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Home My WebLink About2026-02-17 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL HELD AT CITY HALL FEBRUARY 17, 2026 7:00 P.M. I.0 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2.0 ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Hovland. 3.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4.0 MEETING AGENDA – APPROVED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the meeting agenda. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 5.0 COMMUNITY COMMENT Ralph Zickert reiterated his opposition to the City borrowing $20M for the construction of a parking garage at 7001 France Avenue. Jill Garnier addressed traffic concerns related to Southview Middle School and a petition supporting requesting school hour parking restrictions; noted that she submitted petition photos and video documentation to the Council last week and discussed the traffic concerns and dangers to pedestrians on Concord Terrace. Laura Hann asked that the Council further their work regarding ICE restrictions by reassuring staff that they have a right to protest, knowing their jobs are protected, offer PTO or work from home options, do not allow ICE officers to apply for City jobs in the future, especially law enforcement, schools, etc., and protect data from citizens being leaked to ICE. 5.1. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS City Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from current and past meetings. 6.0 CONSENT AGENDA – ADOPTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as revised to remove Item 6.1, regular and work session meeting minutes of February 4, 2026, and special meeting of February 5, 2026, and 6.18, 2026 Commission Appointments, as follows: 6.1. Regular and work session meeting minutes of February 4, 2026, and special meeting of February 5, 2026 6.2. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated January 30, 2026, totaling $1,650,043.77, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated January 30, 2026, totaling $14,976,884.75, and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated February 6, 2026, totaling $1,537,892.73 6.3. Request for Purchase, Hennepin County Library and Senior Center Exterior Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Acme Tuckpointing Restoration at $95,320.00 Page 2 6.4. Waive Permit Fees for Hennepin County Library and Senior Center Exterior Improvements 6.5. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-03, Amending Chapter 2 - Water Meter Replacement Surcharge 6.6. Arden Park Maintenance Covenants 6.7. Agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Edina Public School District for Concord Flood Infrastructure Project 6.8. Request for Purchase, Engineering Services for Concord Flood Infrastructure Project Feasibility Study, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Barr Engineering at $466,200 6.9. Request for Purchase, Arlington Streetlights for 50th & France, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Viking Electric at $24,395.00 6.10. Request for Purchase, Playground Replacement Design and Engineering, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, WSB at $42,850 6.11. Request for Purchase, 2026 Toro Trim Mower, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, MTI Toro at $26,056.68 6.12. Request for Purchase, 2026 Residential Tree Sale, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Tree Trust at $54,921.52 6.13. Request for Purchase, Braemar Golf Course Korechi Autonomous Range Ball Picker, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Korechi Innovations Inc., at $58,900 6.14. Request for Purchase, Braemar Golf Course VertaCat All-Terrain Mobility Rider, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, VertaCat at $30,085.31 6.15. Request for Purchase, Chevy Blazer PPV EV, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Tres, Inc., DBA North County GM at $47,256.88 6.16. Hennepin County Auto Theft Collaboration Cooperative Agreement 6.17. Request for Purchase, Modular Wall Training System, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Versare, at $53,973.21 6.18. 2026 Commission Appointments 6.19 Temporary On-Sale Liquor License: Our Lady of Grace Church 6.20. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License: Midwest Rett Syndrome Foundation Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 6.0 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2026 - TABLED The Council noted that under item 8.1 of the meeting minutes, there are changes that should be made regarding statements that were made. The Council asked to table the minutes so that a full written correction could be submitted for the proposed changes. Member Risser made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, tabling the February 4, 2026, regular City Council meeting minutes to the March 3, 2026, City Council meeting. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 6.18. 2026 COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS - APPROVED The Council thanked everyone who was involved in the Commission interviews and read the names of those who will be appointed to Edina Commissions for 2026. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the 2026 Commission Appointments. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. Page 3 7.0 SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 7.1. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY FEBRUARY 18, 2026 - PROCLAIMED Mayor Hovland read in full the proclamation declaring School Bus Driver Appreciation Day as February 18, 2026, in the City of Edina. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the proclamation declaring February 18, 2026, as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the City of Edina. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 7.2. CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION - PRESENTED Lieutenant Heckert awarded the Citizen Award in recognition of Chris Hansen's non-profit organization, Time On the Water, which supports the mental health of veterans and first responders through therapeutic fishing experiences. Mr. Hansen gave a brief background on how his non-profit organization came to be in 2016, discussed what the trips are designed to do, and noted that they hit their 502nd guest last year. 8.0 REPORTS / RECOMMENDATIONS 8.1. ORDINANCE 2026-04, AMENDMENT REGARDING TREE PROTECTION – FIRST READING GRANTED Parks and Recreation Director Vetter presented the core proposed changes to the ordinance, including newly added definitions, tree replacement requirements, and exemptions to replanting. The Council inquired about the timing of the spring tree sale. Mr. Vetter stated that 250 trees will be available in the spring and an additional 250 in the fall, with dates to be announced. The Council asked questions regarding feedback from the Environmental and Energy Commission (EEC), boulevard trees, and homeowner user experience. Mr. Vetter reported that the EEC did not provide any feedback opposing the proposed changes. The Council expressed appreciation to staff and others who worked on the ordinance. Council also raised concerns about homeowners with small lots who already have numerous trees and provided feedback on the desire to both maintain and expand the tree canopy. Mr. Vetter explained the typical process a homeowner would follow to determine whether a request is subject to the ordinance and how the process would proceed if applicable. City Attorney Kendall discussed which permits would apply under the ordinance and which would not. Mr. Vetter noted that an appeals process was considered but could not be clearly defined; staff determined that an on-site and off-site mitigation strategy was preferable. The Council asked additional questions regarding making information more accessible to neighbors and the planting of substandard trees. The Council emphasized preserving the tree canopy through homeowner education on the importance of trees, rather than prohibiting residents from removing trees on their own property. Mr. Vetter noted the addition of a new provision exempting trees that are causing damage. Mr. Kendall stated that the ordinance would not prevent otherwise lawful construction or development. Page 4 Member Jackson made a motion to grant First Reading to Ordinance 2026-04, Amendment Regarding Tree Protection. Member Agnew seconded the motion. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland. Nay: Pierce. Motion carried. 8.2. ORDINANCE 2026-02, AMENDING SECTION 4-9-9; REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE III, LAWFUL GAMBLING OF THE EDINA CITY CODE - TABLED The Council suggested tabling this item for a month to have more conversations. Mayor Hovland stated he and City Manager Neal are meeting with the Ed Fund to talk about why the ordinance may or may not work for them. Council ask that staff inform the community of the delay and report back on how many non-profits are in Edina and revenue they generate. Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, tabling Ordinance 2026-02, Aamending Section 4-9-9; Repealing and Replacing Chapter 6, Article III, Lawful Gambling of the Edina City Code to the March 17, 2026, City Council Meeting. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 8.3. AMENDMENT TO THE MOBILE ECMO TRUCK SERVICES, DISPATCH, AND DEPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - APPROVED Fire Chief Slama presented information regarding the ECMO truck, pilot program to date, ECMO updates, MET amendment, and recommendations. The Council thanked Fire Chief Slama for coming back with the update and feedback on the program. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to approve the amendment to the Mobile ECMO Truck services, dispatch, and deployment agreement. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. 9.0 MANAGER’S COMMENTS - Received 9.1. IMMIGRATION RESPONSE TASK FORCE STATUS REPORT 10.0 MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS - Received 11.0 ADJOURNMENT Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk James B. Hovland, Mayor Minutes approved by Edina City Council, March 3, 2026. Video Copy of February 17, 2026, meeting available. Sharon Allison (Mar 5, 2026 14:52:32 CST)