Edina City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Story
Edina schedules gun ordinance hearing despite state law limits
Edina Historical Society New Exhibit Opening
Fred Richards Park Wetland Preserve Development
Votes (2)
Consideration of a Local Gun Ordinance and Public Hearing Scheduling
Dissent: None mentioned.
The Edina City Council discussed the feasibility of a local gun ordinance in light of state preemption laws. Despite drafting a similar ordinance to St. Paul's, city manager Scott Neil indicated staff could not support an unenforceable measure. Council members opted to prioritize community engagement, scheduling a public hearing for January 6th to gather resident feedback before proceeding with any action.
Fred Richards Park Wetland Preserve Early Earthwork Contract Award
Dissent: None mentioned.
The city has officially withdrawn from the formal wetland banking process for Fred Richards Park after multiple applications were denied due to evolving park designs. Despite this, the commitment to creating a high-quality, 43-acre wetland preserve remains. The project will focus on climate-resilient plantings and invasive species removal. The council awarded a contract for early earthwork to HNU Construction, marking a significant step in the $17.7 million project.
Notable Quotes (2)
The preeemption uh by the state government is is pretty pervasive. I mean, it doesn't leave a lot uh of options for for cities. So, we're trying to study those and see what maybe other communities have done uh other communities in Minnesota, maybe other communities outside of the state.
We're working with native and um climate resilient plantings. So, they're going to be some upland areas, so you're going to see some wild flowers. Um, you're also going to see some of the wetter areas, so some of what people typically think of as the wetlands. So, the cattails and the sedges and and the rushes. Um, so a little bit of uh variability in all the different ecotypes. Um, but one other piece too is we're taking all of what's existing and removing any invasive species.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Proposed local regulation for gun control in Edina
Ordinance approved by St. Paul, contingent on state law changes
Current state law that prevents cities from enforcing local gun regulations
Name of the Edina Historical Society's new permanent exhibit
Formal process for creating restored wetlands to offset impacts elsewhere, pursued and later withdrawn for Fred Richards Park
Awarded contract for early earthwork at Fred Richards Park