HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-04 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 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, Pierce, Risser, and Mayor Hovland.
Absent: Jackson
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City
Management Fellow; Pa Thao, Finance Director; Andrew Slama, Fire Chief; Todd Milburn, Police Chief;
Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Perry Vetter, Parks and
Recreation Director; Ryan Browning, I.T. Director; MJ Lamon, Special Projects & Engagement Manager;
Jennifer Garske, Executive Assistant and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
3.1 BUDGET WORK SESSION
City Manager Neal introduced the presentation regarding the two-year budget process and overviewed the
City’s mission, vision and values. Assistant City Manager Lenz shared that this budget work session would
be split in two work sessions, tonight’s Work Session and Feb. 6 Special Work Session, and described the
key takeaways from the work sessions as a better understanding of services, policy discretion and cost
drivers. She expressed how services at the City are interconnected and complex. Director Thao reviewed
the 2025 budget and levies including a tentative timeline for the biennial budget and the schedule for the
individual departments that will be presenting in the two Work Sessions.
Chief Milburn presented an overview of the Police Department. He shared three key areas of focus:
prevention of crime, community engagement, staff development and wellness. He described: the
organizational chart and the roles along with challenges of hiring and retaining quality staff; a summary of the
services that are statutorily required and the services that improve that quality of life of Edina residents;
being at the forefront of mental health services with the Alternative Response Team; increased costs of
training, certification, and equipment; the cadet officer program; and cost reducing measures to work with
our neighboring communities and groups on joint initiatives.
Council would like to know how changes, even population growth, can affect the services that Police and
Fire provide; the total impact.
Chief Slama presented an overview of the Fire Department. He described: the full time staff breakdown and
the challenges of hiring; a summary of the services that are statutorily required and the services that improve
that quality of life of Edina residents; increased costs of equipment and vehicles; and the impacts to service
which include an increased volume and an aging population. He recommended two key concepts to review:
a Fire Department Response Policy and the Community Health Board impacts.
Council discussed: optimizing licensing fees; evaluating the costs of increased density and the aging
population; reevaluating how development and TIF funding affects the general fund; and overall reducing
costs but keeping the same level of services.
Minutes/Edina City Council Work Session/February 4, 2025
Page 2
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kari Sinning, Deputy City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, February 18, 2025.
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Audio copy of the work session available.