Creative Placemaking Commission Meeting

The City will collect natural Christmas trees during the weeks of January 5-9 and January 12-16. A fee of $12.43 per tree will appear on your utility bill if you put your tree out for pickup.

To prepare a tree for pickup,

Do not place it in any type of bag.
Remove all decorations, lights, wires and stands.
Set it out before 7 a.m. on your collection day, and no earlier than the day before.

Collected trees are taken to a local composting facility where they are ground into mulch and composted. This material is then used in landscaping, gardening and erosion control projects throughout the community. Recycling your tree helps reduce landfill waste and supports a more sustainable city.

For a different pickup date, call Utility Billing at 952-563-8726 to schedule a bulky item pickup for an additional fee. For more information, visit blm.mn/garbage.

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Sustainability

952-563-4862

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Summer Fete 2026

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Summer Fete 2026

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Friday, July 3, 2026 - 5–10:30 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

952-563-8877

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City of Bloomington deepens international partnerships on European trade mission

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City of Bloomington deepens international partnerships on European trade mission

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Published December 2, 2025

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Updated on December 2, 2025

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Mayor Tim Busse and SICK CEO Mats Gökstorp

Mayor Tim Busse and Community Development Director Kim Berggren represented the City of Bloomington on a state-led trade mission to Germany and Switzerland from November 15-22. The trip brought together leaders from across Minnesota to strengthen international business ties, support key industries and promote the state as a place for innovation and investment with stops in Zürich, Düsseldorf and Berlin.

Bloomington’s participation focused on supporting and growing its high-tech manufacturing sector, including specialized manufacturing in sensors and semiconductors. The City also used the trip to learn about international innovations in education and workforce development and to attend MEDICA, one of the world’s largest medical technology and healthcare conferences, alongside partners like Medical Alley. Finally, Bloomington deepened its understanding of how Minnesota promotes itself abroad. Tourism and hospitality are major parts of Bloomington’s economy and the city serves as a gateway for visitors to the region.

“Bloomington plays an important role in welcoming visitors, supporting business growth and helping companies connect to the region,” Berggren said. “This mission gave us a chance to share our strengths with international partners and to better understand how global engagement can support jobs and investment in our community.”

A key highlight of the trip was a visit to the global headquarters of SICK, a leader in industrial sensor technology, in Waldkirch, Germany. Busse and Berggren met with senior leadership, including CEO Mats Gökstorp, and discussed SICK’s strong presence in Bloomington and its worldwide plans. The visit recognized SICK’s $64 million expansion of its North American headquarters in Bloomington, in advance of a planned opening in spring of 2026.

The City will use information gathered on the trip and newly built relationships to support ongoing work in business outreach, workforce partnerships and economic development.

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Kim Berggren

Community Development Director

952-563-8947

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Utility Bill Skills

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Utility Bill Skills

Date(s)

Starts Wednesday, January 28, 2026 - 2–4 p.m.

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Sustainability

952-563-4862

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Utilities Division

952-563-8777

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Join the City for Utility Bill Skills, resource fairs that offer valuable resources to help you manage and lower costs on your utility bills. Representatives from Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota, Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County and the City of Bloomington Solid Waste and Sustainability will be there with resources to help you save money on electric, gas, water, and waste bills. Enjoy complimentary snacks, coffee, and tea as you learn how to navigate your utility bills, apply for assistance and implement resource-saving tips for your home. Spanish and Somali interpretation available.

Can’t make it in person? Schedule a virtual chat with sustainability specialists anytime at blm.mn/sustainablechats

Location
Penn Lake Library
8800 Penn Ave. S.

Dates
Wednesday, January 28, 2-4 p.m
Wednesday, February 25, 2-4 p.m