HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-21 Council Special Meeting MINUTES
JOINT EDINA SCHOOL BOARD AND EDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY,AUGUST 21, 2006
5:00 P.M.
Brian Hedberg, Chair of the Edina School Board, asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Attending were Mayor Hovland and Members Housh, Hulbert, Masica, and Swenson.
Several board members publicly thanked and praised Tom Jenson, Fire Marshal, and Steve
Kirchman, the Building Coordinator, for their work on the Southview/Community Center
project.
Laura Tueting Nelson, Communications Director for the Edina Schools, gave a brief
PowerPoint presentation on the Southview/Community Center project, showing the various
phases of construction, and the new amenities.
Ms. Tueting Nelson explained that most of the project will be complete by the time school
begins the day after Labor Day. Music, theatre, gym, pool, new office and counseling spaces,
along with a new cafeteria, will come online at Southview and the Community Center, as
well as new classroom, music, fitness rooms, and science classrooms at Valley View Middle
School.
Ms. Tueting Nelson gave the following dates for the new buildings:
♦ August 25th—Instructional spaces at or near occupancy
♦ August 28th—Staff returns to the buildings
♦ September 501—First day of school
♦ October 1st—First day City gyms are open (they are taking reservations for
them now)
The City Council and School Board members discussed coordinating the Grand Opening
event with Southview and the Community Center/City Gyms.
School District staff further explained that future renovations will include the Fick
Auditorium. Mayor Hovland mentioned the need for a community forum venue. Doug
Johnson, Director Edina Community Education Services mentioned there will be more
options with all of the renovations currently underway.
Mayor Hovland raised the issue of a possible bus garage/public works facility. Manager
Hughes explained that finding a site large enough has been challenging; however, keeping in
touch with one another [School District and City of Edina] will ensure that we were able to
keep this, and other issues, on the front burner. Chair Hedberg mentioned that, in his
opinion, the two entities were working very well with each other on this and other issues of
mutual interest.
Mayor Hovland also raised the issue of the ECC Neighborhood. Council Member Swenson
said that she and Council Member Masica had promised that the District and the City would
meet with the neighborhood to discuss scheduling, traffic, parking, and pick-up and drop-off
Minutes/Edina City Council/Edina School Board/August 21,2006
issues. Mr. Hughes said that Doug Johnson and John Keprios, Edina Park Director would be
"masters of ceremony" for that meeting in the near future. Peyton Robb, School Board
Member, mentioned that they have added parking, and were working on new signage and a
traffic-flow map for pick-up and drop-off at Southview. Board Member Robb stated the
District was also working on dividing parking for the various tenants, and have added
several new spaces to their lot as a result of the renovations. He also mentioned that the
District was now using centralized scheduling, and that outside groups, including the City,
will be able to view the schedules before requesting a reservation.
Wayne Houle, City Engineer, gave an update on upcoming traffic studies, and road projects
that will be near District facilities. He said the City has been working with site committees.
Mr. Houle also said that the City is studying school speed limits and may make
recommendations by winter 2007.
Board Member Robb invited the Council to tour the new facilities on Thursday, August 24,
2006, at noon, in the Normandale Board Room.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
N
Heather Worthington, Assi4dn City Manager