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Winter Parking Rules Keep Streets Clear of SnowSee page 8
By Dawn Wills
It’s that time of year when the leaves turn
a vibrant red, gold and orange, but with
that beauty comes yard cleanup. The City
reminds residents that there are proper
ways to collect and remove leaves from
their yards.
The City does not pick up brush, yard
waste or any other kind of refuse. Leaves
can be composted or disposed of through
local garbage haulers.
“Since January 2010, State law has
required that yard waste be placed
in compostable bags,” said Recycling
Coordinator Solvei Wilmot. “Residents
should check with their refuse hauler to
make sure that they are signed up for yard
waste removal, which is separate from
recycling and garbage services.”
Residents who have their refuse haulers
collect their yard waste are required to
use compostable bags – either paper bags
or those clearly marked as compostable.
Compostable bags are distinct from regular
plastic bags because they are usually clear
or a green-tinted opaque color. Most home
improvement, grocery and hardware stores
carry them. Be careful not to purchase
biodegradable bags. They are different
from compostable bags because they
contain plastic.
The City does not have a drop-off location
for yard waste. If residents choose to hire a
private lawn service to remove yard debris,
contractors must not dispose of residential
waste in City streets or gutters.
It’s important to keep fallen leaves out of
the street to help prevent clogging storm
sewers, which can lead to water runoff,
backups and flooding. In the fall, three
street sweepers work four to six weeks
collecting leaves throughout the City. If
residents rake leaves from their yards into
the streets, the street sweepers will not be
able to keep up.
“It really slows us down when residents
put big piles of leaves into the streets,”
said Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson.
Residents are encouraged to inspect
gutters and storm drains in front of their
properties and remove any debris that
appears to be blocking passage to storm
sewers and dispose of it properly. Keeping
leaves from entering storm drains also
helps reduce the amount of phosphorus
that leads to the overgrowth of algae and
other plants in lakes and streams.
“Leaves and grass clippings may seem
natural, but these pollutants can cause a
lot of problems for our lakes and streams,”
said Water Resources Coordinator Jessica
Wilson. “Keeping streets and storm drains
clean helps to make our community
healthier and more beautiful. Every lawn
makes a difference.”
Hydroseed Makes for Better Lawns
Following Street Reconstruction
By Jordan Gilgenbach
On average, hydroseed costs about
75 percent less than sod. It is also
more resilient to weeds, pests and
unpredictable weather.
2
3
Good maintenance practices make for a good lawn.
Follow these tips to maintain a hydroseeded lawn:
• Keep soil moist with light sprinkling in the
morning, late afternoon or early evening.
• Continue watering even after the grass looks
established.
• Fertilization requirements vary, depending on
the time of year. Consult a reputable nursery or
seed center for fertilizer specifications.
• Mow as soon as the grass blades are 3 to 4
inches high. Set the mower deck to the highest
setting, and make sure the blades are sharp. Dull
blades can bruise and damage new grass.
• Do not collect the clippings as they help feed
the soil and accelerates development.
• Weeds will likely appear and are best controlled
by growing good, healthy grass and following
proper maintenance techniques.
During a street reconstruction, lawns are often dug up
within the right-of-way. When the projects wrap up,
crews place hydroseed to regrow damaged lawns.
Previously, the City used sod to restore lawns. The
City’s Engineering Department found that while sod is
attractive when first laid, that honeymoon period quickly
ends. In 2013, the City switched to hydroseeding, a
proven performer in producing healthy lawns.
“Sod is grown in near-perfect conditions, so it looks good
at first, but requires a lot of water and maintenance
to get established, and often dies quickly,” said City
Engineer Chad Millner. “It’s not the most resilient turf
material and is easily susceptible to heat and lack of
moisture.
“Hydroseed has better long-term survival since it’s
grown in place and in the actual conditions rather than
‘perfect’ conditions.”
Hydroseed is a mix of fertilizer, mulch and a seed mix
specially mixed for our area. It is placed on loose soil
and the roots penetrate the ground and grow naturally.
With sod, Millner said, “the turf is growing already, and
the root base needs to re-establish itself in the in-place
material, which could take longer.”
Hydroseed costs significantly less than sod, adding to
overall project cost savings. On average, hydroseed costs
about 75 percent less than sod. It is also more resilient
to weeds, pests and unpredictable weather.
Following a street reconstruction, the contractor
maintains the hydroseed for 90 days after placement.
The contractor will water, fertilize and mow the
hydroseed, as needed, during that time. At the
On average, hydroseed costs about
75 percent less than sod. It is also
more resilient to weeds, pests and
unpredictable weather.
end of the maintenance period, a final inspection is done,
and areas that do not meet contract specifications will be
re-hydroseeded. Once the hydroseeded area is given a passing
grade, maintenance becomes the full responsibility of the
homeowner.
For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Engineering or call
952-826-0371.
By Krystal Caron
The City of Edina has partnered with the
Minnehaha Creek and Nine Mile Creek
watershed districts to hold training
sessions over the next several years to
inform private snowplow operators and
other individuals interested in learning
more about reducing salt use throughout
the community.
“People often don’t realize that you
don’t need that much, so the training
helps you understand when is too much
and when you’re just throwing money
away,” explained Water Resources
Coordinator Jessica Wilson. “Using more
salt is not necessarily more effective.”
The classes will cover all winter roadway
maintenance, including plowing before
ice forms and calibrating equipment, in
addition to improving chloride (salt) use.
Some classes will focus on roadways,
while others are focused on parking lots
and sidewalks. 4
City Offers Training for
Snowplow Operators
“Chloride is a perpetual pollutant, so
it’s permanent,” said Wilson. “It’s killing
plants, bugs and fish and disrupting
the ecosystem. Every fall and spring,
depending on the lake and how deep it
is, the lake will mix and turn over. If you
have a lot of chloride in the water, it gets
really heavy in the bottom and it won’t
flip over – and it can even sink down into
our ground water resources.”
This training was first held in February
2016 and attracted staff from
surrounding municipalities, in addition
to all City plow operators and staff who
work on street-related projects. All
attendees receive a five-year certification
from the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA).
While residents are welcome to attend,
the training is intended for snowplow
operators and private applicators. Wilson
encourages residents to spread the word
to area businesses, so that they in turn
can share this with private applicators
who they use to plow their driveways
and parking lots.
“There are several things we’re trying
to balance. Safety is the No. 1 concern
for our Public Works crew, and then
customer service is really a point of
pride for our City. So, we’re trying to
balance all of that in addition to the
environmental concerns,” said Wilson.
“It’s not a silver bullet – it’s not like you
attend the training and you have all the
answers. But this training really tries to
help people understand that there is a
balance you can find using less salt while
maintaining that high level of customer
service and safety.”
Edina is a part of both the Minnehaha
Creek and Nine Mile Creek watersheds.
Both creeks are polluted with chlorides,
which come from road salt and water
softeners.
No dates for the classes had been set as
of press time. If you would like to learn
more or sign up for classes, contact
Wilson at 952-826-0445 or
jwilson@EdinaMN.gov
If you see public areas with an abundance
of salt, please notify the City by using
the “Report A Problem” feature on the
City website, calling 952-826-0300 or
reporting it through the City’s mobile
app, Edina To Go.
5
By Dana Rademacher
It is crucial that each and every one of the more than 2,000
fire hydrants in Edina remains clear and accessible for
firefighters responding to a fire emergency. Being such an
important task, the City has partnered with the community
to help make this process more efficient with the Adopt-a-
Hydrant program.
It takes 20 turns to open a fire hydrant for use, which is why
keeping a clear three-foot radius is required by fire code
regulations. During an emergency, every moment counts,
and firefighters do not want to be delayed by obstructions.
While it may be tempting for homeowners with hydrants to
try to spruce up the area with decorative plants or flowers, it
may actually hinder a firefighter’s ability to reach and use the
hydrant.
“Each fire hydrant is capable of pumping 1,500 to 2,000
gallons of water per minute. Since we cannot transport all of
the water needed, we rely on fire hydrants,” explained Fire
Marshal Jeff Siems. “We typically pump the water we bring
on the engine in 30 seconds, making locating, connecting
and opening a fire hydrant as soon as possible critical for our
operations.”
It is especially important to keep this in mind with the winter
months fast approaching. After a heavy snowstorm, hydrants
can become covered or obstructed by the snow.
By adopting a fire hydrant, residents take on the
responsibility of caring for a hydrant in their area by keeping
it free of brush and other obstructions, and shoveling around
it after a snowstorm.
“The main intent of the program is to ensure that the fire
hydrant is ready for use at any time. This includes keeping a
three-foot clearance all the way around the hydrant,” added
Siems.
Residents can also help by volunteering to re-paint a hydrant.
Public Works will provide paint to anyone willing to paint a
fire hydrant, which only requires one can of fire-hydrant-red
spray paint. To pick up the paint, visit the Public Works &
Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd.
“Staff and public partnerships like the Adopt-a-Hydrant
program help foster a sense of stewardship for the
infrastructure while serving the pragmatic need of having
easily visible and accessible hydrants for public safety,” said
Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen.
To sign up yourself or your community organization to adopt
a fire hydrant, visit EdinaMN.gov/adopt-a-hydrant.
For more information, call the Edina Public Works
Department at 952-826-0376 or the Edina Fire-Rescue &
Inspections Department at 952-826-0330.
Serve the Community by Adopting a Hydrant
City Offers Training for
Snowplow Operators
6
By Dana Rademacher
A snow-filled wonderland can make Minnesota one of the
best places to live in the frigid winter months. However, the
excess snow can also cause severe traffic backups, undesirable
driving conditions and, sometimes, uncertainty about when
local streets will be plowed. Edina’s Snowplow Hotline helps
with that uncertainty.
Rolled out two winters ago, the Snowplow Hotline is a service
for residents to call throughout the winter to get up-to-date
snowplow schedules and information.
“It’s a really informative tool for residents,” said Streets
Supervisor John Scheerer. “Oftentimes, the media will cover
MnDOT’s plan for clearing highways, but they don’t usually
include Edina’s plans for local roads.”
When residents call the hotline, they will hear a voicemail
message that explains when Public Works plans to start
plowing and for how long they will plow.
“During a big storm event, sometimes our plows aren’t able to
get out right away,” explained Scheerer. “This gives people an
easy way to figure out when they can expect the streets to be
plowed.”
The two street supervisors, Shawn Anderson and Scheerer,
record the messages at any hour, even sometimes at 2 or 3
a.m. Having this service allows residents to stay alerted during
these storms, especially since it can be a safety concern.
During a heavy storm, Public Works institutes what they call
an “all-out-plow,” meaning staff from multiple divisions within
Public Works all go on the streets to clear the snow. This could
happen 20 to 30 times a winter.
“It’s dangerous to not plow, and massive snowfalls can lead to
property damage and traffic safety concerns. That’s why Edina
is more aggressive than other cities in getting the streets
plowed quickly,” Scheerer added.
Rest assured, this service will give you the updates when you
need them most. To access the alerts, call 952-826-1628.
For more information on the Snowplow Hotline, call Public
Works at 952-826-0376.
952-826-1628952-826-
Snowplow
Hotline Helps
Ease Winter Stress
SNOWPLOW HOTLINE
7
By Krystal Caron
Over the course of a year, the City
generally experiences between 25 and 30
watermain breaks. Though the City hopes
to avoid broken watermains, it’s an
expected part of life during a Minnesota
winter.
“There’s no way to prevent watermain
breaks. They are the result of earth
moving and shifting, and frost going into
the ground and frost coming out of the
ground in the spring,” explained Utility
Supervisor Gary Wells. “You’ll know there
is a watermain break when you see water
in the street. The water usually surfaces
because there is enough volume.”
It’s rare for watermain breaks to result
in water backing up into homes, but it
Dealing With a
Watermain Break
has happened in unique circumstances.
If you do see water pooling on your
street, call the Public Works Department
immediately. Public Works can be
reached at 952-826-
0375 between 7 a.m.
and 3:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Outside
those hours, contact
Police at 952-826-1610.
“It’s never too cold or
too late at night for us
to begin work on repairing a watermain.
This is always a priority because of the
public safety factor; you’ve got water
coming out onto the road, spreading out
and freezing,” said Wells.
After noticing a watermain break,
residents in the area will continue to
have normal water service until Public
Works staff arrive to shut down that
section of the watermain; notice is
usually given before water becomes
unavailable. Unless complications arise,
repairs usually are completed in as little
as three or four hours.
Wells urges residents to heed traffic
control signs and drive slowly through
the area of a watermain break.
“The biggest help to us is for drivers to
pay attention to traffic signs, especially if
we have to totally close down a road and
put up detours,” he said. “When we’re
digging down to the pipe to make the
repair, we usually have a hole that could
be 10 feet wide, 15 feet long and 8 feet
deep, so we want to be sure that vehicles
stay back from that area.”
For more information, contact Wells at
952-826-0316 or gwells@EdinaMN.gov.
‘The biggest help to us is for drivers to
pay attention to traffic signs, especially
if we have to totally close down a road
and put up detours.’
952-826-1628
8
Packed ice, snow and deep ruts wreak havoc on a car’s
suspension. With Edina’s winter parking regulations, the
Public Works Department is able to better remove snow and
ice to keep roads safe and in better condition.
“We benefit greatly from the winter parking hours,” said
Public Works Director Brian Olson. “They allow our Public
Works guys to start plowing immediately when overnight
snowfall occurs.”
Public Works employees take pride in clearing Edina’s streets
of snow and ice quickly. When cars obstruct the roadway,
it takes more time to clear the road, as it cannot be cleared
completely without removing the obstructing vehicle.
Long before plows take to the road, Edina Police Officers
patrol the City looking for obstructions.
“Towing vehicles is the last thing we want to do, but we
need to get the cars off the street after a snowfall of 1.5
inches or more,” said Edina Police Chief Dave Nelson.
“We do our best to get ahold of the vehicle owner before
towing.”
Plow drivers try to plow around vehicles left on the street,
but depending on the amount and nature of the snowfall,
complications with visibility often occur. Additionally,
vehicles left on the street may get blocked due to the way
plows push the snow.
Residents shouldn’t follow the ordinances just to ensure
streets are plowed well, but also to protect their vehicles.
“Plow drivers adjust their speed based on road conditions,
but they still need momentum to move snow,” said Public
Works Coordinator Dave Goergen. “With poor visibility, they
can easily hit vehicles parked on the street.”
Nelson said adherence to winter parking restrictions not only
helps plow drivers, but helps residents avoid a possible ticket
and tow.
According to local law, no vehicle may be parked on a street,
highway or alley under these conditions:
• From 1 to 6 a.m. Nov. 1 through March 31, regardless of
weather conditions.
• When 1.5 inches or more of snow has fallen. Once
streets and roadways have been plowed to the curb line,
residents can then park vehicles on designated roadways.
• For six hours after a snowfall has ended, unless City
traffic signs specifically allow vehicles to park on
roadways.
For more information about winter parking ordinances,
contact the Police Department at 952-826-1610.
Winter Parking Rules Keep Streets Clear of Snow
No parking on
the street from
1 to 6 a.m. Nov. 1
through
March 31.
9
By Dawn Wills
While a major snowfall means extra
shoveling for adults, children see it as
an opportunity to climb, build and slide
on the mountains of white stuff. It’s
important for all residents to remember
the potential dangers that come with
winter fun, especially snow forts and
tunnels.
Many children like to build their
structures in the largest drifts of snow,
which are oftentimes alongside the
road due to piles created by snowplows.
Snow Forts
are a Hidden
Winter Hazard
However, it’s because of the plows that
adults should remind children this is a
dangerous place to be.
Children tend to make the entry points
of their structures off of their driveway
away from the direction snowplow
drivers approach. Snowplow drivers
cannot tell the difference between a
snowdrift with or without a fort, unless
there is a visible sign of activity such
as shovels or sleds lying outside. From
inside a fort, most noise is muffled, so
there is no indication of an approaching
plow. City snowplow drivers usually have
no idea a child is burrowing inside a
snowbank.
“Drivers have five to six levers and
buttons in the truck to operate the wings,
plows and sander or salt spreaders,”
said Street Supervisor John Scheerer.
“They have to pay attention to traffic and
sometimes they have already put in a
long shift on the road.”
‘Every year,
across the country
during the winter
months, there are
news stories about
the tragic loss
of life involving
children playing
on roadside
snowbanks ... ’
“Every year, across the country during
the winter months, there are news
stories about the tragic loss of life
involving children playing on roadside
snowbanks and snow forts that can
either collapse or be hit by a snowplow,”
said Edina Police Chief Dave Nelson.
“Parents should talk to their children
about the dangers of roadside snow
banks and snow forts.”
Children should not play on roadside
snowbanks or ditch slopes. Do not use
these areas for sledding or sliding. The
driver of a snowplow or other vehicle
may not see a child. “We have a great
park system with plenty of sledding hills.
Kids can have fun without being along
the side of the roadway,” said Scheerer.
Children also should not be left alone
while they’re playing outside. Younger
children should always be well supervised
outdoors. Even if a parent is not
supervising them, a child who is playing
with a friend can call for help, and that
could be the difference between life and
death.
For more information, contact the Public
Works Department at 952-826-0376.
10
Keep Sidewalks
Clear During
Winter Months
10
By Kaylin Eidsness
11
The City plows roughly 25 of 77 miles of sidewalk within Edina, clearing snow for safe and efficient travel during the winter months. Property owners are tasked with removing the remaining snow from sidewalks that border their land.
Edina City Code states, “All snow and ice shall be removed from a sidewalk by the owner of the property adjoining the sidewalk within 48 hours of the cessation of the precipitation.”
“The City operates on a complaint basis,
which is important when you talk about
uniformity of enforcement,” said Public
Works Director Brian Olson. “The City
doesn’t want to create work for people,
but at the same time, if nine out of 10
people shovel their sidewalk, but that
10th person doesn’t, it basically renders
the sidewalk useless.”
Blocked paths can create problems for those navigating sidewalks.
“If residents don’t clear the snow from their sidewalks, pedestrians have difficulty walking through the snow – especially the elderly or disabled. With no other option, people are left to walk in the street, which is a dangerous choice,” said Transportation Planner Mark Nolan.
Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson
emphasized the importance of avoiding
the danger of kids walking in busy streets
because sidewalks were not cleared.
But, it’s not only younger residents who benefit from cleared sidewalks; emergency personnel, postal workers and delivery people count on sidewalks being clear and ice-free to do their jobs in a safe and effective manner.
The City may send a letter prompting snow removal if a sidewalk isn’t cleared by a property owner within 48 hours of a snowfall. The City will eventually clear the sidewalk and assess the cost to the property owner in the event that snow is not removed in a timely matter.
State-funded sidewalks, due
to higher amounts of traffic,
are cleared by the City. These
sidewalks include the ones bordering
50th & France; they are wider and more
accessible, making it easier for Public
Works employees to maintain.
Residents are encouraged to reach out to and assist fellow neighbors, friends and family if they are unable to clear their own sidewalks.
“Neighbors helping neighbors is something we always encourage,” said Anderson.
As well as clearing sidewalks, residents
are obligated to abide by City ordinances
when hiring private contractors to
handle their snow removal needs.
Private plows must not deposit snow
onto or across a roadway. Any snow that
is removed from a sidewalk or driveway must remain on that property or be hauled away at the property owner’s expense.
Property owners will receive a warning letter for violations on the first offense. For a second offense, the City may issue the property owner a fine of up to $700.
The City has a list of organizations
and groups that provide snow
removal services. One service the City
recommends is the H.O.M.E Program
(Household & Outside Maintenance for
Elderly), a program that “mobilizes open-
hearted people to bring you affordable
home maintenance and chore services
delivered by trusted professionals and
community volunteers.”
For more information on the H.O.M.E. program, visit seniorcommunity.org or call 952-541-1019.
For more information on the Public Works Department’s removal of snow, contact Anderson at 952-826-0313.
Residents are encouraged to reach
out to and assist fellow neighbors,
friends and family if they are unable
to clear their own sidewalks.
Edina Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility ∙ 7450 Metro Blvd. ∙ Edina, MN 55439 ∙ 952-826-0376 ∙ Open 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
It’s easy to forget about your mailbox
when getting your home ready for winter. However, a little maintenance can help extend its life.
When clearing the streets following
a snowfall, snowplow operators take
great care not to damage property. On
rare occasions, a plow might tip over or
cause structural damage to a residential
mailbox.
“Most mailbox damage is the result of rotten posts or a mailbox poorly anchored to the post,” said Streets Supervisor John Scheerer, who also reminds residents to check their mailbox post close to the ground for signs of wear and rotting. Such damage weakens a mailbox, and lowers its chances of making it through the winter.
If damage is reported, complaints are
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If
an inspection determines the cause
of damage was a collision with a City
Maintenance
Extends Life of
Mailbox
plow or equipment, the Public Works Department’s Streets Division will install a standard size, non-decorative metal mailbox. If necessary, a 4-by-4 inch, decay-resistant wood support post will also be installed in the spring. Alternatively, the City will reimburse a homeowner $50 for a replacement box and post.
In most cases, winter mailbox damage is the result of heavy snow or excessive ice. In these cases, the homeowner is responsible for repairs. Likewise, if a mailbox is made unserviceable by age or lack of maintenance, the City is not responsible for the purchase or installation of a replacement.
During the winter months, residents
should monitor the quantity of snow
and debris surrounding their mailboxes.
After City plows have removed snow
from streets, residents should clear snow
surrounding the mailbox. According to
the U.S. Postal Service, failure to keep
the area in front of the mailbox safe for
mail carriers may cause disruption in mail
service.
For more information, contact the City of Edina Public Works Department at 952-826-0376. To report a problem, use the Edina To Go app or visit EdinaMN.gov/report-problem.
– Compiled by Kaylin Eidsness