HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-21 Wk Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
JUNE 21, 2011
5:36 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall.
Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Sprague, Swenson and Mayor Hovland.
Staff attending the meeting included: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director;
Kaylin Martin, Communications Assistant/Crime Prevention Coordinator; Scott Neal, City Manager;
Joyce Repya, Associate Planner; Cell Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; and Cary Teague,
Planning Director.
Mayor Hovland said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the concept of City support of
organized neighborhood associations.
Manager Neal introduced Marney'Olson, the City of St. Louis Park's Community Liaison, who
provided a historical overview of St. Louis Park's program, reporting that the block captain and
Neighborhood Home Watch program began in St. Louis Park in the 1980s. In 1992, a
Neighborhood Revitalization Commission was established. In 1996, a pilot grant program was
initiated to provide some funds to organized neighborhood associations. In 1998, a full-time staff
position was created to support the work of the program.
The program was established to create a stronger sense of community within neighborhoods,
improve the appearance of neighborhoods, improve security and help residents achieve a high
quality of life, according to Olson.
The City of St. Louis Park established boundaries for 35 different neighborhoods that include all of the
households in the city. Of those, Olson said approximately 27 of the neighborhoods were organized.
Neighborhoods vary in size from 200 or so households to more than 2,000. The St. Louis Park
Comprehensive Plan calls for plans by neighborhood and the Police Department tracks calls by
neighborhood.
The City of St. Louis Park prints newsletters and fliers, provides speakers as requested at
neighborhood events and meetings, provides a standardized web page on its City website, erects
signage in the neighborhood and gives associations free use of park building and public facilities
for meetings and events. In addition, neighborhoods can apply for grants to pay for such things as
mailings, websites, service project materials and community-building events. Olson said that
$31,000 was made available in grants in 2011.
Neighborhoods must have bylaws and at a minimum hold an in-person annual meeting in order to
be eligible for the City of St. Louis Park's program.
Minutes—Work Session/Edina City Council/June 21, 2011
Council members asked questions about neighborhood association bylaws, grants and insurance.
Mayor Hovland said it was important for the City to understand how many Edina neighborhoods
were already organized or interested in organizing.
Council members indicated their general support for City support of organized neighborhood
associations in Edina and directed staff to report back with a proposed structure of City support, a
process for defining neighborhood boundaries and timeline.
There being no further business, Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
J nifer iVennerotte, nications & Marketing Director
Minutes approved by Edina City Council,July 5, 2011
James B. Hov and, Mayor
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