Dr. Karen Wills delivered a notable address focusing on the treatment of immigrants in Bloomington, expressing alarm over a recent video statement by Police Chief Booker Hodgeges. Dr. Wills, referencing her own family’s immigrant history, highlighted the complexities modern immigrants face compared to the past. She criticized the implication in the police chief’s statement that local officers might support federal immigration enforcement, urging clarity in the police’s role as protectors of all residents, regardless of their immigration status. “It was a shock to hear his video statement last week and to see the letter that came from the city council,” she stated, emphasizing the need for Bloomington police to serve as protectors rather than allies to federal agents.

Mayor Hodgeges responded, affirming that Bloomington police do not assist in federal immigration operations, asserting their primary duty is maintaining city safety. He clarified, “Bloomington officers do Bloomington work,” and stated that any assistance provided would be for public safety during federal operations, not for aiding federal agents directly.

Traffic safety concerns were another focal point, with a resident identified as Andy addressing the council about dangerous conditions at the intersections of Portland and Nicollet. Andy expressed appreciation for the city’s responsiveness to these issues but noted that while measures like signage have been implemented, their effectiveness remains limited. He suggested that a review of city speed limits might be necessary to improve traffic conditions further.

In addition to traffic safety, Andy raised an economic concern regarding gas prices in Bloomington, which he noted were consistently higher than in surrounding areas. He speculated that this discrepancy led residents to purchase gas and goods outside city limits, potentially harming local commerce and tax revenue. Andy proposed the council consider drafting a letter to petroleum companies to address the price discrepancies, suggesting that lower gas prices could encourage residents to shop locally, reducing carbon emissions from traveling outside the city for cheaper fuel.

The meeting also included discussions on Bloomington’s bike infrastructure, particularly along Nicollet Avenue. Matthew Howlet, a resident, expressed gratitude to a council member for prior discussions and criticized the proposed changes, which he argued lacked features like dedicated bike lanes and traffic calming measures crucial for promoting alternative transit options. Howlet highlighted the inadequacies of existing infrastructure, which he believed discouraged biking and walking, and urged the city to consider the long-term impacts of increased density in the area.

Council member Lona Dallessandro acknowledged the concerns raised by Howlet and confirmed that studies on the Nicollet Avenue project were ongoing, emphasizing the importance of continued communication with Hennepin County to explore improvement possibilities.

Another resident, Pam Palmer, voiced frustration over commercial vehicles in residential areas, describing them as turning neighborhoods into “industrial parking lots.” She called for better enforcement of parking regulations to address long-term street obstructions by commercial vehicles. Palmer also criticized proposed changes to trash removal services, questioning the logic of transitioning to biweekly pickups when her household generates little waste. She argued that the proposed savings were negligible and expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the changes.

A council member responded to Palmer’s waste management concerns, explaining that the solid waste department had collaborated with a consultant to develop a balanced cost structure.

Closing the public commentary, a speaker named Rob expressed gratitude for improvements in traffic conditions, acknowledging the positive impact of city engineering staff. These efforts had notably reduced parking tickets in his area.