HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-18 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025
5:30 P.M.
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
2.0 ROLL CALL
Answering rollcall were Members Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Mayor Hovland.
Absent: Agnew
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City
Management Fellow; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Chad Millner, Engineering Director;
Jesse Meyer-Rudd, I.T. Supervisor; Dave Kendall, City Attorney; Luther Overholt, City Forester; Laura
Beres, Assistant City Forester; Tom Swenson, Assistant Director of Parks and Natural Resources; Marisa
Bayer, Sustainability Manager; and Kari Sinning, Deputy City Clerk.
ECC Members: LeeAnn Weber, Hilda Martinez Salgado, and Tom Tessman.
3.1 TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE
Mayor Hovland clarified the reason for the work session as there was some confusion. City Manager Neal
stated the work session is to discuss the current tree protection ordinance and feedback from residents.
Council and staff discussed: the overall goal of the ordinance; tree canopies in underdeveloped lots vs
established as well as in residential areas vs commercial; how trees can affect the sale of homes;
encouragement of tree variety; purchasing trees from tree farms; notification to residents when the
replacement trees are the appropriate size; movement of trees; how trees are measured; use of a certified
arborist; city-wide tree inventory; the hardships with the current ordinance and previous amendments that
have been made; the number of permits to date and how many with an escrow; an explanation of the process;
options for those struggling to get their escrow monies; a possible process for appeals; and how to promote
resources for those that have lost trees naturally.
The next step is to have staff review the ordinance and make recommendations for revision.
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, March 4, 2025.
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Audio copy of the work session available.
Sharon Allison (Mar 19, 2025 19:30 CDT)