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Home My WebLink AboutEditionEdina_July-2024-WebBY DEBBIE TOWNSEND Faster bus service with better amenities is coming to France Avenue. Construction for the Edina portion is happening now. Other sections will be done through fall 2025, with this new Metro Transit route, known as the E Line, tentatively scheduled to start in December 2025. What is the E Line and where will it travel? It’s a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that will provide faster service for much of what is now Route 6. It will run from the University of Minnesota to downtown, Uptown, down France Avenue and end at the Southdale Transit Center. BRT routes are faster because they make fewer stops, load at all doors and use advance tickets. An Edina resident could have dinner at 50th & France, hop on the bus and get to a Gophers sports event in roughly 38 minutes, said Metro Transit Community Outreach Coordinator Erik Thompson. What else is special about BRT routes? The bus shelters have on-demand heat and electronic signs that let you know when the next buses are due. Their curbs are higher to make it easier for everyone to get on and off. What’s happening during construction? Sections of southbound France Avenue from 44th to 66th streets will be closed to through traffic through August. As work at each station is completed, that section will reopen, Thompson said. During closures, emergency vehicles and business deliveries will still have access. Detours will be posted. The schedule is subject to change. Can I still park and shop or dine during construction? Yes! All the businesses along France Avenue will remain open. So will the parking ramps. “I would encourage people if they are driving to 50th & France to park in the ramps,” said Edina Transportation Planner Andrew Scipioni. “If you’re coming from the west or you’re coming from the south, it shouldn’t be different from normal.” Are there any special events happening? Some restaurants have expanded outdoor seating, and several retail shops are having sidewalk sales. The 50th & France Business & Professional Association is hosting multiple free events including: •Music on the Plaza: Concerts 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday through August. •Dancing on the Plaza: 7 p.m. Saturdays July 6, Aug. 3, 24 and 31, and Sept. 7. •Songs & Storytelling: Family-friendly performances plus kids’ crafts, 10 a.m. Saturdays July 13 and Aug. 3. “It’s going to be so much fun for people,” said 50th & France Director Rebecca Sorensen. “While they are here, people can explore all of our new shops and restaurants or visit their favorites. We have so much going on.” More events are planned. Follow 50thandFrance on Instagram for updates or visit 50thandFrance.com. Who is paying for this? The E-Line’s $60 million cost is fully funded through a mix of federal, state and Metropolitan Council funds, Thompson said. Does the “E” in E Line stand for Edina? It’s just a coincidence. Metro Transit already has A through D rapid transit routes and E was next up. It’s easy to remember though, Scipioni said. For more information, visit metrotransit.org/e-line-project, where you can also sign up for updates. Or contact Scipioni at ascipioni@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0440. Faster Bus Service Coming to France Avenue E Line Will Make It Easier To Travel to Uptown, Downtown, the University of Minnesota City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1 POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT PAGE 3 Edition: Edina JULY 2024 Volume 11, Issue 7Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City BY BRITTANY BADER When the street reconstruction project near Edina City Hall is completed at the end of summer, the area will reopen with several safety improvements in place, including a new traffic signal system at Grange Road and West 50th Street that adds new crosswalks and audible crossing indicators. What is the timeline? Construction started the week of June 10. It is scheduled to be finished by the third week of August, before school starts. Why is the City doing this project? This project is part of the larger plan to improve safety for all modes of transportation in the Grandview District and continues work the City did last year when two roundabouts were added along Eden Avenue. “The goal of this project is to improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians within the district. We want to provide safe and comfortable sidewalks for people walking and biking in the area, in addition to slowing traffic and protecting left turns on West 50th Street,” said Engineering Director Chad Millner. What changes are being made to improve pedestrian safety? •New traffic signal system and two additional crosswalks at the intersection of Grange Road and West 50th Street •New accessible pedestrian signals that provide audible crossing information •Addition of wide sidewalks (ranging from 8 to 10 feet wide) along both sides of West 50th in the project area •Completing the first section of a new 10-foot-wide sidewalk on Grange from West 50th that will eventually connect to Eden Avenue after a subsequent project in 2025 What changes are being made to improve vehicle safety? •Medians on West 50th to narrow lanes and slow traffic •Protected left-turn lane from West 50th onto Grange Road •Designated left-turn lane from West 50th onto Dale Drive What are the road closures during construction? The project includes two work zones: Grange Road from the Minnesota Highway 100 northbound (Hwy 100 N) on- and off-ramps to West 50th, and West 50th from Grange to just east of Dale. Signage is posted to inform drivers of detours. •The local detour is Eden Avenue, spanning from Vernon Avenue to West 50th. •Access to and from the Hwy 100 N on- and off-ramps is limited during the project. Drivers should plan for the ramps to be closed, although depending on the phase of work, the contractor may have them open at certain times. •To access residential areas off Dale, drivers need to use East Sunnyslope Road. How do I get to City Hall? Visitors to Edina City Hall will need to use the Eden Avenue entrance and exit until the project is complete. How is the City paying for this project? Like last year’s roundabout project, the $2.7 million for these improvements will come from the tax-increment financing (TIF) district associated with Maison Green. Detour maps and ongoing information about the project can be found at Bit.ly/50thGrangeProject. For more information, contact Millner, 952-826-0318 or cmillner@EdinaMN.gov. More Grandview Safety Improvements in Progress New Sidewalks, Crosswalks Being Added Near Edina City Hall MN-100 N On Ramp MN-100 N Exit Ramp Grange Rd.W. 50t h S t . Eden Av e.Dale Dr.Edina City Hall 50th & France New Traffic Signal System and Crosswalks Protecte d L e f t T u r n Lane ont o G r a n g e R d . Designat e d L e f t T u r n Lane on t o D a l e D r . KEY: Streets Traffic Median Wide Sidewalks ?úA@ Edina City Hall Edina Country Club Our Lady of GraceCatholic Church GrandviewSquareGus Young Lane Eden Ave n u e 49th Street West Vernon AvenueHawthorneCourtArcadia AvenueDale DriveGra n g e R o a d 52nd StreetWest 51stStreetWest InterlachenBoulevard 50th Street WestSummitAvenueHilltopLane SherwoodR oadHankerson AvenueBrooksideAvenueSu n n y s l o p e R o a d Ea s t Willson RoadMaxar, Microsoft Legend Road Closure Project Area Detour Local Traffic ¯ W 50TH STREET - LOCAL TRAFFIC DETOUR Detour Route KEY: Road Closure Project Area Detour Local Traffic 2 POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2023 City of Edina Directory City Council Mayor Jim Hovland – 612-874-8551 Council Members Kate Agnew – 952-833-9556 Carolyn Jackson – 952-833-9547 James Pierce – 952-833-9548 Julie Risser – 952-833-9557 Executive Leadership Team City Manager Scott Neal – 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Ari Lenz – 952-826-0416 Communications Director Jennifer Bennerotte – 952-833-9520 Community Development Director Cary Teague – 952-826-0460 Engineering Director Chad Millner – 952-826-0318 Finance Director Pa Thao – 952-826-0420 Fire Chief Andrew Slama – 952-826-0332 Human Resources Director Kelly Curtin – 952-826-0402 I.T. Director Ryan Browning – 952-826-0434 Parks & Recreation Director Perry Vetter – 952-826-0430 Police Chief Todd Milburn – 952-826-0487 Public Works Director Brian Olson – 952-826-0311 The City of Edina reports financial year- end results in its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This Popular Annual Financial Report summarizes significant data from select funds in the Dec. 31, 2023 ACFR and is consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. For a complete review of the City’s financial position for 2023, consult the ACFR, available at EdinaMN.gov/Finance. BY MATT CORDS After months of planning, presentations and deliberation from City leadership, construction for Edina’s new Fire Station 2 began in May. The project at 4401 W. 76th St., which is estimated to cost $24.1 million to build, will provide additional support to the southeast quadrant of the city with increased staffing, equipment and community space. With the new facility being built in the greater Southdale area, Edina Fire will be better prepared to serve a district that consistently sees the highest density of calls. A breakdown of the project and financing is detailed by Finance Director Pa Thao and Project Manager Zuly Marquez. Can you explain why the City had to increase the budget on the Fire Station 2 project? Marquez: Construction bids and land costs were higher than estimated due to market and inflationary pressures that had yet to cool. A few design options and budgets for the project were presented to the City Council when the request was made to increase the budget. Which plan was ultimately selected for the project? Marquez: The City Council selected the “Better” option. This option balanced the tradeoffs between capital and design features–maintaining architecture such as stone, wing walls and roof overhangs, sustainability features like a rooftop solar array and ice melt system–all while avoiding the reduction of uses. The “Best” option included two additional dorm rooms and an extra apparatus bay for equipment. The project is still tracking with the Council- approved budget from earlier this year. How is the project being paid for? Thao: We had Capital Improvement Plan bond authorizations for the site acquisition, which equates to the bulk of the spending to date. At the June 4, 2024 City Council meeting, $17.51 million in general obligation bonds were authorized to cover the Fire Station’s project design and initial construction costs. Marquez: The City was granted $1.3 million in State appropriations under the 2023 enacted capital investment bill. This grant is administered by the Department of Public Safety. The City’s Conservation and Sustainability Fund also provided $200,000 to maximize the amount of solar on the building’s roof area during the initial build. The Fire Station 2 design takes sustainability into consideration. Can we expect some of these features with higher up-front cost to be made up in the long run? Marquez: Per the Energy Design Assistance program results, the simple payback with Xcel and CenterPoint Energy incentives ranges from 5 to 10 years for all energy- saving design strategies. The design strategies bundle includes items such as higher efficiency mechanical units, occupancy sensors, heat recovery, lighting, insulation, etc. What is the financial impact on Edina residents? Thao: With the issuance of debt to fund the construction of a new Fire Station, property owners in Edina will likely see an increase in their property taxes. The actual amount is hard to determine because there are several variables that impact property taxes, including market values, tax rates and other City revenue/spending plans. The source to repay this debt issuance will be property taxes collected over a 30-year period. The new Fire Station 2 is scheduled to open in late 2025. To learn more about the Fire Station 2 project, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/fire-station-2. Fire Station 2: What is the Cost? Bonds Issued by the City Will Help Pay for a Majority of the Public Safety Project 3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov Edina Liquor General Manager Josh Furbish recently talked about industry changes and what’s happening at Edina’s municipal liquor stores. Q: How does the revenue in 2023 compare to previous years? A: We had back-to-back record years for revenue in 2021 and 2022 and that’s always challenging to match. Lifestyles changed during the pandemic. Now, we’re seeing consumer habits start to shift back to where we saw them prior to the pandemic. Revenue is something that a lot of folks always fixate on because it’s a number that’s easy for us to wrap our brains around. In 2023, we closed out at $13.3 million. If we were back in 2018 or 2019, we would be so excited about that number! But we did around $14 million in 2021 and 2022. Sometimes people will use the term “rebuild.” This wasn’t a rebuild. It was more of a “recalibrate” because things were just different. Q: Do you think the impact has been felt industry-wide? A: According to the lead global drinks data and insights company, ISWR, the downturn in revenue for 2023 has been an industry-wide trend. Though the industry compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been projected to grow nationally, the funnel that makes up that growth is very wide. Many of the areas we have leaned on historically are actually in decline, which is why it is critically important for us to target the segments of the industry that are projected to grow at a higher rate than the projected CAGR for the industry. Prioritizing premium products in the spirits category and small production wineries often lean toward sustainable and cause-conscience practices, and these are products we can bring to the market with limited to no visibility. Q: How did your staff evolve at Edina Liquor? A: Over the last couple years, we have fewer staff who are working part time in the store and more working full time or extended part time. We have a good core unit of very intelligent, very knowledgeable industry professionals. We really started attracting a lot of bartenders and sommeliers to Edina Liquor. They wanted to kind of dabble in this environment which has, in turn, helped us improve our customer experience. Customers started noticing our staff are sharp and knowledgeable. Among our staff are a whiskey sommelier and a French wine scholar. Q: What stands out about Edina Liquor from other liquor stores? A: We really looked at the product selection that we had and what our customers were looking for. We are very much a local bottle shop and not a big-box retailer. We spent time finding new and unique products out there that customers don’t have a lot of awareness of but that are going to stack up against popular brands. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we introduced 22 brand new wine labels that were either not in this market at all or they had very limited availability at local restaurants and bars in the area. Q: How have the new products been going over with customers? A: We have found some brands that this community has really embraced. The one that we talk about a lot is a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand called Riley’s Lookout. The winery is located very, very close to the Kim Crawford estate, which is the top-selling brand for Sauvignon Blanc. So the growing conditions are almost the same. The flavor profile is right in line with Kim Crawford or even elevated, in my opinion. This community just loved it. When we did our fourth quarter product evaluation, we were the No. 1 account in the Midwest for Riley’s Lookout. When we checked in with the vendor, it turns out we were selling more than anybody else! Q: How does that success make the team feel? A: It was exciting to identify new products and introduce them to our customers and have a little more fun. Making this switch was very similar to years back when we looked at our beer category and moved away from some of the big national brands. We really built these strong partnerships with our local breweries and Midwest independent breweries and started creating space for them here. Although it was a little different process and it was a little more difficult to identify some of these new wine products, we had fun doing it. And so far, the community has gravitated toward them. Q: How are you getting out in front of your customers more? A: Every Thursday during the summer, we are at the Centennial Lakes Farmers Market for about three hours inside the Hughes Pavilion. It’s been great to work on that and we quietly rolled it out because it wasn’t something that we had tried before. We may do an expansion this year with a non-alcoholic segment. We are also entering into a sponsorship with the 50th & France Business & Professional Association for its summer concert series. We’re excited to deploy a beverage garden at the Plaza at Nolan Mains. That’s going to be another avenue for us to get out and in front of our customers in a different way than we have before. In addition to all of that fun, we have also been chosen as the Edina Chamber of Commerce’s “Pouring Partner.” So we will be supporting some of the Chamber’s networking events by pouring select products. Q: Do you think the legalization of cannabis has had an effect on liquor sales? A: Yes, the increased demand in cannabis and hemp-based THC products has had an effect on the alcohol industry. We only offer THC seltzers and found a space with selection that allowed us to continue to compete late last year. THC products have also created a spin- off of sorts with things like “dry January” and “Sober October” where these are the items consumers are moving to not just during those months but throughout the year to lower their consumption of alcohol. It’s a new branch and we still have a lot to learn and gauge, but it is also a segment that we project to see significant growth as legislation continues to evolve. – COMPILED BY LAUREN SIEBENALER Edina Liquor Makes Changes to Improve Customer Experience and Optimize Profit General Manager Josh Furbish Works to Respond to Change in Consumer Habits ANNUAL REPORT Edina Liquor Net Income Before Transfers: 2023 – $545,816; 2022 – $624,235 2021 – $780,499; 2020 – $654,577 2019 – $1,190,725; 2018 – $1,431,841 2017 – $1,007,132 Edina Liquor Transfers in 2023: Art Center – $300,000 Braemar Arena – $350,000 Centennial Lakes Park – $350,000 Edina Liquor “pours profits back into the community.” Although the annual transfers totaled more than the 2023 profit, Edina Liquor has a an existing fund balance to cover them. 4 BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND A flurry of changes at Braemar Park are underway as the City begins to spend revenue from the local option sales tax approved by Edina voters in 2022. Collection of the half-cent sales tax began April 1, 2023, and raised just over $5.5 million in the calendar year. The Finance Department estimates it will continue to bring in about $7.3 million annually. An estimated 54 percent of that revenue will come from people who live outside Edina but spend at local businesses, according to a University of Minnesota analysis. The tax will collect $71 million for Braemar Arena, Braemar Park and Fred Richards Park and will sunset once the amount is raised or after 19 years, whichever comes first. “The master plans for these parks contained a lot of features and programs,” said Park Planner Rachel Finberg. “We are making sure we take time to evaluate all those items and are able to fit them all in the timeline and budget. Before spending the money, we want to make sure we are spending the money correctly.” Parks Changes Begin From Sales and Use Tax Braemar Arena, Braemar Park and Fred Richards Park To Receive Massive Improvements ANNUAL REPORT Major Projects in Progress Project Description Status Buckthorn removal Remove invasive species across Braemar Park to make way for trails 75% complete, ongoing monitoring. Braemar Park trails Add 11 miles of mountain biking and walking trails East side expected to be complete by July. West and Northwest sections in progress. Courtney Fields improvements Upgrade lighting and add safety netting Construction in progress. Courtney Fields playground Add new playground Public input on design in progress.$8.1 million Braemar Park Improvements$17.7 million Fred Richards Park Improvements$13.5 million Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates$25.3 million Braemar Arena expansion Braemar Park Improvements Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates Fred Richards Park Improvements Braemar Arena Expansion $8.1million $17.7million $13.5million $31.7million $8.1 million Braemar Park Improvements$17.7 million Fred Richards Park Improvements$13.5 million Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates$25.3 million Braemar Arena expansion Braemar Park Improvements Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates Fred Richards Park Improvements Braemar Arena Expansion $8.1million $17.7million $13.5million $31.7million $8.1 million Braemar Park Improvements$17.7 million Fred Richards Park Improvements$13.5 million Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates$25.3 million Braemar Arena expansion Braemar Park Improvements Braemar Arena Critical Infrastructure Updates Fred Richards Park Improvements Braemar Arena Expansion $8.1million $17.7million $13.5million $31.7million Buckthorn in sections of Braemar Park was removed and in some areas burned on site as the first step for trail building and nature restoration, paid for by a voter-approved sales and use tax. (File Photo) Fred Richards Park Clubhouse renovation Gathering spaces Inclusive playground Nature and wetland restoration Pickleball and basketball courts Trails Braemar Park Courtney Fields site improvements Nature restoration Parking and site upgrades Pickleball courts Braemar Arena Critical infrastructure upgrades including roof, HVAC, rink cooling system, ADA accessibility, locker rooms and restrooms: $13.5 million Expansion for fourth indoor ice sheet, safer pick-up/drop-off area, larger lobby and added parking: $31.7 million In November 2023, Edina voters approved using the sales tax for the $31.7 million expansion project. To maximize efficiency and savings, the projects are being combined. For more information on all these projects, visit the Parks Projects section of BetterTogetherEdina.org. Major Projects to Come Fred Richards Park Open House Come see preliminary park designs and provide your feedback. When: 5-8 p.m. Monday, July 8 Where: Hughes Pavilion at Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. 5City of Edina EdinaMN.gov ANNUAL REPORT Program: Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Organization: Edina Education Fund Grant Award Amount: $300,000 Funds support all Edina Public Schools kindergarten through second-grade teachers getting trained in LETRS. Research suggests students who are not confident readers will have a higher chance of mental health and behavior issues. If a child struggles to read, their mental health declines and if a child has failing mental health, they will likely struggle to learn. Edina Public Schools has made significant improvements in mental health offerings. Their next step was to provide teachers with the training needed to address students’ literacy education. City Continues Providing Relief to Community through American Rescue Plan Act 13 Programs Benefitted from ARPA Grants in 2023 As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Edina was allocated $4.9 million to provide relief from the COVID-19 pandemic and boost the economy. The spending plans for the ARPA funds were approved by the City Council in 2021, 2022 and 2023 after the City received input from the community. Total ARPA Grants for 2023: Mental Health Unit - $60,000 VEAP Rental Assistance - $198,006 Edina Chamber Innovation Lab - $150,000 Small Business Support - $47,475 Broadband for the Community - $10,463 Broadband for the City - $178,236 NextGen Trees Initiative - $94,827 Community Health - $74,968 Capital Investments Response - $127,444 Edina Education Fund LETRS - $300,000 Affordable Housing Finance Program - $30,134 Government Operations Training and Support - $68,593 Edina Give and Go - $20,000 Program: Rental Assistance Organization: Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) Grant Award Amount: $198,006 Funds support Edina residents directly impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were used to subsidize rent, utilities and deposits to provide housing stability and prevent homelessness for eligible low-income applicants. They also helped provide an Edina-based application process to quickly connect residents to services and support through more direct channels. This program provided direct assistance to renters with the most need to ensure basic needs were met quickly and efficiently. Program: Edina Innovation Lab Organization: Edina Chamber of Commerce. Grant Award Amount: $150,000 Funds support the Edina Innovation Lab’s programs and services to established businesses. They were used for the direct program costs of the Innovation Lab program, including rent, utilities, payroll and benefits. The services focus on helping entrepreneurs and the local business community become more resilient and better equipped to navigate the ever-changing business and economic environment now and in the future. This is accomplished through business education, mentorship and connecting to trusted partnerships that help leaders grow and innovate personally and professionally. For more information on the City’s American Rescue Plan Act initiative, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/arpa. – COMPILED BY LAUREN SIEBENALER Edina Give and Go Government Operations Training and Support Affordable Housing Finance Program Capital Investments Response Community Health NextGen Trees Initiative Broadband for the City Broadband for the Community Small Business Support Mental Health Unit Edina Education Fund LETRS Edina Chamber Innovation Lab VEAP Rental Assistance 6 ANNUAL REPORT Detailed in the graphs provided are the 2023 and 2022 total revenues and expenditures for all the governmental funds. Revenues are presented by category (e.g., Taxes) and expenditures are presented by function (e.g., General Government). At the end of the current fiscal year, revenues and expenditures totaled $90.8M and $97M, respectively, for an overall decrease in fund balance of $6.2M before other financing sources (e.g., Transfers, Bonds Issued, etc.). Revenues came in 17%, or $13.3M, higher than 2022. The increase is mostly attributable to increased Intergovernmental ($1.2M); Other ($3.9M) and Taxes ($4.1M), Tax Increment Collections ($358K) and General Sales Tax ($5.5M) partially offset by an decrease in Special Assessments ($816k) and Licenses and Permits ($1.7M). 2023 Intergovernmental revenue was higher due to ARPA ($1.2M) and Public Safety Aid Funding ($2.3M). Increase in Other revenue is mostly attributable to investment income earnings ($8.2M). The City holds investments to maturity and experienced unrealized net gains in 2023, increasing total Investment Income to $5.3M. Tax Revenue (property, tax increment, franchise fee, lodging taxes and general sales tax) increased 20% and Special Assessment decreased 18%. The increase in taxes is the result of an increased General Fund operating levy that provides funding for governmental services (public safety, public works, etc.); property taxes represent 54% of all governmental fund revenues and 67% of General Fund revenues. Special Assessment decreased mostly due to fewer collections as the result of the City’s updated Special Assessment Policy. Expenditures came in 6%, or $6.2M, lower than 2022. This is attributed to a $11.2M decrease in Public Safety spending, which was driven by less capital spending ($3M). Public works increased $8.4M primarily due to budgeted merit increases to attract and retain staff and better manage our capital assets. Public works had capital asset expense of $12.2M for new plow trucks and retaining wall construction. Parks & Recreation Department spending in 2023 increased by $1.3M, which is more consistent with pre-pandemic spending levels. Debt service expenditures decreased $3.8M primarily due to no refunding of existing bonds were made in 2023. Governmental Funds Governmental Fund Expenditures 2022 2023 Difference General Government $22,812,564 $21,903,233 $909,331 Public Safety $ 43,180,505 $31,938,035 $11,242,470 Public Works $19,294,918 $27,715,046 $8,420,128 Parks & Recreation $6,748,817 $8,071,113 $1,322,296 Debt Service $11,296,389 $7,471,875 $3,824,514 Totals $103,333,193 $97,099,302 $6,233,891 $0 $10 $20 $40 $50 $30 Public Safety Parks & Recreation General Government Public Works Debt ServiceMillionsGovernmental Fund Expenditures Comparison 2022 2023 Governmental Fund Revenues ComparisonGovernmental Fund Revenues 2022 2023 Difference Taxes $48,193,547 $52,297,131 $4,103,584 Tax Increment Collections $1,720,243 $2,078,687 $358,444 General Sales Tax —$5,450,871 $5,450,871 Special Assessments $4,426,156 $3,609,885 $816,271 Licenses and Permits $7,482,098 $5,716,734 $1,765,364 Intergovernmental $6,459,627 $7,718,968 $1,259,341 Charges for Services $6,254,411 $7,121,548 $867,137 Other $2,904,785 $6,823,160 $3,918,375 Totals $77,440,867 $90,816,984 $13,376,117 $0 $10 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 Tax Incr e m e nt C oll ecti o ns Special Assess m e nts Gener al S ales T a x Licens es & P er mits Interg o ver n m e nt al Charg es f or S ervic esTaxesMillions Other 2022 2023 7City of Edina EdinaMN.gov New County Commissioner Shifts Gears from State to Local Impact Edina Resident Heather Edelson Sworn In as New Hennepin County Commissioner RECURRING EVENTS Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Concert, Centennial Lakes Park Tuesdays and Thursdays, (No event July 4), 9:30-11 a.m. Art Cart with the Edina Art Center, Centennial Lakes Park Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. Children’s Entertainment, Centennial Lakes Park Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. (No event July 4) Farmers Market, Centennial Lakes Park UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, July 1, 4:30 p.m. K-9 Gryf Retirement Paw-ty, Centennial Lakes Park Thursday, July 4 Independence Day, City offices closed Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m. Edina Fourth of July Parade, begins behind Edina City Hall Thursday, July 4, 8:30 p.m. Fourth of July Fireworks and Concert, Rosland Park Friday, July 5 City offices closed Saturday, July 6, 7 p.m. Dancing on the Plaza with Arthur Murray, 50th & France Wednesday, July 10, 5 p.m. Art Together, Fred Richards Park Thursday, July 11, 5 p.m. Ribbon-cutting celebration for Weber Park improvements, Weber Park Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. Free People Fitness Fun with the Yoga Room, 50th & France Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. Songs and Storytime on the Plaza, 50th & France Tuesday, July 16, 10 a.m. Kids Yoga with Learning Tree Yoga, Centennial Lakes Park Tuesday, July 16, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, Edina City Hall Thursday, July 25, 7:30 a.m. Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting, Edina City Hall Friday, July 26, 7 p.m. “Fading Ads of the Twin Cities,” Edina History Museum 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 BY GIOVANNA CONTRERAS Edina resident Heather Edelson recently won the challenge to fill the vacant Hennepin County Commissioner role for District 6, serving Edina. “I love public policy. I love the complexities. I love the nuance of it. I love kind of digging into systems and seeing how things function and work,” Edelson said. She also said she has a passion for environmental causes such as water protection and advancing better educational policies surrounding literacy like the READ Act. Hennepin County held a special election in May after Chris LaTondresse resigned from office in the fall of 2023 to pursue a different career endeavor. His resignation left 16 west metro cities voiceless in County government. The District 6 Commissioner represents all or parts of the cities of Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland. “I’m touching base with our communities,” said Edelson. “I’m meeting with the mayors and city managers. I’m doing that for all 16 cities to just go through and talk about what the cities’ priorities are.” Edelson holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University in legal studies and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. Prior to being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, she served as an outpatient mental health therapist and a clinical social worker. She worked consecutively as a legislator for six years representing Edina, wrapping up her work in with the legislative session in May. On a state level, Edelson represented an estimated 44,000 people in parts of Bloomington and Edina. Looking for ways to create a difference, she navigated this political field by discussing and presenting ideas with bipartisan effort. Edelson attributes her success at the Capitol to emphasizing the need to understand people’s intentions and finding common ground to deliver essential services without petty interference. From her viewpoint, understanding diversity and cultural competence is crucial for effective governance. Now on a local level, Edelson represents an estimated 182,000 people. “A lot of the policies I’ve passed at the Capitol, I now get to help implement at the county level, which is really exciting,” she said. She has hired two new staff members to support the influx of role demands. Edelson is set to complete her current temporary term, which goes through the end of the year. She needs to be reelected this fall as County Commissioner if she wants to continue representing District 6 in 2025. For more information on the County, visit Hennepin.us. To contact Edelson, email heather.edelson@hennepin.us. Heather Edelson won a special election in May to serve as Hennepin County Commissioner representing Edina and the rest of District 6. (Photo by Jason Heuer) 952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov8