HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-29 Council Special Meeting MINUTES
OF THE JOINT WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL AND EDINA SCHOOL BOARD
HELD AT EDINA COMMUNITY CENTER
5701 NORMANDALE ROAD
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
6:00 P.M.
Edina School Board Vice Chair Almog welcomed attendees and asked everyone to introduce
themselves. Attending for the Edina City Council were Members Bennett, Brindle, Housh,Swenson
and Mayor Hovland. Edina School Board Members in attendance were Members Almog, Cella,
Hedberg, Ledder, Robb and Chair Meyer. Edina School District Staff included: Ric Dressen,
Superintendent; Doug Johnson, Director of Community Education Services & Community Relations;
Jay Willemssen, Director of Business Services; and Jenni Norlin-Weaver, Director of Teaching and
Learning. Edina City Staff present: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Heather Worthington, Assistant
City Manager; John Keprios, Park & Recreation Director; John Wallin, Finance Director; Jennifer
Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director; Mike Siitari, Police Chief; and Debra Mangen,
City Clerk.
Superintendent Dressen presented a framed Family Circle Best Towns for Families magazine cover
to Mayor Hovland and expressed the pride that the Edina community had received this distinction.
Dr. Dressen briefly reviewed the School District as it related to finances, projects and the new school
year. He noted the District had reduced its $72 million dollar budget by $1.6 million, the District was
close to capacity with an enrollment of 7,884 students and a wait list of students, had enacted a
more individualized educational approach for each student, and had done a goal alignment for
classrooms and staff.
City Manager Hughes noted the City of Edina had previously received about 3/4 of one percent of its
annual budget in aid which had all been lost. Mr. Hughes stated that revenues were down with
lower than anticipated building of commercial properties and greater than normal tax delinquencies.
He reviewed the proposed costs savings that will be utilized in 2010 such as mandatory furloughs,
wage freeze, and the end of Dial-A-Ride. Mr. Hughes noted that single family construction remained
strong and concluded the City had receiving an Emmy for its Peddlers and Solicitors public safety
announcement. He asked Chief Siitari to briefly review crime statistics. Chief Siitari noted that while
violent crime was down, they had seen an increase underage consumption, burglaries and thefts
from autos.
Discussion topics included: Edina High School's conference status, the 2010 levies for both ISD
273 and the City, Social Host Policy, H 1 N 1 influenza, outdoor facilities, sprinkling of athletic fields,
Pamela Park master plan, Safe Routes to School, work on a potential Bike Safe Routes to School,
potential re-use of existing Public Works site, and location of the School District's bus garage.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, A U11
Debra Mangen, City Jerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, October 6, 2009.
James B. Hovland, Mayor