HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-30 City Council Special Meeting PacketAgenda
City Council Meeting
City of Edina, Minnesota
SPECIAL VIRTUAL MEETING
Saturday, January 30, 2021
9:00 AM
Watch the meeting on cable TV or at EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings or
Facebook.com/EdinaMN.
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Reports/Recommendations: (Favorable vote of majority of Council
Members present to approve except where noted)
A.Resolution No. 2021-17: Supporting the Authority to Impose a
Local Option Sales Tax for Speci/c Capital Improvements
V.Adjournment
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public
process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing ampli/cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: January 30, 2021 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Mayor and City Council Item Type:
Report / Recommendation
From:Scott H. Neal, City Manager
Item Activity:
Subject:Resolution No. 2021-17: Supporting the Authority to
Impose a Local Option Sales Tax for Specific Capital
Improvements
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve Resolution No. 2021-17 supporting the authority to impose a local sales tax to fund specific capital
improvements providing regional benefit, to establish the duration of the tax and the revenue to be raised by the
tax, and to authorize the City of Edina to issue bonds supported by the sales tax revenue
INTRODUCTION:
In 2019, staff began discussing potentially funding local and Municipal State Aid (MSA) street reconstruction
using a Local Options Sales Tax (LOST ). Staff learned that park amenities and MSA street reconstruction was
an eligible use but not local street spending. T he plan was revised to use LOST to fund infrastructure
improvements, including park amenities and transportation. The attached staff report details the revised plan.
Staff recommends adopting Resolution No. 2020-17 supporting the authority to impose a local sales tax to fund
the Fred Richards Park Master Plan, Braemar P ark Master Plan including the Braemar Arena Complex, Weber
Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities and Municipal State Aid Street Reconstruction.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Staff Report: Supporting the Authority to Impose a Local Option Sales Tax for Specific Capital Improvements
Resolution 2021-17: Supporting the Authority to Impose a Local Option Sales Tax for Specific Capital Improvements
Letter to Senate Tax Committee
Letter to House Taxes Committee
January 30, 2021
Mayor and City Council
Scott H. Neal, City Manager
Resolution No. 2021-17: Supporting the Authority to Impose a Local Option Sales Tax for
Specific Capital Improvements
Information / Background:
At the Sept. 4, 2019, Work Session, staff presented the potential to fund local and Municipal State Aid
(MSA) street reconstruction using a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The presentation included an analysis
of estimated contributions of both residents and non-residents by the University of Minnesota Extension
for the City of Edina. The study included a summary document that described the methodology used,
analysis by merchant category and research on effects of implementing LOST.
At the Nov. 6, 2019, Work Session, staff presented the business response to potential funding of
infrastructure with LOST. One outcome of that meeting was while park amenities and MSA street
reconstruction is a valid use, local street spending is not an eligible use for LOST. Staff indicated
that a revised plan for the use of LOST to fund infrastructure improvements, including park
amenities and transportation, would be developed and brought for City Council consideration in
2020.
Required LOST Statutory Process
To impose a local sales tax, the City of Edina must obtain enactment of a special law authorizing it to do
so by taking the following steps (in the order listed):
1) The Edina City Council must pass a resolution proposing the tax and include the following:
a. the proposed tax rate;
b. a detailed description of no more than five capital projects to be funded by the tax;
c. documentation of the regional significance of each project including the benefits to
non- local persons and businesses;
d. the amount of revenue to be raised for each project and the estimated time to
raise that amount; and
e. the total revenue to be raised and anticipated expiration date for the tax.
2) The City of Edina must submit the resolution and documentation on regional significance of
the project(s) to the chair and ranking minority member of the House and Senate tax
committees by January 31 of the year that it is seeking the special law.
3) Working with a legislator, the City must request and get enacted a special law
authorizing imposition of the tax.
STAFF REPORT Page 2
4) The City of Edina must file local approval with the Secretary of State before the start of the
next regular legislative session after the session in which the enabling law is enacted.
5) The City of Edina must receive voter approval at a general election within two years of receiving
the local sales tax authority before it can impose the tax. A separate question must be held for
each project and only the ones approved by voters may be funded by the sales tax. The
authorized revenue to be raised and length of time that the tax is imposed is reduced for any
project that is not approved by the voters.
6) The City of Edina must pass an ordinance imposing the tax and notify the Commissioner of
Revenue at least 90 days before the first day of the calendar quarter on which the tax is to be
imposed.
Implementation of LOST Funding
According to a study prepared for the City by the University of Minnesota, a LOST in Edina at the
projected rate of 0.5% would generate approximately $4M annually for project implementation. Based on
a 20-year collection period, total revenue is projected to exceed $80M.
Initial Recommended Projects
The data and research from 2019 ultimately turned into a proposal for the use of LOST that made its
way to the State Legislature in January 2020. The list of possible projects to be funded by LOST included
new and enhanced community park and recreational assets and MSA street reconstruction. The list of
recommended projects included the following:
• Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
• Braemar Park Master Plan and Ice Arena Improvements ($20.9M)
• Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($1M)
• MSA Street Reconstruction (Projects total $39.2M)
Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in 2014.
The 43-acre site, almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use park for a
variety of activities year-round. This site is connected regionally by the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
Corridor, built in partnership with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and Three Rivers Park District,
which bisects the site. Fred Richards Park will subtly divide into sections, providing different experiences
for people and nature. The vision includes features and amenities envisioned for the site to meet current
and anticipated park and recreational demands. The Master Plan adopted July 2017, includes:
Central Green ($9.9M)
Nature Bank ($1.9M)
Great Lawn and Loop Area ($5.9M)
Regionally, this community asset is directly connected via the Nine Mile and Three Rivers Park District
Trail to Minnetonka, Hopkins and Richfield. The park is also connected to the Minneapolis Grand
Rounds, Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Cedar Lake LRT
Regional Trail and Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. The park is adjacent to the Pentagon Park office
project, home to numerous business organizations and employees.
Braemar Park Master Plan including Braemar Arena Complex ($20.9M)
STAFF REPORT Page 3
At 500 acres, Braemar Park is the largest recreational space in the City of Edina. It is home to Braemar
Golf Course, Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Sports Dome and Field, and Courtney
Fields.
Improvements to the park includes improving the connectivity of trail systems, access, and wayfinding to
park amenities and facilities; providing separated use trail systems to accommodate walkers, mountain
bikers and cross-country skiers; identifying new site improvements and recreational amenities to enhance
existing facilities; developing and improving the quality of natural resources in the park; incorporating
sustainable site improvements to promote land water resources; and investing in facility infrastructure are
goals of the masterplan. Masterplan adopted January 2018, includes:
Master Plan ($8.1M)
Arena Complex Infrastructure ($12.8M)
Home to Edina High School, the Edina Youth Associations and the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating
Club, regionally, this community asset draws recreational visitors from the entire Metro area, Greater
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Canada. These park and recreation amenities are available for
use by residents, business community members and school programs.
Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($1M)
At just over 14 acres, Weber Woods was jointly purchased by the City of Edina and the City of St. Louis
Park in 2016. The site is located adjacent to and between Weber Field Park in Edina and Minikahda Vista
Park in St. Louis Park. Over 9 acres of the site is located within the City of Edina and its intended use is
restricted to park, recreation, open space or storm water management. The Edina City Council will
consider flood improvements on the property for construction in 2022. This project would develop park
amenities at this location around the flood features under consideration to benefit, the residents,
businesses and visitors of Edina, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis would be served by these offerings.
Municipal State Aid Street Reconstruction (Projects total $39.2M)
MSA street reconstruction is an eligible use of LOST funding. Staff projects little to no growth in the
Highway Users Tax Distribution Fund, from which MSA funding originates. Without an increase in
funding, the pace and scope of these projects will slow. Engineering staff identifies approximately 28
miles of future MSA street reconstruction projects estimated at $56M. LOST Funds could cover
approximately $39.2M, with the remaining $16.8M covered by existing MSA Funds.
Revised 2020 LOST Project List
As the list of recommended projects for Edina’s LOST was considered by the various committees in the
MN House and Senate, there was a general request from the legislature to all cities proposing LOST to
drop proposed transportation spending from their proposed uses of LOST. We accommodated that
request, which reduced our 2020 LOST Project list to the following:
• Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
• Braemar Park Master Plan and Ice Arena Improvements ($20.9M)
• Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($1M)
• MSA Street Reconstruction (Projects total $39.2M)
Recommended LOST Project Funding for 2021
STAFF REPORT Page 4
The Legislature’s 2020 bar on using LOST for transportation funding at the local level is still in place for
2021. Given that parameter, and adjusting our 2020 LOST projects for minor scope changes and
construction inflation, I propose the City Council endorse the following projects for 2021:
• Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
• Braemar Park Master Plan and Ice Arena Improvements ($21.6M)
• Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($2.0M)
Action Requested:
The City Council does not have the legal authority to impose a local option sales tax. The City Council
may only request the State Legislature to allow local voters the opportunity to impose a local options
sales tax on themselves, if they choose, by approving it in a local referendum.
Given the scale of the capital spending necessary to accomplish the proposed regionally significant
projects, staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached resolution supporting the authority to
host a local referendum to determine if Edina residents wish to impose a local option sales tax to fund
improvements to the Fred Richards Park, Braemar Park Master Plan including the Braemar Arena
Complex, and the Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities Project. The proposed local sales tax
rate is 0.5 percent which is projected to generate $80,000,000 over a 20-year term.
This resolution is required to be submitted to the State Tax Committee by Jan. 31, 2021.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-17
SUPPORTING THE AUTHORITY
TO IMPOSE A LOCAL SALES TAX
TO FUND SPECIFIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROVIDING REGIONAL BENEFIT, TO ESTABLISH THE DURATION OF THE TAX
AND THE REVENUE TO BE RAISED BY THE TAX, AND
TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF EDINA TO
ISSUE BONDS SUPPORTED BY THE SALES TAX REVENUE
WHEREAS, the City of Edina has engaged the business community around the possibility of a
local option sales tax. Staff sent letters to thousands of businesses and hosted three large-group meetings
and many individual staff meetings.
WHEREAS, the City Council identified three projects;
1. Fred Richards Park Master Plan (17.7M)
Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in
2014. The 43-acre site, almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use
park for a variety of activities year-round. This site is connected regionally by the Nine Mile
Creek Regional Trail Corridor, built in partnership with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and
Three Rivers Park District, which bisects the site. Fred Richards Park will subtly divide into
sections, providing different experiences for people and nature. The vision includes features and
amenities envisioned for the site to meet current and anticipated park and recreational demands.
The Master Plan adopted July 2017, includes:
Central Green – ($9.9M)
Nature Bank – ($1. 9M)
Great Lawn and Loop Area ($5.9M)
Regionally, this community asset is directly connected via the Nine Mile and Three Rivers Park
District Trail to Minnetonka, Hopkins and Richfield. The park is also connected to the
Minneapolis Grand Rounds, Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs
Regional Trail, Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. The park
is adjacent to the Pentagon Park office project, home to numerous business organizations and
employees.
2. Braemar Park Master Plan including Braemar Arena complex ($21.6M)
At 500 acres, Braemar Park is the largest recreational space in the City of Edina. It is home to
Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Sports Dome and Field,
and Courtney Fields. Improvements to the park includes improving the connectivity of trail
systems, access, and wayfinding to park amenities and facilities; providing separated use trail
systems to accommodate walkers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers; identifying new site
improvements and recreational amenities to enhance existing facilities; developing and improving
the quality of natural resources in the park; incorporating sustainable site improvements to
promote land water resources; and investing in facility infrastructure are goals of the masterplan.
Masterplan adopted January 2018, includes:
Park Master Plan – ($8.1M)
Arena Complex Infrastructure – ($13.5M)
Home to Edina High School, the Edina Youth Associations and the Braemar City of Lakes Figure
Skating Club, regionally, this community asset draws recreational visitors from the entire Metro
area, Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Canada. These park and recreation
amenities are available for use by residents, business community members and school programs.
3. Weber Woods Park ($2M)
At just over 14 acres, Weber Woods was jointly purchased by the City of Edina and the City of
St. Louis Park in 2016. The site is located adjacent to and between Weber Field Park in Edina and
Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park. Over 9 acres of the site is located within the City of Edina
and its intended use is restricted to park, recreation, open space or storm water management.
The Edina City Council will consider flood improvements on the property for construction in
2022. This project would develop park amenities at this location around the flood features under
consideration to benefit, the residents, businesses and visitors of Edina, St. Louis Park and
Minneapolis would be served by these offerings.
WHEREAS, the project(s) will result in benefits to both the residents and businesses of the city of
Edina and to non-resident visitors and businesses; and,
WHEREAS, funding the project(s) with a local sales tax will more closely distribute the cost of
the project(s) to the users of the facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the project(s) are estimated to cost approximately $41,300,000; and,
WHEREAS, the City estimates that a local sales tax of 0.5 percent would generate $4,000,000
annually over 20 years; and,
WHEREAS, the City has provided documentation of the regional significance of each project, including
the share of the economic benefit to or use of each project by persons residing, or businesses located, outside
of the jurisdiction; and,
WHEREAS, the estimated local sales tax revenue and estimated time needed to raise that amount
of revenue for each project is as follows:
• For Fred Richards Park Master Plan: The City will collect $17,700,000 over 20 years.
• For Braemar Park Master Plan including Braemar Arena complex: The City will collect
$21,600,000 over 20 years.
• For Weber Woods Park: The City will collect $2,000,000 over 20 years.
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat.§ 297A.99 authorizes the imposition of a general sales tax if permitted by
special law of the Minnesota Legislature; and,
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat.§ 297A.99 requires the City to pass a resolution authorizing such a local
tax and to obtain Legislative approval prior to approval by the local voters to enact the local tax.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. The City Council supports the authority to impose a general local sales tax of 0.5 percent for
a period of 20 years to fund the aforementioned project(s);
2. Upon approval of this resolution, the City will submit the adopted resolution and documentation
of regional significance to the chairs and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Taxes
committees for approval and passage of a special law authorizing the tax, by January 31 of the year
that it is seeking the special law.
3. Upon Legislative approval and passage of the special law authorizing the tax, the City will adopt a
resolution accepting the new law, which will be filed with a local approval certificate to the Office
of the Secretary of State before the following Legislative session.
4. The City will put a detailed ballot question(s), which includes separate questions for each
project, on a general election ballot for local voter approval. This will be done within two
years of receiving legislative authority.
5. If one or more ballot questions pass, the City will also pass an ordinance imposing the tax and
notify the Commissioner of Revenue at least 90 days before the first day of the calendar quarter
that the tax will be imposed.
6. Upon completion of the aforementioned requirements, the local sales tax will commence and
run twenty (20) years or until a sum sufficient to fund the voter approved project(s), including
related debt costs, is raised, whichever comes first.
Passed and adopted this 30th day of January, 2021.
Attest:
Sharon Allison, City Clerk James B. Hovland, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS
CITY OF EDINA )
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina do hereby certify that the attached
and foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Edina City Council at its Regular Meeting of January 30, 2021,
and as recorded in the Minutes of said Regular Meeting.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said City this _______ day of ___________________, 2021.
City Clerk
January 30, 2021
Senator Carla Nelson
Chair, Senate Tax Committee
3225 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Senator Bill Weber
Chair, Senate Property Tax
Senator Ann Rest
Ranking Minority Member
Senate Tax Committee Member
Senator Melisa Franzen
District 49 representing Edina
Senate Tax Committee Member
Honorable Senators,
Enclosed is a resolution of support seeking the authority to establish a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to fund
infrastructure improvements with regional significance. This resolution was passed by the Edina City Council on January
30, 2021.
This resolution, 2021-17, supports the authority to impose a local sales tax to fund specific capital improvements
providing regional benefit, to establish the duration of the tax and the revenue to be raised by the tax, and to authorize
the City of Edina to issue bonds supported by the sales tax revenue.
Specifically, Edina has identified three infrastructure projects to be funded by LOST.
1. Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in 2014. The 43-acre site,
almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use park for a variety of activities year-round. This
site is connected regionally by the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail Corridor, built in partnership with Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District and Three Rivers Park District, which bisects the site. Fred Richards Park will subtly divide into
sections, providing different experiences for people and nature. The vision includes features and amenities envisioned for
the site to meet current and anticipated park and recreational demands. The Master Plan adopted July 2017, includes:
Central Green ($9.9M)
Nature Bank ($1.9M)
Great Lawn and Loop Area ($5.9M)
Regionally, this community asset is directly connected via the Nine Mile and Three Rivers Park District Trail to
Minnetonka, Hopkins and Richfield. The park is also connected to the Minneapolis Grand Rounds, Nokomis-Minnesota
River Regional Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and Lake Minnetonka LRT
Regional Trail. The park is adjacent to the Pentagon Park office project, home to numerous business organizations and
employees.
2. Braemar Park Master Plan including Braemar Arena complex ($21.6M)
At 500 acres, Braemar Park is the largest recreational space in the City of Edina. It is home to Braemar Golf Course,
Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Sports Dome and Field, and Courtney Fields. Improvements to the park
includes improving the connectivity of trail systems, access, and wayfinding to park amenities and facilities; providing
separated use trail systems to accommodate walkers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers; identifying new site
improvements and recreational amenities to enhance existing facilities; developing and improving the quality of natural
resources in the park; incorporating sustainable site improvements to promote land water resources; and investing in
facility infrastructure are goals of the masterplan. Masterplan adopted January 2018, includes:
Master Plan ($8.1M)
Arena Complex Infrastructure ($13.5M)
Home to Edina High School, the Edina Youth Associations and the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, regionally,
this community asset draws recreational visitors from the entire Metro area, Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa
and Canada. These park and recreation amenities are available for use by residents, business community members and
school programs.
3. Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($2M)
At just over 14 acres, Weber Woods was jointly purchased by the City of Edina and the City of St. Louis Park in 2016.
The site is located adjacent to and between Weber Field Park in Edina and Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park. Over 9
acres of the site is located within the City of Edina and its intended use is restricted to park, recreation, open space or
storm water management. The Edina City Council will consider flood improvements on the property for construction in
2022. This project would develop park amenities at this location around the flood features under consideration to
benefit, the residents, businesses and visitors of Edina, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis would be served by these offerings.
The City of Edina recently completed an analysis conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension for the use of
LOST and has estimated that to fund the $79,800,000 in identified projects, a local sales tax of 0.5 percent would
generate the necessary $4,000,000 annually over 20 years.
In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 297A.99 the City has passed resolution 2021-17 supporting the use of LOST and
requests authorization by the Minnesota Legislature to authorize the imposition of a general sales tax if approved by a
local ballot referendum.
Sincerely,
James Hovland Scott Neal
Mayor City Manager
January 30, 2021
Rep. Paul Marquart Representative Heather Edelson
Chair, House Taxes Committee District 49A representing Edina
3225 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Rep. Greg Davids Representative Steve Elkins
Ranking Minority Member District 49B representing Edina
House Taxes Committee Member
Rep. Cheryl Youakim
Property Tax Division Chair
Honorable Representatives,
Enclosed is a resolution of support seeking the authority to establish a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to fund
infrastructure improvements with regional significance. This resolution was passed by the Edina City Council on January
30, 2021.
This resolution, 2021-17, supports the authority to impose a local sales tax to fund specific capital improvements
providing regional benefit, to establish the duration of the tax and the revenue to be raised by the tax, and to authorize
the City of Edina to issue bonds supported by the sales tax revenue.
Specifically, Edina has identified three infrastructure projects to be funded by LOST.
1. Fred Richards Park Master Plan ($17.7M)
Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in 2014. The 43-acre site,
almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use park for a variety of activities year-round. This
site is connected regionally by the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail Corridor, built in partnership with Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District and Three Rivers Park District, which bisects the site. Fred Richards Park will subtly divide into
sections, providing different experiences for people and nature. The vision includes features and amenities envisioned for
the site to meet current and anticipated park and recreational demands. The Master Plan adopted July 2017, includes:
Central Green ($9.9M)
Nature Bank ($1.9M)
Great Lawn and Loop Area ($5.9M)
Regionally, this community asset is directly connected via the Nine Mile and Three Rivers Park District Trail to
Minnetonka, Hopkins and Richfield. The park is also connected to the
Minneapolis Grand Rounds, Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Cedar Lake
LRT Regional Trail and Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. The park is adjacent to the Pentagon Park office project,
home to numerous business organizations and employees.
Minneapolis Grand Rounds, Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail, Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Cedar Lake
LRT Regional Trail and Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. The park is adjacent to the Pentagon Park office project,
home to numerous business organizations and employees.
2. Braemar Park Master Plan including Braemar Arena complex ($21.6M)
At 500 acres, Braemar Park is the largest recreational space in the City of Edina. It is home to Braemar Golf Course,
Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Sports Dome and Field, and Courtney Fields. Improvements to the park
includes improving the connectivity of trail systems, access, and wayfinding to park amenities and facilities; providing
separated use trail systems to accommodate walkers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers; identifying new site
improvements and recreational amenities to enhance existing facilities; developing and improving the quality of natural
resources in the park; incorporating sustainable site improvements to promote land water resources; and investing in
facility infrastructure are goals of the masterplan. Masterplan adopted January 2018, includes:
Master Plan ($8.1M)
Arena Complex Infrastructure ($13.5M)
Home to Edina High School, the Edina Youth Associations and the Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, regionally,
this community asset draws recreational visitors from the entire Metro area, Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa
and Canada. These park and recreation amenities are available for use by residents, business community members and
school programs.
3. Weber Woods Park and Storm Water Facilities ($2M)
At just over 14 acres, Weber Woods was jointly purchased by the City of Edina and the City of St. Louis Park in 2016.
The site is located adjacent to and between Weber Field Park in Edina and Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park. Over 9
acres of the site is located within the City of Edina and its intended use is restricted to park, recreation, open space or
storm water management. The Edina City Council will consider flood improvements on the property for construction in
2022. This project would develop park amenities at this location around the flood features under consideration to
benefit, the residents, businesses and visitors of Edina, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis would be served by these offerings.
The City of Edina recently completed an analysis conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension for the use of
LOST and has estimated that to fund the $79,800,000 in identified projects, a local sales tax of 0.5 percent would
generate the necessary $4,000,000 annually over 20 years.
In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 297A.99 the City has passed resolution 2021-17 supporting the use of LOST and
requests authorization by the Minnesota Legislature to authorize the imposition of a general sales tax if approved by a
local ballot referendum.
Sincerely,
James Hovland Scott Neal
Mayor City Manager