HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina August 2020Edition: Edina
AUGUST 2020
Volume 7, Issue 9Strong 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; wear a mask when in public; 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 DEBBIE TOWNSEND
A new shared-use trail connects the 70th &
Cahill area to the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
and will eventually be part of a much longer
trail.
The 515 feet of new asphalt path runs along
the south side of West 70th Street from Cahill
Road to just east of Amundson Avenue, where
it connects with the existing Nine Mile Creek
Regional Trail. That 14.6-mile trail runs through
Hopkins, Edina, Minnetonka and Richfield.
The new segment, recommended in the City’s
Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, is part of
what’s been named the Twin Loops – a trail
system that eventually will connect all four
quadrants of Edina, linking schools, parks and
popular amenities.
“This new trail makes the Nine Mile Creek
Regional Trail more accessible to residents who
live off of Cahill or for people who are visiting
the 70th & Cahill commercial node,” said
Transportation Planner Andrew Scipioni.
The area previously had a bike lane but no
sidewalk. Scipioni thanked property owners
who granted the City easements needed to
build the wide trail segment and separate it
from traffic by a curb. 70th traffic lanes were
narrowed slightly to fit it all in.
“We could not have put in the trail without
the easement granted to us by the adjacent
properties,” he said.
At 12 feet wide, the segment was built
to regional trail standards as it’s part of a
future 21-mile north-south trail from Crystal
to the Minnesota River at the south end of
Bloomington. The Three Rivers Park District
is taking the lead on the remaining 1.2 miles
of “Segment A,” which runs from West 70th
Street to Bush Lake Road in Edina. It has applied
for federal funding and anticipates building
that segment in 2023 or 2024. It will take a few
more years to complete that larger trail, which
has the working title of “Canadian Pacific Rail
Regional Trail.”
The $93,000 for this trail segment, built by JTS
Construction, came from the City’s Pedestrian
and Cyclist Safety (PACS) Fund. Work started in
2019, with the final paving completed this spring.
As part of the same project, the City replaced a
10-foot retaining wall on the south side of West
70th east of Amundson. The City’s Public Works
Department will maintain the trail in the winter.
“This trail segment and future pedestrian and
bike improvements along Cahill and Amundson
are really going to benefit all the business in that
industrial node,” Scipioni said.
For more information on the CP Rail
or Nine Mile Creek regional trails, visit
threeriversparks.org. For information on the
Edina’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
New Trail Segment Improves Safety and
Access to 70th & Cahill Area
Shared Path Will Link Walkers, Cyclists to Regional Trails
A new trail segment in the 70th & Cahill area protects
bicyclists and pedestrians from street traffic and
connects to the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. Photo by
Dan Carpenter
BY KAITLIN GAULT
Edina residents voting in person for the Aug. 11
Primary Election can expect changes to the
process due to COVID-19.
Direct balloting, when a voter puts a ballot
directly into the ballot counter to run through
the machine, will be available at Edina City
Hall 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 4-7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Aug. 8, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 10. Residents
are required to go to their “home” City Hall
for direct balloting; they are not able to go to
the Hennepin County Government Center in
Minneapolis as they have for absentee voting.
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, in-person
voters are required to enter City Hall wearing
a mask or face covering that covers both the
mouth and nose and keep it on until they exit
the building. Facial coverings do not need to be
worn by people with medical conditions that
make it difficult to breathe, those who are deaf
or hard of hearing or those who care for or
interact with them, and people who are unable
to remove a mask without assistance.
Upon entering and exiting the City Council
Chambers, where the direct balloting will take
place, voters will receive hand sanitizer. Election
staff will ensure there is proper social distancing
with at least 6 feet between voters. They will
also be behind plexiglass and sanitize the voting
machines regularly.
Edina City Clerk Sharon Allison is hoping in-
person voters will be patient with this new
process.
“Voters should come prepared with a mask
or face covering and be prepared for potential
delays,” said Allison. “While we are expecting
Direct Balloting for Primary Election Begins Aug. 4
Expect Changes Due to COVID-19 When Voting In Person
the majority to vote absentee, we can’t
predict how many people will show up to
vote in person. With the ongoing sanitation,
cleaning machines in between voters and social
distancing, it is likely that it will be a slower
process than voters are used to.”
On Aug. 11, Primary Election Day, direct
balloting will not be available at Edina City Hall.
However, residents will be able to drop off their
absentee ballot at City Hall until 3 p.m. and staff
will ensure it is counted.
Edina residents must vote at a polling place for
their precinct on Election Day. Polls will be open
from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find the correct polling
place based on your address, visit the Secretary
of State Polling Place Finder at pollfinder.sos.
state.mn.us.
For more information about the election or
the direct balloting process, visit EdinaMN.
gov/elections or contact Allison at SAllison@
EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0408.
BY THE NUMBERS
Citywide Organics
Collection Has Begun!
Number of staff
positions dedicated
to the City’s
organics recycling
program.
organics recycling
carts delivered to
residents.
As of July 15, there have been only 8 carts where
contaminants have been found. Contamination is
considered any material that isn’t compostable.
1
Organic carts were rolled out throughout June, with citywide
collection starting the beginning of July. The program, aimed to
reduce the amount of organic material in landfills, has started seeing
success. Organics Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh encourages
residents to start by taking a small bucket and just collecting kitchen
scraps, then emptying into the organics cart when full. Lining the
bucket with compostable bags makes cleanup even easier.
– COMPILED BY KAYLIN EIDSNESS
The number of trucks in
Vierkant’s organics fleet. 2 13,500
COVID-19 testing program. It is estimated such a
testing program will cost about $250,000.
The rest of the money will be used to cover
general government costs associated with the
pandemic response.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved a Comprehensive Plan
amendment and rezoning for a
redevelopment of property at the corner
of Hankerson Avenue and 52nd Street. An
existing two-story, four-unit apartment
building and single-family home would
be razed for contractor Donnay Homes to
build two four-unit, two-and-a-half story
townhomes.
•Approved a parking stall variance for M
Health Fairview Southdale Hospital at 6401
France Ave. The hospital plans to construct
a two-story addition above the existing
second floor. The new construction would
add approximately 38,206 square feet at the
north side of the hospital facing Minnesota
Highway 62. The addition would include 52
additional inpatient rooms on the new third
and fourth floors. This project, along with
future renovation, focuses on the hospital’s
movement from semi-private patient rooms
(doubles) toward single patient rooms.
The Edina City Council will next meet 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5 and Tuesday, Aug. 18. For
more information, visit EdinaMN.gov.
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
The City of Edina has a plan for spending almost
$4 million in federal CARES Act local funding
to assist with extraordinary expenses associated
with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Treasury has offered
guidance to local governments across the
country about how to lawfully spend these
federal funds. The State Auditor’s Office and
the League of Minnesota Cities have provided
additional guidance.
At its July meeting, the Edina City Council
approved a spending plan for the money.
An additional $400,000 will be given to
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) for
its emergency rental assistance program. Earlier
in the pandemic, the City provided $100,000
for the program, so this allocation brings Edina’s
total to $500,000.
An additional $400,000 will be allocated for
the City’s Emergency Small Business Assistance
Program. A few months ago, the Housing
and Redevelopment Authority awarded 11
local businesses grants or forgivable loans of
$9,000 each. The City will take another round
of applications in August and make awards in
September.
The City is working with M Health Fairview
Southdale Hospital to create a community
CARES Act Funding Provides Rent Relief, Small Business Loans
City Also Looks to Create Community COVID-19 Testing Program
EDINA FARMERS
MARKET FINDING
SUCCESS AT
ROSLAND PARK
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.Muddy Tiger owner Jyotiee
Kistner serves Marathi street
food to customers at the Edina
Farmers Market. Muddy Tiger’s
cuisine is influenced by the state
of Maharashtra, from the western
region of India. Muddy Tiger and
numerous other vendors continue
to gather from 3 to 7 p.m. every
Thursday through Sept. 24 at
Rosland Park. Photo by Kaylin
Eidsness
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Virtual
Monday, Aug. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Community Health Commission meeting,
Virtual
Monday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission meeting,
Virtual
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
State Primary Election. To find your polling
place, visit pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m.
Planning Commission meeting, Virtual
Thursday, Aug. 13, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Virtual
Thursday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m.
Energy & Environment Commission, Virtual
Monday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Heritage Preservation Commission meeting,
Virtual
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Virtual
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m.
Transportation Commission meeting, Virtual
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.
Human Rights & Relations Commission
meeting, Virtual
For a complete listing of meetings and events,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.gov City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Fall and winter fun is still on.
The Parks & Recreation Department plans to
offer a majority of the fall and winter activities
and classes that Edina residents enjoy each year,
including golf and skating lessons, youth sports,
adaptive programs and activities for all ages.
Registration begins at noon Wednesday,
Aug. 19, at edinamn.maxgalaxy.net.
Participants might notice a few changes as
classes are modified to meet health guidelines
and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“The quality of our programs will not be
compromised, and we will be working diligently
to ensure that we are following the current
executive orders,” said Recreation Supervisor
Amanda Clarke. “As the coronavirus-related
restrictions change, we will be continuing to
evaluate our activities.”
One other change this year: Residents won’t
be getting a copy of the Activities Directory in
their mailboxes. The online registration system
gives staff the opportunity to continue to add
and adapt classes as the guidelines around
coronavirus change.
To assist people, the registration website has
been redesigned to make it easier to browse
through classes, find what you’re looking for
and sign up on the spot. People can see all the
options by age range or by activity, such as golf
or ice skating.
“Parents of young children have asked for
an easy way to find classes, so we added a
Preschool/Kindergarten section just for them,”
said Recreation Supervisor Tiffany Bushland.
The activity and class offerings will be posted at
edinamn.maxgalaxy.net on Aug. 12 so people
can browse through and determine what they’d
like to sign up for.
More information is also included in the new
“Activities” section at EdinaParks.com.
For more information or to register for classes
using the Connect Card, call the Parks &
Recreation Department at 952-826-0367.
Fall and Winter Activity Registration Starts Online Aug. 19
Classes Will Be Added, Adjusted as Guidelines Change
Need Help With Your Mortgage Payments?
The Edina Housing Foundation
approved two new programs to
help ease the financial burden some
homeowners in Edina are facing
because of COVID-19.
Visit ComeHome2Edina.com and click
on the “Stay In Edina” tab at the top
to learn about the Forbearance and
Refinance Second Mortgage programs
and if you qualify.
For questions, contact Affordable
Housing Manager Stephanie
Hawkinson at shawkinson@EdinaMN.
gov or 952-833-9578.
A Learn to Skate instructor wears a face mask
during lessons at Braemar Arena. Fall and winter
activities are resuming and will include measures to
help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Dan
Carpenter
Register for classes and activities
at edinamn.maxgalaxy.net.
Find more information at
EdinaParks.com.
CITY OF EDINA
4801 WEST 50TH STREET
EDINA, MN 55424
***ECRWSS***POSTAL PATRONCAR-RT-WS
PRESORT STD
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