Consent Agenda Approval (Items 6.1-6.7, 6.9-6.14)
Approved unanimously
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [0:39:26] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [0:39:26]
Council approved consent agenda items with three items (6.8, 6.15, 6.16) removed for separate discussion. Standard procedural approval of routine matters.
Item 6.8 - High School Parking and Traffic Safety Restrictions
Approved unanimously (5-0)
Dissent: None on final vote; however, Council Member Jackson and others expressed reservations about the underlying policy rationale and requested further analysis before making parking lot decision.
Moved by Council Member Pierce [0:59:12] · Seconded by Council Member Jackson [0:59:17]
Council debated two-sided no-parking restrictions (8 AM-4 PM) near Edina High School. Members questioned the public safety rationale, whether one-sided restrictions would suffice, and whether the adjacent city park lot should be opened for student parking. Director Milner explained the restrictions address student overflow parking on residential streets and lack of school parking capacity. Council discussed potential for paid parking permits in the lot to fund maintenance. Decision made to adopt traffic safety restrictions on streets while deferring parking lot decision pending analysis of peak usage patterns and trail access impacts.
Item 6.15 - Highway 100 Interchange Project Tree Removal Purchase Request
Approved unanimously (5-0)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Risser [1:05:50] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:05:50]
Council approved purchase request for tree removals as part of $27 million Highway 100 interchange project. Council Member Risser questioned why the city would pay for removing four trees from private property (4901 Hawthorn Court) that property owners were donating to the city. Director Milner clarified the trees would be transplanted to Todd Park by the city forester, and the city would be reimbursed by county/state through a three-party cooperative agreement. Discussion confirmed the project includes noise wall construction on the northbound on-ramp and that oak trees on the east side of Grange would not be removed.
Item 6.16 - Resolution 25-19 West Metro Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan Part One
Approved unanimously (5-0)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:07:48] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:07:54]
Council adopted resolution to participate in pilot program with eight western suburbs to develop coordinated wellhead protection plan. Manager Neil explained that Phase One delineated the vulnerable groundwater area and Phase Two will develop management strategies for contamination sources. The collaborative approach addresses the fact that aquifers do not respect municipal boundaries and conflicting information sometimes exists between agencies.
Special Recognition - 2024 Traffic Safety Annual Report
No vote required
Dissent: None
Moved by None (informational presentation) · Seconded by None
Nick Baller presented comprehensive traffic safety report showing 147 reviewed requests in 2024 across five categories: parking/signage (28), intersection control (39), traffic calming (23), pedestrian safety (35), and other (22). Key findings: pedestrian safety requests increased significantly over five-year period; northeast Edina received most requests (77) due to Metro Transit E-line project impacts; traffic calming requests nearly doubled year-over-year. Council noted correlation between street reconstruction projects and increased traffic calming requests, and discussed whether narrower streets create perception of higher speeds.
Planning Commission Advisory Communication - Parking Initiatives (2024 Work Plan Item 4)
Approved unanimously (5-0)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Agu [1:49:19] · Seconded by Council Member Pierce [1:49:26]
Planning Commission presented recommendations for four parking initiatives over 10-15 years: (1) parking audit/inventory to assess surplus/shortage by commercial node; (2) off-street parking ordinance update in 2028 to address commercial minimums, transit incentives, EV standards, and surface parking design; (3) on-street parking plan to replace parking with bike/ped facilities and green space; (4) district parking plan to create walkable nodes. Commissioner Aly emphasized the recommendations are areas of inquiry, not specific policy proposals. Council discussed need to incorporate behavioral change objectives, data-driven decision-making, and coordination with comprehensive plan update. Council Member Pierce emphasized importance of understanding pedestrian/bike experience impacts of parking decisions, particularly at development sites like US Bank project on France Avenue.
Resolution 2025-22 - Acceptance of Donations
Approved unanimously (5-0)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Jackson [1:50:53] · Seconded by Council Member Risser [1:50:53]
Council approved resolution accepting donations on behalf of the city. One donation reported: $800 from Kowalski Companies for groceries for good causes to Edina Art Center. Clerk Ellison noted to correct misspelling of her name on the resolution.
Proposed Ordinance - Pet Store Sales of Inhumanely Bred Animals Ban
No vote taken; Council directed Attorney Kendall to clarify legal authority and definitions for final reading on March 18, 2025
Dissent: Council Member Pierce expressed concerns about blanket ban approach and advocated for defining humane breeding standards instead.
Moved by None (discussion and direction to staff) · Seconded by None
Council Member Agu presented revised ordinance to prohibit pet stores from selling cats and dogs, with exception for partnerships with animal shelters/rescue organizations. Revisions removed USDA licensing reference after discussion with Humane Society revealed USDA standards permit inhumane practices (cages only 6 inches larger than dog bodies, wire flooring, temperature extremes, excessive breeding without veterinary care). Council debated whether to ban all pet store sales of cats/dogs or require documentation of humane breeding standards. Council Member Pierce argued for defining humane breeding standards rather than blanket ban, comparing to food industry labeling. Attorney Kendall tasked with clarifying legal authority to restrict pet store sales and reconciling definitions of 'commercial kennel' vs. 'pet store.' Final reading scheduled for March 18, 2025.
Community Comment - Tree Removal at 7200 France Avenue Development
No vote taken; Council directed staff to present amended landscape plan and final site plan approval for March 18 meeting
Dissent: None; Council unanimously expressed concern and directed remediation.
Moved by None (public comment and staff direction) · Seconded by None
Sandy Carlson reported unauthorized tree removal at 7200 France Avenue development site, including trees on adjacent private property. She requested three actions: (1) immediate remediation with replacement trees of sufficient size to screen private properties, with warranties and affected homeowner approval; (2) penalties to developer beyond tree replacement; (3) stricter oversight measures. Director Teague confirmed staff verified landscaper removed trees along lot line and on adjacent private properties in violation of approved site plan Phase One. Developer and landscape architect promised revised landscape plan by end of day March 5. Staff intends to meet with affected neighbors and work with city forester on revisions. Goal is to present amended landscape plan and final site plan approval for 7200 site on March 18 council agenda.