Town Talks

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.

Edina Liquor General Manager Josh Furbish will continue the City of Edina’s Town Talks with a discussion about municipal liquor operations. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.

The City of Edina has operated a municipal off-sale liquor store since residents voted for such operations in 1948. Seventy-five years later, there are three Edina Liquor locations and the enterprise offers online sales with local delivery. Municipal liquor operations result in a profit of nearly $1 million annually, offsetting the cost of other Parks & Recreation operations.

During the Town Talk, Furbish will discuss milestones and achievements made in the past six years and review Edina Liquor’s 2022 operations.

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 866-571-0905 with Conference PIN 6909773#. 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 April 18.

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

Finance Director Alisha McAndrews will continue the City of Edina's "Town Talks" with a discussion about how a local option sales tax works. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1.

The State allows local governments to create a local sales tax to finance regionally significant capital projects. A local option sales tax has been proposed in Edina to fund improvements at Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park. A half-percent sales tax, if approved by Edina voters in November 2022, is expected to raise $8.1 million for the improvements. Another $13.5 million would be raised for critical infrastructure updates at Braemar Arena, including a replaced HVAC system, updated roof, improved energy efficiency, improved accessibility for residents with disabilities, upgraded restrooms and locker rooms and improved rink surfaces and rink-cooling system.

“I hope residents can join me for a discussion on the local option sales tax, a unique financing tool available to cities to fund capital projects of regional significance,” McAndrews said. “We’ll cover the details on how the sales tax option got to be on this fall’s ballot and what needs to occur for the tax to go into effect to fund the Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park projects.”

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 888-504-7949 with Participant Passcode 773922. 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 BetterTogetherEdina.org 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 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

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 the plan to complete the Braemar Park master plan. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 18.

Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will include a presentation by Vetter on the master plan for the park. Braemar Park, 6364 John Harris Drive, is 500 acres of rolling hills and scenic lakes surrounded by beautiful, untouched oak ridges. Braemar Park is home to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena, Braemar Field, Braemar Golf Dome and Courtney Fields.

The next phase of the park’s master plan includes:

• A new trail system for better walking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing
• New pickleball and/or platform tennis courts
• Upgrades to the baseball complex
• New playground at Courtney Fields
• Wayfinding signs and trail connections
• Restored natural resources and wildlife habitat
• Improved parking and access to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena and Courtney Fields

A half-percent sales tax, if approved by Edina voters in November 2022, is expected to raise $8.1 million for the improvements. Another $13.5 million would be raised for critical infrastructure updates at Braemar Arena, including a replaced HVAC system, updated roof, improved energy efficiency, improved accessibility for residents with disabilities, upgraded restrooms and locker rooms and improved rink surfaces and rink-cooling system.

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 888-504-7949 with Participant Passcode 2046352. 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 place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on BetterTogetherEdina.org 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 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

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

Parks & Recreation Director Perry Vetter continued the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” Monday, May 23, with an online discussion about plans for Fred Richards Park.

Hosted by Assistant City Manager Lisa Schaefer, the Town Talk included a presentation by Vetter on the master plan for the park at 4400 Parklawn Ave. Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in 2014. The 43-acre site, almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use park for a variety of year-round activities.

“The Fred” will subtly divide into sections, providing different experiences for people and nature. The sections include a Central Green, Nature Bank, Great Lawn and Loop. The City is pursuing a local option sales tax as a way to fund the phases of the Fred Richards Park Master Plan. The tax also would be used to fund the Braemar Park Master Plan and upgrade Braemar Arena.

The half-percent sales tax, if approved by Edina voters in November 2022, is expected to raise $17.7 million for Fred Richards Park improvements.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on BetterTogetherEdina.org 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 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

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 auto theft, theft from auto and other public safety issues. Due to interest in the topic, the event will be held twice: noon to 1 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, in the Council Chambers of Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50^th St.

Auto thefts and thefts from autos are on the rise in Edina and across the metropolitan area. An attempted carjacking occurred in Edina Dec. 9. The Police Department is actively investigating these crimes. Patrols have been increased in neighborhoods where these crimes have been reported.

Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will include a presentation by Milburn on crime trends and crime prevention tips. Members of the Edina City Council will be in attendance. An open forum will follow to allow residents and staff the opportunity to discuss the topic and ask questions.

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 800-374-0221 with Conference ID 6070997 (noon) or 7098578 (7 p.m.). 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 place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on BetterTogetherEdina.org for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted there 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 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

Engineering Director Chad Millner will continue the City of Edina’s “Town Talks” with a discussion about future street funding in Edina. The event will be held online 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1.

Since the late 1990s, adjacent property owners have been assessed roadway reconstruction costs. As estimates for special assessments increased to as much as $32,000, it became apparent the City may not be able to justify the benefit of the cost to each property owner as required by Minnesota law. A Street Funding Task Force was formed by City Manager Scott Neal in 2020 and charged with reevaluating the Special Assessment Policy.

The Edina City Council in July approved the Task Force’s recommendation to reduce assessments each year until it reaches no assessment at Year 16. As a result, all taxpayers will pay taxes to the City for street reconstruction.

Hosted by City Manager Scott Neal, the Town Talk will include a presentation by Millner and Ann Swenson, chair of the Street Funding Task Force, on the new plan for funding local street reconstruction. An open forum will follow to allow residents and staff the opportunity to discuss the topic of the night and ask questions.

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 800-374-0221 with Conference ID 4133679. 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 place you into a queue until it is your turn to speak.

The video and materials for the Town Talk will be available on BetterTogetherEdina.org for a week following the presentation. Additional questions and comments may be posted there 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 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

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