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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipeline_Late2025_WebLATE 2025PipelinePUBLIC WORKS Your Drinking Water Is Certified Safe Monitoring done on Edina’s and Minneapolis’ drinking water last year shows that it is safe. The City’s goal is to provide residents with water that surpasses both state and federal requirements for safety and quality. The 2024 report shows Edina water surpasses regulatory standards on all counts. Morningside Neighborhood residents who receive their water from the City of Minneapolis will find information detailing the quality of Minneapolis’ water in the report, too. Read the detailed report at EdinaMN.gov/WaterReport. By Debbie Townsend When it comes to invasive species, buckthorn is the 500-pound gorilla in Edina. It grows anywhere not regularly maintained, choking out other trees and plants. But it’s not the only invasive scourge. Emerald ash borers have decimated ash trees across Hennepin County – and country. Garlic mustard pops up and consumes open spaces. Other plants or trees, while not considered invasive, can simply take over if left unchecked. Park Maintenance staff work daily to keep invasives at bay in parks and open spaces, but special projects make the biggest impact. Here are just a few in progress: Ash Tree Replacement Funding: $480,000 grant from a division of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) When: 2025-2027 Purpose: Remove about 250 ash trees and replant two trees of diverse species for each ash removed. “We will be focusing on the most hazardous trees, the ones that pose a public safety hazard, such as the possibility of falling on a sidewalk,” said City Forester Luther Overholt. Note: If you have an ash tree on your property, have it removed if it is too late to save it. Braemar Park Restoration Funding: Part of $8.1 million in Braemar Park improvements paid for by voter-approved half-cent sales tax When: 2024-2026 Purpose: Remove invasives, especially buckthorn, from areas in the 500-acre park to restore healthy forests, wetlands and oak savanna. Garlic mustard and thistle are being thwarted as they attempt to grow back. Bredesen Park Restoration Funding: $500,000 grant from DNR; $50,000 from City When: 2024-2026 Purpose: Remove buckthorn and other invasives and thin some growth from 44 acres adjacent to Nine Mile Creek. Restore native oak savanna, healthy forest and wetlands. “It’s incredible,” said Tom Swenson, Assistant Director – Parks & Natural Resources, of the changes just midway through the project. “It’s transformed the park from a dark cave experience to more of an open savanna.” Buckthorn Dumps When: Spring and fall annually. Upcoming dates are Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26 Purpose: Free events where Edina residents can dump buckthorn cut from their property. Fred Richards Park Funding: Part of $17.7 million in voter- approved sales tax money to create Fred Richards Park When: Earthwork begins 2025 Purpose: Wetlands and nature restoration, new trees and shrubs are part of nature-focused park that replaces a former golf course. Pamela Park Buckthorn Bust When: 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12 Purpose: For years, members of River Valley Church have volunteered to cut down and haul away buckthorn from sections of the park. Others are welcome to show up and help. Removing Invasives Transforms Parks and Spaces 2 Willson Road Native Plantings When: Design in 2025 Purpose: Plant native grasses where turf grass used to be along Willson next to the Edina Country Club golf course. Part of construction projects in the area. “When projects align, we are trying to replace mowed grass that is underutilized or not in an active space,” Swenson said. “In its place, we are restoring natural prairies or planting what should be there naturally.” The conversion can be expensive, which is why it’s done with projects that would require replanting anyway. Other recent major restoration projects include Arden Park, Braemar Golf Course areas surrounding the courses and Weber Park, which was part of a flood-risk reduction project in the Morningside area. Edina has a management plan that prioritizes the areas needing restoration, Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner said, so they are tackled as funding and staffing allow. Each project includes longer-term maintenance plans to ensure the invasives do not return. Volunteers plant hundreds of shrubs and trees in the restored areas around Braemar Golf Course during the April 25 Arbor Day celebration. (Photo by Michelle Tanner)3 By Jacey Mismash With over 230 miles of roadways in Edina, keeping the streets safe and clean is a top priority for the City’s Public Works Department. Clearing the roads of leaves, trash and other debris not only keeps the roads looking pristine, but helps to preserve the integrity of the City’s natural water resources and reduce air pollution in Edina. How does street sweeping work? The City has four street sweepers—one mechanical, one regenerative air and two combination sweepers. The mechanical sweepers have brooms on the side of the vehicles to sweep up debris, directing it to a large broom under the center of the sweeper to guide it up onto a conveyer belt and into the truck. While the regenerative air sweeper also has brooms on the side of the truck, it uses the power of high-volume airflow to suck debris into a tube under the center of the truck rather than using another broom. The combination sweepers use both methods. Who sweeps the roads in Edina? Headed by the Streets Division at Public Works, there are four main operators: Dean Blenker, Tom Buckley, Trevor Tuinenga and Jim Voelker. With over 25 years on the job, Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson knows just how important it is to have a crew with the right set of skills to operate such specialized vehicles. “These operators have a lot of technical knowledge on how to keep these sweepers running and in good shape,” he explained. When do the streets get swept? The City has two citywide sweeps every year, one in spring when snow plowing is expected to be finished, and one in autumn after the leaves begin to fall. These sweeps cover every curb and municipal parking lot in Edina, typically taking between one to two months to complete the entire sweep. How Do Streets Get Swept in Edina? One of the City’s four sweepers cleans the Country Club Neighborhood. (Photo by Jacey Mismash) 4 How can residents help keep the streets clean? Adopt-a-drain. Commit to keeping drains clear of trash, leaves and grass in your neighborhood today! Sign up at adopt-a-drain.org. Bag your leaves. When thick layers of leaves build up, even the sweepers can’t remove them all. Don’t blow or rake leaves into the street — it’s not only neighborly, it’s the law! Put the trash where it belongs. When poop bags, cigarettes, plastic caps and more end up in storm drains, they make their way to Edina’s waterways. Help keep our lakes and creeks clean! However, the team still completes sporadic sweeps throughout the summer and in between the two major sweeps as necessary, especially in areas adjacent to priority lakes. You might see the sweepers in Edina this summer cleaning up after severe weather events, local parades, neighborhood celebrations and construction projects. Any time the crew might be between other summer streets projects, you’ll most likely find them on the road sweeping. “We strive to have a clean, neat looking town,” says Anderson, “and if that means going out every week to keep things tidy, then that’s what we’ll do!” Why is sweeping the streets important? By keeping the streets clear of debris, street sweeping keeps Edina looking tidy and clean while also protecting the city’s lakes from the buildup of harmful debris and excess nutrients. “Leaves are one of the biggest sources of excessive phosphorus in an urban setting,” explained Water Resources Manager Jessica Wilson. “When they end up in the water, the leaves break down and those nutrients become fuel for algae and can cause algae to overgrow in the city’s lakes.” If rainfall doesn’t gather up the dust and debris first, it’s more likely to get swept up by the wind, becoming airborne and leading to a decrease in air quality. Meet the street sweeping team! Pictured left to right are Jim Voelker, Tom Buckley, Trevor Tuinenga and Dean Blenker. (Photo by Jacey Mismash) 5 By Brittany Bader In Edina, water travels through more than 14,000 lines. Just two are galvanized lines that need to be replaced, and not a single one is a lead line. Those are the findings of a recent Service Line Inventory, part of a project required of all water-service providers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A water service line is a pipe that brings clean water from the City’s main supply to homes and businesses for everyday use. In Edina, the City owns the portion from the water main to the curb stop or valve, while property owners own the section from the curb stop to the building. The inventory, completed by the Public Works Department, documents the types of materials used for water service lines throughout the city. Service lines were identified through a combination of building records, hydro Public Works Finds No Lead Lines During Water Service Line Inventory excavations at curb stops and visual inspections inside of properties. “According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there are estimated to be 100,000 lead service lines in Minnesota. For us to be able to say we are lead-free from the initial inventory should be a great peace of mind for our residents,” said Assistant Public Works Director Dave Goergen. You can view the City of Edina’s Lead Service Line Inventory at EdinaMN.gov/LSL. BOULEVARD STREET PROPERTYLINEWATER SERVICE LINE CURBSTOP OWNER PORTION WATER METER CITY PORTION WATER MAIN Illustration of a water service line and ownership in Edina. (Graphic by Dan Doar) 6 The package might say flushable wipes, but they don’t break down the way toilet paper does. The result: Clogged pipes and expensive repair bills. Despite multiple lawsuits and multimillion-dollar settlements, many manufacturers are still labeling their wipes as flushable. If you use wipes, throw them in the trash. Do not flush, despite what the package says. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 952-826-0376. – Compiled by Debbie Townsend and Dan Doar Flushable Wipes Clog Pipes Baby Wipes, Wet Wipes and Flushable WipesSewer repair costs are part of utility bills and may increase rates 10 of past 12 sewer blockages since 2021 involved wipes Grease, Oils and Fats also are common causes of blockages 7 Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner and Engineering Director Chad Millner recently received significant awards from their professional associations. (Photo by Jason Heuer)8 By Kate Heimel Engineering Director Chad Millner and Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner are two distinguished members of Edina’s Engineering Department who were recently recognized for their contributions to their profession. City Engineer of the Year: Chad Millner Millner was named Minnesota’s 2024 City Engineer of the Year by the City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM) in January. CEAM is the premiere professional association for engineers in Minnesota. Its City Engineer of the Year Award recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of outstanding engineers across the state. CEAM has presented the award annually since 1985, and Millner is the second engineer from Edina to ever receive it. “Chad really has a very important job in the community because the community depends on the infrastructure that Chad has designed and built in this town,” said City Manager Scott Neal. “He’s in the community, he’s talking to people, he’s listening to what people say about where they live and really calculating that into the engineering design and principles he uses for all the infrastructure projects he’s been involved in.” Millner received the award for both his technical expertise in engineering as well as his leadership and commitment to improving the community of Edina. “No one expects to win awards for the work that we do, but I’m appreciative of the award,” said Millner. “I try to make Edina a little better each day by making sure the infrastructure is safe, resilient and managed for future generations.” Manager of the Year: Ross Bintner Bintner was named Manager of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in November 2024. The APWA aims to advance the quality of life for all, while supporting professionals in all aspects of public works and infrastructure. The Manager of the Year award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation, customer and community service, professional development and collaboration, with a strong commitment to improving infrastructure and services. Two Edina Engineering Department Employees Receive Statewide Honors “Ross is just a fantastic guy. He is really committed to the industry, not just within the City of Edina, but the entire industry, advocating for stormwater- type projects and environmental improvements, just to make sure that he leaves his position and leaves the community in a better place than when he started,” said Mitchell Hoeft, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the APWA. Bintner was recognized by the Minnesota Chapter for his significant contributions to the advancement of water resource management around the City of Edina. “I’ve been in this career for 23 years now, and it feels really nice to be recognized by my peers,” Bintner said. “I’m thankful to the organization and my peers for the honor. It reminds me to continue to push forward for the community and quality of life in Edina.” For more information on the Engineering Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/Engineering. 9 City Street and Sidewalk Reconstruction Projects Are Underway Mill-and-Overlay Projects in 2025 In a mill-and-overlay project, the top few inches of the roadway are ground down before a new layer of asphalt is laid down. This process helps smooth the surface and extend the pavement’s lifetime before a reconstruction is needed. Mill-and-overlay projects are an important component of the City’s Pavement Management Program. Streets to be included in the City’s 2025 mill-and-overlay schedule are: • McCauley Trail/East Frontage Road (from Post Lane to 78th Street roundabout) • Normandale Boulevard East (78th Street to Viking Drive) and north half of Viking • 70th Street & Metro Boulevard intersection • Philbrook Lane • Malibu Drive from Washington to end of cul-de-sac • Indian Hills “B” Neighborhood Sidewalk and Pedestrian Improvements All sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in the southwest quadrant of the city were recently inspected. During those inspections, 235 spots were identified to be grinded down and 390 sidewalk panels will be replaced. Roughly 25 pedestrian ramps are being upgraded within the area to be compliant with American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Ramps were selected in areas where there are a lot of pedestrians and school zones. Southwest quadrant sidewalks to be replaced: • Gleason Road (78th Street to Dewey Hill Road) • Valley View • Valley Lane • Ridgeview Drive • Cahill Road • 70th Street West • Antrim Road • Dewey Hill Road • West 78th 10 This year, streets in the Presidents A & B Neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of Edina are being reconstructed. Neighborhood street reconstruction projects are determined by the Engineering Department, which regularly reviews aging streets and utility infrastructure. As part of the street project, the City plans to construct one sidewalk and two shared-use paths to create connections throughout the community for walking, biking and transit access. Construction timeframe: Late April through mid-November Work includes: • Complete reconstruction of the roadway asphalt pavement • Reconstruction of two alleyways • New watermain and water services, including replacing fire hydrants and gate valves and adding more hydrants where necessary • Improvements to the sanitary sewer system • Modifications to roadway and storm sewer to improve drainage, including the installation of sump drain pipe where feasible • Replacement of concrete curb and gutter • Sidewalk and paths: ◦Monroe Avenue (5-foot sidewalk from 2nd Street South to Maloney Avenue) ◦Belmore Lane (8-foot shared-use path from Washington Avenue to Dearborn Court) ◦Washington Avenue (8-foot shared-use path from 3rd Street South to Maloney Avenue) The project will mostly affect local neighborhood traffic. However, drivers who use Washington and Maloney avenues should expect periodic delays as those are higher volume streets. Engineering staff are working with food distributor UNFI to redirect its truck traffic onto an alternative route away from Washington during and after construction. The Maloney detour route will be Blake Road, Excelsior Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Website: BetterTogetherEdina.org/presidents-ab Contact: Project Manager Brandon Freeman, BFreeman@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0448 – Compiled by Kate Heimel Neighborhood Street Reconstruction 520 306 300 307 412 6528 6521 6525 6520 308 609 508 406 408 407 516 605 304 516 524 532 305 6512 309 24 422 308 304 301 6521 317 404 411 315 408 512 316 323 407 415 303 322 401 308 308 312 314 419 302 510 322 306 313 320 504 309 299 300 311 414 6624 425 6612 312 419418 401 304 300 513 421 400 301-03 6615 6512 298 310 505 409 6615 417-19 305 408 500 313-15 420 501 421-23 509 309-11 613 302 312 417 300 323 305-07 500 301 410408 317-19 314 6517 416 420 304 318319 308 318 422 411 415 321 315 406 6600312315 301 411 405 409 316 405 314 304 311 319 306 413 308 317 401 306 424 317 425 301 305 307 404 401 414 418 422 408 421 412 407 411 423 423419 305 405 6616 400 424 323 413 415 323 419 411 422 406 311 411 415 315 540 425 404 415 419 404 410 413 309 414 405 423 301 403 424 410 419 409 412 305 411 418 414 409 420 6601 404 410409 416 313 402 409 416 317 423 401 416 407 6606414 414 408 418 411 319 404 415 418 412 420 402 418 425 416 303 416 400 408 415 408 403 417 409 421 422 424 400 415 301 319 405 401 6605423 6609309 400 323 424425 303 417 318 305 311 419 320 6655 402 322 425 423422 310 314316315 304 6651 417 310 412 302 318 306 318 320 404 405 400 409 306 312 308 316 404 414 314 402402 317 406 400 405 416 424 300 319 300 421 302 306 424 403 308 317 420 320 311 300 322 405 313 309 300 321 401 401403 315 404 322 407 425 305307 323 406406 325 307 403 6721 69406938 6750 306 6528 517 BELMORE LN MALONEY AVE ALDEN PARK 3RD ST S 2ND ST S WASHINGTON AVEADAMS AVEJEFFERSON AVEMADISON AVEMONROE AVEJACKSON AVEVAN BUREN AVEHARRISON AVETYLER AVETYLER CT Legend Existing Sidewalk Proposed Sidewalk Future Sidewalk Project Limits Future BikeLane Existing Shared-Use Path Proposed Shared-Use Path Presidents A & B Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Existing and Proposed Paths and Sidewalks 11 Started: Early March. I started seasonally with the City in 2019. Then I started full- time in 2023 as a Public Service Worker in Park Maintenance at Centennial Lakes Park, and then I moved into a role based at Arneson Acres Park this year. What are your general job duties? I’m in charge of the maintenance and upkeep of the garden beds that the City owns. I mow at Arneson Acres, deadhead the flowers, pull weeds and weed whip to keep the beds clean, watered and looking nice. With how hot and dry it is, things will slow down a little in July, but soon I will start planning next year’s garden beds and submit the orders for bulbs, flower perennials and more. What excites you about this position? Growing everything from a seed to a plant – I just love that. That makes me so happy. Where did you work prior to the City of Edina? I worked over at Wagner’s Greenhouse in the offseason. I was in retail and then I worked a lot with houseplants over there. I did a lot of classes with houseplants and I ran some workshops at Wagner’s as well. Connor Clifford, Public Service Worker – Park Maintenance People of Public Works New Staff Members Join the Public Works, Park Maintenance Teams By Lauren Siebenaler The Public Works Department and Park Maintenance Division have welcomed a few new talented employees to its staff of 65. Get to know the new staff who serve the City and how their paths led to Edina. Photos by Lauren Siebenaler1212 Started: Early March What are your general job duties? We work on sign maintenance, road striping, crosswalk installations, traffic control setups and, in the winter, snow plowing. What excites you about this position? I’m excited to help with road striping and grinding asphalt so we can install the thermal plastic on crosswalks and arrows. Where did you work prior to the City of Edina? I was a seasonal employee here for three years doing the same thing in the summers. And for a year between college and here, I was doing residential remodeling. Do you have anything else to share about your new role? My boss and everybody have been great. I’m glad to be here. Alex Pelinka, Public Service Worker – Traffic Safety Started: Early April What are you general job duties? I’m still learning the full scope, but the main part is maintaining inventory, like parts, forms and gas cards for all departments. I also help at the front desk at the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility and support the operations. What excites you about the position? I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and figuring out how to help the most. Where did you work prior to the City of Edina? More recently, I worked at a Lexus dealership. My primary background is in aviation, including 11 years at Delta. Amy Highum, Inventory Control Specialist Started: Mid-April What are your general job duties? I work on water main repairs and replacements, fire hydrant replacements, snow removal during the winter and just general street maintenance. Where did you work prior to the City of Edina? I worked for the City of Minneapolis for nine years. I did fire hydrant replacements, meter changes in residential homes and commercial places and water service line replacements. What excites you about this position? It’s a new environment after working for the same place for nine years. I’m excited to try new things and get used to a different workplace. Winston Nimely, Public Service Worker – Utilities For more information about the Public Works Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks.13 How do I report a pothole? Report potholes via the Edina 311 app, available in the App Store and Google Play. You can also report other issues, such as streetlight outages or road debris, through the app. Or you can visit EdinaMN.gov/ReportProblem or call 952-826-0376 to report a problem. I have yard debris from a storm. Will the City pick it up? No, the City does not pick up yard debris. Please contact your garbage hauler for pickup options. Who do I contact for questions about my water bill? For questions about your bill, please contact the Utility Billing Division of the Finance Department at 952-826-0373. Frequently Asked Questions What do the different colored flags in my yard mean? Can I put a PODS or similar storage container on the street? No. Storage units may not be kept on the street for any length of time. They must be stored in the yard or on the driveway. If your property is in a Homeowners Association, you should contact them about any rules they may have regarding storage containers. I have new seed or sod in my yard and need to water every day. Is there a permit allowing this? Yes. You may pick up a daily watering permit at the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd., between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding City holidays. This permit allows you to water daily for 14 days but not between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., which is never allowed. How do I obtain additional testing on my water? The City of Edina and the Minnesota Department of Health conduct all the water testing on water provided through the City system as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to maintain safe drinking water in our community. Results of municipal water testing are printed annually in the summer edition of Public Works Pipeline. If you rely on a private well, you are responsible for regularly testing your well water to make sure it is safe. The Minnesota Department of Health provides guidance on what to test for, how to test and maintains a list of accredited labs. Visit bit.ly/43awNJG. – Compiled by Holly Conwell Flags in your yard mark various infrastructure. Here is a key for what each color typically means: Blue Potable water White Proposed excavation Yellow Gas and oil Purple Irrigation Red Electric power lines, cables, etc. Orange Communication lines (phone, internet) Green Sewer and drain lines Pink Temporary survey markings 14 4-6 a.m. Best time to water? 10-15 minutes, two to four times per week. Water each area/irrigation zone BY THE NUMBERS Lawn Watering Overwatering wastes water and increases your water bill. A few proper steps will keep your lawn healthy while saving water and money. For more information, contact Assistant Public Works Director Dave Goergen at 952-826-0312 or dgoergen@EdinaMN.gov. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Watering is prohibited between Addresses ending in EVEN numbers water on EVEN days. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8Even Addresses ending in ODD numbers water on ODD days. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9Odd Additional watering restrictions may be put in place during drought conditions. Check the current status at EdinaMN.gov/WateringRestrictions. 15 By Jacey Mismash From Minnehaha Creek to Lake Cornelia, Edina’s many waterways are a big reason why many choose to call this city “home.” Unfortunately, when pollutants get dumped in local storm drains, they make Edina’s lakes and creeks a home of their own — one filled with harmful chemicals and waste. “When pollutants enter the storm system, they quickly reach our lakes and streams,” said Water Resources Manager Jessica Wilson. “Since the water from our storm systems enter the waterways untreated, excess amounts of these pollutants negatively impact the local ecosystems and water quality.” Keeping it Clean: Protecting Edina’s Water Dumping or draining contaminants into a storm drain is what’s known as an “illicit discharge,” and it’s illegal in Edina. Illicit discharges include, but are not limited to, leftover construction materials, oil and oil-based products, yard waste and trash. If an illicit discharge is found, the City will contact the polluter to get the contaminants properly cleaned up. However, repeated violations can result in fines to cover staff time and City materials used to properly resolve the discharge. “It’s important to note that whether intentional or not, an illicit discharge is still an illicit discharge,” says Wilson. There are a few exceptions to illicit discharges: sump pump drainage, dechlorinated pool water, residential car washing and fire hose runoff after an emergency. Overall, it’s best to remember that only rain should go down the drain. “By working together to identify and prevent these discharges, we help keep our waterbodies healthy and safe for everyone,” expressed Wilson. Suspect an illicit discharge? Submit a report at EdinaMN.gov/Edina311 or email Wilson at jwilson@EdinaMN.gov. 16 Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali Escanee este código para ver en español PipelinePUBLIC WORKS