HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY
COUNCIL MARCH 6,
2024 7:00 P.M.
1. 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.
11. ROLLCALL
Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland.
Absent: None.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
►V. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to approve the meeting agenda
as presented.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
Ralph Zickert, 4311 Cornelius Circle, shared comments regarding the City's lack of accomplishments in 2023
that included a failed new fire station construction proposed for Rosland Park, lack of a clear clean water
strategy, budget levy and utility rate increases, and poor liquor store performance. He commented on the
need for better leadership and how the City needs to be held accountable.
Jim Gratz, 5513 Park Place, shared concerns about the City's lodging tax and how restricted funds for lodging
tax were directed to Edinburgh Park and were instead coming from the general fund.
David Frenkel, 4510 Lakeview Drive, referred to a letter from the US Department of Justice regarding their
investigation of ADA violations act in reference to the bridge near the Public Works site and requested
feedback from the City on data not yet disclosed to the public.
Floyd Grabiel, 7510 Cahill Road, #312B, thanked the Council for their service then noted he had served as
Planning Commissioner in the past. He shared concerns about Winwood condominium of 206 units and the
current crisis in the insurance market. He said they had been unable to renew their insurance coverage and
now have a policy that increased from $147,000 to $650,000 which was not affordable. He noted that how
Minnesota had been a catastrophic state due to hail and windstorm damage, especially for older buildings.
He asked the Council to share these facts with anyone they could to help address these concerning costs.
VI.A. CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS
City Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from current and past meetings.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
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VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS AMENDED
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the consent agenda
as amended removing Items VI.A., Minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting of
February 20, 2024, and VII., Traffic Safety Report of January 30, 2024, as follows:
ccting of Fcbruary 20, 2024
Page
Minutes/Edina City Council/March 6. 2024
VI.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated February 16, 2024,
totaling $1,269,102.78 and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated February 23, 2024,
totaling $767,310.58
VI.C. Approve First Amendment to Cooperative Agreement with Nine Mile Creek Watershed
for Rosland Park Clean Water Project
VI.D. Request for Purchase; Contract ENG 24-I NB-5 Mill Pond Mechanical Harvesting of
Aquatic Vegetation Management, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder,
Premier Lake Harvesting for 2024 and 2025, $68,600
VI.E. Request for Purchase; Contract ENG 24-I NB-I Non-Assessed Aquatic Vegetation
Management, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Lake Management,
Inc., for 2024-2025, $83,744
VI.F. Request for Purchase; ENG 24-4 Bredesen Park Restoration Construction Oversight,
awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, RES, $44,309
VI.G. Request for Purchase; City Hall Election Storage Professional Services, awarding the bid
to the recommended low bidder, Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, $76,000
VI.H. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-23; Support for GreenCorps Host Site Application
VI.J. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-22; Accepting Metropolitan Council Local Housing Incentives
Account Grant and Authorizing Execution of Grant Agreement
VI.K. Request for Purchase; 2024 Ford F350, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder,
Boyer Ford, $90,860
VI.L. Request for Purchase; 2024 Chevy Suburban, awarding the bid to the recommended low
bidder, TRES, $72,984
VI.M. Request for Purchase; Manhole Liner Contract, awarding the bid to the recommended
low bidder, Underground Utility Specialties to seal 1097 manholes, $70,000
VI.N. Request for Purchase; ProjectDox ePlan SaaS Renewal, awarding the bid to the
recommended low bidder, Avolve Software, $35,352
VI.O. Approval of 2024-2025 Union Contract for IUOE Local 49 Public Service Workers
VI.P. Request for Purchase; Engagement Website Software Renewal, awarding the bid to the
recommended low bidder, Granicus for BetterTogetherEdina.org for $25,843 VI.Q. Approve
2024 Liquor License Renewals
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA VII.A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING AND WORKSHOP OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024 — APPROVED
The Council referred to the lack of inclusion of Council comments in minutes, especially regarding the last
sketch plan review and worksession direction. The Council suggested the information should be included
to provide reasons in the event they needed to defend a challenge and that minutes were not complete nor
provided a balanced narrative.
Communications Director Bennerotte and Clerk Allison commented on the historical context and decision
of past Councils to create shorter meeting minutes and rely on the video for better context.
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Attorney Kendall stated the minutes met the statutory requirements but if Council wanted to see more text,
that could be directed but currently this was the policy decision.
Manager Neal noted the video record could be accessed by the public for better context but that if directed
by a majority of the Council, the minutes format could be changed. He noted meeting room space could be
provided to any member of the public wishing to review meeting footage.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
Minutes/Edina City Council/March 6, 2024
Member Risser made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to approve minutes of the
regular meeting and workshop of February 20, 2024, as presented.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
VI.I. TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT OF JANUARY 30, 2024 — ACCEPTED
The Council asked about requests for sidewalks where staff recommended that crosswalks warrants were
not met.
Director of Engineering Millner explained reasons for warrants that included substantial conflicts, presence
of regional trails, school crossings, volume of pedestrians, traffic volume, and speed of motorists. He noted
crosswalks range from $2,000-$3,000 and did not include maintenance costs and the need to balance that
with crosswalks that continue to be effective.
Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to accept the traffic safety
report of January 30, 2024, as presented. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
Introduction of Finance Director Pa Thao
Mr. Neal introduced the City's new Finance Director Thao who shared her background and said she was
pleased to serve in this new role.
VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. 2023 TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMARY
REPORT— RECEIVED
Traffic Safety Coordinator Bauler presented the annual Traffic Safety Summary Report for 2023. He outlined
the five categories of focus that included parking and signage, intersection control, traffic calming, pedestrian
safety, and others. He reviewed the 183 requests submitted and how the Commission reviewed 167 which
included 5 I submitted from prior years. He reviewed actions taken place in response to requests in areas
that included Market Street, Valley View Road, and the Wooddale Avenue shared use path, then reviewed
requests by areas in the City and request trends.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file.
VIII.A. PUBLIC HEARING: NEW ONSALE INTOXICATING AND SUNDAY SALE LIQUOR
LICENSES FOR 4917 EDEN, LLC, DBA STARLING — APPROVED
Clerk Allison reported that 917 Eden, LLC, dba Starling, would be opening in Maison Green at 4917 Eden
Avenue across from City Hall. The applicant had applied for On-Sale Intoxicating and Sunday Sale liquor
licenses. Staff reviewed the application and found it to be complaint with code requirements. A background
investigation was completed by the Police Department and staff recommended approval of the liquor licenses
and request approval immediately, an exception to the two-meeting public hearing process.
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Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
Public Testimony No
one appeared.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to close the public hearing.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland
Minutes/Edina City Council/March 6, 2024
Motion carried.
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve the approve new
On-Sale Intoxicating and Sunday Sale liquor licenses for 4917 Eden, LLC, dba Starling. as
presented.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
Brent Frederick, applicant, shared about the Starling restaurant and thanked staff for their work so they can
be ready to train in April with a soft opening shortly after. He outlined the themed eatery that included
culinary focused, globally inspired flavors. He also commented on the new developer being searched for on
the proposed apartment project.
VIII.B. PUBLIC HEARING: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-21; AMENDING THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO AUTHORIZE INCREASED BONDING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH
AND SAFETY CENTER (FIRE STATION 2) — CONTINUED TO MARCH 19, 2024
Ms. Thao stated in June 2022, Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-56 to authorize financing for up to
$39,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the land acquisition, design, and construction of the fire station
project. The original plan authorized a not to exceed $39,000,000 bonding amount. The City completed site
acquisition in 2022, anticipating the design and construction contracts to be awarded in 2023 and 2024.
Preliminary design indicated the need to increase the project budget due to cost escalations and refined
scope. Final bid results were received in December 2023 and the Council subsequently approved increasing
the project budget by $8,300,000 to $47,300,000. The plan was amended to authorize an additional bonding
amount, not to exceed $8,300,000, subject to City Council approval for the project. She said following the
close of the public hearing on March 10, staff recommended City Council to adopt Resolution No. 2024-21.
Nick Anhut, Ehlers and Associates, explained the process for general obligation bonds and bonding
authorization which was subject to 30-day reverse referendum through a valid petition process. He said the
proposed action authorized up to $39 million for the site at 4401 76th Street West. He then reviewed bonds
and timing for construction next year. He outlined the 2023 additional costs of $47.3 million which were
approved in February 2024 then explained the levy for the $2.8 million represented a 5.15% overall levy
increase from 2024 to pay for the bonds. He outlined the City's current credit rating and potential
implications and said after review, while there would be an increased debt load, there would be no impact
to the City's overall credit rating if issued and no concerns or material change to the City's credit rating.
Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:15 p.m.
Public Testimony No
one appeared.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
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James B. Hovland, Mayor
Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to close the public hearing on
March 10, 2024, and continue action on Resolution No. 2024-21 amending the Capital
Improvement Plan to authorize bonding increase for the Community Health & Safety Center
(Fire Station2) to the March 19, 2024, City Council meeting. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser,
Hovland Motion carried.
IX. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS IX.A. PROPOSED 2024-2026 EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT WITH CITY MANAGER — APPROVED
Mr. Neal shared the City Council conducted his 2023 performance review January 16, 2024, and as a result
of the review, he had requested that Mayor Hovland and Council Member Pierce meet to discuss requests
Minutes/Edina City Council/March 6. 2024
for a new employment agreement. As a result of the meetings, the proposed 2024-2026 employment
agreement was being presented for consideration.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson to approve the proposed
20242026 employment agreement with the City Manager as presented.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
X. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) —
Received
X.A. MINUTES: ARTS AND CULTURE, DECEMBER 14, 2023 X.B. MINUTES: ENERGY
AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION, JANUARY I I, 2024
X.C. MINUTES: TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, JANUARY 18, 2024
XI. MANAGER'S COMMENTS — Received
XII. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS — Received
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 9:17
p.m.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion
carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, March 19, 2024.
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Video Copy of the March 6, 2024, meeting available.
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