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Record of Proceedings

Edina City Council Regular Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyEdina, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

Well, good evening,

Speaker 2

0:01

everybody, and welcome to the

Speaker 1

0:02

Dinah City Council meeting on this uh St.

0:05

Patrick's Day, March 17, 2026.

0:10

Uh no parade in St.

0:12

Paul, unfortunately, for city manager who is always prepared to march in the parade.

0:17

That's uh difficult thing.

0:19

Um, but hope you're all enjoying the uh the holiday.

0:23

So uh I think Director Benarott mentioned that we're doing these meetings in a hybrid fashion.

0:28

Uh there will be folks listening in uh online and uh watching online, and they'll be able to call in uh tonight.

0:35

Uh well, let me put it this way sometimes there's two opportunities to call in.

0:40

One during public comment, uh if you want to comment on an issue that's not on the agenda this evening or on a uh schedule for a future public hearing, uh, or if we have any public hearings, and we don't have any uh public hearing matters tonight.

0:53

So the one opportunity for folks that are here in chambers or uh that want to call in uh that one opportunity will be during community comment.

1:03

As I mentioned, uh if it involves something on the agenda this evening, you wouldn't be able to comment on that, uh, or if it's scheduled for a known future public hearing, you wouldn't be able to comment on that uh either.

1:13

Otherwise, we welcome the comments and our city manager will respond to the ones that were made a couple of weeks ago uh that were concerns of residents that uh we address in a timely manner.

1:24

So uh having provided that information, I'm gonna call the meeting to order and ask our clerk here and Ellison to call the role.

1:31

And incidentally, you notice we've got a we got a majority crew here tonight, but not a full crew.

1:36

Uh two of our council members, our colleagues are at the National League of Cities meeting in Washington, D.C., along with our assistant city manager.

1:43

So uh we're working with this uh core group of three tonight.

1:47

Uh Councilmember Agnew and Councilmember Pierce and myself.

1:51

And uh so then I'm gonna turn now to Sharon Allison to call the role.

Speaker 3

1:55

Councilmember Agnian.

1:56

Here, Councilmember Pierce.

Speaker 1

1:58

Here,

Speaker 3

1:58

Mayor Havlin.

Speaker 1

1:59

Here.

1:59

Next is a Pledge of Allegiance.

2:08

And to the Republic of Fence.

2:11

One basin on the indivisible key and justice for all.

2:20

Thanks everybody.

2:22

Uh council members, we've got a form of meeting agenda in front of us.

2:26

Is there anyone on the council or from a staff standpoint that wishes to modify the agenda any form or fashion?

Unassigned speaker

2:31

All

Speaker 1

2:32

right.

2:32

Is there a motion to approve the meeting meeting agenda is published?

2:35

So move.

Speaker 4

2:36

I second.

Speaker 1

2:37

Councilmember Pierce moves.

2:38

Councilmember Agnes seconds the adoption of the meeting agenda is published.

2:41

Uh any further discussion.

2:42

All those in favor of adoption of the meeting agenda is published, say aye.

2:46

Aye.

2:46

Aye.

2:46

Opposed, carried.

2:48

The meeting agenda is uh uh adopted and we have uh agenda to work from.

2:53

And now we are at community comment, and I'm gonna have our uh staff put up the phone numbers and uh for people that might want to call in during community comment.

3:03

Uh and why we have that up on the screen.

3:04

I'm gonna ask if there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council on a matter of concern to them.

3:10

Yes, sir.

3:10

Welcome.

3:18

Are you the only young guy in town that's not on spring break somewhere warm this week?

3:21

Or

Taylor Breshwine · Speaker 5Inferred

3:22

kids are too young for that.

3:24

Two years I'll be gone.

Unassigned speaker

3:26

All right,

Speaker 1

3:27

just this on.

3:28

Yeah, and all you need to do is give us your name, not your address.

3:30

Sounds

Taylor Breshwine · Speaker 5Inferred

3:31

good.

3:31

I'm Taylor Breshwine.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Urban Planning██████████████████████████26%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Economic Development██████████10%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Transportation Safety███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Active Transportation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Edina City Council Regular Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Edina City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Council members Agnew, Pierce, and Mayor Hovland were present. Members Jackson and Risser were absent. The meeting covered a major land sale, a park master plan update, public comments, and public safety awards.

Consent Calendar

  • The Council approved the consent agenda in a single motion. This included the approval of meeting minutes, payment of claims totaling over $7 million, and numerous purchase requests for software renewal (CivicPlus, SeeClickFix), vehicles (six F-series Fords), streetlight/PW equipment, professional services (engineering, planning), Braemar sports dome services, and liquor license renewals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Taylor Bruhschwein urged the Council to pass the revised e-bike ordinance. He argued that the current ban forces families using e-cargo bikes onto high-speed roads, making it illegal to safely transport his children to parks, the library, and the aquatic center. He stated the law effectively tells residents to "buy another car."
  • David Frankel expressed concern about a delay in flying flags at half-mast following a request from the Governor, asking why the process took several days.

Special Recognitions and Presentations

  • Citizen Award: Police Chief Milburn awarded the Citizen Award to James Parker and Brian Meyers of the Southdale YMCA for rescuing an unconscious swimmer on January 22, 2026, performing CPR, using an AED, and restoring a pulse before EMS arrived.
  • Public Safety Awards:
    • Donna Nelson was named Public Safety Employee of the Year for her work as an embedded social worker, dedicating extensive hours to individuals in crisis.
    • Todd Porthan was named Firefighter of the Year for his 28+ years of service, mentorship, physical fitness standards, and volunteer response during emergencies.
    • Gabby Doyle was named Officer of the Year (Mike Satari Award) for her work as a Field Training Officer, DARE coordinator, crisis negotiator, and investigator.

Discussion Items

  • Sale of 5146 Eden Avenue (Resolution 2026-16):

    • Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf presented the contract to sell the 3.3-acre former public works site to Arcadia Avenue Partners LLC (Hempel Real Estate and Monarch Development Partners). The purchase price is $4 million.
    • The proposed project includes townhomes, condominiums, and a commercial/restaurant space. The contract emphasizes ownership housing over rental and requires the developer to meet affordable housing goals either through on-site units or a fee-in-lieu of $40,000 per unit to the city's affordable housing trust fund.
    • The contract is structured with a 12-month due diligence period, phasing requirements, and a buyback clause if the project is not completed within five years.
    • Councilmember Pierce and Councilmember Agnew discussed the city's role, urging a collaborative process while avoiding past pitfalls of over-engineering. Carl Runck (Monarch Development Partners) assured a collaborative approach similar to his work in Excelsior and Victoria.
    • Outcome: The motion to adopt Resolution 2026-16 and approve the contract passed unanimously.

  • Braemar Park Master Plan: Golf Dome Trailhead & Pickleball (Items 8.2 & 8.3):

    • Park Planner Rachel DeVries presented plans to address parking overflow (30-46 cars parking on street shoulders daily) at the Braemar Golf Dome by adding 50 parking stalls.
    • The plan creatively proposes installing four seasonal pickleball courts on the parking lot using a tournament-style rubber matting system, maximizing recreational use during the off-season (April to November).
    • The project requires the removal of 13 oak trees (reduced from 50 in an earlier design). The wood will be salvaged via the "Wood in the Hood" program. Staff noted that transplants were not viable for these woodland oaks.
    • Councilmember Agnew questioned the sustainability of the playing surface. Councilmember Pierce applied a "balancing test" weighing the loss of 13 trees against the value of the public amenity, ultimately favoring the project. Mayor Hovland queried alternative locations (golf course) which were dismissed for safety and programming conflicts.
    • Outcome: The Council approved the purchase request for preconstruction tree clearing and grubbing (Castle Rock Contracting, $39,420) unanimously. The full parking and pickleball construction will return for a later vote.

  • Commission Correspondence & Manager's Comments:

    • A joint advisory communication regarding the Wooddale Avenue Bike Lane Project was received. Staff will return in May for a vote after collecting further community feedback.
    • City Manager Neal discussed the selection process for the 2026 Student Commissioners, asking for preferences without a required decision.
    • Councilmember Pierce updated the Council on the City Manager search process, noting a focus on community input.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-16 (Eden Ave Property): Approved unanimously, authorizing the sale to Arcadia Avenue Partners for $4 million.
  • Braemar Park Tree Removal: Approved ($39,420 to Castle Rock Contracting).
  • Upcoming Actions: The Wooddale Avenue Bike Lane discussion is scheduled for the May meeting. The full Braemar parking/pickleball contract will be presented later this year. The City Manager search application deadline is March 31, 2026.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:06 P.M.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, everybody, and welcome to the Dinah City Council meeting on this uh St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2026. Uh no parade in St. Paul, unfortunately, for city manager who is always prepared to march in the parade. That's uh difficult thing. Um, but hope you're all enjoying the uh the holiday. So uh I think Director Benarott mentioned that we're doing these meetings in a hybrid fashion. Uh there will be folks listening in uh online and uh watching online, and they'll be able to call in uh tonight. Uh well, let me put it this way sometimes there's two opportunities to call in. One during public comment, uh if you want to comment on an issue that's not on the agenda this evening or on a uh schedule for a future public hearing, uh, or if we have any public hearings, and we don't have any uh public hearing matters tonight. So the one opportunity for folks that are here in chambers or uh that want to call in uh that one opportunity will be during community comment. As I mentioned, uh if it involves something on the agenda this evening, you wouldn't be able to comment on that, uh, or if it's scheduled for a known future public hearing, you wouldn't be able to comment on that uh either. Otherwise, we welcome the comments and our city manager will respond to the ones that were made a couple of weeks ago uh that were concerns of residents that uh we address in a timely manner. So uh having provided that information, I'm gonna call the meeting to order and ask our clerk here and Ellison to call the role. And incidentally, you notice we've got a we got a majority crew here tonight, but not a full crew. Uh two of our council members, our colleagues are at the National League of Cities meeting in Washington, D.C., along with our assistant city manager. So uh we're working with this uh core group of three tonight. Uh Councilmember Agnew and Councilmember Pierce and myself. And uh so then I'm gonna turn now to Sharon Allison to call the role. Councilmember Agnian. Here, Councilmember Pierce. Here, Mayor Havlin. Here. Next is a Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic of Fence. One basin on the indivisible key and justice for all. Thanks everybody. Uh council members, we've got a form of meeting agenda in front of us. Is there anyone on the council or from a staff standpoint that wishes to modify the agenda any form or fashion? All right. Is there a motion to approve the meeting meeting agenda is published? So move. I second. Councilmember Pierce moves. Councilmember Agnes seconds the adoption of the meeting agenda is published. Uh any further discussion. All those in favor of adoption of the meeting agenda is published, say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed, carried. The meeting agenda is uh uh adopted and we have uh agenda to work from. And now we are at community comment, and I'm gonna have our uh staff put up the phone numbers and uh for people that might want to call in during community comment. Uh and why we have that up on the screen. I'm gonna ask if there's anyone in the audience who wishes to address the council on a matter of concern to them. Yes, sir. Welcome.

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