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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Connection 10_2_2012Council begins work on CIP At a work session prior to its regular meeting, the Council began discussing the City’s 2013-2017 Capital Improve- ment Plan (CIP). The City implemented a two- year budget cycle process be- ginning with the 2012-2013 operating budget. While the operating budget and CIP will be reviewed every year, the majority of the planning, focus and effort will alternate be- tween the two. During even- numbered years such as this, the City’s focus will be on the CIP. Extra efforts are dedicated to reviewing the projects in the CIP and prioritizing them based on information available at the time. The operating budget is reviewed but only updated if necessary. While prioritization has always been part of the CIP process, the City implemented a new formal process that standardiz- es priorities across functions and departments beginning with the 2013-2017 CIP. The prioritization process considers the City’s strategic goals and objectives. Projects prioritized as “Critical,” “Significant” or “Important” were included in the draft CIP. Projects proposed for 2013 include street reconstruction projects, playground equipment at Wooddale Park, baseball field improvements at Garden Park and a greater Southdale- area transportation study. Council Members provided some feedback to staff on the draft CIP. Among the feedback, staff was asked to consider moving a $1 million expansion of Braemar Golf Course’s driv- ing range up in the plan. In the draft CIP, staff proposed that project for 2015. Also, some Council Members said they would prefer to wait to discuss improvements at the Art Center until after they have reviewed a study of operations there. Pro- posed projects include a park- ing lot expansion, HVAC up- grades and software. Based on the Council’s input, staff will prepare a revised draft of the CIP that includes a sum- mary describing the changes to the Oct. 2 draft. Staff will post the latest draft on the City’s website and use it as the basis of a public hearing and final Council review and approval in December. Council honors two Police Officers Two Edina police officers re- ceived department accolades at the Council meeting for their exceptional service. Sgt. Vik Konters received the Distinguished Service Award for his 20 years of service with the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard (LEMA). A founding mem- ber of the organization whose mission is to assists families of officers who have died in the line of duty, Konters has dedi- cated his wisdom and time to building the first statewide hon- or guard. During his tenure, Konters took part in honoring more than 20 fallen police officers and partici- pating in 150 LEMA events around the country. He also served as an instructor at Camp Ripley for LEMA training. Officer Jim Rygg received the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to safety through traffic enforcement during his A summary of the Oct. 2 Edina City Council meeting Oct. 15, 2012 Volume 14, Issue 17 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: • City Council and Art Center Board work session, 5 p.m. Oct. 16 • Community Health Com- mitee, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 • City Council, 7 p.m. Oct. 16 • Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 pm. Oct. 23 City Contacts City Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Finance Director John Wallin 952-826-0410 Police Chief Jeff Long 952-826-0491 Director of Engineering Wayne Houle 952-826-0443 We’d like to hear from you … If you have any comments, call Communications & Technology Services Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833- 9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.EdinaMN.gov. www.EdinaMN.gov 18-year career with the Edina Police Department. Since join- ing the department, Rygg has written 25,000 citations and despite his continuous contact with residents, Police Chief Jeff Long said Rygg has always remained respectful and exem- plifies the high level of dedica- tion and professionalism the City of Edina aspires to. Council holds hearings on special assessments The Council held 14 public hearings for special assess- ments. The Council approved assess- ments for various tree and aquatic weed removals, weed mowing and maintenance in the Grandview Heights and 50th & France commercial district. Assessments for street recon- struction projects in the Golf Terrace, West 70th Street, Killarney Shores, McCauley Heights, Oscar Roberts, West 44th Street and Ridge Road neighborhoods were also ap- proved. The Council continued action on special assessments pro- posed for the Minnehaha Woods and Carson’s Hill neigh- borhoods. The final assess- ment hearing on the Carson’s Hill project was continued due to an error in the final assess- ment roll. The City Council vot- ed to delay the vote on the Minnehaha Woods assessment until after staff was able to re- evaluate the Public Improve- ment and Special Assessment Agreements, further explain the difference between the esti- mate and final costs of sanitary sewer service upgrades, and comment on the engineering fees.