Advisory Boards and Commissions FAQ

Advisory boards and commissions inform and advise the City Council. They 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.

There are many benefits for serving on a local advisory board or commission.

• Participate and influence local government and policies.
• Enhance your sense of belonging and of ownership in your community.
• Connect with others in your neighborhood with similar interests and passions.
• Expand your horizons, build new areas of interest and expertise, and open your eyes to resources and services that the City offers you and the community.
• Develop communication and leadership skills.

The time commitment varies depending on the Commission/Board, your position, and your level of involvement. Most board and commission members can anticipate to contribute approximately 3-6 hours per month, including meeting times.

Boards and commissions generally have one or two meetings per month, and each member must attend at least 75% of the meetings each year. Term length is one, two, or three years, depending on the Board or Commission. With some exceptions, Board and Commission members may not serve more than six years in a row on a particular commission.

Read more about attendance requirements and term limits in City Code.

Please also review the webpage of each Commission to get a better idea of time commitments or requirements for serving, contact the respective staff liaison. You can also contact the Community Outreach and Engagement Division at 952-563-8733 or outreach@BloomingtonMN.gov.

The City Council encourages qualified candidates to apply for positions on Bloomington's advisory boards and commissions.

To learn about open positions, visit inquire with the City Manager's Office, 952-563-8780, to find out when applications will be accepted for positions that interest you.

Please read over the webpage of each Commission or Board to get a better idea of requirements for serving, or contact the respective staff liaison.

Commissions and Boards each have their own qualifications. Being a resident of Bloomington is often preferred, but not always required. Your background, skills, expertise, or interests may also be considered.

If you are already on a board or commission, please note most such groups do not allow you to serve on two at the same time.

In 2017 and 2019, the City offered a new program – the Bloomington Learn to Lead Initiative – to help individuals develop leadership skills and empower them to become involved in local municipal government. Please stay tuned for future sessions.

• Read more about the Bloomington Leadership Program.

Each advisory board and commission meets regularly at a set time, day, and location, typically once a month at Bloomington Civic Plaza.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, meetings may be canceled or held virtually. Instructions to listen to virtual meetings will be posted on the agenda in the agenda management system.

Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. To verify, please contact the Community Outreach and Engagement Division at 952-563-8733 or outreach@BloomingtonMN.gov.

View past agendas, webcasts, and documents from City Council, Advisory Board, and Commission meetings.

You can also subscribe to keep updated about boards and commissions via E-subscribe.

City Boards and Commissions - City Code

Governance

Each Board and Commission has its own rules of procedures and code of conduct, please reference City Code, or request Commission Rules of Procedures and Bylaws from the respective staff liaison.

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act

Board and Commission members must obey the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Under this law, most documents, emails, and other things created by Board and Commission members in the course of their duties are “government data.”

This means that, with some exceptions, the public has the right to see this data if they ask for it.

The City’s Data Retention Schedule explains how long data has to be saved, and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act explains when it must be shared with the public. Board and Commission members should consult with their staff liaison or City Attorney with any questions.

View an introductory Minnesota Government Data Practices Act video made by the Minnesota Department of Administration.

Open Meeting Law

The Minnesota Open Meeting Law requires that meetings of governmental bodies generally be open to the public. The Open Meeting Law details what requirements certain government entities must follow in conducting their meetings.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has articulated three purposes of the open meeting law:

• To prohibit actions being taken at a secret meeting where it is impossible for the interested public to become fully informed about a public board’s decisions or to detect improper influences;
• To assure the public’s right to be informed;
• To afford the public an opportunity to present its views to the public body.

View this introductory Minnesota Open Meeting Law video made by the Minnesota Department of Administration.