HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-06 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Brindle, Fischer and Staunton and Mayor Hovland.
Staff attending the meeting were: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Technology Services Director;
Ryan Browning, I.T. Manager; Tara Brown, Sustainability Manager; Casey Casella, City Management
Fellow; Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing Development Manager; Heidi Lee, Race & Equity
Coordinator; Chad Millner; Engineering Director; Scott Neal, City Manager; Bill Neuendorf, Economic
Development Manager; Lisa Schaefer, Assistant City Manager; Don Uram, Finance Director; Perry
Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; and David Yanagisawa, I.T. Specialist.
REP. ILHAN OMAR VISIT
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and her staff attended the work session to learn more about the City of Edina's
legislative priorities. Council Members discussed several priorities, including affordable housing, airport
noise, broadband, Community Development Block Grant funding, economic disparities, greenhouse gas
reduction, transportation and school and water infrastructure. Council Member Fischer also expressed
the importance of the local post office at 50th & France.
Rep. Omar talked about some of her initiatives, including closing the achievement gap, homelessness and
immigration reform. Further, she said that her "Homes for All" proposal would be announced Nov. 20.
Before leaving at 6:37 p.m., she reminded the Council and those present of the 2020 Census.
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
Staff was previously tasked with getting feedback from the business community on a local option sales
tax as an alternative way to partially fund local street reconstruction. More than 4,000 letters were sent
to local businesses and a series of meeting were held. Staff presented feedback received following those
meetings.
However, staff learned about a 2019 change in State Statute regarding local option sales tax. The change
requires the tax be used on projects of "regional significance." While Municipal State Aid street projects,
including bridges, retaining walls and street lighting, are eligible, other streets might not. However, there
are other local projects to consider funding with a local option sales tax, such as pedestrian bridges over
Minnesota Highway 62 and the CP Railroad and construction of Fred Richard and Braemar parks.
Council Members asked staff to bring back more information on a 0.5% local option sales tax and said
they would like to continue discussing alternatives for funding local street projects that could not be
paid for with such funds.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Minutes approved by the Edina City Council Nov. 19, 2019.
ames B. ovland, Mayor
Jennifer L. Bennerotte,
Communications & T ology Services Director