Edina Council Reviews Community Engagement Strategy
The Edina City Council held a work session March 4 to discuss the city's community engagement methods and future direction, focusing on opportunities beyond traditional boards and commissions.
Community Engagement Division Manager MJ presented an overview of current engagement tools, including the Better Together Edina online platform with 4,166 registered users, 12 recognized neighborhood associations, and newer initiatives like the Municipal Academy program launching in April. The city also completed phase one of an Apartment Manager Coalition to better reach renters by securing unit numbers for targeted mailings.
Council members discussed challenges with public participation, particularly concerns that residents don't feel heard after providing input. Mayor Hublin noted that while public hearings are legally required, they create a one-way communication process that can leave participants feeling unheard, unlike more collaborative engagement forums.
The session also covered upcoming changes to commission work plans, moving from annual to two-year cycles. Four commissions - Heritage Preservation, Energy and Environment, Transportation, and Planning - will participate in joint work sessions between June and August 2025 to develop strategic work plans aligned with city goals.
Council Member Jackson emphasized that community engagement should foster belonging, safety, and connections among residents, viewing it as fundamental to public safety and community health rather than simply collecting input on decisions.
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Areas of Interest (5)
- Growing frustration among Edina residents regarding city responsiveness despite extensive engagement efforts.
- City Council debates the effectiveness of the 'Public Hearing' format versus modern two-way engagement models.
- Concerns over developer accountability regarding tree preservation and project promises at the 7200 site.
- The city is actively seeking a new vendor for the 'Better Together' online engagement platform.
- Analysis of why 'being heard' has shifted from a procedural acceptance to a demand for agreement.
Notable Quotes (3)
If you want to have a two-way dialogue that I grow from and that you grow from you're going to enter into this engagement model in that way.
Our public hearing process oftentimes somebody goes on home unhappy and then that gets translated into they didn't listen to me.
Just because I didn't do what you wanted me to do doesn't mean I didn't hear you.
People (6)
Ari LensAssistant City ManagerFacilitated the meeting and introduced the community engagement discussion.
Facilitated the meeting and introduced the community engagement discussion.
MJCommunity Engagement LeadLeads community engagement and equity divisions; former volunteer coordinator.
1 quote
Leads community engagement and equity divisions; former volunteer coordinator.
“It's just a fun discussion about how do we approach Community engagement here in the city of Adina.”
Setting the tone for the work session.
Mayor HublinMayorPresides over city council meetings and manages council discussion.
Presides over city council meetings and manages council discussion.
Council Member CarolynCouncil MemberExpressed concerns about the disconnect between public hearings and resident perception of being heard.
Expressed concerns about the disconnect between public hearings and resident perception of being heard.
JamesCouncil MemberParticipated in discussions regarding development accountability and tree removal issues.
Participated in discussions regarding development accountability and tree removal issues.
ScottCity ManagerVerifies city work plan initiatives and procedural reforms.
Verifies city work plan initiatives and procedural reforms.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (2)
- March 4, 2025, 5:30 p.m. - City Council Work Session
- April-May - Government 101 Municipal Academy
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Community engagement strategies
Strategic goal alignment and work plan process
Review of boards and commissions recruitment
Multicultural advisory committee overview
Government 101 municipal academy
Apartment manager coalition and renter outreach
Volunteer programs and coordination
Public hearing process and community perception
City development accountability and follow-through
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