HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-22 City Council Work Session Meeting MinutesMINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, and Mayor Hovland.
Absent: Member Staunton
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; Tracy Petersen,
Assistant Director-Recreation and Facilities; Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor; Jeanette Colby, Art Center
Office Coordinator; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing
Development Manager; Jennifer Garske, Executive Assistant; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
Art Center Commissioner in attendance: Kathy Amlaw, Laura Westlund, Susan Chandler, and Steve Suckow
Consultant in attendance: Sara A. Peterson, Management Consultant
REVIEW OF POTTERY PROGRAM STUDY
Director Vetter reviewed the Council’s directive to staff. Consultant Peterson spoke about the study which
included the best parts of all the studies done over the years, peer feedback in the twin cities, and data to
determine market interest. She spoke about common mistakes when selecting a facility and the importance of
focusing on function, safety, and ventilation rather than a pretty space. She talked about cost recovery, having
the broadest audience, budgeting for capital and maintenance, and having the right staff to manage and market
the program. Vetter explained that several sites were eliminated and said Fire Station 2 was a viable space that
could be repurposed for the program. The site was attractive because of visibility on a main street which is
perfect for signage and marketing, accessible by transit, green space for art, on a trail, and overall great space for
indoor and outdoor activities.
The Council noted the need to find a space sooner than the Fire Station would be available. The Council asked
if pottery should be separate from other art form and, potentially selling the Art Center property to fund a
future site. Peterson said all art form did not need to be in the same building; however, if building a new site, she
would be less concerned than retrofitting because pottery has safety and ventilation requirements. The Council
spoke about having a pottery program that would be the best in the region. Peterson noted that Edina was
already the largest asset owner in the region with a program that aligned with a non-profit model but was lacking
a proper facility. Council directed staff to find a new site.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________________
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by the Edina City Council, April 5, 2022.
___________________________________________
Kevin Staunton, Acting Mayor
Kevin Staunton (Apr 8, 2022 13:46 CDT)