HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-14 Town Hall Mtng MINUTES
OF THE TOWN HALL MEETING
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT EDINA SENIOR CENTER
APRIL 14, 2012
10:00 A.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room of the Edina Senior Center.
Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Brindle,Sprague, Swenson and Mayor Hovland.
Staff attending the meeting included: Susan Howl, Administrative Assistant; Karen Kurt, Assistant City
Manager; Debra Mangen,City Clerk; and Scott Neal, City Manager.
Mayor Hovland stated the purpose of the meeting was to allow citizens to share their views and concerns with
members of the City Council in a less formal setting than during regular meetings.
Cliff Wexler, 4405 44th Street, asked the Council to address the problem with newspaper advertisements
thrown onto driveways when residents do not subscribe to the paper. Mr. Wexler complimented the City of its
use of the internet recalling he used an online form to report a small hole in his street. He was pleasantly
surprised to have the hole taken care of in a very timely manner.
John Cashmore, 5313 Chantrey Road, commented that he has also received these 'throw away'
advertisements stating the paper usually includes one human interest story amongst the ads which allows
them to distribute the supplement since it is a 'publication'. Mr. Cashmore also noted as a member of the
City's Human Rights and Relations Commission that work done by sub-committees allows the HRRC to be more
productive during its regular meetings.
Bruce Kieffer, 5404 Edenmoor Street asked about trains through Edina referring to a recent Star Tribune article
which referred to a "trolley on tracks". The Council discussed with Mr. Kieffer its limited ability to direct or
control anything the railroad chose to do with tracks it owned and operated. Mr. Kieffer commented on
confusion caused by the street names of Eden, Link and Sherwood in his Richmond Hills neighborhood. He
referred to the proposal of the Grandview Small Area Redevelopment Framework and noted the
neighborhood's consternation with a proposal to shift access to the neighborhood from Eden Avenue to via
Grandview Square and/or from Vernon Avenue directly via West 53rd Street. He also stated that he thinks the
Grandview Development Framework is a fantastic vision, but that while he thinks any new development would
be an improvement in the Grandview area, if tall buildings are to be built, he'd rather see nothing done.
Ron Erhardt, 4214 Sunnyside Road, asked how the City intended to protect lives with 'at grade' crossings on
France Avenue, The Council and Mr. Erhardt as well as other audience participants engaged in discussion of
proposed intersection improvements on France Avenue. He also asked if the City Council planned to take a
position on whether the portion of Edina in the Hopkins School District should be moved into the Edina School
District. The Council stated it would discuss this at a work session with the school board but would not take a
position unless requested to do so by the school district.
Bob Kojetin, 5016 William Avenue, commented that when he was in Marco Island, some crosswalks had
pedestrian activated lights that could be activated built into the crosswalks. Mr. Kojetin also commented on
communication between the Council and its Boards and Commissions and asked whether City meetings would
be broadcast on satellite television. Manager Neal responded that cable content could not be broadcast on
satellite TV.
Alan Mironer, Grandview Square, noted he and his wife moved to Edina from Bedford, Massachusetts to be
near family. They were enjoying life in Edina and lived in Grandview Square Condos.
Minutes/Edina City Council Town Hall Meeting/April 14, 2012
Jane Fuegner commented on the lack of parking at the Senior Center. Member Brindle responded to her issue
noting that it was her hope a nearby clinic would get employees to park in a different location perhaps freeing
spaces closer to the library and Senior Center. Member Bennett stated that an immediate solution would be to
place time limitations on parking on Eden Avenue in front of the library in order to reduce commuter parking
and free spaces for library parking.
The Council and the group of eight residents had a free flowing discussion that included: the proposed
improvements to the Southdale Center,the Grandview Small Area Redevelopment Framework, and some need
for speed limit enforcement in Edina.
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, J &,.a awe,
Debra A. Man en, t Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council, May 1, 2012
James B. Hovland, Mayor
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