The meeting began with a detailed update from Hennepin County Sheriff Whitt, who outlined the current staffing and operational challenges facing his department. The Sheriff’s Office currently employs approximately 800 full-time and 50 part-time staff members, yet significant vacancies persist, particularly among licensed deputies and detention deputies, with deficits of 35 and 5, respectively. Sheriff Whitt emphasized the impact of these shortages on the office’s ability to meet statutory mandates, stating, “That’s an impact to the Sheriff’s Office with all of the statutory mandates that I as a Sheriff have to meet.”

To address these challenges, the Sheriff’s Office has expanded its bureaus to better respond to public safety needs, despite the staffing shortages. These expansions include a dedicated Investigations Bureau, an Administrative Services Bureau focused on professional standards and training, a Court Services Bureau handling civil extraditions, and a Public Affairs Bureau emphasizing community outreach. Sheriff Whitt highlighted the importance of community engagement, stating, “Those are what we need to break down those barriers and build on those relationships.”

Sheriff Whitt also addressed the opioid crisis, noting a 500% increase in opioid overdoses over the past decade, attributing the majority of these to fentanyl. In response, the office has launched the “Focus on Fentanyl” program aimed at enhancing education and prevention efforts. “It’s not just about arresting people and locking people up. There has to be a prevention and education piece,” Whitt explained.

The council then moved to a discussion about the Bloomington Fire Department’s budget and staffing needs for 2025. Chief Steele presented the history and current status of the department, which includes 30 full-time firefighters and 76 active part-time firefighters. The department’s current staffing level only meets 60% of the total response time target of seven minutes and thirty seconds. Chief Steele noted that the department aims to staff six stations with six engines and four personnel each, which would require approximately 80 full-time and 75 part-time firefighters.

The budget request for 2025 includes two additional assistant fire chief positions, three more fire captains, and an increase in estimated costs, totaling just under $2.1 million. This budget aims to improve response times and operational efficiency, supported by a SAFER grant for the hiring of 18 firefighters. Chief Steele projected that reaching the staffing goals might take up to seven years, depending on recruitment and other factors.

Council members raised concerns about the challenges in hiring, especially as the department competes with other local departments for personnel. Chief Steele stressed the importance of adding personnel quickly to improve response times and service delivery. The department has initiated a paramedic engine program, placing a paramedic firefighter on each engine to provide quicker medical interventions.

Following the public safety discussions, the council addressed the zoning amendments for cannabis businesses. The amendments included introducing new cannabis-related zoning use types and deleting obsolete references to medical marijuana distribution facilities. Councilmember D’Alessandro raised questions about the limitation of cannabis combination businesses to the T1 zoning district and whether these businesses should be permitted in other zoning districts as well. The council acknowledged that they could revisit this decision in the future if necessary.

A public hearing on the moratorium on airport parking facilities was also held. The moratorium would be effective for up to twelve months or until the completion of a study on airport parking facilities, allowing the city to comprehensively address issues rather than reacting to individual requests for code amendments. The moratorium was proposed to cover the establishment of new airport parking facilities and suspend the acceptance of related applications during the study period.

The council then turned to the redevelopment plans for the South Town area. The proposal included a preliminary development plan that maintained retail operations while introducing a significant new retail component—a 120,000 square-foot Dick’s House of Sport. The development aims to improve pedestrian accommodations and address traffic safety concerns. Council members discussed the alignment of the proposed development with density standards and the need for enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access.

Lastly, the council reviewed the Strategic Priorities Fund, which serves as a financial resource to support initiatives aligned with the city’s long-term goals. The fund began the year with a balance of over $8.3 million, projected to decrease to approximately $5.7 million by the end of the year. Upcoming proposals included funding for neighborhood engagement initiatives, improvements to boards and commission processes, and investments in park maintenance equipment.