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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_022112Park Board to form Hornet’s Nest Working Group The Council granted the Park Board permission to form a work- ing group to further study a pro- posal for a new sports facility adjacent to Braemar Arena. Project advocates who call their organization “Drive for the Hive” have proposed building a free- standing, two-level building im- mediately north of Braemar Are- na’s west rink. The building would include permanent locker rooms for the Edina High School boys’ and girls’ hockey teams on the lower level and dry-land train- ing facilities, a quick-serve res- taurant and pro shop on the upper level. The working group will include at least two Park Board members, interested members of the pub- lic, representatives of Drive for the Hive, a school district repre- sentative and Parks & Recrea- tion Department staff. Council expands Redevelopment Project Area The Council expanded the geo- graphic area where the City is authorized to spend funds from the Centennial Lakes Tax Incre- ment Finance (TIF) District. Staff identified the Centennial Lakes Tax Increment Finance, or TIF, District as a potential source of funding for public costs asso- ciated with the future redevelop- ment of the GrandView District and areas of the community that are described as “areas of future change” in the Comprehensive Plan. The Council, acting in its capacity as the City’s Housing and Rede- velopment Authority, approved an expansion that includes an area that stretches from the southeast corner of the City north to the 50th & France and 44th & France commercial nodes, west to the 70th & Cahill commercial node, and northwest to include the nodes at Valley View & Wooddale and the GrandView District. The expansion of the Redevelop- ment Project Area will not cause any immediate changes to the City. Any redevelopment in one of the City’s commercial areas would need to be approved by the Council, which would also have to take action to fund any related public improvements. City to consider change in local liquor law to allow ‘happy hours’ The City Council has asked staff to research the impacts of a potential change in local law that would allow for “happy hours” and other promotions of alcohol- ic beverages. The Minnesota Restaurant Asso- ciation requested that the City review its laws dealing with the sale of liquor and wine, specifi- cally the subsection covering “sale prices.” The Association reported that members have found it difficult to comply with the local law that bans drink specials while remaining compet- itive with venues in nearby com- munities. The Association has proposed a change that would allow restau- rants to offer discounts or sale prices on drinks, but not offer such things as two-for-ones that promote the consumption of alcohol. Among other things, staff will research the potential public safety impacts of such a change and report its findings to the Council later this winter. The Council approved one other change to the City’s liquor law, which did not previously include a penalty for violation of the A summary of the Feb. 21 Edina City Council meeting Feb. 24, 2012 Volume 14, Issue 5 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: • State of the Community, 7 p.m. Feb. 27 • Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 p.m. Feb. 28 • City Council, 7 p.m. March 6 • Public Art Committee, 4 p.m. March 8 • Energy & Environment Com- mission, 7 p.m. March 8 City Contacts City ManagerCity ManagerCity ManagerCity Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City ManagerAssistant City ManagerAssistant City ManagerAssistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City ClerkCity ClerkCity ClerkCity Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Parks & Recreation DirectorParks & Recreation DirectorParks & Recreation DirectorParks & Recreation Director John Keprios 952-826-0430 Community Development DirectorCommunity Development DirectorCommunity Development DirectorCommunity Development Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Police ChiefPolice ChiefPolice ChiefPolice Chief Jeff Long 952-826-0491 We’d like to hear from you … We’d like to hear from you … We’d like to hear from you … 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 City’s 60/40 food/liquor stand- ard. A first violation of the stand- ard will result in a $500 fine and one-year probationary license, with a monitoring visit by the City at six months. A second violation will result in a $1,000 fine and one-year probationary license, with a monitoring visit by the City at six months. A third violation could result in license revocation. Association granted permission to sell ‘VIP Parking’ The Council approved the 50th & France Business & Profession- al Association’s request to sell “VIP Parking” in the 5-0 Mall parking lot during the Edina Art Fair. The Association is looking for new revenue streams to pay for such things as additional holiday lights in the area. Association staff developed the idea of sell- ing “VIP Parking” in the 5-0 Mall parking lot during the Art Fair as a new revenue source. The City-owned surface parking lot located behind the Edina 5-0 Mall at Halifax Avenue and West 49½ Street has historically been used for Art Fair purposes. In recent years, it has been used as a “food court.” Sponsors’ tents and a stage were also located in that area. This year, the Association does not plan to use the parking lot for Art Fair operations. The 2012 Edina Art Fair will be held at 50th & France 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 1; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 2; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 3. The Association has not deter- mined pricing for the VIP Park- ing, which would first be offered to artists who are often looking for a place to park their trucks and/or trailers during the event.