City Council - Regular Meeting

Hello Bloomington, I'm Mayor Tim Busse and this is the Council Minute for the week of June 29th. Many of you have been reaching out with questions about the Nine Mile Creek Corridor renewal project. In particular, there have been a lot of concerns about the tree removal activity along the corridor and a desire to better understand why this work is happening. I wanted to take a moment to address some of the questions we're hearing most often. To start, the Nine Mile Creek corridor is without question one of Bloomington's most treasured natural areas. We know that. We also know that parts of the corridor are facing significant challenges, like erosion, invasive species, habitat degradation, and a lack of native plant regeneration. While many areas appear healthy and wooded, decades of invasive species pressures have changed the ecological condition of the landscape. The restoration project is designed to improve the long-term health of the ecosystem, to protect natural resources and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy this very special place. As I mentioned, the most visible part of the project is tree removal. While it may seem surprising or even counterintuitive, selective tree removal is an important restoration tool. The work is targeted to reduce invasive species impacts, improve native plant diversity, and restore historic habitats such as Oak Savannah, one of Minnesota's rarest ecosystems. Large portions of the corridor will remain wooded, and many areas will continue to provide shade. In addition, approximately 150 to 200 new trees will be planted near the Moyer and Harrison Park areas along with thousands of plants to enhance and beautify the landscape. This restoration effort is based on established ecological science and was developed by natural resource experts, city staff, and consultants with input from the community. To learn more about the project, view project documents, or find answers to typically asked questions, please visit BloomingtonForward.org slash Nine Mile. At our City Council meeting on Monday night, the Council addressed a related topic by reviewing and adopting the final draft of Bloomington's Urban Forest Master Plan. The master plan is a long-term roadmap for protecting, expanding and managing the community's trees. The plan recognizes that Bloomington's urban forest does far more than beautify neighborhoods. It improves air quality, reduces stormwater runoff, cools the city during hot weather and enhances residents' quality of life. The plan identifies several key findings, including uneven tree canopy across the city, the need for greater investment in forestry operations, and the importance of proactive tree care and species diversity to prepare for future pests and diseases. the master plan is built around six strategic goals proactive tree management supporting private tree stewardship updating policies promoting equitable canopy growth building a more resilient urban forest and strengthening partnerships throughout the community It also includes an implementation plan that begins with evaluating staffing and forestry resources, updating policies, and creating a right-of-way tree planting permit program. Over the next several years, the City will expand tree planting efforts, strengthen community outreach, and prepare for future threats to the tree canopy. Community success will be measured by increases in tree canopy coverage, annual tree planting, species diversity, and community engagement, while at the same time reducing emergency tree removals through more proactive maintenance. The Urban Forest Master Plan will guide Bloomington's forestry investments and help ensure a healthier, more resilient tree canopy for generations to come. Finally today, a reminder for Bloomington business owners, applications for the new Hatch Loves Local program are due July 6th. This year, Hatch Bloomington has a new focus. Instead of just supporting one new business, the program will invest in multiple existing Bloomington businesses, helping them grow, create jobs, and continue serving our community. It will still be a competitive program. Applicants will be asked to show how their project will help their business succeed while also creating a positive impact for the Bloomington community. If you own a business in Bloomington, we encourage you to apply. To learn more and to submit your application before the July 6th deadline, visit hatchbloomington.com. That will do it for this week's Council Minute. Thank you so very much for tuning in. Until next time, stay safe, Bloomington.