HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_4 April-2026 WEBEdina Expands Mobile ECMO Program Through Updated Partnership
Contract Amendment Supports Staffing and Expands Treatment Access
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
A first-of-its-kind program delivering advanced
life-support capabilities in the pre-hospital
system for cardiac victims is staying in Edina.
In 2021, the Edina Fire Department began
a partnership with Fairview and other
healthcare providers to operate the Mobile
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
(ECMO) Truck as part of a pilot program to
treat patients experiencing severe cardiac or
respiratory failure without access to specialized
services. This specialized unit allows for rapid
deployment of equipment and personnel to
initiate ECMO therapy, significantly improving
survival chances for critical patients.
The Edina City Council approved an
amendment to the Mobile ECMO Truck (MET)
agreement between Fairview Health Systems
and the City of Edina in February.
“The first-in-the-world mobile ECMO
procedure took place in Edina, Minnesota, in
2022,” said Fire Chief Andrew Slama. “That is
something we’re really proud of.”
Since the life-saving medical technology joined
the Edina Fire Fleet, Edina Fire has been at the
forefront of a new approach to treating cardiac
arrest patients using ECMO.
“The pilot phase really gave us an opportunity
to solidify the workflows in the truck and
better understand its capabilities,” said Kim
Harkins, Program Manager for the University of
Minnesota’s Center for Resuscitation Medicine.
The truck and team are activated when a
patient who is a good candidate for ECMO is
within 30 miles of M Health Fairview Southdale
Hospital. During its first two years, the MET
responded to 18 calls before Edina Fire faced
staffing restrictions in October 2024.
Of those 18 calls, 12 patients were successfully
placed on ECMO. Only patients experiencing
cardiac arrest who cannot be revived through
other techniques are considered candidates.
Survival rates for cardiac
arrest patients can increase
by as much as 40% with
ECMO treatment.
“In October 2024, we
advised the Fairview system
and the ECMO team that
cross-staffing had too big
of an impact on our Edina
services,” said Slama.
“Taking another ambulance
out of service didn’t benefit
our residents, so we started
looking at different staffing
models.”
With the amendment,
the fee structure will
shift from a per-response
payment model to dedicated
staffing that includes two
temporary full-time Battalion
Chief positions. When not
assigned to ECMO responses, the Battalion
Chiefs will provide strategic-level response
and administrative support for the Edina Fire
Department.
The $339,000 cost for these positions will be
covered by Fairview Health Systems. The new
staff members are expected to begin in April.
The amendment also expands the program
to include another hospital. North Memorial
Health Hospital in Maple Grove will now serve
as an additional site for the MET. Patients
within 30 miles of North Memorial who
experience cardiac arrest and meet ECMO
criteria may now receive this treatment.
“This really speaks to the commitment of the
Edina Fire Department and the City of Edina
to stay on the cutting edge of resuscitation
care. Not every department is willing to take
on the challenge of making a program like
this work,” said Harkins. “Even though this
particular truck isn’t responding directly within
Edina, they recognize the broader impact it
has on the community. Whether patients go
to North Memorial or our team continues to
go to Southdale, the work still benefits the
people they serve, and that’s why they remain
committed.”
The ECMO team hopes to expand the
program to additional hospitals in the future.
In December, Fairview Health Systems also
launched a helicopter program designed to
bring ECMO technology to rural hospitals that
do not have access to the equipment.
According to Harkins, the helicopter program
has already helped save two lives.
“The fact that you could even be in rural
Minnesota and still have a chance for this
technology to help save a life is amazing,”
said Harkins.
The MET is stationed at Fire Station 1,
6250 Tracy Ave. For more information
about the Edina Fire Department, visit
EdinaMN.gov/Fire.
Chanhassen resident John Sauer was a patient during the Mobile ECMO Truck’s
first summer of service in 2022. A year later in 2023, Sauer and his family
celebrated with the team that saved his life with ECMO intervention. (File photo)
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
APRIL 2026
Volume 13, Issue 4Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
Jessica Nikunen Named Edina’s Next Human Resources Director
She Begins Work with the City’s 10 Departments April 6
back to Edina, which Assistant City Manager
Ari Lenz said stood out during the hiring
process.
“Jessica has a combination of HR systems
knowledge, strategic understanding and
approachability that will make her successful in
Edina,” Lenz said.
As Human Resources Director, Nikunen will
oversee all HR programs and services for
the City, including talent acquisition, labor
and employee relations, classification and
compensation, benefits, safety and risk
management, compliance, policy development
and organizational development. She will
supervise a team of seven.
The City currently employs 341 full-time staff
and about 500 part-time, flexible and seasonal
employees.
“Employees are our top resource in
accomplishing City goals and priorities. They
provide the day-to-day services to keep Edina
running,” Lenz said. “Our HR Department is
at the center of creating a work culture and
environment that keeps us competitive, safe,
well trained and following best practices.”
Lenz said Nikunen understands the City’s
priorities and ongoing projects and can
help ensure the workforce is aligned with
community needs.
“Hiring public sector HR leaders is incredibly
competitive,” Lenz said. “We are fortunate
that Jessica chose to return to Edina and lead
our team. Residents may not see her or the HR
team’s work as visibly as other departments,
but HR provides critical services that keep
the City in compliance, future-focused and
competitive.”
Nikunen said building trust and strong
relationships will be central to her approach.
“My goal is to help foster an environment
where employees feel empowered to do
their best work and find the HR team to be a
supportive and reliable partner,” she said.
“The public sector is unique,” Nikunen said of
her decision to return. “In local government,
you can see the difference that your team
makes in the community.”
Learn more about the Human Resources
Department at EdinaMN.gov/HR.
BY BRITTANY BADER
A familiar face is returning to the City
of Edina, this time as the City’s Human
Resources Director.
Jessica Nikunen has been named to lead the
department, following former Director Kelly
Curtin’s move out of state. She previously
served as an HR Generalist for the City of
Edina from 2012 to 2015 and is excited to
return in a leadership role.
“It’s a great community and it’s well
respected,” Nikunen said. “There’s a strong
leadership team, and I really saw that the last
time I was here, and it helped me develop and
grow in my role. I wanted to come back and
be part of that leadership team.”
Nikunen’s career has taken her through many
corners of government operations, from
motor vehicle licensing and utility billing to
Public Works support and, of course, Human
Resources. She has 14 years of experience
in city government, including roles with the
Cities of Jordan, Shakopee and Edina, and as
Human Resources Manager for the City of
Minnetonka.
For the past 10 years, she’s worked at
Gallagher Benefits Services, partnering
with public-sector clients including Edina to
understand their needs and identify coverage
solutions. Most recently, she served as Area
Vice President. She holds a master’s degree in
public administration and has participated in
multiple leadership academies.
Now she brings that wide-ranging experience
Jessica Nikunen returns to the City of Edina as
Human Resources Director, bringing 14 years of
local government experience and a decade in
benefits consulting. (Photo by Jason Heuer)
In the United States alone, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste – about 85% of all textiles –
ends up in landfills each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Even donating
clothes does not necessarily save them from ending up in landfills. Swapping, however, gives
clothes new life and wardrobes new looks. Now in its fourth year, the Community Clothing Swap
battles textile waste while bringing Edina closer to achieving its Climate Action Goals and creating
community-wide fashion fun.
This year’s event will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Edina Senior Center, 5280
Grandview Square. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Swap.
BY THE NUMBERS
Swapping Toward a
Sustainable Future
pounds of clothing
collected last year
5,235
pounds of food collected and
donated to VEAP in 2025
161
of items were
swapped in 2025
pounds—the weight of the
heaviest bag brought in last year
92%46.9
- COMPILED BY EDIE WEINSTEIN
2
UPCOMING EVENTS
April
Spring sale on wine, spirits
and beer all month at all three
Edina Liquor stores
Monday, April 6, 6-8 p.m.
France Avenue Pedestrian
Underpass Open House,
Fire Station 2
Tuesday, April 7, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting,
Edina City Hall
Wednesday, April 8, Noon
Learn to Skate registration opens
for those currently enrolled in
the winter session, online
Friday, April 10, 5 p.m.
Movie night, “Moana 2,”
Edinborough Park
Sunday, April 12, 6 p.m.
Luke LeBlanc Trio,
Edinborough Park
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.
Holocaust Days of
Remembrance Event, “The
Cello Still Sings – Courage and
Conscience, One Conversation
at a Time,” Edina Fire Station 2
Wednesday April 15, noon
Learn to Skate registration
opens for Edina residents, online
Thursday, April 16, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, April 16, 3 p.m.
Free Car Seat Checkups,
Edina Fire Station 2
Friday, April 17, 5:15 p.m.
Party Crashers RC Racing,
Edinborough Park
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.
Walk With the Mayor,
Centennial Lakes Park
Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.
Community Clothing Swap,
Edina Senior Center
Friday, April 24, 10 a.m.
Arbor Day Celebration
and Planting,
Creek Valley School Park
Sunday, April 26, 1-4 p.m.
Earth Day Community Festival,
Weber Park
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Edina’s Tree Protection Ordinance has been
updated to apply evenly across the city and allow
for some flexibility in replanting.
Those and other changes were approved by
Edina City Council and took effect in March.
What is Edina’s Tree Protection Ordinance?
The ordinance was created about a decade ago
to preserve high-valued trees across the City while
allowing reasonable development and projects on
private property.
It has been updated a few times to improve
outcomes, clarify the process and address
concerns from residents and builders. But its goals
have remained to preserve Edina’s tree canopy
and existing mature trees, protect property values
and neighborhood character and improve quality
of life for all.
“We have a two-prong approach,” said City
Council Member Carolyn Jackson before
voting for the ordinance update. “Part of it is
encouraging people to plant a tree in their yard by
having a tree sale twice a year. ... And part of it is
to protect our existing tree canopy. We can’t do it
with just the tree sale alone.”
Does the ordinance work?
Since 2023, the ordinance has preserved 6,054
trees, according to Forester Luther Overholt.
“It’s changing how people think about trees
when they build,” Overholt said. “They are
putting more thought into preserving trees
instead of just removing them.”
What does it apply to?
The revised ordinance applies to any project that
requires a building permit, in all zoning districts.
Previously it applied only to projects in certain
residential zones. It requires preserving trees or
replacing them with equivalent trees according to
set formulas.
How has the replanting requirement changed?
Previously, for any tree removed, the replacement
had to be the same type of tree. Now up to 20
percent of replacements can be different types.
“Sometimes you wouldn’t want the same tree in the
space you have,” Overholt said. “You might want a
year-round visual buffer from a conifer instead of a
deciduous tree where you’d lose its leaves. For yards,
it offers a little more choice.”
What if there isn’t room on the property
for new trees?
They can now be planted on other private property
within 300 feet.
What are some exceptions to the
replanting requirement?
There are now exceptions for existing trees that
pose a hazard, such as damaging a sidewalk or
foundation, on lots with existing buildings or homes.
What other changes were made?
• Moving the ordinance to Chapter 30, the
“Vegetation” section of the City Code
• Better explanation of how trees are to
be measured
• New detail on tree protection methods
during construction
• Offering new escrow calculation options
Visit EdinaMN.gov/TreeProtection or contact
Overholt at LOverholt@EdinaMN.gov or
952-826-0308 for more information. Find tree sale
information at bit.ly/edinatreesale.
Tree Protection Ordinance Now Applies Across City
Updates Include Protection In All Zoning Districts and Increasing
Replanting Options
The Tree Protection Ordinance aims to preserve the mature trees
that define neighborhood character across Edina. (File photo)
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
City Agrees to Sell Former Public Works Site
Arcadia Avenue Partners Plan Multi-Use Development for Three-Acre Vacant Property
Edina.As a banker, I know its value.
As a resident, I know its worth.
Marcia May
NMLS #452543
Senior Mortgage Loan Officer
952.905.5741
mmay@bell.bank
marciamay.net
MRK-2753
More than 15 years after the Public Works & Park
Maintenance Facility relocated to Metro Boulevard,
the City has approved the sale of its former site,
opening the door for redevelopment.
The City has owned the three-acre property at 5146
Eden Ave. since 1962. It has remained vacant since
the former Public Works building was demolished
in 2013. Last spring, the City solicited proposals to
redevelop the site.
The Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
received 11 proposals and interviewed five
development teams. Following that process, the
HRA selected a team led by Hempel Real Estate
and Monarch Development Partners to advance a
mixed-use project featuring commercial space and
owner-occupied multifamily housing. The HRA then
conveyed the property back to the City to complete
the sale.
At its March 17 meeting, the City Council approved
a purchase agreement with the development team,
known as Arcadia Avenue Partners. The team
will pay $4 million for the property, in addition to
required park dedication and development fees.
Arcadia Avenue Partners will now move forward
with rezoning and site plan approvals through the
City’s standard review process, which includes
multiple public hearings and opportunities for
community input.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved an expansion of the parking area at
the Braemar Golf Dome, providing more spaces
during the busy winter season and creating a
trailhead location that also includes pickleball
practice facilities in the summer. The project
will be funded by local option sales tax funding.
Trees were removed and grubbing completed
in late March to allow for construction later
this year.
•Added a fourth tier of pricing for residential
water use. Edina uses a tiered rate structure to
encourage water conservation. A new fourth tier
will apply to households using more than 72,000
gallons per quarter.
According to the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources, the average resident uses
about 4,750 gallons per quarter indoors, or
roughly 19,000 gallons for a four-person
household. In Edina, about 10% of residential
water use during the summer and fall exceeds
72,000 gallons, likely driven by lawn watering.
The Tier 4 rate is set at $8.75 per 1,000 gallons,
approximately 24% higher than the Tier 3 rate of
$7.06 per 1,000 gallons (24,000–71,999 gallons).
•Amended the City’s tree protection ordinance.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m. Tuesdays April 7
and 21. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
Arcadia Avenue Partners have presented
a concept for the redevelopment of 5146
Eden Ave. that would include townhomes,
condominiums, a restaurant and green
space. The developers will now move
forward with rezoning and site plan
approvals through the City’s standard
review process, which includes sketch
plan review.
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4
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