HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-02 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 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 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; Jake Miller, IT Specialist; and Kari Sinning, Deputy City
Clerk.
3.1 2026-2027 BUDGET: FIRE STAFFING UPDATE
Council and staff continued the budget discussion regarding firefighter staffing and reviewed the
recommendations given in the staff report. Council stressed the importance of safety and security for
residents and discussed the data points of the staff report and how the different options would affect the
present and future and how to achieve these goals this while minimizing the impact on the tax levy.
Council expressed general support on hiring six full-time employees to get the department to where it
needs to be now and to use data points to drive the hiring of more employees along with keeping in
mind the budget constraints that would happen by utilizing federal funds (SAFER Grant) to help hire
more employees. Council also shared that they would like to have an update next year to discuss
applying for the SAFER grant. Chief Slama shared that there will be a comprehensive report completed
in 2026 that would help drive these data points.
3.2 UTILITY RATE STUDY UPDATE
Staff and Council continued discussion on the utility rate options that included: how to urge water
conservation; the effect on rate increases for residents vs commercial/multifamily housing; and how these
rates influence future capital improvement plans.
Council had a consensus to implement option one with a value-based study to be completed.
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kari Sinning, Deputy City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, December 16, 2025.
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Audio copy of the work session available.
Kari Sinning (Dec 17, 2025 14:15:33 CST)