 Halloween fun with Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation hosted two ghostly good events to celebrate Halloween last week. The second annual Trick-or-Treat Trail took place on Sunday at the Normandale Lake bandshell, pictured above. About 1,600 kids and 1,200 adults were there to celebrate with treats, live music, and police and fire equipment displays.
One hundred people played bingo in costume to celebrate at the Halloween Extravaganza at Creekside last Thursday. There was also a photo booth on-site for people to document their holiday duds, pictured at right.
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Open enrollment deadline is November 15
‘Tis the season to select your health benefits. Open enrollment is happening November 1 – 15. This year, employees will have the option to select “no change” instead of reselecting all their benefit elections. Human Resources still requires employees to log in to MUNIS ESS for open enrollment to confirm their elections for 2023, make sure their beneficiaries are still accurate and update HSA or FSA contributions if needed.
The IT Training Room has been reserved for the following dates and times in case some employees want to stop in for assistance completing open enrollment.
- Thursday, November 3, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursday, November 10, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Benefits Coordinator Lynne Taraboi will be there to answer questions.
Election Day is next Tuesday
If you haven’t submitted an absentee ballot or voted early, be sure vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. Visit mnvotes.org to find your polling place or see a sample ballot.
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Attend a screening of Unscripted Stories with local filmmaker Abdu Rahman
Join the Community Development Racial Equity Action Team next Wednesday, November 9, 10 - 11:30 a.m., in the Haeg Conference Room, for a screening of the Unscripted Stories documentary by local filmmaker Abdu Rahman.
"The film is about the stories and experiences of Black immigrant business communities in Minneapolis during the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd," CD REAT co-chair Nick Johnson said.
Abdu Rahman will be in attendance to present the film, which has a run time slightly under 40 minutes, and answer questions for 20 minutes following the screening.
Meet Bernadette
Building and Inspection Supervisor Bernadette Gillespie has been with the City for nearly nine years. She helps supervise the Building and Inspections Division alongside the Building Official. In her day-to-day work, she helps with the budget process, goes out on investigation inspections and provides support for the Building and Inspections team. She says the most interesting part of her job is completing commercial plan review for projects throughout the city because of the variety it provides. Let’s get to know Bernadette.
What are your favorite activities when you’re not working? I love going to Minnesota Wild games—I love hockey! I also love to spend time with my kids and my husband, whether it is just going to their sporting events, taking a trip to the zoo or finding new places to go around the cities.
What’s a fun or little-known fact about you? I love Formula One (F1) racing. I wake up at 2 a.m. to watch qualifying when they are racing in other countries. My favorite driver is Daniel Ricciardo and I am super bummed this will be his last season.
What’s your favorite book, movie or TV series? My favorite book/movie is the Harry Potter series. I could read and watch over and over again.
What is something you can’t live without? I can’t live without Starbucks! Everyone can tell you that I walk into work with a venti iced latte every day.
Do you have any pets? We have a three-year-old Bernedoodle named Renault (like the car), a 15-year-old grey tabby named Gizmo and we just adopted our newest cat who is an 11-month-old orange Tabby/Maine Coon named Toby.
Do you have any hidden talents? I know how to ride a dirt bike. I am from Arizona and grew up riding in the desert and when we go home to visit we always go riding.
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 Catch this week's Friday Live
City Manager Jamie Verbrugge will host Friday Live tomorrow at 10 a.m. He will talk the new City Assessor Tim Bulger. Submit questions to Executive Assistant to the City Manager Denise Christenson by 4 p.m. today, November 3.
Be sure to watch the latest Bloomington Today videos in this week’s playlist, including a new BUZZ, a story on how BPD uses drones to making policing safer and more about the upcoming Threads Dance Project performance at Bloomington Center for the Arts.
  In this week's Council Minute, Mayor Tim Busse provides a recap of the Bloomington Police Department's annual Behavior Recognition Ceremony. The event is an opportunity to show appreciation for exceptional performance. For example, the group above was recognized for their response to an incident on the walk bridge over I-494. Watch the Council Minute to see the full list of community members and officers who were honored for their bravery and willingness to step up. Pictured, left to right, Sergeant Ben Mansur, Officer Scott Sager, Officer William Markham, Officer Mike Perron and Chief Booker T. Hodges.
I’d like to give a shout out to Finance Office Coordinator Briana Eicheldinger for exceptional customer service. She recently drafted a resolution for Public Health which involved multiple revisions and provided some charting expertise. Her quick response and can-do attitude are much appreciated!
Accountant Deb Finnegan
Bloomington Police tweeted about its drug take back event last week. Pictured above, left to right: Cadet Mitchell Sanders, Animal Control Coordinator John Carlson and Cadet Angela Miller.
Parks and Recreation posted the winners of its annual Halloween Coloring Contest on its Facebook page.
Bloomington Fire tweeted a thank you to bystanders who performed CPR to help someone who was experiencing cardiac arrest. “Thanks in part to your efforts, the individual was talking in the ER after arrival.”
 Congrats
Civilian Police and Fire Dispatcher Elizabeth Eastwood started October 24.
HRA Program Specialist II Kabba Nyangado started October 24.
Part-time Communications Specialist Alphia (Fia) Prpic started October 24.
Check out City job listings
The City posts new jobs frequently. These positions were recently posted:
Find more jobs at blm.mn/jobs.
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