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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitySlick_May_2012by David Katz, Communications Intern Patriotism is much more than parades and flags, and supporting the troops requires more than just a pin or bumper sticker. A high accolade bestowed recently on the City of Edina shows that we understand the truth of this quite well. Earlier this spring, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, granted the City of Edina its distinguished Pro Patria Award in recognition of its wholehearted and sustained support for City- employed Guard and Reservists. “While certain expectations are dictated by federal and state law, some employers, like Edina, really go above and beyond in supporting us during and after deployment,” said Kevin Rofidal, Training Officer with the Edina Police Department. Rofidal is active with the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Duluth and in January submitted the Pro Patria nomination on the City’s behalf. ESGR awards are bestowed to organizations in the private and public sectors to recognize actions taken and policies instituted in support of staff active in the National Guard or National Reserve. In the last five years, ESGR has bestowed on the City every accolade it gives at the state level – and most more than once. The ESGR Minnesota chapter will bestow this most recent and pinnacle state award on the City of Edina Monday, May 21, at its annual banquet in Minnetonka. Rofidal and Brandon Kuske, Edina Police Department Retail Crime Investigator and member of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Upper Mississippi River Sector out of St. Paul, will be on hand to accept it. In addition to the Pro Patria Award, a regional ESGR committee singled out the City as one of only two Minnesota employers worthy of being placed in the national running for the highest-grade employer distinction granted by the Department of Defense, the prestigious “Freedom Award.” Winners will be announced later this year. For more information, call Rofidal at 952-826-0489. A newsletter for the City Council and employees of the City of Edina CITYSLICK p1 Volume 15.8 5|11|2012 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 Around The Water Cooler 3 A Day In The Life ... 4 Where Are They Now? 4 Techy Tidbits May 12, Tom, Police May 13, John, Public Works May 13, Kristin, Parks & Recreation May 15, Susie, Braemar Arena May 17, Jim, Braemar Golf Course May 17, Brian, Police May 18, Aaron, Engineering May 18, David, Public Works May 19, Matthew, Public Works May 19, Gunnar, Public Works May 19, Shaun, Fire May 20, Tom, Police May 23, Daniel, Police May 23, Brian, Police May 24, Vince, Public Works May 25, David, Police May 27, Todd, Fire May 28, David, Public Works May 30, Vik, Police May 30, Dean, Public Works City Recognized for its Dedication to Employees in Uniform CAUGHT IN THE ACT A group of City of Edina employees has formed a team to play in the men’s softball league, which began May 3, at Van Valkenburg Park on Thursday nights. The first game was so much fun! The City team, the Clippers came from behind beginning in the top of the seventh inning with the other team ahead by three. At the bottom of the seventh inning, the opposing team hit a home run and with the runners on base, the Clippers lost by one run. Visit www.EdinaParks.com for the softball schedule and stats. Come on out to cheer them on! CITYSLICK p2 Centennial Lakes Park The Centennial Lakes Park putting course, lawn games area and paddleboats are now open for the season! Come out and enjoy the fun! Spring hours are 2 p.m. to sunset Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to sunset Saturday and noon to sunset Sunday. Edina Art Center Greet spring with a new piece of garden art! The Art Center’s eighth Garden Sale will be held May 17 through June 20 in the Margaret Foss Gallery. An opening reception will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 17. See stunning creations from local artists from myriad disciplines ranging from unique pottery and sculptural pieces to two-dimensional art with garden or botanical themes. Perhaps a fountain will fill your garden with the soothing sounds of running water and provide a focal point for a shady nook, or a sculpted clay or metal Faerie House is needed to peek from among your impatiens. Perhaps a toad house will attract an amphibian to control the slugs in the hostas. And, of course, one can never have too many vases to display garden blooms indoors! Edina Aquatic Center Edina Aquatic Center staff is anxiously awaiting the addition of the FlowRider this summer! Construction should be completed May 17. The FlowRider is a new, separate attraction. A FlowRider is a wave simulator that allows a person to body board or surf. Not only does it give people the chance to try body boarding and surfing, it opens the door to a whole new sport for some – flowboarding. Staff is very excited to say we have the first outdoor FlowRider in Minnesota. Edina’s will be called “The Lost Wave.” This summer, we are thrilled to offer all City employees an additional discount on season passes. We are offering all employees the Edina resident rate of $5 off each pass. We can’t wait to see you on The Lost Wave this summer! Also, the Aquatic Center is jumping on the Peak Café bandwagon and will offer healthier alternatives. Our menu is almost finalized and we are pleased to offer choices that are “better for you.” We are also in the midst of giving our concessions stand a name and are eager to continue with the pirate theme. The Communications & Technology Services Department has been helpful in the naming process. If you have any great ideas for the name of the concession stand, please send them our way. Fire The Edina Fire Department is in the process of hiring paid-on-call firefighters, sometimes referred to as “volunteer” firefighters. Do you know someone who is looking for more excitement, lives within 10 minutes of Fire Station No. 1 (6250 Tracy Ave.) and can pass physical skills test? Urge them to apply before May 18. The Fire Department is also working with local businesses to locate Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in the City. Businesses have been asked to supply the location of their AEDs. They will be added into the 9-1-1 Communications Center’s computer for that business address. If someone calls in to report a cardiac arrest at that location, the dispatcher can tell the caller where an AED may be located. The use of an AED can significantly increase a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest if used within the first two minutes. Edina was ranked No. 1 in the nation for cardiac arrest survival by the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). Human Resources The Human Resources Department is working to make some exciting changes to our annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. As a result, the event has been pushed back until the fall. The date of the event will be announced in a future issue of City Slick. Police Congratulations to members of our Edina/ Eden Prairie Law Enforcement Explorer Post 925, who took home three trophies from the 37th-annual Minnesota Law Enforcement Exploring Conference last month in Rochester, Minn. Post 925 placed first in “Burglary Response” and second in the “Traffic Accident” competitions. Captain of Post 925 AROUND THE WATER COOLER Following is a summary of some of the projects of some departments, divisions and facilities. Other areas of the City will be featured in upcoming issues. Continued on Page 3 ... EMPLOYEE MILESTONES Kristin Aarsvold, Parks & Recreation, 5 years. (May 29, 2007) Lynette Biunno, Communications & Technology Services, 5 years. (May 8, 2007) Joy Iskierka, Police, 15 years. (May 28, 1997) CITYSLICK p3 The move to computers has helped Hoogenakker in her daily tasks, such as creating Planning Commission meeting minutes and drafting letters to residents for zoning ordinances or public hearing notices. Luckily, she has had many coworkers to evolve with over the years. “I have worked for such a long time with many of my coworkers, it just feels like a second home here,” Hoogenakker said. She said the biggest, most interesting project she has helped work on was the development of Centennial Lakes. The development used to be part of a gravel pit the City decided to turn into a multi-use development that included a park in the late 1980s. “It was really neat to see the area change and see how much it has changed since then,” she said. “Being a past resident, it is even more interesting.” Hoogenakker currently lives in Minnetonka. She has two daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson. Her grandson, Blake, is currently serving a term in Afghanistan. In her time away from her work family, she enjoys walking, going to movies and riding horses. For more information, contact the Planning Division at 952-826-0369. A lot can change over the course of 27 years. Administrative Assistant for the Planning Division, Jackie Hoogenakker has been at City Hall to witness all those changes in Edina. From the development and redevelopment of the City, to moving into the newly built City Hall, she has seen a lot in her career. Hoogenakker began with the City’s Planning Department in 1985. She grew up in the Edina/Southwest Minneapolis area and attended a two-year program at St. Catherine’s University for special education teaching. Before starting with the City, she worked as a special education teacher for children with cerebral palsy in St. Louis Park. When the school decided to move to Northeast Minneapolis in 1985, she decided it was time for a change. “I didn’t want to drive all the way to Northeast and be that far away from my kids,” Hoogenakker said. “I saw an ad in the paper with Edina, applied for it and got it.” Shortly after beginning work for the City, she had to transition into the age of technology as the City adopted computers. “When I started, everything was still typed out with typewriters,” Hoogenakker said. She was quickly able to adapt and learn new systems, including LOGIS and GIS applications. ‘I have worked for such a long time with many of my coworkers, it just feels like a second home here.’ A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ...PLANNING DIVISION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JACKIE HOOGENAKKER by Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Coordinator Dave Norr also placed first in the Rapid Fire Shoot competition for individual Explorers. More than 900 Explorers from Minnesota and the surrounding states competed at the annual statewide conference. Communications Specialist Taunya Hegyi recently received the Police Department’s Distinguished Service Award after taking an intense call from a hysterical mother whose son was contemplating suicide. When officers eventually located the son, he had already taken his own life and lifesaving attempts were not possible. “Hegyi did an exceptional job of handling all aspects of this call by obtaining and relaying critical information to responding units while consoling the distraught caller,” said Lead Dispatcher Tony Martin. “Hegyi exemplified top tier of phone communications, dispatching and the ability to hold the entire call together in a highly stressful and possibly fatal situation.” Around the Water Cooler Continued from Page 2 ... CITYSLICK p4 by David Katz, Communications Intern In his four decades as a Utility Specialist with the City of Edina, Dick Oestereich built up an impressive and diverse skill set. When he retired in December 2008, he made it an early priority to apply much of that expertise to a pet project: remodeling his own house. He is particularly fond of the aspects that take him outdoors in good weather. In addition to refurbishments, Oestereich enjoys yard work and going on long runs – two activities that this year’s mild winter has allowed much of. “My wife retired last June, so we go on a lot of our runs together now,” Oestereich added. Record- breaking winter and spring temperatures are also conducive to neighborhood block parties and get-togethers, another of the Oestereichs’ favored pastimes. Oestereich is also actively involved with community causes. He volunteers with Fare For All, a Minneapolis-based beganemployment:1970 WHERE ARETHEY NOW? year ofretirement:2008 present TECHY TIDBITS by Katie Bisek, Network Support Specialist Please remember to try to troubleshoot issues with technology on your own. Should you or a member of your staff still require technical assistance after troubleshooting, send an email to helpdesk@EdinaMN.gov or call 952-903-5711. When possible, restart your computer and attempt the procedure you were trying before. Don’t just log off. You must completely restart. Some troubleshooting tips were offered in the April issue of City Slick. Here are some more: 1) Stand-Alone Credit Card Terminal • If your terminal seems inoperable, attempt the following: Unplug the power cable from the bottom for one minute. Plug the power cable back in and allow the terminal to reboot. Try the transaction again. If unsuccessful, attempt to contact a member of the I.T. Division. If there is no staff available, please call the 800 number on the side of the terminal and customer service will begin the troubleshooting process with you. 2) Spyware/Malware • If you get a window stating that your computer is infected and does not say Symantec AntiVirus in the title bar, your computer may potentially be infected with spyware/malware. If comfortable, attempt the following: Part One a) Write down in detail what you were doing and press the print screen button on your keyboard. b) Call the Help Desk at 952-903-5711 and leave a message if there is no answer or email helpdesk@EdinaMN.gov. c) Press the Windows button on your keyboard and the Start Menu should appear. d) If possible, navigate to Programs/Accessories/Paint. e) Once in Paint, press the Ctrl + V keys to paste the print screen into the window. f) Save the newly pasted print screen to your desktop. Part Two If you are concerned about losing anything you are working on, you may try the following: a) Press the Alt and Tab keys to switch windows until you see the program in which you were working. b) Attempt to save your work and exit the program. c) Repeat the above steps for any other work that you need to save. Call the Help Desk line again and stop using the computer. Do nothing else on it unless otherwise directed by an I.T. staff member. Each month, I.T. staff will highlight in “Techy Tidbits” some commonly asked technical questions they receive from staff around the City. If you have questions you’d like answered in Techy Tidbits, send an email to EDInformationTechnology@EdinaMN.gov or leave a message at 952-903-5711. program of the Emergency Food Shelf Network aiming to make fresh, nutritious foods available and affordable for all metro residents. “We want to knock down some of the barriers separating people from breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said. “One thing they do is buy in bulk, as a wholesaler, to keep prices low. They also stock a food pantry.” Fare for All offers an incredibly rewarding, if sometimes tiring, volunteer experience, Oestereich says. But it’s so far proving no more tiring, he adds, than another duty for which he is often enlisted: “puppy sitting” his daughter’s very lively cocker spaniel, Duke. “Where Are They Now?” is a new feature meant to give employees an idea of what their former colleagues are doing in retirement. If you know of a retiree who might want to be featured in “Where Are They Now?,” call 952-833-9522.