Meeting location:

Edina City Hall

Community Room

4801 W. 50th St.

Edina, MN

City Council Work Session Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

5:00 PM

Accessibility Support:

The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification,

an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Meeting Topics

3.1. Closed Session for Attorney-Client Privilege Regarding Litigation

3.2. Motion to Adjourn the Closed Session and Move Back into Open Session

3.3. 2026-2027 Proposed Commission Work Plans

3.4. Administrative Updates

4. Adjournment

Page 1 of 30

d

ITEM REPORT

Date: October 22, 2025

Meeting: City Council

Agenda Number: 3.1

Item Type: Report & Recommendation

Item Activity: Discussion

Prepared By: Kari Sinning, Deputy City Clerk

Department: Administration

Item Title:

Closed Session for Attorney-Client Privilege Regarding Litigation

Action Requested:

Motion to close the work session as allowed under MN. Stat. 13D.05 Subd. 3. (b) for attorney-client

privilege to discuss USDOJ vs. City of Edina.

Information/Background:

A League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust attorney will discuss the case with City Council.

Supporting Documentation:

None

Page 2 of 30

d

ITEM REPORT

Date: October 22, 2025

Meeting: City Council

Agenda Number: 3.3

Item Type: Other

Item Activity: Discussion

Prepared By: MJ Lamon, Special Projects & Engagement

Manager

Department: Administration

Item Title:

2026-2027 Proposed Commission Work Plans

Action Requested:

None.

Information/Background:

Starting in 2026, commission work plans are transitioning to two-year work plans. This year, City

Council will hear from the Planning Commission, the Heritage Preservation Commission, the

Transportation Commission, and the Energy & Environment Commission. The commission chair or

designee will present proposed initiatives.

Resources/Financial Impacts:

Reviewing commission work plans ensures that proposed initiatives align with available City capacity

and resources. Staff liaisons identified whether each initiative has a budget impact and confirmed that

a funding source is available, as well as the level of staff support required. These considerations

inform staff recommendations to Council, ensuring that both funding and personnel resources are

appropriately aligned with proposed work plan activities.

Relationship to City Policies:

The commission work plan process is integrated into the City’s overall work plan framework, which

emphasizes alignment with Council priorities and strategic goals.

Budget Pillar:

Better Together

Values Impact:

Engagement

Equity

Health

The work plan process ensures commissions have structured

opportunities to share input and align priorities with the City Council,

fostering transparent two-way communication.

By using a consistent framework for all commissions, the process

ensures that all groups have an equal opportunity to present priorities

and that Council consideration is applied equitably across topics.

The process encourages consideration of the health and well-being

impacts of planned activities across commissions.

Page 3 of 30

Stewardship

Sustainability

Structured work plan process allows Council to review alignment with

long-term goals, ensuring thoughtful investment of City resources and

minimizing duplication of effort.

By reviewing work plans through a sustainability lens, the process helps

ensure that initiatives align with long-term environmental and climate

action plan goals, supporting a future where both the community and

the planet thrive.

Supporting Documentation:

1.

2.

2026-2027 Proposed Commission Work Plans

Presentation

Page 4 of 30

= commission

= staff

Planning Commission

2026-2027 Proposed Work Plan

Initiative Title: Review Land Use Application

Initiative Description: Review land use applications and provide recommendations to Council on CUP, Subdivisions, Site

Plans, Rezoning, and Comprehensive Plan amendments. Review and decide on variances.

Deliverable: Recommendations to City Council for consideration, and final decisions on variances

Targe Completion Date: Ongoing

Owner: All

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): None required

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Significant staff support required. Staff meet with applicants, prepare

reports, public notices and Better Together. Presents recommendations to the Commission for consideration.

Liaison Comments: All planning staff contribute.

Administration Comments:

Contributors: NA

Initiative Title: Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update

Initiative Description:

Update the zoning and subdivision ordinances to address issues identified in the Zoning/Subdivision Ordinance Audit

report completed in 2024. Specifically, the update will aim to better align the ordinances with the goals and policies of

the Comprehensive Plan and small area plans. Consultant will lead the update and draft ordinance revisions for review

and recommendation by the Planning Commission.

Deliverable: Recommendation to Council with proposed changes to zoning and subdivision ordinances

Targe Completion Date: Oct 2026

Contributors: Hahneman, Daye

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): Yes, contract for the consultant has been approved by City Council.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Significant staff support required. All of the Planning Division will assist.

Liaison Comments: All planning staff contribute.

Administration Comments:

Owner: Alkire

Initiative Title: 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update

Initiative Description:

Complete the 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update. Consultant will lead the update beginning in 2027.

Deliverable: Recommend updated Comprehensive Plan for city council consideration.

Contributors:

Owner:

Targe Completion Date:

Dec 2028

All Planning Commissioners

PC Chair

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): Yes, the city will have to hire a consultant. This item is budgeted via the CIP.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Significant staff support required. Cross organizational initiative.

Liaison Comments: Required by State Law. Goal is to complete the Plan by December 31, 2028.

1

2

3

Administration Comments:

Page 1 of 2

Page 5 of 30

Initiative Title: Study on the Use of Food Trucks

Initiative Description:

Study and report on the current impact of the city ordinance governing mobile food units (food trucks), including how

the 500-foot restriction interacts with existing restaurants, business vitality, community engagement and activation.

The study will provide findings and recommendations for potential updates to an ordinance amendment, with the goal

of balancing economic development, neighborhood compatibility, and community activation. Current City Code

allows Food Trucks with a taproom, winery, or distillery; or if associated with a specific event. Food trucks are not

allowed as a primary use to protect the City’s brick and mortar restaurant businesses.

This work plan item is not to amend the ordinance; it is to study the issue and consider if a change is necessary.

Deliverable: Study and report

Targe Completion Date: December

2026

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☒ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Yes.

Liaison Comments: Staff will support but would anticipate much of the study work to be done by commissioners.

Contributors: Felt

Owner: Q. Smith

4

Administration Comments:

Page 2 of 2

Page 6 of 30

1

2

3

= commission

= staff

Heritage Preservation Commission

2026-2027 Proposed Work Plan

Initiative Title: Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

Initiative Description:

Review COA applications when submitted.

Deliverable:

Review applications and approve/deny COA

Targe Completion Date: Ongoing

Owner: All

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): Budget required for consultant review of the applications.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Consultant support is required with this work plan item. Consultants

review plans prior to meeting with city planner and do a complete review and memo with all COA applications.

Liaison Comments: This is a main charge of the HPC

Administration Comments:

Contributors: NA

Initiative Title: Edina Heritage Landmarks

Initiative Description: Based on owner interest, nominate eligible properties as Edina Heritage Landmarks and add

additional properties to the eligible property list.

Deliverable: Recommend designation of eligible heritage landmarks and add properties to Edina Landmark list.

Targe Completion Date: Ongoing

Owner: All

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): If staff receives request, funds are needed for consultant study.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Staff coordinates with communications for outreach. Preservation

consultant needed for study.

Liaison Comments: This is a main charge of the HPC.

Contributors: All

Administration Comments:

Initiative Title: Heritage Preservation Award

Initiative Description: Recruit or submit nominations, select recipient and award.

Deliverable: Award selected nomination

Targe Completion Date: May 2026

and 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): Plaque for winner comes out of Planning budget.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Staff works with communications on getting the nomination form live and

Communications writes an article about the winner and helps with social media.

Liaison Comments: The HPC has given out this award every year during May which is “Preservation Month.” 2026 will

be the 23rd year of the award.

Owner:

Nickels & Pope

Contributors: All

Administration Comments:

Page 1 of 1

Page 7 of 30

= commission

= staff

Transportation Commission

2026-2027 Proposed Work Plan

Initiative Title: Continued SEMAP Working Group Participation

Initiative Description:

The Commission will continue to appoint Commissioners to represent the Transportation Commission's perspectives in

the Safe and Equitable Mobility Action Plan (SEMAP) working group. This ongoing participation ensures that the

Commission provides continuous input as SEMAP progresses, merging the City’s current transportation-related plans

(e.g., Safe Routes to School, Living Streets, Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan) into one streamlined action plan.

Deliverable:

Commissioners will actively participate in the SEMAP working group and provide regular updates to the Transportation

Commission, ensuring the Commission's perspectives are integrated into the final SEMAP.

1

Targe Completion Date:

Q4 2027

Council Charge: ☒ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No budget required beyond staff time

Owner:

Bildsten, Wright

Contributors:

-

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): No additional support required beyond Transportation Planner

participation in working group

Liaison Comments: Suggested title: “SEMAP Task Force Participation.” The City’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

grant requires the Task Force to review implementation progress on an annual basis after the safety action plan is

adopted.

Administration Comments:

Page 1 of 4

Page 8 of 30

Initiative Title: Traffic Safety Standards/Warrants Review and Playbook for decision making and resident

communication

Initiative Description:

The Commission will conduct a critical review of existing design standards and decision-making processes (e.g., for

traffic control devices like 2-way vs. 4-way stops) to ensure they effectively meet the lived experience needs of

residents and contribute to a safer transportation network. Emphasis on local traffic management policies set by the

city - pedestrian crossing, dynamic display speed signs, speed bumps, etc.

Deliverables:

Decision guide for Council to clarify what is and isn’t within staff/council’s control and provide guidance for situations

where warrants can/should be overridden.

One-page communication for residents about the process and the available or commonly recommended interventions.

2

Targe Completion Date:

Q4 2026

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No budget required beyond staff time

Owner:

Rosen, Brown

Contributors:

Lewis

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 2 hours per month from Transportation Planner, 1 hour per month from

Traffic Safety Coordinator

Liaison Comments: Suggested title: “Traffic Safety Decision Guide.” This initiative supports the Comprehensive Plan

goal to “educate all segments of the community regarding transportation-related issues and projects impacting the

City.”

Administration Comments:

Page 2 of 4

Page 9 of 30

Initiative Title: Innovative Traffic Calming Solutions and "Toward Zero Deaths" Pilot Program (with Seasonal

Adaptations)

Initiative Description:

Expanding on previous research into quick-build solutions, the Commission will investigate a broader range of

innovative and context-sensitive traffic calming measures and roadway design strategies from other municipalities,

with a strong emphasis on solutions that align with the "Toward Zero Deaths" (TZD) initiative. Recognizing Edina's cold,

snowy environment, the research will specifically explore seasonal adaptations for traffic calming, drawing inspiration

from cities like Helsinki, Finland. This includes examining approaches such as temporary summer street transformations

to prioritize active transportation, and winter-specific strategies like tailored snow removal practices that inherently

encourage slower speeds or dedicated winter cycling infrastructure maintenance. The goal is to identify measures that

effectively improve safety for all road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists), reduce cut-through traffic in residential

areas, and contribute to Edina's "Living Streets" principles and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The Commission will

then propose potential pilot projects for specific areas within Edina, focusing on high-risk locations or areas with

documented safety concerns, considering both warm and cold weather applications.

3

Deliverable:

A "Best Practices" report on innovative traffic calming and roadway design aligned with TZD principles, including a

dedicated section on seasonal solutions and lessons learned from cities like Helsinki. This will be followed by a proposal

for 1-2 specific pilot project locations within Edina, detailing the proposed intervention, anticipated benefits (especially

safety improvements across seasons), and evaluation metrics.

Target Completion Date:

Q4 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No budget required beyond staff time

Owner:

Olson, Bildsten

Contributors:

Lassig

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 2 hours per month from Transportation Planner

Liaison Comments: Suggested title: “Traffic Calming Best Practices.” This initiative supports the Comprehensive Plan

goal to “manage, maintain and operate roadways to maximize wherever possible the safety and mobility of all users

and all modes.”

Administration Comments:

Page 3 of 4

Page 10 of 30

Initiative Title: Transportation Segment of Comprehensive Plan - current state 2026, begin review and creation of new

Comprehensive Plan in 2027.

Initiative Description:

In preparation for the city’s required review and revision of its comprehensive plan for the Metropolitan Council, the

commission will review the transportation section of the existing comprehensive plan in 2026 and note proposed

changes. In 2027, the commission will participate in the drafting and revision of the transportation chapter of the

comprehensive plan for its next revision.

4

Deliverable:

Updated transportation portion of the city’s comprehensive plan

Target Completion Date:

Q4 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☒ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No budget required beyond staff time

Owner:

Lewis, Wright, White

Contributors:

-

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 1 hour per month from Transportation Planner

Liaison Comments: Suggested title: “2028 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Chapter.” In 2026, the Commission will

review the current Transportation Chapter and consider possible revisions. In 2017, the Commission will assist in the

drafting of the new Transportation Chapter.

Administration Comments:

• Parking Lot

o School transportation

o Collaborative development of the city-wide EV charging system implementation plan

o Support for city’s railway quiet zone study

o France Avenue transit corridor multi-modal improvement assessment

Page 4 of 4

Page 11 of 30

= commission

= staff

Energy & Environment Commission

2026-2027 Proposed Work Plan

1

2

Owner:

Martinez-Salgado

Initiative Title: Internal Combustion Engine Idling and Air Quality

Initiative Description:

Study and report on city-led initiatives around internal combustion engine idling and air quality.

Deliverable:

Internal Combustion Engine Idling and Air Quality Report

Targe Completion Date:

Q2 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☒ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No funding is needed for the EEC to complete this initiative.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Approximately 3-5 hours of Sustainability staff time will be required to

connect EEC to peer cities, share resources from USDN and other partners to support research, and review draft report

(if needed).

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. Reducing vehicle idling and the associated greenhouse gas emissions is part of

achieving our CAP emission reduction goals. Focus should be on community-facing anti-idling education and initiatives

that could be replicated in Edina.

Administration Comments:

Contributors:

Lukens, New Members

Initiative Title: Education and Outreach to Schools

Initiative Description:

Build relationships with schools and find pathways to assist them in with messaging climate related topics such as

school bus use and organics recycling.

Deliverable:

Annual updates on status and messaging.

Owner:

Targe Completion Date:

Q4 2027

LaCasse

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☒ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No funding is needed to build relationships. Staff expect schools and clubs to

utilize their own funding for material development, printing, and other school messaging channels.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Limited staff time is needed to support EEC to build relationships and

connections. 3-5 hours from Organics Recycling Coordinator will be required to share organics recycling information

relevant to schools. 3-5 hours from Sustainability staff will be required to share other related messaging.

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive of building relationships with Edina’s schools to make progress on climate action.

EEC should serve in a support role for schools and student groups (e.g., Project Earth) who will lead messaging.

Administration Comments:

Contributors:

Lassig, Tyshow, Haugen

Page 1 of 4

Page 12 of 30

Owner:

Schima

Initiative Title: Organics Outreach

Initiative Description:

Assist staff to promote organics recycling in multi-family housing. Create a neighborhood to neighborhood contest on

volume of organic recycling. Present to neighborhood associations to generate participation.

Deliverable:

Neighborhood to neighborhood contest.

Contributors:

Targe Completion Date:

Bartholomew, Lassig

Q4 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☒ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No budget is needed for the EEC to assist staff in promotion to existing buildings

and neighborhoods since materials already exist. Organics Funding is available to support printing materials for

neighborhood contest at discretion of the Organics Recycling Coordinator and the final contest structure.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): Engaging the multi-family sector and increasing single-family organics

recycling participation is part of the Organics Recycling Coordinator role. For EEC engagement, an additional 3-5 hours

from the Organics Recycling Coordinator and 3-5 hours from the GreenCorps member are required to share materials

for multi-family promotion and strategy. 10 hours from Organics Recycling Coordinator are required to support EEC’s

neighborhood contest creation. EEC should draft detailed proposal for neighborhood contest with information on

structure, timeline and material needs for review by Staff to inform additional implementation staff resource needs.

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. Organics recycling participation needs to increase to meet CAP goals. Staff

recommend participation and recognition are based on improving the set-out rate, not volume.

Administration Comments:

Initiative Title: Food Security Assessment and Local Food Production

Initiative Description:

Continuation of work plan item from 2025. Study and report "food security assessment" to determine food insecurity

conditions within Edina using existing data and reports across multiple sources. EEC will collaborate with staff and study

what other cities are doing, the best practice strategies to increase food security, and opportunities for food rescue.

Deliverable:

Advisory communication and report summarizing findings

Targe Completion Date:

Q3 2026

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☒ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): No funding is needed for the EEC to complete this initiative.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 1-3 hours/month from Sustainability staff are available to share

resources, connect to peer cities, share GIS data, and discuss best practices for food security assessments.

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. Deliverable will support achieving CAP local food and agriculture strategies. Staff

intend to use the Report information to inform next steps and future grant applications for food security.

Administration Comments:

Contributors:

Tessman, Tyshow

Owner:

Bartholomew

3

4

Initiative Title: Continuation of Tree Recognition Campaign (TRC)

5

Initiative Description:

Continuation of existing annual EEC initiative to recognize and promote Edina’s tree canopy.

Page 2 of 4

Page 13 of 30

Contributors:

Martinez-Salgado

Deliverable:

Tree recognition awards and presentation to Council.

Targe Completion Date:

Owner:

Q4 2026, Q4 2027

Haugen

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): $500 from CAS Funds budgeted for paid media stories (social media ads and

promotion), printing costs, and creating engraved wood awards.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 60 hours of Communications staff time are required each award period to

complete tree story interviews, write story copy, create and post social media ads, design and facilitate award creation.

Communications staff time estimated based on featuring 5 stories. 3-5 hours of Sustainability staff time are required

each award period to review promotional materials, notify selected awardees and coordinate Council presentation and

participation.

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. Tree canopy preservation is a CAP goal and EEC remains engaged in promoting

Edina’s valued tree canopy.

Administration Comments:

Initiative Title: Continuation of Earth Day Promotion and Tabling

Initiative Description:

Support existing community Earth Day event(s) with tabling to promote EEC initiatives and priorities, including Electric

Vehicles.

Deliverable:

Event attendance.

Owner:

Targe Completion Date:

Q2 2026, Q2 2027

Tessman

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☐ 4: Review & Decide ☒ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): $250 of CAS Funds are budgeted each year to support printing for EEC

handouts. Branded tabling cloth and signage already exist for EEC tabling.

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 1-2 hours of Sustainability staff time are required to review, update and

print EEC handouts for each event. No additional staff time should be required to support EEC’s attendance at an event.

If the event requires additional city support, the event should follow the Special Event Permit process.

Liaison Comments: Staff supports EEC tabling at community events to promote commission initiatives. EEC will need to

confirm that no more than four members are present in their capacity as commissioners at each event to avoid

quorum.

Administration Comments:

Contributors:

Bartholomew

Initiative Title: Continuation of Green Business Outreach Program (GBOP)

Initiative Description:

Continuation of existing annual EEC initiative to recognize and promote green businesses. Evaluate program and

opportunities to improve.

Deliverable:

GBOP awards.

Targe Completion Date:

Q2 2026, Q2 2027

Council Charge: ☐ 1: Review & Comment ☐ 2: Study & Report ☐ 3: Review & Recommend

☒ 4: Review & Decide ☐ 5: Event

Budget Required (completed by staff): $5,500 from CAS Funds budgeted each award period. Funding to be used for 4

featured business paid media stories (photography, writing, design and advertisement cost for Chamber of Commerce,

Edina Magazine, Edition Edina, social media), printing, postage, and window decals.

Contributors:

New members

Owner:

Lukens

6

7

Page 3 of 4

Page 14 of 30

Staff Support Required (completed by staff): 50 hours of Communications staff time are required each award period

for business spotlight interviews (photography, writing and ad design for up to 4 features) and press releases. 3-5 hours

of Sustainability staff time are required each award period to review promotional materials, update application

platform, and notify selected businesses.

Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. EEC should re-evaluate program impact and potential changes before 2026

award period to expand reach, increase participation, and improve impact of recognition program.

Administration Comments:

Parking Lot

• Organized Trash Hauling

• Transportation related item on reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT)

• 2050 Comprehensive Plan

Page 4 of 4

Page 15 of 30

Advisory Commission Proposed Work Plans

City Council Work Session

October 22, 2025

Page 16 of 30Timeline & Roles

October 22

Chair Presentation

November 4

Staff Presentation

Chairs

• Present work plan proposals

• Focus on items needing explanation

Admin Staff

• Present city-wide recommendations

for work plan proposals

City Council

• Ask questions

• Make sure to understand scope and

Staff Liaisons

• Available for questions

item being requested

Admin Staff & Liaisons

• Available for questions

City Council

• Provide feedback for staff to develop a

final recommendations

Page 17 of 30Next Steps

 Oct. 22 – Nov. 1………….Staff/City Manager Review

Review proposed work plans and offer comments / adjustments for City

Council consideration

 November 4……………Staff Presentation

Staff will present comments on work plan initiatives

Receive feedback from Council on edits/changes

 Nov. 4 – Nov. 25…………Staff/City Manager Review

Incorporate Council feedback

 December 2……………City Council Approval

Work plans approved at the City Council meeting

Page 18 of 30

Presentation Order

5:30 Staff Presentation

5:38 Planning Commission

5:46 Heritage Preservation Commission

5:54 Transportation Commission

6:02 Energy & Environment Commission

Page 19 of 30d

ITEM REPORT

Date: October 22, 2025

Meeting: City Council

Agenda Number: 3.4

Item Type: Other

Item Activity: Discussion

Prepared By: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications

Director

Department: Communications

Item Title:

Administrative Updates

Action Requested:

Discuss ADA WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, Community Comment & Public Hearing Procedures,

Off-Camera Option for Community Comment and Call-In Option for Televised Meetings

Information/Background:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Website Requirements

On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the Department of Justice’s final rule updating its

regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific

requirements about how to ensure that web content and mobile applications are accessible to people

with disabilities. All web content and mobile applications that Edina provides or makes available must

conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards by April 24,

2026. (Smaller cities have one more year to gain compliance.)

City staff have been reviewing its web-based platforms to make sure they are accessible and reviewing

documents posted online. Documents may be removed from sites, remediated or moved to the Edina

Docs archive. Staff has had initial training on making Word, PowerPoint and PDF files accessible.

Work is under way to create some accessible templates for staff to use. Language has been shared

with staff to include in RFPs to ensure web-based software is compliant going forward. Various staff

groups are having regular discussions about what kind of documents to post online going forward.

(Matters of security and mobile use by the majority of users are also a part of these conversation.)

There will be some Council packet and presentation adjustments to ensure compliance that will be

noticeable to the Council; we are working through those changes.

Without additional staff, all of this work is a tremendous undertaking and it is unlikely that all

platforms and documents will be accessible by April 24, 2026. Communications staff is leading work

to create a written remediation plan for whatever work will remain. Administration is working

through Council and Board & Commission packet changes.

Call-In Option

Staff would Council input on if the Council should continue to provide a call-in option for Community

Comment and public hearings during Council meetings. The call-in option was started during the

COVID-19 pandemic, but there has been low online participation this year. (There have been a total

of six calls for televised public meetings this year.) For projects with public hearings, residents are

able to provide input in advance and often after the in-person public hearings by visiting the City’s

online engagement site BetterTogetherEdina.org. Currently, setting up the process involves time and

coordination between three staff members for each meeting.

Supporting Documentation:

Staff Presentation

1.

Page 20 of 30

Administrative Updates

Oct. 22, 2025 City Council Work Session

EdinaMN.gov

Page 21 of 30Discussion Items

• ADA WCAG 2.1 Level AA Standards

• Community Comment & Public Hearing Procedures

• Alternative Option for Off-Camera Community Comment

• Call-In Option for Televised Meetings

Page 22 of 30Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

On April 24, 2024, the Federal Register published the

Department of Justice’s final rule updating its regulations for

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final

rule has specific requirements about how to ensure that web

content and mobile applications are accessible to people

with disabilities.

All web content and mobile applications that Edina provides

or makes available must conform to the Web Content

Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards by

April 24, 2026.

Page 23 of 30Edina’s To-Do List to Meet WCAG

• Review web-based platforms and apps to make sure

they are accessible

• Review documents posted online

• Remove documents

• Remediate documents

• Move historical documents

to Edina Docs archive

• Write remediation plan for making

platforms and documents accessible

Page 24 of 30Edina’s WCAG Work Done to Date

• Requested compliance

documents from

vendors

Page 25 of 30Edina’s WCAG Work Done to Date

• Began redesign of

EdinaMN.gov

Page 26 of 30Edina’s WCAG Work Done to Date

• Provided

accessible

documents

training to staff

Page 27 of 30Edina’s WCAG Work Done to Date

• Provided each

department with a list of

documents on

EdinaMN.gov to remove,

move or remediate

Page 28 of 30Edina’s WCAG Work Done to Date

• Began remediating City templates

• Letterhead

• Memorandum

• PowerPoint

• Staff Report

• Advisory Communication

Page 29 of 30Call-In Option

Callers in 2025:

• City Council Community Comment – 1

• City Council Public Hearings – 1

• Housing & Redevelopment (HRA)

Community Comment – 2

• HRA Public Hearings – 0

• Planning Commission Public Hearings –

2

Page 30 of 30