HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina May 2020Edition: Edina
MAY 2020
Volume 7, Issue 6Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
Stay Healthy
Wash your hands with hot, soapy water for
at least 20 seconds, cover your coughs and
sneezes, practice social distancing and stay
home if you are sick.
Stay Informed
To get reliable and updated information about
COVID-19, refer to the Minnesota Department
of Health, CDC or your health provider.
Challenge the Stigma
Sharing facts and accurate information
about COVID-19 helps challenge rumors and
stereotypes that have been negatively associated
with racial and cultural groups or people
wearing facemasks. There have been incidents
of discrimination, bias and hate reported around
the world during the pandemic.
If you believe you are a victim of a hate crime
because of fear around COVID-19, contact the
Edina Police Department, 952-826-1610.
If you feel you have experienced discrimination
within the City’s services, facilities or institution,
contact Race & Equity Coordinator Heidi Lee,
952-826-1622.
Edina COVID-19 Resource Hotline
952-826-0370
Resources for businesses, residents
and seniors can be found at
BetterTogetherEdina.org
EdinaMN.gov/coronavirus
Sign up for City Extra emails at
EdinaMN.gov/CityExtra
Sign up for text notifications by
texting EDINA to 57838
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
EDINA COVID-19 RESOURCE HOTLINE 952-826-0370
Stay Informed About
the City’s Response
to COVID-19!
BY KAYLIN EIDSNESS
Project Engineer Charlie Gerk was training for
a 5K last year when his knees started to ache.
He understood that feeling sore after working
out wasn’t uncommon and didn’t think much of
it at first. However, when the pain in one knee
wouldn’t go away, he knew something was
wrong. Three months later, Gerk was diagnosed
with Osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bones.
Gerk had surgery to successfully remove the
cancer and chemotherapy followed. His last scan
in February showed the cancer is gone. Even so,
Gerk knows he’s considered high-risk during this
pandemic.
“During treatments I got a monthly delivery of
hand sanitizer and I’m grateful for that,” said
Gerk. “If I hadn’t had that, I would have been
freaking out. As of March, the area’s supply of
hand sanitizer was non-existent.”
As an engineer, Gerk is used to solving
problems. After reading a story about distilleries
producing ethanol-based sanitizers and a brief
conversation with two of his friends who know
the liquor and bottling industry, he realized that
he could help get hand sanitizer in the hands of
people who need it most.
“Edina is home to a lot of residents who are at
risk because of their age. We have people to
handle the labor right now,” he said. “So, one
night I put pen to paper and figured out what it
would cost.”
Four hours after sending the initial proposal
for a hand sanitizer bottling and distribution
project, Gerk got approval from the Edina Fire
Chief and City Manager to move forward.
About 165 gallons of ethanol-based sanitizer
was purchased. Gerk was able to order nearly
5,000 4-ounce bottles. Eight Public Works staff
members were ready to help and spent about
three days on the project.
“When I got the proposal, I thought ‘this is a
good idea, there’s a possibility here,’” said Edina
Fire Chief Tom Schmitz. “We knew it wouldn’t
be the answer to everything or that it would be
enough to solve the problem, but it was a great
opportunity and a step in the right direction.”
By the end of April, the bottles of sanitizer were
out in the community.
“It’s been really impressive to see how quickly
everyone stepped up and took on this exciting
opportunity,” said Schmitz, about the Clean
Hands Across Edina project.
With certain supplies limited, Gerk doesn’t know
if there will be another round of distribution,
but he’s proud of what the team accomplished.
“I put myself in the shoes of people who are
higher risk,” said Gerk. “I’m lucky to have
a spouse who can venture out for me, but
some of our residents don’t have that option.
Anything we can do to help matters.”
For more information, call the COVID-19
Hotline, 952-826-0370.
Engineering Employee Takes on Challenge
to Help Residents
City Bottles and Distributes Hand Sanitizer to Those in Need
Project Engineer Charlie Gerk works to label and fill
bottles with hand sanitizer. Photo by Scott Denfeld
BY THE NUMBERS
New Deconstruction
Grants Available for
Edina Homeowners!
Approximately 85 percent of the
materials in a typical demolition or
remodeling project in the United States
could be salvaged and kept out of
landfills.
Grants are available for
demolition or renovation
projects that are 250 square
feet or larger on structures
built prior to 1950.
In order to receive a grant, a minimum of
550 pounds of wood (including flooring,
dimensional lumber, or ceiling/floor
joists) must be deconstructed for reuse.
85
Homeowners and developers of residential properties can receive up
to $5,000 from Hennepin County to help offset the additional time
and labor costs associated with deconstruction.
Learn more about the grants, including eligibility and requirements,
at hennepin.us/deconstruction, or for more information, contact
Residential Redevelopment Coordinator Addison Lewis at
952-833-9521 or ALewis@EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY HEIDI LILLIE
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
It comes as no surprise that moving to Edina is
economically out of reach for most people.
With no more developable land available, new
houses come from teardowns of moderately
priced homes. The average rebuild is listed at
well over $1 million. In addition, the majority of
new multifamily housing is luxury apartments
and villas.
Meanwhile, Edina’s streets are busy in part
because 92 percent of the workforce for 45,000
jobs commutes in from other parts of the Twin
Cities. Their average annual wage of $65,104
makes moving to Edina difficult.
This all comes from a housing study the City
commissioned from Maxfield Research &
Consulting. Perhaps the most interesting point
in the report is that Edina’s seniors are in many
ways the most squeezed in the housing crunch.
Edina’s senior population is growing faster
than any other age group. Some of that is new
residents moving into high-end housing, but most
is people aging in their homes. Their average
income is around $71,000, Maxfield President
Mary Bujold told the Housing & Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) during a March presentation.
Compare that to Edina’s younger populations
whose average household income is $107,757.
About a third of Edina’s senior homeowners
spend more than 30 percent of their income on
housing. Almost two-thirds of senior renters do
the same, with many on fixed incomes and with
higher medical and other expenses.
“The highest portion of [those who are] cost-
burdened actually end up being those who are
Study: Edina Seniors Face Biggest Housing Cost Burdens
Providing More Senior Housing Options Could Help Workers, Families
Currently, only about
30 percent of building
materials are reused
or recycled.
30 550
older,” Bujold told the HRA.
Helping them find solutions to remain in Edina
yet move into homes more suited for them
physically and financially could open the door to
fixing some of the shortages.
“If we create more options for them, then
their homes can become available for families
and younger people,” said Affordable Housing
Development Manager Stephanie Hawkinson.
The full report will help City leaders as they
evaluate housing proposals.
“Your continuing advice and wisdom will be
invaluable to us,” Mayor Jim Hovland told Bujold.
View the full report online at
bit.ly/EdinaHousing.
worrying about going back to work once the
worst is over. When will it seem safe? ... But it
dawned on me: Wow, there are people going
out there every day, because they have to in
order to meet our everyday needs.”
After adopting this gratitude-first approach for
herself, Lane brainstormed ways to share the
sentiment – no easy thing, in this age of social
distancing. In late March, a strategy finally came
to mind.
“We live near the busy intersection of France
Avenue and 42nd Street … with a retaining
wall in front of our house,” Lane explained. A
graphic designer by training, she saw in the
nondescript, weathered wood a useful canvas
perfectly situated in a high-traffic location. “I
went out there and began to sketch a kind of
mural in children’s chalk.”
She had help – “tasteful art direction,” as
she puts it – from her 8-year-old son, Alex. “I
wanted to write “Thank U” for all those in jobs
on the front lines. I originally sketched it out in
orange, but Alex convinced me that a rainbow
would be better. He’s right; it really pops!”
On the right of this simple message, Lane
chalked a white cross against a red background
– the universal symbol for the medical field. She
supplemented this emblem, which measures just
under four feet across, with five circles honoring
additional professions.
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY DAVID KATZ
While a stay-at-home directive urges most
Minnesotans to avoid public settings, everyday
heroes are putting themselves at risk by
attending to our most essential needs.
“I think of these people as working on the
front lines … against an enemy we can’t see,”
explained Morningside Neighborhood resident
Heather Lane. She, like so many millions of
others across the country, is sheltering at home
in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Staying home has afforded Lane opportunities
for introspection. “The world felt really heavy.
I found myself worrying about jobs, but also
Morningside Resident Thanks Everyday Heroes with Special Art
Proceeds from Sign Sales Benefit Organizations Serving the Hungry
Heather Lane’s colorful chalk art at France Avenue
and 42nd Street led to an outpouring of support for
everyday community heroes and the creation of yard
signs with the same sentiment. Photo by Scott Denfeld
FIRE CREWS
CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAYS WITH
VISITS
“I truly hope that, as a society, we never forget
the time that grocery store clerks and truck
drivers stepped up like they’re doing now. Along
with doctors and nurses, I think they’re part of
a unique team working together to get us all
through this.” Police and fire departments each
have a symbol as well, and for the same reason.
Lane had no particular expectations for this
passion project, and certainly never envisioned
the response that her simple message generated
in just a few short weeks.
Word got out. Several area media outlets shared
photos of Lane’s chalking. Lane is most touched
when she hears from her target audience, who
drive down France Avenue on their way to work
or make time for a short side trip on a rare
day off.
Heartened by this outpouring of support, Lane
decided to expand her efforts into a bona fide
campaign. After floating ideas, she ordered 200
yard signs with the “Thank U” messaging. For
every sign sold, $10 is donated to organizations
to help feed those facing food insecurity.
Initial stock sold out almost immediately, before
Lane even got her order back from the printer.
After all, “we’re all in this together … and that’s
something we hopefully won’t soon forget.”
For more information, visit thethankustore.com.
City of Edina Goals
Strong Foundation: Maintain
physical assets and infrastructure.
Reliable Service: Maintain service
levels that best meet the needs of
the community.
Livable City: Plan for connected
and sustainable development.
Better Together: Foster an
inclusive and engaged community.
The City of Edina has four budget goals.
Look for the goal icons throughout this
publication to read stories about how the
City is working to meet these goals.
In late March, Edina Fire crews
drove by a 5-year-old’s birthday
celebration to brighten his big
day. Crews drove by the homes
of more than 40 birthday boys
and girls while Gov. Tim Walz’s
Stay at Home order was in place
in April. Photo by Kaylin Eidsness
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.gov City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
The City of Edina is working to support residents
and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rental Assistance
The Edina City Council in April voted to give
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP)
$100,000 from the City’s Affordable Housing
Trust Fund to provide limited emergency rent
assistance to Edina residents to help maintain
housing stability and
prevent homelessness.
VEAP typically provides
one-time rent payments
for those in need, but
during the COVID-19
pandemic, VEAP will
allow up to three
months of rental assistance. With rent for a
two-bedroom unit priced at $1,350, this money
could help nearly 40 households get through
this crisis.
The program helps residents increase their
housing stability, but also helps landlords by
ensuring rent is coming in.
Utility Bills
To offer assistance to homeowners and
businesses, the City Council agreed to
temporarily waive late fees for utility bills
through June 10. The penalty for a late payment
is typically 5 percent of the outstanding balance.
Since it is unclear how long COVID-19 will
impact the community, the City will reassess the
situation in early June and may consider waiving
the late fees for a longer period of time.
Small Business Emergency
Assistance Loans
Also last month, the Housing & Redevelopment
Authority approved a $100,000 small business
emergency assistance program to help local
businesses that may not easily be awarded
federal or state assistance.
Edina’s Small Business Emergency Assistance
Program will provide forgivable loans to
businesses with fewer than 25 full-time
equivalent employees and annual revenue
of $1 million or less. Eligible businesses can
receive a loan to cover two months of operating
expenses, up to $10,000.
City Supports Residents, Businesses During Pandemic
Rental Assistance and Small Business Loan Program Offered as Part of COVID-19 Response
Loans will be forgiven for businesses that remain
operational for two years, remain in Edina and
retain at least three-quarters of their employees.
A committee of representatives from the City,
Edina Chamber of Commerce, 50th & France
Business & Professional Association and Open
for Business will review applications May 1. An
announcement will be made later that week and
checks distributed in mid-May.
Budget Stabilization
To proactively address any potential 2020
budget shortfalls and to preserve future
spending options in 2021 when increasing the
City’s tax levy may not be advisable or feasible,
the City created a Budget Stabilization Fund.
General Fund surpluses from 2016, 2017 and
2019 and Construction Fund allocations for
building maintenance, Edinborough Park plaza
improvements and park signage were used to
create the Budget Stabilization Fund, which
totals nearly $4.3 million.
City Manager Scott Neal is working with
department directors to identify other ways
to trim expenses or defer projects in order to
bolster the Budget Stabilization Fund.
The Edina City Council will next meet 7 p.m.
May 5 and 19. The Housing & Redevelopment
Authority will meet 7:30 a.m. May 14. For more
information, visit EdinaMN.gov.
Celebrate the start of summer and choose from four
themed boxes to create something fun at home. You
get to choose which box is right for you; this is not a
subscription. Supplies are limited.
Please call the Parks & Recreation Department at
952-826-0367 with questions. Connect Card funds
can be used toward the purchase of a RECtivity Box.
The RECtivity Box is recreation
delivered to your door.
Pick out your RECtivity Box and order online at bit.ly/RegisterEdina.
Call VEAP for
rent assistance
952-888-9616
Utility Bill Payments
• Pay by phone: 844-476-3107
• Online: EdinaMN.gov/utilitybilling
• Mail: City of Edina
PO Box 860586
Minneapolis, MN 55486-0586
• Drop off in box in Police
Department lobby
• 5% Late fees waived through
June 10
CITY OF EDINA
4801 WEST 50TH STREET
EDINA, MN 55424
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