---

title: Microsoft Word - Ordinance 2026-05.docx

## author: Kari Sinning

date: D:20260303081916-06'00'

---

Page 1

## MINUTES

## OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

## EDINA CITY COUNCIL

## HELD AT CITY HALL

## FEBRUARY 17, 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 Jackson 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 reiterated his opposition to the City borrowing $20M for the construction of a

parking garage at 7001 France Avenue.

Jill Garnier addressed traffic concerns related to Southview Middle School and a petition supporting

requesting school hour parking restrictions; noted that she submitted petition photos and video

documentation to the Council last week and discussed the traffic concerns and dangers to

pedestrians on Concord Terrace.

Laura Hann asked that the Council further their work regarding ICE restrictions by reassuring staff

that they have a right to protest, knowing their jobs are protected, offer PTO or work from home

options, do not allow ICE officers to apply for City jobs in the future, especially law enforcement,

schools, etc., and protect data from citizens being leaked to ICE.

## 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 revised to remove Item 6.1, regular and work session meeting minutes of

February 4, 2026, and special meeting of February 5, 2026, and 6.18, 2026 Commission

Appointments, as follows:

6.1. Regular and work session meeting minutes of February 4, 2026, and special

meeting of February 5, 2026

6.2. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated January 30,

## 2026, totaling $1,650,043.77, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated January 30,

2026, totaling $14,976,884.75, and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated

February 6, 2026, totaling $1,537,892.73

6.3. Request for Purchase, Hennepin County Library and Senior Center Exterior

Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Acme

Tuckpointing Restoration at $95,320.00

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6.4. Waive Permit Fees for Hennepin County Library and Senior Center Exterior

## Improvements

6.5. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-03, Amending Chapter 2 - Water Meter

## Replacement Surcharge

## 6.6. Arden Park Maintenance Covenants

6.7. Agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Edina Public School

## District for Concord Flood Infrastructure Project

6.8. Request for Purchase, Engineering Services for Concord Flood Infrastructure

Project Feasibility Study, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder,

Barr Engineering at $466,200

6.9. Request for Purchase, Arlington Streetlights for 50th & France, awarding the

bid to the recommended low bidder, Viking Electric at $24,395.00

6.10. Request for Purchase, Playground Replacement Design and Engineering,

awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, WSB at $42,850

6.11. Request for Purchase, 2026 Toro Trim Mower, awarding the bid to the

recommended low bidder, MTI Toro at $26,056.68

6.12. Request for Purchase, 2026 Residential Tree Sale, awarding the bid to the

recommended low bidder, Tree Trust at $54,921.52

6.13. Request for Purchase, Braemar Golf Course Korechi Autonomous Range Ball

Picker, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Korechi Innovations

Inc., at $58,900

6.14. Request for Purchase, Braemar Golf Course VertaCat All-Terrain Mobility

Rider, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, VertaCat at

$30,085.31

6.15. Request for Purchase, Chevy Blazer PPV EV, awarding the bid to the

recommended low bidder, Tres, Inc., DBA North County GM at $47,256.88

## 6.16. Hennepin County Auto Theft Collaboration Cooperative Agreement

6.17. Request for Purchase, Modular Wall Training System, awarding the bid to the

recommended low bidder, Versare, at $53,973.21

6.18. 2026 Commission Appointments

6.19 Temporary On-Sale Liquor License: Our Lady of Grace Church

6.20. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License: Midwest Rett Syndrome Foundation

Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

## 6.0 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

## 6.1 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2026 - TABLED

The Council noted that under item 8.1 of the meeting minutes, there are changes that should be

made regarding statements that were made. The Council asked to table the minutes so that a full

written correction could be submitted for the proposed changes.

Member Risser made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, tabling the February 4,

2026, regular City Council meeting minutes to the March 3, 2026, City Council

meeting. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

## 6.18. 2026 COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS - APPROVED

The Council thanked everyone who was involved in the Commission interviews and read the names

of those who will be appointed to Edina Commissions for 2026.

Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the 2026

Commission Appointments. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

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## 7.0 SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

## 7.1. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY FEBRUARY 18, 2026 -

## PROCLAIMED

Mayor Hovland read in full the proclamation declaring School Bus Driver Appreciation Day as

February 18, 2026, in the City of Edina.

Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the

proclamation declaring February 18, 2026, as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in

the City of Edina. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

## 7.2. CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION - PRESENTED

Lieutenant Heckert awarded the Citizen Award in recognition of Chris Hansen's non-profit

organization, Time On the Water, which supports the mental health of veterans and first

responders through therapeutic fishing experiences. Mr. Hansen gave a brief background on how

his non-profit organization came to be in 2016, discussed what the trips are designed to do, and

noted that they hit their 502nd guest last year.

## 8.0 REPORTS / RECOMMENDATIONS

## 8.1. ORDINANCE 2026-04, AMENDMENT REGARDING TREE PROTECTION –

## FIRST READING GRANTED

Parks and Recreation Director Vetter presented the core proposed changes to the ordinance,

including newly added definitions, tree replacement requirements, and exemptions to replanting.

The Council inquired about the timing of the spring tree sale. Mr. Vetter stated that 250 trees will

be available in the spring and an additional 250 in the fall, with dates to be announced.

The Council asked questions regarding feedback from the Environmental and Energy Commission

(EEC), boulevard trees, and homeowner user experience. Mr. Vetter reported that the EEC did

not provide any feedback opposing the proposed changes.

The Council expressed appreciation to staff and others who worked on the ordinance. Council

also raised concerns about homeowners with small lots who already have numerous trees and

provided feedback on the desire to both maintain and expand the tree canopy.

Mr. Vetter explained the typical process a homeowner would follow to determine whether a

request is subject to the ordinance and how the process would proceed if applicable. City

Attorney Kendall discussed which permits would apply under the ordinance and which would not.

Mr. Vetter noted that an appeals process was considered but could not be clearly defined; staff

determined that an on-site and off-site mitigation strategy was preferable.

The Council asked additional questions regarding making information more accessible to

neighbors and the planting of substandard trees. The Council emphasized preserving the tree

canopy through homeowner education on the importance of trees, rather than prohibiting

residents from removing trees on their own property.

Mr. Vetter noted the addition of a new provision exempting trees that are causing damage. Mr.

Kendall stated that the ordinance would not prevent otherwise lawful construction or

development.

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Member Jackson made a motion to grant First Reading to Ordinance 2026-04,

Amendment Regarding Tree Protection. Member Agnew seconded the motion. Ayes:

Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland. Nay: Pierce. Motion carried.

## 8.2. ORDINANCE 2026-02, AMENDING SECTION 4-9-9; REPEALING AND

## REPLACING CHAPTER 6 ARTICLE III, LAWFUL GAMBLING OF THE EDINA

## CITY CODE - TABLED

The Council suggested tabling this item for a month to have more conversations. Mayor Hovland

stated he and City Manager Neal are meeting with the Ed Fund to talk about why the ordinance

may or may not work for them. Council ask that staff inform the community of the delay and report

back on how many non-profits are in Edina and revenue they generate.

Member Agnew made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, tabling Ordinance

2026-02, Aamending Section 4-9-9; Repealing and Replacing Chapter 6, Article III,

Lawful Gambling of the Edina City Code to the March 17, 2026, City Council Meeting.

Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

## 8.3. AMENDMENT TO THE MOBILE ECMO TRUCK SERVICES, DISPATCH, AND

## DEPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - APPROVED

Fire Chief Slama presented information regarding the ECMO truck, pilot program to date, ECMO

updates, MET amendment, and recommendations. The Council thanked Fire Chief Slama for coming

back with the update and feedback on the program.

Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to approve the

amendment to the Mobile ECMO Truck services, dispatch, and deployment

agreement. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

## 9.0 MANAGER’S COMMENTS - Received

## 9.1. IMMIGRATION RESPONSE TASK FORCE STATUS REPORT

## 10.0 MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS - Received

## 11.0 ADJOURNMENT

Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting

at 8:50 p.m. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

## James B. Hovland, Mayor

Minutes approved by Edina City Council, March 3, 2026. Video Copy of February 17, 2026,

meeting available.