
other
businesses
that
cut
a
ribbon
in
bloomington
in
2012,
there's
a
great
variety
of
small
and
larger
businesses,
and
they
are
all
locating
throughout
the
community
and
in
all
corners
of
the
community.
A
thank-you
needs
to
go
to
our
chamber
of
commerce
for
welcoming
them
and
working
with
many
of
these
businesses
to
ensure
their
long
term
success.
G
When
the
survey
asked
residents
about
their
own
specific
neighborhood,
the
survey
results
showed.
Eighty-Five
percent
of
the
respondents
rated
their
neighborhood
is
excellent
or
good,
which
was
much
higher
than
above
the
national
pierce
city
rankings
to
continue
to
strengthen
our
neighborhoods
his
past
year,
the
city
council
authorized
13
initiatives.
Some
of
these
included
planning
and
preparing
for
the
revitalization
of
our
city
parks,
updating
the
alternative
transportation
plan,
developing
a
community
center
concept,
improving
city
ordinances,
to
address
neighborhood
nuisance
issues
and
improving
code
enforcement
procedures
throughout
the
city.
G
One
of
the
city
council's
top
priorities,
is
to
keep
neighborhoods
well
maintained
and
attractive.
The
city
provides
home
improvement
loans
with
deferred
repayments.
This
program
has
been
exceptionally
except
successful
for
more
than
about
25
to
30
years
and
candidly.
It
was
Neal
Peterson
when
he
served
on
our
HRA,
who
kind
of
conceived
this
plan,
and
it's
been
working
great
ever
since,
and
it's
only
helped
our
community
immensely
Bloomington
is
going
to
increase
and
boost
this
loan
pool
for
the
next
four
years.
Gary
all
a
40
year
resident
of
Bloomington
is
also
my
guest
here
today.
H
K
H
K
H
K
H
G
Well,
Gary
wasn't
the
only
one
who
benefited
when
he
fixed
up
his
house
when
a
house
is
well
maintained.
The
entire
neighborhood
benefits
Gary
story
is
like
so
many
Bloomington
residents
who
care
for
this
community
and
their
homes.
There
are
great
similarities
between
Gary
and
me
and
really
Gary
in
so
many
of
us.
G
While
there
is
no
such
thing
as
a
typical
Bloomington
resident
or
homeowner,
there
are
a
great
number
of
us
with
similar
Bloomington
circumstances
like
when
we
move
to
bloomington
the
number
of
years
we
spent
in
our
homes
and
in
the
city,
the
raising
of
our
families,
our
involvement
in
the
community,
our
careers
and
working
history
and
really
the
genuine
pride
we
have
in
our
you
Gary.
Would
you
please
stand
and
be
recognized.
G
Thank
you
for
your
long
term
residency
and
for
continuing
to
improve
your
home
and
setting
the
example
on
how
to
make
your
neighborhood
a
better
place
to
live
parks.
City
facilities,
open
space
are
some
of
the
other
reasons
why
residents
consider
their
neighborhoods
livable.
We
are
continuing
to
maintain
quality
of
life
services
in
the
city
of
Bloomington.
Much
work
was
done
at
Highland.
Greens
golf
course
this
past
year,
with
improvements
to
the
driving
range
and
creating
a
golf
practice
facility.
Also
reinvestment
improvements
were
made
to
the
Bloomington
family,
Aquatic
Center,
our
community
swimming
pool.
G
We
installed
two
new
water
slides
and
completely
renovated
the
old
and
very
tired
bathhouse.
These
are
great
improvements
to
a
very
heavily
used.
A
manager
this
year
will
also
be
making
improvements
to
the
Bloomington
off
leaf
recreation
area
for
dogs
by
adding
security
lighting
and
drinking
fountain.
I
suppose
this
can
be
called
quality
of
life
for
canines,
but
this
is
a
very
heavily
used
area
by
a
great
number
of
Bloomington
residents.
G
Island
green
golf
course
celebrates
its
50th
anniversary
this
year
and
here's
a
photo
of
me
and
my
grandson
at
highland
greens
and
a
little
personal
note.
One
of
the
ways
you
build
community
is
by
having
real
and
shared
experiences
throughout
your
life.
A
little
personal
note.
You
know
highland
greens
now
celebrating
its
50th
year,
its
50th
anniversary
in
the
60s
I.
Remember
playing
this
golf
course
with
my
father.
I've
played
this
golf
course
with
my
wife
and
our
three
daughters
and
now
I've
played
the
golf
course
with
two
of
my
grandchildren.
It's
an
amazing
thing.
G
G
Strong
schools
support
neighborhoods,
eighty-one
percent
of
those
surveys
reported
that
educational
opportunities
in
Bloomington
were
excellent
or
good,
and
this
was
the
highest
positive
response.
Among
our
selected
peer
cities,
the
survey
results
showed
eighty-two
percent
of
respondents
felt
Bloomington
public
schools
were
excellent
or
good,
and
eighty-seven
percent
said
Bloomington
was
an
excellent
place
to
raise
a
child
I'm
happy
to
report
these
high
grades.
Education
is
key
to
a
thriving
community
and
critical
to
the
future
of
jobs
and
our
economy.
G
Bloomington
public
schools
is
an
educational
leader
with
a
mission
to
prepare
all
learners
with
the
ability
to
thrive
in
a
rapidly
changing
world.
Bloomington
Public
Schools
achieves
its
mission
by
maximizing
achievements
for
all
students,
implementing
innovative
and
best
practice
programs,
enhancing
strategic
partnerships
with
community
stakeholders
and
optimizing
its
precious
financial
resources.
I'm
proud
to
announce
that
our
Bloomington
schools
are
repeatedly
achieving
success
and
receiving
recognition
and
awards
for
their
many
achievements
in
quality,
education
and
programs.
G
Pathways
to
graduation
is
a
comprehensive
framework
that
identifies
key
milestones
that
students
need
to
be
prepared
for
college
or
a
career
in
Bloomington.
Public
schools
are
specifically
recognized
as
a
state
national
leader
and
as
a
model
for
innovative
high
quality
early
childhood
programs.
With
the
goal
of
preparing
all
children
to
be
ready
for
kindergarten,
the
variety
of
higher
educational
opportunities
in
Bloomington
continues
to
grow.
This
slide
will
remind
you
of
all
this
community
has
to
offer
other
communities
don't
have
the
quantity
or
the
choices
of
post-secondary
opportunities.
G
G
H
A
gray
day
in
early
februari,
the
atmosphere
at
Normandale
Community
College,
was
anything
but
community
leaders,
college
staff
and
students
gather
to
celebrate
a
long
awaited
much-needed
addition
to
the
campus
in
the
form
of
a
23
million
dollar.
Seventy
six
thousand
square
foot
academic
partnership
center.
It's.
C
A
joy
to
be
here,
it's
wonderful
to
participate
in
this
in
the
celebration.
It's
not
just
a
fantastic
milestone
for
Normandale,
Community,
College
and
the
communities
it
serves,
but
a
remarkable
gift
to
our
students,
who
are
the
ones
who
will
enjoy
through
the
work
that
our
faculty
will
do
in
this
facility.
G
The
dedication
of
this
new
partnership
center
is
another
example
of
how
we've
seen
normandale
grow
from
a
small
community
college
to
what
it
is
today.
One
of
the
largest
and
best
colleges
in
the
state
of
Minnesota
normandale
is
not
only
grown
physically,
but
also
grown
tremendously
in
all
the
academic
programs
that
are
now
offered
normandale
being
able
to
offer
bachelor
and
master's
degrees
is
really
a
significant
achievement.
You
know
I've
always
said
that
Bloomington
is
a
great
town.
G
A
lot
of
good
things
are
happening
here
and
I
think
we
can
now
proudly
start
to
call
ourselves
a
college
town
also
and
I.
Think
that's
just
a
great
thing
and
a
wonderful
thing
to
see
location
plays
an
important
role
in
people's
opinion
about
where
they
live
and
does
their
ability
to
get
from
place
to
place.
Ease
of
bicycle
travel
in
Bloomington
was
rated
68%,
excellent
or
good
by
the
residents.
Availability
of
pass
and
walkway
trails
was
rated.
G
G
In
fact,
we
are
doing
lots
of
things
to
make
transit
biking
and
walking.
Experience
is
better
for
people,
since
the
adoption
of
the
city's
alternative
transportation
plan
in
2008,
the
city
has
implemented
and
completed
multimodal
accommodations
across
the
city.
Some
of
these
improvements
include
adding
more
than
19
miles
of
on
road
bike
lanes
and
pass
adding
almost
2
miles
of
new
off-road
trails,
while
reconstructing
and
upgrading
almost
eight
miles
of
existing
off-road
trails
and
paths.
G
The
alternative
transportation
plan
has
been
a
valuable
tool
to
assist
the
city
and
filling
gaps
in
the
multimodal
system
to
connect
existing
trail
systems
as
well
as
regional
trail
systems.
The
ease
of
car
travel
was
given
a
positive
rating
by
respondents
and
much
above
the
national
peer
cities.
Seventy-Seven
percent
rated
the
ability
to
get
around
by
car
in
Bloomington
as
excellent
or
good
I
think
we
can
interpret
that
to
mean
that
23%
must
be
people
who
experience
494
and
West
old
shakopee
road
at
rush
hour.
G
G
The
only
work
left
on
the
project
is
to
add
and
finish
some
landscaping,
and
this
should
be
completed
yet
this
summer
the
new
interchange
improves
safety
and
mobility
along
highway
169
by
converting
the
highway
to
the
level
of
a
freeway
and
by
installing
six
new
roundabouts
to
the
freeway
exits
and
entrances
to
facilitate
all
of
the
local
traffic
circulation.
I'd
like
to
thank
Bloomington
Deputy
Director
of
Public
Works
Jim
gates,
who
played
an
instrumental
role
over
the
many
many
years
and
seeing
this
project
through
to
completion.
Where
is
Jim
Jim?
G
The
35w
and
494
interchange
is
very
important
to
the
region
and
the
state
with
nearly
500,000
cars
passing
through
the
interchange
each
day.
A
half
a
million
cars
cross
paths
here,
constructed
more
than
50
years
ago.
The
interchange
is
showing
its
age,
with
congestion
and
safety
being
its
major
drawbacks.
The
ability
to
effectively
move
the
public
through
these
corridors
to
their
destination
continues
to
be
a
challenge
today
and
in
the
foreseeable
future,
with
a
projected
metro
area,
population
increased
by
more
than
a
million
people
in
about
the
next
15
to
20
years.
G
These
are
numbers
that
are
provided
to
us
by
the
Met
Council
in
2010
MnDOT,
completed
a
preliminary
design
report,
which
included
a
turbine,
interchange
design
as
the
preferred
recommendation.
The
project
includes
both
freeway
and
transit
improvements.
A
main
reason
this
current
plan
is
now
being
considered
is
because
it
is
less
expensive
than
the
previous
solution
and
it
can
be
built
in
phases
which
makes
it
more
affordable
over
time.
The
next
step
is
project
development,
and
this
will
be
occurring
in
2013.
G
This
development
project
step
includes
additional
preliminary
engineering
to
develop
the
chosen
alternative.
That
will
then
be
used
for
future
project
engineering
and
environmental
analysis
for
the
eventual
construction
of
the
interchange.
Securing
the
funding
for
a
project
of
this
magnitude
is
always
a
challenge
and
we
need
the
support
and
help
in
each
and
every
one
of
you
to
secure
the
funding
for
this
project
will
be
nice
down.
494
to
34th.
Avenue
brings
us
to
an
interchange.
That
is
one
of
the
key
crossroads
that
will
be
a
gateway
to
the
Minneapolis,
st.
G
Paul,
International
Airport
and
the
south
loop
with
all
of
its
future
development.
34Th,
Avenue
and
494
will
be
constructed
as
a
diverging
diamond
interchange.
This
will
be
the
only
diverging
diamond
interchange
in
the
metro
area
and
possibly
the
only
one
in
the
world
with
LRT
trains
running
through
it.
This
is
a
six
million
dollar
project
and
we
receive
4.2
million
dollars
in
funding
from
the
state
of
Minnesota.
G
The
transportation
for
economic
development
grant
fund
the
city
and
the
Metropolitan
Airport
Commission's
Mac
were
the
successful
Co
applicants
for
the
4.2
million
dollar
grant
funds,
and
the
city
of
the
Mac
will
also
share
in
the
providing
in
providing
the
remaining
1.8
million
dollars.
For
the
interchange,
we're
hoping
for
a
target
date
to
start
construction,
this
coming
June
of
2013
we're
hoping
for
it
to
be
completed
by
November
of
this
year.
G
Another
significant
set
of
projects
will
also
be
taking
place
in
the
south
loop
district.
This
aerial
graphic
depicts
an
area
south
of
south
loop,
where
there
will
be
improvements
all
along
lindahl
lane
to
the
north
and
east
of
this
mall
of
america
in
2011,
the
minnesota
state
legislature
appropriated
15
million
dollars
to
help
with
the
infrastructure
improvements
beginning
with
this
linda
lane
corridor
project.
The
city's
overall
goal
in
south
loop
is
to
create
a
distinctive
urban
center,
where
people
can
experience
both
work
and
community.
G
G
G
Fourth,
the
pedestrian
and
bike
corridor
will
connect
30th,
Avenue
and
bloomington
central
station,
and
the
fifth
element
is
the
30th
Avenue
Complete
Streets
concept
converts
a
private
access
to
a
public
street
that
connects
linda
lane
to
the
north
and
the
south
arterial
streets.
Today,
I
have
presented
to
you
about
how
our
city
is
turning
visions
into
reality.
B
Thank
you
very
much
mayor
Winstead.
As
you
have
indicated,
looming
ten
as
a
community
continues
to
move
forward
towards
its
strategic
vision.
It
is
well
reflected
by
the
depth
of
the
support
in
the
survey
results
from
the
community
key
to
the
city's.
Continuing
well-being
are
the
services
that
we,
as
the
city
organization,
provide
to
the
community.
So
how
do
we
stack
up
with
our
services
when
asked
overall?
How
would
you
rate
the
quality
of
services
provided
by
the
city
of
Bloomington
eighty-eight
percent
of
those
choosing
to
rank?
B
This
question
indicated
that
city
services
were
either
excellent
or
good.
That
placed
a
second
out
of
the
peer
cities
that
the
mayor
had
mentioned
and
how
our
public
safety
services
ranking.
Eighty-Nine
percent
of
the
survey
respondents
ranked
Police
Services
is
excellent
or
good,
which
places
us
third
among
our
pure
cities.
Ninety-Five
percent
rank
fire
services,
excellent
or
good,
coming
in
second
with
our
peers.
B
Eighty-Six
percent
of
the
residents
feel
very
or
somewhat
safe
from
violent
crime,
placing
us
fifth
in
our
pure
communities.
Seventy-Five
percent
feel
very
or
somewhat
safe
for
property
crime.
Placing
third
among
our
peers
residents,
perception
of
safety
in
Bloomington,
as
I
assume
as
true
for
most
of
our
peers,
is
much
above.
The
results
of
the
National
City
rankings,
in
addition
to
new
construction
streets,
need
to
be
maintained
to
keep
people
moving
in
a
safe
manner.
B
Transportation
services
delivered
by
the
public
works
include
our
street.
Writing
that
ranked
fifth
among
the
peer
cities.
Sidewalk
maintenance
that
ranked
fourth
traffic
signal
timing
that
ranked
third
street
cleaning
that
ranked
second
in
the
winter
snow
removal.
We
were
first
among
our
peer
cities.
B
The
folks
in
Scottsdale
didn't
get
to
answer
that
question,
but
we
are
more
than
transportation,
public
safety
services
that
build
a
quality
community.
We
are
a
catalyst
for
development,
a
link
to
housing
and
a
provider
of
other
essential
services.
We
deliver
those
quality
of
life
services
such
as
parks
and
rec
programs
and
human
services
in
our
utilities,
ranking
that
will
gladden
the
hearts
of
many,
especially
former
mayor
Neal
Peterson,
who
frequently
noted
that
drinking
and
flushing
were
key
city
services.
B
They
had
the
residents
placing
us
number
one
in
each
of
these
three
categories:
water,
sewer
and
stormwater
among
our
peers,
and
what
about
the
cost
of
those
utility
services?
Bloomington
provides
centrally
softened
water,
as
well
as
sewer
services
at
the
lowest
total
cost
for
those
services
of
our
metro
area,
competitors
for
single-family
homes
and
what
about
the
cost
of
our
property
tax
supported
services.
B
We
all
purchase
a
wide
range
of
services
from
a
variety
of
producers
and
who,
among
us,
isn't
concerned
about
the
value
received
for
the
services
as
as
checkbook
illustrates,
Police
Public,
Works
and
fire
services
make
up
seventy
percent
of
that
$66
and
four
cents
a
month.
And
what
do
the
survey
results
show
us
as
to
the
residents
feeling
about
the
value
that
they
receive
for
the
service
as
they
pay?
For?
When
asked
about
the
value
residents
received
for
the
taxes
paid?
Seventy
percent
said
it
was
excellent
or
good.
B
We
are
much
above
the
pier
ranking
at
number
four
and
to
further
frame
the
value
added
by
these
city
services.
How
do
the
city
services
that
a
homeowner
receives
from
the
city
stack
up
against
other
things
that
they
pay
for
it,
such
as
electricity
at
eighty
dollars,
a
month,
natural
gas
at
fifty
cable
TV
at
sixty
and
high-speed
Internet
at
forty
dollars
and
smartphones
at
seventy
dollars?
B
When
you
can
receive
all
those
cities,
services
at
sixty
six
dollars
and
four
cents,
including
having
a
fire
truck
fire
unit
at
your
scene,
within
five
minutes
from
dialing
911
for
four
dollars
and
fifty
six
cents
a
month
having
your
property
values,
protected
and
enhanced
by
community
development
at
four
dollars
and
twenty-seven
cents
a
month,
capital
and
debt
service
at
seven
thirty,
five,
which
primarily
goes
to
fund
infrastructure,
particularly
the
pavement
management
program.
Community
services
at
$13,
at
64
cents
for
programs
such
as
Park
and
Rec.
B
Public
works
at
thirteen
dollars
and
forty-nine
cents
a
month
to
have
your
streets
plowed
within
24
hours,
in
your
parks,
maintained
and
finally
being
able
at
22
dollars
and
seventy
three
cents
of
months
to
have
that
Polly.
First
police
officer
at
your
door
in
two
to
four
minutes
from
dialing
911.
When
you
do
have
an
emergency.
B
While
you
clearly
pay
more
in
property
taxes
on
an
annual
basis
than
just
what
comes
to
the
city,
the
city
does
receive
29
cents
of
every
dollar,
for
the
single
family,
home
and
14
cents.
For
each
commercial
property
dollar
comes
directly
to
the
city,
with
28
cents
of
that
dollar,
going
to
the
metropolitan
area,
fiscal
disparity,
spool
and
26
cents
to
the
state's
general
property
tax.
B
B
It
also
reflects
the
average
growth
in
the
total
city
levy
since
1992
today,
as
noted,
the
median
value
home
while
declining
since
2007
still
remains
above
the
1990s
median
value
growth
trend.
The
brown
line
is
the
levy
prior
to
factoring
in
the
portion
of
levy
carried
by
new
community
growth,
which,
while
adding
service
demands
also
this
new
development
also
has
helped
keep
city
property,
tax,
average
growth
to
two-point-three
percent
since
1990.
And
how
do
we
stack
up
against
our
peer
cities
in
hennepin
county
in
terms
of
monthly
property
tax
costs
for
the
median
value
home?
B
Let's
take
a
look
at
the
trend
since
2007
Eden
Prairie
has
remained
around
ninety
dollars
a
month
edina,
it
was
in
the
high
70s.
It's
now
in
the
low
90s
Minnetonka
was
in
the
mid
70s
now
in
the
mid
80s
maple
grove
that
was
in
the
high
60s
is
now
in
the
high
70s
brooklyn
park,
which
was
in
the
mid
60s
is
now
in
the
low
70s.
Plymouth
has
remained
in
the
mid
to
upper
60s
and
richfield.
It
was
at
60
is
now
in
the
mid
70s
in
bloomington.
B
Improvements
such
as
pavement
management
program
that
Bloomington
undertook
in
the
early
90s
receiving
our
first
Triple
A
from
Moody's
in
1998
and
Standard
&
Poor's
in
the
early
2000s,
with
the
achievement
of
the
third
triple-a
from
fitch
in
2004.
Out
of
more
than
19,000
municipalities
in
the
u.s.
that
seek
ratings
for
their
bond
issuance
is
represented
by
the
number
of
dots
in
this
diagram.
B
B
Third,
among
the
peer
cities
who
asked
their
residents
the
same
question,
which
is
very
good
considering
some
of
the
competitor
communities,
especially
those
that
are
in
the
Sun
Belt,
are
nearer
to
skiing
or
even
oceanfront,
but
to
improve
and
maintain
the
high
quality
of
life
for
the
long
term.
You
need
both
vision
and
top
flight
personnel
or
people
working
in
a
very
strategic
fashion.
B
Our
vision,
imagine
Bloomington
2025
to
build
and
renew
the
community
by
providing
services,
promoting
renewal
and
guiding
growth
and
an
even
more
sustainable,
fiscally
sound
manner
defines
our
strategy
to
continue
to
keep
this
community
thriving
now
and
into
the
future.
Surveys
should
not
be
conducted
to
Pat
oneself
on
the
back,
but
rather
to
guide
our
direction
and
to
continue
to
make
those
key
decisions
that
accomplish
our
community's
future
vision
and
the
survey
results
validated
that
the
residents
not
only
understand
that,
but
concur
with
the
overall
direction
with
the
city
seventy-four
percent
rating.
B
It
excellent
too
good.
That
places
us
number
two
among
some
very
top
tiered
communities
from
across
the
country,
but
we
cannot
rest
on
our
laurels.
This
year's
themes
Bloomington
its
best,
grew
from
the
results
of
our
in-depth
community
survey
this
past
year,
as
you
can
see,
the
results
provided
us
with
some
pleasant
surprises
on
how
we
stacked
up.
B
Are
the
residents
top
five
responses
for
City
action
that
would
boost
their
property
values
and
improve
their
city
along
with
the
actions
being
taken
to
help
achieve
those
number
one,
a
real
surprise,
keeping
property
taxes
as
low
as
possible?
As
noted
a
few
slides
ago,
Bloomington
continues
to
have
the
lowest
monthly
property
tax
costs
for
city
services,
for
a
median
value
home
in
hennepin
county
for
the
communities
over
20,000
number
to
redevelop
old
commercial
properties.
Bloomington
has
accelerated
its
efforts
to
redevelop
older
commercial
areas.
B
The
three
detailed
district
plans
are
a
critical
tool
that
are
you
yielding
results.
As
noted
by
the
mayor,
increased
street
maintenance
is
number.
Three
Bloomington
has
continually
funded
the
successful
payment
management
program
for
20
years.
As
well
as
making
improvements
in
our
street
and
sidewalk
snow
removal,
services
number
four
new
bicycle
and
walking
trails
that
the
mayor
addressed.
Having
completed
many
of
the
recommendations
from
the
2008
alternative
transportation
plan,
part
of
the
city's
strategic
initiatives
of
the
City
Council
this
next
year,
2013
are
updating
that
transportation
plan
for
the
next
several
years.
B
B
Well,
the
survey
results
of
this
year's
state
of
the
city
focus
on
is
the
focus
of
the
state
of
the
city.
It's
just
one
of
the
several
indicators
that
have
been
used
to
measure
progress
among
them.
The
continuous
attainment
of
financial
excellence
awards
water
quality
awards
for
Environmental,
Protection
and
snow
fighting
awards
for
safety.
B
To
make
this
survey
more
valuable
to
be
continued
to
annually,
be
conducted
to
establish
a
track
record
of
how
we
are
doing
in
continuous
quality
improvement
in
the
perceptions
of
the
residents,
as
well
as
gauging
our
progress
compared
to
our
peer
communities.
If
you'd
care
to
drill
down
further
into
the
survey
results,
please
visit
the
city's
website
at
wwc,
I,
Bloomington,
MN,
us
and
type
in
the
work
keyword
survey
up
in
the
corner,
where
you
can
type
if
we
are
not
moving
in
today's
rapidly
globalized
world,
we
are
falling
behind.
B
The
survey
provides
us
with
not
only
area
areas
of
current
excellence,
but
with
areas
in
which
we
can
be
better
overall,
even
in
areas
that
rate
well,
some
years
may
be
stronger
than
others,
but
like
Life,
Community,
Renewal
and
service
improvements
are
ongoing
journeys.
They
are
not
destinations
where
one
should
never
assume
to
where
they
have
arrived.
And
here
are
the
people
responsible
for
today's
presentation
as
well
as
there
are
many
efforts
to
continue
to
serve
you
in
the
wide
variety
of
ways
that
we
can.
B
Please
stand
if
you're
in
the
audience
as
I
read
your
name:
Tom
Bolin,
Laurie,
economy,
scholar,
Kaitlyn,
cockerel,
Matt,
Gershman,
Jim,
gates,
Janine
Hill,
who
we
owe
a
lot
to.
She
made
this
presentation
all
possible
today:
Dave
home
Eric,
jewel
Carl,
kill,
Diane
Kirby
Carolyn
Lane
Kim,
Larsen,
Larry,
Lee,
glenmark,
Agard,
Tina,
Mortimer,
Jan,
Norbeck.
Grant
Parker
blonde
ale,
peas,
shelly
peterson,
carol,
pelzel
mark
reichel,
Cindy
Rollins,
Shane,
rattling
Tim
sass,
Ruth
trip
Jim,
Yuri
and
Julie
Vogel.
G
Some
of
the
major
challenges
on
going
in
major
challenges-
really
they
were
for
the
most
part,
highlighted
in
the
presentation.
I
think
major
challenge
will
be
providing
essential
quality
services
on
an
ongoing
basis
and
not
letting
the
property
taxes
that
need
to
fund
those
services
get
out
of
hand.
So
we're
going
to
have
some
challenges
there.
Well,
it's
probably
one
of
the
other
major
challenges
is
really
revitalization
of
our
cities
and
the
neighborhoods.
B
I'd
only
add
to
that,
with
the
start
by
former
mayor
Neal
Peterson
we
can
have
to.
We
can
never
be
satisfied
with
where
we're
at.
We
continue
to
need
to
dream
better,
a
better
Bloomington,
and
we
continue
to
need
to
attract
to
people
who
will
help
make
that
happen
and
turn
those
dreams
into
realities.
I.