The meeting commenced with Mayor Tim Busse calling the session to order and setting the agenda. One of the most newsworthy items was the recognition of the Hatch Bloomington award winners. This initiative, which has drawn considerable community interest, concluded with Grant and Nick winning the $100,000 grand prize. The Mayor highlighted the program’s success, noting its impact on local entrepreneurship and community engagement. He reported that the initiative had received extensive media coverage, with 92 articles reaching an audience of 56 million and an estimated publicity value of $650,000. The winners were presented with a check and a plaque, expressing their gratitude and excitement for the future.

The recognition of Hatch Bloomington winners was followed by an acknowledgment of another successful local business, Scrambling Eggs, which participated in a community project inspired by Hatch Detroit. The Mayor commended the team for their innovative approach, which had garnered interest from mayors across Minnesota. The team at Scrambling Eggs expressed appreciation for the support they received and emphasized the importance of their “fantastic team” in achieving success.

Following these recognitions, the Council moved on to several proclamations. The first was for Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15. The proclamation emphasized the contributions and cultural influence of the Latinx Hispanic community. The Mayor coordinated an interactive reading of the proclamation, which included historical context about the significance of the dates chosen. Local community members, including representatives from Bloomington schools and businesses, participated in the presentation, expressing gratitude for the acknowledgment and the importance of supporting local Hispanic businesses year-round.

The proclamation for the International Day of Peace, set for September 21, was also addressed. A representative from Norman Dale Community College, who accepted the proclamation, suggested that the college should have a peace pole to promote the theme of peace within the educational institution. The proclamation emphasized the need for peace amid rising global division and conflict.

Another topic was the feasibility study and business plan for a new Community Health and Wellness Center. The director of parking records introduced the item, indicating that the feasibility study phase had been completed successfully, with extensive stakeholder engagement. The study’s findings were presented, highlighting the project’s guiding principles, community engagement summary, sustainable goals, and cost assessment. The project aims to create an equitable and welcoming space for all, with an emphasis on sustainability and financial responsibility. The center is projected to operate 112 hours per week, with an estimated annual operating cost of around $6 million and a goal of achieving 60% cost recovery through various revenue-generating avenues.

The Council also discussed the operational and management plans for the new community center. Concerns were raised about the management of space within the facility and the importance of maintaining control over space allocation to ensure equitable access for all community members. The staffing structure for the community center was detailed, noting a team of 16 full-time staff members and various part-time personnel. The Council emphasized the need for experienced management and lean practices to ensure the facility’s success.

In addition, the Council addressed the project’s budgetary considerations, including hard construction costs, soft costs, and contingencies for design and escalation. The gross square footage for the building was adjusted based on stakeholder engagement and necessary space analysis. The project includes plans for parking, outdoor program spaces, and stormwater management facilities.

The meeting also included a discussion on the neighborhood identity project, with a funding amount of $87,000. Concerns were raised about the public perception of the project and its implications for neighborhood formation based on necessity or national origin. The Council decided to postpone the funding decision to integrate further discussion on strategic priorities and budget considerations.

A public hearing was held regarding the 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report concerning the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The report detailed that the city received $456,726 for the program year 2023, supporting administrative costs, fair housing initiatives, senior services, and homeowner rehabilitation assistance. No public comments were received during the hearing, and the Council moved to close it.

The final item on the agenda involved a closed session concerning real estate acquisitions related to the Community Health and Wellness Center site. The Council adopted a resolution to close the meeting for discussion purposes and later reconvened to authorize staff to take actions consistent with the discussions.