Communications and Engagement
Communications and Engagement is devoted to educating, informing and engaging the community and the City organization. Specifically, the Department cablecasts and webcasts City Council and other meetings, produces television news shows and standalone videos, maintains the City’s websites, social media, operates public access television and generates the monthly newsletter the Briefing. The Department also uses engagement to enrich the City organization and community by building trusted relationships, civic engagement, and inclusive decision-making across Bloomington.
Communications
Communications negotiates and monitors the cable television franchise with Comcast and handles customer complaints. It also provides government programming on The Bloomington Channel 859, produces newsletters such as the Bloomington Briefing and maintains the City's website and social media accounts.
Here are some of the awards the City's Communications Division has received.
City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Savvy Award
- 2025: Resident participation – Nine Mile Creek corridor Renewal: Community Engagement
- 2024: Communications or Marketing Plans – Bloomington Forward Voter Education Plan
- 2023: Video Series – Notable Neighbor
- 2022: TV Talk Show/News – Discover Bloomington
- 2021: Special Events: Recurring Event – State of the City: A Year Like No Other
- 2019: Video – Pack Your Bags, Pondweed!
- 2018: TV Talk Show/News – Bloomington Today
- 2016: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2016: TV and Video News Programming – Bloomington Today
- 2014: Special Events: Recurring Event – The Art of Creating Community (Bloomington State of the City)
- 2013: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community
- 2013: Graphic Design – Corporate Report to the Community
- 2013: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2013: TV and Video News Programming – Bloomington Today
- 2011: Printed Newsletter – Insider
- 2010: Printed Newsletter – Insider
- 2009: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2009: Special Events – Bloomington Sesquicentennial Celebration
- 2007: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2007: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2006: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2005: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2005: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community
Silver Circle Award
- 2024: Regularly Scheduled Programming – Notable Neighbor
- 2022: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2021: Social Media Best Campaign Use – Mask Up, Bloomington!
- 2021: Annual Report – 2020 Corporate Report to the Community
- 2019: Printed Publications: External Publications – Bloomington Briefing
- 2018: Printed Publications: External Publications – Bloomington Briefing
- 2018: Special Event – Recurring Events – We Are Bloomington (Bloomington State of the City)
- 2016: Video – Bloomington Honor Guard in the Spotlight
- 2014: Printed Publications: External Publications – Bloomington Briefing
- 2012: Internal Publications – Insider
- 2010: Printed Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2007: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community
- 2004: Special Events – Bloomington Civic Plaza Debut
- 2002: Intranet – CityBIZ
- 2001: Most Creative – Tech Team Report
- 2000: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 1999: One-time Video – Bloomington: Where the Water Touches the Bluffs
Award of Excellence
- 2025: Regularly Scheduled Programming – Notable Neighbor
- 2024: External Publications - Bloomington Briefing
- 2023: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2022: Digital Interactive: Electronic Newsletter – Insider
- 2021: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2018: Annual Report – 2017 Corporate Report to the Community
- 2013: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2011: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2010: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community
- 2008: Internal Newsletter – Insider
- 2008: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2006: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community
- 2005: External Newsletter –Bloomington Briefing
- 2003: Intranet – CityBIZ
- 2003: Annual Report – 2002 Corporate Report to the Community
- 2002: External Newsletter – Bloomington Briefing
- 2001: TV/Video – At Your Service
- 2000: One-time Video – 2000 and Beyond
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA)
First Place
- 2017: Video Journalism – Bloomington Today at its Best
- 2005: Public Affairs – A New Use for Old Town Hall
Second Place
- 2017: Arts and Entertainment – Hairspray Gets Fancy with Foam Wigs
- 2005: Public Affairs – Bloomington Today: 2004 Year in Review
- 2003: Public Education – Public Works: A Blueprint for Opportunity
- 1999: Public Education
Third Place
- 2018: TV Journalism –The Stories of Bloomington Today
- 2017: Public Education – How Does Drinking Water Get to Your Faucet?
- 2004: Public Affairs – Bloomington Today: 2003 Year in Review
- 2003: Public Affairs – Bloomington Today: 2002 Year in Review
- 2000: Profile of a City/County – 2000 and Beyond: A Bloomington Odyssey
- 1999: Documentary Profile
Minnesota Association of Government Communicators
Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024: Communications Administrator Janine Hill
Northern Lights Award
*Nominated for best of show
- 2025: Social Media Engagement – Embracing trends in City social media
- 2025: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine Programming – Bloomington Today
- 2025: Video Campaign or Series – Notable Neighbor video series
- 2024: Special event category – State of the City: Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together.
- 2024: Annual report category – Corporate Report: Bloomington. Tomorrow. Together.
- 2024: Promotional video category – Top Fun: Highway to the Open House
- 2024: Agency, event, program or service video category – Sidewalk Snow Removal Priorities
- 2023: Annual Report – Hope on the Horizon
- 2023: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine – Discover Bloomington
- 2023: Video Campaign or Series – Bloomington Collective
- 2023: Community Interest Video – Notable Neighbor
- 2022: Special Event – 2021 State of the City*
- 2022: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine – Bloomington Today
- 2022: Community Interest Video – Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers
- 2021: Instructional Video – Buckthorn Bust: How To*
- 2020: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community 2019*
- 2020: Illustration or Graphic – Bloomington Engagement Vehicle (BEV)
- 2019: Agency, Event, Program or Service Video – Wanted: Bloomington Bus Drivers
- 2019: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine – Bloomington Today
- 2019: Video Short – Pack Your Bags, Pondweed!
- 2018: Community Interest Video – The Story Behind the Butterflies
- 2018: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine – Bloomington Today
- 2018: Promotional Video – Dog Sledding at Bush Lake Beach
- 2018: Special Event – 2017 State of the City (We Are Bloomington)
- 2018: Video Short– Bloomington Police Welcomes Super Bowl Visitors
- 2017: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community 2016
- 2017: Social Media/Engagement – Bloomington's #RunningManChallenge*
- 2017: Best for Least – Bloomington's #RunningManChallenge
- 2016: News Magazine Programming – Bloomington Today*
- 2016: Newsletter or Magazine Printed Publications - Insider
- 2016: Social Media/Engagement - Mining Old Photos in Search of Facebook Gold
Silver Award
- 2025: Annual Report - Moving Bloomington Forward Annual Report
- 2025: Newsletter or Magazine - Bloomington Briefing
- 2025: Community Engagement - Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal: Communications and Engagement
- 2025: Video Campaign or Series - Bloomington Supports Businesses
- 2024: Newsletter and magazine category – Bloomington Briefing
- 2024: News program category – Bloomington Today Refreshed
- 2024: Public information project category – Bloomington Forward
- 2024: Video campaign or series category – Notable Neighbor
- 2023: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine – Bloomington Today
- 2023: Special Event – State of the City: Hope on the Horizon
- 2022: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing
- 2022: Annual Report – 2021 Corporate Report to the Community
- 2022: Video Campaign or Series – Bloomington Collective
- 2021: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing2020: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing
- 2020: Community Engagement – Life in Bloomington Photo Series
- 2019: Annual Report – Corporate report to the Community 2018
- 2019: Community Interest Video – The Mayor of Hopkinsville
- 2018: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community 2017
- 2018: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing
- 2017: Newsletter or Magazine – Insider
- 2017: Interview, Talk Show, News Magazine – Bloomington Today
- 2017: Community Interest Video – Ice Arena Manager Retires After 45 Years
- 2017: Special Event – State of the City 2016
- 2016: Newsletter or Magazine Printed Publications - Bloomington Briefing
Bronze Award
- 2025: Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine Programming - Discover Bloomington
- 2025: Special Event - Moving Bloomington Forward: 2024 State of the City
- 2024: Community interest video category – Snowplow Heroes
- 2023: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing
- 2022: Video Campaign or Series – Council Minute
- 2021: Promotional Video – Visual Translations Art Exhibit
- 2021: Social Media Engagement – Mask Up, Bloomington!
- 2021: Video Campaign or Series – Council Minute
- 2020: Special Event – Bloomington in Focus: State of the City 2019
- 2019: Photography – Bloomington Honor Guard: Standing For Those Who Have Fallen
- 2019: Special Event – State of the City 2018
- 2017: Newsletter or Magazine – Bloomington Briefing
- 2017: Promotional Video – TRAIL Helps Adaptive Softball Players Play Ball
- 2016: Video Campaign or Series – Art in the Loop
- 2016: Annual Reports - 2015 Corporate Report to the Community
Award of Excellence
The Award of Excellence was MAGC's top-tier award until it was retired after 2015.
*Nominated for best of show
- 2015: Social Media Engagement – The Race to 2,000 Likes
- 2015: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2014*
- 2015: Video, Informational – Staying Active Has No Age Limit
- 2015: Periodical Printed Publication, External – Bloomington Briefing
- 2014: Corporate Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2013
- 2014: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing
- 2012: Corporate Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2011
- 2011: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2010
- 2011: Periodical Printed Publication, External – Bloomington Briefing
- 2011: Periodical Printed Publication, Interna – Insider *
- 2011: Video, Informational – All About Water
- 2010: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2009*
- 2010: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing *
- 2010: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2009: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2008*
- 2009: Internal Periodical – Insider 2009
- 2009: Special Events – Bloomington Sesquicentennial Celebration*
- 2009: Websites – CityWEB Sesquicentennial Redesign
- 2008: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2007
- 2008: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing
- 2008: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2007: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2006
- 2007: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing
- 2007: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2006: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing
- 2006: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2005: Annual Reports – Corporate Report to the Community 2004
- 2005: Local Programming Video – A New Use for Old Town Hall
- 2005: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2004: Special Events – Bloomington Civic Plaza Debut
Award of Merit
The Award of Merit recognized meritorious entries until it was retired after 2023.
- 2023: Community Interest Video – Farewell to David Fong’s
- 2023: Video Campaign or Series – Bloomington Pioneers and Changemakers
- 2023: Social Media Engagement – Instagram Revived
- 2021: Community Interest Video – Bloomington Yesterday: Pahl Family Farm
- 2019: Public Information Project – Pack Your Bags, Pondweed!
- 2018: Agency, Event, Program or Service Video – Oak Grove’s New "Kids" at School
- 2018: Newsletter or Magazine – The Insider
- 2015: Recurring Event – State of the City 2014
- 2015: Video, Promotional – Meet Laurie
- 2015: Video, Informational – Made in Bloomington: Nechville Musical Products
- 2014: Internal Periodical – Insider
- 2014: Video, Informational – Firefighters Make Dreams Come True
- 2014: Video, Internal – What Do Snowplow Operators Do in the Summer?
- 2013: Annual Report – Corporate Report to the Community 2012
- 2013: Periodical Printed Publication – Newsletters, Magazines For External Audience – Bloomington Briefing
- 2013: Periodical Printed Publication – Newsletters, Magazines For Internal Audience – Insider
- 2012: Periodical Printed Publication – For External Audience – Briefing
- 2012: Periodical Printed Publication – For Internal Audience – Insider
- 2012: Video – News or Talk Show – Bloomington Today
- 2011: Video, Informational – City Faces
- 2009: External Periodical – Bloomington Briefing
- 2009: Video – Where the Water Touches the Bluffs: A Sesquicentennial Edition
- 2008: Websites – CityWEB
- 2006: Local Programming – Bloomington Today: Year in Review 2006
- 2005: Instructional Video – Who Wants to be a Snowplow Driver?
- 2004: Public Service Announcements – Only on Cable
- 2004: Internal Periodicals – Insider
City Hall Public Information Awards
- 1998: Award of Merit – Bloomington Briefing
IABC - District 4
- 2004: Award of Merit, Special Events – Bloomington Civic Plaza Debut
League of Minnesota Cities
- 2004: City Achievement Award, Communications – Bloomington Briefing and Insider
Twin Cities ITVA
- 2000: Award of Merit, Special Budget – Bloomington: Where the Water Touches the Bluffs
Women in Communications, Inc. - Twin Cities Chapter
- 2004: Award of Merit, Special Events
Bloomington Briefing
Published monthly, the award-winning Bloomington Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses. Each June, the newsletter includes two special inserts: the City's annual Corporate Report to the Community and Water Quality Report.
The last nine months of the Briefing are available online. If you are interested in obtaining a back issue, contact the Communications and Engagement Department.
Media Releases and Inquiries
View media releases sent out by the City of Bloomington.
Send media inquires to:
Janine Hill
Director of Communications and Engagement
jhill@bloomingtonmn.gov
952-563-8819
Bloomington Community Access Television (BCAT) is a community media center based in Bloomington, MN. Residents can become members of the facility, take production classes in studio, digital camera, and post-production editing, and learn how to create their very own television show that will air on our local cable channels.
Bloomington TV programming can be viewed on the following channels:
- BTV1 Comcast Channel 859/HD
- BTV1 Comcast Channel 14/SD
- BTV2 Comcast Channel 797/HD
- BTV2 Comcast Channel 17/SD
BTV1 schedule of upcoming shows
Watch online with the BTV1 livestream. Many videos produced by the City are also uploaded to the City's YouTube channel.
Watch meetings and other programming
City Council
- City Council meetings, usually held on Monday evenings, are shown live on BTV 859 HD / BTV 14 SD. See dates and times of upcoming meetings.The meetings are typically rebroadcasted the following Wednesday at 6 p.m., and Thursday at 12 a.m., 6 a.m. and 12 p.m..
- Visit the past meetings section of the City meetings webpage to view recent meetings online, and for information about accessing video of older meetings.
Planning Commission
- Planning Commission meetings, usually held on Thursday evenings, are shown live on BTV 859 HD / BTV 14 SD. See dates and times of upcoming meetings.The commission's meetings are typically rebroadcasted the next day (Friday) at 12 a.m., 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- Visit the past meetings section of the City meetings webpage to view recent meetings online, and for information about accessing video of older meetings.
Bloomington Today
- This magazine-format news show covers the City Council, City services, City staff, development in Bloomington and other governmental issues. The show airs Wednesday through Monday on BTV 14 / 859 (HD) and is also available on YouTube.
Other programming
- Bloomington City Information Television (BCIT): Government access cable television provides information about government and community programs, services, events and issues. Programs may be entertaining, but our main purpose is communicating information. BCIT also covers other governmental and community partner events and meetings that deal with governmental issues.
- Bloomington Educational Community Television (BEC): Serves cable subscribers with educational and school based programming from all of Bloomington's public and private educational institutions. BEC can be viewed on Channel 799/HD and 15/SD.
Program guidelines
Any program produced by the City of Bloomington's governmental organizations may be cablecast by BCIT on The BTV 14 / 859 (HD). Programs produced by other governmental agencies or other community organizations may be cablecast on behalf of BCIT, provided they have interest and value for the citizens of Bloomington. Such programs shall also be subject to the approval of the City Manager or the City Manager's representative.
Programs that contain, in whole or in part, any of the following subject matter will not be cablecast by the government access organization:
- Commercial message or material: Anything promoting a product or a service, with the primary objective of producing a monetary profit for a specific commercial organization or individual, may not be aired in a BCIT program. This is not to preclude the incidental mention of a business or product, as part of a program, where the primary purpose is to disseminate information of public benefit. Businesses, individuals and organizations may be acknowledged for assistance in the production of a program or the provision of other means of support.
- Political campaigning: Government access programming will not be used for political campaigning by individuals or organizations seeking public office or legislation. BCIT cannot be used for solicitation of funds nor for political purposes. This is not to preclude the cablecasting of political debates or candidates' meetings, provided that fairness and equal time rules are followed. Also not precluded shall be the possibility of cablecasting reports by current elected officials regarding the status of issues and other governmental business, providing again, that fairness and equal time rules are followed where applicable.
- Religious material: Programming generally considered religious in nature will not be allowed. Program material that would advocate a particular religious belief will also not be produced by BCIT. Religious organizations or ideals may be mentioned as incidental information as part of a program. This rule will not preclude the appearance of a clergy or individual representing a particular religion as part of a program providing general information.
- Obscenity and defamation: Every effort will be made to assure that all programs cablecast by BCIT adhere to the rules of the Minnesota Cable Communications Statute 238 and community standards relative to obscenity and defamation.
Schedule and program priorities
The City of Bloomington shall determine priorities for the production and cablecasting of programs in accordance with these guidelines and available resources. Responsibility for planning, budgeting and operation shall be as designated by the City Manager.
Funding
Funding for the operation of the government access organization will be as appropriated by the City Council from the annual franchise fees received as a result of the operation of the cable television system in the City of Bloomington. Other support may be provided through services such as grants from other agencies and assistance from the cable television franchise holder, as required by the franchise ordinance.
Sources of programming
BTV broadcasts premiere programming from the City of Bloomington (BCIT), Bloomington Community Access Television (BCAT) and the Bloomington School District (BEC). See below for more information about each of these programming sources.
Cable TV service in Bloomington is provided by Comcast under a franchise agreement with the City. The franchise agreement gives Comcast various rights and responsibilities in its provision of cable service to our residents and businesses.The current agreement goes through January 2035.
The City's cable television ordinance is found in the City Code, Chapter 20, Article II, starting at section 20.15.
You should always contact Comcast first when you have a complaint. In many cases, the customer service representatives will be able to assist you and solve your problem.
- Comcast: 612-522-2000 or 1-800-934-6489
Cable franchise information
- Under federal law, the City and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are prevented from regulating cable rates. It would take federal legislation to change that situation. The FCC believes that as competition and choices expand, consumers will have access to more services and that prices will eventually be controlled by competition. In the meantime, the FCC says that you should expect an explanation from the cable company whenever rates are raised, particularly when the company attributes price hikes to increases in the cost of obtaining programming.
- The City of Bloomington does not have the authority to determine which programming or channels a cable operator carries. Under federal law, cable operators can decide which channels to carry and on which tier to offer those channels. If you have a programming suggestion, you can submit it to Comcast.
- Bloomington's cable television ordinance says, "any Franchise granted under this Ordinance shall be nonexclusive" (City Code, Section 20.27). This means that other companies are welcome to enter into cable TV franchise agreements with the City, and it's possible to have multiple companies providing cable TV service in Bloomington at the same time.
Affordable high-speed internet for eligible households
Internet Essentials from Xfinity is offering affordable, reliable home internet for qualifying households. Eligible programs include SNAP/EBT, Medicaid and the National School Lunch Program.
Choose the speed that fits your needs—up to 75 Mbps with Internet Essentials or up to 100 Mbps with Internet Essentials Plus. Equipment is included at no extra cost, and there are no cancellation fees. Data charges may apply.
To learn more or apply visit xfinity.com/getIE, call 1-844-963-0231 or stop by a Xfinity store.
- Internet Essentials - English/Spanish
- Internet Essentials - Chinese
- Internet Essentials - Somali
- Internet Essentials - Vietnamese
- Internet Essentials Partnership Program
Social Media accounts
The City of Bloomington’s official social media presence serves to provide accurate, consistent, and timely information about City functions, services and activities; to strengthen the City’s relationships with the community and to show that Bloomington is a welcoming community by providing a welcoming environment on all of its social media platforms.
In addition to receiving information via social media, visit blm.mn/esubscribe to sign up for email updates for specific topics, including news and news releases, visit blm.mn/briefing to sign up to receive the latest issue of the Bloomington Briefing newsletter and follow the City’s YouTube channel to view the latest video stories.
Website purpose statement
The purpose of the BloomingtonMN.gov website is to provide convenient and efficient access to information about City activities, programs, and services.
The website may include links to other websites and online content that are not owned, regularly reviewed or controlled by the City. The City limits such links to content that supports the City's revenues or provides information relevant to functions and services provided by the City. The website does not link to external sites that are strictly commercial, political or religious in nature. The City does not entertain link requests, calendar requests or other content suggestions from external sources. Content is included on the website exclusively at the request of City staff.
The inclusion of an external link does not imply City endorsement of the linked content or of the organization or individual(s) responsible for the linked content.
Engagement
Advisory boards and commissions provide for community participation in issues concerning the City and its residents. The City Council values the comments and recommendations from the various advisory boards and commissions.
Each board and commission has different roles and responsibilities. Terms of service, size, and qualifications may vary. Look for notifications of open positions on this page, or inquire with the Community Outreach and Engagement Division to find out when applications will be accepted for positions you're interested in.
The City of Bloomington (City) is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is equitable and inclusive for people with disabilities. The City does not discriminate against a qualified person with a disability or exclude or deny the benefits of its services, programs, or activities to a qualified person because of a disability.
The City will provide a reasonable accommodation or modify its policies and programs to allow people with disabilities to participate in all City services, programs, or activities. However, the law does not require the City to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City.
An annual program designed to engage a cohort of residents in civic engagement training, leadership development, and relationship-building that also encourages connection and involvement beyond graduation.
Visit the Bloomington Leadership Program page for more information.
COED partners with City departments to design and implement public participation strategies. It is important for the City to provide residents the opportunity to contribute to the projects and services that make Bloomington a special place to be.
Let's Talk Bloomington is the City's website for community projects, offering opportunities to provide input, stay informed, and view project documents, milestones, and timelines. Visit any of the project pages to learn more and engage. In addition to engaging online, COED teams up with our colleagues to bring engagement opportunities to you.
Volunteers at Bloomington help make the City a great place to be! Volunteer to give back, connect with you community, and enjoy all the City has to offer.
Volunteer opportunities exist throughout the year for adults and teenagers in: Parks and Recretation, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Boards & Commissioners, Police, Public Health, and Sustainability.
Visit our Volunteer webpage for more information.