HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-05 City Council Work Session Meeting MinutesMINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor Staunton called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, and Acting Mayor Staunton.
Absent: Mayor Hovland
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Lisa Schaefer, Assistant City Manager; Jennifer Bennerotte,
Communications Director; Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; Tracy Petersen, Assistant Director-
Recreation and Facilities; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Ryan Browning, IT Director; Tiffany Bushland,
General Manager; Chad Eischens, General Manager; MJ Lamon, Community Engagement Coordinator; Jennifer
Garske, Executive Assistant; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
Consultants in attendance from Rapp Strategies, Inc: Todd Rapp, President and CEO; Todd Stone, Senior
Director.
REFERENDUM FOR LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
Manager Neal introduced Todd Rapp and Todd Stone of Rapp Strategies, that were hired to develop
communications to inform residents about the possible local option sales tax and questions on the November
2022 election ballot to fund the investment plan for Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park.
Todd Rapp spoke about the results of the community survey that was conducted by Morris Leatherman in
February and how the 400 residents surveyed by cell phone reflected the demographics of Edina. Rapp said 85%
of residents valued parks and recreation, and there were strong ratings for city leadership, engaged residents
and using tax dollars wisely. He said when residents are engaged year-round, they are more likely to support
their government, and the survey showed more than 70% support for the referendum questions, and 82% agreed
the improvements were a good idea. With strong support and confidence in City leadership, Rapp recommended
the City pursue broad community engagement to inform residents, that City staff and City Council take the lead
in addressing residents questions, offer clear and consistent information to avoid public confusion and remind
residents about the parks questions when they vote.
Todd Stone spoke about the goals of the communications strategy which was to develop and execute a
comprehensive communications plan that provides balanced and complete information about the plan to invest
in the two parks and Arena. He spoke about why informing residents was important, and work completed and
in progress for a public launch of the initiative in April. He reviewed the core messaging which was to provide
consistent language that was clear and can be used in a variety of ways leading up to election day and outlined
the communication timeline.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________________
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Edina City Council Work Session Meeting, April 5, 2022
Minutes approved by the Edina City Council, April 19, 2022.
___________________________________________
Kevin Staunton, Acting Mayor
Kevin Staunton (Apr 25, 2022 13:02 CDT)
Kevin Staunton