HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-19 City Council Work Session Minutes
MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
VIRTUAL MEETING
MAY 19, 2020
5:30 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Brindle, Fischer and Staunton and Mayor Hovland.
Staff present: Scott Neal, City Manager; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Ryan Browning, IT
Director; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Andrew Scipioni, Transportation Planner; Tom Schmitz, Fire
Chief; Jeff Brown, Community Health Administrator; Jennifer Garske, Executive Assistant; Sharon Allison, City
Clerk.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Jeff Brown, Community Health Administrator provided a COVID-19 update. Brown explained that starting in
March, when the first COVID-19 case was identified in Minnesota, Bloomington Public Health set up a joint
incident command center with the cities of Edina and Richfield to respond to incidents. Brown said initially, the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was handling all contact tracing and case investigation, but has case
levels increased, local health staff was trained to assist. MDH is working on a regional testing model where
locally trained health staff could assist in areas outside of their region. The National Guard began testing
recently. MDH is very concerned about data privacy of COVID positive individuals, but to protect law
enforcement and first responders, addresses-only are provided to the Department of Public Safety and this
information is shared with local dispatch managers. MDH is constantly scrutinizing the data sharing process to
protect individuals’ privacy. Staff distributed hand sanitizers and masks to residents. Health division staff is
working as the COVID-19 resource for the community, assisting with congregate communities and at least
seven residents that requested daily check-ins.
JOINT MEETING: TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
Chair Lori Richman updated the Council on the commission’s 2020 work plan. Initiative 1: Clover Ride north
loop will end because it has struggled with ridership (less than three rides per week) while the south loop will
continue operation as an on-demand service (18 rides per week). Some initiatives have been on hold because
meetings were put on hold in February; however, the commission is scheduled to begin virtual meetings in June.
Richman and Staff Liaison Scipioni answered questions of the Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________________
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by the Edina City Council June 2, 2020.
__________________________________________
James B. Hovland, Mayor