HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-17 Work Session Meeting MinutesMINUTES
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
COMMUNITY ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
5:30 P.M.
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
2.0 ROLL CALL
Answering roll call were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Mayor Hovland.
Staff in attendance: Scott Neal, City Manager; Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager; Zoe Johnson, City
Management Fellow; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director; Chad Millner, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager; Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation
Director; Nate Morrison, Maintenance Supervisor; Lieutenant Ryan Schultz; David Yanagisawa, I.T.
Specialist; and Sharon Allison, City Clerk.
3.1 CITY MANAGER TRANSITION
Manager Neal introduced the topic, noting that Assistant City Manager Lenz developed a detailed
timeline for the City Manager transition. The process will require an executive search and given the
limited number of firms that specialize in this work, staff recommended issuing a request for
proposals (RFP) and forming a small subset of the City Council to assist. The selected firm would help
develop the recruitment profile, advertising plan, and recommend the number of finalists. The goal is
to retain a consultant by the end of May or June, conduct candidate tours in the summer, and
selection in the fall. Under Minnesota Data Practices Act, candidate names remain confidential until
finalists (typically two to five) are identified. The consultant will advise on how many finalists to
advance and support the overall process.
Council discussed who would be involved in interviews; Neal stated that Council, senior staff,
community representatives (such as commission and task force members, business leaders, the
school superintendent, hospital representatives, and other organizations), and the consultant would
participate. Council asked whether the timeline could be accelerated; staff indicated it could be
compressed to begin earlier and allow additional transition time for the selected candidate. Assistant
City Manager Lenz and City Management Fellow Johnson will draft the RFP using existing models,
with Council Members Pierce and Jackson volunteering to assist. Council expressed a preference to
hire the consultant by the end of May and aim for a finalist by the end of September to allow
approximately 90 days’ notice. Confidentiality will be maintained until finalists are named.
3.2 MOTION TO MOVE TO CLOSED SESSION AS PERMITTED BY M.S. 13D.05, TO
DISCUSS SECURITY PROTOCOLS. Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member
Jackson. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.
3.3 COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY REVIEW
Lt. Ryan Schultz led a discussion regarding security procedures in the Council Chambers during City
Council meetings. Council and staff relocated from the Community Room to the Council Chambers
to participate in a demonstration outlining current security measures and safety considerations during
meetings.
3.3 MOTION TO MOVE BACK INTO OPEN SESSION
Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson to move back into open session while
still in the Council Chambers. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting while still in the Council Chambers.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Allison, City Clerk
James B. Hovland, Mayor
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, March 3, 2026.
Sharon Allison (Mar 5, 2026 14:52:32 CST)