Human Rights Commission meeting

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Human Rights Commission meeting

Date(s)
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - 5:30–7:30 p.m.

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Human Rights Commission

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Some members of the Human Rights Commission may participate electronically as permitted by law. Members of the public may attend in person or watch/listen electronically.

Join via Webex

  • Event link (TBA)
  • Event number: TBA
  • Event password: TBA (TBA from phones)

Join by phone

  • +1-312-535-8110 United States toll (Chicago)
  • +1-415-655-0001 US Toll
  • Access code: TBA

Visit the City's agenda management system to view the agenda, staff reports and other documents related to this meeting.

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Haeg Conference Room

Celebrating and supporting Bloomington businesses

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Celebrating and supporting Bloomington businesses

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Bloomington is a place where businesses of every size and developmental stage can thrive. The City works alongside entrepreneurs and employers to create opportunities for growth, innovation and connection. Recent highlights include:

CEO Summit: A gathering of our largest employers to shared insights and discussed strategies that drive economic growth and innovation.

Business Forum: Focused on “Why Bloomington? Why start, expand and stay here?” the forum featured a new video with four local businesses, a panel hosted by Mayor Tim Busse, plus networking and vendor tables that connect businesses directly with City leadership.

Hatch Bloomington: A pitch competition giving startups a place to shine. Congratulations to this year’s winner Twila Dang and her business concept BookMother. Twila also served on the speaker panel at the Business Forum.

Together, these efforts strengthen relationships, give businesses a louder voice and highlight Bloomington as business friendly, growth ready and committed to long-term success.

For more information on business assistance, visit blm.mn/business.

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Community Development Department

Mayor’s memo: Bloomington welcomes new city manager

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Mayor’s memo: Bloomington welcomes new city manager

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City Manager Zach Walker

Zach Walker, at right, began serving as Bloomington’s newest city manager on October 20.

Walker has nearly two decades of executive level local government experience, most recently serving as city manager of Independence, the fifth largest city in Missouri.

Independence shares a lot in common with Bloomington. Zach brings an impressive resume and a lot of accomplishments to the table. I’m excited for the community to get to know him.

In Independence, Walker oversaw a full-service city of more than 1,200 employees and a $454 million budget. He led major initiatives focused on strategic planning, fiscal discipline, organizational modernization and inclusive community development.

Walker championed transformational projects including a $1 billion industrial development, a $36 million commercial redevelopment, and the first Comprehensive Development Plan update in 25 years. He led the creation of the City’s first Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and implemented its inaugural Tourism Master Plan. Other major accomplishments include completing more than $70 million in capital improvements, launching a citywide housing study and expanding mental health and homelessness outreach services through innovative partnerships.

“I’m honored to join the City of Bloomington as its next city manager. This is a vibrant, forward-thinking community with a strong sense of civic pride and shared purpose,” Walker said. “I look forward to working alongside the City Council, dedicated City staff, and engaged residents to build on Bloomington’s many strengths, foster inclusive growth, and deliver high-quality services that support a thriving, welcoming city for all. I’m excited to get started and to become part of a community that clearly cares deeply about its future.”

Walker began his career in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission before completing the Cookingham-Noll Fellowship with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He joined Independence in 2012, rising from internal auditor to assistant city manager before becoming city manager in 2016. He holds a master of public affairs from the University of Missouri, is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, and served as president of the Missouri City/County Management Association.

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City Manager's Office

City of Bloomington responds to food access emergency to support almost 8,000 residents who rely on critical food assistance

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City of Bloomington responds to food access emergency to support almost 8,000 residents who rely on critical food assistance

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Bloomington, MN—The City of Bloomington is taking action to ensure that residents who rely on essential food programs have access to food support during the federal government shutdown. Nearly 8,000 Bloomington residents rely on these programs to help feed their families. 

Due to a lack of funding caused by the shutdown, food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) will not be issued for November until the shutdown ends or the federal government issues further guidance. Benefits for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue temporarily, but only until existing reserve funds run out, which is estimated sometime in December. 

“Bloomington Public Health currently provides formula to more than 200 infants enrolled in WIC, including nearly 90 infants who need medical formula to meet their specific nutritional needs,” said Mayor Tim Busse. “These are life-sustaining programs that are at risk and this situation will have wide-ranging impacts on the health and well-being of our community.” 

To address the lack of federal funding and to help with food needs, the City is taking the following actions:

  • On October 27, the City Council allocated $250,000 of strategic priorities funding to make grants to nonprofit organizations for their food assistance programs starting in November if federal resources lapse.
  • The Bloomington Police and Fire Departments are collecting donations of food at sites throughout Bloomington. A list of drop-off locations and most needed food items is on the City’s website. 

Community members and local businesses are encouraged to join the City in supporting (financial and in-kind) the efforts of recognized Bloomington organizations, such as VEAP Food Pantry. Additional organizations can be found by entering your ZIP code on Hunger Solutions’ Find Help map. Food shelves report that while food donations are always welcome, financial donations allow them to maximize their impact because they can purchase what they need at a discount from wholesale suppliers. “A $1 donation allows us to buy $10 worth of food,” said Caley Long, marketing and communications director with VEAP. 

Nearly 6,000 Bloomington neighbors are enrolled in SNAP or MFIP and almost 1,700 Bloomington residents participate in WIC. SNAP recipients include workers who rely on benefits to supplement lower wages or help them through periods of unemployment. WIC provides nutrition education and benefits to eligible people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children up to five years old.

If you or someone you know needs help with finding food, visit Hunger Solutions’ Find Help map, FindHelp.org (select ‘Emergency Food’) or contact the Minnesota Food HelpLine: 1-888-711-1151.  

“The needs are extraordinary, but so are the households and businesses in Bloomington. Together, each of our individual efforts, will ensure Bloomington is an enduring and remarkable community where people want to be,” said Mayor Busse.

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Ashley Klemer

Strategic Communications Coordinator

CANCELLED Public Health Drop-In - Zawadi Center

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CANCELLED Public Health Drop-In - Zawadi Center

Date(s)
Friday, November 21, 2025 - 5–7 p.m.

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Public Health Division

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Drop in to get information from a Community Health Worker on low-cost medical care, dental, health insurance, childcare, transportation, food, housing-related resources (including rental assistance and eviction support), anything else that may be helpful, or make a one-on-one appointment for personalized resource assistance.

This drop-in typically occurs on the last Friday of the month. 

*Due to the last Friday of the month falling on a holiday where City offices are closed, this has been moved up to be on the 3rd Friday.*

Naturalist Program: Nature Trivia

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Naturalist Program: Nature Trivia

Date(s)
Sunday, November 23, 2025 - 2–3 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Are you ready to put your nature knowledge to the test? Bring a team or compete on your own for a chance to win exciting prizes! 

Over five rounds of questions about Minnesota plants and animals, you’ll get to show off your smarts and learn something new. 

No cost or registration required; all ages welcome!

Have questions or need more information? Email parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov


Presented as part of our ongoing Naturalist Programs series. 

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Public Health Drop-In - VEAP

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Public Health Drop-In - VEAP

Date(s)
Thursday, December 11, 2025 - 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

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Public Health Division

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Stop by to meet Public Health staff every month to learn more about the work they do, get resources, and stay up to date on public health information.

This drop-in typically occurs on the second Thursday of the month.

Room Name/Location
Lobby area

Public Health Drop-in - Southgate Apartments

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Public Health Drop-in - Southgate Apartments

Date(s)
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

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Public Health Division

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Drop in to get information from Bloomington Public Health Staff on low-cost medical care, dental care, health insurance, childcare, transportation, food, housing-related resources (including rental assistance and eviction support), anything else that may be helpful, or make a one-on-one appointment for personalized resource assistance.

This drop-in typically occurs on the first and third Wednesday of the month.

Public Health Drop-in - Southgate Apartments

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Public Health Drop-in - Southgate Apartments

Date(s)
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

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Public Health Division

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Drop in to get information from Bloomington Public Health Staff on low-cost medical care, dental care, health insurance, childcare, transportation, food, housing-related resources (including rental assistance and eviction support), anything else that may be helpful, or make a one-on-one appointment for personalized resource assistance.

This drop-in typically occurs on the first and third Wednesday of the month.

Immunization clinic with Public Health Nurses

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Immunization clinic with Public Health Nurses

Date(s)
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 12:30–4 p.m.

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Public Health Division

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Immunizations available by appointment. Please call 952-563-8900 to schedule with an intake nurse. There is a $20 donation request per vaccination. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Immunization clinics typically occur on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 12:30pm-4:00pm.

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