Bloomington Briefing newsletter
Published monthly, the award-winning Bloomington Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses. The June issue includes two special inserts: the City's annual Corporate Report to the Community and Water Quality Report.
Older copies of the Briefing can be obtained by contacting the Communications Division.
Bloomington Briefing 2021
January 2021
- City Council approves 2021 budget
- Walk in Bloomington’s natural beauty this winter
- Mayor’s memo: Taking stock of our annual survey results
- Ranked choice voting passed: Now what?
- COVID-19: How big is your social bubble?
- How were CARES funds used in Bloomington?
- Volunteer group aims to create local tribute to veterans
- CBAC wraps up its work
- City Council changes meeting start time
- Earth action hero: Sustainability Commissioner Deanna White
- Snowplowing service rankings increase
- Sustainability progress made in 2020
- How to recycle your tree
- Energy assistance programs available
- At your service: Marie Sharah
- Bloomington Police team up with Meals on Wheels
- Police deliver Thanksgiving meals
- Tools of the trade: Mini-pumper
- COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington
- Importance of exercise
- Bloomington yesterday: Dome whirl by the sledding hill
- New trail promotes accessibility
- Parks and Rec summer information coming
- Fit for winter: Tips for exercising
- Book a park shelter
- Register for summer softball
- Take a hike and find some fun
Bloomington Briefing 2020
December 2020
- October snowfall nearly sets record
- Residents give City good grades in annual poll
- Mayor’s memo
- Voters decide on ranked choice voting and garbage and recycling collection
- Zoning changes encourage home development
- Council considers budget options presented by Community Budget Advisory Committee
- City hires new HRA Administrator
- Flu shot reminder
- The flu and COVID-19
- COVID-19 in Bloomington
- Holiday recycling tips
- 2020 Holiday garbage and recycling schedule
- Recycle your tree
- Extra recycling around the holidays
- At your service: Steve Gurney
- How to recognize a scam at your home
- Notable neighbor: Ayan Abukar
- How things work: Inspecting underground stormwater storage
- Bush Lake well to be sealed
- City closes facilities due to COVID-19
- Enter ARTBOX contest
- Recent college grad helps students
- Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award winners named
- Joe Rath wins Parks and Recreation award
- Temporary boardwalk trail added at Hyland Park Reserve
- Parks planning for outdoor rink changes
- Pickleball courts naming at Westwood Park
- Book a park shelter
- Snow emergency survival guide
November 2020
- Rusty patched bumble bees in Bloomington
- Council to vote on final levy in December
- Mayor’s memo
- Digital engagement: Let’s talk Bloomington
- How to watch City Council meetings
- What you need to know about the vote on organized solid waste collection
- Senior housing developments coming
- Sewer upgrades allow business expansion
- Passport services reopened
- Join a commission
- Earth action hero: Helping bees in Bloomington
- Holiday garbage and recycling changes
- Bloomington water upholds standards
- Energy-efficiency upgrades completed
- Battle buckthorn
- At your service: Ann Sattler
- Bloomington native leads Minnesota’s COVID-19 response
- How to keep holiday foods safe
- Snow plowing season approaching
- Police debut awareness stickers
- Get your flu shot
- Bloomington yesterday: Gideon and Agnes Pond House fireside
- Visiting the Gideon and Agnes Pond House
- Dwan Golf Course season a success
- Virtual programs available for seniors
- Park System Master Plan: New opportunity to provide input digitally
- Shop Gifts in the Gallery
- Learn skating at BIG Winter Skate School
- Up to code: Keeping Bloomington at its best
- Recognizing veterans
October 2020
- Ballot questions cover garbage and voting
- Mayor’s memo
- Community Budget Advisory Committee: Reviewing services and delivering budget options
- Bloomington yesterday
- Dred Scott Playfield wheelhouse improvements complete
- Around the Airport project nearly complete
- Books on race in a little library near you
- Bloomington COVID-19 statistics
- Earth action hero: Picking up litter adds to the walk
- Sustainability, racial equity training in progress
- Earth Day turns 50
- Only rain down the drain
- Keep goldfish out of lakes
- How to dispose of ash tree waste
- Battle buckthorn
- Meet a Bloomington firefighter
- Notable neighbor: Dr. Hazel Claiborn
- How to help street sweepers
- At your service: Greg Chapman
- Respect rules of the road
- National Night Out canceled for 2020
- Drive-in for a family fun Halloween event
- Outdoor Farmers Market season ending
- Project P.L.A.Y.’s lasting benefits
- Park System Master Plan update
- Halloween coloring contest’s a real treat
- Take Continental Ballet courses online
- Bloomington destinations: Sculptures to see
- Enjoy two art exhibits
- Vote November 3
- Get preregistered by October 13
- Illegal campaigning
-
2020 general election guide
September 2020
- City addressing disparities with COVID-19 and race
- Discovering fall’s beauty at the Japanese Garden
- Mayor’s memo
- The Community Budget Advisory Committee wants your feedback
- What’s happening in the Gateway District: Lyndale Avenue corridor
- Garbage collection on the ballot
- Ranked choice voting on the ballot
- Provide feedback on City’s Racial Equity Business Plan
- Early and absentee voting
- Minnesota House and Senate candidate forums
- Earth Action Hero: Meg Hannasch
- Want to dispose of your fall leaves or other yard waste?
- What to do with leaves?
- Adopt a storm drain this fall
- Bloomington rising as a GreenStep city
- Battling buckthorn
- New Station 3 complete
- Answering the call to slow the spread of COVID-19
- How contact tracing helps in different ways
- National Night Out canceled for 2020
- Connecting to community resources
- Playing ball at the ga-ga pit
- Bloomington Center for the Arts
- Project P.L.A.Y. provides youth recreation opportunities
- Learn or improve your skating at skate school
- Park system master plan underway
- Bloomington yesterday: Driving along in ’70s style
- Old Cedar Avenue Bridge celebration canceled
- At your service: Emily Taplin
- Get the City news you need
-
Take a tour of public art
August 2020
- Ballot questions to consider in November
- Community Budget Advisory Committee starts its work
- Mayor’s memo: City addressing racial equity issues
- Community trauma resources available
- Recognize excellent human rights work
- I-35W bridge construction update
- South Loop apartment developments planned
- National Night Out moved to October
- Get help connecting to community resources
- Update your home
- COVID-19: Bloomington’s statistics
- Earth action hero
- Solar lights added at Normandale Lake
- Improving water quality from lawn to pond
- Curbside Cleanup changes explored
- Organics drop-off use increasing
- Meet a firefighter
- At your service: Amanda Lemke
- Restaurants reopen with limitations
- Restaurants remodel during pandemic
- Q&A with BPD
- Summer meal service available
- Shop at the Farmers Market
- Off-leash recreational area improvements
- Community engagement shaping Park System Master Plan
- Follow Parks and Rec on Facebook
- Parks and Recreation receives grant
- Bloomington yesterday: Big screen drive-in movie shows
- Free drive-in movie show for families
- See art show by Christopher Palbicki
- Explore 50 years of history at BIG
- Your guide to the primary election August 11
July 2020
- Proactive efforts to ensure equity in policing
- Mayor’s memo: Listening, learning and moving forward
- What’s happening in the Gateway District?
- Taprooms permitted
- Organized collection to be on the ballot
- Resident survey will be underway soon
- Worried about keeping your home due to COVID-19?
- Bloomington Motor Vehicle office open by appointment
- Flags on display at Civic Plaza
- Celebrating Pride
- Earth Action Hero: Student of sustainability: Rachel Schauer
- Bloomington joins 15 other cities to promote home energy efficiency
- Park prairies conserve resources, add beauty
- Adopt a drain
- Meet a firefighter
- How to vote early and by mail
- COVID-19 symptoms and treatment
- Wear a mask to slow the spread
- New manager for Center for the Arts
- Utility flags make the mark
- Bloomington yesterday: Big, bold eating at the Red Barn
- Tribute to Dr. Dwan and Dwan Golf
- Dwan Golf Course, a hole-in-one for fun
- Ten tips for Farmers Market shopping
- Nominees sought for Award of Excellence
- Artistry presents two-person abstract show
- Enjoy REC online activities at home
June 2020
- Budget discussions continue with new advisory committee
- How things work: Ensuring food safety
- Primary election voting options
- Mayor Busse's statement on the killing of George Floyd from the June 1 City Council Meeting
- City cemetery service requests
- City services accessible online
- COVID-19 symptoms and treatment
- Help community partners
- National Night Out moved to October
- Bloomington United: Police engaging with the community
- Why reporting crime is important
- At home project: Building a rain garden
- Bike safety tips
- Lift station project underway
- Park Response Team helping keep parks safe
- Parks as important as ever
- Parks and Recreation delays, cancellations and closures
- COVID-19 sparks creativity
May 2020
- Mayor’s memo: Bloomington rising to the challenge in face of uncertainty
- Access City services online
- Get the City news you need
- COVID-19 FAQ
- Supporting Bloomington businesses: Curbside pickup at restaurants
- Protect yourself from COVID-19 scams
- Book ’Em cancelled
- Medical emergency response during COVID-19
- Be an election judge
- Resources available during the COVID crisis
- Back to basics: COVID-19
- Ways to reduce COVID-19 stress
- Giving back
- Around the community: Social distancing: Alive & Kickin
- Parks provide nature breaks
- Help protect water, adopt a drain
- You can count on Bloomington’s water
- Organics recycling continues
- Yard waste services
- Don’t flush wipes
- Public Works open house cancelled