HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-17 City Council Regular MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 17, 2021
7:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., then shared the procedure for public hearing and
community comment in the hybrid meeting format.
II. ROLLCALL
Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland.
Absent: None.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve the meeting agenda
as presented.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
Greg Wilson, 6320 Belmore Lane, thanked the Council and staff for visiting him regarding the Blake Road
lighting issue and Waterman project then asked for reconsideration of the City’s lighting ordinance and
suggested that light illumination not pass beyond property lines.
Nora Davis, 6921 Southdale Road, shared concerns about the Comprehensive Plan process and how the
latest Wooddale/Valley View Small Area Plan was disregarded by the latest developer plan when dirt was
dumped on the Burley site that likely ended up in Lake Cornelia. She shared concerns with the Greater
Southdale District Plan and experience guidelines and district plan and shared multiple examples of concerns
from special sensitivity, new development, ample tree canopy, setbacks, transitions, and built to scale, and
felt the neighborhood had not been protected as promised.
V.A. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS
Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from the last meeting.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS PRESENTED
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson approving the consent
agenda as presented:
VI.A. Approve minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meetings of August 4, 2021
VI.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated August 6, 2021,
totaling $2,231,317.65, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated August 6, 2021 #2 totaling
$18,044.50, and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated August 13, 2021, totaling
$1,099,700.12
VI.C. Adopt Ordinance No.2021-08; Amending Chapter 10 Relating to Rental Licensing
VI.D. Adopt Ordinance No.2021-09; Amending Chapter 26 Concerning Traffic and Vehicles
VI.E. Adopt Resolution No.2021-66; Approving the 2022 Budget and Dues Increase for the I-
494 Corridor Commission
VI.F. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-67; Accepting Donations
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Minutes/Edina City Council/August 17, 2021
Page 2
Motion carried.
VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
VII.A. FINANCE DIRECTOR ALISHA MCANDREWS – INTRODUCED
City Manager Neal introduced Finance Director Alisha McAndrews who shared her background with the
Council.
VII.B. POLICE CHIEF TODD MILBURN – INTRODUCED
City Manager Neal introduced Police Chief Todd Milburn who shared his background with the Council.
VII.C. SNOW AND ICE MANAGEMENT: RESPONSE TO CITIZENS CONCERNS
Public Works Director Olson presented the Snow and Ice Management Plan and outlined the efforts to
reduce chlorides in natural water bodies. He introduced key staff who worked on the policy, outlined the
existing snow plow policy, accomplishments since 2016, then presented future strategies. He outlined the
over 230 centerline miles and almost 66 miles of City maintained sidewalks and reviewed the policy that
showed work would begin after snow accumulation of 1.5 inches or more, drifting, or icy conditions. Mr.
Olson said these activities occurred earlier in other cities but felt Edina focused on safety, quality of life, and
water quality. He shared about the City’s plow equipment and smart salting features with the goal to link
to GPS data with water quality data as well as MnDOT and their Salt Sustainability Program. He referred to
the City’s expanded salt brine system additional equipment, JOMA blade equipment and other anti-icing
equipment and calibration then spoke about future strategies in detail that included a continual shift from
granular products to liquid products, equipment upgrades, and others. Mr. Olson noted staff reviewed other
city ordinances as part of these process improvements that included behavior modifications as well as
education.
The Council thanked staff for the presentation then inquired about truck calibration data and if
Communications could share this information for the public. The Council indicated it was confident staff
had adopted best practices and would continue to move forward in this effort then asked how salt would
continue to be used responsibly. Equipment Operations Supervisor Kaasa explained how equipment did not
fall out of calibration on its own then explained more about amount of salt product distributed per auger
revolution that helped determined amount of salt used.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file.
VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-65; APPROVING DRAINAGE RIGHT-OF-WAY EASEMENT
VACATION AT 7300 CLAREDON DRIVE – CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Director of Engineering Millner said Gene and Katie Munster had applied for a vacation of a drainage and
utility easement at 7300 Claredon Drive. He said staff recommended approval as the easements were not
needed for public purposes.
Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:57 p.m.
Public Testimony
None.
Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to extend the public hearing
to noon on August 30, 2021, and take final action on Resolution No. 2021-65 Vacating Drainage
and Utility Easement for 7300 Claredon Drive at the September 9, 2021, City Council meeting.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
IX. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
IX.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-64; APPROVING LAWS 2021 FIRST SPECIAL SESSION CHAPTER
14/HF 9, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5, TO IMPOSE A SALES AND USE TAX – ADOPTED
Minutes/Edina City Council/August 17, 2021
Page 3
Mr. Neal said at the request of the City Council, the Minnesota State Legislature adopted legislation earlier
this year to authorize the City of Edina to conduct a referendum seeking approval from Edina voters on the
imposition of a new local options sales tax to provide funding for two major community improvement
projects: the Fred Richards Park Master Plan and the Braemar Park Master Plan. For the State legislative
action to become law, it was required for the City Council to officially approve the law that was passed by
the State Legislature. The Council could express its approval by adopting Resolution 2021-64, which was an
act of the City Council approving laws of the first special session Chapter 14/House File 9, Article 8, Section
5 to impose a sales and use tax. While adopting Resolution 2021-64 did not impose the tax unilaterally, its
adoption would allow Edina residents the opportunity to impose the tax by an affirmative vote in the 2022
General Election on November 8, 2022. Mr. Neal noted if adopted by the City Council, staff would forward
the executed resolution to the Secretary of State’s Office and take whatever other filing actions necessary
to fulfill the Council’s intention to approve and accept this legislation.
The Council indicated it was fortunate to be included in local option sales tax legislation and if successful,
significant improvements would occur that would not increase property taxes but instead be included in the
City’s CIP.
Member Anderson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-64 Approving Laws
2021, First Special Session, Chapter 14/Hf 9, Article 8, Section 5, Allowing the City of Edina to
Impose a Sales and Use Tax of One-Half of One Percent, if Approved by Voters at the
November 8, 2022, General Election, to Pay for Development of Fred Richards Park as
Identified in the Fred Richards Park Master Plan, and for Improvements to Braemar Park as
Identified in the Braemar Park Master Plan. Member Pierce seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
IX.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-60; ESTABLISHING THE 4040 WEST 70TH STREET TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT – ADOPTED
Economic Development Manager Neuendorf said a public hearing was held August 4, 2021 with comments
accepted through noon on August 9, 2021 to create a Housing TIF District at 4040 West 70th Street to
help facilitate the development of 118 units of age restricted affordable housing.
Community Development Director Teague responded to concerns raised by the public regarding setbacks
for this project and clarified the proposed setbacks and noted staff would work with the Planning
Commission to clarify definitions in Code in the future. He outlined the setbacks on 70th Street measured
from face to lot line of 21 feet, face of building to curb of 40 feet, and Valley View Road of 38 feet and 55
feet respectively and noted the land use final approvals would make the setbacks clear as part of the land
use regulations process.
The Council asked if the City was subject to State building code and affected by the design guidelines and
confirmed the City could not deviate from State code requirements. The Council shared concerns regarding
trust and expectations of the community and requested marking of the setbacks be done for further clarity.
The Council indicated this project was vitally important in the community as it would address the serious
issue of affordable housing for seniors but needed to be balanced with how to protect the neighborhood to
the west. The Council spoke about trust between the developer, neighborhood, and City which would
result in a great project that addressed neighborhood concerns.
Member Pierce introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-60 Establishing the
4040 West 70th Street Tax Increment Financing District. Member Jackson seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
Minutes/Edina City Council/August 17, 2021
Page 4
IX.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-61; ORDINANCE NO. 2021-10; ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT, REVISED OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN, SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR 4911
77TH STREET WEST – ADOPTED
Community Development Director Teague said the City Council was asked to consider a proposal for a
zoning ordinance amendment to revise the previously approved plans for the Pentagon Park South (PUD-
17) known as Pentagon Village, which was approved in 2019. The applicants, Jay Scott, Solomon Real Estate
and Rise Development, were proposing to develop the vacant lot in the southeast corner of the
development, with a 6-story, 200-unit apartment. Ten percent (10%) of the units would be for affordable
housing. Mr. Teague said the Planning Commission had a split vote of approval for this project and that
based on feedback from the Planning Commission, the applicant had submitted additional renderings to
better show the project along the north side and ground level, which was an area that the Planning
Commission had concerns regarding lack of landscaping and greenspace.
The Council summarized concerns raised during public testimony that involved the north elevation and how
the applicant had provided supplemental illustrations to address those concerns. The Council inquired more
about wood construction and potential fire risks and confirmed the building would be and include a fire
sprinkler system.
Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-61 Approving an
Ordinance Amendment to Change the Use and Approved Overall Development Plans
Including Revised Final Site Plan Approval in the PUD-17 Zoning District and Waive Second
Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2021-10 Amending the Zoning Ordinance to Revise the
PUD-17, Planned Unit Development-17 Zoning District. Member Pierce seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Hovland
Nays: Staunton
Motion carried.
IX.D. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-63; SUPPORTING HENNEPIN COUNTY’S LAYOUT NO. 2
VERNON AVENUE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT – ADOPTED
Mr. Millner said Hennepin County was seeking municipal consent for the current layout for the Vernon
Avenue Bridge replacement project and recommended the Council adopt the resolution of support as
presented. He shared the proposed plan in detail and noted the intersections that tied into the Interlachen
project completed a few years ago with a new signal. He noted the area near the existing liquor store would
be an expanded location for a bus stop on the west side of the road then commented further on the
proposed plan.
Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2021-63 Supporting
Hennepin County’s Layout No. 2 of the Vernon Avenue Bridge Replacement Project. Member
Staunton seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
X. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS - Received
X.A. ADVISORY COMMUNICATION; COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION; OPIOID
PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
X.B. MINUTES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATIONS COMMISSION, JUNE 22, 2021
XI. AVIATION NOISE UPDATE – Received
XII. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received
Minutes/Edina City Council/August 17, 2021
Page 5
XIII. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received
XIV. CALENDAR OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EVENTS – Received
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at
8:44 p.m.
Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, September 9, 2021.
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Video Copy of the August 17, 2021, meeting available.