List of councilmembers of Bloomington, Minnesota
When the Bloomington City Council first convened in 1953, all Councilmembers [the City's preferred spelling and capitalization] were elected "at large." That is, each Councilmember was elected to represent the entire city's residents and interests. At that time, the Council comprised 5 members, including the Mayor, who was (and still is) an at-large Councilmember.
The City Charter, adopted in 1960, called for an increase in the number of Councilmembers from 5 to 7. A 7-member council was first seated in 1962.
In 1976, 4 of the 6 at-large positions were assigned the duty of representing the residents and interests of a specific quadrant of the City (District I to the SE, District II to the SW, District III to the NW, and District IV to the NE). The remaining 2 positions continued to represent the interests of the city at-large. In 1976 and 1977, during the transition to this new configuration, the council actually had 8 members (1 Mayor, 4 district Councilmembers, and 3 at-large Councilmembers). The third at-large position was eliminated in 1978, and the resulting structure has continued unchanged to this day.
A list of Bloomington's mayors can be found at List of mayors of Bloomington, Minnesota.
The following information was derived the City of Bloomington's Website.[1] [2] Changes in personnel are noted in bold type.
1950s
1953
- Mayor: Herman Kossow
- At-Large: A.E. (Gus) Welter
- At-Large: Dana E. McCutchan
- At-Large: A.E. (Fred) Gerard
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
Comments: Bloomington became a Village on May 11, 1953.
1954
- Mayor: Herman Kossow
- At-Large: Clinton Mann
- At-Large: Dana E. McCutchan
- At-Large: A.E. (Fred) Gerard
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
1955
- Mayor: Herman Kossow
- At-Large: Clinton Mann
- At-Large: Dana E. McCutchan
- At-Large: Warren Abrahamson
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
1956
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Clinton Mann
- At-Large: Dana E. McCutchan / Herman Kossow
- At-Large: Warren Abrahamson
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
Comments: McCutchan resigned May 1956. Herman Kossow appointed May 7, 1956.
1957
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Roger A. Hamre
- At-Large: Warren Abrahamson
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
1958
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Roger A. Hamre
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Arnold J. Friendshuh
1959
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Roger A. Hamre
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Peter Donaghue / Gwendolyn Maistrovich
Comments: Donaghue resigned May 2, 1959. Maistrovich appointed June 5, 1959.
1960s
1960
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Gwendolyn Maistrovich
Comments: Bloomington adopted City Charter November 8, 1960.
1961
- Mayor: Gordon Miklethun
- At-Large: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Gwendolyn Maistrovich
1962
- Mayor: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Donald R. Hasselberg
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: Malone appointed January 2, 1962. 1962 was the first year with 7 councilmembers, an increase mandated in the City Charter (approved November 8, 1960).
1963
- Mayor: Herbert Knudsen
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: Donald R. Hasselberg
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1964
- Mayor: Donald Hasselberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: William L Crain, Jr.
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1965
- Mayor: Donald Hasselberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: Irving L. Adams
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: William L Crain, Jr.
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1966
- Mayor: Donald Hasselberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: William L Crain, Jr.
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1967
- Mayor: Donald Hasselberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: William L Crain, Jr.
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1968
- Mayor: John Thomasberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1969
- Mayor: John Thomasberg
- At-Large: Harold J. Nelson
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1970s
1970
- Mayor: James King
- At-Large: Ray Pleasant
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1971
- Mayor: James King
- At-Large: Ray Pleasant
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Robert L. Hoffman / Clyde E. Allen
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: Wilfred C. Viitala
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: Hoffman resigned April 5, 1971. Allen appointed April 19, 1971.
1972
- Mayor: James King
- At-Large: Ray Pleasant
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Clyde E. Allen
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: James H. Anderson
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: Pleasant resigned November 15, 1972.
1973
- Mayor: James King
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Clyde E. Allen
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: James H. Anderson
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: Darr appointed January 2, 1973.
1974
- Mayor: Robert Benedict
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Clyde E. Allen
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: James H. Anderson
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1975
- Mayor: Robert Benedict
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: Clyde E. Allen
- At-Large: James E. O'Neil
- At-Large: James H. Anderson
- At-Large: John E. Malone
1976
- Mayor: Robert Benedict
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies (New position created: District 1)
- District 2: James E. O'Neil (New position created: District 2)
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst (New position created: District 3)
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon (New position created: District 4)
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: There were 8 councilmembers (including the Mayor) in 1976 – 1977, during the transition from all at-large positions to a mix of district and at-large positions.
1977
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: James E. O'Neil
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: William V. Belanger, Jr.
- At-Large: John E. Malone
Comments: Mayor Benedict resigned January 3, 1977. Lindau appointed January 10, 1977.
1978
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Roger Blessum
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1979
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Roger Blessum
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1980s
1980
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Roger Blessum
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1981
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Roger Blessum
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Robert W. Darr
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1982
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1983
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1984
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1985
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1986
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1987
- Mayor: James Lindau
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1988
- Mayor: Kurt Laughinghouse
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1989
- Mayor: Kurt Laughinghouse
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Roger Blessum
- At-Large: Neil W. Peterson
1990s
1990
- Mayor: Neil Peterson
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Carol Johnson
- At-Large: Coral Houle
Comments: Houle appointed January 8, 1990.
1991
- Mayor: Neil Peterson
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Adrian E. Herbst
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Carol Johnson
- At-Large: Coral Houle
1992
- Mayor: Neil Peterson
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Jim Andrews
- District 4: Mark P. Mahon
- At-Large: Carol Johnson
- At-Large: Coral Houle
Comments: Mahon resigned December 31, 1992.
1993
- Mayor: Neil Peterson
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Charles S. Schuler
- District 3: Jim Andrews
- District 4: Lee Krueger / Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Carol Johnson
- At-Large: Coral Houle
Comments: Krueger appointed March 29, 1993. Wilcox elected September 14, 1993.
1994
- Mayor: Neil Peterson
- District 1: Ann Lenczewski
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Joyce Henry
- At-Large: Coral Houle
1995
- Mayor: Coral Houle
- District 1: Ann Lenczewski
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Joyce Henry
- At-Large: Gene Winstead
Comments: Mayor Peterson resigned January 3, 1995. Houle appointed Mayor January 3, 1995 (surrendering her At-Large position). Winstead appointed to the At-Large position February 21, 1995.
1996
- Mayor: Coral Houle
- District 1: Ann Lenczewski
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Joyce Henry
- At-Large: Gene Winstead
1997
- Mayor: Coral Houle
- District 1: Ann Lenczewski
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Joyce Henry
- At-Large: Gene Winstead
1998
- Mayor: Coral Houle
- District 1: Ann Lenczewski
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Steve Bianchi
- At-Large: Gene Winstead
1999
- Mayor: Coral Houle
- District 1: Thomas P. Spies
- District 2: Peggy Ramthun
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Steve Bianchi
- At-Large: Gene Winstead
Comments: Lenczewski resigned January 3, 1999. Spies appointed February 1, 1999.
2000s
2000
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Steve Bianchi / David Abrams
- At-Large: Mike Fossum
Comments: Bianchi resigned August 14, 2000. Abrams appointed September 25, 2000.
2001
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Alisa Heintzman Ornat
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: David Abrams
- At-Large: Mike Fossum
2002
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: David Abrams
- At-Large: Mike Fossum
2003
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: David Abrams
- At-Large: Mike Fossum
2004
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: David Abrams
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2005
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Heather Harden
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: David Abrams
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2006
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Rod Axtell
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2007
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Rod Axtell
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2008
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Rod Axtell
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2009
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Rod Axtell
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2010s
2010
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Thomas Hulting
- District 3: Steve Elkins
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
2011
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Thomas Hulting
- District 3: Steve Elkins / Tim Busse
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Amy Darr Grady
Comments: Elkins resigned March 7, 2011. Tim Busse appointed April 18, 2011.
2012
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Thomas Hulting
- District 3: Jack Baloga
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Tim Busse
Comments: Busse ran for and was elected to the at-large seat, creating an opening in the District 3 seat.
2013
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Steve Peterson
- District 2: Thomas Hulting
- District 3: Jack Baloga
- District 4: Vern Wilcox
- At-Large: Karen Nordstrom
- At-Large: Tim Busse
2014
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Dwayne Lowman
- District 2: Andrew Carlson
- District 3: Jack Baloga
- District 4: Jon Oleson
- At-Large: Cynthia Bemis Abrams
- At-Large: Tim Busse
2015
- Mayor: Gene Winstead
- District 1: Dwayne Lowman
- District 2: Andrew Carlson
- District 3: Jack Baloga
- District 4: Jon Oleson
- At-Large: Cynthia Bemis Abrams
- At-Large: Tim Busse
2016
- Mayor: Gene Winstead (Term expires January 2020)
- District 1: Dwayne Lowman (Term expires January 2020)
- District 2: Andrew Carlson (Term expires January 2020)
- District 3: Jack Baloga (Term expires January 2018)
- District 4: Jon Oleson (Term expires January 2018)
- At-Large: Cynthia Bemis Abrams/ Kim Vlaisavljevich (Term expires January 2018)
- At-Large: Tim Busse (Term expires January 2020)
Comments: Bemis Abrams resigned May 16, 2016. Kim Vlaisavljevich appointed July 14, 2016.