HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 19, 2024
7:00 P.M.
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.
►I. ROLLCALL
Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland.
Absent: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. 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 frustrations that staff disparaged his water rate facts with no
basis and that after review of his data, the City determined he was correct. He requested the City Manager
publicly acknowledge his error then asked if this was the behavior Council expected by staff.
Evan Williams 3905 West 55th Street, asked questions regarding the current tree ordinance. He said he was
currently working as a home builder on a site that had trees removed in 2022 prior to enactment of the
ordinance and hoped for clarification as the ordinance should not be applied retroactively. He shared
comments on tree growth and how builders could incentive people to remove trees prior to selling, which
could have the opposite effect and make homes more valuable with fewer trees.
Susan Lee, 6708 Point Drive, spoke about the importance of the ADA Act, noting with lawsuits on the rise
and greater corporate responsibility, emphasis should be placed on qualified civil engineers to ensure that all
sites met ADA requirements to the extent feasible. She said the Grand View pedestrian bridge improvements
were done only after the Department of Justice investigation began and that accessibility for all residents
should be a priority for all City-designed projects.
David Frenkel, 4510 Lakeview Drive, shared about Millennium Park in Chicago, their bridge that exceeded
ADA requirements, and the need to do the right thing in Edina regardless of the law. He referenced a recent
newspaper article that highlighted Edina's tree canopy map and how this information should be readily
available to residents instead of only through formal data requests. He spoke about Emerald ash borer in
Minnesota and how all other cities had programs to address the concern, except Edina, and how this needed
to occur as part of a scaled program.
Janey Westin, 6I 36 Brookview Avenue, shared concerns about invasive species in Pamela Park taking over
marshlands, such as purple loosestrife near Lake Nancy south of Normandy Apartments and Phragmites
reeds in North Pamela Park, and the need to address.
VI.A. CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS
City Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from current and past meetings.
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Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024
VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS AMENDED
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the consent agenda
as amended removing Items VI.H, Resolution No. 2024-25; Approving Shade Tree Program
Bonding Grant Agreement , VI.1, Request for Purchase; ENG 24-5 50th Street and Grange Road
Improvements, and VI.N, Resolution No. 2024-26; Accepting Business District Initiative Grant,
as follows:
VI.A. Approve Minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting of March 6, 2024
VI.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated March I, 2024, totaling
$2,614,305.80 and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated March 8, 2024, totaling
$1,672, I 28.86
VI.C. Approve Cooperative Agreement with Nine Mile Creek Watershed for Arrowhead
Lake and Indianhead Lake Water-Quality Improvement Project
VI.D. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for Grandview and Vernon Street Lighting
Replacement, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, SEH, $87,400
VI.E. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for York Avenue Pond Improvements,
awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, BARR Engineering, $60,100
VI.F. Approve Contract Change No. I with Davey Resource Group for Bredesen Park
Restoration Project
VI.G. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for Concept Design for Interlachen
Boulevard, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, WSB, $24,686
nding-G-rant-Agreement
VI.J. Request for Purchase; Braemar Park Courtney Fields Site Improvements, awarding the
bid to the recommended low bidder, Upper Midwest Athletic Construction, $611,994
VI.K. Request for Purchase; Four 2024 Ford Lightning Trucks, awarding the bid to the
recommended low bidder, Boyer Ford, $237,215
VI.L. Request for Purchase; 800 MHz Motorola Mobile Radios, awarding the bid to the
recommended low bidder, Motorola, $132,439.36
VI.M. Request for Purchase; South Metro Public Safety Training Facility Tactical Training
Building Service Contract, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder.
VI.O. Approve Contract for Services with Edina Resource Center
VI.P. Approve 2024 Liquor License Renewals for Cub Foods and Speedway #4047
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
VI.H. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-25; APPROVING SHADE TREE PROGRAM BONDING GRANT
AGREEMENT — ADOPTED
The Council thanked staff for securing the $480,000 DNR shade tree program grant that would be used to
replace hazardous ash trees.
Member Risser introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-25, approving the
Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant Agreement. Seconded by Member Jackson.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
VI. I. REQUEST FOR PURCHASE; ENG 24-5 50TH STREET AND GRANGE ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS, AWARDING THE BID TO THE RECOMMENDED LOW BIDDER, S.M.
HENTGES & SONS, INC., $2,694,183 — APPROVED
The Council asked about improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists going to schools, Southview, Concord,
and others. Director of Engineering Millner shared about the proposed improvements in this area that
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Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024
included upsized sidewalks, improved intersections, crosswalk lights to Interlachen Boulevard, and sidewalk
access along Grange Avenue. He stated the source of funds for this project was from the TIF district which
provided a great opportunity to improve these areas.
Member Risser made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to approve request for
purchase; ENG 24-5 50th Street and Grange Road Improvements, awarding the bid to the
recommended low bidder, S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc., $2,694,183.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
VI.N. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-26; ACCEPTING BUSINESS DISTRICT INITIATIVE GRANT —
ADOPTED
The Council asked how the program could help make cities more welcoming and the hope to incorporate
the One Town/One Family concept into signage. Economic Development Manager Neuendorf shared about
how the grant from Hennepin County would be used for wayfinding along with a variety of other funding
and while there had been no specific design created, funds would be incorporated into traditional wayfinding
signs that include placemaking features such as a landmarks and other public art.
Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-26, Accepting
Business District Initiative Grant. Seconded by Member Agnew.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
VILA. MARISA BAYER, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER — INTRODUCED
Mr. Neal introduced Sustainability Manager Bayer who shared her background with Council and said she
was excited to serve the City of Edina.
VII.B. STORMWATER UTILITY OVERVIEW — RECEIVED
Engineering Services Manager Bintner provided an overview of the stormwater utility that would provide
additional context for the discussion on Clean Water Strategy. He reviewed the mission and service, key
trends, partners, and strategies, governance and financial overview, capital expenditures and infrastructure
replacement value, operational expenditures, and how we change and grow.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
VII.C. CLEAN WATER STRATEGY VISION (VALUES AND GOALS) PREVIEW — RECEIVED
Water Resources Manager Vanderwerff Wilson previewed the proposed Clean Water Strategy vision, which
included its values and goals that would be tentatively considered in April 2024. She reviewed comments
and questions from the August 15, 2023, worksession that included reasons to establish a clean water
strategy, clear versus turbid water conditions, Edina's proposed strategy and the broader context of water
resources management, definitions of status quo service level versus clean water vision service level, and
prioritization and potential phase 3. She stressed the importance of strategic objectives and said the City
had an opportunity to set local priorities, service levels, and impact the pace of achievement for clean water.
Ms. Vanderwerff Wilson said the vision included prevention and mitigation of pollution and processes to
protect and restore ecological processes. She outlined the proposed values and goals in detail and stressed
the need to define and set local priorities, service levels, and impacts of the pace of achievement for clean
water.
Stephanie Johnson, Barr Engineering, shared further about the City's natural water bodies that included lakes
of 15 feet in depth, plant growth, and the differences between clear and turbid water.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
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Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19, 2024
VIII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-27; ACCEPTING DONATIONS — ADOPTED
Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-27, accepting
donations. Seconded by Member Agnew.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
VIII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-21; AMENDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO
AUTHORIZE INCREASE BONDING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY CENTER
(FIRE STATION 2) — ADOPTED
Mr. Neal shared background about the numeric changes in fiscal impact for this project, the review with
Ehlers and Associates, and the recommended requested action.
Nick Anhut, Ehlers and Associates, stated a public hearing took place at the March 6 City Council meeting,
which was posted in Better Together Edina and closed March 10. No public comments were received. 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. Following that meeting, 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.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-21, adopting the
Capital Improvement Plan and authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds therefor for the
Community Health & Safety Center (Fire Station 2). Seconded by Member Pierce.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
VIII.C. DESIGN OPTION ►A FOR ROSLAND PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE — APPROVED AS
AMENDED
Director of Engineering Millner shared the City's current pedestrian and bicycle master plan and goals to
become more walkable and bikeable. He said the current Rosland Park pedestrian bridge was owned and
managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and constructed in the 1960s. The
bridge did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and was substantially damaged when
it was struck twice in 2022 by vehicles traveling on Minnesota Highway 62. The damage resulted in the
closure of the bridge for most of 2022, until expensive temporary repairs were made in January 2023. There
have been extensive discussions between City and MnDOT staff about a plan to replace the bridge that
included extensive public input. He outlined the proposed bridge that included a steel truss bridge that would
expand the entire highway and frontage road. He outlined the proposed options in detail then highlighted
Option IA which was recommended which included switchbacks and a noise wall between the bridge and
64th Street. Funding for the project had been secured between a successful capital bonding request in 2023
and MnDOT Funds. He said MnDOT was also discussing adding a permanent third westbound travel lane
on Highway 62 along with a 20-ft tall noise wall. He shared the construction funding available of $5-$6 million
project cost with MnDOT and the extra maintenance for elevators then asked for Council direction.
The Council asked questions and provided feedback.
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ames B. Hovland, Mayor
Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024
Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, that the Rosland Park
Pedestrian Bridge be designed in a manner without an elevator as a component.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
IX. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) —
Received
IX.A. MINUTES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATIONS COMMISSION, JANUARY 23, 2024
IX.B. MINUTES: COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION, JANUARY 8 AND FEBRUARY 12, 2024
IX.C. MINUTES: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
X. MANAGER'S COMMENTS — Received
XI. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS — Received
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 9:48
p.m.
Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, April 2, 2024.
Video Copy of the March 19, 2024, meeting available.
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