six minutes late. I'm going to call this listening session to order and welcome everybody for being here today. Why don't we start? We'll start since Pan's not here. We're going to start with Tara. You are up first. Come on up. What I'll have you do, you can use the microphone so everybody can hear you and then as you finish up, if you could sign
in just so we have you officially on the record and uh off we go. All right. Do you sit or stand? I have not done this. Why don't you sit if you could please? This is a little more informal. Good evening and welcome. Good evening.
Good evening. Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, council members, city staff, fellow residents, uh for the opportunity to speak. Um I have not done this before. Um I'm not here with a beef or an issue. I'm here tonight just to
simply um express my excitement for the new community health and wellness center. Um, I have been a resident of Bloomington since 2009, a homeowner since 2018 and a community leader since 2020. Um, and my excitement kind of
stems from all those roles that I've had in the Bloomington community. Um, but especially from my role as a leader in the community, specifically that leadership is with young families and specifically families with kids aged five and younger. So tonight, I'm
speaking for myself, but I'm also speaking um to the excitement that I hear from those families on a weekly basis. Our group meets weekly at parks all over Bloomington. Um and we have a small group that's been engaged by the city uh in the design process for the
community center. And um yeah, just a ton of excitement. We are so excited not to have to go to Edina, to Eden Prairie, to Shakipi, to Egan, uh to play inside all year, all year long. We love the parks here. We use all 97 of them. Um
but it's really hard to play six months out of the year in our climate. Um we're excited to mix with all age groups. um that is something we don't really have an opportunity to do outside of what happens here um at the farmers market and other arts things that the city
does. Um so we're just really excited. I also know that Creekide closed last Friday and that brings tremendous sadness. I have Creekide seniors in my own neighborhood. We probably all do and I think that excitement can coexist with
that sadness. Um and if I have do I have one minute? You got a couple minutes. Okay, I think you might be also Tara if you can explain who you are. I obviously know Todd Pod, but my I may have forgotten the most important part. My name is Tara Owens. Um, and my group
that I run is called Todd Pod. So Todd Pod is short for toddler and pod is just a a group. And so again, it's that age range of kids five and younger and their parents. So everything we do, um, parents and caregivers come along with their kids. It's not daycare. It's not
preschool. It's community building. It's the kind of stuff that happens um already in our city, but maybe just not in an organized way at a facility that's open to all ages. Is that kind of help? Thank you,
Mayor Busy. Um but I wanted to share I stopped into Creekide last Friday um just to sort of honor what happened there. I personally wasn't part of that, but I know how much it means to many. And they have several messages all over the bricks cuz the building is slated to
be demoed. Um, and one of these kind of summed it up for me, uh, kind of taking in all that was there. And I just want to read it. It's three stanzas. It's kind of a poem. Creekide wasn't just a place. It was where we belonged where
stories unfolded. We grew old with grace and every soul left a mark. It held more than programs. It held laughter, loss, friendship, and a shared heartbeat. As we leave this building behind, we carry
it with us in every memory, every connection, and every step we take from here. And that's really sad. It is. Um, but I had the thought, what if we replaced Creekide with this new
building? And wouldn't that be an epitap 50 years from now when that building is old and needs to be rehabbed or replaced if that sentiment was something we built with all ages together? And so I think
that's why I wanted to share it here today is that I think we can both be sad that Creekide is ending as we've known it, but something greater is um about to be born. So thank you for the time. I just wanted to express that sincere excitement on behalf of families with
young children in this city. Thank you and thank you for sharing that because whoever came up with that and on the walls of Creekide was certainly a poet and well done. So thank you for for sharing that with us. Any questions or
comments? All right. Thanks much. Appreciate it. Scott Ferson. Good evening. Welcome. You can sign in after you get done with that. Hi, my name is Scott Carlson. uh born
and raised Bloomington 1960 watch after a lot of changes. Thanks for having us, Mayor Council. Um we uh are in the middle of u trying to bring something new to uh Bloomington that we've had in multiple
cities and that is a need for specific housing types. And what we're really trying to do is to form a product called a villa product. And it's a villa product is a senior
onele living um that's very very important all through um the cities. Uh if you look at this page here, this is kind of what we're looking to do. It's just property is just south
of Dreadscott and we'd have probably 15 of those units in here and it's a way to keep to get that middle inventory opened up and to move some people into the new housing area um on the one level living. And then we also, if you go to the
second page there, this is more of a two-story product. Again, that's for the aging persons um who maybe bought a town home in the '9s and this is a new one for them to stay in the community. And both the product types we put in there
is elevators included. So, it's a way for keep a little bit longer and stay in the pro, you know, into the properties. And that's kind of the idea. We want to really energize that area going south the DreadScott down to the river. That being said, I did put in
here a visual of the Wooddale product. Um, and if you look to this site, this is exactly what's gone in there. But they didn't call it a villa product back then because it was just single family. And
this is what they look like. You know, people my age are looking for not a lot of land, but they want it separate because they don't want to deal with insurance companies today or associations today. And it gives our group a chance to move
up. So, if you look at the following page, this is the issue. when we've been I've been meeting with the city a couple different times and very helpful, very kind, but the reality is is they said, "But we like what you have, but we just don't have anything to fit it right
now." And I'm here to find out is is that going to be something that they said they want it, but it's not there. So, I guess the question I have is, do I ste stay here, keep pushing this, or do I move on with something different? And that's really the kind of feedback I was
looking for. They made it sound as though they were looking to do it. I didn't know what that meant because I know they've got a lot of interm changes and things going on. So, with that being said, again, it gets back to the villa product which Bloomington doesn't have. It is in all the surrounding areas, you
know, between Minnetonki Eden Prairie. Just not that you need to be that, but the product is available. smaller lots. And really the only difference if you go back [Music] to this page, you can see that whole
neighborhood down 107th down there by the bridge. If you see the red line I drew on there, that's what a villa product would look like. So basically, the only thing different from this is that they would lose some backyard. And here it's just going into the river
valley. And I don't I don't know that it's a problem to give that back to the city. Let me ask you, Scott, please. The issue with the city, is it is it the minimum lot size? Is it the fact that it's a slab as opposed to a basement? Nope. There's basements in these two as
well. Yep. It's just simply the size of the lot. The lot size. Okay. And I think more over than now is density is a good thing. And if you can keep the price down to bring more people into the areas is energizing. And really that's really what we want to create out there. Salt of dread. got that's really the idea. Be
happy to share any questions. Some questions. Yeah, thank you. Let finish. My understanding is it's the lot size. It's also the height of the twotory units as well as the potential utilization of a private road and private utility. I could address those
very quickly. If you look at the picture of it right there, this is my twotory product. I brought that for that question. There's some neighbors who all live in one level living there. say you shouldn't have a two-story house in this neighborhood. So, it's actually
my point is we have an ordinance with these are dry. It meets the ordinance though. Okay, good. So, there it is. That is that is the units that they were disappointed about and I thought it looked very attractive and that's kind of what we were gearing for. There is
access there. They don't want a uh private road connected. That's really what their concerns are. And we are only, our whole project only goes two to 300 feet off of um Bloomington Ferry Bridge. So really, a fire truck could stop there in Bloomington Ferry and
fight a fire 200 feet away if they had to, but they don't. We're surrounded by roads. They're private roads, but we're surrounded by them. So for those two things, I thought it'd be a nice project. We have probably 15 units coming in, and it'll be beautiful.
people can stay here and have a have a new home and that's our goal. Mayor, if I might just very quickly, I'd like to connect with you offline. You may find that I'm one of the more pro housing people here. Um I've also talked to the neighborhood there and so I'd like to just connect with you on some of the
issues that have been raised and see and and I would be happy to do that. In fact, we had a neighborhood meeting already with the neighbors. In fact, my wife and I sold them to the neighbors back in the 90s. Awesome. So we it was a good thing but now they just don't want a connection. The in the interesting
connection was put in there with a hammerhead to be connected in the future. I'm going to cut you off because we have time here. But I do want to say I mean I take the opportunity if council member Nelson wants to do which I absolutely would do that you are looking at a group of people here who are looking for
solutions to housing in the city of Bloomington. We just passed ordinance changes just last week or a week before regarding duplexes and triplexes and so on. And I know we've got part two on our agenda of things we can do to to basically meet this what we're calling the missing middle something between the
single family and the 400 unit apartment building. Something in between there. Perfect. Let's continue this conversation. I don't know if your timeline is you need an answer by next week because that ain't happening. But I mean we could at least continue this conversation. I think it's worth it. I appreciate it and I look forward to it.
Thank you. Thank you. Johnson. Brian Johnson. So um we've had this law for 17 years. So I think we can wait another couple weeks and uh so uh my name is Ryan Johnson, Bloomington resident. Also have
my business in Bloomington on 83rd in Pillsbury. Right. Mark 44 is the name of my company. I graduated from Kennedy in 1990. Was born in Bloomington. My parents were school administrators. My wife teaches at uh was at Washurn now Rididge View. So
all three of my kids graduated from Jefferson. We bought this lot with my brother-in-law Pete when my kids were just being born basically. So we had it 17 years and kind of just been waiting to do the right thing. And I think with now with the with what Scott and Lisa
want to do, I think it does make sense. So we're kind of, you know, piggybacking and working in conjunction with them. Um really what we want to discuss, continue that conversation. Really would like the villa idea. Um and then we've been working with planning on, you know,
different fire options and what what have you too. So what we passed out is, you know, something that if we just developed on our own, but I think maybe even makes more sense to potentially combine if if this villa product is uh which which makes all the sense in the
world, we think. So um yeah, we're here to advocate for it, answer any questions, you know, that Sean and any of the rest of you guys have. And uh any questions or need additional clarification on top? Thank you. Hi, thank you for being here.
So you have you have this this piece of the the puzzle here and is is one you're talking where the bluff facing ours actually you know gets right up to where the bluff protection zone starts but everything we have is not infringing. Okay. And the previous speaker had the other sections and so you're looking to
maybe go together and combine them into Yeah. Whatever makes sense. They actually have the same look the same. I think it's a great opportunity for for the city and for this to take a couple parcels of land and do the right thing. So Okay. Yeah. That's awesome. Thank you. Other questions,
comments, your time frame that you guys were thinking about? Uh we we're ready to move. We've kind of been ready to move because we got busy with other things a long time ago. And part of part of what the problem was is and part of why I think it should move is, you know, that lot that's between the one that
they own and that is, you know, they have a contingent. So it's it's available. But if they do something different on the top and we do something different on the bottom, it's going to look like an odd. I mean, I think there's an opportunity here since we have a good working relationship, I
think, to do something. So, yeah. So, sooner than later, but not Yeah, we don't want to wait a year to find out if it's a possibility. So, yeah, I mean, if if if you're trending this direction, we would like to push them, I guess. And it's I actually want to live. So I
currently live on 11700 normally bought it but built that house bought the lot built it lived in right by Dread Scott in those little uh kind of town homes detached town hall. So that's kind of what this idea is except next level. This would be
retirement level. Yep. Uh well you're correct in saying yeah we are trending in this direction. We're trending in the direction as I said earlier of just trying to find different options. Sure. Yep. And so, uh, actually the city attorney and I were sitting here whispering to each other, "What is the bill? What are we talking about here?" Yeah. And so, I mean, to understand this
a little bit better helps. And on this side, our city administrators, uh, I know that with conversation we've had, they'll be bringing this with the planning staff, understand a little bit better the conversations that have already taken place and figure out if and where we're going next. Yeah, sounds good. If I may, very quickly. Yeah.
Yeah. I was going to say really all I need is some variances. um to move forward with the product. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, sir. Split up. This is a perfectly good brown
up. Sure. Good evening. Welcome. Hello, mayor. Hello. Hello, Mayor. Hello, council members. Thank you for having me. Uh, apologies if I'm a little flushed. Uh, they're replacing the roof at my condo building and I haven't had AC since Friday. Uh,
so I am Christopher Campbell. I'm born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. I've lived in quite a few other places around the country since then. And, um, most uh, in 2020, I was living in Vegas. And uh I had met a Bloomington native uh when she was out
there uh earlier before CO took over and uh once the lockdown happened in Vegas uh you know we were in touch every day and she invited me here and it's 5 years later now um and we're engaged now. So,
so um I first of all I just wanted to acknowledge uh the police department's recent operation against the sexual criminals. I was reading about that. Um really support that and uh that's partially why I gave me the confidence to bring this to your attention today.
Um I'm not really civically minded so much. Um, but this seems like such a obvious thing that and basically people are putting dangerous things out into the the market and uh I'm sure the citizens citizenry
of Bloomington is being affected by it. Um, this is not a comprehensive overview of all the illegal places to get cannabis products right now, but it's just an example of
how it's going down currently. Um, with all these unregulated, untacked products. And uh on the last page, you can see the AP article from uh 2019 where all these fake vaporizers were going all around the country and people
got sick and died. And I don't want to see a a repeat of that here. And uh the dealers seem to be quite emboldened these days because they think it's it's easy street. Um and that um you know,
and there's a lot of factors along with that. It's the products are not tested. They're not taxed. Um I assume they would sell them to miners and uh you know it just uh and unfortunately I know it's really not your problem. The federal government
kind of created with the hemp bill and then um the state government kind of dropped the ball with getting their authority over the whole thing and uh this is where we're at now. And uh and so your concerns are primarily with
items sold online. Is that correct? Yeah. Um but these aren't storefront, right? No, but there have there's all sorts of popup events all over the place. So, and you know, you could just bring a hundred fake things to that and sell them all and nobody knows who you
are and you they'll never see you again. So, um you know, that that that's kind of what's happening. And I know especially in Minnesota uh the consumers around here are not necessarily educated as to what to look
for, what not to look for, etc., etc. And what's also happening is these bad actors are coming to people like they're direct messaging people and solicit like, "Hey, do you want to buy some
weed?" And a lot of people are going to say, "Sure." It seems like a nice guy. That's my example on the last page there. Um, sorry I didn't really have a good outline in my head, but uh, I appreciate you bringing this forward. We, uh, traded emails with the, uh, the chief of police and and he appreciates
this and and thanks. You're right. There there's not a lot we can do here. So, I think this public information kind of stuff is good. I appreciate you bringing it forward. I encourage you to I mean, if the police if you see something blatantly illegal, don't be shy about making the call. And uh there's also as
you know as effective as they might be the office of can cannabis management at the state level. I mean if there's something that's obviously uh uh in violation of the law to report it too. Yes. Yes. I am definitely getting active online with trying to get the word out just trying to get people educated and
everything. I just uh you know um and if if anyone ever has any questions about you need a followup on this you know I'm always available. So that's about it. Council, any questions? Very quick one. Um, thanks for being here. Appreciate it. Um, is the is the
goal the long-term goal that you have that there would be some kind of federal certification process so that you would know that the product is safe and and and regulated in that way? Is that the idea here? Absolutely. Um, because one of the main things with cannabis that people don't realize is the THC level is
kind of secondary. the tarpen are what really affects people and that can those are not usually there's not that many states that actually require those to be listed on the labels. Um I Illinois does um and I think it's in the bill here too
the law here too but um yeah thank you. Thank you. We are on time. Thank you much. Please remember to sign in. Appreciate it. Thank you much. Okay. turned off. Hi, my name is Linda Lang. I was here a
couple weeks ago and gave some comments about Creekide and I'll help you look back at those and take them seriously about the bathrooms and the parking and those sorts of things. I did get a chance to look at the floor plan in the interim and I did attend the uh party that you held at Creekide on Friday,
which I very much appreciated. Um, it was sad for me. You know, I'm a long-term Bloomington. Uh, I was uh not born here, but I was raised here, class of 74. My parents left their house to me and my husband, and I'm moving back to
Bloomington, 9125 Kell. And uh so I looked at the floor plan and I I have heard comments from my neighbors that the creek side is not being wellreceived and they're they're elderly. Um I'm worried that it really presents
itself as a subsidized public health club and that it's trying to be all things to all people. That you've crammed a lot in here. Um I should have timed myself. I said I would do that last time I was here. So, I'm not going to talk too much. What What minute do
you have? Minute seven right now. Okay, good. Four minutes left. Okay, good. So, I'm I'm worried that this will really be um very well not well received. Um and I wanted to make some comments. The catering storage area to the extent that
it has cooking facilities updated to be available like Creekide and have a big room next to it where you could have 150 people. I think that's great. I think that's super. people don't know about that. So, I found out that um the multi-purpose rooms, I think it would be
to your advantage to publish um the proposed agenda for those rooms. The the comments that I'm getting are that there aren't enough rooms and seniors are not going to be a big part of those rooms. And when you look at the floor space,
just the square footage in the the floor plans that you've published, you know, that red area is not very big. Okay. the gym and the pool and the public health and the cafe and the la da da. Okay. So, that would be my suggestion that you
prove by publishing a proposed, you know, exploratory programming for those rooms so seniors get the mo message that they're not abandoned. How am I doing on time? You're halfway done. Okay. So, um, the pool room, I think this is
going to be the most expensive piece of property that the city will be responsible for. Um, the cost of the building, heating, cooling, maintenance, staffing, ensuring the pool is, in my view, way too small. 25 meters is tiny. It's really not a swimming lap pool.
There's only five lanes. that room is cluttered with uh things that are fun for children, which is fine, but it's very expensive to run all of this. I think the room, if it's popular, will be seriously overcrowded. Um, and who wants to swim
in that kind of an atmosphere where the children are playing and that sort of thing and you have to worry that how they're doing? Lifeguards can only do so much if it's popular. I think the locker rooms are too small for the pool. And as for as for the gym, every school in the
city I think has a gym. So I'm not sure why we're building one, too. I don't quite get it. Um so anyway, this abandonment I think is really an important issue. And um you know, putting a pool table in a public a in
the public atrium is really not up to snuff and I'm not impressed. Anyway, so uh the last two minutes, a minute and a half, minute and a half, minute and a half, I wanted to talk about this issue of sidewalks. I looked at the map, 91 miles of of sidewalks that would be
turned over to the owners to plow the sidewalks when it's snowing. I I think that speaks to the fact that Bloomington is really not a walkable city. Okay. Um that's a small number of the roads that we have. I understand that it's a huge
burden for the city to plow those sidewalks and I don't have any sidewalks. So, this is just my kind of reading what's going on here. We're putting a lot of effort into a very expensive community center that's going to be all things to all people, but the
people who are going to most be hurt by not having the city plow their sidewalks or the people are old who's lived here a long time. they're already paying perhaps the neighbor child or a service to do their their driveway and it's just another expense. It's another cost shift
by the city onto the property owners. And we already know that people don't like tax increases, but this is a a reverse tax increase. We're going to give you the work that you paid your taxes for and we're going to give it to you. So, I I really hope that you will nyx this idea
of sidewalks. I understand the budgetary appeal of it, but I don't think it's a good idea, particularly for the seniors coming on the creek side. So, thank you for listening. I appreciate it and hope you'll look at my other notes um on the mechanics of the building. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you much. So, we are down to just a minute here and I don't want to short change either of you guys in terms of uh what you get the chance to speak. Uh, I would love to invite you back next pack and we'll put you one and two on the list and make sure that you're the first ones here. Um, if that's cool because like I said,
we're already at 614 and I don't want to totally understand. Don't want to be late for our meeting. Don't want to make you late as well. So, all right. Uh, so we've got our our our uh secretary here, our assistant here is going to take your names and get your topics and we're going to get you on the list right now
and next time you'll be first and second. Wonderful. Thank you. All right, council. We are out of time here. We're with our speakers. We got our speakers for next time. Motion and a second to adjurnn the listening session. All in favor, please
signify by saying I. Opposed. Motion carries. 7. We are here. Thank you all for being here. I'm sorry about that. Sorry about the time crunch. I'm in the office for a day and a half. I never did anything.