Town Talks

Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with an online discussion on Edina’s utilities 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.

During the Town Talk emceed by Deputy City Manager Ari Lenz, participants can learn about Edina’s water, sewer and stormwater utilities, how they affect daily life in the city, and how Edina staff plans and works to make the system reliable, resilient and future ready.

“Join the Town Talk to learn about the operations, maintenance and rebuilding of a city-scale system of infrastructure you use every day,” Bintner said.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
The Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) and streamed live on Edina TV’s YouTube Channel. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110. Enter access code 2864 969 3624 and password 5454. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. A staff member will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV 7 p.m. Mondays, 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 9 p.m. Wednesdays, and 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 14.

Event Canceled: The Town Talk on Edina’s Plan B Form of Government, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, has been canceled.

The next Town Talk will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16. Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner will give an overview of the state of Edina’s utilities.

Affordable Housing Development Manager Stephanie Hawkinson will provide details on the new innovative Heroes Program during the Town Talk, scheduled online for 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Hawkinson also will highlight how the City’s housing programs address issues residents identified as important in this year’s Quality of Life Survey. These programs include preserving starter homes for young families and providing low-interest loans for home maintenance or energy improvements.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110. Enter access code 2634 706 1036 and password 5454. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. A staff member will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 8 p.m. Mondays, 4 a.m. and noon Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 2.

Hennepin County Assessor Josh Hoogland will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion on how the County provides assessing services. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30.

The City will transition assessing services to the County in mid-2026. During the Town Talk, Hoogland will discuss the transition and the County’s assessment process, estimated market value, state classifications, benefit programs, appeals and tax impact factors and examples.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110. Enter access code 2866 835 4797 and password 5454. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. A staff member will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 7 p.m. Mondays 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 31.

Bob Slater, Executive Director of the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility (SMPSTF) will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion on the 20-year-old facility. The event will be held online online 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.

During the Town Talk, Slater will provide a history of the facility, description of trainings offered there and the impact on the public. He will also share details of a new tactical training building planned for the site, 7525 Braemar Blvd.

“The South Metro Public Safety Training Facility is a critical part of training opportunities for the various police and fire departments of the greater southwest metro area and surrounding communities,” Slater said. “Given its location and physical profile, it is often overlooked as a critical piece of the many public safety services the city of Edina is engaged in. This presentation seeks to introduce and inform Edina residents to the very serious and important work done at this facility to ensure a safer community.”

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing through the City’s website. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110 with Access Code 2634 629 6493 and Password 5454. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. A staff member will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available here for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 8:30 p.m. Mondays, 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 9.

For more information or to suggest a topic for a future Town Talk, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.

Fire Chief Andrew Slama will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion on fire operations. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 3.

During the Town Talk, Slama will provide an overview of the Fire Department and updates on staffing and station operations and construction of Fire Station 2. He will also discuss the outlook for a new Fire Station 3.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing through the City’s website.(External link) Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110 with Access Code 2633 344 3315 and Password 5454. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. A staff member will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 8:30 p.m. Mondays 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through June 30.

For more information or to suggest a topic for a future Town Talk, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.

City Clerk Sharon Allison will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion on elections. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 18.

During the Town Talk, Allison will discuss 2024 elections, what it takes to administer them at the local level and how election security is maintained.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing on Facebook Live and through the City’s website. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 312-535-8110 with Access Code 2632 376 0055. There is no Attendee ID number. Press *3 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. An operator will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 8:30 p.m. Mondays 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through April 15.

For more information, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.

Affordable Housing Development Manager Stephanie Hawkinson will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion on affordable housing in the community. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.

During the Town Talk, Hawkinson will define affordable housing, explain why housing affordability is at risk in Edina, the role of government in a community’s affordable housing and what the City of Edina has done in recent years.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing on Facebook Live and through the City’s website. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call toll free 866-571-0905 with Conference PIN 2472623#. Press *1 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. An operator will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 8:30 p.m. Mondays 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through March 21.

For more information, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.

Parks & Recreation Director Perry Vetter will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion about this fall’s referendum to fund an expansion of Braemar Arena. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21.

Last November, Edina voters approved a half-percent sales tax to support new amenities and features at Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park. This was Phase One of a long-term plan to improve the city’s parks and recreation system. City leaders said if Phase One was approved, they would pursue Phase Two – the expansion of Braemar Arena. If approved, the $31.7 million investment to expand Braemar Arena would be funded by the same half-percent sales tax approved by Edina voters last year. On Nov. 7, Edina residents will have the final say on whether to use the sales tax to fund the expansion of the historic ice arena.

During the Town Talk, Vetter will discuss needs for the expansion and how use of the local sales and use tax could fund it.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing on Facebook Live and through the City’s website. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 786-496-5601 with Conference PIN 0515851#. Press *1 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. An operator will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 7 p.m. Mondays, 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 29.

For more information, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.

Police Chief Todd Milburn will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion about local police operations. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 17.

During the Town Talk, Milburn will discuss crime trends, crime prevention strategies, staffing, officer wellness, technology, crime-mapping software and new initiatives, including mental health response and the Joint Community Police Partnership and its Multicultural Advisory Council.

How to Watch and Join the Discussion
Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will be broadcast live on Edina TV and available for online viewing on Facebook Live and through the City’s website. Those who would like to ask a question from home can call 786-496-5601 with Conference PIN 1798074#. Press *1 on your telephone keypad when you are ready to ask a question during that part of the event. An operator will mute your line and place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on this page for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted here for staff members after the Town Talk.

The Town Talk will be shown on Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 and 16) 7 p.m. Mondays, 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 13.

For more information, contact the City’s Communications Department, 952-826-0359.