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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWinter 2019 About TownApply today for the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card at your local U.S. Bank branch, or visit flexperks.com. ©2018 U.S. Bank. The creditor and issuer of the U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from American Express. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express. Keep your shoes on with an $85 credit for TSA Pre ® Construction Marks Start Of Arden Park Restoration Page 18 WINTER•2019 Official Magazine of the City of Edina AboutTown AboutTown Volume 30, Number 1 Circulation 25,000 Winter 2019 Official Publication of the EdinaMN.gov City of Edina, Minnesota 4801 West 50th Street Edina, Minnesota 55424 952-826-0359 Editors: Jennifer Bennerotte and Kaylin Eidsness Designer: Katie Laux Contributing Writers: Jennifer Bennerotte, Katy Koch Campbell, Krystal Caron, Kaylin Eidsness, David Katz and Debbie Townsend Photographer: Michael Braun Publisher: City of Edina About Town is produced by the City of Edina. To advertise in About Town, call Alice Tank Van Dyke, 612-308-6982 . Copyright 2019 by City of Edina, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. About Town is published quarterly by the City of Edina. The purpose of the magazine is to keep Edina residents informed of news, activities and programs that are important to them. We include articles of interest about our residents and community history as well. About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City conservation guidelines. Cover photo by Lisa Asp Table Of Contents Calendar Of Events ..............................................................1 Winter Calendar Highlights................................................4 A Word From The Mayor ...................................................5 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law .........................7 Hilldale Pioneers Among Edina’s Earliest ‘Hometown Heroes’ ............................................................8 City Council Has New Voice In 2019 ..............................14 Construction Marks Start Of Arden Park Restoration .....18 Elementary School Students Design Latest Art On Edina Promenade .........................................................22 Ditzler Joins City Staff As Assistant Engineer ...............28 Cornerstone Offers Help To Victims Of Domestic Violence ..............................................................30 Women’s Club Forms At Braemar Golf Course .............32 City Clerk Retires After More Than Two Decades With Edina ..........................................................................34 New Large-Scale Art Installed At 50th & France ...........38 City Eyes Finish Line For Comp Plan Update ...............39 Planning Matters ................................................................42 City of Edina Facilities .......................................................44 The Last Word .....................................................................46 a blue print for success. remodeling & design Imagine your life transformed. Remodel your home. Imagine your life transformed. Contact us about remodeling your home. CA US TO SET UP YOUR FIRST HOUSE VISIT. Transforming homes and lives for over 40 years. 612.861.0188 | sylvestremn.com We’ve got one. It’s called the 360˚ Remodeling Plan. Our 360˚ Remodeling Plan is more than a ballpark estimate and a quick sketch. It delivers comprehensive planning and customer-centric design, setting the stage for a highly successful remodeling experience. Call us to explore how our 360˚ Plan can make it easier to bring your remodeling dreams to life. Tear Here Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1New Year’s Day. City Hall closed. 2 3 46:15 a.m., Fitness on the Field - Alchemy 365, Braemar Field. 5 67 p.m., Pan Handlers Steel Drum Band, Edinborough Park. 7 87 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Commission, Edina City Hall. 97 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 10Noon, Westwood Hills Nature Center, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall. 116-8 p.m., Outdoor Rink Family Glow Night, Pamela Park. 6:30 p.m., Friday Family Movie Night, “The Incredibles 2,” Edinborough Park. 1210-11 a.m., The Author’s Studio: Before I Leave: Wisdom from the Stories of Six Women Over Eighty – Jenny Egertson , Edina Art Center. 131-5 p.m., Winter Ice Festival, Centennial Lakes Park. 7 p.m., Standard Deviation Jazz Combo, Edinborough Park. 146:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 15 16 18 199-10 a.m., Walk with the Mayor, Galleria. 201:40-3:10 p.m., Open Skate and Talent Showcase, Braemar Arena. 7 p.m., Rum River Brass, Edinborough Park. 271:40-3:10 p.m., Skate with the Hornets, Braemar Arena. 7 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. 21Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall closed. 10 a.m., 20th-annual Potters Games, Edina Art Center. 227 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 237 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 24Noon, Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail, Edinborough Park. 4:30 p.m., Arts & Culture Commission Edina Art Center. 25 26 29 307 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 28 January 2019 317:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. Noon, Will Hale & the Tadpole Parade, Edinborough Park. 177:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. Noon, Carol McCormick Storyteller, Edinborough Park. About Town Calendar 2019 WINTER • 1Tear Here 2 • WINTER 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 16:15 a.m., Fitness on the Field - Physical Culture(v), Braemar Field. 2 37 p.m., CC Septet, Edinborough Park. 4 57 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 6 7Noon, Mary Hall & the Pipsqueeks, Edinborough Park. 86-8 p.m., Outdoor Rink Family Glow Night, Countryside Park. 910-11 a.m., The Author’s Studio: Unveiled Beauty: Handwritten Stories from a Poetic Heart – Lisa Harris, Edina Art Center. 107 p.m., Dirty Shorts Brass Band, Edinborough Park. 116:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 127 p.m., Parks & Recreation Commission, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Heritage Preservation Commission, Edina City Hall. 137 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 15 169-10 a.m., Walk with the Mayor, Galleria. 177 p.m., The Gnu Woodwind Quintet, Edinborough Park. 18Presidents Day. City Hall closed. 19 207 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 21Noon, The Jolly Pops, Edinborough Park. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 226:15 a.m., Fitness on the Field - Southdale YMCA, Braemar Field. 23 267 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 25247 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. February 2019 2711:30 a.m., State of the Community, Edina Country Club. 7 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 287:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. 4:30 p.m., Arts & Culture Commission, Edina Art Center. 147:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. Noon, Richardson Nature Center, Edinborough Park. About Town Calendar 3 • WINTER 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 16:15 a.m., Fitness on the Field – Py Method, Braemar Field. 2 37 p.m., Continental Ballet Company, Edinborough Park. 4 57 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 6 7Noon, Wendy’s Wiggle, Jiggle & Jam, Edinborough Park. 8 910-11 a.m., The Author’s Studio: German Awakening: Tales From An American Life – Amy Hallberg, Edina Art Center. 107 p.m., Hopkins Westwind Concert Band, Edinborough Park. 116:30 p.m., Community Health Commission, Edina City Hall. 127 p.m., Heritage Preservation Commission, Edina City Hall. 7 p.m., Parks & Recreation Commission, Edina City Hall. 137 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 15 169-10 a.m., Walk with the Mayor, Southdale Center. 177 p.m., Gypsy Mania Hot Club Trio, Edinborough Park. 18 197 p.m., City Council, Edina City Hall. 20 21Noon, Richardson Nature Center, Edinborough Park. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall. 22 23 267 p.m., Human Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall. 25247 p.m., Westwind Swing Band, Edinborough Park. 31 March 2019 277 p.m., Planning Commission, Edina City Hall. 287:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. Noon, Music with Kernsey, Edinborough Park. 29 147:30 a.m., Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Edina City Hall. Noon, Davey Doodle, Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. About Town Calendar 30 4 • WINTER 2019 Winter Calendar Highlights Other Dates To Remember Jan. 8 7 p.m., Parks & Recreation Commission, Edinborough Park. Jan. 10 5-8 p.m., Opening reception for the Carrie Kleinberger and Dyan Padgett exhibit, Edina Art Center.Jan. 17 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall.Jan. 31 Deadline to apply for City boards, commissions and committees.Feb. 9 7 p.m., Rockin’ Hollywoods, Braemar Golf Course. Feb. 14 5-8 p.m., Opening reception for the Lake Country Pastel Society exhibit, Edina Art Center. 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall.March 14 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall.March 28 4:30 p.m., Arts & Culture Commission, Edina Art Center. 5-8 p.m., Opening reception for the “OutsideHERS: Potters by Nature” and “The Natural World in Clay: an Evening Walk” exhibits, Edina Art Center. Winter Ice Festival What: In celebration of the winter season, Centennial Lakes Park will host its 29th-annual Winter Ice Festival. Visitors to the Park will be able to have their faces painted and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. Ice Festival participants may bring their own equipment, but ice skates and kick-sleds are available for rental at the Hughes Pavilion, which serves as a warming house and concessions stand during the winter months. Behind Hughes Pavilion on the terrace overlooking the lake, ice-sculpting demonstrations will be given. When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 Where: Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S. Info: CentennialLakesPark.com or 952-833-9580 State of the Community What: Edina Mayor James Hovland, City Manager Scott Neal and Edina Public Schools Superintendent John Schultz will present the “2019 State of the Community,” speaking about current affairs in Edina. The event is open to the public and co-sponsored by the Edina Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Edina and Rotary Club of Edina Morningside. The presentation will also be broadcast on Edina TV. When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 Where: Edina Country Club, 5100 Wooddale Ave. Cost: $35 for the luncheon Info: 952-826-0359 or 952-806-9060 to register File PhotoTear HereThe Winter Ice Festival will be held Jan. 13 at Centennial Lakes Park. A Word From The Mayor 2019 WINTER • 5 Dr. Martin Luther King once observed, “In a neighborhood dispute, there may be stunts, rough words, and even hot insults; but when a whole people speaks to its government, the dialogue and the action must be on a level reflecting the worth of that people and the responsibility of that government.” Dr. King’s admonition to his listeners to set their standards of discourse high – irrespective of how others behave – is consistent with Gandhi’s message to his followers that “you must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Civility is important. In the context of democratic debate, civility is about how people treat each other. Civility involves the display of respect for those who have positions with which one disagrees. Even though disagreement plays a necessary role in governance and politics, the issue is how one expresses that disagreement or a differing point of view. The City Council has worked over the years to enhance our communication to make sure residents have timely notice of matters and have every opportunity to express their points of view on issues of importance to them. We accept and read emails every day. Many of us personally meet with constituents on issues of concern to them. “Community Comment” is a part of every Council meeting and when we hold lengthy public hearings, we don’t close public testimony until all have had an opportunity to share their opinion. We want people to feel like they were heard and their thoughts considered prior to when the Council deliberates and makes its decisions. As we’ve worked on public participation enhancements over the course of the past year, we’ve come to realize that while we give opportunities for people to be heard, we aren’t always clear to the public about their role in a particular type of process. The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) developed “The Spectrum of Public Participation” to help groups define the public’s role in any public engagement process. The Spectrum is quickly becoming an international standard and it is something you can expect the City Council to refer to more often in the year ahead. The Spectrum ranges from “Inform” to “Empower,” with the public having a greater impact on a particular decision with each successive step along the Spectrum: INFORM CONSULT INVOLVE COLLABORATE EMPOWER Public Participation Goal To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions. To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or decisions. To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered. To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision, including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution. To place final decision making in the hands of the public, typically through a formal vote. City Council’s Promise to the Public We will keep you informed.We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision. We will work with our residents to ensure that concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision. We will look to you for advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decision to the maximum extent possible. We will implement what is decided by the residents.Tear Here(continued on page 6) 6 • WINTER 2019 The differing levels of participation depend on the goals, timeframes, resources and levels of concern in the decision to be made. For example, for most of our public hearings regarding land use, the public’s role is typically to “consult.” Throughout the process to update Edina’s Comprehensive Plan, our goal has been to “involve” the public. For other public processes such as to create the Grandview Framework, we looked to the public to “collaborate.” If we were ever to hold a bond referendum to pay for some improvements, we would “empower” our residents to make that decision. While it may seem unusual to reference a chart for determining the level of participation in a particular matter, there is definitive value in all of us having a common understanding regarding our responsibilities to improve our understanding of how we communicate with each other. It is also important to clearly define the scope of a project at the outset – what is being considered and what isn’t – so that everyone understands the process and has the same opportunities to give feedback. Together, the Council and staff are striving to improve our public participation process by committing to make a plan, do what we say we are going to do, stick to the plan, make a decision and tell people why the decision was made. Civility is a broad topic that can mean anything from engaging community members in helpful dialogue, learning how to diffuse a tense situation, or simply saying “please” and “thank you” more often. A lack of civility can rear up in a variety of situations. Not managing these situations properly can lead to staff turnover, negative media coverage in our town, stagnating business growth, slow or stalled economic development, or a generally dissatisfied public. It is simply hard to get things done when people can’t work through their differences. With use of the Spectrum of Public Participation, let’s resolve to put our best foot forward for the good of our community in 2019! James B. HovlandMayor 2019 WINTER • 7 It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 8, Article VI, Sec. 8-263. Off-premises of owner. No dog shall be permitted to be off the premises of its owner unless it is restrained with a leash measuring 10 feet or less in length; provided that this requirement shall not apply in any portion of an off-leash dog park as defined in Section 24-1 which has been designated by the [Parks & Recreation] Director as an area where dogs are not required to be restrained by a leash. What it Means: Outside of your own property, your dog must be on leash except at the off-leash dog areas at Van Valkenburg Park and Strachauer Park, which is available seasonally. An off-leash collar, available to purchase at EdinaMN.gov, is required at those parks. Even if a dog responds to commands, it must be on leash. The fines and fees for a violation add up to $128. For more information, contact Animal Control Officer Tim Hunter at 952-826-0494 or thunter@EdinaMN.gov. The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 8, Article VI, Sec. 8-264(b). Dogs; cleaning up feces. Any person having the custody or control of a dog may not allow the dog to be on property, public or private, not owned or possessed by such person without having in his or her immediate possession a device for the removal of feces and a bag or other means to dispose of such feces in a clean and sanitary manner. What it Means: People walking or supervising dogs must carry a bag or other means of immediately picking up and disposing of dog poop. This applies to both public and private property and includes parks and off-leash areas. For more information, contact Animal Control Officer Tim Hunter at 952-826-0494 or thunter@EdinaMN.gov. The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 24, Article IV, Sec. 24-91. Snow and ice removal. All snow and ice shall be removed from a sidewalk by the owner of the property adjoining the sidewalk within 48 hours of the cessation of the precipitation. What it Means: You must clear any sidewalk bordering your property within 48 hours after it stops snowing. This applies to homes and businesses. Removed snow must be kept on your property or hauled away; pushing it into the street, onto another person’s property or onto public property is illegal under other sections of the Code. For more information, contact Public Works at 952-826-0376. Dogs On Leash Being Prepared To Clean Up Dog Poop Clearing Sidewalks Of Snow Hilldale Pioneers Among Edina’s Earliest ‘Hometown Heroes’ By David Katz, Contributing Writer “There are many evidences of the past in our day-to-day lives, but perhaps none is so obvious – yet so unremarked – as the place names of the city, especially the names of the streets.” —Donald L. Empson, The Street Where You Live Veterans of the Civil War, our nation’s bloodiest conflict, are memorialized in innumerable place names across the country. For instance, the Union Army’s top brass alone – Gens. Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman and Philip Sheridan – lend their names to 24 counties across 18 western states. Namesake tributes to the “everyman” soldiers who fought in that war are more ubiquitous still, according to the Civil War Trust. Within living memory of the War, local authorities and developers named countless townships, roadways and building projects after hometown heroes (either to honor their wartime exploits, recognize post-war contributions to that community or both). Edina was no exception. Today, more than 150 years removed from the War Between the States, these interesting, eponymous links to Edina’s past can be hard to spot. However, they add wonderful color and context to our cityscape, and offer a perfect entrée through which to appreciate local history against the backdrop of national events. By way of illustration, let’s look at just one street, the family for which it is named, and their varied contributions to both the Union war effort and the nascent community of Edina. Patriarch Milton CooperNorth of Interlachen Boulevard, today’s Hilldale Neighborhood is centered around Cooper Avenue (and its offshoot Cooper Circle). The name is a nod to Milton and Preston Cooper, heads of the large Pennsylvania family who first settled this hilly area just south of St. Louis Park. As it happens, both are noteworthy in the annals of Civil War history. At age 47, Milton moved his wife and seven children from Pennsylvania to Minnesota Territory in 1857. According to his daughter Amie Lee, he did so largely at the prodding of eldest son Preston – who likely would have set out on his own, if the whole family had not made the trek west. It was a leap of faith. “We sold off everything but our clothes and bedding before starting off,” Amie Lee recalled. However, it soon enough proved an auspicious move. Photo courtesy of Edina Historical SocietyIn the early days of the Civil War, the federal government contracted with Milton Cooper and Sons to expand the military’s facilities at Fort Snelling. 8 • WINTER 2019 When war with the South broke out less than four years later, thousands of Minnesotans heeded Gov. Alexander Ramsey’s call to be among the first to enlist for the Union cause. This patriotic fervor proved a logistical challenge for small Fort Snelling, which had not been built to barrack and train such a large number of men. The U.S. Government desperately sought local contractors to expand the fort’s strained facilities. Milton and Preston, craftsmen by inclination, were among those who stepped up. According to family lore, the Cooper clan owed their livelihood as much to carpentry as to farming even before moving to Minnesota. However, the prospect of this important military contract prompted Milton to make construction work his focus. He incorporated “Milton Cooper and Sons,” and is largely credited with the timely construction of many of the outbuildings required by Fort Snelling in 1861-62. It was the start of a long and fruitful career. At the time of his death in 1901, at the ripe old age of 91, obituaries singled Milton out as “one of the pioneer contractors of Minneapolis.” Sgt. Preston CooperPreston Cooper’s wartime exploits are no less impressive. Not content to serve in a civilian role, the eldest Cooper son joined up with Company A of the elite Second U.S. Sharpshooters (2nd U.S.S.S.). “Joined up” is something of a misnomer, however. This selective regiment, composed of only the nation’s very best snipers, required recruits to demonstrate almost superhuman feats of marksmanship to enroll. Maj. Gen. Hiram Berdan, commander of Cooper’s corps, devised a legendary test in which every would-be sharpshooter had to hit a 10-inch target 20 times consecutively – including some shots from 200 yards away. It was such a grueling regimen that journalists traveled from great distances to report on sharpshooter tryouts. Preston Cooper ultimately made the cut, and was one of only a handful of Minnesotans selected to represent the state under Capt. Francis Peteler in Company A (traditionally, just 100 men). According to a possibly apocryphal story published in an 1890 chronicle commissioned by the State of Minnesota, Berdan had originally planned to outfit the Minnesotans as Company F of his First U.S. Sharpshooters regiment. When they reported for duty in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10, 1861, however, “owing to the fine appearance of [Peteler’s] (continued on next page)Photo courtesy of Edina Historical SocietySgt. Preston Cooper was one of only a handful of Minnesota marksmen selected to form Company A of the elite Second United States Sharpshooters regiment. 2019 WINTER • 9 company, it was made Company A of a new one.” While the truth of that particular claim is dubious, by all accounts Sgt. Preston Cooper and his cohorts stood out – and not just for their shooting skills. Distinctive, forest-green uniforms, carefully selected in place of the “Union blue” to confer a camouflage advantage, became the sharpshooters’ hallmark. The Second United States Sharpshooters saw heavy action starting in spring 1862, with the so-called Peninsula Campaign into Virginia. Union forces devised a gambit to end hostilities quickly by capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond. During the army’s slow slog south, the marksmen of Company A frequently found themselves sent to the vanguard to reconnoiter and snipe. Sgt. Cooper was singled out for individual initiative and valor on several occasions, including during skirmishing outside Orange Court House (where Peteler’s troops purportedly downed more than a dozen soldiers from 700 yards away) and at the hard-fought First Battle of Rappahannock Station. Cooper’s career at the front would not be a long one, however. It’s up for debate what is more remarkable: the fluke episode that removed him from active duty or the fact that he managed to survive it. During Aug. 28-30, the 2nd U.S.S.S. participated in the opening stages of the disastrous Second Battle of Bull Run. In the words of one regimental historian, Company A got caught up in “one of the fiercest cannonade duels theretofore seen by any troops in the war.” As he provided sharpshooter support for a crucial Rhode Island artillery battery, a Confederate cannonball nicked Cooper’s cartridge box. The resulting explosion instantly killed two corporals and wounded three others standing behind Cooper. The blast “tore away the flesh from his back,” to quote a second chronicler of this campaign. As Cooper’s nephew, Coates Preston Bull, recalled many years later: “Half his rump was shattered … He lay in an old shed nearby for two days before he was removed to a hospital.” Cooper convalesced in Washington, D.C., for nearly nine months, and would never again be fit for active duty. Loathe to return to civilian life in Minnesota while the Civil War still raged, he then joined the Veterans Volunteers Corps – a reserve garrison of former soldiers tasked with various home-front duties. He was assigned to a Concord, New Hampshire-based recruiting unit through nearly the end of the war. Illustration by Mark MaritatoDistinctive, forest-green uniforms – carefully selected in place of the “Union blue” to confer a camouflage advantage – set Sgt. Cooper and the 2nd U.S.S.S. apart. 10 • WINTER 2019 (continued on Page 12) Michael J. Maloney and ‘Maloney Avenue’Cooper Avenue is not the only Edina place name that can be traced back to a Civil War veteran and Village “founding father.” Maloney Avenue, the east-west artery of the Presidents Neighborhood located between U.S. Highway 169 and Interlachen Country Club, is another prominent example. Michael J. Maloney came to Edina via a circuitous route. Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1845, Maloney immigrated with his parents to upstate New York at the age of 7. The family relocated to Kenosha, Wisconsin, shortly before the Civil War. Maloney – barely 16 years old at the time – enlisted with the 33rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with whom he shared some of the deadliest fighting in the War’s western theater. After his honorable discharge in 1865, Maloney resettled on a 160-acre farm near the modern-day border between Edina and Hopkins. Much like the Cooper patriarchs and their descendants, Maloney and his kin crop up repeatedly in the early history of Edina. Michael Maloney himself served ably on the Village Council, plus tenure as Clerk of the School Board. He died in 1933 at the age of 87. Photo courtesy of Edina Historical SocietyMichael Maloney While conducting this comparatively light work, Cooper found time to meet and court wife Mary, a Quaker woman from his family’s native Pennsylvania. The pair returned to Minnesota in 1866 – with newborn Wallace Milton Cooper, who had joined the family on June 13, 1865. According to area historian E. Dudley Parsons, Preston soon rejoined the family’s construction enterprise, Milton Cooper and Sons. Up through the turn of the century, the Coopers enjoyed a steady stream of contractor work – particularly in the burgeoning commercial districts of Minneapolis. Preston and Mary purchased a large plot in the modern-day Hilldale Neighborhood, near his father’s original homestead. He bought that land at $5 per acre from land speculator John Boyle, who in turn had purchased it from the government for just $1.50 per acre in 1855. This 2019 WINTER • 11 appreciation in land values (much like the good fortunes of the family business) speaks to a young but rapidly developing state enjoying a post-war economic boom. The Coopers constructed “a large Victorian farmhouse with six bedrooms upstairs, two parlors, and a library,” in the words of a great grandniece. The property also included an outbuilding “containing all types of carpenters’ tools” – unsurprising, given the family business. A picturesque, winding path through an apple orchard (namesake for today’s Orchard Lane) separated the main house from the tilled farmland. As the Cooper clan expanded, so did their footprint at Hilldale. Craftsman through and through, Preston built firstborn sons Wallace and Willard each a new home further along Cooper Avenue – purportedly as wedding gifts. By the turn of the century, several greenhouses dotted the Cooper commune as well. Paul D. Hesterman, in his 1988 history of Edina, singled out the Coopers as one of the true “founding families” of Edina – alongside the Bairds, Bulls, Maloneys and a handful of other surnames that may be familiar to students of local history. It’s a fair claim. In addition to living here, the Coopers played an active role in Edina’s early civic affairs. For example, Village records indicate that several Coopers were present in 1888, when residents voted overwhelmingly to secede from Richfield Township and form the independent Village of Edina. Preston Cooper died in 1917, just a few years after his long-lived father. Less than 25 years later, the bulk of the Cooper acreage was sold to developers Ann and Merrill Hutchinson, who replatted and marketed the neighborhood as “Hilldale.” While few overt traces of the pioneering Coopers remain, the streets named after them endure as a modest but indelible link to two of Edina’s earliest Hometown Heroes. Background information for this piece came from materials maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society, Edina Historical Society and Civil War Trust. Secondary sources of particular value included Berdan’s United States Sharpshooters in the Army of the Potomac (1892) by Charles A. Stevens, and From Settlement to Suburb: The History of Edina, Minnesota (1988), by Paul D. Hesterman.Photo courtesy of Edina Historical SocietyPaul D. Hesterman, in his 1988 history of Edina, singled out the Coopers as one of the true “founding families” of Edina. 12 • WINTER 2019 See your home in a whole new light. More than 100 exclusive lighting lines • Ceiling Fans Lamps • Home Accents • Gifts lighting & home 7123 France Ave. S. • Edina, MN 55435 P (952) 926-5007 • F (952) 926-5013 www.filamentlighting.com Now op e n in Edina ! Behind L u n d s & Byerly s Cosmetic, Family & Sports Dentistry, PA Dentistry with an eye on today and a vision for tomorrow! Call us at 952-922-9119 www.yoursmiledocs.comDR. DOUGLAS L. LAMBERT, DDS DR. SANDRA HOUCK, DDS 2019 WINTER • 13 14 • WINTER 2019 City Council Has New Voice In 2019 By Debbie Townsend Ron Anderson has spent the last two months cramming for his big test: He’s the newest member of the Edina City Council. He hopes to be up to speed on the major issues facing the City once he is sworn in on Jan. 2 after winning the November election. Anderson, who has spent his career in the real estate field, is joining an experienced team of leaders. Kevin Staunton was re-elected to his Council seat in the Nov. 6 election. Mary Brindle, Mike Fischer and Mayor James Hovland make up the rest of the City Council, which sets policies and ordinances for the City. “I have a completely different background and experience than anyone on the Council,” said Anderson, who currently works at Coldwell Banker Burnet and has been involved in developing housing for seniors. Staunton said he is looking forward to getting to know Anderson and working with him, but he also laments the Council losing member Bob Stewart, whom Anderson defeated in the election. “I will miss Bob,” Staunton said. “I think we owe Bob an enormous amount of thanks. He’s been dedicated to this community for decades.” Development“Development and redevelopment is on people’s minds here,” Anderson said. “I believe that was the central issue in the campaign.” Edina City Council Ronald C. AndersonSubmitted PhotoKevin StauntonFile PhotoMary BrindleFile PhotoMike FischerFile PhotoJim Hovland, MayorFile Photo (continued on next page) 2019 WINTER • 15 www.smilesatfrance.com 4999 France Ave. South, Suite 230 • Edina / Minneapolis • 612-824-7033 Enhancing Smiles... Building Confidence... Changing Lives Complimentary,Cosmetic,Restorative & Implant Consultation Located at50th &France C M Y CM MY CY CMY K EdinaAdErica.pdf 1 12/9/18 11:13 AM Anderson campaigned heavily against what he called “overdevelopment” and “hyperdense development,” saying those were incompatible with the character of Edina and its neighborhoods. He has long been opposed to the Grandview Green, the proposal to put a “lid” or land bridge over a portion of Minnesota Highway 100. But his stance isn’t strictly anti-development. What he feels has been troubling is the pace of redevelopment. “When you talk about development, it’s very complex. Rapid growth affects so many day-to-day concerns for people,” he said, ticking off issues such as increasing school populations, more congestion and traffic and environmental issues. “All these things are compiled. We need to address that.” He plans to bring that voice to City Council. He also hopes to push for redevelopment in places it should go, such as Pentagon Park. “To me, that site is the most developable site in this metro area,” he said. If developed properly, he sees it helping solve many issues in Edina, including affordable housing, density, employment and turning Fred Richards Park into the gem it should be. “I think we’ve got the potential of a bases-loaded home run in the ninth inning in the seventh game of the World Series,” he said. Other IssuesHe also wants to look at transportation options that would alleviate congestion and reduce emissions, especially in areas like 50th & France. He is exploring other ways to pay for creating affordable housing, saying the City’s current model of having developers contribute is in many ways just kicking the can down the road rather than having a sustainable plan. “How do we fund affordable housing and what is the long-term preservation?” are the key questions to answer, he 16 • WINTER 2019 said. He hopes his experience helping to create affordable housing for seniors will benefit the City. “We have so many opportunities,” he said. “We can create real-world solutions for all that we want to accomplish.” Staunton, who was a Planning Commissioner for years before his 2014 election to City Council, says development will be one of many key topics for 2019. Some of the others don’t make headlines but are incredibly important such as stormwater treatment, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan and general infrastructure improvements. He also expects lots of time to be devoted to the recommendations that came out of the Race & Equity Initiative, noting he is proud of the progress that has been made on inclusiveness and engagement so far. City staff and leaders, residents and businesses have been working on Small Area Plans that will become part of the Comprehensive Plan Update. These plans outline how certain key areas of the City – Southdale or 70th & Cahill as examples – should grow. They include aspects such as transportation, building design, open space, parks and the mix of development. “I think bringing the Comp Plan to a conclusion is a major goal,” Staunton said. “Much of what we have done for the last four years is working on the Small Area Plans. I think that’s going to be really important to give the community a sense of predictability about where we are going.” The City And CouncilDuring the campaign, Staunton went all over the city to meet voters. Each Edina neighborhood has its own character, he noted. He also noticed the influx of young families and how excited they are to be part of the city. “I really appreciate how generous people were when I knocked on their doors and when sharing their passions about our community,” Staunton said. “It helps me to continue to understand what directions we should take.” Most of them were happy with Edina. “They want us be to careful about the way it evolves,” he said. The next steps begin Jan. 2, when Anderson and Staunton are sworn in at the first City Council meeting of 2019. They will also serve as commissioners of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority. City Council meetings, which are open to the public, are typically held at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. They are shown live on EdinaTV and on EdinaMN.gov and available later for streaming and rebroadcast. For more information about the Council or ways to contact members, visit EdinaMN.gov. Anderson can be reached at randerson@EdinaMN.gov or 612-386-3208. Staunton can be reached at kstaunton@EdinaMN.gov or 952-836-1020. 2019 WINTER • 17 CONDOMINIUMS*Pricing, information and specifications subject to change without notice.MOVE IN NOW! DETAILS THAT ELEVATE LIFE RonClark.com | Oakcroft One LLC, Owner & Contractor, proudly hires Ron Clark Construction & Design — Manager & Broker. Broker Lic#20070726 Located just west of Carlson Towers (I-394 & I-494). • 50% SOLD OUT in Phase I • Several models to view• Homes range from the mid $400s to the $800’s• Amenities: clubroom, guest suite, fitness center & heated underground parking 952-947-3028 4502½ VALLEY VIEW ROAD EDINA 952-920-0949 www.snuffysmaltshops.com Buy One Regular Burger Get a Second Burger $3 Off! Void with other offers. Dine-in or to-go. By Debbie Townsend An adventure is unfolding in Arden Park. It might be difficult to picture as heavy equipment and construction vehicles take over sections of the park, 5230 Minnehaha Blvd., for the next several months. Arden Park is praised by neighborhood residents for its escape into nature. Walking trails along a meandering creek and through a small forest make it a draw for not only neighbors, but also nearby Minneapolis residents who cross the border to visit. “I think it’s a beautiful space and a rare thing to find in a neighborhood,” said Arden Park resident Kristen Ewers during a fall visit filled with falling leaves and the joyous shouts of playing children. But sometimes nature needs a little help, especially when it’s been squeezed, altered and damaged by the encroachment of people, their homes and buildings, and the invasive species they have brought along. The City of Edina and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District are working together to restore the creek, update the park and expand recreational opportunities there, all while retaining the park’s nature focus. Rachel Contracting was awarded the $3.086 million restoration work, with the cost being split between the City of Edina and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Replacement of the park shelter will be another bid. When the project is complete, Minnehaha Creek will flow more like a natural stream, making it friendlier to fish, plants, kayakers and the overall environment. Landings tucked along the creek will offer points to view the water up close or cast a fishing line. Invasive buckthorn that has choked out many of the natural tree species will be torn out and replaced by a variety of young, new trees that will grow to a healthy, vibrant forest. New trails will provide more spots to enjoy a stroll. “The biggest change is the creek being more visible and more usable for all the families,” said Edina Parks & Recreation Commission Member Eileen McAwley, who used to live in the Arden Park Neighborhood. “You can’t see the creek right now.” Construction Marks Start Of Arden Park Restoration 18 • WINTER 2019 The new Arden Park playground design includes a surface and equipment for children of various ages and abilities.Submitted Illustration McAwley remembers visiting the park with her son, who quickly lost interest in the playground that’s geared mostly to small children. The new playground, she noted, will offer climbing, swinging, slides and activities for a wider spectrum of ages. The project will also alleviate flooding in the large grass field, opening that space to recreation programs for kids. In winter, families will enjoy an upgraded ice hockey rink and an open skating area. Those changes are important, McAwley said, as the Arden Park area is home to many young families. And whether visitors are young or old, a new park shelter building featuring large windows will offer views of the creek, the skating area, the grassy field and playground. New covered patios will be ideal for a summer picnic or a place to sit and relax. “Personally, when I think of the Arden Park improvements, I am most excited about the increase in accessibility,” said Parks & Recreation Commission Chairman Greg Good. “The improved and expanded trails will make a more accessible destination for walkers. The improved shelter building will make the park a more attractive destination for wintertime users or even year-round gatherings. The improved creek and reduced flooding will add accessibility to both our water and land areas throughout the park. It will be a positive and exciting change!” The project has its doubters. No one wants to see the disturbance of construction or the removal of trees, even if most of them are invasive species or Ash trees that would die from Emerald Ash Borer infestation. City and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District officials caution the park will look drastically different at first. Removing all the buckthorn and ash trees along with about 50 other trees during construction will open up views across the park. More than 400 new trees across a variety of species will be planted to diversify the forest and protect against disease or infestation. The work to alter the creekbed will invariably leave marks of construction, and the plantings along the banks will be fresh. Stormwater swales – akin to landscaped channels – along the park’s edge with Minneheha Boulevard will create new entry points on bridges that cross them. Those swales are part of a complex above and below ground system that will filter pollutants from stormwater before it reaches the creek. The changes are part of the adventure. A generation of Arden Park children will watch the new forest grow in as they grow up. They’ll see more fish and more species of them swimming through the creek, and they’ll be able to easily drop an innertube into the water or wave to kayakers floating by. They might learn to fish from the landings or skate on the rinks. The park will evolve with the seasons as nature takes its healthy head start, covering the scars of construction as it grows and thrives. 2019 WINTER • 19 (continued on next page) 20 • WINTER 2019 Arden area resident Anne Neeley likes the environmental improvements, including the buckthorn removal and how the stormwater treatment will keep pollutants from pouring into the creek water. “I think it’s going to be better for the neighborhood,” she said of the environmental changes. She views the park construction much like road construction, an inconvenience that can be worked around, but also as an opportunity for adventure for her and her family. “We can find other parks to go to while they work on it,” Neeley said. By the end of 2019, they’ll be back in Arden Park, exploring what’s new and discovering spots they never knew existed. So will McAwley. “I think it’s going to be fabulous when it’s done,” McAwley said. Learn more at EdinaMN.gov/ArdenParkPlan. Stephane Cattelin THE International Approach to Real Estate 612-703-8229 www.stephane cattelin.com Serving the Edina French-American Community ARDEN PARK - NEW SHELTER BUILDING The City Council is expected to award the bid for a new shelter at Arden Park in early 2019.Submitted Rendering 2019 WINTER • 21 Discover everything AAA has to offer at our Edina location. When it comes to traveling this winter, AAA has you covered. Stop by our Edina location at 71st and France Avenue, right behind Lunds & Byerlys, to browse our expanded travel store, talk with an experienced agent about your travel and insurance needs, and get a free quote. We’ll walk you through all the benefits of membership, from our roadside assistance to discounts at restaurants, hotels, travel partners, and entertainment venues. Business Hours: Monday–Friday: 9am–6pm. Saturday: 9am–3pm. AAA.com | 952-925-2244 | 7151 France Ave S. Announcing St. Therese Southwest is nowThe Glenn Catholic Senior Communities. With age comes wisdom. And an opportunity to define your next chapter. At The Glenn Catholic Senior Living Communities, we’re focused on inspiring a more active lifestyle. We’re a welcomingCatholic community that provides daily spiritual support, a warm sense of family, and the ability to modify your living arrangement from independent to assisted or memory care to suit your needs. Call or visit today! TheGlennHopkins.com | 952-467-8498 TheGlennMinnetonka.com | 952-479-8160 Number one regret of our residents: “Why didn’t we move here sooner?” At The Glenn, you are not only part of a welcoming faith based community, but you also have the ability to modify your living arrangement from Independent to Assisted Living to Memory Care or Adult Day Services to suit your needs. Visit us today! TheGlennHopkins.com | 952-466-6926TheGlennMinnetonka | 952-373-0100 The Glenn Catholic Senior Communities EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY !$"'% FAMILY OWNEDAND OPERATEDSINCE 1857 EDINA CHAPEL 5000 W 50th Street952.920.3996 washburn-mcreavy.com Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries and Cremation Services Elementary School Students Design Latest Art On Edina Promenade By Debbie Townsend Take a stroll along the Edina Promenade and you’ll see sculptures from some of the region’s top artists. The Promenade’s newest art, however, came from the minds and imaginations of elementary school students. • “The I in Edina,” designed by Concord Elementary School student Mac Anderson and built with woodworker Charles Morrill. • “A Reflection of Me,” designed by then-Highlands Elementary School student Ayana Griswold and built with Nick Legeros. • “Walking Through Rainbows,” designed by Normandale Elementary School student Sylvia VanNorman and built with Morrill. The three pieces were among more than 130 entries in a contest designed as part of an innovative arts curriculum for Edina elementary schools. Students learned about public art and then had the chance to create miniature proposals with the theme of “I am.” “I’m always looking for ways to get students and community connected,” said Shannon Steven, a Cornelia Elementary art teacher who helped write a proposal for the artwork and develop the curriculum of the “Classroom to Community” program. “People think kids only play video games. They are really smart and thoughtful. They have so much more to offer.” The lesson, she thought, would give them an authentic art experience. The contest had real stakes. It came with parameters, boundaries and a deadline. “Our original intention was to match up one winning student with a working artist, and bring the student’s vision to life as a large piece of public art,” said Cheryl Gunness, who helped launch the project while she was part of the City’s Arts & Culture Commission. The quality of the entries surprised Gunness and Steven and impressed the judges, who were only able to narrow the finalists to nine. The finalists then were shown to artists, who decided to make three into pieces for the Promenade. “We left it to them to pick something that resonated with them,” Steven said. ‘The I in Edina’Mac Anderson was trying to come up with an idea for an art submission. He and his mom, Alison Anderson, are fans of a home remodeling show that has a scene where the hosts do handstands by giant letters. 22 • WINTER 2019 “The I in Edina,” designed by Concord Elementary School student Mac Anderson and built with woodworker Charles Morrill.File Photo (continued on next page) 2019 WINTER • 23 “One night at bedtime, all of a sudden he looked at me, he got really big eyes and said, ‘I have an idea!’ Alison said. The only thing they had at the time were the alphabet blocks that toddlers play with. They glued them together and spray painted them green for Mac’s entry. Their original had multiple letters and numbers. “I really loved the idea,” Morrill said. “The concept they were working around was ‘I am,’ and ‘I am Edina’ fit it so nicely.” One other plus: Morrill could build it in the Edina Community Center woodshop. He simplified the blocks and suggested giving them a single focus: using only the letters E,D,I,N,A. Once a week throughout the summer, Mac went to the woodshop and worked with Morrill. He learned to use a nail gun, sprayer and band saw, among other tools. “Mac put on a lot of the letters and did most of the painting,” Morrill said. The final design is made up of more than 900 pieces of plywood. Two footprints indicate where people should stand to become the “I.” ‘A Reflection of Me’Legeros is well-known to Edina art enthusiasts. “Dreams Take Flight,” his bronze sculptures of children playing with toy airplanes, is a photo favorite along the Promenade. His “Reflecting on Friendship” of children playing with bubbles is now a permanent fixture at Centennial Lakes Park after a stint on the Promenade. “A Reflection of Me” is a bronze figure of a child, but it’s definitely Ayana’s vision. It includes a reflective face, meant to be a mirror to those who approach it. “Since the theme is ‘I am,’ I thought that the sculpture should represent everyone, not just one person,” Ayana Griswold, now a sixth-grader at Southview Middle School, wrote in her artist statement. Legeros made sure to involve her in the entire process of moving the piece from her original design to what stands on the Promenade today. “I helped a little with making the clay sculpture for the mold and deciding what it was going to look like,” Ayana said. “I helped with parts of the bronze pouring – packing the sand, cracking molds, hosing it off, and getting off the extra bronze.” The final piece, while slightly different than how she first envisioned it, has left her feeling proud and happy. “A Reflection of Me,” designed by then-Highlands Elementary School student Ayana Griswold and built with Nick Legeros.Photo by Michael Braun 24 • WINTER 2019 Those who visit it along the Promenade often stop and move around to see how they appear in the reflection. That’s exactly what she intended: “I want people to look into the face of the sculpture and see that they can be anything.” ‘Walking Through Rainbows’Sylvia VanNorman’s inspiration came from the artwork at her father’s office. Bright triangle shapes hang from the ceiling and look different depending upon where you stand. “I really like colorful things,” she said. The goal of her design was to surround people with color. “I was hoping my real sculpture would be clear because my model wasn’t and was made of cardboard,” she said. Morrill figured out how to make that happen using polycarbonate sheets like the side panels in greenhouses. He and Sylvia worked together to cut the triangles from rolls of plastic film in an array of colors. On top of each clear polycarbonate sheet, Sylvia laid out the colored triangles in the design she wanted. The triangles were glued down and a second clear sheet was placed on top. Sylvia described the process as “like making a sandwich.” She also worked on aspects of the project at home, painting nuts, bolts and the base with the help of friends and family. She’s thrilled with the final piece. From the outside, it’s a blast of colors. A turf pathway through it lets people go inside, where it’s like being inside a kaleidoscope. The sunlight streaming through the panels casts rainbow reflections all around. “I want people to be happy and just feel better when they are around it,” she said. Visit the ArtworkAll three permanent pieces are located along the Edina Promenade, a greenway with trails dotted with artwork north of Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S. From the Target parking lot, walk along the north side of the store just south of 70th Street. A trail will lead you to the Edina Promenade. From there start walking south and you’ll quickly spot “Walking Through Rainbows.” Continue south on the Promenade to find “A Reflection of Me” and then “The I in Edina.” Plaques note the artists and the materials used to create each piece. They were funded by grants from the Edina Education Fund and the Arts & Culture Commission and from the donation of hundreds of hours of labor by Legeros and Morrill. Learn more about public art in Edina at EdinaPublicArt.org. “Walking Through Rainbows,” designed by Normandale Elementary School student Sylvia VanNorman and built with Charles Morrill.Photo by Michael Braun Edina Community Foundation 2018 Annual Report: The Tree Bears Fruit Dear Neighbors, Your fellow community members had the foresight 41 years ago to invest in Edina by creating the Edina Community Foundation. They planted the seed to serve, strengthen, and celebrate the community. In the years since 1977, ECF has grown from this single seed into a strong tree that impacts all branches of the community and bears the fruit of many important programs that make Edina a better place to live, work, and raise families: • We strengthen local youth with the Connecting with Kids program. • We lead the Edina Challenge team to better serve our financially disadvantaged young people, in part through a Connect Card that helps remove barriers for participation in community activities. • We offer opportunities for community engagement and life-long learning with the Edina Dialogue and Edina Reads. • We serve as a charitable partner through our Community Impact Program, providing organizational services to more than 65 independent nonprofits with passions ranging from music to youth sports and environmental awareness to public art. • We celebrate with the community by presenting the Edina 4th of July Parade and Fireworks. All this growth is possible because the community supported their Foundation tree. We need to continue to nurture the amazing community we proudly call home. As we develop all our programs to help build your community, we offer you the opportunity to maintain this legacy. Please consider making a gift to ECF and joining the effort to bring people together to serve, strengthen, and celebrate Edina! Dick Crockett, Executive Director Note: This Annual Report for the calendar year 2018 reflects a new approach for the Edina Community Foundation. After 15 years of reporting to our community on the basis of our fiscal year ending on June 30, we have decided to align our report with About Town’s Winter issue of January 1. We will still include the financial data for the fiscal year completed on June 30 and confirmed by the November audit report. Mission: We bring people together to serve, strengthen, and celebrate our community. 2018 Programs Connecting With Kids At our annual Connecting With Kids Leadership Breakfast in March, we honored these seven individuals for their volunteer efforts to provide children with support to grow up to be responsible, healthy, and caring adults: Dan Hunt, Jim Bizal, Nicholas Balghiti, Ukasha Dakane, Ron Hoistad, Craig DeBerg, and Tom Magne. We also presented a Student Leadership Award to Nia Diaby. The guest speaker was Hugh McCutch- eon, the University of Minnesota Wom- en’s Volleyball Coach, whose inspira- tional message was Learning to Be All You Can Be. Edina Challenge We continued to lead the Edina Challenge Team of representatives from more a dozen oth- er community organizations collaborating to create better outcomes for the approximately 750 kids in poverty or near-poverty in Edina. We have issued Connect Cards to more than 250 kids to confirm their eligibility for benefits offered by several local youth activity groups: Edina Parks & Recreation (with scholarship funds provided by ECF), Southdale YMCA and the Edina Baseball, Basketball, Football, and Edina Girls Athletic Associations. Edina 4th of July Parade and Fireworks We strive to provide this family-friendly celebration of our country and community. The Parade attracts more than 20,000 spectators on the route from City Hall to 50th & France, and the fireworks show at Rosland Park has an estimated audience of 10,000. Led by volunteer chair Tom Gump, the Parade Team organizes a blend of more than 90 units of community groups and paid entertainers. The 2018 parade theme was Edina’s Seniors, and Grand Marshals Kay Bach, Frank Cardarelle, and Betty Hemstad were recognized for their long records of service to the community. These events were preceded by a Backyard Bash event to build community support for the parade and a July 3 Veterans Dinner to honor local veterans. Hometown Heroes and Hometown Champions Last year we created a new form of recognition for major corporate donors whose support was not directly linked to sponsorship of any of our programs. Our Hometown Heroes— Dow, Think Bank, and Western National Insurance each made $5,000 contributions. Our Hometown Champions— Cahill Financial Advisors, Tradition Pass It On, Accredited Investors, and Washburn McReavy Funeral Chapels each made $2,500 contributions. It Takes A Village As we look back on 2018, we thank all of our co-hosts, donors, program participants and volunteers who have played vital roles in serving, strengthening, and celebrating our community. For more information about our programs and charitable giving opportunities, contact Executive Director Dick Crockett at 952-833- 9573 or edfoundation@EdinaMN. gov. Or visit our website at www. edinacommunityfoundation.org. Edina Reads In collaboration with the Edina Library and the Edina Reads Committee, we co-hosted a series of programs featuring a variety of written works: • What’s Edina Reading? with eight local leaders and readers sharing their favorite books; • National Poetry Month: A Poetry Hoote- nanny with readings by four poets; • History of Wolves, a novel by Emily Fridlund (a 1997 Edina High School graduate), interviewed by her high school English teacher Betsy Cussler; and • Next of Kin and The Holdouts, mysteries by Edina author James Tucker. Edina Dialogue We offer these programs to bring people together for community conversations. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday pro- gram co-hosted with the Edina Library in January featured repre- sentatives of the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission and the Race and Equity Task Force. With the Edina Chamber of Commerce, we co-hosted the 6th An- nual CEO Roundtable in October. The topic was Keeping Up With Changing Markets: Your Customers Are Calling the Shots; the keynote speaker was U.S. Bank Vice Chair Gunjan Kedia, with panelists Paul Mooty, Chairman & Partner of Faribault Wool- en Mill Company (and former ECF Board Chair), and Marlena Hemenway, CXO of Geneva Suites Senior Care. In November, we co-hosted an Edina Dialogue on Women in the Military in cooperation with the Friends of the Edina Library and the Edina Senior Center. Retired American His- tory teacher Lonni Skrentner interviewed a panel of seven women who served in the United States Armed Services during wartimes from WWII to the present. Community Impact Program “Building our community, one great idea at a time.” We sharpened our focus of serving as an incubator for the Edi- na nonprofit community by offering charitable and organizational services to more than 65 program partners. New partners in 2018 and their aspirational mission statements included: Bluebirds & Blooms, an initiative by Karen Wooldridge and Laura Hogan to improve the emotional health and well-being of individuals in health care facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and kindness. They use volunteers to collect, rear- range, and deliver the flowers to some 500 residents each month. EHS Project Earth, led by student Natalie Swanson to educate its members and others about the en- vironment and what can be done to protect it. The Gardenware Project, led by Amy Ware and Ann Lagorio, to give beauty, share love, and spread joy to hospice and senior com- munities through the gift of flowers. With 10-15 volunteers, they created more than 2,000 arrangements in their first year. Edina Service Organization, formed by Sarah Knapp and Kari Mawn to inspire a legacy of social awareness and compassion by coordinating student volunteer effort in our community and schools and empowering Edina students to succeed as confident, well-rounded and socially aware contributors to society. Wonderful Life MN, started by Robert and Stacy Cundy and Josh and Suzanne Jasberg to host a Christmas holiday fundraiser to en- sure that the happy, healthy, prosperous and truly wonderful life enjoyed by so many Minnesotans is experienced by all Minneso- tans. Community Support $597,797 Community Impact Program: $352,219 (59%) Program Service Revenue: $78,087 (13%) Unrestricted Gifts: $126,087 (22%) Net Investment Income: $40,862 (7%) 2017-2018 Finances Our total program services expenditures (Community Impact Program Grants and Direct and Indirect Costs of Program Services) of $438,080 were 80% of our total expenditures of $545,371, much greater than the 70% minimum recommended by the Minnesota Charities Review Council. Board of Directors Mamie Segall, President Tom Gump, Vice President Jeff Ohe, Secretary Steven McDonald, Treasurer Katie Aafedt Caroline Correia (as of 7/1/18) Michele Herring* James Hovland Carolyn Jackson (as of 7/1/18) Bradley Johnson Andy Matysik* Richard Meyer Richard Olson* Abby Power Kara Rios Rebecca Sorensen * Terms expired on 6/30/18. Edina Community Foundation • www.edinacommunityfoundation.org Directors EmeritiBradley Beard Bernie Beaver Ron Erhardt Scott Housh Dennis MaetzoldBonnie McGrath Richard Olson (as of 9/1/18) Fred Richards Carolyn Schroeder Geof Workinger Staff Dick Crockett, Executive Director Edie Opdahl, Donor ServicesKaren Contag, Development Relations (until June 2018) Annie Schilling, Development Relations (as of August 2018) Tina Bohrer, Communications Services Patty Dronen, Connecting With Kids Director Expenses $545,371 Community Impact ProgramGrants: $294,007 (54%)Program Services--Direct Costs: $76,167 (14%)Program Services--Indirect Costs: $67,906 (12%)Management and General Expense: $49,613 (9%)Fundraising: $57,678 (11%) Auditors: Ellingson and Ellingson, Ltd. The complete audited statement for this and prior fiscal years, our IRS form 990 and Minnesota Charitable Organization Annual Report are available upon request. EARLY LEARNING CENTER Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is the heart of our program. Only offered through MN school district programs like ours, ECFE grows the skills of parents and caregivers so they can create the best possible environment for their child’s learning and growth. Our academic curriculum is aligned to MN state standards and Edina Public Schools curriculum, ensuring seamless transitions to Kindergarten and beyond. Licensed teachers hold specialized degrees in early childhood education and parent education. Discovery-based settings help develop critical thinking skills and foster growth socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. We work in partnership with Early Childhood Special Education to serve all learners. 4-Star Parent Aware rating. Registration for School Year 2019-20 (ages newborn through pre-K) Monday, January 28 Classes available to preview: www.edinaschools.org/elc Tuesday, February 5 Registration opens for Edina Public Schools residents at 8:00am Tuesday, February 12 Registration for all opens at 8:00am Come for a visit! Sign up online at www.edinaschools.org/elc or call 952-848-3908. Where children and families learn and grow together. What Sets Us Apart? Edina Community Education ECFE | Preschool | School Age Care | Youth Enrichment Classes, Clubs and Camps | Adult Fitness and Lifelong Learning | Volunteer | Facilities Rental | Community Events www.edinaschools.org/communityed | 952-848-3952 | #connect #learn #grow #belong #inspire 2019 WINTER • 25 Aaron Ouska 612-940-8020 Cindy Jarvis 612-600-4119 Charlie and Dava Aul 612-787-7477 Chris Willette 612-388-8828 Dan Willette 952-927-1694 Danya Spencer 952-237-6611 Deb Langevin 651-343-0404 Gary Judson 612-899-4863 Ginna Raming 952-210-8342 Heidi Barcelow 612-232-9777 Jane Larson 612-720-1048 Jane Oelfke 952-200-5712 Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842 Margie & John Sampsell 952-927-1195 John Everett 952-927-1646 John MacKany 952-927-1163 John McDonald 952-927-1197 Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186 Keenan Olson 952-240-4903 Kim Melin 952-201-4758 Laura Bergman 612-644-7799 Mark Granlund 612-803-8129 Mary Krieter 612-719-0665 Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624 Susan & Gary Wahman 952-334-4663 Tom & Erick Ries 952-393-6600 Winnie Crosbie 612-741-9556 Find us atedina6800.edinarealty.com Find us atedina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com EDINA 6800 FRANCE EDINA 50TH & FRANCE Alli Deckas 612-306-3735 Amy Deckas 612-735-7430 Anna Mae Lambert 612-730-3121 Barby Collins 612-801-0027 Brad, Amy, Meghan McNamara 612-805-8785 C + C Group 612-926-9999 Connie Cauble 612-751-3930 Dave Anderson 612-750-2209 Jane Paulus 612-702-5694 Karen Daly 612-751-0663 Kristin Smith 612-965-0030 Krysta Clark 612-644-3173 Kyle Litwin 612-803-5595 Linda Smaby 612-325-7972 Lisa Eckert 952-240-7890 Lisa Heim 612-382-9672 Mark Kouatli 612-708-8400 Martha Webb 612-384-4413 Meg and Tom Meyers 952-924-8712 Meg Boehne 952-240-4417 Pam Aagaard 952-261-7576 Sara Moran 612-720-7560 Sheila Cronin 952-913-2129 Sylva Zoraqi 612-710-8081 We were born here. Bringing you real estate insights since 1955. Edina 50th & France 952.920.1960 Edina 6800 France 952.927.1100 WeSellEdina.com 26 • WINTER 2019 Aaron Ouska 612-940-8020 Cindy Jarvis 612-600-4119 Charlie and Dava Aul 612-787-7477 Chris Willette 612-388-8828 Dan Willette 952-927-1694 Danya Spencer 952-237-6611 Deb Langevin 651-343-0404 Gary Judson 612-899-4863 Ginna Raming 952-210-8342 Heidi Barcelow 612-232-9777 Jane Larson 612-720-1048 Jane Oelfke 952-200-5712 Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842 Margie & John Sampsell 952-927-1195 John Everett 952-927-1646 John MacKany 952-927-1163 John McDonald 952-927-1197 Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186 Keenan Olson 952-240-4903 Kim Melin 952-201-4758 Laura Bergman 612-644-7799 Mark Granlund 612-803-8129 Mary Krieter 612-719-0665 Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624 Susan & Gary Wahman 952-334-4663 Tom & Erick Ries 952-393-6600 Winnie Crosbie 612-741-9556 Find us atedina6800.edinarealty.com Find us atedina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com EDINA 6800 FRANCE EDINA 50TH & FRANCE Alli Deckas 612-306-3735 Amy Deckas 612-735-7430 Anna Mae Lambert 612-730-3121 Barby Collins 612-801-0027 Brad, Amy, Meghan McNamara 612-805-8785 C + C Group 612-926-9999 Connie Cauble 612-751-3930 Dave Anderson 612-750-2209 Jane Paulus 612-702-5694 Karen Daly 612-751-0663 Kristin Smith 612-965-0030 Krysta Clark 612-644-3173 Kyle Litwin 612-803-5595 Linda Smaby 612-325-7972 Lisa Eckert 952-240-7890 Lisa Heim 612-382-9672 Mark Kouatli 612-708-8400 Martha Webb 612-384-4413 Meg and Tom Meyers 952-924-8712 Meg Boehne 952-240-4417 Pam Aagaard 952-261-7576 Sara Moran 612-720-7560 Sheila Cronin 952-913-2129 Sylva Zoraqi 612-710-8081 We were born here. Bringing you real estate insights since 1955. Edina 50th & France 952.920.1960 Edina 6800 France 952.927.1100 WeSellEdina.com 2019 WINTER • 27 28 • WINTER 2019 Ditzler Joins City Staff As Assistant Engineer By Kaylin Eidsness Looking to build relationships with a different community, Aaron Ditzler joined the City of Edina staff as Assistant City Engineer in September. Prior to coming to Edina, Ditzler spent the last 18 years working for Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH), where he primarily served as a consultant for the City of Crystal, Minnesota. After the City wrapped up all of its street reconstruction projects, Ditlzer began working for a variety of clients on a project-by-project basis. “I missed having a hand in working with one city and really making a difference. This was a big factor,” said Ditzler about his reasons for applying for the Assistant City Engineer position when it opened up in Edina. While working with Crystal, Ditzler served as the lead designer and assistant project manager from 2000 to 2007 before transitioning into the role of project manager in 2008. In that role, he was able to finish out the $58 million street reconstruction program in 2018. “Aaron’s experience and vast knowledge of the details of the overall program contributed to the uniform execution of the individual reconstruction projects,” said Mark Ray, Director of Public Works and City Engineer for the City of Crystal. “While Aaron worked as the City’s consultant, he was very much a part of the team to successfully deliver street reconstruction projects for our residents.” During his time with SEH, Ditzler’s responsibilities included supervision and preparation of budgets, schedules, feasibility studies, design and construction cost estimates, assessment rolls, preliminary and final design, construction drawings and specifications, and permitting, as well as construction administration, observation and staking. Much of that he’ll continue doing with his new team, whom he already admires. “Director Chad Millner sold the staff really well,” Ditzler said about the City’s Engineering Department. “He said they are hardworking and dedicated, both of which I’ve already seen. That was another big reason for coming to Edina.” Millner said he wanted to hire someone who can mentor and teach employees, and he knew Ditzler could do that along with the rest of the job. As Assistant City Engineer, Ditzler supervises five Engineering Technicians. “He really fits in well with the City’s values, what we’re trying to do and the quality services we’re trying to provide to the residents,” said Millner. Millner got an idea of the quality Ditzler lends to a project when Ditzler served as a consultant for the City from fall 2013 to spring 2014. During that time, Ditzler provided project management assistance on various street reconstruction projects. Aside from street reconstruction experience in multiple cities, including Eden Prairie, Richfield and St. Louis Park, Ditzler also brings construction experience involving sidewalks and trails. 2019 WINTER • 29 Additionally, Millner said that Ditzler will bring a fresh set of eyes to help the City continuously improve. “Whenever you have a new staff member, it brings new values and experience to the projects,” said Millner. “We hope we can improve our services to our residents and continue to look for cost savings and ways to improve efficiency.” Ditzler echoed those comments, explaining that’s a big part of why he enjoys work that focuses on one city. “You learn the details. You start to figure out what works and what doesn’t. You keep refining,” he said. “You can do that when you work with one city, because you have more opportunities and each city is different. The engineering team, the city staff and the residents vary from place to place.” In his current role, Ditzler will assist Millner in planning, coordinating and implementing public infrastructure projects within the City; review permit applications; prepare and direct the preparation of plans, specifications, bid advertisements, contracts, feasibility reports and preliminary studies; and conduct public information meetings. With the local street reconstruction projects gearing up to start this spring, Ditlzer said he is looking forward to getting the plans off the ground and working with the community. “There are a lot of Edina residents who are fantastic to work with. They are very engaged and have a lot of good ideas,” he said. “In Edina, you have to know the story inside and out, which I enjoy.” Ditzler holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University. He belongs to the Minnesota chapter of the American Public Works Association, City Engineers Association of Minnesota and Minnesota Society of Professional Engineering – City of Lakes Chapter, where he serves as Treasurer. When he’s not working, Ditzler jokes that he’s a “glutton for punishment” and chooses to spend his free time cheering on the University of Minnesota Gophers’ football team. For more information on the City’s Engineering Department, visit EdinaMN.gov. Assistant City Engineer Aaron Ditzler joined the City of Edina in September. Photo by Michael Braun Cornerstone Offers Help To Victims Of Domestic Violence By Krystal Caron Cornerstone Executive Director Meg Schnabel knows that victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking come from all walks of life and need support in many ways. That’s why Cornerstone, an organization that offers support and resources for victims of domestic abuse, offers many different programs to help. “We serve everyone – men, women and children, whoever has been a victim of violence. There is sometimes a belief that the higher-income communities don’t experience domestic violence or it isn’t as critical of an issue,” said Schnabel. “We know that violence and trauma is experienced regardless of class. We also know that people with more resources don’t necessarily always need rehousing, but they do need support to overcome trauma and need to move through the criminal justice system if that’s a choice of theirs.” The City of Edina awards human services contracts, giving thousands of dollars in funding each year to organizations that serve Edina residents. Cornerstone is consistently one of those organizations and received $20,000 from the City in 2018. According to Schnabel, funding through other sources has recently been cut, so financial support from Edina has been helpful in filling the gaps that other earmarked-funding leaves behind. In addition to emergency housing, Cornerstone offers life skills and job readiness, financial literacy, support services, and criminal and civil justice intervention (CCJI). “At our core, we provide emergency shelter programming because that’s really the first line of defense, but another core component is our CCJI program. Edina is one of our partner communities, so we have a staff person assigned to Edina and if law enforcement goes out in Edina for a domestic abuse call, they provide information about that call and give us information so we can contact the victim and offer follow-up services,” said Schnabel. In 2017, 124 Edina residents were served by Cornerstone with a variety of services. Cornerstone also offered school presentations to 462 Edina students. In addition to Edina, Cornerstone works with the communities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Richfield, Submitted PhotoA memorial wall in the Peace Garden located at Cornerstone’s Bloomington location honors the victims of domestic violence homicide in Minnesota. 30 • WINTER 2019 Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park. They also oversee the Day One Crisis Hotline that receives calls from those who need support throughout the state. “Our relationship with Edina really stands out. While all cities work with us, some have regular partner meetings and the law enforcement officers know us on a personal basis. We have a law enforcement committee that’s part of our organization and Edina Police Sgt. Kevin Rofidal is part of that, in addition to serving on our Board,” said Schnabel. “The state-wide call center is one central phone number that goes to our call center in Minneapolis. Someone answers that 24/7 and makes sure that they receive services and support.” Callers outside of Cornerstone’s service area are never left without support. Cornerstone will find resources in their area or work with them if they are looking to relocate. “I speak so highly of Cornerstone because I’ve seen them do some amazing things. You can see the control and the fear in domestic abuse cases, and it isn’t just physical. Often, they don’t know how to balance a checkbook because their life has been confused for so long,” said Rofidal. “The wonderful thing about Cornerstone is that they help build people back up. They offer long-term shelter and will help them relearn how to manage their finances and so on. Otherwise, these same victims become victims again at the hands of the next abuser. Cornerstone looks at it from a holistic perspective instead of just shelter and prosecution.” The majority of homicides in Edina have been related to domestic or interpersonal relationships, according to Rofidal. When he thinks about the area that can make the most difference, offering support to those at risk or suffering from domestic abuse is at the top of his list. “Cornerstone is 24/7 and if they need sheltering right away they receive help. No matter how full Cornerstone is, they always have a backup plan,” said Rofidal. “It’s definitely something that has touched our community and will continue to be a challenge here. I encourage anyone who needs services to reach out for help.” If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking, call the Day One Crisis line at 866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995. Always call 911 in an emergency. For more information about Cornerstone or to learn more about supporting the organization, email info@cornerstonemn.org. 2019 WINTER • 31 Readers, thank you for supporting our advertisers! About Town reaches over 25,000 mailboxes in our community. To advertise in About Town, contact Alice Tank Van Dyke at 612-308-6982 or AVanDyke@EdinaMN.gov. 32 • WINTER 2019 By Katy Koch Campbell, Contributing Writer The all-new Braemar Women’s Club (BWC) begins tee-time play the first week of June. More than 150 ladies expressed pre-registration interest in league-play. Also debuting this coming golf season will be Braemar’s brand new 18-hole Championship Course. The much-anticipated new regulation course, under construction for the past two years, is projected to open in mid-May. The BWC will be one club combined from several women’s leagues. Offered will be 9- and 18-hole league play on several weekday mornings and at least one evening. “We want to create a strong women’s club and give them more options,” said Mary Wooldridge, Assistant Manager of Braemar Golf Course. An organizing group of women from different leagues has been meeting to give input to the golf course. After the first season, an official club board will be created to make policy and manage details of the club. “Open and simple is what we want” for the BWC, said Pacy Erck, a volunteer who has been involved with the golf course since it opened June 22, 1964. “You can be a competitive golfer, but you don’t have to be. Just come out and play.” Tee-time reservations for the BWC will be conveniently offered online. “There’s strength in numbers. A singular club will be more vibrant than different leagues were individually,” said Braemar Golf Course General Manager Joe Abood. Women’s morning league sizes varied: some with 12, 16 or 30 or more players. Members of the earliest league, called Bowling Green, are still golfing. That league originally bowled in the wintertime. City staff and volunteers were pleased when a survey conducted prior to the reorganization garnered 237 responses out of 1,600 people. Joan Schoepke is a club volunteer and self-described “loyalist” in a 9-hole women’s league that has played consistently at Braemar’s Academy 9 course throughout the interim of the 18-hole course closure and reconstruction. Why join a league? “You have to put a stake in the ground,” Schoepke said. “Join a league and then you’ll play” is the strategy she said worked for her. It’s a social experience, but if you don’t want to come for the social, you can just play, she added. Volunteer Lulu Zabowski chose a Thursday league when she joined a year ago simply because she was used to playing that day at another club. Some ladies sign up for leagues on multiple days so they commit to playing several times per week. If women are unsure how to match their skill level to a particular league in the club, they can call and ask for suggestions. Zabowski said her recommendation for a new or infrequent golfer is to first try a 9-hole league. “It’s half the time,” she explained. “And half the aggravation,” joked Schoepke. Women’s Club Forms At Braemar Golf Course 2019 WINTER • 33 BRAEMAR GOLF DOME 952-903-5775 BraemarGolf.com7420 Braemar Blvd., Edina Keep your game strong all winter long! Measure your ball speed an d f l i g h t w i t h o u r S m a r t T e e D i v i d e r s ! Open Daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m. A Spring Opener meetup for the new Braemar Women’s Club is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. May 21 for interested women’s league golfers to get acquainted and get questions answered. Though, Erck cautions, they might not have all the answers just yet. As for the new 18-hole course on the site of the former 27-hole course, it’s especially appealing to women. Erck said she, along with three male players, got to preview test-play the course this past fall. They recommended tweaks in course design, and directional signage on paths between holes and for the signature high-top Hole 13 with its scenic view. Volunteer Kathy Hering said she appreciates the new course’s environmental features with attention to wetlands. Richard Mandell Golf Architecture designed the new course with wide fairways and few hazards to appeal to golfers of all play levels. There are 44 bunkers. Erck said those aren’t much of a problem for a straight shooter. One change the women golfers eagerly anticipate is the expansion of ladies tee boxes. There are six distance choices, the longest being the championship. Erck said the distance is not based on handicap; it’s how far you hit your drive. This is an advantage to the golfers who previously have felt they could not play the course in regulation, she said. Several new features will enhance Braemar’s family-friendly appeal. The new Braemar Courtyard green space by the clubhouse can accommodate yard games like Jumbo Jenga, and can be reserved for weddings. There is lane-space for bocce ball and an area for lawn bowling, which is growing in popularity. The City and Red River Kitchen are scheduling weddings and corporate events for this coming year. The Braemar women feel strongly about welcoming others into the golf game. Evening league play will appeal to players with daytime jobs and family commitments. Zabowski pointed out, they, too, will one day find themselves with more daytime hours available for golf. “The women – and their children – are our future golfers, so we want to welcome and support them,” Zabowski said. For more information, visit BraemarGolfCourse.com or call 952-903-5760. 34 • WINTER 2019 City Clerk Retires After More Than Two Decades With Edina By Krystal Caron City Clerk Deb Mangen began working for the City of Edina in 1995 and will soon retire after more than 23 years. Mangen officially retires Jan. 4, finishing a distinguished career in data management and clerkship. “The City Clerk is one of those positions across this country that is the single common element from city to city, whether the city is 500 or 500,000 people. They are the people who are charged with dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, filing the paperwork and making sure people know what’s going on to make democracy work,” said City Manager Scott Neal. “You see that so clearly during election season; the number of plates that Deb has spinning in the air at any one time is really impressive. The consequences of one of those plates falling are great. Democracy is an important thing, but it’s a messy thing. She does it well and I would say she does it better than any of her peers in this state. We’re going to miss her quite a bit.” “In a state with one of the highest voter turn-outs in the nation, Edina sets the standard for trustworthiness in the electoral process. The reason Edina sets the standard for faith in the election process is due in no small part to City Clerk Deb Mangen, who is among the best city clerks in Minnesota and one of the best in the country at training election judges, creating a voting environment where people are treated with respect, and securing accurate and reliable election tallies,” said Mayor Jim Hovland. “A clean and fair election process with precision counting of all votes cast is a hallmark of Deb’s work over the more than 20 years she has served the residents of Edina.” Mangen has spent her career in the public service sector, first as a teacher and then as City Clerk with the City of Chaska. Mangen holds a dual degree in Special Education and Elementary Education and went on to teach in Wisconsin and Minnesota before she began working for municipal government in 1978. She attended the Minnesota Clerk Institute and was certified in 1993. In addition, she was certified with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 1998, has been a member of the Minnesota Clerks and Finance Officers Association (MCFOA) since 1980 and served as MCFOA Board President. In her time with MCFOA she has served on the Records and Retention Task Force since 1993, Elections Task Force since 1996, Clerk’s Institute Planning Photo by Michael BraunCity Clerk Deb Mangen retires Jan. 4, after working 23 years for the City of Edina. 2019 WINTER • 35 Committee since 2003 and Advanced Academy Planning Committee since 2005, chairing the Elections Task Force from 2004-2012. She is often called to the State Capitol to testify on different election changes like redistricting and voter ID, as well as issues like data practices. In 2016, she was named the Member of the Year by MCFOA and received the Edina Mayor’s Community Involvement Commendation in 2017. In her 42 years of work, she has seen a lot of changes across the industry, most notably in the area of technology. “When we first upgraded to election machines, it was overwhelming, but it was better than what we had. And when you think about what we have now, it’s just amazing. Everything is just so much more user-friendly. There have been a lot of equipment changes over the years,” said Mangen. “I can remember when City Hall had only one I.T. person and now you think about how many people are in the I.T. Division and how many computers and devices they have to manage.” She’s seen changes in technology in other areas as well. She can recount times that her hands turned purple from using Ditto machines, when “copy and paste” literally meant copying and pasting, and life before social media and sophisticated website systems. “For our website, you had to know how to write in html to post on the website. There was no Facebook, no Twitter, no NextDoor. You had the Sun Current or mailing notices to get the information out to people,” she said. While the technology changes are stark, Mangen laughs when she thinks of the most memorable event in her time with Edina. “The most memorable thing was being part of the move from old to new City Hall in 2004. You had to be part of the old City Hall to ask why it was so memorable. We were 20 pounds of potatoes in a 5-pound sack. I would use these small paintings done by a former Edina High School art teacher Lowell McCarthy, who also worked part time for the City of Edina, to cover the cracks in my wall in my old office. I still have those paintings in my office,” said Mangen. The previous City Hall, which occupied the space where the City Hall parking lot is now, was in need of a significant remodel and the growing number of staff could no longer fit in the space. The move meant improved offices, more space and increased security. “I’ve been gifted to work with really talented people. Deputy City Clerk Jane Timm is amazing, bar none, as well as the absentee staff who has shown up every time that I need them. Edina staff works as a team. It’s pretty unique to have someplace where we all collaborate and pitch in like we do,” said Mangen. “We have a pretty talented citizenry as well and there is a community spirit here that is really important for the public good. I’m thankful for having been able to work here for all these years.” “Deb is so smart. She’s taught me so much about documentation, doing checklists and being consistent,” (continued on next page) 36 • WINTER 2019 • Private apartments with month to-month rental • Flexible meal plans • Transportation for shopping, banking and more • Physician visits and 24 hour nursing sta nursing staff on site • Personal & concierge services • Wellness program with PTA • Weekly housekeeping • Respite and hospice stays • Age in place with loving care, dignity and serenity Independent Living, Assisted Living, Extended Assisted Living 55 Years of Service to the Community • Private apartments with month to-month rental • Flexible meal plans • Transportation for shopping, banking and more • Physician visits and 24 hour nursing sta nursing staff on site • Personal & concierge services • Wellness program with PTA • Weekly housekeeping • Respite and hospice stays • Age in place with loving care, dignity and serenity Independent Living, Assisted Living, Extended Assisted Living 55 Years of Service to the Community58 Years of Service to the Community • Private apartments with month to-month rental • Flexible meal plans • Transportation for shopping, banking and more• Physician visits and 24 hour nursing staff on site • Personal & concierge services • Wellness program with PTA • Weekly housekeeping • Respite and hospice stays • Age in place with loving care, dignity and serenity • Many daily activities Call for a tour and a Free Lunch (952) 920-9145 Independent Living, Assisted Living, Extended Assisted Living said Timm. “You have to be very consistent, especially when dealing with elections. I’ll miss her knowledge; I’ve always been able to go to her and now I’ll have to do more research to find the answer. I’ll also miss her empathy and thoughtfulness. She has a really big heart.” “She’s been rock solid and highly professional in the critical work she does for our city, our state and our country,” added Hovland. “She has been instrumental to the maintenance of trust in the democratic electoral process. It’s been such a pleasure to work with her during the time she has been a faithful public servant for Edina. We’re going to miss her and we wish her the best in the years ahead spent with family and friends.” Mangen plans to reconnect with friends, spend time with family and reinvest herself in some hobbies during retirement. She’s looking forward to rejoining book clubs, spending time with her grandchildren and doing some traveling with her husband. “We’re history buffs, so we plan on taking a trip and visiting some Civil War battlefields. I haven’t been to Washington, D.C., in years and I have family all over the United States, so I will spend some time visiting people,” she said. edina2019 Follow Explore Edina on FB for details on tickets! Tickets are sold on Eventbrite. ExploreEdina.com Pop-up Shops, Brunch and Fashion Show! April 13th The Westin Edina Galleria 2019 WINTER • 37 38 • WINTER 2019 By Kaylin Eidsness In November, a monumental art piece, “Garden Quilt,” was installed at the recently expanded North Parking Ramp, 3940 Market St., in downtown Edina. Measuring 10 feet wide and 30 feet tall, the installation is mounted on the exposed stone face of the new stairway and elevator tower that serves the expanded parking garage. In addition to the varying shapes and sizes, some of the art boxes are backlit to deliver a contrast between shadows cast by nearby street lights. “We absolutely love the piece. It adds flair to a space where you might not necessarily expect it,” said Bella Gonzalez, Marketing & Events Manager for the 50th & France Business & Professional Association. “We’re excited to bring more permanent art pieces to the area, because art brings the community together – especially local art.” The artwork was designed by local artist Heather Novak-Peterson and fabricated by local specialists at Chanhassen-based Sign Source. Each box is printed with a unique collage based upon a foundational image related to Edina stylized and blended with vibrant colors and shapes. The style and content was heavily influenced by nearly 800 Edina residents and business owners at 50th & France who participated in focus groups and online surveys to set the general direction of the artwork last spring. “The installation, called ‘Garden Quilt,’ came from an inspiration of how, no matter where your family is from, or who you are, we all have blankets and quilts in our homes that remind us of how our similarities weave together to make a community as beautiful and warm and connected as a quilt,” said Novak-Peterson. “We look to the past and forward to the future, in a perpetual stitching of events, achievements, memories and goals, making this town our home.” Astute observers will recognize design elements from Edina’s historic Grange Hall as well as stylized images of clover and thistle layered in between the vibrant colors and patterns. The plants are reminders of Edina’s Irish and Scottish heritage. The installation is one of the finishing touches on the newly renovated North Parking Ramp. The recently completed project added more public parking to the area, and as well as another 10,000 square feet of retail space. For more information on the North Ramp renovations, visit EdinaMN.gov. New Large-Scale Art Installed At 50th & France Artist Heather Novak-Peterson’s 30-foot-tall aluminum art piece, “Garden Quilt,” sits on the east wall of the North Ramp.File Photo 2019 WINTER • 39 City Eyes Finish Line For Comp Plan Update City Council Member Kevin Staunton is proud of the innovation Edina has shown in its development evolution. As examples, he points to Southdale Center, the nation’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center, and Centennial Lakes, one of the country’s models for mixed-use development. “We are in another era now where we are on the brink of changing over a whole bunch of tired properties and the question is, ‘What are we going to change them over to?’” he said during discussion of a proposed redevelopment in the greater Southdale area. That is also a question being addressed in the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update, a document to guide development and redevelopment and address changes likely to occur due to various social and market forces. The Metropolitan Council requires every city in the seven-county metro area to have such a plan and State law requires it be updated every 10 years. Edina’s plan includes chapters on land use, transportation, wastewater, water supply, stormwater management, housing and parks and recreation. Work on the update has been underway for nearly two years and builds off of the community visioning process “Vision Edina” completed in 2014 and 2015 and a “Big Ideas” land use planning workshop in 2017. Since that time, the Planning Commission has led an effort to complete five Small Area Plans and update the Comprehensive Plan’s chapters. Small Area Plans have been completed for 44th & France and Wooddale/Valley View. Plans should soon be complete for 50th & France, 70th & Cahill and Greater Southdale. A draft of the entire Comprehensive Plan Update is expected to be complete early this year. At that time, an open house will be held and residents encouraged to review the draft plan and offer comments for 30 days. Public hearings will be held by the Planning Commission and City Council before it is submitted to the Metropolitan Council for final approval. To stay up to date with the process and receive a notice of the open house, sign up for City Extra emails on the Comp Plan at EdinaMN.gov/CityExtra. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/CompPlan. – Compiled by Jennifer Bennerotte Small Area PlansSeveral Small Area Plans are being completed as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update: 44th & France 50th & France 70th & Cahill Greater Southdale Wooddale/Valley View 40 • WINTER 2019 Ride all day Friday in the Southdale area for $3! EdinaMN.gov/CloverRide Lucky You! 952-826-0322 Minnesota Center, Suite 270 I 7760 France Avenue South l Minneapolis, MN 55435 ISC FINANCIAL ADVISORS Helping you achieve your financial goals. TOM GARTNER, MSAPM, CFP® Wealth Manager ISCfinancialadvisors.com 952-835-1560 SEE TOPICAL FINANCIAL PLANNING TIPS AND ARTICLES AT WWW.TOMGARTNER.COM 952.905.5558www.ramonajenkins.com Ramona JenkinsSenior Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 264221 When it comes time to make your most important financial decision, trust an expert. Experience the Bell Bank Mortgage Difference. Bell Ads 3.6x3.6_OCT16.indd 2 10/21/16 12:06 PM Ellyn Wolfenson 612-644-3033 mobile 612-915-8894 office ejwolfenson@cbburnet.com “It’s all about relationships!” International President’s Elite Voted Best Real Estate Agent and Super Agent, 2012-2016 Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine www.ellynwolfenson.com Ellyn Wolfenson 612-644-3033 mobile 612-915-8894 office ejwolfenson@cbburnet.com “It’s all about relationships!” International President’s Elite Voted Best Real Estate Agent and Super Agent, 2012-2016 Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine www.ellynwolfenson.com Ellyn Wolfenson612-644-3033 mobile612-915-8894 officeejwolfenson@cbburnet.com “It’s all about relationships!” International President’s Premier Voted Best Real Estate Agent and Super Agent 2012- 2018 Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine 2019 WINTER • 41 Expires April 1, 2019 Sylva ZoraqiREALTOR® Edina Realty Office: 952-924-873950th & France Cell: 612-710-8081 SylvaZoraqi@edinarealty.com SylvaZoraqi.edinarealty.com Planning Matters City Establishes Small TIF DistrictThe City has established a new one-acre, 15-year Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) District to support a redevelopment at the intersection of Sunnyside Road and France Avenue. Orion Investments plans to redevelop the site of the former Edina Cleaners & Launderers, two single-family homes and a surface parking lot. Those structures would be replaced with a mixed-use development of 46 apartments, 7,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and parking below and at grade. The City Council in early October granted preliminary rezoning and development plan approval for the project. TIF is one of the financial tools available to the City to encourage new investment in a way that enhances the property tax base and achieves other community goals. TIF uses new property taxes, or incremental taxes, that are generated by a new project to pay for some of the costs associated with it. The existing tax base continues to be distributed to the school district, city, county and other taxing agencies. TIF has been used on just five of the 50 major redevelopment projects in Edina since 2011. “TIF is used pretty sparingly in Edina, but when we want to achieve public benefits and amenities, it makes a lot of sense to use tax-increment financing,” said Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf. The public will benefit from the new TIF district with approximately 40 new public parking stalls, buried overhead utility lines, a new outdoor public space with art and an improved streetscape, among other amenities. DEED Awards Grant To 4500 France ApartmentsThe Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded an Edina project a grant of $335,000. 4500 France Apartments, planned by Orion Investments for the intersection of Sunnyside Road and France Avenue, was one of eight projects to receive a grant under its Redevelopment Grant Program.Submitted IllustrationOrion Investments plans to redevelop the site of the former Edina Cleaners & Launderers, two single-family homes and a surface parking lot for 4500 France Apartments. The development will also include 7,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. 42 • WINTER 2019 “Redevelopment grants and loans are a good taxpayer investment,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. The Redevelopment Grant Program helps communities with the costs of redeveloping blighted industrial, residential or commercial sites for planned projects. Grants pay up to half the redevelopment costs for a qualifying site, with a 50 percent local match required. The City of Edina was approved for the grant for asbestos abatement, demolition and infrastructure costs on a 1.02-acre site. The site will be redeveloped into a 46-unit apartment complex with 7,000 square feet of commercial space. Officials anticipate the project will create 41 jobs and increase the tax base by $441,200. Matching costs will be covered by the developer with reimbursement using tax-increment financing. HRA Continues To Mull Use of Public Works SiteThe City has walked away from a partnership with Frauenshuh to redevelop the former Public Works site on Eden Avenue. After a competitive selection process, Frauenshuh was selected by the City as a development partner in 2014. In December 2017, a preliminary development agreement with Frauenshuh was executed to consider various development scenarios for the site. Several ideas have been considered over the course of the year. Most recently, the idea was to sell Frauenshuh about half of the site for a private development and to develop the rest of the site with a public facility housing an art and active adult center. The Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) in late July asked staff to hire an independent third-party real estate appraiser to determine the estimated market value of 1.5 acres of the 3.3-acre site for such a project. The land appraisal suggests the market value of the land is higher than the terms proposed by Frauenshuh. Members of the HRA came out of a September closed session to discuss the possible land sale and voted against moving forward with Frauenshuh. The HRA is expected to determine how to move forward with the site, which has been vacant since 2008, in early 2019. For more information on development projects recently approved by the Edina City Council, visit EdinaMN.gov/Planning or call 952-826-0369. For more information about DEED and its Redevelopment Grant Program, visit mn.gov.deed. – Compiled by Jennifer Bennerotte 2019 WINTER • 43 44 • WINTER 2019 City Of Edina Facilities Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. 952-927-8861 Edina Aquatic Center, 4300 W. 66th St. 952-833-9560 Edina Art Center, 4701 W. 64th St. 952-903-5780 Braemar Arena, 7501 Ikola Way 952-833-9506 Braemar Field, 7509 Ikola Way 952-833-9512 Braemar Golf Course, 6364 John Harris Drive 952-903-5750 Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S. 952-833-9580 Edina Liquor – 50th & France, 3943 50th St. 952-903-5720 Edina Liquor – Grandview, 5013 Vernon Ave. 952-903-5740 Edina Liquor – Southdale, 6755 York Ave. S. 952-903-5730 Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square 952-833-9570 Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S. 952-833-9540 Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave. 952-826-0330 Fire Station No. 2, 7335 York Ave. 952-826-0357 Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd. 952-826-0376 South Metro Public Safety Training Facility, 7525 Braemar Blvd. 952-903-5700 Elected Officials City CouncilJim Hovland Mayor 612-874-8550Mary Brindle Council Member 952-941-7746Mike Fischer Council Member 952-833-9569Kevin Staunton Council Member 952-836-1020Ron Anderson Council Member 612-386-3208 OtherJan Callison County Commissioner 612-348-7886Melisa Franzen Senator 651-296-6238Heather Edelson Representative – 49A 651-785-8696 Steve Elkins Representative – 49B 612-578-2103 Call 952-927-8861 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for general information. If you have a situation after hours or on weekends, but do not require immediate response from a paramedic, firefighter, police officer or Public Works crew, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 952-826-1610. City-Recognized Neighborhoods Arden ParkContact: Melissa Downey, ArdenParkNA@gmail.com Chowen ParkContact: Bill Neuendorf, chowenpark.edina@gmail.com ConcordContact: Ellen Westin, EllenWestin@edinarealty.com Creek KnollContact: Tim O’Neill, tim@pianobrothers.com Lake CorneliaContact: Nora Davis, noradavis73@gmail.com MorningsideContact: Madelyn Nasser, madelynnasser@gmail.com Pamela ParkContact: Laura Bergman, laurabergman@edinarealty.com South CorneliaContact: Mary Hackel, mehackel@gmail.com Strachauer ParkContact: Chris Bremer, cbremer101@gmail.com 2019 WINTER • 45 CONCRETE WORKS 612-861-4243HageConcrete.com LifetimeNo CrackGuarantee. SNORKELING EQUIPMENT and SCUBA CERTIFICATION for your TROPICAL AdvENTURES 5015 Penn Avenue S. Minneapolis 612-925-4818 www.scubacenter.com tom pedersonFull Year Enrichment Opportunities! NEW! Orff Music Class Music and Movement Class For 4 & 5 year olds NEW! French Fun, Petits! French Immersion Class For 3 year olds French Fun, Mais Oui! French Immersion Class For 4 & 5 year olds STEM Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Class For 4 & 5 year olds NORMANDALE PRESCHOOL AND BLESSING PLACE Together serving children, Toddler to Kindergarten 952-977-9371 • joanne@normluth.org • normandalepreschool.org Open House & Tour January 17, 2019 • 9:30 a.m. Registration Begins January 24, 2019 • 9:30 a.m. Christian Faith & Values • Half and Full Day Programming Kindergarten Readiness Classes • Lunch, Extended Day Options Library and Chapel Times • Dedicated College Educated Professionals SOUTHDALE Y FREE 5 DAY PASS *OFFER EXPIRES 3/21/2019  FREE DROP OFF CHILD CARE  190+ GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES  SWIMMING & FAMILY POOL  FULLY EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER  ALL AGES & FITNESS LEVELS To activate pass - contact Karl 952 897 5476 karl.wilbur@ymcamn.org 46 • WINTER 2019 The Last Word The most important policy statements that any government makes are those related to how it spends the money entrusted to it by its taxpayers. Elected and appointed leadership of city government do our best to understand the wants and needs of the people in the community and the municipal infrastructure on which they depend. Then, we translate that understanding into a series of fiscal policy decisions which we colloquially call the “budget.” In Edina, we focus on a two-year operating budget in odd-numbered years and a five-year capital improvement plan budget in even-numbered years. In 2019, the City will be focused on developing the operating budget for 2020-2021 and implementing the just adopted 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan budget. While the two-year operating budget tends to attract more community input and discussion, more money is spent on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). A lot more money. The City of Edina has over $500 million invested in capital assets that either need to be maintained or replaced. This number includes such things as land, buildings, roads, water and sewer lines, vehicles and large pieces of specialized maintenance equipment like street pavers and traffic signal maintenance trucks. Edina’s 2019-2023 CIP is a five-year, $143 million plan. Approximately $112 million is planned for infrastructure projects, with approximately $29 million planned for road and bridge projects, $2.7 million for trails/sidewalks, $54.4 million for water and sewer projects, and over $21 million planned for stormwater improvements. Another $15 million is planned for vehicle and equipment replacement, over $8 million for building improvements, $3 million for land acquisition, and $3 million on technology. The 2019-2023 CIP is designed to be a financially viable plan for specific infrastructure projects, based on existing and proposed funding availability and on policy guidance provided by the City Council. By adopting the CIP, the Council provides overall policy guidance on a long-term community investment plan. The actual formal approval of individual projects typically occurs later, when they are presented individually to the City Council for initiation. In addition to consideration of the overall project plan, the CIP serves as a mechanism to highlight policy issues that could significantly impact future capital project funding. These issues are presented as an opportunity for the City Council to provide additional guidance to staff if appropriate. In 2018, the City completed a three-year process of reviewing 117 buildings to create a master replacement schedule for physical buildings; plumbing; HVAC and other mechanical systems, components, fixtures and equipment to optimize long-term financial resources and meet sustainability goals. Building improvement projects submitted for the 2019-2023 CIP include maintenance identified through the new data collected. Maintaining physical assets and infrastructure was the primary goal of the 2018-2019 budget cycle. Stewardship is an important value in the community. Elected and appointed leaders of Edina translate the value of stewardship into fiscal policy action by doing our best to take care of the municipal property and infrastructure that taxpayers have already paid for. Maintenance is never sexy, but it’s almost always the best value. That’s why you’ll see reinvestment and maintenance at the centerpiece of our new CIP for 2019-2023. Scott H. Neal City Manager tcclosets.com 612.623.0987 2634 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis #ORGANIZETHENORTH *First-time visitors and local residents only. Certain restrictions apply. $28 minimum value. At participating studios only. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trademarks of Ultimate Fitness Group LLC. © Copyright 2018 Ultimate Fitness Group LLC and its affiliates. TRY IT FOR FREE* ORANGETHEORY.COM OTF Edina 3523 W 70th St, Edina, MN 55435 612.930.4630 GUESSING DOESN’T LEAD TOGREATNESS. CONNECT YOUR HEART TO YOUR WORKOUT AND START YOUR JOURNEY TO MORE LIFE.™ 2019 WINTER • 47 AboutTownAboutTown Magazine City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 EdinaMN.gov ***ECRWSS***POSTAL PATRONCAR-RT-WS PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGEPAID TWIN CITIES MN Permit No. 3932 Leverage the global power of Coldwell Banker®. Contact your neighborhood specialist today. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Burnet are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Burnet. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Burnet fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 498528MN_8/18 EDINA REGIONAL OFFICE 952.844.6000 | 7550 France Ave. S, Suite 340 COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM . Stephane Cattelin 612.703.8229 Beth Andrews 612.801.2041 Tom and Kari Cartier 612.910.9556 Amy Cohen 952.484.7577 Daniel and Julie Desrochers 612.554.4773 Holly Firehammer 612.388.7579 Seth Johnson 612.810.5124 Karen Moe 612.418.6840 Ellyn Wolfenson 612.644.3033 Jerry and Stella Rezac 612.720.6942 Steve Schmitz 952.484.6045 Wade Thommen 952.994.2035 Diana Johnson 612.720.6031 Mary Frances Miller 952.300.7874 Matt Goldstein 612.599.1106