HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_111511Council approves CIP The Council approved a five-
year Capital Improvement Pro-
gram (CIP) that includes a one-
year budget and a five-year
plan for capital projects.
Major projects planned for
2012 include the replacement
of a Zamboni at Braemar Are-
na, a new restroom at Centen-
nial Lakes Park, remodeling of
Edina Liquor – Southdale,
pathway renovation at Rosland
Park, water meter replace-
ments, well rehabilitations,
storm sewer and water main
improvements and neighbor-
hood street reconstruction
projects.
Now that the CIP is complete,
the Council will work to finalize
the City’s 2012 operating
budget. The Council will hold a
public hearing on the 2012
budget at its meeting Dec. 6
and is expected to act on it
Dec. 20.
Council declares
‘Ceil Smith Day’ The Council recognized a long-
time employee by declaring
Nov. 16 as “Ceil Smith Day” in
Edina.
Smith started work with the
City Nov. 14, 1977, as the Vol-
unteer Coordinator of the Edi-
na Senior Center at its former
location on York Avenue just
south of the library. She helped
coordinate volunteer drivers to
give rides to the seniors in
need. Smith later became the
City’s Human Services Coordi-
nator. In 1985, Smith took the
position of Assistant to the City
Manager, where she stayed
until retirement.
Smith’s last day of work was
Nov. 15.
Council approves
veterans memorial The Council approved the de-
sign of a veterans memorial in
Utley Park.
The Park Board’s Veterans
Memorial Committee proposed
a V-shaped granite plaza within
Utley Park with three illuminat-
ed flag poles, a gathering
space for more than 150 peo-
ple, area for contemplation
with benches, wall displaying
the five military service em-
blems and the names of those
residents killed in action. The
focal point will be a figurative
sculpture of an eagle with a
wreath. The V-shaped plaza is
meant to symbolize “victory.”
Now that the Council has ap-
proved the design and location
for the memorial, the Veterans
Memorial Committee can begin
its fundraising campaign.
City to convert fireplaces
to gas units
The Council directed staff to
convert some fireplaces at
Centennial Lakes Park from
wood-burning to natural gas
units.
The Hughes Pavilion at Centen-
nial Lakes Park features two
interior and one exterior wood-
burning fireplaces. Earlier this
year, the Energy & Environment
Commission recommended
they be converted to gas fire-
places.
After weighing the pros and
cons, Council members decid-
ed to convert the interior fire-
places to gas units, but contin-
ue burning wood in the exterior
fireplace.
A summary of the Nov. 15 Edina City Council meeting
Nov. 16, 2011
Volume 13, Issue 21 Council Connection
Upcoming meetings:
Art Center Board, 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 17
Transportation Commission, 6
p.m. Nov. 17
Human Rights & Relations
Commission, 7 p.m. Nov. 22
Public Art Committee, 4 p.m.
Dec. 1
City Council, 7 p.m. Dec. 6
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
Park & Recreation Director
John Keprios 952-826-0430 Utility Engineer
Jesse Struve 952-903-5713
We’d like to hear from you …
If you have any comments, call Communications & Marketing Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833-9520.
The text of this publication will be availa-
ble online at www.CityofEdina.com.
www.CityofEdina.com
The cost of converting the
fireplaces is minimal. The
plumbing to accommodate a
gas fireplace is currently in
place.
Council approves PACE
program
The Council approved a Prop-
erty-Assessed Clean Energy
(PACE) program.
Allowed by the State Legisla-
ture in 2010, PACE programs
are meant to allow cities to
assess to a private commer-
cial property the energy effi-
ciency and conservation im-
provements made to it. For
several months, the Energy &
Environment Commission and
City staff have been working to
develop a local program.
The local program will be
called the “Edina Emerald
Energy Program.” The program
provides private funding
through a special assessment
conduit that is secured by the
property itself, not the borrow-
er. Special assessment reve-
nue bonds issued by the City
through this conduit are se-
cured by the property. Accord-
ing to legal counsel, these
special assessment bonds do
not count against the City's
legal debt limit.
The Council approved the pro-
gram as presented and ac-
cepted a $10,000 grant from
the State for legal fees associ-
ated with its development.
Grandview Tire & Auto is inter-
ested in being an Edina Emer-
ald Energy Program demon-
stration project in 2012. Staff
will begin to meet with the
property owner immediately to
begin the initiation process.