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Record of Proceedings

Edina City Council Meeting Summary – September 1, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyEdina, Minnesota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:14:40

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

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

Unassigned speaker

0:15

Well,

Speaker 1

0:16

good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Dinah City Council meeting.

0:18

It is Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 7.02 p.m.

0:23

Uh, Director Benrad, thank you for uh advising uh the folks in the audience and at home as to some of their protocol involved here at the City Council meeting.

0:33

Um as Director Benarat pointed out, we're doing these meetings in a hybrid sort of fashion.

0:38

We've been doing this since uh the days of the pandemic and continue on.

0:42

People can tune in remotely and uh participate in meetings.

0:46

Uh when there are public hearings, they can do that uh from remotely, or they can call in if they have a concern that's not on the agenda.

0:53

If it's a topic that's not on the agenda or scheduled for a future public hearing, they can address that concern with the council as well.

1:01

Um there are the numbers for uh folks that might be watching in virtually or want to call in uh make sure you get those numbers down.

1:09

We'll have them come back up when we get to the community comment portion of the agenda.

1:13

But uh having provided that information I'll now ask uh call the meeting to order and ask our clerk Sharon Allison to call the role of the council.

Speaker 2

1:20

Councilmember Abnew.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Councilmember Jackson.

1:23

Here.

1:23

Councilmember Pierce.

Speaker 1

1:24

Here.

Speaker 2

1:25

Councilmember Risser.

1:26

Your Mayor Havlin.

Speaker 1

1:28

Here.

1:28

Next is the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaker 3

1:37

And to the Republic for which it stands on the ground, indivisible with everything injustice for all.

Speaker 1

1:47

Thanks for that, everyone.

1:49

And uh we've got a meeting agenda that's been published uh for the benefit of the general public and the council and staff.

1:57

Um I'm wondering if anybody on the council or staff has any uh changes they want to make to the meeting agenda.

2:04

Hearing nothing, is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda as published?

Speaker 4

2:08

So moved.

Speaker 1

2:08

Second.

2:09

Councilmember Jackson moves, and Councilmember Pierce seconds the adoption of the City Council meeting agenda is published.

2:15

Uh any further discussion?

2:17

Roll call, please.

Unassigned speaker

2:19

I'm

Speaker 1

2:19

getting the hang of this roll call.

Speaker 2

2:21

You're doing a great job.

2:23

Councilmember Agnew.

2:24

Aye.

2:24

Councilmember Pierce.

Speaker 1

2:26

Aye.

Speaker 2

2:26

Mayor Hovlin.

Speaker 1

2:27

Aye.

Speaker 2

2:28

Councilmember Jackson.

2:29

Aye.

2:30

Councilmember Reeser.

2:31

Aye.

Speaker 1

2:32

All right.

2:33

The meeting agenda is approved.

2:34

We have uh an agenda to work from this evening.

2:38

Uh and now we are at uh community comment.

2:42

And uh we will take comments from folks in the audience.

2:44

Again, a reminder.

2:46

Uh if there's a matter on the agenda this evening or a matter that uh we know the schedule for a future future public hearing, those topics are off limits.

2:54

Otherwise, we're interested in hearing your concerns.

2:56

Uh and uh welcome you to the podium, either the center podium if you have an overhead uh that you want to project.

3:04

Otherwise, I think the uh side uh podiums are a little bit better uh for uh projection and for presentation.

3:11

You'll have three minutes.

3:12

You'll get a yellow light when you have 30 seconds to go, and we'll ask you to wrap up your comments uh when the red light comes on.

3:19

And that way we're treating everybody the same in terms of their participation level.

3:24

So feel free to come forward, folks, if you would desire to address the council on a matter of concern to you that's not on the agenda this evening or scheduled for a future public hearing.

3:32

We welcome you to the Edina City Council

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████26%
Urban Planning████████████████16%
Economic Development█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Racial Equity█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Miscellaneous███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Edina City Council Meeting Summary – September 1, 2026

The Edina City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 7:02 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including approval of the consent agenda, a presentation on the Equity Strategic Action Plan, approval of a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the Braemar Ice Arena renovation, a debate on extending a site plan for the former Macy's Furniture store, and final adoption of an amended parks ordinance. Public testimony addressed concerns about permafrost at the arena and automated license plate reader data retention.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 14 consent agenda items (except Item 6.12) in a single roll-call vote, including minutes from August 18, 2026; payment of claims; purchase requests for a 2027 Ford F250, crosswalk markings at France Avenue & 65th Street, storm and sanitary sewer improvements, architectural design services for a new Art Center, Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; Resolution 2026-51 for state bridge funds for Wooddale Avenue Bridge replacement; Prime Purchasing Agent Agreement with Knutson Construction for Braemar Ice Arena; Amendment to Public Health Emergency Preparedness Agreement with Bloomington; temporary liquor licenses for Our Lady of Grace Church and Normandale Lutheran Church; Resolution 2026-49 setting a public hearing for special assessments; and Traffic Safety Reports from June 30 and July 28, 2026.
  • Item 6.12 (Resolution 2026-52, final plat for Vernon Heights Townhomes at 5516 Vernon Avenue) was removed by Councilmember Risser for a separate vote. Risser voted no (citing consistency with a prior vote); the motion passed 4–1.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Frankel (resident) expressed concerns about permafrost issues at Braemar Ice Arena, noting that similar projects at Parade Ice Gardens documented the problem. He stated that the old sand floor and glycol refrigerant could have created hazardous material in frozen permafrost, and urged the city to test materials for proper disposal. He also warned that ice scheduling disruptions could affect youth hockey teams and tournaments, and that the city may face pushback from the hockey community.
  • Derek (resident) raised ongoing concerns about Flock cameras, noting the city's policy (Policy 770) allows 30-day data retention but the website states up to 60 days, while Flock recently changed to 7 days after public feedback. He recommended reducing retention to 48 hours, limiting officer access, and requiring more transparency on search reasons. He expressed discomfort with private company control over data even if the city owns the data.

Discussion Items

  • City Manager's Response to Previous Comments: Manager Neal addressed three questions from the August 18 meeting regarding Braemar Arena: (1) The long-range plan (2022 Park Master Plan) includes a fourth sheet of ice, ADA improvements, a safer drop-off area, and infrastructure replacement, funded by local sales taxes. (2) Dasher board ad revenue in the South Rink goes to the Edina Hockey Association; other facility advertising is collected by the city and reinvested into the arena operating budget. (3) Concession revenue is applied to the arena operating budget, benefiting all users.
  • 2025-26 Equity Strategic Action Plan Update: Organizational Development Manager Thomas Brooks presented an update. The ESAP focuses on two goals: (1) Built environment – updating public spaces at City Hall and Public Works with inclusive furniture, artwork, and multilingual signage, sourced from a Community and staff engagement process. (2) Human capital – using Esri GIS and AI tools to centralize demographic data for decision-making, piloted in Parks and Recreation and Engineering. Next steps include finalizing 2027–28 goals, continuing built environment work, and potentially creating a cultural liaison role to build community relationships. Councilmembers discussed using the equity lens for capital planning, developing a rubric for future public spaces, and leveraging existing partnerships (e.g., with school district welcome staff).
  • Resolution 2026-46: Accepting Donations: Approved unanimously. A donation of $3,200 from Angela Wicca for a memorial park bench was accepted.
  • Braemar Ice Arena Renovation and Expansion Guaranteed Maximum Price: Director Vetter presented the project overview, noting that the GMP for the final phase is $33,230,267 with Knutson Construction. The project aims to improve ice quality, add a fourth rink, enhance spectator experience, and address infrastructure. Discussion covered the unexpected permafrost issue (despite 2023 and 2025 soil tests showing no frost, it was discovered during construction). Councilmember Risser requested a map of test boring locations. Councilmember Pierce emphasized focusing forward. The motion to approve the GMP passed 5–0.
  • Resolution 2026-50: One-Year Site Plan Extension for 7235 France Avenue (Old Macy's Furniture Store): The site plan for the four-parcel mixed-use development expires September 17, 2026. Enclave requested a one-year extension, citing rising costs, financing delays, and the late 2026 property closing. Council debated risks: Risser opposed, citing changes to the approved plan (e.g., potential loss of the 11-story condo tower) and questioned whether the conditions for extension were met. Agnew, Pierce, and Jackson expressed frustration but acknowledged that denial could leave the site vacant and jeopardize TIF district benefits. The council voted 5–0 to postpone the matter to the September 15 meeting to allow further information and developer confidence-building.
  • Ordinance 2026-12: Amending Chapter 24 – Parks and Publicly Owned Properties: Director Vetter presented a revised ordinance after a work session. Key changes: (1) Requires a permit for amplified sound at Arneson & Acres Park. (2) Bans for-profit commercial entertainment without a permit citywide. (3) Codifies that permit holders have priority use; those without a permit must leave if a permit holder arrives. (4) Removed the proposed 25-person gathering limit from the ordinance after council discussion. (5) Clarified that closure of park facilities must be in the interest of public health, safety, welfare, or condition of the facility. Violations are petty misdemeanors. Councilmember Jackson praised the “softer tool” for enforcement. Councilmember Pierce noted the need for future work on online reservation systems. The ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda (except 6.12): Approved 5–0.
  • Resolution 2026-52 (Vernon Heights Final Plat): Approved 4–1 (Risser dissenting).
  • Resolution 2026-46 (Donations): Approved 5–0.
  • Braemar Ice Arena GMP: Approved 5–0. Purchase request for $33,230,267 with Knutson Construction authorized.
  • Resolution 2026-50 (7235 France Extension): Motion to table to September 15 meeting passed 5–0.
  • Ordinance 2026-12: Approved 5–0 on second reading. Adoption includes summary publication authority to be brought back on September 15.
  • Next Meetings: City Council work session and regular meeting on September 15, 2026. City manager final interviews on September 10. Labor Day closure September 7. 9/11 commemoration at Station 1 on September 11 at 8:30 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Well, good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Dinah City Council meeting. It is Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 7.02 p.m. Uh, Director Benrad, thank you for uh advising uh the folks in the audience and at home as to some of their protocol involved here at the City Council meeting. Um as Director Benarat pointed out, we're doing these meetings in a hybrid sort of fashion. We've been doing this since uh the days of the pandemic and continue on. People can tune in remotely and uh participate in meetings. Uh when there are public hearings, they can do that uh from remotely, or they can call in if they have a concern that's not on the agenda. If it's a topic that's not on the agenda or scheduled for a future public hearing, they can address that concern with the council as well. Um there are the numbers for uh folks that might be watching in virtually or want to call in uh make sure you get those numbers down. We'll have them come back up when we get to the community comment portion of the agenda. But uh having provided that information I'll now ask uh call the meeting to order and ask our clerk Sharon Allison to call the role of the council. Councilmember Abnew. Here. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Pierce. Here. Councilmember Risser. Your Mayor Havlin. Here. Next is the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands on the ground, indivisible with everything injustice for all. Thanks for that, everyone. And uh we've got a meeting agenda that's been published uh for the benefit of the general public and the council and staff. Um I'm wondering if anybody on the council or staff has any uh changes they want to make to the meeting agenda. Hearing nothing, is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda as published? So moved. Second. Councilmember Jackson moves, and Councilmember Pierce seconds the adoption of the City Council meeting agenda is published. Uh any further discussion? Roll call, please. I'm getting the hang of this roll call. You're doing a great job. Councilmember Agnew. Aye. Councilmember Pierce. Aye. Mayor Hovlin. Aye. Councilmember Jackson. Aye. Councilmember Reeser. Aye. All right. The meeting agenda is approved. We have uh an agenda to work from this evening. Uh and now we are at uh community comment. And uh we will take comments from folks in the audience.

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