Edina City Council — Transcript
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Story
Edina Council approves land purchase to preserve oak trees
Tree Ordinance Clarification and Improvement
Public Hearing Continuation Process
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Ordinance Adoption
Votes (11)
Adoption of Consent Agenda (excluding Item 6E)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [0:05:07] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [0:05:09]
The consent agenda, with the exception of Item 6E, was adopted without further discussion.
2024 Asphalt and Concrete Recycling (Consent Agenda Item 6E)
Moved by Council Member Risser [0:21:28] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [0:21:30]
Council Member Risser requested clarification on this item, emphasizing it's a recycling program with financial benefits, not just an expenditure. Director Milner explained the process of stockpiling, grinding, and reusing old pavement and concrete, highlighting its environmental and practical advantages.
Proclamation: Small Business Week (April 28 - May 4, 2024)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [0:45:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [0:45:02]
The proclamation recognized the vital contributions of Edina's more than 2,400 small businesses to the local economy and community vibrancy. Representatives from the Edina Chamber of Commerce, Edina Innovation Lab, and 50th and France Business Association spoke, encouraging residents to support local businesses through in-person engagement.
Proclamation: Earth Day (April 22, 2024)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [0:59:36] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [0:59:38]
The proclamation affirmed Edina's commitment to environmental protection and climate action, citing the 2021 Climate Action Plan. Director Milner highlighted city programs for solar and HVAC improvements, while resident Paul Thompson and Council Member Jackson promoted upcoming local events like 'Electrify Everything,' tree plantings, and Organics recycling efforts, emphasizing continuous stewardship.
Proclamation: Arbor Day (April 26, 2024)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:13:00] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:13:02]
The proclamation recognized the importance of trees for flood prevention, air quality, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. City Forester Luther Overholt detailed the city's tree planting initiatives, including over a thousand new trees planted with ARPA funds, a resident tree sale, and the upcoming Arbor Day event at Centennial Lakes Park, featuring music, activities, and tree planting.
Proclamation: Days of Remembrance (May 6, 2024)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:20:49] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [1:20:51]
The proclamation honored victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, rededicating the city to principles of individual freedom and a just society. Jim Nelson, a Human Rights and Relations Commission member, announced an upcoming May 16th event featuring Dr. Ellen Kennedy, who will discuss historical genocides in Ukraine, broadening the proclamation's scope to address ongoing global atrocities.
Proclamation: Building Safety Month (May 2024)
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:27:54] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [1:27:56]
The proclamation recognized the importance of building safety officials in ensuring the structural integrity and safety of buildings. Chief Building Official Nate Borger highlighted the Building Inspections Department's role in safeguarding life, health, property, and public welfare through regulating design and construction, and noted the department's high volume of inspections in 2023.
Continuation of Public Hearing for Preliminary Rezoning and Site Plan Variances, and Subdivision at 6600 - 6800 France Avenue South
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:30:19] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:30:21]
The public hearing for this project was continued to May 7, 2024. Council Member Risser initiated a discussion about the city's policy on public notification for continued public hearings, suggesting the need for re-notification, while city staff and legal counsel confirmed current practices comply with state statutes.
Resolution 2024-29: Accepting Donations
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:35:10] · Seconded by Council Member Agnew [1:35:12]
The resolution was adopted to accept donations, specifically noting a contribution of over $1,800 from the Edina Crime Prevention Fund for police department challenge coins and certificate frames. This highlighted the ongoing support from the fund for First Responders.
Consideration of a Conservation Easement and Purchase of Vacant Land at 5235 Highwood Drive
Moved by Council Member Jackson [2:07:34] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [2:07:37]
Residents proposed the city purchase a vacant 19,000 sq ft lot for $150,000, to be financed through 429 special assessments paid by neighbors over 15 years, with a conservation easement placed on a central 'Parcel C'. The goal is to preserve mature oak trees, prevent development on an unbuildable steep slope, maintain urban canopy, and align with the Climate Action Plan. The proposal was compared to a previous project on Oak Lane. The motion was to initiate the process.
Concord Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Project (Sidewalk Design)
Dissent: Council Member Jackson (abstained)
Moved by Council Member Pierce [2:23:43] · Seconded by Mayor Hovland [2:23:44]
The Council deliberated on the sidewalk design for Concord Avenue, specifically whether to implement a 5-foot sidewalk with a 5-foot boulevard. Chief Slama clarified that the proposed street design meets fire department operational needs, and using the sidewalk as a fire apparatus access extension is not recommended. Director Milner emphasized the engineering benefits of the 5+5 design for public safety, snow storage, and storm water management. Council Member Jackson abstained, having previously favored an alternative shared-use pathway.
Notable Quotes (17)
sometimes I think that the titles of items um can be a little bit misleading and I thought that was the case with this because you know you see requests for purchase and I um thought it would be nice if we could have staff um provide a little bit more information because this is not just spending money
it's really a giant recycling program of taking the old streets bringing it over crushing it making it appropriate and then reusing it in in various uh locations as needed
not only are these in-person experiences at 50th in France supporting our local economy but we have learned from the popular Netflix series by Dan Butner whose son Danny is a nadina resident that these in-person community experiences are good for our longevity so let's do that let's be together let's shop local let's dine local and I'll see you at 50th in France
Earth a belongs to all of us right right it's not an earth day it's every day is Earth Day
with the uh uh arpa funds uh over 2022 and 2023 we planted over a thousand new trees in the city
I have a tree sale going on for residents as well we have 600 trees available uh this spring they'll be picked up on Mother's Day weekend and then we'll have another 400 trees available for this fall so kind of splitting it a bit with spring and fall planting
this year our days of remembrance event will be held on May 16th at 7 pm in these Chambers where Dr Ellen Kennedy a nationally and internationally recognized expert on genocide will discussed three gen genocides that have historically occurred in Ukraine the first being Stalin's genocide by intentional starvation in the 30s the second of course being the genocide of Ukrainian Jews by the Nazis and the third being the current attack on Ukrainian sovereignty by Putin's Russia
Our building inspections department team consists of 15 employees we provide the services to the community that Safeguard Life Health property and Public Welfare by regulating and controlling the design alteration construction materials use and occupancy of buildings and homes in Idina in 2023 we conducted just over 20,500 inspections within the city
I did dig in to the Minnesota statute about public hearings and I reached out to the league of Minnesota cities to find out if you are moving a public hearing do you need to then go through the notification process that involves um printing information about the public Hearing in the local papers and um the researcher at League of Minnesota City said yes you do but um apparently our protocol here in Indina is not to do that
the statute allows as long as you note the date time location of the next continued meeting on the record when you do continue it the statute allows for that I think that's what most cities in Minnesota do do of course you're you have the option to do more than is legally required but you are meeting current legal requirements
in this reporting period uh the ad crime prevention fund has uh donated um a little over $1,800 in challenge coins to the uh police department and then also uh took care of some certificate frames
really Susie's wish of keeping this as Green Space along with the city's climate action plan I think really provides a win-win for both the neighborhood and the city here
I always come back to okay is it cheaper to right maintain something you already have or right to start from the ground up with saplings and wait a 100 years for it to look like this I think let's just keep it the way it is right
this is one of the things that I love about the city is Neighbors coming together and coming up with a solution and in line with our values so thank you very much for all the work you've done to this point
the current design and clear space uh is suitable for fire department operations and uh as we look at this sidewalk design I'd encourage the council to also consider the The Pedestrian safety with traffic flow there and so I would recommend a buffer or a notification
from an engineering standpoint we would recommend that 5 foot sidewalk with a 5 foot Boulevard again that increases that Public Safety separating from the vehicles it allows that room for snow storage both for City operations and for the residents to have some space to to do the snow
with this design if there is a fire call that we need to service and there's a car parked in the parking Lane are we concerned are there concerns that we're going to be able to provide services for the residents and then how would we do that today
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
The published agenda for the City Council meeting.
Resolution pertaining to the preliminary rezoning and site plan variances for 6600-6800 France Avenue South.
Resolution for accepting donations on behalf of the city of Edina.
City plan adopted in 2021 outlining commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability.
City ordinance governing trees, discussed by a resident for potential improvements and clarifications.
City plan from 2015 guiding street design standards.
Proposed ordinance regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Governs building construction, specifically mentioned for frost protection requirements.
City ordinance containing regulations such as building coverage and setbacks, impacting ADU development.
State-level legislation mentioned in the context of affordable housing and local control.
City document consulted for vision and goals related to housing and demographic mix.