Councilmembers of the City of Bloomington, Minnesota

Bloomington, Minnesota

Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...

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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 from information on the City of Bloomington's Website: "Family tree of Bloomington mayors and councilmembers." Changes in personnel are noted in bold type.

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.

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

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

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

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

Comments: Lenczewski resigned January 3, 1999. Spies appointed February 1, 1999.

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

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

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 (Term expires January 1, 2016)
• District 1: Steve Peterson (Term expires January 1, 2014)
• District 2: Thomas Hulting (Term expires January 1, 2014)
• District 3: Jack Baloga (Term expires January 1, 2014)
• District 4: Vern Wilcox (Term expires January 1, 2014)
• At-Large: Karen Nordstrom (Term expires January 1, 2014)
• At-Large: Tim Busse (Term expires January 1, 2016)