HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-02 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 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 Hovland.
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Pa Thao, Finance Director;
Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director; Tom Swenson, Assistant Director-Parks & Natural Resources;
Laura Beres, Assistant City Forester; Luther Overholt, City Forester; Cary Teague, Community
Development Director; Chief Andrew Slama; Zoe Johnson, City Management Fellow; Katie Bisek, I.T.
Specialist; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
City Attorney Dave Kendall and Attorney John Baker, League of Minnesota Cities.
3.1 DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE
Manager Neal introduced the topic emphasizing that this was not the final version of the ordinance and
that new ideas for amendments would continue to be considered. Parks & Recreation Director Vetter
reviewed the history and timeline of the ordinance updates. Vetter said initial changes were made in
June 2024, including revisions related to unbuilt lots and International Society of Arboriculture
requirements. In February 2025, Council requested further review, and a working group was
established. The Energy & Environment Commission reviewed updated factors at its July and August
meetings, and their recommendations are reflected in the draft ordinance before Council this evening.
Mr. Vetter noted that strikethroughs in the draft indicate deletions, while underlined text represents
additions. Key updates include provisions for steep slope planting, calculation methods, and
requirements.
Council discussed heritage tree density, clarifying that existing trees count toward requirements and
that the rules apply mainly to new construction. They raised concerns about complexity, costs, and
fairness between small projects and large redevelopments, and questioned what happens after the one-
year monitoring period. Key points included reconsidering the 15% requirement, possibly adding an
appeal process, and ensuring legal defensibility with clear standards. Council also addressed definitions,
tree types, site conditions, staff workload, escrow refunds, and the role of arborists. They emphasized
shifting the ordinance’s purpose language toward community benefits of tree canopy—such as health,
runoff, and climate resilience—and away from penalties, while making the case to residents for the
changes.
3.2 2026-2027 BUDGET AND PRELIMINARY LEVY DISCUSSION
City Manager Neal introduced the levy and staffing discussion. Finance Director Thao reviewed the levy
timeline (adoption Dec. 16; certification required by Dec. 30), tax capacity and levy history (2020–26),
debt service projections (2023–30), and preliminary levy proposals of 9.23% for 2026 and 9.47% for
2027. Thao outlined General Fund reductions (Assessing, mill & overlay, Comprehensive Plan funding
shift, elimination of mechanic, reprioritization of professional services) and noted firefighter staffing
support depends on the SAFER grant.
Minutes/Edina City Council Work Session/September 2, 2025
Page 2
Council discussed firefighter hiring needs for the new fire station. Concerns included reliance on the
SAFER grant, risk of understaffing, using one-time funds, raising the levy if needed for safety, staffing
plans to match realistic hiring capacity and aligning staffing with community expectations.
Chief Slama explained hiring logistics and that if approved, he would be able to hire 18 firefighters in
2026, current response capacity of 2–3 incidents at a time and ambulance runs averaging 50 minutes.
Next step is to certify the preliminary tax levy on Sept 16.
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, September 16, 2025.
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Audio copy of the work session available.
Sharon Allison (Sep 17, 2025 10:40:35 CDT)