HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdinaJune2019Edition: Edina
JUNE 2019
Volume 6, Issue 6
Residents have three ways to get involved and help
keep their neighborhoods clean and safe: Adopt-
a-Hydrant, Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Drain.
Adopt-a-Hydrant
You may have heard of the Adopt-a-Hydrant
program to keep snow away from hydrants, but
it’s just as important in the summer as it is in the
winter. During the colder months, hydrants can
be buried in snow and cause dangerous delays
for firefighters. In the summer and fall, plant
growth and leaves can obscure hydrants, too.
The City looks for residents to sign up to adopt
hydrants to keep them shoveled in the winter
months and clear of foliage in the summer.
“It’s just as important to keep an eye on the
hydrants near your home in the summer as it is
in the winter. We’ll see a lot of hydrants hidden
behind tall flowers or grass and, though the
resident may like the landscaping around it, it
makes it difficult for us to find and open that
hydrant when there is a fire,” said Fire Inspector
Brian Hanrahan.
“Minutes really do
matter when there
is a fire, so we hope
people sign up for
the Adopt-a-Hydrant
program.”
Hydrants are available
for anyone to adopt –
it doesn’t have to be
located in your yard. Sign up to participate by calling
952-826-0378.
You can also sign up to paint a fire hydrant. The
Public Works Department supplies the required
fire-hydrant-red spray paint. Call 952-826-0376 to
arrange paint pickup.
Adopt-a-Park
The Adopt-a-Park program, established in Edina
in 1994, is a popular program, especially for
clubs and families. Parks are adopted for two
years at a time. Adopters commit to cleaning
up trash at the park at least twice a year. The
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
City will provide cleaning equipment, haul
trash away and erect a personalized sign that’s
displayed at the park and highlights the group
or individual who has adopted the park.
“Residents who participate in the Adopt-a-Park
program contribute to a cleaner environment
in their neighborhood and allow the City to
conserve and redirect resources,” said Parks &
Recreation Administrative Coordinator Janet
Canton. “They help maintain the high quality
of Edina’s parks by keeping them litter-free and
identifying safety hazards.”
If you would like to sign up to adopt a park, call
Canton at 952-826-0435.
Adopt-a-Drain
The newest opportunity for residents is the
Adopt-a-Drain program, which gives you the
chance to “adopt” any number of storm drains
in your neighborhood. Adopt-a-Drain launched
in April and is a coalition of more than 70
public, private and nonprofit organizations,
including the City of Edina
and the Nine Mile Creek
and Minnehaha Creek
watershed districts. Those
who sign up commit to
keeping drains clear of trash,
leaves and grass. In addition,
participants are encouraged
to spread the word that pet
waste, plant debris and road
salt directly impact Minnesota lakes, streams
and rivers.
“The Adopt-a-Drain program empowers
residents and businesses to directly contribute
to clean water. Whether you can see a lake or
creek from your home or not, the actions you
take in your neighborhood have an impact. The
collective actions of a community committed to
clean water are powerful,” said Water Resources
Coordinator Jessica Wilson.
When pollutants enter a waterway, they break
down and feed algae, which causes the water to
become green and soupy, filters sunlight so fish
and plants can’t grow, and eventually creates
dead zones.
Those interested in signing up in the program
can do so at Adopt-a-Drain.org. From there,
you can select the drains you’re interested in
adopting, give each drain a personal name and
track the amount of waste you’ve eliminated
from waterways.
To learn more about Adopt-a-Drain and Edina’s
involvement, contact Wilson at 952-826-0445.
Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
The new Adopt-a-Drain program is a great way for younger
residents to take an active role in keeping their community
and waterways clear. Photo by Krystal Caron
Care for Neighborhood Storm Drains, Hydrants and Parks
Adopt One to Help Firefighters, Lakes and Keep Community Clean
We hope people sign up for the
Adopt-a-Hydrant program and
commit to helping keep their
hydrant clear in the winter as
well as the summer.
You can eat an entire meal or buy everything
you need to make one from fresh and local
sources each week at the Farmers Market at
Centennial Lakes Park.
Bread, chicken, desserts, eggs, pork, produce,
salsas and sauerkraut are sold every Thursday
from 3 to 7 p.m. starting June 6. So are lots of
flowers to decorate your table or patio.
Centennial Lakes Weekly Farmers Market Starts June 6
Indian Street Food Vendor Muddy Tiger Makes Debut This Season
Sauerkraut? That’s the same reaction Joel Linker,
better known as The Kraut Guy, gets when
people spot his booth and his nine – going on
10 – varieties of kraut.
“They say, ‘I didn’t know there are so many
different kinds of kraut,’” Linker says. “When
I got into the business, I just wanted to dispel
some rumors about sauerkraut. They think of
what’s on the shelves in the grocery store. That
isn’t what sauerkraut is all about.”
His krauts are healthy and organic. They
aren’t sour because the taste comes from the
fermentation process, not from vinegar like
most store versions. Among the top sellers are a
Latin American version with jalapenos, carrots,
onion and Mexican oregano; an apple cinnamon
version and a classic caraway.
“It’s health food. It’s super food,” Linker said
of sauerkraut. “That’s how we got into it. We
wanted to eat healthy.”
Jyoti Kistner started Muddy Tiger Indian Street
Food to bring the food she loves to make for
friends and family to a wider audience. Inspired
by the Tibetan Momo stand and the cultural
diversity of vendors at the Centennial Lakes Park
Farmers Market, she choose the space to make
her market debut after successful pop-up and
catering events.
She’ll be making her signature dish: potato
sliders with a sweet and spicy chutney. The
recipe was shortlisted in a national chef
competition.
“At all my pop-up events, people really like that.
It’s tasty and easy to eat,” Kistner said of the
sliders that come on a bun and look like pub
food. All her cuisine is vegetarian and inspired
by street food from her home city of Pune in
Western India.
The Centennial Lakes Farmers Market, 7499
France Ave. S., runs Thursdays through Sept.
26. About 30 vendors line the walkways in both
directions starting at Hughes Pavilion. Plenty of
free parking is available.
For more information, visit CentennialLakesPark.com.
Tibetan Momo always draws a line of people eager to try the dumplings
and dipping sauces at the stand near Hughes Pavilion during the
Centennial Lakes Park Farmers Market. File Photo
633
vines planted on the
outside of the ramp
2 elevators 2
free ChargePoint
charging stations
for electric vehicles
546 1,180
new and
refurbished
parking stalls
square feet of public art
BY THE NUMBERS
North Ramp Open
For Parking
Construction to refresh and expand the North
Ramp on Market Street at 50th & France finished
last fall. Now, the North Ramp features several
improvements. Visitors and shoppers are encouraged
to check it out!BUILDING THE NEW
50TH & FRANCE
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Council Approves Preliminary Rezoning for Amundson Flats
Housing Project Improves Blighted Area, Workforce Housing and
Pedestrian Connections
UPCOMING EVENTS
Recurring Events:
Concerts in the Park, Centennial Lakes Park
7 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays
Children’s Entertainment, Centennial Lakes Park
Noon Tuesdays and Thursdays
Movie in the Park, Centennial Lakes Park
Sunset Thursdays starting June 13
Saturday, June 1 | 10 a.m.
Edina Aquatic Center opens for the season
Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 | 10 a.m.
Edina Art Fair, 50th & France
Tuesday, June 4 | 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Saturday, June 8 | 10 a.m.
Community Open House for new Hennepin
County Library – Southdale, former Hennepin
County Service Center, 7009 York Ave. S.
Saturday, June 8 | 10 a.m.
The Author’s Studio: Faces Don’t Lie: The Science
of Expressions Applied to Portraits & Self-
Portraits Alike with author Dan Hill, Edina Art
Center
Sunday, June 9 |
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Parade of Boats,
Centennial Lakes
Park
Monday, June 10 | 6:30 p.m.
Fitness in the Parks, Braemar Golf Course
Courtyard
Thursday, June 13 | 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Monday, June 17 | 6:30 p.m.
Fitness in the Parks – Family Fitness, Rosland Park
Tuesday, June 18 | 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Wednesday, June 19 | 9 a.m.
Walk With the Mayor, Bredesen Park
Thursday, June 27 | 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 27 | 6:30 p.m.
Fitness in the Parks, Pamela Park
For a complete listing of meetings and events, visit
EdinaMN.gov.
The Edina Aquatic Center is now open for
the 2019 season! In addition to the Lost
Wave surf simulator, the Edina Aquatic
Center offers activities for all ages and
interests, including a 50-meter lap pool
with diving well, Pirate’s Plunge body slide
and Shipwreck Express zip line. For the
littlest swimmers, stop by the Lil’ Lagoon
water playground. Finally, if you need a
break from the water, Oakwood Forest
is a dry playground with a hollowed-out
treehouse, three slides, climbing nets and
a lookout tower. Find rates and hours
online at EdinaAquaticCenter.com.
Photo by Kersten McManamon
STAY COOL AT THE
EDINA AQUATIC CENTER
THIS SUMMER
Removal of a vacant building. More workforce
housing. Improved pedestrian movement in the
area, including a connection to the Nine Mile
Creek Regional Trail.
Many community benefits are coming together
with a multi-family housing project in the Cahill
District.
At its meeting May 21, the City Council granted
preliminary approvals to allow for the construction
of Amundson Flats at 7075-9 Amundson Ave. by
MWF Properties.
MWF Properties plans to tear down the existing
dry cleaners building and build a four-story,
62-unit affordable housing project on the 1.2-
acre site. Plans include dedication of a 17-foot
trail easement along the south lot line for future
construction of a connection from Amundson
Avenue to the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail.
Amundson Flats would serve families whose
average income is 60 percent or less of the area
median income. MWF Properties has committed
to maintaining that level of affordability for at
least 40 years with a mixture of one-, two- and
three-bedroom units.
“Think about how many threads have come
together to get us to this day. We had the 70th
& Cahill Small Area Plan, which was a collection
of folks from the neighborhood coming
together to talk about their vision for that node.
At the same time, you had the Edina Housing
Foundation creatively seizing an opportunity …
to find a property that could be good to develop
for affordable housing. And then you had an
applicant willing to come forward and kept
modifying a plan to try to fit the project into
what we were looking for,” said City Council
Member Kevin Staunton during the meeting.
“I think we have a win-win-win. We have a
new building that starts this plan. … To get an
all-affordable housing project with this quality
workmanship … and to be able to get a start on
building the vision of the 70th and Cahill area is
extraordinary.”
In other business last month, the City Council
approved a draft of the Comprehensive Plan
Update, starting the six-month review process
for neighboring cities and affected agencies.
During that time, staff was also directed to edit
the document for consistency and complete
an inventory of current housing types in
the community. Barring no objections from
neighboring cities and agencies, the Planning
Commission will hold a public hearing on the
final Comprehensive Plan Update in November
and the City Council in December.
The City Council next meets 7 p.m. Tuesdays June
4 and 18 in the Council Chambers of Edina City
Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. For more information, visit
EdinaMN.gov.
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.gov City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Learn how to help someone who
is developing or experiencing a
mental health crisis. This special
eight-hour course will teach you:
• Risk factors
• Warning signs
• What to do
Course developed by the National
Council on Behavioral Health.
Dates: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 25, and Thursday,
June 27. Must attend both days.
Where: Edina Senior Center,
5280 Grandview Square
Cost: Free
Registration: Call 952-833-9570
by June 18. Space is limited.
Republic Services will continue biweekly
recycling collection in Edina. Those wishing to
recycle more material may receive a second cart
at no cost.
Edina has provided residential curbside
collection since 1985. The current biweekly city-
wide contract for residential recycling collection
with Republic Services ends Dec. 31. Three
companies responded to a request for proposals
for a new contract. Republic Services offered
the most competitive proposal for biweekly
collection, but another vendor provided the
most competitive proposal for weekly collection.
The City Council directed staff to collect
feedback from residents on their preferences for
recycling frequency. The Morrison Leatherman
Company conducted a survey using a statistically
valid, random sample, finding that by a 51 to
32 percent majority, residents prefer the current
biweekly service.
“Biweekly recycling benefits the community
by keeping the truck traffic to a minimum and
still capturing the recyclables,” said Recycling
Coordinator Solvei Wilmot.
If space is an issue, residents can request an
additional recycling cart at no cost by calling
Republic Services at 952-941-5174.
“It is important for all of us to do what we can
to reduce waste. First, by buying only what we
need and with the least amount of packaging,”
said Melissa Seeley, Energy & Environment
Commissioner. “Second, disposing of waste
with the smallest impact on our planet is
incumbent on all of us.”
A seven-year contract is expected to be awarded
to Republic Services, allowing residents to keep
their existing carts.
Residents are also encouraged to participate in
the citywide organics program beginning next
spring, when those bins will be delivered to
Edina homes.
A recent study by Hennepin County found
that 25 percent of trash is made up of organic
materials – the largest category within trash that
could be diverted from landfills. In an effort to
meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and
Hennepin County waste reduction goals, the
City Council decided to have staff implement an
organics recycling program in 2020.
“Collection is made easy by adding a small
bin to the kitchen to capture scraps as food is
prepared or meals are finished. Compostable
bags and other products are readily available
in stores all over the Twin Cities,” said Seeley.
“Once waste is separated between organics and
recycling, it is often amazing to see how little
trash is left.”
The Council asked staff to negotiate a contract
with Vierkant Disposal as the organics vendor
for several reasons, including the company’s
existing organics customer base in Edina,
pricing, location and commitment to customer
service. The contract is expected to be approved
at a future Council meeting.
With another cart for organics, the Council also
voted to change the law regarding storage of
trash and recycling bins to create more flexibility.
City Council approved an ordinance amendment
that now allows residents to store containers
within five feet of their home. Previously,
containers were to be stored out of view from
the street.
For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Recycling
or contact Wilmot at 952-826-0463.
Recycling Pickup to Remain Biweekly
Organics Collection To Begin in 2020
Recycling collection will remain biweekly and organics collection will begin
in 2020. Photo by Dietrich Nissen
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