HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-16 Work Session Meeting Packet
Meeting location:
Edina City Hall
Community Room
4801 W. 50th St.
Edina, MN
City Council Work Session Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
5:30 PM Accessibility Support:
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification,
an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Meeting Topics
3.1. 2026 - 2027 Budget Discussion
3.2. 2026 Legislative Platforms
4. Adjournment
Page 1 of 35
d
ITEM REPORT
Date: December 16, 2025 Item Activity: Discussion
Meeting: City Council
Agenda Number: 3.1
Prepared By: Pa Thao, Finance Director
Item Type: Other Department: Finance
Item Title: 2026 - 2027 Budget Discussion
Action Requested:
None, discussion only.
Information/Background:
This is a continuation of a series of budget discussions with Council Members in advance of the final
levy approval in December 16, 2025.
The City began developing the 2026-2027 budget early in 2025. The budget priority from the council
were to continue the growth of our public safety services, specifically in our EMS services, keep
current service levels in place and to explore alternative revenue options. The two-year budget cycle
allows for focused discussions on the City's general operating budgets in odd-numbered years and on
capital spending and investments in even-numbered years.
On December 2nd, Council directed staff to look for additional saving opportunities. Staff reviewed
and has several recommendations:
Personnel Clean up $50,000
Staff reviewed some personnel costs planned for 2026 and identified some areas we could reduce for
the General Fund in 2026. Savings identified of +$50,000 for the General Fund.
Revenue Adjustment $50,000
Staff reviewed revenue projections for 2026 with the context of the 2025 actuals and feels
comfortable adjusting revenues below:
• Adjust permits revenue up to reflect actuals from 2025 being higher. +$25,000 in additional
revenue.
• Investment Income is budgeted conservatively could increase expectations for General Fund:
+$25,000.
Lewis Park/Special Park Levy
The Council allocated $900,000 from the 2024 Surplus for Lewis Park. In consideration of staff
capacity in the parks department, Staff recommends prioritizing other park projects and slowing some
improvements. Staff proposes splitting the funds: reserving $500,000 for Lewis Park and reallocating
$400,000 to the Special Park Levy fund to reduce the 2026 levy, currently set at $400,000. We’ll
continue to set aside funds for Lewis Park as available in future years. As part of this decision, the
replacement of Utley and Arneson Park Shelters in 2027 would be pushed out to a future year.
Remove Staffing Study from Budget Work Plan
This would result in a savings of $100,000. Staff feels we can internally evaluate the organization for
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efficiencies and opportunities for process improvements.
Impact of recommendations
These reductions add up to $600,000 or approximately 1% decreases in levy. Taking these
recommendations into account along with the recommendation to fund six firefighter paramedics
starting in January 2026 would bring the total tax levy to $63,694,773 or 7.94% increase from the
2025 adopted levy. A reduction of $1,822,979 from the preliminary levy adopted in September.
Alternatives
The City Manager’s recommendation is the proposal above, however there are two remaining
outstanding alternatives Council has not made determinations on that are not included in the
recommendation. Council could choose to make these modifications.
Human Service Funding
Staff previously brought to Council for consideration the possibility of reducing human service funding
from the budget. The City currently budgets $170,000 for this area. Council could reduce all or part
of this funding.
$50,000 Edina Resource Center
$19,000 VEAP
$18,000 Cornerstone
$17,000 Senior Community Services
$20,000 Edina Historical Society
$12,000 Help at your Door
$12,000 Beacon Interfaith
$9,500 Edina Give and Go
$7,500 Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness
$5,000 Oasis for Youth
Firefighter Paramedic Staffing Level Discussion
• The City Manager’s recommendation remains unchanged: six additional firefighter/Paramedics
is an increase of 20% of staffing and will increase our service level appropriately. The City
Manager’s recommendation is included in the current proposed levy.
• 9 FF/Paramedics starting in January– would add an additional $1,592,650 to the proposed levy
or 2.70%. This would be a 30% increase in staffing.
• 12 FF/Paramedics – six in January and six in July. This would add an additional $1,592,650 in
2026 and an additional $438,228 or 0.78% levy increase in funds 2027 for all 12. This would
be a 40% increase in staffing.
Council needs to take action tonight (12/16) to approve the final levy.
Resources/Financial Impacts:
The City is also required to certify the final property tax levy to the County by December 28, 2025.
Relationship to City Policies:
The Biennial budget details the key priorities of the City Council and the resources dedicated to
achieve results for Edina residents utilizing strategic guidance from Vision Edina, the Comprehensive
Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan.
Budget Pillar:
Strong Foundation
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Reliable Service
Livable City
Better Together
Values Impact:
Supporting Documentation:
1. Staff Presentation
Page 4 of 35
EdinaMN.gov
2026 –2027 Levy and Budget
December 16, 2025
Page 5 of 35
2026 –2027 Levy & Budget Highlights
•Potential Savings
•Personnel clean up $50,000
•Revenue adjustment $50,000
•Lewis Park/Special Park Levy removal $400,000
•Staffing Study $100,000
Total $600,000
•Additional Expenditures
•9 Firefighter Paramedics starting 1/1/2026 $1,592,650
•12 Firefighter Paramedics 6 start 1/1/2026, 6 start 7/1/2026 $1,592,650
•An additional $438,228 or 0.78% levy increase in 2027 for all 12
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2026 –2027 Preliminary Tax Levy Proposal –Updated
2024
Adopted
2025
Adopted
2026
Preliminary
Proposed
2026
Final CM
Proposed
General Fund $43,744,165 $47,543,215 $54,435,919 $53,012,940
Debt Service $3,471,700 $5,377,639 $6,448,283 $6,448,283
Construction $4,470,000 $3,668,000 $2,913,450 $2,913,450
Special Street $1,481,000 $1,762,000 $1,053,000 $1,053,000
Special Park $1,000,000 $400,000 $400,000 $0
HRA $251,700 $259,300 $267,100 $267,100
Total Tax Levy $54,418,565 $59,010,154 $65,517,752 $63,694,773
% Increase 9.15%8.44%11.03%7.94%
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d
ITEM REPORT
Date: December 16, 2025 Item Activity: Discussion
Information
Meeting: City Council
Agenda Number: 3.2
Prepared By: Scott Neal, City Manager
Item Type: Report & Recommendation Department: Administration
Item Title: 2026 Legislative Platforms
Action Requested:
Review the feedback received from the City Council before coming to consensus on what needs to
be edited for the City Council's adoption of both state and federal legislative platforms at tonight's
(December 16th) City Council meeting.
Information/Background:
The Council will review the draft state and federal legislative platforms for the first time at the Dec.
16 Council Work Session. As the Council considers the platforms, I would like you to keep three
things in mind:
These legislative platforms are in draft format from Staff. Whatever feedback and changes Council has
to the platforms will be edited in the documents by staff, and Council will vote on final approval of
the platforms at the City Council meeting. Once approved by Council, those will be the final
legislative platform documents that we share with legislators and the public. Our legislative delegation
has been invited to the Jan. 20, 2026, Work Session to discuss the platforms and upcoming legislative
session.
Second, the platforms are not written in “bill language.” I do not recommend the Council spend
much time word-smithing the platform components into bill language. State legislative staff will
translate the platform components into bills if they are going to be considered by the Legislature.
Finally, the political reality in the State Legislature is that not much is expected to happen this session
due the political balance of both the House and the Senate. We should not depend on much success
this year at the Legislature.
Resources/Financial Impacts:
• Budget – the creation of legislative platforms is an annual activity that has no budgetary
impacts.
• Implementation – the legislative platforms are adopted by the City Council and are therefore
implemented as the City of Edina's state and federal legislative platforms; city staff work in
conjunction with the City's lobbyist and Edina's elected officials to make progress on the
identified priorities and positions.
• Operation – the Administration department maintains these legislative platforms.
Relationship to City Policies:
The City's legislative platforms relate to the City Code and a majority of the City's strategic plans
and guiding documents, and those include all levels of work plans (Budget, City-wide, and
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department), the Climate Action Plan, the Capital Improvement Plan, and City Code.
Supporting Documentation:
1. Council Feedback for Legislative Platform Drafts
2. Legislative Platform Edits from City Staff since December 12th
3. DRAFT_2026 Federal Platform
4. DRAFT_2026 State Platform
Page 9 of 35
City Council Feedback on 2026
Legislative Platform Drafts
The following contains all feedback collected from City Council relating to both the state and
federal legislative platform drafts for 2026.
State Platform
Additions
Council Member Pierce has worked with staff to draft the following position language for addition
to the state legislative platform if City Council reaches consensus to add it in.
End Forced Labor in Minnesota Correctional Institutions
The City of Edina supports efforts at the Minnesota Legislature to end forced labor in correctional
institutions by reclassifying incarcerated individuals as workers or employees with the right to fair
employment under HF3335 and SF3536. These measures would establish minimum wage
standards for participants in the Institution Community Work Crew (ICWC) program through the
Minnesota Department of Corrections, whose labor directly benefits local communities, including
Edina. Supporting fair and equitable compensation aligns with the City’s values, promotes
workforce skill development, and contributes to successful community reintegration.
• ICWC contract costs are estimated to increase with an established minimum wage, if the
same number of hours of crew work is maintained. The City of Edina is contracted for two
crews of 10 workers each who complete four 10-hour days of work.
• Without additional funding to support the ICWC program in Edina, Parks and Recreation,
Public Works, and Facilities projects and services could be impacted.
• In Edina, ICWC workers learn new job skills through serving the community through high-
volume buckthorn and tree removals, installing and removing the sports dome,
horticultural maintenance, cleaning of the ice arena, and other tasks during spring and fall
transitions.
• The ICWC program is part of the Department of Corrections (DOC) work release program,
intended to be a transition to employment and stable residency in the community. The
minimum wage increase is expected to ease the workers’ transition back into the
community to assist with housing, family, restitution, and other living costs.
Council Member Jackson had requested that a state legislative position be drafted that echoes the
City Council’s adopted resolution, Resolution 2025-86: EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH THE
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND CALLING FOR STRONGER GUN SAFETY
PROTECTIONS.
Authorize Local Control in Gun Violence Prevention
To effectively address gun violence and enhance public safety, the Minnesota Legislature must
consider reforms that empower local governments to implement tailored firearm regulations.
Current state-level preemption limits cities’ ability to respond to community-specific needs,
particularly in areas like safe storage, background checks, and youth mental health support. We
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urge the Legislature to review and revise preemption statutes to allow municipalities to adopt
evidence-based policies that complement statewide efforts, ensuring flexibility and
responsiveness in protecting residents.
Removals
Council Member Risser would like to remove the following priorities:
1) Sales Tax Spending Authority Amendment for Regional Recreation
- Council Member Risser:
o Remove this item. Residents approved a specific amount, and many object
amending this to raise captured funds by 47%. Some residents and I are also
questioning the changed scope. More information is needed regarding the items
listed. At this time I am hearing from residents who are struggling with increased
prices on food, insurance, medicine, transportation...
o The rush to maintain the Aquatic Center w/o discussion as to whether that was the
best long-term solution makes this final bullet point in item 1 problematic. The
center is open only 10.5 weeks out of the year.
3) Bonding for France Avenue Pedestrian Crossing/Underpass
- Council Member Risser:
o Remove this item. We have been studying this since 2023 and still don’t have a clear
ADA pathway the cost is too much at this juncture. Residents want us to focus on
repairing the infrastructure we have.
Comments
Council Member Risser had a few comments (copied below each legislative item’s title) relating to
the following items:
- Protect Municipal Employees with Enforcement Functions (Priority 6)
o This makes so much sense - I support this.
- Right to Repair (4.10)
o This is so important in terms of keeping materials out of landfills AND allowing
savings.
Federal Platform
Comments
Council Member Risser thinks that if position nine (Condominium Affordability & Quality) gains
traction, there would be residents interested in testifying to this issue.
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Edits from City Staff since December
12th
FEDERAL PLATFORM
Position addition requested by city staff relating to the federal mandate digital accessibility, WCAG
2.1, Level AA.
Federal Support for Local Digital Accessibility Compliance
To advance nationwide digital accessibility goals, the federal government should allocate funding
to assist cities in meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards, which currently constitute
an unfunded mandate for local governments. Cities also require extended implementation
timelines to address technical and resource constraints, especially for legacy systems.
Furthermore, federal guidance should clarify that internal platforms and non-public-facing content
are excluded from compliance requirements, allowing cities to focus efforts on public-facing
services with the greatest accessibility impact.
STATE PLATFORM
Position language change relating to the sales tax amendment priority titled, Sales Tax Spending
Authority Amendment for Regional Recreation. The amended language reads as follows and
changes to the language originally drafted is presented in red text:
Sales Tax Spending Authority Amendment for Regional Recreation
In July 2021, the State Legislature authorized the City of Edina to host a local referendum for a local
sales tax of 0.5% for a term of not more than 19 years to fund up to $17.7 million of funding for the
redevelopment of Fred Richards Park and up to $21.6 million for funding for building improvements
to Braemar Ice Area. Edina voters approved the two local sales tax referendum on November 8,
2022. In 2022, the State Legislature approved a new sales tax referendum (MINNESOTA SESSION
LAWS FOR 2023, CHAPTER 64, ARTICLE 10, SECTION 17) which would allow Edina residents to
increase the amount of local sales tax by $31.7 million (from $21.6 million to a total of $53.3
million) that can be spent on improvements and expansion to Braemar Park and Arena. Edina
residents approved the referendum question on November 7, 2023.
The City prepared its project cost estimates in 2019 to make its first proposal to the Legislature
seeking local sales tax authorization in 2020. In 2025, because of accumulated construction
inflation from 2019 to 2025, the City is discovering that its approved spending plan limit will be far
short of what is required to build the approved projects as originally envisioned. The City seeks an
amendment to this bill to compensate for the corrosive power of inflation on the two voter-
approved projects.
The Mortenson Construction Cost Index for Minneapolis is a reliable and accurate metric to gauge
the impact of inflation on construction costs in and around Minneapolis. The Mortenson
Construction Cost Index (MCCI) for Minneapolis in 2019 when Edina was preparing its cost
estimates and scopes were 126.9. In 2025, as we are bidding our projects, the MCCI for
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Minneapolis is 187.2. The MCCI difference between the years the projects were scoped and
estimated and the year we are trying to build the voter-approved projects is 47.5%
The City’s current sales tax spending limit is based on the two local referendums is $71.1 million.
For Edina to build the projects as originally concepted and presented before Edina residents voted
on the referendum, the City needs to increase its total spending plan by 47.5%. Edina collects
current monthly average local sales tax revenue of $600,000. The City is seeking the following
amendment to its current local sales tax spending plan:
• Increase the City’s approved spending by $34 million raising it from $71.1 million to $105
million for the two current sales tax funded projects at Braemar Arena and Fred Richards
Park; and,
• Amend the scope of the current eligible expenses of the voter-approved projects to include
the following expense categories: design, architecture, scoping, estimating, engineering,
HVAC commissioning; payroll and fringe benefit costs for City employees who perform
work for the project(s); Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) for all elements of the
project(s); and all elements of communications and community engagement for the
project(s); and,
• To authorize the City of Edina, at a point in the future of the City’s choosing, to host an
additional local sales tax referendum to fund major capital improvements for new public
safety facilities and parks and recreation facilities that serve the regional community such
as the Edinborough Park, Edina Art Center, Edina Aquatic Center and Centennial Lakes
Park. The spending limitation of this provision shall not exceed the full amount of local
sales tax collected over the existing 19-year term approved by Edina voters.
The total projected revenue for the local sales tax over the approved 19-year time frame at the
approved tax rate of 0.5% is $140 million. Given current rates of sales tax revenue collection, there
is sufficient revenue expected in the future to support this request.
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Memo
Administration
EdinaMN.gov
Date: December 16, 2025
To: Mayor & City Council
From: Scott Neal, City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City Management Fellow
Subject: 2026 Federal Legislative Platform – DRAFT
The identification of state and federal legislation that might be changed to better achieve the goals of the City and the
broader Edina community is something that occurs each year. In the same vein, as City staff work with colleagues and
partners to identify policy changes necessary to achieve those goals, they also work to propose changes to said policy
that may be working contrary to City goals — ultimately limiting the livelihood and progress of the broader Edina
community. While legislative sessions occur each year, legislative changes can take years to occur. Issues are debated,
modified, and could still be unsuccessful — this is why it is crucial to start the conversation early with the understanding
that details will be fine-tuned throughout the legislative process. As the City finalizes the specifics within our 2026
legislative platforms, so do associations such as the Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities (Metro Cities), the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police
Association (MCPA). Oftentimes, Edina's interests align with these associations both by virtue of the City's participation
in each association and their guiding purpose. The City's 2026 legislative platforms do not duplicate items found on the
MLC, Metro Cities, LMC, or MCPA platforms, but it does assume general alignment with these partner associations
1. Affordable Housing
Supplying affordable housing to all Minnesotans is an important investment to make for the state’s future. Unfortunately,
the funding available falls far short of what is needed. Cities cannot close the housing affordability gap on their own. The
City urges Congress to increase the allocation to Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), restore HOME and
CDBG funding, and prioritize affordable housing and work with local partners to coordinate federal housing
resources. The City urges Congress to increase support for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home
Investment Partnership (HOME) program, the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program and the Emergency
Food and Shelter program. These programs are the principal source of federal revenue for localities to use in developing
and implementing community development solutions, such as affordable housing, that create and sustain healthy,
functioning communities. These funds also serve to help prevent homelessness which is far safer for a City and more
economical than moving a household out of homelessness.
Additionally, in 2023 the State of Minnesota recognized a “right to heating” in winter to protect the comfort, safety, and
well-being of renters and low-income Minnesotans, along with additional tenant protections. The City urges Congress to
adopt similar standards nationwide, including rights to both heating and to cooling, along with additional funding for the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Bills such as the Heating and Cooling Relief Act
(S.405/H.R.893) not only would allow LIHEAP to assist more households but also reduce both utility bills and building
emissions via expanded weatherization programs.
2. Climate Change
The City approved its Climate Action Plan in December 2021, setting a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45
percent by 2030. The plan includes 200 actions to meet our climate action goals, and the City has already started or
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completed over 30 percent of these critical actions and has benefitted from federal legislation and funding. For example,
the City received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All
program to create a consolidated safe and equitable transportation plan, combining existing pedestrian and bike master
plans and new plans, like a roadway safety plan. Goals of this plan will include reductions in vehicle miles traveled and
increased multi-modal transit ridership and service. While the City continues to lead local climate change efforts, federal
assistance helps us meet our goals more quickly and efficiently, particularly those concerning transportation and the
greenhouse gas effects of the transportation industry.
First, we ask for increased investment in high-speed passenger rail in the Midwest. The Twin Cities were prioritized for
more frequent service to Chicago, and the City is eager to keep this prioritization, but we also seek high-speed rail
connections to reduce short-haul flights in the Midwest. The City applauds the $500,000 of federal funding allocated to
the planning of the Northern Lights Express project and looks forward to continued investment in the Midwest’s
passenger rail network.
Second, we ask for the reinstatement of federal clean energy tax credits to their original value and expiration dates, as
approved in the Inflation Reduction Act. These credits are crucial to helping homeowners, businesses, and government
agencies invest in clean energy technologies like solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles (EV).
Third, we ask for support for transit system operations, like the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act
(H.R.7039). Edina seeks to double its transit ridership by 2030, and operations funding can help Metro Transit increase
service to suburban communities, increasing access, and increasing ridership opportunities.
Finally, we ask that Congress declare a climate emergency. This recognition would open additional sources of funding
and mobilization of resources that would empower federal, state, and local governments to better prepare for and
mitigate the consequences of climate change.
3. Enable Cities to Protect Residents from Harmful Levels of Aviation Noise
The City identified aviation noise as a key threat to the quality of life in Edina. The City requests support from Edina’s
federally elected officials for eliminating Categorical Exclusions (CATEX) when implementing Performance Based
Navigation (PBN). The process should ensure that ground impacts and community concerns are incorporated into PBN
that will change noise exposure. Regarding measuring noise, Day/Night Noise Level (DNL) is an average and humans
perceive noise as individual events, rather than averages, so we believe it is time to investigate alternative metrics.
The City is concerned about the impacts from the increased number and frequency of flights under traditional PBN
tracks. There is currently very little information pertaining to the human impact of the concentration of flights associated
with PBN procedures. Our residents are exposed to continuous concentrated noise due to our proximity to the
airport. Although there may not be an increase in average noise as measured by DNL, there are unknown impacts from
the increased number and frequency of flights. Given the age of some Sound Insulation Programs (SIP) in the United
States, the increase in traffic density at our nation’s airports and improved technologies, the Edina City Council supports
the eligibility standards used prior to the September 2012 Program Guidance Letter (PGL-12-09).
The Edina City Council opposes the privatization of Air Traffic Control. We are concerned it may reduce the
accountability of the organization to Congress, and that without a mechanism for compelling private companies to meet
and discuss community concerns, there will be fewer opportunities for advocacy on noise impacts. The FAA has taken
positive steps to improve community engagement, including adopting a Community Involvement Manual and hiring a
Community Involvement Manager for Airspace Projects. The Edina City Council believes that this will result in a more
efficient and successful implementation of NextGen, and we strongly support these efforts.
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4. Post Office Preservation
The Edina Post Office in the 50th & France District, at 3948 Market Street, is housed in a leased facility. The Edina Post
Office is important to the Edina, Minneapolis and St. Louis Park residents it serves. We ask your support in keeping a
full-service post office in the 50th & France District and to initiate the planning process for a new post office within the
next 24 months.
5. Protection of Municipal Bonds
The City’s Aaa and AAA credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services are a source of
community pride and represent the financial strength of our city. These ratings create opportunities for the City to
invest in our community’s future and provide the best value in public services back to our residents. It is the
combination of local control and local responsibility that makes municipal bonds such an effective and efficient tool. Any
changes to the tax code should recognize the vital role of tax-exempt municipal bonds. The City asks you to oppose any
attempt to make changes to the tax-exempt status that would increase the cost of financing for cities as doing so would
impact our operations, our services and, ultimately, our residents.
6. Railroad Safety
The City has one railroad that runs through the center of Edina, with two trains running daily on the tracks, and there
are numerous other tracks within a 10-mile radius. The City supports legislation to mitigate negative safety concerns,
noise, and environmental impacts of railroads and to increase communications with first responders for municipal
emergency response to non-rail incidents and rail incidents. Such legislation includes the Railway Safety Act of 2023
(S.576). These measures are needed as the number and length of trains in the state and metro area are increasing, and as
recent derailments, such as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train derailment in Raymond, Minnesota, highlight
the risk that rail poses to communities. Rail is an essential part of the national economy and reduces impacts on other
infrastructure, so it must be maintained and operated safely in communities.
7. Public Safety
The City operates a police department that includes sworn peace officers, a 911 dispatch division and community
engagement functions. As with many communities in the Twin Cities, recruitment and retention of police officers,
violent crime, and fentanyl overdoses remain enduring issues. The City supports initiatives like Community Violence
Intervention (CVI) programs and the Safer America Plan. These proactive strategies are making a tangible difference in
community safety across the nation, through their focus on neighborhood safety, intervention and support before
violent crimes take place, and recruiting and retaining skilled and dedicated police officers. The City urges continued
support of programs like these, through the Congressional action laid out in the Safer America Plan.
8. Clarity on THC-Infused Products
With the passage of Minn. Stat. 151.72 in July 2022, products containing THC are permitted for sale. The City seeks
clarification on whether retail liquor stores can sell THC-infused beverages for two main purposes. First, without federal
passage of the SAFE banking act, cannabis-related legitimate operations cannot generate proceeds from unlawful activity,
and banking institutions can be penalized by federal authorities for providing services to a cannabis-related business.
Also, current regulation allows retailers like Edina Liquor to accept credit card payments only if the percent of total
revenue from THC products is less than 15%.
9. Condominium Affordability & Quality
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The City of Edina understands that residents across the nation are struggling to keep up with escalating prices for
condominium insurance, association fees, and units themselves. Residents hold great concern over the dilapidated quality
of infrastructure within these condominium units as well as the lack of accountability with condominium building owners
and property management. The City supports efforts to alleviate these residents’ concerns, such as increased mandated
transparency measures for condominium building owners and property management to allow residents a greater ability
to understand and inquire about further cost increases related to their condominium units.
Page 17 of 35
City of Edina Contact Information
Scott Neal, City Manager, can be contacted regarding any of the legislative items found on this platform in addition to
the staff listed above. Scott Neal can be reached at SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401.
1. Affordable Housing
Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing Development Manager: SHawkinson@EdinaMN.gov or 952-833-9578
2. Climate Change
Marisa Bayer, Sustainability Manager: MBayer@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1621
3. Enable Cities to Protect Residents from Harmful Levels of Aviation Noise
Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
4. Post Office Preservation
Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
5. Protection of Municipal Bonds
Pa Thao, Director of Finance: PThao@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0420
6. Railroad Safety
Chad Millner, Director of Public Works & City Engineer: CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
7. Public Safety
Todd Milburn, Chief of Police: TMilburn@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0487
8. Clarity on THC-Infused Products
Perry Vetter, Director of Parks & Recreation: PVetter@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0430
9. Condominium Affordability & Quality
Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
Page 18 of 35
1
Memo
Administration
EdinaMN.gov
Date: 12/16/2025
To: Mayor & City Council
From: Scott Neal, City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City Management Fellow
Subject: 2026 State Legislative Platform – DRAFT
The identification of state and federal legislation that might be changed to better achieve the goals of the City and the
broader Edina community is something that occurs each year. In the same vein, as City staff work with colleagues and
partners to identify policy changes necessary to achieve those goals, they also work to propose changes to said policy
that may be working contrary to City goals — ultimately limiting the livelihood and progress of the broader Edina
community. While legislative sessions occur each year, legislative changes can take years to occur. Issues are debated,
modified, and could still be unsuccessful — this is why it is crucial to start the conversation early with the understanding
that details will be fine-tuned throughout the legislative process. As the City finalizes the specifics within our 2026
legislative platforms, so do associations such as the Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities (Metro Cities), the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police
Association (MCPA). Oftentimes, Edina's interests align with these associations both by virtue of the City's participation
in each association and their guiding purpose. The City's 2026 legislative platforms do not duplicate items found on the
MLC, Metro Cities, LMC, or MCPA platforms, but it does assume general alignment with these partner associations. The
two types of items that make up the state legislative platform are priorities and positions. Priorities are issues specific to
Edina and do not directly affect other communities; positions are issues affecting cities in general and are not specific to
Edina. Anything highlighted indicates a new priority/position that was added by staff since the closing of the 2025
legislative session. Anything that was removed was either approved or addressed by last year’s state legislative session,
or has been morphed into a new priority/position.
Priorities:
The following five priorities are made up of issues specific to Edina and do not directly affect other communities.
1. Sales Tax Spending Authority Amendment for Regional Recreation
In July 2021, the State Legislature authorized the City of Edina to host a local referendum for a local sales tax of 0.5% for
a term of not more than 19 years to fund up to $17.7 million of funding for the redevelopment of Fred Richards Park
and up to $21.6 million for funding for building improvements to Braemar Ice Area. Edina voters approved the two local
sales tax referendum on November 8, 2022. In 2022, the State Legislature approved a new sales tax referendum
(MINNESOTA SESSION LAWS FOR 2023, CHAPTER 64, ARTICLE 10, SECTION 17) which would allow Edina
residents to increase the amount of local sales tax by $31.7 million (from $21.6 million to a total of $53.3 million) that
can be spent on improvements and expansion to Braemar Park and Arena. Edina residents approved the referendum
question on November 7, 2023.
The City prepared its project cost estimates in 2019 to make its first proposal to the Legislature seeking local sales tax
authorization in 2020. In 2025, because of accumulated construction inflation from 2019 to 2025, the City is discovering
that its approved spending plan limit will be far short of what is required to build the approved projects. The City seeks
an amendment to this bill to compensate for the corrosive power of inflation on the two voter-approved projects.
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The Mortenson Construction Cost Index for Minneapolis is a reliable and accurate metric to gauge the impact of
inflation on construction costs in and around Minneapolis. The Mortenson Construction Cost Index (MCCI) for
Minneapolis in 2019 when Edina was preparing its cost estimates and scopes were 126.9. In 2025, as we are bidding our
projects, the MCCI for Minneapolis is 187.2. The MCCI difference between the years the projects were scoped and
estimated and the year we are trying to build the voter-approved projects is 47.5%
The City’s current sales tax spending limit is based on the two local referendums is $71.1 million. For Edina to build the
projects that were approved by Edina voters, the City needs to increase its total spending plan by 47.5%. Edina collects
current monthly average local sales tax revenue of $600,000. The City is seeking the following amendment to its current
local sales tax spending plan:
• Increase the City’s approved spending by $34 million raising it from $71.1 million to $105 million for the two
current sales tax funded projects at Braemar Arena and Fred Richards Park; and,
• Amend the scope of the current eligible expenses of the voter-approved projects to include the following
expense categories: design, architecture, scoping, estimating, engineering, HVAC commissioning; payroll and
fringe benefit costs for City employees who perform work for the project(s); Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
(FF&E) for all elements of the project(s); and all elements of communications and community engagement for the
project(s); and,
• To authorize the City of Edina, at a point in the future of the City’s choosing, to host an additional local sales tax
referendum to fund major capital improvements for new public safety facilities and parks and recreation facilities
that serve the regional community such as the Edinborough Park, Edina Art Center, Edina Aquatic Center and
Centennial Lakes Park. The spending limitation of this provision shall not exceed the full amount of local sales
tax collected over the existing 19-year term approved by Edina voters.
The total projected revenue for the local sales tax over the approved 19-year time frame at the approved tax rate of
0.5% is $140 million. Given current rates of sales tax revenue collection, there is sufficient revenue expected in the
future to support this request.
2. Fire Station 3/Municipal Campus Land Dedication
The Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project is nearing completion. The project removes barriers and
improves safety for all users with a focus on pedestrians and populations with mobility challenges. The project closed
redundant MnDOT ramps creating unused public land that could be used for a much-needed Fire Station 3 and/or a
municipal campus including a fire station in northeast Edina. The City is asking that the any surplus MnDOT land created
upon completion of the interchange project in the area bordered by Vernon Avenue/West 50th Street, Grange Road,
Eden Avenue, and marked Trunk Highway 100 be dedicated for use by the City of Edina as a fire station, a municipal
campus, or both effective the day following final enactment.
3. Bonding for France Avenue Pedestrian Crossing/Underpass
There is an opportunity to establish a long-desired pedestrian and bicycle crossing of France Avenue. While at-grade
pedestrian crossings already exist, the lack of separation from heavy traffic makes them unsafe and uncomfortable for
many users, creating a significant barrier to access. After studying various options and locations, the City of Edina has
determined that a pedestrian underpass is the most viable solution due to favorable grades and the concurrent
redevelopment of nearby parcels. The project’s goals include creating a safe, ADA compliant and comfortable crossing,
maintaining current traffic operations, meeting Hennepin County roadway standards, and aligning with ongoing
redevelopment. The City estimates the total project costs including engineering, finance, and permitting is $19.5 million.
The City requests a 2026 bonding bill allocation of 50% or $9.75 million of the total project cost with the City matching
the other 50% at $9.75 million.
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The proposed underpass would connect neighborhoods on both sides of France Avenue, improving pedestrian and
bicyclist access and supporting equity populations who rely heavily on multimodal transportation. By strengthening
connections between residential, commercial, and office areas, the project will make it easier for people to reach
businesses, amenities, and workplaces. This improved access not only enhances mobility and safety but also bolsters
economic vitality, supporting existing businesses and making the district more attractive for future investment.
4. Enabling Social Districts for Vibrant Commercial Corridors
The City of Edina requests special legislation to enable the consideration and potential establishment of one or more
Social Districts within its commercial business districts, including the 50th & France business district. As Edina businesses
continue to compete with both regional retail hubs and the continued growth of online commerce, it is essential to
explore innovative strategies that enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of our brick-and-mortar commercial
districts. Social District legislation would allow for the creation of designated areas where alcoholic beverages can be
purchased from licensed establishments and consumed within clearly defined public and private spaces. This may
encourage longer visits, increased foot traffic, and stronger community vitality —further distinguishing the business
district as a unique destination for residents and visitors alike.
This legislative authority should also allow a Social District within Edina to interact seamlessly with a similar district in a
neighboring municipality, such as Minneapolis, for example in commercial districts that span two different municipalities
like 50th & France. This cross-jurisdictional flexibility would enable both cities to collaboratively define district
boundaries, coordinate implementation, and partner with local business associations to ensure responsible management.
5. Sales Tax Exemption for Projects in the Braemar Park Master Plan and Fred
Richards Park Master Plan
The City will use new local sales and use tax revenue to make improvements and expansions to Braemar Arena and
Braemar Park and Fred Richards Park, as outlined in the Braemar Park Master Plan and Fred Richards Park Master Plan.
The City will seek a sales tax exemption for the material and supplies purchased for the construction, reconstruction,
upgrade, expansion, or remodeling of City facilities included in the Braemar Park Master Plan and the Fred Richards Park
Master Plan.
6. Protect Municipal Employees with Enforcement Functions
Many city employees and contractors are required to enforce administrative codes, rules, ordinances, and state laws as
part of their job duties. Minnesota law recognizes the need to protect certain employees whose jobs make it more likely
they will be the target of assaults by escalating assault charges from fifth to fourth degree for the assaults of peace
officers, firefighters, school officials, and “public employees with mandated duties.” However, employees such as code
enforcement officials, utility operators, municipal liquor store clerks and others have similar enforcement functions. The
City supports extending the existing protection to all public employees whose jobs require them to enforce
administrative codes, rules, ordinances, and state laws as a part of their job because due to the enforcement function of
their jobs, these public employees can be and have been subject to verbal assaults, threats, and physical violence. This
would make the law more evenly applicable to all employees more likely to become target of assaults.
Positions:
The following 44 positions represent issues which apply to Edina and other Minnesota cities. These positions are
grouped into six categories: General Government (pages 3-6), Municipal Liquor (pages 6-8), Affordable Housing (pages
7-8), Environment and Sustainability (pages 8-12), Transportation (pages 12-14) and Public Safety (page 14-15).
1. General Government
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1. Realign Motor Vehicle Lease Sales Tax Allocation
In 2015, state legislation reallocated $32 million of the sales tax collected from leased vehicles from the State's general
fund, half to Greater Minnesota and half to metro counties through the County State Aid Highway Fund. To balance
funding for transit and roads/bridges, the new law excluded Hennepin and Ramsey Counties from receiving their share
of funding. Instead, the other five metro counties split the proceeds generated in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
With the elimination of the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) in 2017, all seven metro counties now collect
their own local transportation sale tax, but the exemption still blocks Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. The City of Edina
advocates for returning to the original intent by eliminating the exemption of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties and
distributing the sales tax on lease vehicles, per the county state aid formula, to all metro counties. The City supports re-
aligning the distribution because:
• Distributing Hennepin and Ramsey County proceeds to the other five metro counties puts cities in Hennepin
County at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing county funds for road and bridge projects.
• This change would provide an estimated $10.7 million in additional funding to Hennepin County for roads and
bridges.
2. Increase Purchasing Agency
The City Manager is the chief purchasing agent of statutory Plan B cities. State law requires the City Manager to
recommend purchases and contracts and requires additional approval by the City Council. There are only 18 Statutory
Plan B Cities in MN.
• In Edina, this approval is obtained through Requests for Purchase on the Consent agenda.
• The $20,000 statutory threshold has not been raised since 2004. This does not account for standard inflation
over the past 20 years.
• The costs of items has significantly increased, most City purchases are well over $20,000. Allowing the City
Manager a higher purchasing threshold can make purchasing more efficient, while still maintaining compliance
and oversight of budget.
• Neighboring charter cities with the Council-Manager form of Government, have significantly higher limits (St.
Louis Park, Minnetonka, Richfield, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Hopkins) all have $175,000 thresholds.
• The City of Edina supports a raise in legal maximum to at least $175,000 (consistent with MN Statute 471.345)
with the ability for individual City Councils to set lower thresholds at their discretion.
3. Hearing Aid Affordability
Currently, hearing aids are not classified as durable medical equipment (DME) and therefore not covered under many
health insurance plans. Without health insurance coverage, many who need hearing aids are unable to get them, as they
cost three to six thousand dollars. The City supports programs or policy changes reducing the cost of hearing aids and
increasing access to them because:
• Hearing aids are critical devices for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Without health insurance coverage, hearing aids are not affordable for those living on a fixed income. Both Edina
seniors on a fixed income and youth who age out of hearing aid support cannot access hearing aids because of
cost.
• Cochlear implants, which cost $80,000 to $120,000, are typically covered by health insurance while hearing aids
are not.
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4. Allow Restrictions on Possession of Firearms in Municipal Facilities with School-Like
Use
The Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act, also known as “conceal-and carry,” prohibits guns on most school
properties but forbids other local units of government from prohibiting loaded firearms on their properties. The
inconsistencies in the law’s treatment of different kinds of properties have caused confusion about how the law applies
to multi-use facilities, such as municipal ice arenas used for school-sponsored programs. While various public facilities
can restrict firearm possession, including schools, public facilities with a school-like function are not granted this
authority. The City has several facilities with school-like usage and a large population of school-aged users. The City
supports clarifying the law to allow municipal facilities with school-like usage to restrict the possession of firearms inside
their facilities because:
• This would align the law with other facilities that are authorized to restrict possession.
• This would be one step to securing the safety of those who use City facilities for a school-like function.
5. Remove Language in the State Constitution Allowing for Enslavement of Incarcerated
People
The Minnesota Constitution states that “There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the state otherwise
than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted.” The City urges removal of this language
because:
• This is immoral and out of step with Minnesota values. As a public entity, it’s incumbent on public officials to
hold the state accountable to remove this language and its consequences.
• There is recent precedent for such an action, with Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and
Vermont striking similar language from their constitutions.
6. Empower Unbanked Minnesotans to Participate in the Local Economy
The City of Edina would support legislation that requires certain businesses, such as food stores, to accept cash
payments, similar to bill SF4419 introduced in the 93rd legislative session. With the increase in businesses refusing to
accept cash for payment in recent years, more unbanked Minnesotans are prevented from participating in the local
economy or purchasing necessities such as groceries and hygiene products.
7. Data Practices and Personal Information
The purpose of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) is to provide open and transparent
information to the public, while protecting personal information from indiscriminate disclosure. The City supports
mechanisms to define and regulate reasonable data requests, and charges that better reflect the actual costs of
responding to data requests due to increases in data requests and increased staff time required for repetitive, broad and
far-reaching requests.
• Cities are experiencing increases in repetitive, overly broad, and far-reaching data requests.
• These requests require significant staff time to locate government records, redact private data or data unrelated
to the request, and assemble documents to be provided to comply with requirements to provide access to
public government data.
8. Election Administration Support
The City supports greater resources to assist in various aspects of election administration in local governments.
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• Supporting accessibility to voters who face barriers to voting.
• Supporting technical/administrative improvements – some changes to timeline for campaign finance and
procedure changes to the permanent absentee voting list.
• Modernizing election judge responsibilities – allowing staff to perform signature matches for absentee ballots,
language about emergency appointment of election judges for healthcare facilities.
• Supporting RCV standards and equipment.
• Supporting funding for elections through reimbursements from the state.
• Supporting policies that protect and strengthen the security and safety of elections.
9. Expansion for Collection of Park Dedication and Parks Dedication Fees
The City of Edina supports an expansion to cities’ abilities to collect park dedication feeds related to the creation of new
housing units. The existing city authority should be preserved by the legislature to maintain an ability to require parkland
dedication and park dedication fees. The City supports an amendment to Minnesota statute 462.358 to allow all cities
the option to require a reasonable portion of land or park dedication fee on new housing units and new commercial and
industrial development without the requirement that land be subdivided.
10. Change Group Home Regulation
Licensed residential facilities do not have any distance separation requirements in single-family residential use zones in
Edina. Minn. Stat. 245A.11 allows distance requirements of 1,320 feet between licensed residential facilities but limits the
scope inequitably to cities in the first class. The City supports licensed residential facility use in the City and urges this
distance separation requirements be applied fairly to all cities because:
• Grouping multiple facilities on the same block in a single-family residential neighborhood creates substantial
challenges to the neighborhood and reduces the community experience of individuals in the facilities.
• Individuals no longer reap the benefit of enjoying a residential setting with a diversity of households. When
entire blocks are acquired for licensed residential facilities, the setting is more similar to a large institutional
campus.
• Neighborhoods experience an increase in traffic, parking needs, deliveries, and other activities compounded by
numerous facilities on the same block.
• Grouping multiple facilities effectively turns a residential area into a commercial area.
2. Municipal Liquor
The City has operated a municipal liquor store since it was established by local referendum in 1948. The liquor
operation’s profits assist in funding Edina’s recreational facilities, including the ice arena, art center and aquatic center,
allowing the City to reduce user fees and allow greater access. The City’s recreation programs serve children and
families from all over the metro area, not just Edina. Continual support of liquor stores and their ability to generate
profit allows municipal liquor stores to benefit the community and region through local programs and amenities.
1. Reinforce the Open Wholesaling Systems through Legislation
In 2021, Miami-based Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits filed a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota seeking
elimination of a Minnesota law called the Coleman Act, which contains the open wholesaling system of spirits
distribution. Open wholesaling of spirits requires that all spirit brands (with some exceptions) be available for sale to all
licensed Minnesota wholesalers. This encourages healthy competition among wholesalers, benefiting both sellers and
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customers. If Southern Glazer's lawsuit is successful, more than half of the spirit brands in Minnesota may become
exclusive with Southern Glazer's. The City opposes this lawsuit and supports an amendment of the Coleman Act to
reinforce a system of open wholesaling because without protection for open wholesaling:
• Wholesale prices will increase.
• Service levels on certain brands will decrease.
• Purchase and delivery schedules will be reduced.
• Sale margins will be compressed.
2. Protect Customer Data
As a municipal operation, municipal liquor stores may be subject to data practices requests. The City supports
protections for customer data because:
• Customer data subject to request could include purchase history and personal identifying information.
• The threat of data requests erodes trust with the customer.
• It may put municipal liquor stores at a competitive disadvantage.
• The City’s municipal liquor operation discontinued its customer rewards program, because without clarity of
what information is subject to a data request, the City would not hold personally identifying information and
purchase history that could be subject to a data request.
3. Clarity on THC-Infused Products
With the passage of Minn. Stat. 151.72 in July 2022, products containing THC are permitted for sale. The City seeks
clarification on whether retail liquor stores can sell THC-infused beverages because:
• Without federal passage of the SAFE banking act, cannabis-related legitimate operations cannot generate
proceeds from unlawful activity, and banking institutions can be penalized by federal authorities for providing
services to a cannabis-related business.
• Current regulation allows retailers like Edina Liquor to accept credit card payments only if the percentage of
total revenue from THC products is less than 15%.
4. Maintain Constraints on Off-Sale Liquor
Currently, grocery and convenience stores can sell 3.2% alcohol, while all other alcohol products are sold at liquor
stores. Some grocery stores opt to apply for an off-sale liquor license and can sell beer, wine and liquor at the store,
with some adjustments, including a separate entrance. The City of Edina supports maintaining the constraints on off-sale
liquor because:
• The constraints allow for smaller private and municipal liquor stores to compete on an even playing field.
Claims that the off-sale liquor license process inhibits growth are rebutted by several grocery stores opting for some
locations applying for the off-sale liquor license.
3. Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing includes two focuses – regulatory tools for affordable housing and protecting low- and moderate-
income tenants.
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1. Reduce the Tax Rate on Land Trust Properties to Align with the 4d Property Tax
Classification
Previous legislative sessions made changes to the tax classification of Community Land Trust properties by changing the
tax classification from 1a – Residential Homestead classification, from an up to 1.25% rate to a new 4d(2) Homestead
Community Land Trust at 0.75%. The City supports a change to align with the 4d(1) property tax classification, which is
applied to low-income rental properties at up to a 0.25% rate because:
• Homeowners lease, and do not own, the land from the Land Trust.
• The property is required to be affordable as memorialized through the ground lease.
• The Land Trust is designed to create affordable home ownership opportunities, but requiring the homeowner to
pay property taxes on the value of the house and the land at a higher rate makes homes less affordable.
• Due to both leasing the land and the requirement that it stay affordable, a reduced 4d(1) is a more appropriate
tax classification than 1a or 4d(2).
• Edina has 30 land trust residential properties, with property values in the city rapidly increasing. High property
values and corresponding taxes impact the ability of land trust homeowners to remain in their home.
2. Protection of and Taxation for Housing Purchased by Corporations for Renting
The City supports legislation that authorizes a tax on the sale of these properties to corporations and protections
prohibiting the conversion of single-family residences into rental properties by developers and corporations. The City
supports bills introduced in the 92nd legislature: SF 3147, imposing the tax, and SF 4313, prohibiting the conversion,
because:
• The City and surrounding communities have seen an increase in the number of residences converted from single
family homes owned by the residents to rental properties.
• Such conversion negatively impacts ownership opportunities for residents.
3. Support for “Missing Middle” Legislation with Local Controls
While the “missing middle” housing bill in the 93rd Legislature (HF4009/SF3964) was tabled, the City would look
favorably on legislation that similarly encourages and incentivizes “missing middle” housing and strategic land use
adjustments, provided it has more flexibility for local control options. The City supports strategic gentle density
because:
• The City’s Climate Action Plan has goals for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) 7 percent and doubling public
transit commuter ridership by 2030, both of which are only possible in a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-
friendly Edina.
• Diversifying housing stock by providing options such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and duplexes allows
communities like Edina to maintain their suburban character while allowing more residents to age in place,
downsize, purchase starter homes, raise their families where they themselves grew up, and more while
remaining affordable.
Increasing the City’s population broadens the tax base, keeping individual household taxes low while maintaining high
levels of municipal services.
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4. Promote Owner-Occupied Housing
The City supports opportunities that promote affordable home ownership for residents, which includes the modification
or removal of regulations that limit residents’ potential for affordable home ownership, for example, Minnesota’s 1-2-10
Warranty.
4. Environment & Sustainability
Environment & Sustainability has five thematic focuses – energy management and environment, right to repair,
sustainable transportation, local environmental public health programs and water resource management.
1. Establish Building Performance Standards
Large commercial buildings are a significant contributor to Minnesota’s and Edina’s greenhouse gas emissions. Building
energy benchmarking is already in use, requiring building owners to report energy use but includes no requirement for
improving their building’s energy efficiency. The City supports establishing building performance standards that creates
greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy performance targets, a timeline to meet them, and financial resources to
help building owners comply.
2. Establish a Right to Cooling Standard for Minnesotans
Minnesota has an “Extreme Heat Law” to prevent utility disconnection during extreme heat conditions. To expand
protections against the negative effects of extreme heat, the City of Edina supports establishing a "right to cooling"
standard, similar to the "right to heating" standard adopted in 2023, to ensure renters have the ability to cool their
home throughout the summer beyond a National Weather Service alert for excessive heat. This right to cooling should
be coupled with increased resources for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) that provides utility bill relief and
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) that supports air sealing and insulation upgrades. Resources should include
the ability to accept applications year-round and without a cap on annual service recipients. The City supports this
because:
• Minnesota is warming rapidly.
• Excessive heat has well-documented health consequences, including serious illness and death.
• Renters require additional protections to ensure landlords provide a safe and functional home.
3. Allow Portable (“Balcony”) Solar Systems
Renewable electricity helps Minnesotans reduce their carbon footprint, save money on energy bills, and increase their
building’s resiliency. Portable solar systems, often referred to as “balcony solar” are portable, small scale solar kits that
are plug-in ready and increase solar access for residents. The City supports changes to building code, solar and
interconnection permitting, and other regulations to allow the use of these systems because:
• Renters cannot leverage renewable electricity without landlord investment and approval.
• Installing solar panels is a high up-front cost and these kits are more affordable and accessible.
• Allowing for balcony solar increases consumer choice at a time when energy prices are rising.
4. Recommit Funding for Crucial Climate Action Programs
State appropriations from the 2023 legislative session for several critical climate programs and incentives, like the
electric vehicle rebates, Solar on Public Buildings Program, Implementation Grants for Stormwater & Community
Resilience, multiple MPCA-administered climate planning grants, and more, have expired. These programs provide direct
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support to Minnesota homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations looking to invest in their homes
and buildings. We know cost is one of the largest barriers to climate action and the City supports continued funding for
these programs and others that allow for immediate project implementation. Without these crucial programs, the City
of Edina would not have been able to pursue the following projects that are essential to adapting our community’s
infrastructure to a changing climate:
• With $50,000 from a Local Climate Action Grant, Edina will be the first municipality in Minnesota to use B100
biofuel for our heavy-duty vehicles instead of petroleum diesel. This will reduce our snowplow and dump trucks’
emissions by up to 90 percent while supporting Minnesota soy farmers.
• A $1.1 million Implementation Grant for Stormwater Resilience is funding a new lift station and adaptive level
control system at Edina’s York Avenue Pond. By increasing the pond’s stormwater storage capacity and
increasing the pumping rate, this project will protect 355 units of housing from increased flood risk due to
climate change and reduce downstream sediment pollution to Nine Mile Creek and the Mississippi River.
• As part of the new Fred Richards Park, the City received a $500,000 Implementation Grant for Community
Resilience to construct artificial shade structures in community gathering spaces. With Minnesota’s summers
getting increasingly hotter, these shade structures will alleviate the lack of accessible shade areas and provide
immediate hot weather relief for one of Edina’s densest and fastest-growing neighborhoods.
5. Increase Funding for the State E-bike Rebate Program
The State allocated $2 million for a statewide e-bike rebate program in 2024 and 2025. The program had high demand
from Minnesotans with approximately 1,300 vouchers awarded in 2024 and an expected 2,700-2,800 in 2025. The City
supports a new allocation for funding because:
• 2024 and 2025 program participation demonstrated a high demand for assistance.
• With new 2025 program requirements, more low-income residents will be able to access climate-friendly
transportation.
• E-bikes are associated with vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions that meet our State, County and city climate
goals, plus e-bike users see immediate positive health benefits and increased mobility.
6. Establish State Funding to Support Expanded Carshare Networks in the Twin Cities and
Minnesota
Xcel Energy pulled private funding from HOURCAR in 2023, the nonprofit electric carshare service in Minneapolis and
Saint Paul. The City supports an expanded network and has studied resident support via a partnership with the
University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project in 2022-23. The City supports this because:
• Carshares are a viable alternative to owning a personal vehicle.
• Carshares have a demonstrated history of reducing vehicle miles traveled.
7. Allocate 100% of State Revenue from the Solid Waste Management Tax (SCORE) to
County Waste Management Activities
Currently, the City is awarded a portion of the SCORE funds annually for residential recycling, residential organics
recycling and participation in both at the multi-family building level. The City strives to spend 100% of the funds on
allowable purposes. The City supports continued SCORE funding because:
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• The funds advance waste reduction, reuse, recycling and organics programs to meet city, county and state
recycling goals.
• SCORE funding allows the City to conduct critical outreach.
8. Fund Expanded Infrastructure at the Local Level for the Creation of Compost
Processing Sites and Anaerobic Digesters
The City supports additional funding for counties creating compost processing sites and anaerobic digesters because:
• Landfilling all waste in Hennepin County and metropolitan area is no longer a viable option.
• Compost processing sites and anaerobic digesters provide more options for waste haulers.
9. Develop and Fund Zero-Waste Initiatives
Zero-waste initiatives manage all discarded materials to their highest and best use according to the waste management
hierarchy set forth in the Waste Management Act. The City supports the development of zero-waste initiatives
because:
• They will aid local governments reaching recycling and composting goals.
• The City’s waste reduction goals mirror those set by the state, county and Edina’s climate action plans.
10. Expand Right to Repair Law
The Digital Fair Repair Act that went into effect on July 1, 2024, is instrumental to reducing waste and encouraging reuse
in Minnesota by furthering the life of consumer products. To further the success of the new law, the right to repair
measures should be expanded to include previously excluded equipment such as farm equipment and wheelchairs
(similar to Colorado’s law) and vehicles (such as in Massachusetts). Expanding on the right-to-repair to include more
than just electronics would improve this new law to be even more equitable for a wider range of Minnesotans.
11. Continue Support for Local Environmental Health Regulatory Programs
Currently, the State delegates authority to operate food, pool and lodging establishment regulatory programs to cities
and counties. The City supports continuing local operation of these public health services and programs, because it
allows cities to provide services to meet local needs.
12. Support Funding Research, Training, and Legislation for Applicators of Chloride-
Containing De-icing Chemicals
Salt is a pollutant and causes damage to infrastructure and the environment. Private contractors tend to over-apply salt
on parking lots and sidewalks, often because they are afraid of “slip-and-fall” lawsuits. The City supports state funding for
research and training for public and private applicators of chloride-containing de-icing chemicals, and legislation to
address liability concerns of private de-icing salt applicators. Waterbodies throughout the state, including within and
downstream of Edina, fail to meet the water quality standards for chloride (salt) established by the state and so have
been added to the federal register of impaired waters as required by the Clean Water Act.
13. Support Truth in Labeling for Chloride-Containing De-icing Chemicals
Truth in labeling can help consumers by providing access to accurate and comprehensive information regarding the
composition, environmental impact, risks to infrastructure damage, and exposure risk to pets. Current labeling practices
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falsely claim or imply chloride containing products are environmentally safe and/or pet safe. Truth labeling would
empower individuals to select the appropriate material for the job and reduce overapplication.
14. Support Reduction of Chloride Pollution from Wastewater Effluent
Chloride pollution in wastewater effluent comes primarily from water softening processes. Reducing chloride in
wastewater effluent is important for meeting clean water goals in downstream waterbodies. Wastewater generated
locally is treated at the regional wastewater treatment plant before discharging to the Mississippi River. Reducing
chloride pollution in wastewater will benefit downstream aquatic ecosystems, protect drinking water sources, and
extend the lifespan of water infrastructure.
15. Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Municipal Grant Program
Inflow and infiltration (I/I) describe the ways that groundwater and stormwater make its way into sanitary sewer pipes
and gets treated, unnecessarily, at regional wastewater plants. The Metropolitan Council identifies cities contributing
excessive I/I into the regional wastewater system and charges the city for the excess. The City supports state financial
assistance to cities for metro area I/I mitigation, such as the Municipal State Bond Grant Program because:
• I/I mitigation supports efficient use of the regional system for waste treatment.
• I/I mitigation slows the need for capacity upgrades.
5. Transportation
1. Continue and Increase Municipal State Aid (MSA) Funding
The City has 40.85 miles of roads designated as MSA. This state funding is vital to maintain these high-quality
connections. The City asks for continued support of municipal state aid funding because:
• The state aid road system was developed to provide vital, high-quality connections necessary for the overall
state highway network to work well.
• The roads that are on the state aid system typically carry heavier traffic volumes, connect major points of
interest and provide an integrated and coordinated road system.
2. Municipal State Aid (MSA) Cost Participation
The City supports malleability in, or exemption from, cost participation policies, especially for cities with a
disproportionate amount of state or county highways within and encircling their local boundaries. Special or additional
funding from the state legislative for cities that have these burdens of additional cost participation in projects involving
state and county roads including the placement of underground utilities due to those projects should be supported.
3. Support Local Design Control on Municipal State Aid (MSA) Roads
As a condition of receiving state funding for Municipal State Aid roads, agencies are required to follow prescriptive
design standards for roadway widths, lane configurations, and design speeds. These rules, intended to support uniformity
and prioritize motor vehicle travel, often make it difficult for cities to create safe, multi-modal neighborhood-oriented
corridors. The City supports legislation to grant local design control to cities to implement alternative design
approaches that promote safety and mobility for all modes.
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4. Increase Local Bridge Replacement Program (LBRP) Funding
The Local Bridge Replacement Program provides local agencies funding for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or removal
of bridges or structures. The program is financed by the passage of specific legislation allocating general obligation state
bond funds but regularly does not receive enough funding. The City supports funding dedicated to the Local Bridge
Replacement Program to provide safe bridges because the City has 27 local bridges.
5. Support the Highway Justice Act
The City is surrounded and bisected by several highways, including State Highway 62, State Highway 100, US Highway
169 and Interstate 494. While these roadways help connect the City to regional destinations, they also contribute to
local air pollution, increased traffic on local frontage roads and create barriers between neighborhoods. The City asks
for support of the Highway Justice Act, which would help create a transportation system that strengthens our
communities by requiring meaningful community engagement, protecting environmental justice communities, and funding
multimodal transportation solutions along trunk highway corridors.
6. Expansion of Public Transportation Frequency and Reach
Edina, like much of the Metro area, continues to experience a persistent reduction in transit service frequency and reach
as a result of pandemic-era service reductions and workforce shortages. The City supports additional funding to return
transit service to pre-pandemic levels, support operator hiring initiatives, and develop a connecting bus study for the
METRO Green Line Extension (Southwest LRT) because:
• The City’s transit ridership prior to the pandemic was about half the average rate of Hennepin County.
• Adequate public transit offerings are essential to doubling public transit ridership to seven percent by 2030 to
reach our Climate Action Plan goals.
• Transit service supports many community and regional goals, including improving mobility, relieving traffic
congestion, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting sustainable development and growth.
7. Increase Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure Funding to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
Transportation emissions account for 40% of Edina’s baseline greenhouse gas emissions and are projected to become
the leading emissions source in Edina as the energy sector decarbonizes. The City supports funding to provide
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to decrease the use of single-occupancy vehicles and their associated negative
impacts on air quality, traffic congestion and quality of life because:
• Total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Edina in 2023 was more than 537 million miles, an increase from previous
years and reaching pre-pandemic levels.
• Edina’s Climate Action Plan, Hennepin County’s Climate Action Plan and Minnesota’s Climate Action
Framework all identify the need to reduce VMT to meet climate goals.
• Decreasing commuters driving alone by six percent to match the county-wide average would decrease VMT by
up to 10 million miles.
8. Allow Biofuel Blends up to 100% as part of State Biodiesel Content Mandate
Current State statute mandates a 20% biofuel blend for summer months. Growing technology and increased availability
of higher blend biofuels on the market make updating Statute a benefit for both heavy-duty fleet operators and
Minnesotan farmers and biofuel production facilities. The City supports updates to statute and fire code to make biofuel
blends up to B100 an allowable use because:
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• State of Minnesota and City of Edina have specific climate action goals to reduce tailpipe emissions from
medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles; and electrification of these fleet vehicles is cost-prohibitive and, in some
cases, negatively affects service levels.
• Biofuel is a cost-effective, market-ready solution to fleet decarbonization.
• Biofuel consumption directly supports Minnesota farmers and agriculture.
• Biofuel blends, specifically B100, are safer to dispense compared to traditional petroleum diesel fuel.
9. Exempt Government Agencies from New Public EV Charging Licensing Requirements
As an outcome from the 2025 legislative 1st special session, several amendments were enacted that affect electric
vehicle supply equipment (EVSE):
1. Chapter 296A (Tax on Petroleum and Other Fuels) section 051 now requires a Public Charging Operator’s
License for electric vehicle chargers;
2. Chapter 239.90 (Weights and Measures) now requires that electric vehicle charging station owners pay a $100
annual inspection fee per port, as well as instituting requirements for method of sale, labeling, and advertising for
retail EVSE; and
3. Chapter 296A section 075 now requires a $0.05 per kilowatt-hour of electricity tax for all public charging
stations with a capacity of more than 50 kilowatts that charge a fee for use.
The City of Edina supports consistency in the method of sale, labeling, and advertising in support of consumers who
utilize the State of Minnesota's growing public charging network. However, the City opposes the requirement for a
public charging operator’s license and the new annual $100 inspection fee per port for retail EVSE.
• A license is not warranted since any life safety concerns posed by electricity delivered via vehicle charging would
be addressed at the point of installation and code compliance inspection. In addition, the Public Utilities
Commission has regulatory oversight of investor and cooperative electric utilities, ensuring electricity is
delivered in a safe, cost-effective manner.
• The narrow definition of “public charging station” within the statute limits this license requirement to charging
stations that are 1) located at a for-profit business and 2) require a charge (fee) for a customer to use—meaning
that any chargers located on tax-exempt parcels or offered for free are exempt from the operator’s license,
posing an inconsistency that clouds the purpose of the statute. Additionally, chargers that are free to use for the
first hour or longer are in a legal gray area.
• “Retail EVSE” is not defined in statute, creating additional confusion of what stations would be required to pay
an inspection fee. Assuming EVSE owned by government agencies, multi-family properties, and other private
entities that charge for the stations use would be covered, the City of Edina would assume a new $2,400 annual
cost burden to operate its stations.
• Many public EV charging stations are connected to a managed network, which automatically notifies operators of
outages, errors, or potential damage at the port. Additional regulation of the station ports itself is not needed.
• State of Minnesota and City of Edina have specific climate action goals to increase access to EV chargers through
public investment in EV chargers. Increasing the cost and administrative commitment for installing and owning
these stations through fees and licensing will reduce the number of publicly available stations, slowing adoption
of electric vehicles at a time in which the state and most cities are already not on track to reach their climate
goals.
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While the City of Edina does not oppose the idea of a tax on public fast chargers to fund the Highway User Tax
Distribution Fund, we would appreciate assurance that those chargers will have a sales and use tax exemption for the
electricity and that this is communicated to the charging networks that work with EVSE owners to collect and remit
sales taxes annually.
5. Public Safety
While this section appears to only include Fire and EMS positions, the City is aligned with the MCPA’s 2026 legislative
agenda and supports their focuses on extending POST training fund reimbursement to agencies, recruitment and
retention, stiffer penalties for auto theft and fleeing, and other positions that advocate for the highest quality of police
services and leadership to Minnesota residents.
1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Local Control
In February 2022, the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released a report that found serious deficiencies with both
the management of the Emergency Medical Service Regulatory Board and the current ambulance service license process.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Fire Association Coalition introduced legislation, HF2736 and SF2691,
to implement the recommendations of the OLA relating to the primary service areas. The City supports this legislation
because:
• Local governments should be able to set standards for EMS service in their communities.
• Local governments should have the authority to find an EMS provider than can meet local standards.
2. Residential Fire Sprinklers
There are few statutory requirements for residential fire sprinklers. The City opposes efforts to statutorily limit the use
of residential fire sprinklers and supports the inclusion of professionals and industry experts in the creating or writing of
any code parameters, particularly the installation of fire suppression systems in residential building code, because:
• Sprinklers protect occupants, firefighters and property from fires.
• Recent Minnesota studies show the cost of installing residential fire sprinkler systems averages $1.15 per
sprinklered square foot, or approximately one percent of new home construction.
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City of Edina Contact Information
Priorities
City Manager, Scott Neal, can be contacted regarding any of the legislative priorities, in addition to the staff below. Scott
can be reached at SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401.
1. Local Sales Tax Spending Authority Amendment
a. Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
2. Fire Station 3/Municipal Campus Land Dedication
a. Chad Millner, Director of Public Works and City Engineer: CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
3. Bonding for France Avenue Pedestrian Crossing/Underpass
a. Chad Millner, Director of Public Works and City Engineer: CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
4. Enabling Social Districts for Vibrant Commercial Corridors
a. Bill Neuendorf, Economic Development Manager: BNeuendorf@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0407
5. Sales Tax Exemption for Projects in the Braemar Park Master Plan and Fred Richards Park Master Plan
a. Perry Vetter, Director of Parks & Recreation: PVetter@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0430
6. Protect Municipal Employees with Enforcement Functions
a. Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
Positions
General Government
1-9: Scott Neal, City Manager: SNeal@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0401
10: Cary Teague, Director of Community Development: CTeague@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0460
Municipal Liquor
1-4: Michael McBride, Liquor Operations General Manager: MMcBride@EdinaMN.gov or 952-903-5748
Affordable Housing
1-4: Stephanie Hawkinson, Affordable Housing Manager: SHawkinson@EdinaMN.gov or 952-833-9578
Environment & Sustainability
1-6: Marisa Bayer, Sustainability Manager: MBayer@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1621
7-9: Twila Singh, Organics Coordinator: TSignh@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1657
11: Jeff Brown, Public Health Manager: JBrown@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0466
12-14: Jessica VanderWerff Wilson, Water Resources Manager: JWilson@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0445
15: Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager: RBintner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-903-5713
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Transportation
1-4: Chad Millner, Director of Public Works & City Engineer: CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
5-7: Andrew Scipioni, Transportation Planner: AScipioni@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0440
8-9: Marisa Bayer, Sustainability Manager: MBayer@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1621
Public Safety
1-2: Andrew Slama, Fire Chief: ASlama@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0332
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