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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-18 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 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. Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Pa Thao, Finance Director; Fire Chief Andrew Slama; Chad Millner, Engineering Director; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Zoe Johnson, City Management Fellow; Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Development Housing Manager; Jeff Matlock, IT Specialist; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk. 3.1 2026-2027 BUDGET Staff continued the budget discussion with Council by going through the 2026 draft Consolidated Budget and updates to the Enterprise and General Funds. When reviewing the Enterprise Funds, Council asked why the utility funds were showing a decline when they are usually strong revenue generators. Staff explained that the drop is tied to large capital projects this year. Council raised concerns about declining liquor revenues, what the long-term plan should be, and whether the City should evaluate cannabis operations alongside liquor. Staff agreed to bring back more information and clarified that while liquor operations cannot be sold, the City could choose to exit the business. Council also questioned whether the current transfers out of liquor operations—$650,000 instead of the traditional $1 million—are sustainable, and what the true return on investment is. Council asked to see balance sheets for all Enterprise Funds once audited statements were available. Staff presented the proposed City Manager budget highlights and Council focused on the six firefighter positions and expressed concern that this only maintains the status quo and does not address long- standing response-time and staffing challenges. Council asked why they were not hiring nine instead of six, while others stressed the need to understand outcomes—how often overlapping calls occur, whether delays are happening, how many firefighters are needed on each type of response, and whether the City should eventually move to four shifts. Staff shared call data, explained that overlapping EMS and fire calls occur about one-third of the time, and noted that HIPAA limits some detailed reporting. Council referenced real examples of delayed responses, concerns about resident safety, and the changing labor market. Some Council wanted larger staffing increases, others emphasized that any additions must be tied to a clear funding plan across the entire budget. Staff shared alternative funding options and levy scenarios, showing Council how each option would affect residents’ monthly tax bills. Council asked which scenarios might be eliminated and reiterated what information they still need to make their decisions. Staff noted that the final levy must be adopted by December 16, and that a resolution would be prepared for the December 2 meeting. 4.0 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Minutes/Edina City Council Work Session/November 18, 2025 Page 2 Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, December 2, 2025. James B. Hovland, Mayor Audio copy of the work session available. Sharon Allison (Dec 3, 2025 11:41:38 EST)