StoryCouncil review of major infrastructure project and potential service transition with cost and quality implicationsApril 7, 2025

Edina Council Reviews $28M Interchange Project, Assessing Services Transition

Meeting date: Apr 7, 2025

Published Jul 2, 2025

The Edina City Council reviewed progress on the Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 interchange project and discussed transitioning city assessing services to Hennepin County during a work session Tuesday.

The $28.2 million interchange project is set to begin construction in late April after months of delays caused by railroad easement negotiations, according to Director Milner. Ames Construction submitted the winning bid and committed to substantial completion by November 15, 2025, to minimize impacts on holiday shopping in the Grand View and 50th and France districts. The city will hold the contract and seek reimbursement from partners, with funding coming from federal sources ($11.2 million), county contributions ($12.4 million), and city sources ($15.5 million) including bonding, utility funds, and tax increment financing.

The council also examined a proposal from Hennepin County to absorb the city's assessing services at no direct charge. County Administrator David Huff explained the county recently incorporated $5.4 million in assessing costs into its general levy to serve 37 smaller cities and is now offering the same arrangement to larger municipalities. Only Edina and Maple Grove have expressed interest among the eight cities that currently provide their own assessing services.

City Assessor Sheila Stozinger raised concerns about service quality under county management, citing examples of residents needing in-person assistance and the complexity of Edina's high-value properties. She noted Edina generated 114 tax court petitions in 2024 compared to 510 for all 37 cities currently served by the county. The transition would require converting to new computer systems and could affect the specialized knowledge assessors have developed about local neighborhoods and market conditions.

The council requested additional information about service level agreements and customer experience profiles before making a decision. County officials indicated they need responses by May 1 for budget planning purposes, though they suggested the deadline could be flexible. The council will consider both items at their April 16 meeting.

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Also from this meeting

Edina Council delays two major decisions until April 16
Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project UpdateJun 13, 2026

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Votes (2)

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project - Construction Contract Award and Traffic Management

No vote taken - Work session discussion only; contract award scheduled for April 16th council meeting

Dissent: No dissent recorded; council members expressed concerns about communication and signage but supported project direction

Director Chad Milner presented comprehensive project overview including: (1) Project goals focused on safety, mobility, pedestrian/cyclist connectivity, and economic viability; (2) Funding breakdown totaling $28.2M with federal ($11.2M), county ($7M), and city ($4.2M) contributions; (3) Timeline showing federal authorization in July 2024, bid opening in March 2025, contract award scheduled April 16th, construction start late April/early May 2025, and substantial completion November 15th, 2025; (4) Detailed traffic staging across three phases with emphasis on maintaining Highway 100 ramps for majority of construction; (5) Communication strategy including bi-weekly virtual meetings, press releases, social media, and targeted business outreach; (6) Utility work including water main loop, sewer upgrades, and stormwater improvements; (7) Non-motorized improvements including 10-foot sidewalks on both sides and automated pedestrian signals. Council members raised concerns about signage clarity (referencing previous roundabout construction issues), requested specific business district signage on Highway 100, and discussed future pedestrian bridge over Highway 100 connecting to City Hall. Discussion of potential city space on MDOT right-of-way for municipal campus or fire station, with negotiations to resume during construction phase.

Transition of City Assessing Services to Hennepin County - Service Level and Financial Analysis

No vote taken - Work session discussion only; decision scheduled for April 16th council meeting; county requested response by May 1st for budget planning

Dissent: City Assessor Sheila Stozinger expressed strong professional opposition to transition, citing service quality concerns, system transition risks, and complexity of Edina's assessment portfolio. Council members Julie and Kate raised significant concerns about financial analysis, service level impacts, and resident input, requesting detailed documentation before decision.

City Manager Scott Neil introduced proposal to transition Edina's assessing department to Hennepin County as part of budget stabilization strategy targeting 5-7% reduction in general levy growth (from projected 13% to below 10%). County Administrator David Huff and Assistant County Administrator Dan Rogan presented county's model of providing assessment services to 37 smaller cities at no additional cost, with commitment to hire existing city assessors and maintain local office presence. Key discussion points: (1) Financial impact - estimated $500K first year savings, potentially $1M annually, but council questioned whether savings represent true cost reduction or merely shift from city to county levy; (2) Service level concerns - City Assessor Sheila Stozinger provided detailed examples of current service quality including in-person assistance for elderly residents without computer access, neighborhood-specific appraiser knowledge, and complex tax court petition handling (114 petitions in 2024 vs. county's 510 across all 37 cities); (3) System transition risks - new CAMA system implementation at county with 5-year build-out period vs. city's established systems; (4) Precedent - Plymouth transitioned 7 years ago with satisfactory results; (5) Ripple effects - potential forced transition of other "Big Eight" cities if Edina and Maple Grove leave, affecting LOGIS system costs; (6) Resident impact - council discussed whether to conduct quality of life survey similar to 2014 dispatch decision; (7) Timeline - county requested decision by May 1st, 2025 for budget planning purposes. Council expressed strong interest in detailed service level agreements, customer experience profiles, and comprehensive financial analysis before decision.

Notable Quotes (19)

Project goals improve safety and mobility of all users create those new separated pedestrian routes improve traffic operations consolidate all those access points on Highway 100 improve that connectivity between residential and commercial areas of the district limit construction impacts...enhance that economic viability with all the improved access for both walkers and bikers and the traveling public by automobiles
— Director Chad Milner [1:05-1:52]

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project - Construction Contract Award and Traffic Management

The railroad is holding us up because of that easement agreement and continue to hold us up and we finally got uh that approved in January early February of 2025 so it was months of delay
— Director Chad Milner [2:54-3:14]

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project - Construction Contract Award and Traffic Management

I remember even driving been being like 'How do I get to 50th of France is that completely closed?' So as much communication as we can include please
— Council Member [6:32-6:43]

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project - Construction Contract Award and Traffic Management

We asked Mandot if we could do special signs that say Grand View businesses and 50th and France district out on the highway so north to here and they're allowing us to put some specific signs like that out on the highway

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

Highway 100 Interchange Project - Branded MaterialsPlan

Project materials and maps showing Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 interchange improvements; includes traffic staging plans and non-motorized user accommodations

Regional Solicitation GrantPermit

City of Edina secured $4.2M in federal funding through regional solicitation process for Highway 100 project

State Legislative Bill - Highway 100 Funding RequestOther

Pending legislation requesting $5.3M in state funding for Highway 100 interchange project; includes line item (B) dedicating property to city for potential municipal campus

Local Partnership Program GrantPermit

MDOT grant of $1M secured by city in fall 2024 for Highway 100 project

Assessing Services Transition ProposalPlan

Hennepin County proposal to absorb Edina's assessing operations; includes service level agreements and transition cost analysis

THE EDINA RECORDER

Edina Council Reviews $28M Interchange Project, Assessing Services Transition

Other Topics from This Document

Vernon Avenue and Highway 100 Interchange Project Update

Traffic Management and Communication Strategy for Highway 100 Project

Project Funding and State Legislative Request

Transition of City Assessing Services to Hennepin County

Also from this meeting

Edina Council delays two major decisions until April 16

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Votes (2)

Notable Quotes (19)

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

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