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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.