Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Story
Edina Council approves Southdale Office Center rezoning unanimously
Tree Ordinance Compliance and Single-Family Residential Impact
Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation
National Public Works Week Proclamation
Historic Preservation Month and Booze Cabin Heritage Award
Labyrinth Donation and Installation at Arnison Acres Park
Southdale Office Center Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit
Pedestrian Safety Concerns at Multiple Locations
Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Regulation
Community Engagement and Youth Programming
Boulevard Beautification and Prairie Restoration
Pickleball Court Placement and Noise Mitigation
Votes (18)
Community Comment - France Avenue Tunnel Funding Transparency
Dissent: No council response or commitment to address the transparency concerns was recorded during the meeting.
Ralph Sickert presented evidence that the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority had already authorized up to $30 million in property tax funding through tax increment financing from the Macy's TIF district for the proposed France Avenue tunnel. He cited a May 7, 2025 press release stating funding had not been established, but noted that Bill Nuendorf (economic development manager) had informed Cordelia neighborhood residents two days prior that Hennepin County would not commit funds. Sickert questioned why the city was not transparent about the funding source being local property taxes and expressed concern about the project's secrecy regarding its $20-30 million price tag.
Community Comment - Tree Ordinance Compliance Burden on Single-Family Homes
Dissent: No council response or commitment to modify the ordinance was recorded during the meeting.
Jason and Stephanie Banks, represented by architect Mary Weatherfeld, challenged the city's tree ordinance requiring replacement of one removed deciduous tree with up to 12 new trees due to diameter requirements. The Banks' 10,000 sq ft lot in Morningside contains six trees; they removed one linden basswood (within the building footprint of their 429 sq ft addition) and were required to plant trees with a combined diameter of nearly 20 inches. Weatherfeld argued that existing residential lots should receive the same footprint exception as unbuilt or underbuilt lots. She noted the ordinance prevents planting native conifers and that the estimated cost is $18,000. The council acknowledged the concern but took no immediate action.
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Procedural] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Procedural]
The council voted to adopt the meeting agenda as published. No modifications were requested by council members or staff.
Approval of Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes (May 6, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Procedural] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Procedural]
Council Member Risser abstained from voting on the minutes because she was out of the country and unavailable for the May 6, 2025 meeting. The remaining council members voted to approve the minutes.
Consent Agenda Items (6.1, 6.3, 6.4 Removed)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Procedural] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Procedural]
Council Member Risser requested removal of items 6.1 (May 6 minutes) from the consent agenda. Items 6.3 and 6.4 were also removed to allow separate discussion of the labyrinth donation and purchase request. The remaining consent agenda items were approved in a single motion.
Resolution 2025-39: Acceptance of Labyrinth Donation from Edina Garden Council and Kiladale Garden Club
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Special Recognition] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Special Recognition]
The council accepted a combined donation of approximately $30,000 from the Edina Garden Council and Kiladale Garden Club for construction of a concrete labyrinth at Arnison Acres Park. Tom Swinson introduced representatives Esther Hasowitz (Edina Garden Council) and Diane Plunket Leam (Kiladale Garden Club). The labyrinth will be located in the formal gardens at the far end of the park (beyond the fountain, anchoring the third point with the gazebo and fountain). It will serve as a meditative walking path for park visitors. A grand opening is scheduled for August 2025, with the Brindles consenting to perform at the ceremony. The donation was funded by proceeds from the garden clubs' annual plant sale.
Request for Purchase: Concrete Labyrinth Construction at Arnison Acres Park
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Business Item] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Business Item]
The council approved the purchase request for the concrete labyrinth construction at Arnison Acres Park. The mayor noted the tight timeline for completion by August 2025.
Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation (May 18-24, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Special Recognition] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Special Recognition]
The council proclaimed May 18-24, 2025 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Edina, with the theme 'EMS Week: We Care for Everyone' (51st anniversary). Fire Chief Sean White accepted the proclamation and highlighted the city's exceptional cardiac save rate—four times the Hennepin County average—attributed to the quality of paramedic-firefighters and co-response with Edina police. The mayor noted that a CDC study approximately 10-12 years ago found Edina had the highest cardiac save rate in the nation, likely due to technology (Bluetooth communication with M Health Fairview) and the quality of EMS services.
National Public Works Week Proclamation (May 18-24, 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Special Recognition] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Special Recognition]
The council proclaimed May 18-24, 2025 as National Public Works Week in Edina, with the theme 'People, Purpose, and Presence.' Public Works Director Brian Olson accepted the proclamation and emphasized the department's role in maintaining infrastructure and quality of life. He noted that public works professionals often work invisibly—when systems function properly, the public is unaware of their efforts. The mayor praised the department's snow plowing capabilities, noting that Edina has no snow days due to the quality of public works services.
Preservation Month Proclamation (May 2025)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Special Recognition] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Special Recognition]
The council proclaimed May 2025 as Preservation Month in Edina, sponsored by the Edina Heritage Preservation Commission. Katie Pope, vice chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission, accepted the proclamation.
2025 Edina Heritage Award: Booze Cabin, Parkwood Nolles
Dissent: None
The council recognized the Booze Cabin in Parkwood Nolles as the 2025 Edina Heritage Award recipient. The cabin was originally built in 1932 for Dennis Ralph Booze, a dentist who provided care to Native Americans in upstate New York. A skilled Native American craftsman constructed the cabin using hand-pegged construction (no nails) and a draw knife to remove bark from logs. The cabin was relocated in 1995-1996 by current owners Jim and Mary Frey, who spearheaded conservation easement efforts and detailed planning to preserve the structure. The relocation involved multiple planning commission reviews for electricity and water access. The cabin's interior contains artifacts from the Booze family, including African big game hunt trophies and a 1947 Filco Ford refrigerator. The fireplace is constructed of loose lace stone with no mortar, held together with concrete backing. The cabin was featured in the 1972 film 'The Heartbreak Kid' starring Cybill Shepherd and Charles Grodin. Jim Frey noted that the recognition has renewed community interest in the cabin, with neighbors visiting to view the property.
Resolution 2025-40: Acceptance of Donations on Behalf of the City
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Business Item] · Seconded by Council Member [Name not specified] [Business Item]
The council accepted two donations: (1) $5,000 from Dennis Scholstead, a longtime Edina resident, for maintenance of Centennial Lakes Park. Scholstead previously donated two beautiful sculptures to the park—a golden retriever and another piece found at the arboretum—in memory of his late wife. (2) $19,000+ from the Edina Baseball Association for Countryside Park field updates. The mayor noted that Countryside Park's field is actively used and well-maintained.
Resolution 2025-35 and Ordinance 2025-05: Southdale Office Center Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit
Dissent: Council Member Risser expressed concerns about tree protection but voted in favor of the rezoning and ordinance.
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Business Item - Resolution 2025-35] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [Business Item - Resolution 2025-35]
The council approved rezoning of the 22-acre Southdale Office Center from PUD11 to PCD3 (Plan Commercial District) and issued a conditional use permit for office uses. The property owner plans to remodel two middle office buildings and add handicap-accessible entrances. The action rescinded the 2017 PUD, which had included provisions for building removal that never materialized. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval. Council Member Risser expressed concern about the lack of tree protection in commercial zones, specifically regarding the oak savannah on the property. She requested expedited development of commercial tree ordinance language by year-end. Director Carrie Teague confirmed that the Energy and Environment Commission is working on a draft ordinance to protect trees in commercial districts, similar to residential protections, with a target completion date of end of 2025. Applicant Sean Smith (Southdale Office Partners) noted that the current plan does not involve any work in the oak savannah trees and that the company has maintained the trees well since the early 2000s. He added that any future plan would require a site plan review. Smith also addressed pedestrian safety concerns raised by a resident regarding walkability on 62nd/66th Street and at nearby intersections. He noted that the company has made improvements to ADA access and walkability, including adding a sidewalk from Bank of America and installing a pedestrian signalized marker at Valley View. However, he indicated that broader connectivity improvements (e.g., to Southdale Mall) would require city direction and planning. Council Member Jackson praised the historic office buildings and expressed support for their preservation. Mayor Havland suggested that a condition on the resolution could restrict removal of oak savannah trees except if diseased, but Smith expressed reticence about adding restrictions to the property, citing potential conflicts with future creative partnerships (e.g., storm water infrastructure projects with the fire station).
City Manager Response to Prior Meeting Comments
Dissent: None
The city manager reported on a question from the May 6, 2025 council meeting regarding no parking signs on Wilson Road during the Vernon Avenue Highway 101 interchange project. The response indicated that the city is evaluating the request while balancing other elements of the detour and traffic safety. The traffic safety committee is committed to providing a response as soon as possible, given the project's timeline.
Council Member Comments: Pedestrian Safety, Gas Leaf Blowers, and Community Engagement
Dissent: None
Council Member Jackson raised three issues: (1) Pedestrian safety at the Grand View Square to Arboretum crosswalk (Highway 100 construction area), where residents report that people are not adhering to flashing lights. (2) Pedestrian safety at the Interlocken and Vanderborg intersection, which was previously reviewed by the traffic safety committee. (3) Gas-powered leaf blower noise and emissions, noting that other communities have implemented bans. The mayor indicated that Nick Baller is meeting with a resident who has been nearly hit at the Eden Avenue crosswalk and that the city is evaluating options. The city manager committed to conferring with the city engineer on both pedestrian safety issues and providing a report at an upcoming council meeting. The mayor suggested referring the gas leaf blower issue to the Energy and Environment Commission, noting that most cities implementing bans include a 4-5 year phase-out period. Council Member Jackson also highlighted resident feedback requesting more constructive places for teenagers to gather (gyms, dining venues) and suggested that the council keep youth engagement in mind during planning of Fred Richards Park and the new Bremar Arena.
Council Member Comments: Train Noise, Briar Burn Communication, and Community Events
Dissent: None
Council Member Pierce raised concerns about train noise and horn issues, noting that the city last reviewed this issue in 2023. She requested that someone provide an update on the city's current status and opportunities regarding train noise mitigation. She also noted that the mayor is on the US Conference of Mayors standing committee on transportation with a vice chair for surface rail who sits on the Amtrak board, and suggested exploring consultant resources for grant opportunities. Pierce also mentioned receiving multiple emails from a resident adversely impacted by the Briar Burn, indicating that the situation may be escalating. She requested a more coordinated city response than what has been provided to date. Additionally, Pierce highlighted the success of the Edina Asian-American Alliance annual festival held at Rosland Park on Saturday, which celebrated South Asian culture and had a strong community turnout despite cool weather.
Council Member Comments: Tree Ordinance Transparency, Boulevard Beautification, and Pickleball Court Placement
Dissent: None
Council Member Risser requested that the neighborhood meeting about the France Avenue tunnel be recorded so that other council members could listen to community concerns. She noted that there is a two-week window for public comments on Better Together (the city's online engagement platform) but that no event has been scheduled where all council members could attend and hear community input. She emphasized the importance of this window for public participation. Risser also expressed concern about the quarterly financial report and advisory commission work plan, noting that the commercial tree ordinance language was not listed despite her previous requests. She requested a comprehensive list of all commission work to ensure that important projects are not overlooked. The mayor proposed reshaping and replanting boulevards on Valley View and 66th Street (France to York) with prairie grasses and wildflowers instead of maintaining crab grass and quack grass. He suggested consulting with organic weed control experts regarding dandelion management in parks. The mayor also expressed concern about pickleball court placement near multifamily housing and single-family homes, citing nationwide complaints about noise. He recommended identifying locations like Rosen Park near the crosstown highway where noise would not impact residential areas, while still expanding the sport's availability.
Adjournment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [Procedural] · Seconded by Council Member Agnu [Procedural]
The council voted to adjourn the meeting.
Notable Quotes (35)
The press release also stated that funding for the project had not yet been established. Two days prior to the press release, in a meeting with Cordelia neighborhood residents, Bill Nuendorf, Adina's economic development manager, shared that Henipin County had already informed Adina that they Henipin County would not commit funds to this project.
One is left to wonder if a tunnel under France is such a great idea, why all the secrecy as to its 20 to30 million price tag and where the and where the money is or is not going to come from to pay for it.
We like trees. We want them in our neighborhoods and our properties. And I'm all for a healthy canopy. But there are lot lot of numbers and trees and square foot and all of that, but ultimately we've been asked to replace one tree with up to 12. It just doesn't seem right.
I feel existing R1 lot should be given the same footprint exception as unbuilt or underbuilt lots and that Stephanie and Jason and Jason should be able to take this exception. Um, we all understand maintaining our tree canopy is important and we in the beginning were all for taking part in this, but after having gone through it, I may hesitate to go through it again.
I do feel that the tree ordinance, however well intention, is hurting the wrong people and may keep some people from um, planting trees.
We're very much looking forward to this. Uh it is something that uh children can do when they're in the park. uh you follow this path and uh it leads right to the center and we're going to have a grand opening in August for it and the Brindles have uh uh consented to come and play their elorns to kick off the ceremony.
We're looking forward to the opening and for those of you who haven't been in the labyrinth, it's really a meditative sort of walk and it's a perfect addition to the park and we thank you for shopping at our sale and for everyone else who's there because this the proceeds that we get from our sale every year is what allows us to purchase everything we need to grow all the flowers you see around Edina as well as we're using some of the proceeds also for the labyrinth.
I hope your contractor is ready to go. Because I can tell if you want that up in August, you're not messing around. You want get that thing built.
I take great pride in standing here representing uh the paramedic firefighters of Idana Fire. Um I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the important um uh addition that Edina police provides with us co-response uh in uh all emergency medical uh situations. Um I think this is a as we get continue to get busier and busier and provide more and more care to our citizens uh hopefully it's recognized uh the phenomenal service that we're able to provide by uh being able to incorporate all these different pieces uh to our entire uh city.
It must be 10, 12 years ago now that the unbeknownst to us, the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta did a study about where in the United States you were most likely to come out of the hospital after a cardiac event, who had the highest save rate in the country. And it turns out Henipin County had the highest county save rate. uh and Edina was number one in the country in cardiac saves and we were four times the save rate of Henipin County.
Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Many times, public works professionals don't even meet those that have been impacted because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. But day after day, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.
I think that um uh everybody in our community and especially this council that has more direct interaction with you realize what a fabulous job you do day in day out in our public works department making sure that everything functions as it should function in Nina and uh the only people that probably don't appreciate it are kids that don't like uh going to school all the time in the winter time because we got the best snow plowing in the country so uh there's no there's no snow days in Edina.
The structure is constructed using pegs instead of nails. A draw knife was used to remove the bark from all of the logs. When it was relocated, the foundation was built in advance. And after the location, there was existing lacquer and creassote on the logs which was sanded and removed.
I had to come before the council several times to get the approval for first of all electrical and then for water and it took several rounds of of uh presentation to make that happen and uh the cabin itself has been just a it's a delight to have and we've used it on numerous occasions and uh I will tell you that the last couple years it hadn't been used a lot um and lease it was thank you for for writing the story about it with able help from your mother uh and uh Lauram and and so um we have now kind of a newfound appreciation.
I am but a steward of this and someone else somewhere down the road will be maintaining this.
Dennis Scholstead, longtime resident of the city of Edina, uh lost his wife several years ago. Put a beautiful couple beautiful pieces of sculpture up at Centennial Lakes. One a golden retriever. another one that he found out at the arboritum. Uh uh and um and and now he's providing us with some maintenance money for Centennial Lakes, sum of $5,000, very very generous.
I'm getting concerned. I and I um tried to find the work session where the tree ordinance first came up because I know at that meeting I asked about having language that would cover the commercial zone. And I'm particularly concerned because in our southeast quadrant, we just have such a small, meager tree canopy.
I feel like it's been over a year um of me asking that we have something. So um it's troubling that we're at the point where we are and we revert back. Um you can say nothing really protected it in the PUD, but the PUD did specifically um not allow buildings in that area. And you can say, well, nothing's going to happen unless they, you know, come forward with a plan to put something where that oak grove is. But, I mean, they could they could take out that oak grove any time.
I just a general comment that I wanted to make is that I these are some of the most beautiful buildings in the city and I'm really pleased that you've worked so hard to preserve them and um for a lot of reasons, but um but I'm glad that you're invest continue to invest in the property and and preserve those beautiful buildings.
We have uh looked into and we've certainly made improvements to the um uh to the walkability and the and the um safety of that site. And I think the project that we're doing now in front of you really really does enhance the ADA access and those need improvements for those buildings.
I think any future plan obviously we would have to come back for that we need a site plan and um I at at this point that might be premature to just you know to assume something that um really isn't being considered tonight.
Would you entertain a condition on the resolution that would preclude the removal of any of those trees in that oak savannah except if they were diseased for example?
I would maintain that I I just feel like something like that would be premature when there's when we're there's no plan that would consider removing those trees at this point. Um, you know, we we've also worked with the city of Edina on various ideas for storm water infrastructure and um I believe at one point we were talking about a um uh the fire uh there was a um uh the u uh fire station as a potential location as a part of that. So I think some of those restrictions while well-meaning might provide some you know um inability to get some of those creative ideas in the future uh that we could partner with too.
We've gotten um some concerns, I think specifically with the construction happening over on the other side of 100 about um the pedestrian crossway from Grand View Square to the Abidor. um people not adhering to the flashing lights and just overall concerns of pedestrian safety.
I've gotten some concerns multiple times, but most recently, um, this last week, uh, I think with the the changing of the seasons about the nuisance of leaf blowers, um, specifically gas powered leaf blowers. And so I wanted to understand one if this is something we've considered. I know that there are a lot of other communities that have bans on gas powered leaf blowers.
I think for most cities that have done it, you've got to have a phase out period, you know. I mean, some guys over at Jerry's now buying a gas leaf blower, you know, and and uh now you've said you can't use that anymore, you know, and uh so there's usually a four or five year phase in period from what I've seen.
With the Braar burn um we got email a couple of emails from a resident that um was adversely impacted by that. Um and so I I we've responded a couple of times. Uh but that is one where I forwarded to manager Neil. um I felt like we needed a more um coordinated response than what we we ended up doing.
I had a long conversation about that this morning with one of our residents and the um teenagers are speaking out at least through uh this gentleman that they really want places to go. So as we plan Fred Richards Park and the new Bremar Arena and other things, let's try and keep in mind that eight months to 80 years old perspective um as we uh provide activities and um opportunities for our residents.
I would like to get was the neighborhood meeting about the tunnel recorded so that other council members could listen to concerns that were raised at that.
Since there's this two is it a two-eek window for people to put comments on better together and there hasn't been an event that um all council members could attend and hear what the community is thinking and contribute to it. Maybe I guess that's not necess that doesn't seem to be on the radar.
I really would hope that we could get a comprehensive list of all the things that the commissions are working on because I think that's important. um you know just basic in terms of being able to recognize them, but also if it's not on this list, it might not really be on their radar. We could get to the end of 2025 and we still don't have anything.
I just think we should be talking to somebody about I know that people are sensitive about chemical use uh in in the parks in other places, but some of the places look really uh just overrun with dandelions. And it's just something I I think it's worth a conversation with somebody that does organic uh treatment over time that uh could help us out and make things look a little bit better.
The boulevards on Valley View and then 66th Street from France to York. Those are two areas that are ripe for I'd say reshaping, replanting, replanting, get rid of all of the the crab grass and quack grass in there that we mow for no good reason other than keep it down. But those are two boulevard areas that could look just fabulous if we put in uh you know prairie grasses and wild flowers.
I know that um we're we're going to see some plans for Fred Richards uh that are going to be um there's also going to be other things coming I think that are going to involve multifamily housing right up next to pickle ball courts. And all you hear around the country are people's concerns about the doink doink day and night from pickle ball. That makes me think about uh maybe the park and rec should have this conversation about.
I think we had to be looking for other spots where we uh aren't going to create any kind of tension between um dwellers and multif family buildings or or even single family homes in pickle ball.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Acceptance of combined donation of approximately $30,000 from Edina Garden Council and Kiladale Garden Club for labyrinth construction at Arnison Acres Park
Rezoning approval from PUD11 to PCD3 (Plan Commercial District) for Southdale Office Center; includes conditional use permit for office uses
Rescission of PUD11 zoning for Southdale Office Center; waiver of second reading approved
Acceptance of donations on behalf of the city: $5,000 from Dennis Scholstead for Centennial Lakes maintenance and $19,000+ from Edina Baseball Association for Countryside Park field updates
City press release titled 'Feedback Sought on Safer Way to Cross France Avenue' regarding proposed tunnel; stated funding had not yet been established
Article by Alex Cotsman titled 'More Details on France Avenue Underpass' citing Bill Nuendorf (economic development manager) stating majority of funding would come from tax increment financing
HRA authorization of up to $30 million in Edina property taxes to fund potential tunnel under France Avenue
Current ordinance requiring replacement of removed trees based on diameter; allows protected/heritage tree removal without mitigation on unbuilt lots within building pad and 10-ft radius; subject of resident complaint regarding disproportionate burden on single-family homes
Proposed ordinance amendment to protect trees in commercial districts; currently in draft form with Energy and Environment Commission; targeted for completion by end of 2025
Previous planned unit development (2017) for Southdale Office Center; rescinded by Ordinance 2025-05; included provisions for building removal that never materialized
Plan Commercial District zoning classification; established for Southdale Office Center through Resolution 2025-35
Designation of May 18-24, 2025 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Edina; theme: 'EMS Week: We Care for Everyone' (51st anniversary)
Designation of May 18-24, 2025 as National Public Works Week in Edina; theme: 'People, Purpose, and Presence'
Designation of May 2025 as Preservation Month in Edina; sponsored by Edina Heritage Preservation Commission