Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Edina City Council met on September 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The council acted on several significant items, including setting a preliminary 2027 property tax levy increase of 6.5%, authorizing the use of surplus funds for debt reduction, granting a variance appeal, and approving a site plan extension for the former Macy's site. The public comment period featured discussions on the city budget, a major ice rink construction delay, and concerns over automated license plate reader technology.
There we go. Well, good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Adina City Council meeting on September 15th, 2026. It is 7.02 p.m. Director Benarott uh indicated that we're handling these meetings in a hybrid fashion. People can watch remotely call in if we've got uh two matters they can call in on like you do tonight, where we have a public hearing and then public comment. Uh they're certainly welcome to call in. We'll deal with folks in the audience first that have a concern that they want to express uh to the council, either under community comment uh or during the public hearing matter when the the singular public hearing matter we have this evening. The only advisory with respect to community comment is uh you can't speak to an item that's on the agenda this evening or scheduled for a future public hearing. Uh having provided that information, I'm going to call the meeting to order and ask our clerk Sharon Allison to call the roll. Clerk Ellison. Councilmember Agnew. Here. Councilmember Jackson. Here. Councilmember Pierce is absent. Councilmember Risser. Here. Mayor Heplin. Here. Uh next is the Pledge of Allegiance. Thanks, everyone. We've got a form of meeting agenda that's been published for the benefit of staff, uh, the city council members and the general public. Uh is there anyone on staff or on the council wishes to modify the meeting agenda in any form or fashion? Is there a motion to approve the meeting agenda is published? So moved. I second. Councilmember rejection moves, Councilmember Agner seconds the approval of the meeting agenda is published. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Councilmember Agnes. Aye. Councilmember. I have to do that. I we have an approved meeting agenda. Thank you, Clerk Allison. Uh and now we are at community comment time, and um we're gonna listen to uh folks that have a concern in the audience first, and then we'll turn to the virtual world to see if anybody wants to address the uh council and then give us your name. You don't have to give us your address. Mayor, council members, my name is Ralph Sickert. Mayor, as you do before every meeting, you offer residents an opportunity to express their concerns, followed by the promise that Manager Neal will address those concerns in writing on the city's website. During the August 18th community comment session, I asked several simple, straightforward questions. And as Mr. Neal has all too often done when faced with a tough question, he chose not to post a reply. And as the council has also too often done, you don't hold him accountable. Council, it's a fact. Therefore, my unanswered question remains.