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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipeline_Early2024_WebBy Debbie Townsend When it comes to outdoor ice rinks in parks, Edina is the envy of many communities. “People from other communities specifically come to Edina to use our rinks,” said Public Service Worker Justin Simonson, who works for Park Maintenance. “Whatever we are doing, we are doing it right.” The Park Maintenance crew of a dozen ice makers and maintainers starts the Monday after Thanksgiving, or whenever it’s steadily cold enough day and night to start forming an ice base. Once the base is built, they work seven days a week maintaining and grooming that ice through roughly Presidents Day. Their only scheduled day off is Christmas, but some years they need to work the holiday when heavy snowfall covers the rinks. Building the ice isn’t simple. There’s a steep learning curve when it comes to making and maintaining ice at outdoor rinks. It takes a couple winters just to learn the process, said Public Service Worker Marshall Syvertsen, who has been working on Edina rinks for more than a decade. PipelinePUBLIC WORKS EARLY 2024 Park Maintenance Staff Are the Secret to Stellar Outdoor Rinks Outdoor Ice Rinks Twelve neighborhood parks have leisure and hockey rinks, lighting and a warming house: • Arden Park, 5230 Minnehaha Blvd. • Cornelia School Park, 7142 Cornelia Drive • Countryside Park, 6240 Tracy Ave. S. • Creek Valley Park, 6301 Gleason Road • Highlands Park, 5200 Doncaster Way • Lewis Park, 7300 Cahill Road • Normandale Park, 6501 Warren Ave. • Pamela Park, 4303 W. 58th St. • Strachauer Park, 6200 Beard Ave. • Todd Park, 4249 Vandervork Ave. • Walnut Ridge Park, 5801 Londonderry Road • Weber Park, 4115 Grimes Ave. S. Hours: Generally 4 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Presidents Day, weather permitting. Hockey rinks are reserved at times Monday-Thursday during hockey season. Visit EdinaMN.gov/OutdoorRinks to learn more.(continued on Page 2) 2 Park Maintenance Staff Are the Secret to Stellar Outdoor Rinks (Continued from cover) “A lot of these rinks aren’t perfectly level, so some areas fill quicker than others,” said Simonson, who’s been working on Edina rinks for almost 20 winters. The goal is to get down a solid base as quickly as possible, within five to 10 days. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it’s got to be a good base. “There’s a healthy competition to see who has the first skate mark of the season. It doesn’t matter if there are two square feet of ice to skate on,” Simonson said. “You just don’t want to be the guy who spent two weeks to build ice, but has grass showing through it.” Once the rinks open around mid- December, crews work 4 a.m. to noon each day to ready ice for that day’s skaters. Many surrounding communities flood the ice only a few days a week. But not Edina. “Everyone wants fresh ice every day,” Syvertsen said. First, sweeper/tractors come in and clear the rink of any snowfall and ice shavings. Flooders come behind the sweepers to put water over the ice. The water binds with any shavings and then freezes into a smooth surface without melting the base. The challenge is each rink has its own topography, surrounding slopes and sun exposure. Ice along the north boards gets the most melt from the sun. Sweepers push the ice shavings to those north boards and pack them in as much as possible. Flooders then spend extra time firming that area up. Rinks that have any nearby slopes can get soft from runoff coming down. Warm weather is the enemy. “Any rink that has a midseason melt can cause trouble,” Syvertsen said. Fixing it can be difficult. “Every site is different,” he said. “One idea that might work at one site might be a disaster at another.” It helps that Park Maintenance staff tend to work the same rinks year after year. For instance, Simonson, who is a sweeper/tracker, works Creek Valley, Highlands, Todd and Walnut Ridge parks. Syvertsen, who is a flooder, does Arden and Pamela parks. And despite the healthy competition over whose park has the best ice, they all share tips and tricks. “We do take a lot of pride in our work,” Simonson said. When it’s too warm to make any ice, the crews are reassigned to other tasks. Plus they always have assigned paths or parking lots to plow. Theoretically, the rinks open at noon or later, but skaters often have different ideas. “I have seen some people at 5 in the morning either leaving after skating for hours overnight or they got there early, before us,” Simonson said. “They chase us off the rink sometimes.” They laugh at that. But Park Maintenance staff do have a few pet peeves that make their jobs a lot more difficult. First, please do not leave shovels on the ice or around the rinks. They often get buried or obscured by snow, and if the sweeping equipment hits them, it can damage the sweeper, Simonson said. Second, don’t leave nets up all night. They freeze in place and often get stuck in the ice. It takes extra time to break them loose, and it’s difficult not to damage them in the process, Syvertsen said. Despite the early hours, seven-day workweeks and the fickle weather some years, those who maintain the rinks love their work. Even if they don’t see the skaters, they arrive each morning to find skate marks covering the ice. “Seeing the use and how much people appreciate the rinks means a lot to us,” Syvertsen said. They know many of those skate marks belong to kids just learning to skate or those honing their skills. Some of those marks belong to current or future Edina Hornets or even National Hockey League players. “We aren’t saying we are the reason we have so many state champs,” Simonson said, “but we might be a part of it.” Learn more at EdinaMN.gov/OutdoorRinks. 3 Public Service Workers Justin Simonson and Marshall Syvertsen are two on a crew of a dozen ice makers and maintainers responsible for Edina’s outdoor ice skating rinks. (Photo by Jason Heuer) 4 Runner Safety Gear To ensure car and snowplow drivers can see you in poor conditions or dark, wear plenty of reflective gear. Traction Cleats for Icy Conditions Reflective Bracelets or Ankle Bands Headlamp Reflective Vest or Jacket (Photo by Jason Heuer) 5 Be a Helping Hand for Your Community: Adopt a Fire Hydrant By Reham Alemam Do you want to make a real difference in your community while having some fun and taking on a bit of responsibility? The Edina Fire Department needs your help to keep the City’s 1,800 fire hydrants clean and clear, especially after heavy snowfalls. Why is this so important? Fire hydrants can get buried under snow, making them invisible and inaccessible. In the event of an emergency, firefighters need quick access to these hydrants, and it’s up to Edina residents to lend a helping hand and ensure they’re readily available. Fire Hydrant Standards To maintain these vital lifelines, all it takes is a little effort. Fire hydrants need to be shoveled and cleared with a three-foot radius around them. They must be visible from the street, so they are not hidden behind mounds of snow. Also, any plant growth within a three-foot radius should be cleared to ensure easy access. But here’s the exciting part: you get to be a part of something bigger. “By adopting a fire hydrant, you’re not only helping your community, but you’re also supporting the first responders who protect it,” said Fire Chief Andrew Slama. Students, Earn Your Community Service Letters! Are you an Edina Public Schools student looking to earn a community service letter? Your efforts to keep fire hydrants clear and accessible can be counted toward your service letter, showing your commitment to the community and your dedication to helping in times of need. How to Get Involved Getting started is a breeze. Just reach out to the Edina Fire Department through a call or email. Let them know which fire hydrant(s) you’d like to adopt, and they’ll guide you through the process. It’s a simple yet impactful way to give back and aid in the safety of your community. Fire hydrants are unsung heroes that are always there to save the day. You can help ensure that our firefighters have quick access to these essential resources by adopting a fire hydrant. “Your small act of responsibility can make a big difference in our community’s safety,” Slama said. For more information or to sign up, contact the Edina Fire Department, 952-826-0330 or send an email to Administrative Assistant Marie Segar, msegar@EdinaMN.gov. 6 Snow-it-All Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Snow and Ice Removal Questions in Edina By Brittany Bader Did you know most Public Works staff help with snow and ice removal in some way? For example, Utility Division workers might find themselves behind the wheel of a plow for part of their shift and finish their shift at water treatment plants or making rounds at lift stations. It takes a dedicated team effort to get Edina’s more than 230 miles of streets cleared after a heaping of snow (last year, the Twin Cities metro area saw over 90 inches of snow as recorded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources), but one that doesn’t go unnoticed by residents. In the most recent Quality of Life survey, opinions of Edina’s snow removal services ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 4 in the nation among cities that asked the same survey question. For the 2023-2024 season, Edina is divided into 24 main plow routes and an additional six smaller routes done with pickups, skid-steers and Trackless Vehicles that take care of alleys, smaller cul-de-sacs and City-maintained sidewalks. Additionally, Public Works clears the snow from the parking ramps at 50th & France. Every snow event is unique, but generally, there is a crew of about 35 staff members ready to respond with dedicated pieces of equipment, and a route takes 6-8 hours to complete. “The drivers have a certain sense of ownership over their routes. And there’s a friendly competitiveness between drivers to do the best job, to keep it clear curb-to-curb and not to leave missing pieces,” said Assistant Public Works Director Dave Goergen. “I think it comes from the sense of quality the crew has in all the jobs that they do, but especially snow removal since it’s so high profile. From November to March, it’s the main thing people see us do. Our staff want to make sure they’re doing their best to provide clear roads for our residents.” Find the answers you need to become a “snow-it-all” on snow and ice removal services in Edina below. How much snow before the plows go out? The snowplows in Edina will come out when there is: • Snow accumulation of 1.5 inches or more • Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel • Icy conditions that seriously affect travel “We use all the resources at hand to make the most informed decision about how many crew members to bring in and what the plan should be for a particular storm. In addition to the local forecasts, we’ve got a subscription to a more localized, detailed radar forecasting system. We also utilize traffic control monitors and are continually in touch with Police dispatch throughout a snow or ice event,” said Goergen. During a snowstorm, which streets do the snowplows clear first? Plowed first are high-volume routes that connect major sections of the city and provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services, like West 70th Street. The next priority is to clear neighborhood collector roads that feed into these main routes. These roads often provide access to schools and commercial businesses. An example is Concord Avenue. Once all main routes are clear, residential neighborhood streets are completed, followed by alleys. If you spot a section of road that you think was missed or needs additional attention, use the City’s report-a-problem service, Edina 311, to report it or call Public Works at 952-826-0376. You can view the snowplow priority map at EdinaMN.gov/SnowPlowing. 7 For sidewalk snow removal, which sidewalks are a resident’s responsibility, and which are the City’s? Property owners must take care of removing snow and ice from sidewalks adjoining their properties within 48 hours of a winter storm. The City maintains a portion of sidewalks in Edina, such as state aid roads, active routes to school and those within City parks or recreation facilities. These sidewalks are taken care of once the streets have been plowed. You can view a map of the sidewalks maintained by the City at EdinaMN.gov/SnowPlowing. What are the City’s winter parking restrictions? From Nov. 1 through March 31, vehicles cannot be parked on city streets between 1 and 6 a.m. Additionally, if you’re parking on the street at other times of the day, your parked vehicle must be moved off the street after a snowfall of 1.5 or more inches until the street has been plowed to the curb line. Limiting street parking in the cold weather months allows Public Works to provide faster snow and ice removal services during winter storms. Without the obstacle of parked vehicles, snowplow drivers can pre-treat, de-ice and clear snow more quickly, efficiently and safely. The Public Works Department makes its own pavement pretreatment solution in house! This is a liquid brine solution that is applied to roads about 24 hours ahead of expected icy conditions. Batches of the water and salt mixture are made in these tanks as needed, offering the greatest flexibility. If more mixture is needed for a storm, it can easily be made. If too much is made, it can be stored and used later in the season. Inside Look 88 I’ve hired a contractor to help me with my snow removal. Is there anything special I need to know? Make sure your contractor knows City snow removal ordinances. All snow that falls on a property must be stored on the same property or hauled to a private location owned or authorized for use by your contractor. A frequent violation is pushing snow across the road or into the road. Piling snow on corners is also prohibited. What does the City do to be mindful about salt usage in its operations? All of the City’s snowplow drivers have completed Smart Salting training through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This program provides deicing application guidelines for how much salt product should be put down per lane mile based on pavement temperature and the type of precipitation. “During a winter storm, we communicate the starting point from the deicing guidelines to all plow drivers before they go out on their routes, and then they can adjust the amount up or down depending on the conditions of their particular route. This allows us to be responsible with our salt usage while still being effective for the situation,” said Goergen. Does the City offer any resources to the public for environmentally friendly winter maintenance? The City is recruiting homeowners’ associations, condo associations and faith-based organizations to participate in a free program called “Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota.” The program offers customized solutions for reducing dependence on deicing salts without compromising safety. “One teaspoon of salt pollutes five gallons of water forever. City, county and state agencies use a lot of salt, and while there is still more work to be done, we’ve seen a lot of innovation in research, materials, methods and equipment over the years, reducing salt overuse,” said Water Resources Manager Jessica Wilson. “We’re looking to bring some of those tools and resources to private property managers so they can keep community members safe, save money and protect the environment by using less salt.” For more information about this program, contact Wilson at jwilson@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0445. What about snowplow safety? Equipment Operations Supervisor Richard Poppitz says an average dump truck snowplow in Edina’s fleet is about 30 feet long and weighs up to 60,000 pounds. While this large size makes them perfect for conquering the worst winter conditions, it also means safety precautions should be taken around them. The Public Works Department provides the following snowplow safety tips: • Plows travel slower than other vehicles. Reduce your speed and don’t pass snowplow vehicles while they are plowing. • Never drive into a snow cloud. • Keep your distance from trucks spreading sand. • Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snowplow is approaching. • Keep sleds and toys away from the street when they’re not being used. • Don’t build snow forts in the snow piles on the boulevard. • Stay out from behind snow removal equipment. Frequent backing is necessary during plowing, and visibility to the rear is very limited. • Keep garbage cans up in the driveway if it snows on garbage collection day. If I have property damage from a snowplow, where can I report it? While Public Works takes a lot of pride in providing top-rated snow removal services, regretfully, damage to mailboxes or lawns occasionally occurs when drivers are navigating conditions. If this happens, use the City’s report-a-problem service, Edina 311, to report the damage or call Public Works at 952-826-0376. The City will either replace your damaged mailbox with a standard-size, non- decorative metal mailbox or provide up to a $100 reimbursement. If your lawn is cut up by a plow, it will be repaired with black dirt and seed in the spring. Edina 311 can be downloaded as a mobile app or used by visiting EdinaMN.gov/Edina311. 9 Winter Garbage Placement & Snow Storage 1 2 3 4 1 Manual Trash Collection If your waste hauler manually collects cans, notch a “parking spot” in your yard to place cans for collection. 2 Automated Trash Collection Place cans on apron or driveway edge for automated haulers (automated collection booms can reach over 12 feet). 3 Snow Storage (on property) Snow removed from a property’s driveway must be stored outside of trash collection path, within property lines. 4 Snow Storage (off property) Snow cannot be stored across the street on private or public (city-owned) land. Snow can be hauled to private location owned or authorized for use by contractor. Winter Trash Placement Rules 10 Snow Plowing with the Experts Sean Klapperick Public Service Worker - Streets 10 years with Edina Hometown: Monticello, Minnesota Tom Buckley Public Service Worker – Streets 10 years with Edina Hometown: Apple Valley, Minnesota 11 How does someone start plowing for Edina? Tom: If you’re new, you’ll start on a sidewalk machine. You’ll have your own route in one of the city’s four quadrants. Routes are determined by seniority in the department, so once people retire or move on, you’ll go into a truck. What do you like about plowing? Tom: It’s very satisfying. When I’m sweeping up leaves and the street looks clean, I am proud of doing something that makes it look good. The same goes for plowing – I can go through and make it look nice. The streets are clear and ready to drive on. Sean: We get some cookies once in a while! But it’s just nice to help people out because we want the same thing in the cities we live in, too. It makes a big difference to be able to get where you want to go in the winter. Do you have any plowing pet peeves? Tom: The big obstacles are the garbage cans and the parked cars in the road. At my home, I put my cans up on the driveway or I create a notch in the grass in the snowbank so that I can put my cans in there so they’re not in the way of the plows. Then, they don’t have to move them out of the way and come back. My big reminder is to keep the cars off the road and keep cans off the road. Sean: My biggest pet peeve is when residents put their snow in the road. It’s illegal. It’s a law that you cannot remove snow from your property and put it anywhere else – it has to stay on your property. If we don’t get all of the snow removed from the road, it turns into an icebox and a speed bump that will be there for the rest of the season. Joggers also scare me when there’s a storm. Literally, all you’ll see is footprints. There have been times when I’m wondering, “Where are they? Where are they going to be?” School pick-up and drop-off is another scary time. A lot of times, we’ll just come back to Public Works during bus time because it’s so nerve-racking when there are little kids running around and playing in cul-de-sac snow piles. What is the typical duration of a snow event? Sean: Every event is a minimum two-day cleanup – probably almost three now with all of the roads, sidewalks and the 50th & France area. It just depends on how much snow we get. There are a lot of areas that need to be cleaned up and snow hauled out. Really big storms can take up to two weeks to fully clear snow. Do you have any interesting plowing memories? Tom: There are negative memories of when you couldn’t see anything out past the hood. You know, sometimes it’s like, “This is bad.” That is the two-inch-per- hour stuff we’re talking about. Last year, I was in a cul-de-sac and this woman gave me these specialty cookies. That was nice and memorable. I remember every house when they’ve made a positive impact; I remember who was kind to me, who waved and gave me a thumbs up, or whose kid did the old trucker horn thing. It makes me feel like we’re making a positive impact. Sean: What’s memorable is when residents come out and show they care. There are a lot of hours that we put in here that you’re like, “Why do I even do this?” People can be really frustrating, but it’s awesome when residents come out and thank you for everything that you do. They understand that we’re there at three, four in the morning and all we’re trying to do is help them. For more information on the City’s snow plowing operations, visit EdinaMN.gov/SnowPlowing. – Compiled by Lauren Siebenaler 11 12 Report a Water Main Break: Who, What and How By Reham Alemam If you suspect a water main break or know of one, it is prudent that you know how to act. Report a water main break 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday by calling Public Works at 952-826-0376. Outside of those hours or holidays, call 952-826-1610 (Police non-emergency). You can identify a water main break from changes in the smell, color or pressure of your water or from hearing a hissing or bubbling sound from pipes. The biggest sign is sudden or unexpected puddles or wet spots around your home or business. If you see spraying water, quickly locate the shutoff valve on your property and turn the water off. If you are unable to access the shutoff valve, contact the City. Water main leaks have the potential to impact more than our wallets. They can wreak havoc on surroundings, damaging sidewalks, roads, personal property and even, in extreme cases, the safety of your drinking water. While some water main breaks are inevitable due to aging pipes, shifting ground and extreme weather, quick reactions and responses by responsible residents can make a world of difference. The City of Edina has a network of about 200 miles of pipes crisscrossing through its neighborhoods. Timely reporting of water main breaks plays a pivotal role in helping the City’s Public Works team locate and repair leaks with speed and precision, preventing damage and water waste. When a break is reported, day or night, the City’s dedicated Public Works team swings into action, promptly shutting off the water from the stop box. It’s important to understand the division of responsibilities: leaks from the main up to the service line connection to a yard or property fall under the City’s jurisdiction, while service line leaks are the responsibility of property owners. Rest assured, Public Works will assist in determining responsibility and, most importantly, in halting or mitigating the leak’s impact. If you spot a leak on someone else’s property and can’t reach the owner, don’t hesitate to report it directly to Public Works to prevent further harm. They understand that time is of the essence, and their goal is to fix water main breaks as swiftly and efficiently as possible, ensuring that homes and businesses don’t go without running water for extended periods. Even if the repairs necessitate some digging, Public Works will get the job done. The duration of repairs depends on the severity and location of the water main break, but the Public Works team typically takes between four and six hours to restore normalcy. Water leaks can also be damaging or lead to higher utility bills. To prevent leaks at your home or business: 1. During winter, turn off the outside spigot from inside your home to prevent freezing. 2. Regularly check your spigot during winter; it should be dry with no ice buildup. 3. Examine your toilet tanks and listen for any unusual sounds. 4. Ensure that your water pressure matches the capabilities of your pipes to avoid excess stress. 5. At the start of each new season, inspect your pipes for rust, corrosion and cracks to catch potential issues early and maintain the integrity of your plumbing system. For more information on the City’s response to water main breaks, contact the Public Works Department at 952-826-0376. Public Works crews respond day or night to water main breaks. (File Photo) 12 13 Winter Emergency Kit Checklist □ Blankets/Sleeping Bag□ Non-Perishable Food (Granola bars, dried nuts, etc.)□ Cellphone and Charger□ Extra Clothing (Coat, hat, mittens, boots, etc.) □ Flares/Triangles (Or other bright items)□ Ice Scraper □ First Aid Kit□ Sand/Cat Litter (Used for traction) □ Bottled Water□ Snow Shovel □ Flashlight with Batteries□ Booster Cables Consider packing these helpful items for all your winter travels. 14 People of Public Works By Reham Alemam Earlier this year, four new staff members joined the Public Works Department: Lucas McDonald of the Streets Division, Jon Schonhoff of Equipment Operations and Curt Nivala and Luke Marchiafava of the Utilities Division. Marchiafava was the first of the new additions to the spirited Public Works Department. With a background as a Journeyman licensed plumber and a solid 12 years in the private sector of utilities, he brings a lot of experience to the Utilities Division. Reflecting on his initial impressions of the Public Works Department, Marchiafava noted, “What stood out to me immediately was how quickly everyone chips in to help when things get hairy.” McDonald is a proud graduate of Wayzata High School. McDonald spent 15 years in traffic control at Warning Lites of Minnesota. He also contributed his skills to the City of St. Paul Public Works Department for an additional three years before joining the Edina Public Works family. McDonald has an extensive history in traffic control, but when questioned about his favorite aspect of the job, McDonald’s enthusiasm shines through in an unexpected realm—pothole patching because, “I like to help out where I can most.” As McDonald transitioned into the Public Works Department, he discovered more than just a workplace. He found a community. Describing his coworkers as “a great group of guys,” McDonald emphasizes the camaraderie that makes his journey at Edina Public Works not just a job, but an adventure. Schonhoff joins the team of mechanics in the Equipment Operations Division with two years of nightshift experience at North American Trailer. He also brings with him his extensive knowledge of “the history of early automotive engines and drive lines,” he said. Schonhoff is also excited about the people he’s working with. His enthusiastic praise echoes through, as he declares Edina a “great city with even greater people.” The latest addition, Nivala has been working for Public Works since September. Before donning the Edina brand, Nivala worked for Hawkins, delivering water treatment chemicals to municipalities, installing softeners and refining residential water conditioning equipment. The welcoming embrace of the Public Works atmosphere is not lost on Nivala, who values the camaraderie. His favorite part of the job isn’t the work itself. “It’s learning where I can contribute and fit in with the department,” he said. “It’s not just about tasks. It’s about becoming an integral part of the collective effort.” Of the new staff, Assistant Public Works Director Dave Goergen said, “their diverse experiences and passions align seamlessly with the department’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing Edina’s infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.” For more information on the Public Works Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks. For more information about jobs with the department, visit EdinaMN.gov/Jobs. Edina’s Public Works Department Welcomes Four to the ‘Family’ 15 Lucas McDonald, Curt Nivala, Luke Marchiafava and Jon Schonhoff recently joined the staff of Edina’s Public Works Department.. (Photo by Jason Heuer) A snow fort can be a delightful winter structure to hole up in for a day of fun. For the young, they can be an intricate winter architecture project, referred to as a “castle” and serve as home base for a good-natured snowball fight. Made with unreliable materials such as wet snow, ice, and sludgy dirt, snow forts, even when appearing to be structurally sound, are the opposite. The roofs and tunnel systems of these snow forts are left vulnerable to collapses and even the destruction of exits, leaving people buried and trapped. Snow forts made close to roadways tend to blend into their surroundings, which leaves those playing in a fort vulnerable to being struck with avalanches of snow from snowplows or even passing vehicles. When snowplows push snow, they may push snow into the fort, burying exits or compromising the structure, leading to collapse. Occasionally, snowplows will perform a task called “winging back,” where drivers push the snow back further into the lawn to make room for future snowfalls. To avoid any unfortunate events, remember these important and potentially lifesaving tips: • Build snow forts a safe distance from the road – at least 25 to 30 feet back. • When building forts, opt for higher walls and no ceiling to avoid a collapse and to offer quick and efficient exits when needed. • Maintain the edges of your properties when the winter weather arrives. For more information about the City’s plowing or winter safety, visit EdinaMN.gov/SnowPlowing. – Compiled by Reham Alemam Public Works Department Reminds Residents to Build Snow Forts Safely