HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_2 February-2026_WebCitywide Water Meter Replacement Project Begins Soon
About 5,000 Customers Will Receive New Meters in 2026
BY BRITTANY BADER
Water meters will be replaced in Edina over
the next four years.
Water meters, which record how much water
each property uses so the City of Edina can bill
accurately for water service, were last replaced
across the city between 2012 and 2014. While
meters are designed to last around 20 years,
the Public Works Department has already
encountered some with dying batteries.
“At about year 15 is where we start to see
batteries failing,” said Assistant Public Works
Director Dave Goergen.
While the batteries are covered by a prorated
warranty, Goergen said staff decided this
money could be better reinvested in the more
robust functionality of new meter heads. By
getting started now, the City can help prevent
billing inaccuracies and begin using newer,
more efficient technology.
“While we recognize that meter replacements
can be an inconvenience to our residents
and customers, proper metering of the
water system is essential for correct utility
billing and allows us to reinvest in the City’s
infrastructure,” said Goergen.
What is the timeline for replacing
water meters?
Water meters are being replaced in phases
over several years, beginning in 2026. This
year’s replacements are expected to begin in
late February, with customers notified and
scheduled on a rolling basis through the fall.
Each year, a different group of meters will
be scheduled for replacement, with work
expected to continue through 2029.
Some customers’ water meters have been
replaced more recently and already include
updated technology. Meters replaced within
the last five years are not included in the
replacement plan.
How do I know if my meter will be
replaced in 2026?
This year, the City plans to replace
approximately 5,000 water meters. If your
meter is scheduled for replacement, you will
receive a letter from the City with instructions
on how to schedule your appointment. Please
do not attempt to schedule unless you have
received a letter asking you to do so. More
information about which meters are planned
for replacement this year is available at
EdinaMN.gov/MeterReplacement.
What are the benefits of the new meters?
The new meters can be read remotely, so
Public Works staff no longer need to drive by
each property to collect readings.
“As part of the new meter installation, there
are gateway collectors that allow reading
meters remotely. We will be able to just push
a button, and those collectors ping all the
water meters citywide and get those reads
automatically, versus driving around in a
vehicle, street by street, and getting them
manually one by one,” said Goergen.
Another benefit is that leaks will be flagged
more consistently, rather than being caught
only during quarterly checks, supporting both
water conservation and customer service.
Who will do the work?
The work will be completed by Ferguson
Waterworks, which handled the City’s last
citywide meter installation, along with its
vendor partner, RMR Services. The technicians
who come to your home or business will be
employees of RMR Services. All technicians will
wear City of Edina-issued vendor identification
badges, wear uniforms, arrive in marked vehicles
and have completed background checks.
What should I know about the
installation of a new meter?
Installation appointments are scheduled in
four-hour windows, Monday through Saturday,
and typically take about one hour to complete.
An adult 18 years or older must be present,
and the technician will need clear access to
the meter inside your home or business. Water
will be shut off for about 15 minutes while the
meter is replaced.
Will I have to pay for the new meter?
There is no separate charge for the new meter.
The cost is covered by the City’s Utility Fund
and will not appear as an individual charge on
your bill.
How can I confirm that information I
receive about this project is from the City?
Project information is available at
EdinaMN.gov/MeterReplacement. If you’re
unsure whether a letter, phone call or visit
is legitimate, contact the Edina Public Works
Department’s Utilities Division at
952-826-0375 to verify.
For more information about the Water
Meter Replacement project, contact the
Edina Public Works Department’s Utilities
Division at 952-826-0375.
The technician will replace the water meter inside
your home or business and install an externally
mounted transmitter box as part of this meter and
technology upgrade. (Submitted Photos)
Exterior
Interior
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
FEBRUARY 2026
Volume 13, Issue 2Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
SPARC Program Helps Restaurant Expand, New Business Open
JJ’s Poké Adds Seating and Menu Items; Coder’s Clubhouse Will Offer Kid Classes
from previously collected money from three
commercial tax-increment financing districts.
Up to $24,000 from SPARC will help pay for
the restroom costs and kitchen improvements
in the estimated $285,000 project for the
expanded JJ’s Poké & Noodles.
“Most new businesses in Edina are privately
financed. However, sometimes the unexpected
happens,” Neuendorf said, listing examples such
as major equipment breaking, new regulations
triggering unexpected fees and federal
remodeling requirements. “That’s where we
need SPARC to step in and solve problems.”
Katie and Jeremiah Talamantes were all set to
open Coder’s Clubhouse, offering computer
coding instruction and workshops for children, in
a vacant Rue de France shopping center space at
7101 France Ave. That was until a state agency
decided the business should be classified as a
school, which requires at least two bathrooms.
The small existing space only had one.
“That totally derailed and blew up their budget,”
Neuendorf said. “We used SPARC to overcome
that hurdle and get them back on track.”
SPARC is providing up to $24,000 to help pay
for the new ADA-accessible restroom and a
new HVAC main trunk system.
About $1 million in SPARC funding remains
for the program that ends this year. “We are
actively looking for additional small businesses
to support,” Neuendorf said.
For more about SPARC, visit
EdinaMN.gov/Sparc or contact Neuendorf
at bneuendorf@EdinaMN.gov
or 952-826-0407.
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
The expansion of a popular Edina restaurant
and a new business to help children learn
digital skills were blocked by unexpected fees
and regulations. A program to help businesses
has cleared the way for both.
JJ’s Poké is busy in summer with lots of takeout
because it has very limited seating. Owner
Wenbin Henry Wu wanted to add hot noodle
dishes, but needed to add more kitchen
space and customer seating to make it work.
When the space next door in the 6800 block
of York Avenue became available, Wu seized
the opportunity. He had budgeted for the
lease, remodel, kitchen expansion, seating
and extra staffing needed to expand. But
the additional seating triggered thousands of
dollars in unexpected sewer access fees.
“When Met Council gave them the bill,
everything came to a grinding halt,”
Economic Development Manager Bill
Neuendorf said. The expansion then sat
on pause for six months, until the SPARC
program came to the rescue.
The City’s Special Projects and Redevelopment
Capital (SPARC) Fund provides loans, grants
or equity to encourage private investment in
Edina’s commercial and industrial districts.
This can be new construction, extensive
remodeling or, to a limited extent, public
improvements. Minnesota legislation
allows such a program as part of economic
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its
continued impact on businesses. The more
than $10 million in SPARC funding comes
Other SPARC Projects
Edina Theatre: $351,000 reimbursement
to help renovate and reopen historic
theater at the heart of 50th & France.
Fred Richards Park access road: $2 million
reimbursement as part of development
at 4620 W. 77th St. for constructing the
new road. Road is complete, but will not
provide direct park access until after park
improvements are completed.
Noma Hi-Fi restaurant/lounge: $225,000
reimbursement to add elevator/lift and other
ADA-required features to long-vacant space
under Lululemon at 3914 W. 50th St.
Americana restaurant: $200,000
reimbursement toward the $3.2 million
renovation of the former Cocina del Barrio
space at 5036 France Ave. to help pay for
required elevator/lift for new second level
and energy-efficiency improvements.
Edina Innovation Lab: $650,000 loan
to Edina Chamber of Commerce for
construction of new office/meeting space.
The Chamber has been making semiannual
payments. Current loan balance is $446,000.
JJ’s Poké will expand into the vacant space next door
in the Yorkdale Shoppes and offer new menu items
including hot noodle dishes. (Photo by Edie Weinstein)
Development is more than just change. It’s a product of careful
decisions, bold investments and reliable services that shape daily life
and build the foundation for growth. In 2025, property owners forged
ahead with new construction and redeveloped existing structures
to best serve Edina. Data from 2025 tells this story of expansion
and improvement. Learn more about current and completed
development projects at EdinaMN.gov/Development-Tracker.
BY THE NUMBERS
Development For
a Bright Future
new home building
permits issued
60
building permits issued
2,268
variances processed
23
- COMPILED BY EDIE WEINSTEIN
value of projects for which
building permits were issued
$340,922,367
Edina’s estimated market value
$17,450,465,500
2
Watch City Council, Housing &
Redevelopment Authority and
Planning Commission meetings live on Edina TV (Comcast
Channels 813 or 16) or online.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, Feb. 1
February is Black
History Month
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Sunday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
“Touchdown Throwdown”
Kids Football Party,
Edinborough Park
Thursday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m.
Lakeside Luminary Walk,
Centennial Lakes Park
Friday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m.
Candyland Trail,
Edinborough Park
Friday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.
Movie night, “The Princess &
the Frog,” Edinborough Park
Sunday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m.
Two Sundays Big Band,
Edinborough Park
Monday, Feb. 16
Presidents Day, City Hall closed
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Lunar New Year
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina
City Hall
Thursday, Feb. 19, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
Walk with the Mayor,
Galleria Edina
Sunday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.
First John Philip Sousa
Memorial Band,
Edinborough Park
Saturday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m.
Bling It On Jewelry Swap,
Senior Center
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
The restoration of Arden Park and the portion
of Minnehaha Creek that runs through it was
recently recognized with another major award.
“This award is a testament to the value of
natural resources in creating vibrant public
spaces,” said Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District (MCWD) Board President Sherry White.
“Through collaboration with the City of Edina,
Hennepin County and dedicated water resource
professionals, we’ve restored Minnehaha Creek to
enhance water quality and climate resilience for
the region, while transforming Arden Park into a
remarkable community amenity.”
The award was presented to the three partners at
the Minnesota Watersheds annual conference in
December. This is the second award the project
has received. In 2022, the team was given an
engineering excellence award from the American
Council of Engineering Companies.
“Before the project, the Arden Park area was
looking really old. The shelter building was from
the ’70s, and the water was basically sogging
out the open space,” said Engineering Services
Manager Ross Bintner. “After even the smallest of
rains, the overall use of the park was pretty much
limited to the trails because of how unusable the
grass was.”
In addition to these challenges, Minnehaha Creek
had been listed on the State’s impaired waters list
due to low dissolved oxygen, high chloride and
elevated E. coli bacteria levels.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and
the City of Edina worked together to address
these issues. The $4 million Arden Park project
was funded through grants from the Board of
Water and Soil Resources Clean Water Fund, the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Partners Legacy program and
Hennepin County’s Natural Resources Opportunity
Fund, with the remaining costs split between the
Watershed District and the City.
The following improvements were made as part of
the project:
•Improved water quality – stormwater
management features now keep approximately
30 pounds of phosphorus and 18,000 pounds of
sediment out of Minnehaha Creek each year
•Restored stream health and habitat – removal
of the 54th Street dam and re-meandering of
Minnehaha Creek restored more than 2,100 feet
of streambank, added 230 feet of stream length
and created diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitat
•Four new creek access points for paddling,
tubing, fishing and wading
•New park shelter and outdoor gathering space
•Enhanced open space
•Upgraded hockey rink
•Expanded trail network and new boardwalk
•More than 400 new trees
•Removal of invasive buckthorn and ash trees
•Expanded pollinator habitat
Although construction concluded in 2021, the
project continues to show lasting success. Outcomes
have been measured through ongoing water
quality monitoring; successful native vegetation
establishment; increased recreational use and the
return of native species, including fish, turtles, birds,
mammals, amphibians and other aquatic life.
“This project was an early example of the Council’s
Better Together Edina strategy, where it’s all about
public participation and being really on the pulse of
what the community values,” said Bintner. “When
we go forward with projects today, we still feel some
of the DNA of this Arden Park project in them.”
The project helped establish a more transparent
and inclusive approach to public engagement that
continues to shape how the City works today.
By centralizing information, clearly outlining
engagement plans in advance and making project
details accessible online, the process reduces
confusion and ensures the broader community can
follow along and participate in conversations.
Arden Park is located at 5230 Minnehaha Blvd.
For more information on the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District,
visit minnehahacreek.org.
Arden Park Restoration Named 2025 Project of
the Year by Minnesota Association of Watersheds
Project Improved Water Quality, Habitat and Recreation for Visitors
Arden Park’s construction was completed in 2021, but the project leaves behind a legacy of public
participation and improved park amenities. (File Photo)
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Neal Forms Task Force to Assess Response to
Immigration-Related Issues
Council Reaffirms Commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In response to community concern and
uncertainty about U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in
Minnesota, the Edina City Council reaffirmed
its commitment to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, underscoring the City’s
core values of dignity, fairness and respect
for all people. The reaffirmation builds on a
statement the Council issued in December.
At its Jan. 20 meeting, Council Members
acknowledged the fear and anxiety many
residents have expressed about recent
federal immigration enforcement activity
in the region. They shared that they have
heard directly from community members
about the personal impacts on families and
the importance of timely, transparent and
accessible communication from the City.
The Council also recognized the legal
complexities that arise when local and
federal authorities operate within the
same space. While reaffirming the City’s
commitment to protecting constitutional
rights and ensuring the safety of residents,
demonstrators and public safety personnel,
City Manager Scott Neal announced the
creation of an 11-member staff Task Force
representing multiple City departments.
The Task Force will assess how the City
responds to immigration-related issues
affecting the community and identify actions
that are legally sound, operationally feasible
and responsive to community needs. It will
develop findings and recommendations for
consideration by the City Manager, Executive
Leadership Team and, when appropriate, the
City Council. Any potential policy changes
would follow established City processes and
include City Council review as required.
“The work of the Task Force is intended to
help the City better understand what it can
do, what it should consider doing and what
may not be feasible under the law,” Neal
said. “Our goal is to respond thoughtfully,
responsibly and within our legal authority.”
In other business last month, the Council:
•Granted first reading of a local gun
safety ordinance that would take
effect only if the State lifts its current
preemption. Final consideration is
expected at the Feb. 4 meeting.
•Provided non-binding feedback on
a sketch plan to redevelop 6016
Vernon Ave. into an electric vehicle
charging station, known as the IONNA
Rechargery. The proposal includes
seven Level 3 DC fast chargers and the
renovation of the former Kevin Kee’s
Auto Shop building into a lounge-style
waiting area, potentially with vending
machines, a small convenience concept
or third-party tenant space.
•Approved a resolution asking the State
Legislature to authorize a referendum on
a local sales tax to help fund additional
costs for the Braemar Arena and Fred
Richards Park projects, as well as future
capital and infrastructure improvements
for public safety facilities, Centennial
Lakes and Edinborough Parks, the
Edina Aquatic Center, the new Edina
Art Center and Braemar Golf Course.
The City’s legislative delegation noted,
however, that it is unlikely the Legislature
will advance local option sales tax bills
during the 2026 session.
•Directed staff to repeal and replace
the Lawful Gambling Ordinance to
allow charitable gambling in Edina. A
new ordinance permitting up to three
on-premise gambling licenses will be
drafted and brought to the Council for
consideration at a future meeting.
The City Council will next meet 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 and 17. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4
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