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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdinaApril2017New Fire Marshal Brings Wealth of Experience Rick Hammerschmidt has served area fire agencies for more than 32 years Rick Hammerschmidt started April 17 as the new Fire Marshal for the Edina Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department. Hammerschmidt spent 30 years with the Eden Prairie Fire Department, first as a volunteer on-call firefighter and eventually moving up to a paid full-time fire investigator/inspector. In February 2015, he jumped at the opportunity to serve as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in Golden Valley. The Eden Prairie resident will be closer to home in Edina as he takes over for Jeff Siems, who was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief of Operations. “It’s a great department, great city,” Hammerschmidt said of Edina. “I’m very excited.” Edina Fire Chief Tom Schmitz, is excited, too, because he has known Hammerschmidt for about 25 years and worked with him in Eden Prairie. “I was glad he applied,” Schmitz said. “When I saw his name, I knew he would be a strong candidate.” Hammerschmidt has all the qualifications for the Fire Marshal position in Edina. He’s already been a fire investigator and will oversee Edina’s investigators. His experience as a Fire Marshal will come in handy as he ensures new development in the City, such as new buildings and major renovations, complies with fire code. His on-the-ground firefighting experience plus command experience give him perspectives from both sides and qualify him for being an Incident Commander at emergency scenes. He’ll also be in charge of public education, including Night to Unite, Safety Camp and programs for schoolchildren and seniors. “It’s an interesting job. It’s something different every day,” Hammerschmidt said. “You never know what your day is going to be. You get to help and educate people, and that’s rewarding.” Reach Hammerschmidt at 952-826-0330 or rhammerschmidt@EdinaMN.gov. Edition: Edina 2017-2018 PRIORITIES APRIL 2017 Focused Redevelopment Planning for the Future Intergovernmental Relations Transportation & Infrastructure Enterprise Facilities Volume 4, Issue 4 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.govPhoto by Michael BraunNewly Named Street Has History ‘49 1/2 Street’ is back to ‘Market Street’ The one-block street segment connecting Halifax Avenue to France Avenue, between the North and Central 50th & France parking ramps, has been renamed. The segment was West 49 ½ Street. “The ‘half’ is awkward to say and write, so I proposed it go back to its original name, Market Street, before an anticipated major redevelopment in the area,” wrote City Manager Scott Neal in his staff report to the City Council in March. Market Street was the original name of the road when the area was platted and developed. In 1951, a group of 20 business owners, tenants and property owners submitted a petition to the Edina Village Council to change the name of Market Street to “49 ½ Street.” The group, which included Wes Stotts from Hooten Cleaners, attorney Donald Burris and grocer Russel Lund, identified several reasons to support their request for the name change: • Market Street was short and the name had no significance to clients and customers of the businesses located on the street. • The length of time it took for business owners on Market Street to explain the location of Market Street to their customers constituted a “considerable nuisance and inconvenience.” • There was constant confusion between the name Market Street and Marquette Avenue in Minneapolis. • An immediate change would allow the new name to be included in the upcoming printing of the telephone directory, a testament to the era of the submitted petition. “The same reasons used back in 1951 hold true now for the reasons to go back to Market Street,” said Cary Teague, Community Development Director. “The name change back to Market Street makes sense from a historical perspective being it’s the original street name and it eliminates the confusion with 49th Street.” At a public hearing last month, those in attendance supported the name change. “There aren’t too many property owners at this time compared to what potentially is going to be there with the redevelopment,” said resident James Stromberg. Some of the businesses on West 49 ½ Street include Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lovejoy Realty, BeSpoke Hair Artisans, Spalon Montage and U.S. Postal Service. “It brings back some heritage selecting Market Street,” Council Member Kevin Staunton said at the meeting. “It’s not just picking a name out of mid-air. It’s what it once was, so I think it’s an appropriate name.” The newly named Market Street was approved by City Council on April 4. The City will begin updating its maps and documents with the new street name. For more information, contact Teague at 952-826-0460 or cteague@EdinaMN.gov. MARKET ST Tasters Try Tin Whiskers in TownPhoto by Lauren Siebenaler Permit Applications Must Be Filed Electronically by June 1 Change is Part of City’s Push Toward Environmental Stewardship Come June 1, the City of Edina will accept only electronic applications for building, plumbing, mechanical, curb cuts, fire alarms and just about every other type of permit. “We’re going paperless,” Chief Building Official David Fisher said. The move can save a lot of paper, especially on big projects. Plans for the Edina High School remodel, for example, took up about 500 sheets of paper, Fisher said. Two copies are needed, plus it must be reprinted when revisions are made. That would be several thousand sheets of paper. In addition, the electronic files mean several people can review them at the same time, they move between City departments faster because they aren’t sitting on someone’s desk and they store easily compared to finding space for paper plans. It’s also easier for those who apply for permits because they can do so from the work site or their own homes instead of coming to City Hall. Those people can also track the permit status online. Edina is among the first cities in the state to move to entirely electronic permitting, Fisher said. It’s part of the City’s push toward environmental stewardship. “We have a top-notch staff here and we want to be a little more progressive and proactive,” he said. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of permits are filed electronically now. To help with the transition, a computer station has been set up in the Planning and Building Inspections office in City Hall and staff will assist people with uploading information. In addition, the City recently launched online scheduling of inspections, another effort to decrease paperwork and save everyone time. To learn more about permits, visit EdinaMN.gov/building. For more information, contact Fisher at 952- 826-0372 or dfisher@EdinaMN.gov. “We’re going paperless.” Patrons of Edina Liquor – Southdale tasted beer March 24 from Tin Whiskers Brewery, based out of St. Paul. The local brewery brought samples of its Wheat Stone Bridge, Lumen Lager, Flip Switch I.P.A and Short Circuit Stout. The Edina Liquor Spring Sale will take place May 8-31, during which time more tastings and great deals will be available at all Edina Liquor locations. Edition: Edi na APRIL 2017 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov Upcoming Events Thursday, April 27, 4:30 p.m. Arts & Culture Commission, Edina Art Center Friday, April 28, 10 a.m. Arbor Day Celebration, Sherwood Park Tuesday, May 2, 7 p.m. City Council, Edina City Hall Tuesday, May 2, 7-8:30 p.m. Internet & Social Media Safety Seminar, Edina High School Performing Arts Center Friday, May 5, 6:30 p.m. Family Movie Night, Edinborough Park,“Storks” Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m.-noon Vehicle Day, Southdale Center parking lot Sunday, May 7, 1 p.m. Days of Remembrance, Edina City Hall Monday, May 8, 6:30 p.m. Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall Monday, May 8, 7 p.m. Comprehensive Plan Community Kick-off Meeting, Braemar Golf Course Tuesday, May 9, 7 p.m. Heritage Preservation Commission, Edina City Hall Tuesday, May 9, 7 p.m. Parks & Recreation Commission, Edina City Hall Wednesday, May 10, 7 p.m. Planning Commission, Edina City Hall BY THE NUMBERS Edina Senior Center The Edina Senior Center is located at 5280 Grandview Square. For more information, contact the Edina Senior Center, 952-833-9570. The Senior Center is a home away from home for some! Here’s why: Monthly health services 1,206 7 1,100 Senior Center members Farthest miles to be traveled this year on a Senior Center trip Monthly activities 30 Council Appoints Board and Commission Members The Edina City Council recently made its annual appointments to 10 advisory boards and commissions. Current membership includes (names of new members are bolded): Arts & Culture Commission Stella Chaffee Susan Chandler, Vice Chair Kandace Ellis Cheryl Gunness Douglas Hegley Jane Howe, Student Commissioner Ray Meifert Mollie Mertes, Student Commissioner Anne Miller, Chair Russell Rubin Steven Suckow Board of Appeal & Equalization Andrew Ayers Phillip Buckvold Edward Cracraft Roger McVeety Scott Smith Community Health Commission Amanda Herr Andrew Johnson-Cowley McKenna Knapp, Student Commissioner Britta Orr, Chair Alison Pence, Vice Chair Steve Sarles Caleb Schultz Nina Sokol, Student Commissioner Constance Weston Gregory Wright Christy Zilka Construction Board of Appeals Brian Berube Scott Busyn Jennifer Carlson Douglas Hall Kip Peterson Energy & Environment Commission Jeffrey Burmeister William Glahn Howard Hoffmann Michelle Horan Carolyn Jackson, Vice Chair Joanna Kim, Student Commissioner Keith Kostuch Gauri Madhok, Student Commissioner Richard Manser, Chair Lauren Satterlee Melissa Seeley Ramesh Shanmugavel Louann Waddick Heritage Preservation Commission Michael Birdman, Chair Laurie Blake Jennifer Christiaansen John Ellingson Karen Kelly Scott Loving, Vice Chair Robert Moore Hannah Nemerov, Student Commissioner Sarah Nymo Payton Puerzer, Student Commissioner Peter Sussman Human Rights & Relations Commission Patrice Arseneault Catherine Beringer, Vice Chair Connie Chao, Student Commissioner Heather Edelson Cindy Edwards Ellen Kennedy Kristina Martin Michelle Meek Jim Nelson, Chair Robert Rivera Prasoon Sinha, Student Commissioner Parks & Recreation Commission Valerie Burke, Ex-officio School District Representative Matt Dahlien Daniel Gieseke Greg Good, Vice Chair Ben Gustafson, Student Commissioner Koren Hawk Nelson Katherine Hulbert, Student Commissioner Eileen McAwley Brenda McCormick, Chair Michael Miller Julie Strother Planning Commission James Bennett Sheila Berube John Hamilton Steven Hobbs Tanner Jones, Student Commissioner Peter Kivimaki, Student Commissioner Susan Lee Ian Nemerov, Vice Chair Joann Olsen, Chair Gerard Strauss Todd Thorsen Transportation Commission Melinda Ahler Andrew Brown Surya Iyer Aboubekrine Kane David Koester, Student Commissioner Tom LaForce, Chair Louis Miranda, Vice Chair Megan Olk, Student Commissioner Larry Olson Lori Richman Erik Ruthruff For more information on Edina’s advisory boards and commissions, contact Project Coordinator MJ Lamon, 952-826-0360 or MLamon@EdinaMN.gov. Edina/Eden Prairie Explorer Post 925 Wins ‘Post of the Year’ Two Dozen Learn about Law Enforcement through Program Edina/Eden Prairie Explorer Post 925 was named “Post of the Year” in March by the Northern Star Council. The local law enforcement Explorer post was selected out of 83 posts from across Minnesota and part of Wisconsin for the honor. Post 925 received the recognition for its commitment to Exploring, teamwork and community service. Explorer Post 925 is made up of approximately 25 Edina and Eden Prairie students ages 14 to 21 who are interested in law enforcement. The Explorers learn firsthand about the law enforcement profession through lectures, practical scenarios, ride-alongs and volunteering with the Police Departments. Post 925 is part of a national program that includes more than 33,000 Explorers and more than 8,000 adult advisors. Post 925 meets every Tuesday at the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility in Edina.Submitted PhotoEdina Police Lt. Dan Conboy, Edina Police Officer Nicole Frederick, Kristine Savik, Katie Kline, Bennett Breyer, Eden Prairie Police Capt. Greg Weber and Eden Prairie Police Chief James DeMann pose for a photo with their award at the March 14 Northern Star Council banquet.