HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdinaFeb2018Annual Valentine’s Concert
to be Held Feb. 10
Plan a Date Night with Your Sweetheart and
Dance the Night Away
The fourth-annual Valentine’s Concert, presented by the City
of Edina Arts & Culture Commission and featuring The Rockin’
Hollywoods, will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Concert
goers are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the
evening. The event is free to attend and will be held at Braemar
Golf Course Clubhouse, 6364 John Harris Drive.
“This is always a really wonderful event; it’s been a packed
house each year,” said Edina Art Center General Manager
Michael Frey and staff liaison for the Arts & Culture
Commission. “The Rockin’ Hollywoods are a great band that is
known for playing the music of the ‘50s through today, though
they really excel with the music from the ‘50s and ‘60s. People
who come to this always love to dance.”
Amy Smith, Business Manager at Braemar Golf Course, has
helped plan this annual concert and is always pleased to see the
variety of people who attend.
“It is a really fun event with a lot of energy. We see people of all
ages attend. The Rockin’ Hollywoods have a following of people
who come. We get some families that come to dance and then
there are always some Valentine’s Day revelers,” she said.
The event is open to the public; no registration required.
Beverages, including beer, wine and soft drinks, will be available
for purchase.
For more information, visit EdinaArtCenter.com.
Edition: Edina
FEBRUARY 2018
Volume 5, Issue 2
Council Approves
Braemar Park Master Plan
City Must Prioritize Projects,
Identify Funding
The largest recreational space in Edina could one day include
mountain bike and ski trails and much more.
The City Council approved a master plan for Braemar Park
in January. At 500 acres, the Park is home to Braemar Golf
Course, Braemar Golf Dome, Braemar Arena, Braemar Field,
Courtney Fields Complex and the South Metro Public Safety
Training Facility.
The master plan includes pedestrian, mountain bike and cross-
country ski trails, natural resource restoration and improved
parking and access to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena
and Courtney Fields.
Parks & Recreation will now work to prioritize the projects in
the master plan and identify possible funding sources.
In other business last month, the Council:
• Appointed Mary Brindle Mayor Pro Tem.
• Accepted a $100,000 donation from the Edina Baseball
Association. Matched with City funds and a grant from the
Hennepin County Youth Sports Program, the money will be
used for a lighting project at Courtney Fields.
• Selected investment advisory firm Advantus to manage
about $20 million of the City’s portfolio.
• Set the meeting dates for 2018 Town Hall meetings for
April 21 and Nov. 17.
• Received a report on the design of Arden Park. The current
design phase focuses on creek alignment, stormwater
management and enhancement of natural resources.
The Council will meet this month at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and 21.
For more information on the activities of the City Council,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
Photo by Suzanne M. Wortham-RessemanSkating in the Park!
People enjoyed ice skating at Centennial Lakes Park at the Winter Ice Festival in January.
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., and the City’s other outdoor rinks are great
places to get out and enjoy Edina. The rinks typically close sometime in February.
Please call the ice rink hotline at 952-833-9586 or visit EdinaParks.com for updates.
4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Annual Edina Liquor Profits Are Rising
Cost Reductions Mean Profits Increase
Edina Awarded Nearly $3 Million in Grants
The Avenue on France, Edina Collaborative to Receive Funding
The Rockin’ Hollywoods will again perform at the annual
Valentine’s Concert on Feb. 10 at Braemar Golf Course. Submitted PhotoEdina Liquor had a big year in 2017.
Throughout 2017, staff have implemented
several changes to increase profitability
and improve the customer experience.
Changes include a revised staffing structure,
centralized purchasing and pricing, new
point-of-sale system and targeted marketing.
While final numbers won’t be available until
after the City’s audit is complete, the City is
already seeing improved results.
“The biggest change we made was in our
buying practices. We now use a centralized
buying approach,” said General Manager
Josh Furbish, explaining that
each of the three stores used
to handle its own buying. Now,
the responsibility is handled by
Greg “Woody” Keehr, Assistant
General Manager and Purchasing
Manager for Edina Liquor.
With a more efficient buying process and
improved communication with vendors,
Furbish and Keehr were able to reduce
expenses even more. “Our cost reduction
from a product standpoint is going to be
close to $300,000,” said Furbish. “We still
have the same volume of products, but that
really allowed us to maintain a competitive
advantage from a pricing perspective.”
Edina Liquor reached profits of more than
$1 million from 2012 to 2014. In 2015,
increased competition in the market and
construction at one of the stores led to
a drop in profits. Since that time, staff
has been working to get back to the
$1 million mark.
Through all the improvements, Furbish is
most proud of one thing: keeping prices
competitive. “We never had to raise
prices. The most important thing to us was
protecting the value that our customers get
when they walk through the door.”
In 2017, profits were used to subsidize
operations of Braemar Arena, Braemar Golf
Course, Centennial Lakes Park and the Edina
Art Center. Similar transfers
are expected again this year.
Profits exceeding the transfer
can be used for reserves or to
fund the City’s needed capital
improvement projects.
In 2018, Furbish hopes to keep improving
the customer experience and make Edina
Liquor even more efficient. “We’re looking
to launch e-commerce and a delivery service
in 2018 and a loyalty program,” Furbish said.
Furbish and Keehr think 2018 will be another
big year to keep the profits pouring back
into the community.
Edina Liquor has locations at 3943 West
50th St., 5013 Vernon Ave. and 6755
York Ave. S. For more information, visit
EdinaLiquor.com.
The Metropolitan Council recently awarded
the City nearly $3 million in Livable
Communities funding for two development
projects. The projects, The Avenue on
France and the Edina Collaborative, are
among six throughout the Twin Cities
awarded funding for promoting economic
development and housing opportunities.
Edina will receive $1.3 million for The
Avenue on France, a redevelopment of
a 22-acre office park on France Avenue
into retail, office and residential uses. The
City and the developer will also receive
$1,441,565 toward the redevelopment on
Market Street in downtown Edina, including
retail and housing.
“The City of Edina’s two awards this
round demonstrate its well-documented
commitment to building high-quality
mixed-use development,” said Steve Elkins,
Metropolitan Council Member for District
5, which includes Edina. “The Avenue
on France will also include an innovative
stormwater management feature that
complements the City’s and [Metropolitan]
Council’s water infrastructure goals.”
Mayor Jim Hovland showed appreciation for
the grants. “We are thrilled to receive the
two grants from the Metropolitan Council,”
he said. “These are two wonderful projects
that will help transition Edina into the next
half-century.”
Other cities awarded these grants include
Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Roseville.
Edition: Edi na FEBRUARY 2018
4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 | 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.gov
BY THE NUMBERS
Edina Fire Department
The Edina Fire Department handles a lot more than fires. From
car crashes to heart attacks, fire inspections to false alarms, Fire
Department staff respond around the clock to keep Edina safe.
They also participate in numerous community events to share
messages of fire safety. In 2017, the Edina Fire Department
responded to 5,728 calls, up from 5,339 in 2016.
2,694
Braemar Field Holds Weekly Programs
for All Ages
Escape the Cold with Tot Time and Family Night
Get out of your winter bunker and let the
kids run at Braemar Field for family-friendly
programs like Tot Time.
“It would be more fun for Max if more kids
came to Tot Time. Grownups can only do so
much when it comes to these toys. You can’t
compete with a kid’s imagination,” said Kelly
Beguelin, a nanny who brings 3-year-old Max
to Tot Time at Braemar Field, 7509 Ikola Way.
Tot Time is for the littlest tykes who want to
enjoy the dome to themselves every Monday
and Wednesday morning from 9 to 11 a.m.
through April 25. Age-appropriate toys are
provided each day. Tunnels, climbing blocks,
balls and more are available for kids to use.
The field is open for Tot Time and parents
often enjoy running around in the field
alongside the kids.
“I love the open field time the most,” said Zach
Kobany, a father who brings 2-year-old Zoe and
4-year-old Ace to play during Tot Time.
Kobany takes advantage of the 10-pass punch
card for a season of Tot Time. At $50, the cost
per visit breaks down to $5 per child. Programs
like Family Night and Open Soccer can also be
used with the 10-pass punch card.
Family Night at the field is every Saturday
night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through April 28.
Families spend quality time together running
laps, playing in the open field or taking turns
in the batting cages. Children 14 years of age
or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Team practices are not allowed at this open
field time.
“It’s a great opportunity for families to get out
and get active. Family Night is pretty popular
for families looking to break up their night with
some open field time,” said Braemar Arena &
Field General Manager Chad Eischens.
For more information on Tot Time, Family Night
or any other programs at Braemar Field, call
952-833-9500 or visit BraemarField.com.
Upcoming Events
Recurring Events:
Open Soccer, Braemar Field
9:30-11 p.m. Sundays
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Tot Time, Braemar Field
9-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays
Family Night, Braemar Field
6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturdays
Thursday, Feb. 1, 6-9 a.m.
Developmental Hockey, Braemar Arena
Thursday, Feb. 1, 11:10 a.m.-1:10 p.m.
Open Skating, Braemar Arena
Thursday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-noon
Social Worker, Senior Center
Friday, Feb. 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Preschool Play-A-Day Class by Stages Theater,
Edinborough Park
Friday, Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Podiatrist, Senior Center
Sunday, Feb. 4, 1-2:30 p.m.
Open Skating, Braemar Arena
Friday, Feb. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Preschool Play-A-Day Class by Stages Theater,
Edinborough Park
Saturday, Feb. 10, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Valentine’s Day Craft Party, Senior Center
Saturday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.
The Valentine’s Concert, Braemar Golf Course Clubhouse
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 10:15-11 a.m.
Sing, Play, Learn Class by MacPhail Center for Music,
Edinborough Park
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6:30-9 p.m.
Valentine’s Date Night, Edina Art Center
Friday, Feb. 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Preschool Play-A-Day Class by Stages Theater,
Edinborough Park
Monday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Open Dome, Braemar Field
Tuesday, Feb. 20, All Day
No-School Open Hockey, Braemar Arena
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1-5 p.m.
Open Dome, Braemar Field
Friday, Feb. 23, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Preschool Play-A-Day Class by Stages Theater,
Edinborough Park
Saturday, Feb. 24, 8-9:30 p.m.
Game Night, Braemar Field
Sunday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m.
Outdoor Ice Rinks Scheduled to Close for the Season
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 10:15-11 a.m.
Sing, Play, Learn Class by MacPhail Center for Music,
Edinborough Park
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
State of the Community, Edina Country Club
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Blood Drive, Edina City Hall
For a complete listing of meetings and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
EdinaMN.gov/50thandFrance
*Hours may be adjusted.
FREE VALET
Mondays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.*
West 50th Street & Halifax Avenue
Market Street & France Avenue
104
Height ladder truck
can reach, in feet.
3
348
Number of licensed
ambulances, plus a
paramedic engine.
false alarms
responded to in 2017.Fire inspections conducted last year.
EMS calls for the year.
4,511
Number of calls about fires in 2017.
1,217
Of those
calls for fires,
number that
involved
actual
structures.
4 0
File PhotoSummer Program
Registration Begins
Feb. 20
Registration for another season
of parks and recreation programs
begins 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Make plans for an active spring
and summer with programs trips,
camps and lessons for the whole
family. Register at EdinaParks.com.
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov