[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6092277,"mediaKeyId","2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895","parentId",2855477,"title","Council approves consent agenda, tables item 3.11 to indefinite date","audioSeconds",60,"startMs",1081000,"endMs",1141000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895&start=1081&end=1141","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092277/Bloomington-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-consent-agenda-tables-item-311-to-indefinite-date","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092277-1e6ae3e852cf883de7802e786dec55c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775692045&Signature=IbUcUo75sX0WFhUVaYAtoVV~2tFjV~1xXB13PlaH3zppNNLEf9RDyWfOKxvfMPtJ2JnTTB3yMy5KaTCxuPsPkTEkoej5c~h1NWXCPONAHKQCAiSp71iEXHEy~B8yFjL5hInNeqJrwys-I6t1-KNbVdbg~RmvBfZ~8v4N5xCITc7~ATJiguFMMGAdjbKfGeCWnUrfosts3pr5ZumwwAOE7E2UgJOHU8zh8f~neB3W2kTU5n333A1uwHk2Mf4p9QsZocfCPa-bii5~W6S74nWHkVoo1wQ5jETnFe8K4JBe1bMiX-0ZjVvaELcSXKlQLb31vO9cVBuixcof4vdry1jLqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bloomington, MN","date","2025-04-01T13:23:40Z","article","At the March 31 meeting the Bloomington City Council approved the consent agenda items (3.1 through 3.11) by voice vote and then, following a request tied to closed-session conversation, voted to table item 3.11 to an indefinite date.

Council member Muir noted a hold on item 3.11. After brief discussion the council moved, seconded and voted to table item 3.11 to an indefinite date; the motion carried 6-0. The council’s earlier motion to approve the remainder of the consent items also carried 6-0.

Ending: The tabling preserves the item for future council consideration and keeps the remainder of the consent business approved as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 31, 2025 Bloomington City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved consent items for the March 31 meeting by voice vote and later moved to table item 3.11 to an indefinite date following closed-session discussion; both motions passed 6-0.","taxTitle","Bloomington City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",4372,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6092283,"Police chief reports staffing buffer, falling crime and expanding 'brain health' therapy program",1316,4057000,5373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895&start=4057&end=5373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895/thumbnail_4057000.jpg","/articles/6092283/Bloomington-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Police-chief-reports-staffing-buffer-falling-crime-and-expanding-brain-health-therapy-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092283-3867ec325b0fb9b1e6f8993d113916da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775692045&Signature=AXJTRgXHqX0OlOQuVbzvvgQuUh-jw413k5tebYR8FmXclNSifMxEdAQFNVvckGWeKDiiKIc6pf~TQB~VR7Ipbz~KD6qpWra0T47VvRb5yc61M2o7BG5KV0-qfhy27F8U4T9k8qhmjhIKf1Wc7Kj~1ccNVFbUP7m9P03Fxrikj95BoCmhOnSifY-bYmZg7fM0v3Cyu~5qbzFyaMayG3Cp8--mNujLTqYiq~CewhVxBqArsIjhqfmfCBmbQ5Y~FfiJkVl8iJEQmeF9p7J0gp55pfl9y3hqzv6Wcw~ffD~bnonDQtya3doIOSc5ILw7l0k9AuNFxLqpmFU~0ZoAn-j4Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Booker T. Hodges delivered the Bloomington Police Department’s organizational update on March 31, reporting current staffing above budgeted levels, multi-year retirement pressure, a recent decline in overall crime and rapid growth of a free therapeutic program the department operates.

Chief Hodges told the council the department currently sits six officers over authorized staffing but that retirement eligibility could remove as many as nine officers across this year and next — four eligible this year and five next — which he said would create shortfalls because it takes roughly 18 months to get a recruit fully trained and field ready. He said the department has used a cadet program to hire officers more reflective of the community.

Hodges said overall crime in Bloomington has fallen about 8% over the last three years, though he cautioned residents that neighborhood incidents remain meaningful to the people directly affected and pointed to a recent concentrated string of vehicle break-ins near the Great Wolf area. He identified human trafficking and political violence as two issues he expects to require attention over the next three to five years.

The chief highlighted the Bloomington Community Brain Health Services program, a partnership that provides immediate, free therapeutic services to people in crisis. Hodges reported the program has been busier than anticipated: staff tracked 74 individuals and couples and 477 psychotherapy sessions in February and said the program had exceeded current capacity. The program offers up to eight free therapy sessions to participants and is also being used in diversion work with the city attorney’s office for eligible cases, he said.

Hodges also noted fiscal pressures the department faces: rising vehicle costs for patrol cars, higher uniform and equipment prices and ongoing salary pressures. He said he will raise staffing and budget questions as the city’s budget process continues.

The chief closed by thanking the council for its support, noting recent awards for the department’s shared-values initiative and the brain health program, including a Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award and recognition from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.

Ending: Chief Hodges said staff will continue to monitor retirements and training timelines and that the department will work with the council on budget issues to sustain staffing, vehicle and program needs.","Police Chief Booker T. Hodges told the council March 31 the department is currently staffed six officers over authorization but faces projected retirements; crime is down about 8% over three years and the department’s free crisis therapy program has exceeded capacity.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6092288,"Council rezones 900 W. 80th St., clearing way for Rainbow Midwest indoor play use",1704,2312000,4016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895&start=2312&end=4016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6092288/Bloomington-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-rezones-900-W-80th-St-clearing-way-for-Rainbow-Midwest-indoor-play-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092288-753e714ab4a168c6d0ce1db818cce9f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775692045&Signature=gq6fc2R7~4jtP-2yvtXI2T5qVqea20tynhF3hqGCXjekAZvzdNHGl8korsOuHLggo1dbYG5zhUrM~3ZHpq87Mr9v7T8Wt~KDiMH6OLFBw4ifIO3O0H6dB~Kla6379DSSKAD71PyDiz1L~U3hmD-2rrrhWjJ1XpJJwMg8OEpcCkUa~QRKShSZCRZOOU1tqscRnWcsV34vGfif9vUfT4JXKts7z2fiAo4yQXUW8wR4PTwdJD21GJFqNqoPqwroPb91xjNT16zMQIvr5T6SEtjHzermarRsoRFBSEoXTDj5utTBKtct1MUboC-xBMUgNhVPn7A03D0RAT-YhzsIfmQOYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on March 31 approved a comprehensive plan amendment to reguide 900 West 80th Street from industrial to community commercial and rezoned the site from I-3 (general industry) to B-2 (general commercial), both by 6-0 votes. The council also authorized summary publication of the rezoning ordinance.

The actions respond to a business request from Rainbow Midwest (operating at the address for decades) to make an indoor recreation and entertainment use — private birthday parties and indoor play sessions in the company’s showroom — a permitted activity on the site. Planning staff determined the private play sessions constitute indoor recreation/entertainment and are not permitted under the I-3 zoning district.

Dakota Castende, planning staff, told the council the property sits in a part of the city the comprehensive plan identifies as a transitional industry area, where reguidings and rezonings may be appropriate on a case-by-case basis. The planning commission recommended approval of both the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning on Feb. 13 by a 6-0 vote.

John Meyer, representing Rainbow, said the business has operated at 900 West 80th Street since 1998 and has offered birthday parties and similar indoor events nearly that entire time. \"For the last 26 and a half years, we've been at our current location on 900 West Eightieth Street. We have operated since October of 98 to actually have, birthday parties,\" Meyer told the council, noting that the change would allow the business to remain in place and make its uses conforming to the zoning code.

Staff said the fire prevention division first flagged occupancy and life-safety issues for the indoor play use in September 2024 because a change from retail to assembly/occupancy class carries different code requirements. The applicant has been working with fire and building inspection staff on plan and permit-level compliance. The site also holds a 1998 conditional use permit that allowed showroom and retail sales; staff said that CUP’s conditions were aimed at retail rather than recreational assembly.

Planning staff recommended rezoning to B-2 as the most appropriate district to align the zoning map with the proposed community commercial guidance. Council members discussed alternative districts (including B-4 and a TI district studied earlier) but staff and the city attorney noted switching to a different zoning district than the one publicly noticed (B-2) would require renoticing and an additional public hearing. The applicant said B-2 would allow the business to continue and would not impair the site’s current warehouse or showroom operations.

Staff also noted two compliance items to complete regardless of the rezoning decision: removal of unauthorized outdoor storage on the east parking area and restriping that lot to provide the minimum parking required for an indoor recreation use. Meyer said the business had removed outdoor structures used for display and planned to restripe to add two parking stalls, bringing the east lot from 56 to 58 stalls.

The council approved the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning (I-3 to B-2) and authorized summary publication of the ordinance, each by 6-0 votes.

Ending: With the rezoning, Rainbow’s showroom, retail sales and indoor play sessions will become legally conforming uses at the site; the business must still complete required building, fire and life-safety permit reviews before using the space for assembly activities.","The council approved a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoned 900 West 80th Street from I-3 (general industry) to B-2 (general commercial), making a longstanding showroom and indoor play use legally conforming; the votes were unanimous.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6092291,"Bloomington council adopts changes to right-of-way permitting, sets winter moratorium and new fees",1133,1163000,2296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895&start=1163&end=2296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2855477-c86491f58151d03b50af33f46b2b7895/thumbnail_1163000.jpg","/articles/6092291/Bloomington-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Bloomington-council-adopts-changes-to-right-of-way-permitting-sets-winter-moratorium-and-new-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092291-cce74a462dc2bdf71ab4eb7e83a10d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775692045&Signature=YnosdKfbxFxvInYUcXoMi7-BfLCwObD8HDdzwUHEmnevRGCx2bD4CjO9hKIuR3zA2fKGCSGlzJ4DcYnudcU4Cnf~uwhusRKWvN5w1Aeff-jOSj9I2d9groZ04NCkCA1SARas8YNAa7AbKwNr4AmtGlgfBmgs1hqavHAeWustA0t1mIgIsWKwjAk4Pau74UvqKxthOjlBpRbqP4H13LtNZSccCWYIBotl6uoqvGM6Ax08jlpcVDv17UGvMolbHSfBlwHktP1PiFBpXKtjN2joeazRW89j7NqrHxDiJkJ3iaU3daqbyy7ORC6IRJJoUiFjPp8ifidZzu2kLyfpFs4zTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bloomington City Council on March 31 adopted an ordinance that updates the city’s right-of-way permitting and management rules, changing how the city charges for underground and aerial permits, adding restoration enforcement tools, codifying a winter moratorium and removing a local registration requirement.

The amendment, which modifies City Code Chapter 17 and Appendix A, passed on a 6-0 vote. Council also authorized summary publication of the ordinance.

City engineering staff told the council the changes respond to a surge in utility work in 2024 — driven largely by fiber-to-home installations — and repeated resident complaints about slow or poor restoration after trenching. Brian Hanson, staff presenting the item, told the council the city permitted roughly 1.6 million feet of underground and aerial work in 2024 and ran into capacity and restoration problems. He said staff is proposing four main changes: a new per-foot fee structure, clearer restoration requirements, defined winter moratorium dates and removal of a standalone city registration from the code to align with current business practice.

Under the new fee structure, the right-of-way underground permit will have a $150 base up to 100 feet and then a 30¢ per-foot charge beyond 100 feet; aerial permits will have a $120 base up to 100 feet and then 15¢ per foot after that. The city will remove a separate $36 processing fee. Hanson said an example effect is that the largest currently allowed underground permit would see a higher charge (to roughly the mid‑$900 range for a full-length permit), while comparable aerial permits would be cheaper under the new schedule because their review and inspection demands are lower.

To address restoration complaints, the code will require “substantial restoration” (defined in the staff proposal as at least 75% complete) before additional permits will be issued for the same contractor in the same service area and will set a 50,000 linear-foot in-progress maximum per applicant unless authorized by the city engineer. Hanson said that cap was chosen to allow typical service areas to be covered with a single permit while giving the city engineer discretion to extend an applicant’s allowance when appropriate.

The amendment also codifies a winter moratorium on hard-surface excavation from Nov. 15 through April 15 (or when conditions are unreasonable), language the presenter said mirrors Dakota County practice. Hanson said soft-surface restoration work may continue when conditions allow and that contractors remain responsible for warranty repairs for two years after restoration.

Finally, staff proposed removing a code requirement that applicants register locally, noting the State of Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry maintains licensure, bond and insurance records and staff already verifies those online before issuing permits. Hanson emphasized the change “does not relieve applicants of the requirements of the registration” (licensure, bond, certificate of insurance), only removes duplicate language from city code to reflect current practice.

Council members asked about enforcement and how residents would identify contractors. Hanson said residents should first contact the contractor, but the city will accept citizens’ calls and escalate cases when needed; staff will also maintain a webpage listing providers and an engineering contact number. He said staff will track fees and staff time and review the fee schedule at the end of the year to confirm cost recovery and adjust if needed.

The council adopted the ordinance and later approved summary publication, both by 6-0 votes. The ordinance is intended to streamline permitting, strengthen restoration requirements and provide clearer expectations for residents and utility providers.

Ending: The ordinance takes effect following summary publication per city code; staff said they will return at year-end with a fee-recovery review and will enforce restoration and warranty provisions during the upcoming construction season.","The City Council voted 6-0 March 31 to amend City Code Chapter 17 and Appendix A to change right-of-way permit fees, require substantial restoration before additional permits, set a winter moratorium and remove a separate registration requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda, tables item 3.11 to indefinite date

Police chief reports staffing buffer, falling crime and expanding 'brain health' therapy program

Council rezones 900 W. 80th St., clearing way for Rainbow Midwest indoor play use

Bloomington council adopts changes to right-of-way permitting, sets winter moratorium and new fees