Bloomington City Council Responds to Concerns Over Police Call Notes and Future of South Loop District
-
Meeting Type:
City Council
-
Meeting Date:
09/30/2024
-
Recording Published:
10/01/2024
-
Duration:
31 Minutes
-
State:
Minnesota
-
County:
Hennepin County
-
Towns:
Bloomington
- Meeting Overview:
The Bloomington City Council meeting on September 30 addressed community concerns, including the appearance of resident names in police call notes and the long-term planning of the South Loop District.
A resident named Sally raised a issue about her name appearing on seven police call notes despite not having contacted the police. She voiced her frustration and demanded clarity, emphasizing the seriousness of having her name associated with police documents. A council member clarified that these were not official police reports but call notes generated when officers were dispatched to a location. The member suggested that Sally’s name might have been included due to past interactions with the police. However, Sally remained dissatisfied, insisting that there must be justification for her name being included. She demanded a thorough explanation and expressed skepticism about the adequacy of previous explanations she had received from the city on other matters, such as disability parking regulations. The council member agreed to follow up with the police chief to provide Sally with a detailed explanation.
Following Sally’s concerns, an eight-year-old named MJ Healey opposed the addition of bike paths to a local creek area he frequently visits with his grandmother. MJ argued that such developments could harm wildlife and disrupt the peacefulness of the area. He shared his observations of nature, including seeing animal bones and appreciating the natural sounds. MJ highlighted the need for spaces where people can experience nature without the interference of bikes, raising safety concerns if bike paths were too close to walking paths. His plea resonated with many community members who advocate for the preservation of natural spaces.
Robert Coleman addressed the council regarding the Luther Kia application on the consent agenda, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency between the C5 District’s intent and the city’s underlying codes. He criticized a 2015 carve-out that allows flexibility in floor area ratios, arguing it undermines the district’s goal of promoting high-intensity mixed-use developments with accessible transit service. Coleman contended that this inconsistency could negatively affect future planning and funding opportunities, particularly for transit-related developments. He called for the council to reconsider how these codes interact and ensure that the intent of the C5 District is upheld in future decisions.
The South Loop District plan was another significant topic of discussion, particularly concerning the future of remote airport parking. One participant expressed concern that current plans deviated from previously established guidelines. This sentiment was echoed by another council member, who sought clarity on the matter. The discussion also touched on the existence of an agreement between the city of Bloomington and a party identified as K Anderson. A council member cautioned against labeling any such agreement as “secret,” emphasizing the importance of transparency in city planning and the accessibility of information regarding past agreements. One participant highlighted difficulties in accessing documents related to the American plan, pointing out that unarchived minutes and packets posed a systemic issue within the city’s record-keeping practices.
Public comments included a complaint about ongoing disturbances caused by a neighbor’s vehicle, primarily excessive horn beeping at late hours. The individual expressed frustration with law enforcement’s response, noting that the police left before the beeping stopped. They also described negative interactions with the neighbor, including branches being thrown over the fence and verbal confrontations. The complainant expressed concern for the safety of the neighbor’s children, who were frequently seen playing in and around the vehicle without adult supervision. The council members advised continued documentation of the noise violations and suggested reaching out to the environmental health department regarding the issue of brush and debris placement.
The council acknowledged their limited capacity to enforce neighborly conduct, emphasizing that while they could address noise violations, the situation required a nuanced approach. A member explained that noise violations are misdemeanors that could be cited. The discussion concluded with an understanding that while mechanisms are in place to address such disputes, the effectiveness of these measures might vary depending on the circumstances and the parties involved.
Tim Busse
City Council Officials:
Dwayne Lowman, Shawn Nelson, Lona Dallessandro, Victor Rivas, Jenna Carter, Chao Moua
-
Meeting Type:
City Council
-
Committee:
-
Meeting Date:
09/30/2024
-
Recording Published:
10/01/2024
-
Duration:
31 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
Minnesota
-
County:
Hennepin County
-
Towns:
Bloomington
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 11/21/2024
- 11/22/2024
- 57 Minutes
- 11/21/2024
- 11/21/2024
- 20 Minutes