HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-20 Work Session Meeting MinutesPage 1
MINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
5:30 P.M.
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:32 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; Zoe Johnson, City
Management Fellow; Chad Millner, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Perry Vetter, Parks &
Recreation Director; Chief of Police Todd Milburn; Ryan Browning, I.T. Director; Steve Peckham,
Project Communications Coordinator; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
Delegation in attendance: Senator Alice Mann (remote); Katy Sen, Messerli-Kramer; Patricia
Nauman, Metro Cities; Senator Ron Latz; Tony Albright, Metro League of Cities; Pierre Willette,
League of Minnesota Cities; Ann Finn, League of Minnesota Cities; Representative Julie Greene;
Representative Cheryl Youakim.
3.1 2026 LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING
Manager Neal shared the City’s draft 2026 Legislative Platforms were shared with the legislative
delegation in advance, with formal Council approval expected later this evening. Neal outlined
the platforms including continued pursuit of the local option sales tax authority, flexibility to use
remaining authorized proceeds for additional projects, coordination with MnDOT on acquiring
undeveloped land in front of City Hall for Fire Station #3 and potential credit for the City’s
bridge investment, authorization for a Social District, and exploring the feasibility of lifting state
firearm preemption. Neal asked the delegation to provide feedback on the feasibility of these
priorities and strategies for moving them forward.
The legislative delegation asked clarifying questions about the origin of the $71 million sales tax
amount. Delegation members noted similar requests from peer cities, acknowledged challenges
in passing tax bills, and suggested a potential compromise approach focused on duration or
scope. On Fire Station #3, delegation members were hopeful legislation may not be required
and cited similar past situations, while staff noted MnDOT has indicated Edina would have first
right at market value after its project package is complete. Regarding firearm preemption,
delegation members described significant political and legal hurdles, emphasized concerns about
a patchwork of local regulations, and recognized the symbolic value of local advocacy even if
immediate change is unlikely. On housing and zoning, delegation members discussed a
performance-based approach and a menu of options that preserve local control, including
ADUs, condo law updates, financing tools, land trusts, building code considerations, and the
practical challenges of building in commercial areas, while acknowledging fatigue around the
issue and the difficulty of advancing major reforms in a closely divided Legislature. Additional
discussion touched on Social District authorization as broadly supported across political
perspectives, though not guaranteed.
Page 2
Delegation members advised that the upcoming session will be short and crowded with
competing priorities and encouraged patience.
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, February 4, 2026. Audio copy of the work session available.
Sharon Allison (Feb 5, 2026 11:29:41 CST)