Council closes public hearing and approves revenue-bond host approval for Centurion Foundation project

The Edina City Council held a public hearing and on Aug. 19 approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds by the National Finance Authority on behalf of the Centurion Foundation for improvements at the Aurora on France transitional care facility.

Nellie Chick Brewer, introduced by the mayor as a finance department representative, presented the item. Jeremy Ollum of Barnes & Thornburg, counsel for the Centurion Foundation, said the foundation is an Atlanta-based nonprofit working with health-care facilities and that federal tax law requires a local public hearing and local approval because the project is located in Edina. Ollum said the facility would continue to be operated by the current operators (Fairview Health) and described the local hearing as a required formality under tax rules.

No one testified from the public during the hearing. Staff recommended opening and closing the public hearing the same night and acting on a proposed resolution. Member Agnew moved and the council voted to close the public hearing and then to adopt resolution 2025-572 authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds; the motion carried. Staff and the bond proponents emphasized the council's action would be a host approval and does not create city liability.

Ending: The resolution passed and staff closed the public hearing; proponents may proceed with the bond issuance process consistent with federal tax requirements and local host approval procedures.