The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024-02-06 Work Session Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024 5:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were Members Agnew, Jackson, Risser and Mayor Hovland. Absent: Member Pierce Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Gillian Straub, City Management Fellow, Assistant City Manager Ari Lenz; Chad Millner, Director of Engineering; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; Bill Neuendorf, Economic Development Manager; Ryan Browning, IT Director, and Sharon Allison, City Clerk. Others in attendance: Representative Heather Edelson, (50A), DFL, Representative Cheryl Youakim, (46B) DFL, Julie Greene, Mike Lund, and Katy Sen. 2024 STATE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION PLATFORM Mayor Hovland welcomed State Representatives Heather Edelson and Cheryl Youakim. He introduced Edina’s six legislative priorities and shared the Bonding for Interchange Improvements at MN Highway 100 and Vernon Avenue/West 50th Street was a rare opportunity to combine the needs of the city, county, and state. Manager Neal shared the Senate’s Greater Metro Area Bonding tour made a stop in Edina to learn about this project and they seemed supportive. The Mayor shared that this was also an opportunity to add a new fire station in this area. Neal spoke about bonding for the Aquatic Center, a popular regional destination, and Director Vetter shared the 1958 built needed critical infrastructure repairs to meet changes in state code. The Mayor shared the Sales Tax Exemption for Projects in the Braemar Park Master Plan and Fred Richards Park Master Plan was related to the Local Option Sales Tax and getting an exemption for the material and supplies purchased for the construction, reconstruction, upgrade, expansion, or remodeling of City facilities included in the two master plans. Neal shared the Bonding for Fires Station 2 Construction Costs was to expand the use of funds to include construction costs, as has been allowed with numerous other projects that received state bonding. Neal shared they were interested in expanding the range of eligible expenses for the City’s Lodging Taxes to include economic development program and for local community festivals and events such as fireworks for the 4th of July. He said the Edina Chamber of Commerce was supportive. Edelson and Youakim said the lodging taxes may be a difficult legislation to pass. Economic Development Manager Neuendorf shared that for the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Legislation for 70th and France and 72nd and France, the ask was to extend the timeline from 5-years to 10. He said there were over $400 million of private investment but since the districts were established, the national economic climate has changed, and extending the timeline to 10 years would allow the private lending sector to return to normal, likely by 2025. He added that other communities around the state were facing the same issue. Edelson recommended community engagement/education on the use of TIF. After reviewing the six legislative priorities, Youakim and Edelson agreed they were reasonable except for the Lodging Tax. Other discussion included changing group home regulation because of a recent proposal where an entire block was proposed to become group homes, however, there was consensus during discussion that this was a sensitive topic; support for banning plastic bags and current limitation; a new bottle bill that would be coming; and an update on the school resource officers bill and changes that were made. Rep. Edelson spoke about legislation for spousal reimbursements through Medicare and that this was in place during COVID but expired in November and how it was an important issue in the care community because of understaffing. Rep. Youakim had several questions related to the Environment and Sustainability and Public Safety positions but would speak offline with staff because of time constraints. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _____________________________________ Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by the Edina City Council Feb. 20, 2024. _____________________________ James B. Hovland, Mayor Sharon Allison (Feb 22, 2024 14:14 CST)