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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina April 2023Joint Community Police Partnership Launches in Edina Lulu Thompson Brings Criminal Justice Background to Outreach BY LAUREN SIEBENALER Lulu Thompson has begun work as Community Liaison for Edina’s Joint Community Police Partnership (JCPP). A program of Hennepin County, the JCPP works to build trust and communication between police and the community. Outreach focuses on immigrants, people of color, Indigenous people and faith communities. Other partner cities are Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal/New Hope/Robbinsdale, Hopkins and Richfield. The Community Liaison of each city tailors programming to their specific community. Each liaison collaborates with Hennepin County, the city’s police department and residents. Together with these partners, liaisons: •Meet with community members to listen, learn, and build relationships. •Bring community concerns to the police department. •Plan and support community engagement events. •Provide training to respond to the needs of the community. •Educate the community on changes and trends in law enforcement. Leadership of the Edina Police Department and Hennepin County found Thompson’s background, education and personality the perfect fit for launching JCPP in Edina. “Through the interview process, she did a fantastic job,” said Police Chief Todd Milburn. “I loved what she had to say, and I thought she’d be a really good fit to start and build up the program. She seems to be doing great so far and has hit the ground running.” Thompson started her new position in late January and quickly got to work making connections and starting to establish a local Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC), an engaged group of volunteers that will advise the Edina Police Department on how to better serve, communicate with and understand the many cultures in Edina. The committee will be made up of eight to 15 people who live, work or worship in Edina. Police Chief Todd Milburn said he looks forward to the MAC coming together to identify future leaders and representatives of the various growing communities of color in the city. He is also eager to be part of conversations about law enforcement and how communities want to be served by the Police Department. Thompson is the key to bringing the MAC together. Originally from Kenya, she immigrated to the United States when she was 14 years old. She graduated from Lakeville South High School. After high school, she pursued nursing. She ultimately decided that wasn’t the right career path and went to school for criminal justice. After earning her degree, she worked for Hennepin County as a Community Corrections Specialist and then DWI Court Probation Officer. She also served as a Felony High-Risk Probation Officer. She decided to go back to school for a master’s degree in political advocacy and leadership at Metro State University to be able to work on the policy side of criminal justice. Eight months after starting her career in policy, her family was involved in a devastating car crash. “I decided to take my time and mourn the loss of my family. My youngest son was the only one who survived. I decided to focus that time to take care of him. Last November, he was discharged from Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital and he’s in school Community Liaison Lulu Thompson is eager to meet more members of the community and make connections with Edina residents. (Photo by Glenn Gray) full time now,” said Thompson. “I knew if I wanted to go back to work, I wanted to do something that means something, and impacts our communities. So when I saw this opportunity, I was like, ‘I want that position!’” Aside from facilitating the MAC, Thompson will be doing a lot of community engagement and outreach. She will lead community meetings, design trainings, identify training opportunities for police officers and much more. Thompson said she looks forward to meeting new people and making connections. Thompson is employed by Hennepin County, but works out of the Edina Police Department. For more information on the JCPP, contact Thompson at LThompson@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0496. City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1 Edition: Edina APRIL 2023 Volume 10, Issue 4Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City - COMPILED BY RENEE MOTTET Looking for a fun and fulfilling summer job? The City of Edina hires hundreds of seasonal employees each year. Whether it’s working at a local park in our parks program or at the Aquatic Center as a lifeguard, there’s something for everyone! Learn more and apply online at EdinaMN.gov/Jobs. BY THE NUMBERS Summer Jobs With the City David Fisher will retire April 21 as the City of Edina’s Chief Building Official. (Photo by Glenn Gray) 65-70 Typical number of lifeguards hired each summer. Classifications of seasonal employees. Jobs include working at the Edina Aquatic Center as a Lifeguard or in Guest Services, Edina Art Center as an Art Camp Assistant or Instructor, Park Maintenance, Tennis/Pickleball Instructors and Recreation Leaders. 8 Referral and commitment incentive for recreation employees. $200 Commitment incentive for Lifeguard positions. $500 Building Inspections Division Leader Set to Retire David Fisher Enforced Building Code While Focusing on Solutions BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND When Chief Building Official David Fisher walks out of City Hall and into retirement April 21, he will hang his hat on nine years of behind-the-scenes accomplishments achieved in his time leading the Building Inspections Division. It’s Fisher and the staff he leads who ensure every project, from small home remodels to high-rise buildings, are built safe and to code. Despite Edina’s building boom, he has kept the processes moving while never sacrificing standards. “David has an incredible knack for reading, interpreting and explaining building code,” said Fire Chief Andrew Slama, whose department includes the Building Inspections Division. “He cares deeply about the buildings being safe for the residents that will use them and ensures that code is followed throughout the building process.” While Fisher is known for a being a stickler for code, it’s the way he does the job that makes him stand out. “He has this very calm demeanor and is a very approachable, common-sense person,” said now-retired Fire Chief Tom Schmitz, who originally hired Fisher for the job. “He was set in his principles as far as code, but he also understood the importance of working with the customer to come up with a solution.” Fisher says he has enjoyed working with architects, engineers and developers during his more than 35 years in the field. His approach has been creative – “Have you thought about doing it this way?” – instead of punitive. His solutions have helped big projects like the massive Edina High School expansion to smaller issues, like speeding the home roof repair inspection process after hailstorms. He’s led improvements to internal processes as well, noted Building Inspections Field Supervisor Nate Borwege. “We’ve gone from having plan review done on paper to 100% paperless electronic. No more paper drawings being handed off at City Hall,” Borwege said. “Everything is streamlined.” Fisher’s retirement plans include trips to Europe and New York with his wife to visit their sons, more time to play golf, improve his racquetball skills and put his often- dormant 16-foot fishing boat to use. While a search is conducted for his replacement, his division is expected to continue humming along thanks to the knowledgeable, helpful team he built. “David is a great leader,” Slama said. “He has created a team that embodies the values of the City and displays them in the field each day. Although he will be missed greatly, we are excited for his retirement and look forward to his fishing reports.” Learn more about Building Inspections by visiting EdinaMN.gov/BuildingInspections. 2 Edina To Host Second Earth Day Community Clothing Swap Event Encourages Sustainable Practices and Community Connections BY RENEE MOTTET Spring cleaning can be easier and greener this year. Instead of tossing old clothes from your closet, pack them up and bring them to Braemar Arena’s Backyard Rink for an evening of “schwapping” with other community members on April 20. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on average, Americans throw away about 80 pounds of clothing per year. Clothing swaps are a great way to reduce waste and keep textiles, which are difficult to break down, out of landfills. Participants are encouraged to bring their unwanted (but washed and folded) clothing to swap with others. In addition to the clothing drive, The PinkySwear Foundation is collaborating with GotSneakers and the event to host a used sneaker drive. This is the second year Edina has hosted this event in honor of Earth Day. In 2022, Edina Recreation Supervisors Laura Fulton and Nicole Gorman had hopes of creating a project that would encourage community involvement in sustainable practices. They paired up with Organics Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh and Sustainability Manager Grace Hancock to come up the idea for a Community Clothing Swap. It proved to be incredibly successful with about 300 community members participating and bringing roughly 1,500 pounds of clothing and shoes. Of that, 1,200 pounds were swapped between participants. The rest was donated to Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota. One exciting change to the event this year is that it will include a first-of-its-kind “Reuse Fashion Show” featuring models wearing their own thrifted outfits or designs. People of all ages will participate. It will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Additionally, several organizations will be present to share information on other local sustainability initiatives, such as home electrification, The Edina Buy Nothing and Edina Give and Go groups. Energy & Environment Student Commissioner Ella Machart said, “With fast fashion trends becoming a dominant aspect of the clothing industry, community members will have an opportunity to find new clothes sustainably, as well as drop off clothes they want to give away. Change happens together, and this event provides people the space to make a positive impact.” Green efforts remain at the forefront of Edina’s goals for the future. Moving forward, the City has continued plans to encourage community involvement in waste reduction and reuse. This summer, a school supply drive will take place and a clothing swap specifically for kids’ clothing will be held in the fall. For more information, contact Singh, 952-826-1657 or TSingh@EdinaMN.gov. More than 1,200 pounds of clothing were swapped by participants at the 2022 Earth Day Clothing Swap. (File Photo) UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, April 2, 6 p.m. Eden Prairie Community Band, Edinborough Park Tuesday, April 4, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, Edina City Hall Wednesday, April 5 Passover Friday, April 7 Good Friday Sunday, April 9 Easter Thursday, April 13, 7:30 a.m. Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting, Edina City Hall Friday, April 14, 5:30 p.m. Family Movie Night, “Paw Patrol: The Movie,” Edinborough Park Sunday, April 16, 6 p.m. Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, Edinborough Park Tuesday, April 18, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, Edina City Hall Thursday, April 20, 4 p.m. Earth Day Clothing Swap, Braemar Arena Backyard Rink Friday, April 21 Eid al Fitr Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. Superhero Saturday, Braemar Golf Course Sunday, April 23, 6 p.m. Minneapolis Police Band, Edinborough Park Thursday, April 27, 7:30 a.m. Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall Sunday, April 30, 6 p.m. The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park For a complete listing of meetings and events, visit EdinaMN.gov. Watch City Council, Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Planning Commission meetings live: • Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 or 16) • Facebook.com/EdinaMN • “Watch a Meeting” web page at EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings TO DONATE OR PARTICIPATE: •Drop off clothes 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 19 at the Edina Senior Center or after 3 p.m. April 20 at the Braemar Arena Backyard Rink for sorting •Bring clothes to swap or just come to shop 4-8 p.m. •Clothes will be sorted and put out throughout the swap #EdinaRecycles 3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4 Design of a new Fire Station 2 in the Pentagon Park Neighborhood is underway. The City Council last month provided City staff and project architect BKV Group nonbinding feedback on a sketch plan for the project at 4401 W. 76th St. The existing office building on the site will be removed to make room for Fire Station 2. The planned facility will provide operational space for the Fire Department and its Public Health Division. The project is planned to be two stories and include community- focused indoor and outdoor spaces. The site is eight acres. Fire Station 2 would be located on the northern third of the site, with the remaining two-thirds available for future redevelopment. The City will make decisions on use of that land in the future. The initial phase of development would include Fire Station 2, also referred to as a Community Health & Safety Center, along with a replacement of existing hardscape, addition of native seed mix on disturbed Fire Department Advances Plans for New Fire Station 2 Council Reviews Sketch Plan, Team Continues to Collect Feedback on Design areas and restoring the existing wetland on the southwest corner of the site. The Fire Department is collecting community feedback on two design concepts – one that aligns more east to west and another that aligns more north to south. Feedback will be collected online at BetterTogetherEdina.org until April 9. After the feedback is gathered, staff and project consultants will use it in the next design phase. Building and site plans are expected to be completed before the end of the year. The existing building would be demolished before the end of the year. Construction would begin in 2024 and is anticipated to be complete in mid-2025. In other business last month, the City Council: •Awarded a contract for the construction of roundabouts on Eden Avenue and Grange Road. •Granted preliminary site plan approval for Jester Concepts to build a 13,500-square- foot restaurant with outdoor dining area, outdoor bar and pizza oven at 5146 Eden Ave. The restaurant would be on a portion of the City’s former Public Works site. The City Council next meets 7 p.m. April 4 and 18. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov. - COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE BKV Group submitted two possible renderings of the new Fire Station 2 site at 4401 W. 76th St. during the sketch plan review. (File Illustration)