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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 Work Session Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 5:30 P.M. 1.0 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2.0 ROLL CALL Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Mayor Hovland. Absent: None Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City Management Fellow; Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; Tracy Petersen, Parks & Recreation Assistant Director; Laura Fulton, Recreation Supervisor; Jeanette Colby, Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator; Pa Thao, Finance Director; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Derik Otten, Facilities Manager; Cary Teague, Community Development Director; Ryan Browning, I.T. Director; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk. Others in attendance: Arts & Culture Commission Members: Chair Laura Westlund, Vice-Chair Alana Zbaren, Jennifer Faeth, Anne Marie Curtin; and Nick Anhut, Ehlers Senior Municipal Advisor. 3.1 UPDATE ON EDINA ART CENTER COLOCATION AT SOUTHDALE LIBRARY Director Vetter shared the history and the needs of the Edina Art Center; the range of options and opportunity costs that were considered; the colocation benefits and potential partnerships and connections with neighboring parks and trails; the comparable costs of the same type of project in other states; the total project cost of tenant payments over 40 years compared to the other options; a description of the letter of intent from Hennepin County; the phases of project development; the planning of how the facility will be utilized with help from Webb Management, input from the Arts & Culture Commission and the community; and the proposed design renderings. Next steps are to formalize the lease agreement and memorandum of understanding. The Council asked questions and discussed efficiencies of the different type of kilns; and the use and future use of the existing Edina Art Center. The Arts & Culture Commission members shared their excitement and exposure of the Edina Art Center in this shared space which will help to grow the arts community. 3.2 AQUATIC CENTER PUMP ROOM Director Thao and Manager Otten shared the history and issues of the pump room that includes State code compliance updates, the 2021 electrical failure, and the deteriorating state of the pump room. To limit impacts of the aquatic season, the proposed plan would be to build an addition and keep the aquatic center operational. Next steps include completing the construction design phase and calling for bids, but first funding needs to be secured. Advisor Anhut described the options for funding: Edina Special Law, referendum, tax abatement, and HRA public project. The Council asked questions and discussed the different funding options including State legislative bonding and a local option sales tax extension. Assistant City Manager Lenz added that due to the time restrictions and state of the pump room, passing a referendum is significantly limited. Director Thao shared that the HRA public project option would be the most complex. Advisor Anhut explained that the Edina Special Law is not feasible unless a new revenue source can be added. Lenz explained the process of tax abatement and Anhut shared options on how to use the tax abatement with an option to also use temporary bonds. Thao explained the next steps to get an estimated cost to then decide how to fund the project. Page I on Allison, City Clerk aures B. Hovland, Mayor Minutes/Edina City Council Work Session/January 21. 2025 4.0 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes approved by Edina City Council, February 4, 2025. Work session audio available. Page 2