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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_080210City considers dispatching for Golden Valley At a work session prior to its regular meeting, the Council considered providing emergency dispatching services to another suburb. Several months ago, the City of Golden Valley asked the Edina Police Department to provide a proposal for providing emer- gency dispatching services. Golden Valley received propos- als from Edina, as well as St. Louis Park and Minneapolis. Currently, Golden Valley con- tracts with St. Louis Park for dispatching, but staff has indi- cated a preference for working with Edina instead. The Edina Police Chief reported that he believes two additional full-time dispatchers would be needed to maintain minimum staffing levels in the 9-1-1 Com- munications Center. In addition, one-time upgrades to the de- partment’s computer-aided dispatch system would need to be installed and the server ex- panded. Based on those ex- penses, the Police Chief has proposed charging Golden Val- ley approximately $175,000 per year for the services. Council members indicated their general support for the idea. At its Aug. 17 meeting, the Council will act on a recommendation to authorize staff to negotiate a contract with the City of Golden Valley. Council hears report on Supreme Court ruling At a work session, the Council learned the impact a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case will have on local land use. In June 2010, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a ruling that significantly reduced the authority cities have to allow flexibility to property owners who want to make changes to their property. As a result of the ruling, cities can now issue very few variances. The City’s zoning ordinance determines how property own- ers may develop their proper- ties. If a proposal doesn’t meet those rules, an exception —a variance—might have been granted in the past. The Minne- sota Supreme Court ruling has severely reduced the city’s abil- ity to allow exceptions to its zoning code in this way. The Council was advised by the City Attorney to follow the ruling until such time that the zoning code is updated or other reme- dies are enacted by the Legisla- ture. The Council directed staff to review variances issued in the past three years and look for patterns. If patterns surface, the Council could consider related changes to the zoning ordi- nance. Also, the Planning Com- mission and City Council will consider the use of Planned Unit Developments in the future. Staff will advise any residents interested in a variance of the recent court ruling and allow them to withdraw their applica- tions and receive refunds of the permit fees. If a resident chooses to move forward with a request for a variance, they will be processed and likely denied as a result of the ruling. Council approves sidewalks The Council approved the con- struction of two sidewalks. The Council approved the con- struction of a sidewalk on Inter- lachen Boulevard from Bedford A summary of the Aug. 2 Edina City Council & HRA meeting Aug. 4, 2010 Volume 12, Issue 15 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: • Heritage Preservation Board, 7 p.m. Aug. 9 • Energy & Environment Commission, 7 p.m. Aug. 12 • HRA & City Council, 7 p.m. Aug. 17 • Transportation Commis- sion, 6 p.m. Aug. 19 City Contacts Interim City ManagerInterim City ManagerInterim City ManagerInterim City Manager Heather Worthington 952-826-0415 City ClerkCity ClerkCity ClerkCity Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Planning DirectorPlanning DirectorPlanning DirectorPlanning Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Public Works DirectorPublic Works DirectorPublic Works DirectorPublic Works Director Wayne Houle 952-826-0443 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 Communi- cations & Marketing Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833-9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.CityofEdina.com. www.CityofEdina.com Avenue to William Avenue. They also approved a sidewalk on the east side of Normandale Road and along the north side of Valley View Road from Ben- ton Avenue to Concord Avenue. Both projects will be con- structed in 2011 and paid for using Municipal State Aid funds. No property owners will be assessed for any portion of the projects. Council approves amendment to final development plan The Council approved an amendment to a final develop- ment plan that will allow for a new restaurant at Centennial Lakes. Pinstripes, an Illinois-based company that operates restau- rants with bowling alleys and bocce ball courts, plans to open in Cypress Equities develop- ment at Centennial Lakes. The amended final develop- ment plan for the project was approved with several condi- tions, including the requirement that the restaurant obtain a loudspeaker permit from the City for outdoor amplification. Decibel levels may not exceed State noise standards or be audible to residents on their property on the east side of Centennial Lake. If the sound exceeds the standards or is audible to those residents on two or more occasions within a 90-day period and the incidents are confirmed by a Police Offi- cer or other City employee, subsequent outdoor amplifica- tion will be prohibited. Pinstripes plans to open in No- vember.