Edina City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Crosswalk Safety at Grand View Square to Avador
Funding for Potential France Avenue Tunnel
Procedural Irregularities with Ordinance 2024-05
Tree Protection Ordinance Amendments and Appeal Process
Rosland Park Pedestrian Bridge Design and Budget Update
Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility
Transfer of Assessing Services to Hennepin County
Votes (4)
Proposed Master Services Agreement for Program Management with Tegra Group (Consent Agenda Item 6.3)
Moved by Council member Risser [23:00] · Seconded by Council member Agnu [23:00]
The item was pulled from the consent agenda for further information. Manager Neil explained that Tegra Group is a project management firm assisting with workload management on city construction projects (ice arena, parks, fire station). This allows the city to manage workload 'bubbles' with consultants rather than hiring permanent staff. The agreement sets general terms, with individual project proposals requiring future council approval.
Request for Purchase for Biodiesel B 100 Conversion Kits (Consent Agenda Item 6.7)
Moved by Council member Risser [24:50] · Seconded by Council member Pierce [24:50]
This item was pulled to discuss the environmental benefits and funding sources. The project involves retrofitting 10 heavy-duty diesel fleet trucks to run on B100 biofuel, which will reduce emissions by 75-90%. Nearly $500,000 in grant funding was secured from various federal and state agencies, positioning Edina as a leader in this initiative in Minnesota. The need for winterization for biofuel was also mentioned.
Resolution 2025-43 to Accept Donations on Behalf of the City
Moved by Council member Pierce [25:50] · Seconded by Council member Jackson [25:50]
The resolution was presented for adoption to officially accept various donations made to the city. These donations, including cash, in-kind, and food, were primarily directed to the Adina Senior Center. A significant monetary contribution of $2,000 from the Friends of the Adina Library was specifically acknowledged and thanked.
Agreement with Hennepin County to Transfer Assessing Services
Moved by Council member Pierce [36:50] · Seconded by Council member Jackson [36:50]
The City Council discussed and voted on an agreement to transfer Edina's assessing services to Hennepin County. Manager Neil outlined that this strategic move, pursued due to council interest and county readiness, is projected to save the city approximately $600,000 in 2026 and more in 2027, reducing the property tax levy growth. The county intends to offer employment to current Edina assessing staff, and a severance package along with career assistance is planned for those affected. Council members acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision but emphasized the financial benefits and the county's ability to spread costs across a much larger tax base.
Notable Quotes (4)
This really is this issue is really related to the uh workload management for our own team, right? So we don't we really try to be careful not to add too much staff uh when we're getting through kind of a bubble in our workload. We trim that bubble off with with consulting partners and that's that's what this is.
We'll be the first agency in Minnesota using this. uh Iowa has one city in it, but we think we're going to be leading this and seeing a lot more people wanting to do these retrofits to lower emissions anywhere from 75 to 90% on those big heavy fleet vehicles, which are impossible to do with EVs at this point.
We think we can save depending on when this transition occurs somewhere between around $600,000 in 2026 and more than that in 2027. That has the capacity to lower that rate of growth uh by 1 and a half to excuse me 1.25 to 2.25% uh in these two upcoming years.
One of the things that when we started this too is we were looking at residents or property taxpayers in Edina were paying for Edina services but also paying for other communities in Henipin County. And so now we will be pulled with those. So we won't be double paying we'll just be single paying for the assessment services.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Ordinance concerning an altered parking requirement, subject of procedural irregularity concerns.
Ordinance under discussion for amendments related to 'underbuilt lots'.
Agreement establishing terms for project management consulting services.
Request for purchase to retrofit heavy-duty vehicles for biofuel use.
Resolution to formally accept donations on behalf of the city.
Agreement with Hennepin County for transferring city assessing services.