--- ## title: April 21 City Council Minutes ## author: Shelby Zomermaand date: D:20260428182300Z --- Page 1 ## MINUTES ## OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ## EDINA CITY COUNCIL ## HELD AT CITY HALL ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## 7:00 P.M. ## I.0 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ## 2.0 ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Hovland. ## 3.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## 4.0 MEETING AGENDA – APPROVED Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the meeting agenda. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. ## 5.0 COMMUNITY COMMENT Ralph Zickert discussed the general levy reduction, the information he received from Member Agnew in January 2026, and noted that the deferral of 1.8 million in capital and equipment spending to future years, the transfer to Edina utility bills, and the transfer to Hennepin County do not decrease the tax burden on residents. Taylor Bruhschwein discussed the safety on City streets, affordability, land use, sustainability, and the importance of transportation fixes in Edina. Makebal Ayele noted that he feels excluded from Edina High School based on the current school district lines. Lori Grotz discussed the old Public Works site and asked about the property taxes on the existing TIF district not being utilized by the developer on that site. Nadia A. noted that she works with a family who lives in Edina and is trying to transfer to Edina High School, but cannot transfer due to current redistricting policies and lack of open enrollment, and asked why families who live in Edina are being denied enrollment at Edina High School. ## 5.1. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS City Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from current and past meetings. ## 6.0 CONSENT AGENDA – ADOPTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as follows: 6.1. Approve regular and work session meeting minutes of April 7, 2026 6.2. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated March 31, 2026, totaling $95,236.47, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated March 31, 2026, totaling $66.62, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated April 2, 2026, totaling $1,906,002.34, and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated April 10, 2026, totaling $1,999,375.38 Page 2 6.3. Traffic Safety Report of February 24, 2026 6.4. Request for Purchase, Ouster LiDAR Vehicle Detection System, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Traffic Control Corporation, at $41,750 6.5. Request for Purchase, Natural Areas Long-Term Maintenance for 2026-2028, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Landbridge Ecological, at $634,694.86 6.6. Request for Purchase, 2026 Commodity Quotes, awarding the bid to the various recommended low bidders, at $3,844.03 6.7. Request for Purchase, Edinborough Park Emergency Repairs for Fire Alarm and Smoke Evacuation System, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, ## LVC Companies and Corporate Mechanical, at $60,630 6.8. Request for Purchase, Prospect Knolls A/C/D & Parklawn Court Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Materials Testing, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Braun Intertec, at $71,697.00 6.9. Request for Purchase, France Avenue Sidewalk Phase 4 Construction, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, New Look Contracting, at $528,729.75 6.10. Request for Purchase, France Avenue Sidewalk Phase 4 Construction Services, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Bolton and Menk, at $97,500 6.11. Request for Purchase, Parks & Recreation Annual Software Renewal, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Civic Plus, LLC, at $47,821.05 6.12. Request for Purchase, Cleaning Services for Edina Aquatic Center, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Covas Cleaning Services LLC, at $36,500 6.13. Request for Purchase, Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment for Edina Aquatic Center, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Henricksen, at $196,809.60 6.14. Waive Permit Fees: Fred Richards Park Master Plan Implementation 6.15. Request for Purchase, Helpdesk Software Subscription, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, HappyFox, at $31,609.20 6.16. On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License: Cielito Lindo Southdale LLP dba Cielito ## Lindo Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. ## 7.0 SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS ## 7.1. INTRODUCE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, JESSICA NIKUNEN – ## INTRODUCED Jessica Nikinen introduced herself to the Council and gave a brief background on her education and experience. ## 7.2. PROCLAMATION: BUILDING SAFETY MONTH – PROCLAIMED Mayor Hovland read in full the proclamation declaring May 2026 as Building Safety Month in Edina. Rick Chase, Assistant Building Official, accepted the proclamation, thanked the Council for their support, and discussed the work of the Building Safety Department. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the proclamation declaring the month of May as Building Safety Month in the City of Edina. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. ## 7.3. PROCLAMATION: ARBOR DAY - APRIL 24, 2026 – PROCLAIMED Mayor Hovland read in full the proclamation declaring April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in Edina. Luther Overholt, City Forester, accepted the proclamation and invited everyone to the planting of 70 new trees at Creek Valley School Park. Page 3 Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, approving the proclamation declaring April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Edina. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. ## 7.4. I-494 CORRIDOR UPDATE – PRESENTED Melissa Madison, I-494 Corridor Commission President, gave a presentation on the I-494 Corridor, including information regarding the budget, commuter services staff, jobs along the corridor, strategies/resources for employers, Twin Cities Telework, employer outreach, commute assistance, community events, and annual results. Member Pierce, member of the I-494 Corridor Commission, noted that the Commission is doing the hard work to help residents see how they can think differently about their commute. ## 8.0 REPORTS / RECOMMENDATIONS ## 8.1. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-20 ACCEPTING DONATIONS – ADOPTED Mayor Hovland explained that to comply with State Statutes; all donations to the City must be adopted by Resolution and approved by four favorable votes of the Council accepting the donations. Member Agnew introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2026-20, accepting various grants and donations. Member Pierce seconded the motion. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. ## 8.2. ROSLAND PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BID RESULTS – PRESENTED City Engineer Millner gave a presentation on the Rosland Park Pedestrian Bridge, including information regarding the project team, engagement, approvals, construction completion dates, cladding options, renderings of cladding vs. no cladding, bid results, funding, funding impacts, and discussion. Brad Smith, Architect with Snow Kreilich, discussed the design decisions that they considered when working on the bridge design and how they can make it meaningful and purposeful. The Council asked questions regarding the decision timeline, inflationary increase on the MnDOT award, privacy, and safety risks from delaying other projects. Mr. Millner stated that he is hoping to bring back a contract to the May 5, 2026, City Council meeting. He also noted that originally, they got a $3 million allocation from MnDOT, and since then, they have given them an additional $200,000 for inflationary impacts. The Council gave feedback on going with no cladding on the bridge and ramps. Mr. Smith noted that they have looked into the visual safety concerns, and the experience on the bridge would change while you are moving across it. The Council expressed concerns regarding the function of the bridge being lost and feedback about having more of a sense of safety with the partial cladding. ## 8.3. PURCHASE REQUEST: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PRELIMINARY ## ENGINEERING OF FRANCE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS – SUSPENDED The Council expressed concerns regarding not using all the relevant data to serve the public in the most meaningful way. The Council gave feedback on the potential of duplicating this in other areas, Page 4 connecting parts of their community, considering alternative options, and how to safely get residents across France Avenue. Member Hovland made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to suspend all current and future City spending on studying the feasibility and design of the France Avenue proposed underpass project and further direct City staff to engage with technical colleagues in Hennepin County to study at-grade alternatives for safe pedestrian crossings of France Avenue between 66th and 77th Avenue S and to report back to the City Council on June 30, 2027. Ayes: Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Nay: Agnew. Motion carried. ## 8.4. SKETCH PLAN REVIEW - 7600 PARKLAWN (SENIOR HOUSING) – ## PRESENTED Community Development Director Teague stated that this item pertains to a sketch plan proposal to tear down the existing office building and build two 125–150-unit senior apartment buildings. Josh Brandsted, Greco, presented information regarding the existing conditions, design visioning, project metrics, concept 1 vs. concept 2, and sun study. The Council asked questions regarding the economics, activating with the park, type of financing, and parking. Mr. Brandsted noted that their rental range will be around $2,000 for 1 bedrooms and $3-5,000 for 2 and 3 bedroom rentals. He noted that there may be a plaza concept, but noted that they will be looking at ways they may be able to interconnect their paths. The Council expressed concerns regarding the 12-story building and the shade that it will create. The Council asked questions regarding the overall vision for this site and the potential of the owner- occupied model. Mr. Teague noted that the vision for this area comes from the Comprehensive Plan, and this project is in alignment with that. Mr. Brandsted stated that there is a market for 55+ housing in this area. ## 9.0 MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received ## 10.0 MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received ## 11.0 ADJOURNMENT Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 p.m. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ## Sharon Allison, City Clerk ## James B. Hovland, Mayor Page 5 Minutes approved by Edina City Council, May 5, 2026. Video Copy of April 21, 2026, meeting available.