Edina Reviews Commission Plans, Faces Web Accessibility Deadline Crunch
The Edina City Council heard presentations on 18 initiatives from four city commissions during a work session Wednesday, while staff warned that meeting a federal web accessibility deadline by April 2026 is unlikely without additional resources.
Four city commissions presented their two-year work plans to the council, outlining projects ranging from a food truck ordinance study to Helsinki-inspired winter traffic calming strategies. The Planning Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Transportation Commission, and Energy & Environment Commission collectively proposed 18 initiatives for 2026-2027, marking a shift to longer planning cycles.
Among the highlights: the Planning Commission will update the city's zoning and subdivision ordinances by October 2026 and complete a state-mandated Comprehensive Plan revision by December 2028. The Transportation Commission plans to study innovative traffic calming solutions, including seasonal approaches modeled after Helsinki, Finland. The Energy & Environment Commission will examine vehicle idling and air quality, launch a neighborhood organics recycling contest, and continue its tree recognition campaign.
Communications Director Jennifer Bennerotte delivered sobering news about federal accessibility requirements. A Department of Justice rule published in April 2024 requires all city web content and mobile applications to meet accessibility standards by April 24, 2026. "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," Bennerotte told the council. Staff is developing a written remediation plan for work that won't be completed by the deadline.
The council also discussed whether to continue offering a phone call-in option for public comment during televised meetings. The feature, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen minimal use — just six calls across all public meetings in 2025. Each meeting requires coordination among three staff members to operate the system. Residents can still submit comments through the city's online engagement platform, BetterTogetherEdina.org.
The council also held a closed session to discuss ongoing litigation between the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Edina with an insurance trust attorney. No formal votes were taken during the work session, as all items were for discussion and presentation only.
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Votes (3)
2026-2027 Proposed Commission Work Plans (Agenda Item 3.3)
Four commissions presented two-year work plans with 18 total initiatives. Planning Commission presented four initiatives including ongoing land use application review, zoning/subdivision ordinance update (target Oct 2026), 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update (target Dec 2028, required by state law), and a food truck ordinance study (target Dec 2026). Heritage Preservation Commission presented three initiatives: ongoing Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, Edina Heritage Landmarks designation, and Heritage Preservation Award (23rd year in May 2026/2027). Transportation Commission presented four initiatives including SEMAP working group participation (Q4 2027), Traffic Safety Standards/Warrants Review and Decision Guide (Q4 2026), Innovative Traffic Calming Solutions with seasonal adaptations including Helsinki-inspired winter strategies (Q4 2027), and Transportation Comprehensive Plan chapter review/revision (Q4 2027). Energy & Environment Commission presented eight initiatives including Internal Combustion Engine Idling and Air Quality study (Q2 2027), Education and Outreach to Schools (Q4 2027), Organics Outreach with neighborhood contest (Q4 2027), Food Security Assessment (Q3 2026), Tree Recognition Campaign continuation (Q4 2026/2027), Earth Day Promotion (Q2 2026/2027), and Green Business Outreach Program (Q2 2026/2027). All initiatives were reviewed for budget impacts and staff resource requirements. Staff liaisons confirmed funding sources and personnel availability.
Administrative Updates: ADA WCAG 2.1 Level AA Web Accessibility Standards (Agenda Item 3.4)
Communications Director Jennifer Bennerotte presented the federal requirement for web accessibility compliance. The Department of Justice final rule published April 24, 2024 requires all web content and mobile applications to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by April 24, 2026 (smaller cities have until 2027). Edina has begun remediation including: reviewing web-based platforms and applications, reviewing documents posted online (removing, remediating, or archiving), providing staff training on accessible document creation, creating accessible templates for Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files, and requesting compliance documentation from vendors. The city has begun redesigning EdinaMN.gov and remediating city templates including letterhead, memoranda, PowerPoint presentations, staff reports, and advisory communications. Staff acknowledged that without additional resources, full compliance by April 24, 2026 is unlikely, and a written remediation plan is being developed for remaining work. Council packet and presentation adjustments will be noticeable to Council members.
Administrative Updates: Call-In Option for Televised Meetings (Agenda Item 3.4)
Staff requested Council input on whether to continue providing a call-in option for community comment and public hearings during Council meetings. The call-in option was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic as an accessibility feature. However, participation has been minimal in 2025 with only six total calls across all televised public meetings (1 City Council community comment, 1 City Council public hearing, 2 HRA community comment, 0 HRA public hearings, 2 Planning Commission public hearings). The current process requires coordination among three staff members for each meeting. Residents can provide input in advance and after in-person public hearings through the city's online engagement platform BetterTogetherEdina.org. Staff is evaluating whether to maintain this accessibility feature or redirect resources to other priorities.
Notable Quotes (6)
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.
Required by State Law. Goal is to complete the Plan by December 31, 2028.
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.'
Reducing vehicle idling and the associated greenhouse gas emissions is part of achieving our CAP emission reduction goals.
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.
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.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Minnesota statute authorizing closed sessions for attorney-client privilege discussions
Completed audit identifying issues to be addressed in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update initiative
Streamlined action plan merging Safe Routes to School, Living Streets, Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and other transportation-related plans
Federal grant requiring annual Task Force review of safety action plan implementation progress
Required state-mandated comprehensive plan revision with target completion of December 31, 2028
City plan with emission reduction goals and local food/agriculture strategies referenced across multiple commission initiatives
Federal accessibility standard required by April 24, 2024 DOJ final rule; compliance deadline April 24, 2026
City's online engagement platform where residents can provide input on projects and public hearings
City website undergoing redesign to meet WCAG accessibility standards
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Other Topics from This Document
2026-2027 Proposed Commission Work Plans
ADA WCAG 2.1 Level AA Web Accessibility Standards Compliance
Community Comment and Public Hearing Procedures
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