Council introduces new city staff and proclaims AANHPI Heritage Month and Drinking Water Week

The City Council opened its April 28 meeting by introducing newly hired city employees and issuing two proclamations.

Leah Hughes introduced Dakota Kenyon as the new Community Health and Wellness Center manager; Kenyon previously managed the Williston Fitness Center in Minnetonka and holds graduate credentials in kinesiology. Dr. Nick Kelly, public health administrator, and several public-health staff introduced multiple hires by video: Caitlin Bros (WIC dietitian), Megan Drake Preya (assistant public-health administrator), Gabby Fitzgerald (health education specialist), Nadira Mohammed (substance-prevention staff with clinical pharmacy background), Samia Ahmed and Miriam Silvio (community health workers) and others. The council emphasized that public employees are "the face of Bloomington" and welcomed the new team.

Mayor Tim Bussey read a proclamation designating May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and invited Normandale Community College and community representatives to speak about a related April 30 celebration. Speakers from Normandale and local student organizations described the event and the role of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Bloomington.

The council also proclaimed May 4'10, 2025, as Drinking Water Week in Bloomington. Utility staff accepted the proclamation and noted the city's long-standing investments in water quality and infrastructure.

Those introductions and proclamations were included as introductory items on the agenda and required no council vote.