City Council Listening Session - October 26, 2026

The City of Bloomington, Minnesota, held a City Council listening session on October 26, 2026. Residents raised ideas and concerns spanning energy, construction, housing, city services, and the budget. One speaker urged the city to consider earth-sheltered construction, cross-laminated timber, community solar, and algae-based phosphorus and carbon capture, suggesting the city’s revolving fund could help finance capital projects. Another urged adoption of SolarAPP+, a tool to streamline residential solar permitting, and asked the city to invite its nonprofit team to present. The speaker cited a Minnesota Department of Commerce implementation incentive of $5,000–$20,000. A council member noted that battery-storage permitting issues remain under review and that SolarAPP+ could potentially be used for solar alone.

Other comments concerned the affordability and appeal process for required driveway repairs, the proposed James Avenue City Homes development and its zoning, and criticism of a reported 6.8% budget increase. No contracts, bids, vendor selections, or spending approvals were identified; the SolarAPP+ proposal and funding incentive were discussed but no action was taken on them. The council approved a motion to adjourn the listening session.