The council’s discussion centered on the approval of Zack Walker as the new city manager, a decision that comes with a substantial salary increase. The agreed-upon contract includes an annual base salary of $253,250. This adjustment aligns with a recent legislative change that repealed the salary cap for city managers in Minnesota, a move that was supported by the League of Minnesota Cities. The repeal aims to make Minnesota’s city manager salaries more competitive on a national scale, addressing past recruitment challenges. The council compared Walker’s salary with similar positions in the Upper Midwest, concluding that it falls within a reasonable range, albeit on the lower end of the $242,000 to $290,000 advertised range.

A $15,000 relocation package was also included in the agreement to assist Walker’s move from Independence, Missouri, to Bloomington, Minnesota. The contract details were overseen by a subcommittee and were deemed satisfactory by the council, despite some initial concerns about the lack of a formal probationary period. Instead, the contract provides for a performance evaluation in February 2026, followed by another in December 2026, to assess Walker’s performance and fit with the city.

Apart from the city manager’s contract, the council held a closed session to discuss emergency procedures, a topic permitted under Minnesota’s open meeting laws. No actions or decisions were made during this session, which was informational only.