HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitySlick_July_2013CITYSLICK p1
A newsletter for the City Council and employees of the City of Edina
by Emilie Kastner, former Communications
Assistant
From the time he was in sixth grade, Alec
Fischer was bullied. Instead of recompense,
the aspiring film producer and political
activist dedicated his time to
preventing that fate for other
students.
His first big leap to raise
awareness and prevent
bullying began when
he was still in high
school. Recalling
his experiences
and those of
his friends as
inspiration, Fischer,
a 2012 graduate
of Edina High
School, produced
the anti-bullying
documentary
“Minnesota Nice?”
for his senior May
Term project. He knew
the film would shake
his classmates and peers;
what he didn’t anticipate
was its widespread impact.
“I kind of looked around and saw that
a lot of my friends were way worse off than
I was,” said Fischer. “I realized that I needed
to stop throwing myself a pity party for how
bad I was getting bullied and I really needed
to worry about what my friends were going
through, and that was a good self-therapy for
me.”
In recognition of his efforts, KARE 11 has
selected Fischer as one of its “Eleven Who
Care” recipients for 2013; he was honored
July 17 and his segment will air on the NBC
affiliate in September. The program recognizes
the efforts of outstanding volunteers in the
community. In December 2012, he was
voted “Edina’s 2012 Person of the Year” by
Edina residents on the Edina Patch website.
He also received the “Outstanding
Student Award” in January 2013
from the Twin Cities chapter
of Parents, Families and
Friends of Lesbians and
Gays (PFLAG), a national
non-profit organization
that seeks to reduce
gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender
bullying. He also
received a Mayor’s
Commendation
from Mayor Jim
Hovland in April.
“Minnesota Nice?,”
a 45-minute film in
which teens from
multiple schools
share their hopes,
experiences and
observations in regards to
bullying, has been shown
in schools as far as California
and Israel. It has also been
featured at education conferences
across the country, the 2012 Edina Film
Festival and the National Public Health Week
Film Festival hosted by the University of
Minnesota’s School of Public Health.
“He really took the bullying issue – researched
it, understood it, experienced it – and so he
was able to speak with a degree of authority
around the topic,” said Edina High School
Principal Bruce Locklear.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2 Around The
Water Cooler
3 Staff Notes
4 Wellness Corner
5 A Day In The Life ...
Fischer named one of ‘11 Who Care’
7|29|2013
Continued on Page 6 ...
July 31, Mike, Police
July 31, David, Public
Works
Aug. 2, Adam, Police
Aug. 5, Sharon,
Engineering
Aug. 6, Ted, Centennial
Lakes Park
Aug. 8, Sherry, Police-
Health
Aug. 8, Jacob, Police
Aug. 9, Michael, Fire-
Rescue & Inspections
Aug. 12, Tom, Braemar Golf
Course
Aug. 13, Dominic, Fire-
Rescue & Inspections
Aug. 13, Don, Public
Works
Aug. 13, Joel, Police
Aug. 15, Joel, Fire-Rescue
& Inspections
Aug. 18, Jackie,
Community
Development
Aug. 18, Mark, Police
Aug. 20, Scott,
Communications &
Technology Services
CITYSLICK p2
Police
Beggin’ Strip Bandit
An arrest has been made in a home burglary
thanks to evidence found on a dog treat.
It’s not every day you hear about a “Beggin’
Strip Bandit,” but that’s the nickname given
to a suspect who gave a dog Beggin’ Strip
treats to keep him quiet.
When a family arrived home to a ransacked
house, they immediately called 9-1-1. After
Edina Police and the Hennepin County
Crime Lab arrived to search the house, they
found a dog treat on a dresser that didn’t
belong to the family. The Crime Lab was able
to extract a DNA profile from the leftover
treat.
Edina Police developed a suspect through
credit card use and video surveillance and
were able to obtain a warrant to get a DNA
swab of the suspect. The Crime Lab then
determined the DNA profile from the dog
treat matched the DNA sample taken from
the suspect.
Cops on Top: Summit
for Heroes
On June 29, as a
part of the Cops on
Top volunteer team,
Officer Eric Carlson
hiked the tallest peak
in Minnesota: Eagle
Mountain, west of
Grand Marais.
Every year, the
Summit for Heroes,
memorial climb takes
officers to the highest
peak in each state to
honor fallen officers.
Last year, nearly 700
law enforcement
professionals, friends,
family and supporters
took part in memorial
climbs across the nation.
Founded in 2006, Cops on Top provides
support to those grieving from the loss
of an officer while raising awareness for
police officers who have been killed while
protecting and serving their communities.
This is Carlson’s fourth hike to the top of
Eagle Mountain for Cops on Top.
Battle of the Badges
As part of the Memorial Blood Center’s Battle of
the Badges, the Edina Police Department, which
won last year’s battle, will sponsor a blood drive
from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, in
the Council Chambers at Edina City Hall.
Officers, firefighters, friends, family and the
greater community are encouraged to donate
blood in honor of their favorite police or fire
departments. The department with the greatest
percent participation wins.
To donate blood in honor of the Edina Police
Department, register using sponsor code 0111 by
calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD, or online at
www.mbc.org.
Fire – Rescue & Building Inspections
EFD Responds to Duplex Fire
At approximately 3:29 a.m. Saturday, June 22,
the Edina Fire Department was called to the
5300 block of 70th Street after a resident of a
duplex was awakened by an audible alarm and
discovered a fire in the garage. The first crews on
the scene reported a working fire, with smoke
billowing from the eaves of the building.
Two alarms were called, bringing mutual aid from
Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Richfield, St. Louis
Park and Hennepin County EMS. No injuries
were reported as a result of the fire. The garage
suffered moderate damage while the structure
and common attic space received minor damage.
Smoke damage also occurred to both units.
The cause and origin of the fire is currently under
investigation.
Fire, Parks & Rec Team Up for Summer Activities
The Fire and Parks & Recreation departments
teamed up for summer activities! Several days
throughout July, a fire truck made appearances at
playground programs to spray down participants
with a fire hose. This is one of the most
anticipated parts of the playgrounds program.
On Aug. 6, the Police, Fire-Rescue & Inspections
and Parks & Recreation departments will host
100 Edina fourth graders for Safety Camp.
Campers will learn about fire safety, personal
safety, water safety, gun safety, animal safety and
more.
AROUND THE WATER COOLER
Following is a summary of some of the projects of some departments, divisions and
facilities. Other areas of the City will be featured in upcoming issues.
Edina Police Officer Eric Carlson, left, hikes
to the peak of Eagle Mountain as part of the
Cops on Top: Summit for Heroes memorial
climb. Photographed with Carlson are
Mariano Aguedas, U.S. Border Patrol; Mary
Manning, MN DNR; Dawn Russ, Fon Du
Lac County; and Dean Baumgarten, Cold
Spring/Richmond Police Department.
CITYSLICK p3
Andrew Slama began work as a
Paramedic/Firefighter for the
Fire Department on June 10.
Slama previously worked for
Mdewakanton Emergency Services
as a Paramedic/Firefighter and
the Savage and Mankato Fire
Departments as a Firefighter.
Cindy Larson began work as
Redevelopment Coordinator June 20.
This a newly created position will
ensure compliance with the City’s
residential redevelopment ordinances
and procedures. Larson comes from
Engelsma Construction, Inc., where
she held the position of Director of
Marketing and Business Development.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Community
Development/Gerontology from St. Cloud State University.
Alec Fischer began work on June 24
as Video Production Intern in the
Communications & Technology
Services Department. A graduate
of Edina High School, he will be
a sophomore at the University of
Minnesota, and is majoring in Political
Science and Communications. In
addition to producing independent
videos and documentaries, including the award-winning
“Minnesota Nice?,” Fischer volunteers for several human
rights organizations. He will remain part of the video
production team through the fall term at school.
STAFF NOTES
After seven years as a part-time Video
Production Assistant, Nathalie Gage
began work July 24 as Community
Television Administrator. In the
new full-time position, Gage will
oversee the public and education
access channels available to Comcast
subscribers in Eden Prairie, Edina,
Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield and
playback of the Eden Prairie government access channel.
She will also continue to assist Edina’s video production
efforts as time allows. Gage holds an associate degree in
Digital Video Production from the Minnesota School of
Business.
Jordan Loeks began work July 22 as Public
Service Worker – Park Maintenance,
Athletic Fields – Turf. Loeks previously
worked at Wayzata Country Club
as a Golf Course Technician. He is
a graduate of South Dakota State
University with a bachelor’s degree in
Horticulture/Turf Specialization.
Emilie Kastner resigned from the
City of Edina to accept a position as
Communications Coordinator for the
City of Plymouth. Her last day as
Edina’s Communications Assistant
was July 19.
Mark Nolan began work June 19 as
Transportation Planner for the
Engineering Department. Nolan
previously worked at Bike
Associates as a Senior Associate
where he was responsible
for project management,
meeting facilitation and
business development. He
received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture
from the University of Minnesota and his master’s
degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana –
Champaign.
TECHY TIDBITS
Employees should leave
their desktop PCs on when
they leave for the day.
I.T. staff often needs your
computers on overnight
for software updates, virus
scans, routine maintenance
or to solve problems
remotely. So, rather than
clicking “Shut Down” at then end of your day, staff
recommends you click on “Restart.”
Those of us who regularly leave computers on for
many days at a time are familiar with the little
issues that can develop during regular use. A simple
restart is often all that is required to eliminate these
problems, so by restarting each night, you are more
likely to avoid some of these issues.
For more information, write to
helpdesk@EdinaMN.gov or leave a message at
952-903-5711.
CITYSLICK p4
Wellness Corner
Help fill
backpacks for
community
children!
All children,
regardless of
income, deserve
to start the school year off with a backpack and grade-
appropriate school supplies. However, for a growing
number in our community, purchasing those items can
cause significant financial hardship for families. That’s
where YOU come in!
On July 29, the Wellness Committee distributed
backpacks to various departments and facilities with
directions attached. Some departments and facilities
will work together to fill the backpack with new school
supplies, depending on the number of employees.
The supply-filled backpacks will then be collected
by Wellness Committee members and donated to
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) at the end
of day Friday, Aug. 9.
There is no pressure to fill the backpacks with every
item, but supplies needed most are (in order of need):
Spiral notebooks (wide- and college-ruled)
Two-pocket folders
No. 2 pencils (8-12 count)
Crayons (24 count)
Colored pencils (12 count)
Composition notebooks
Dry erase markers
Erasers (large, pink)
Glue bottles
Glue sticks
Highlighters
Markers
Pens (blue or black, 8-12 count)
Pencil box/pouch
Red pens
Rulers
Scissors
Thank you, employees, for helping out our local
families!
Don’t pack a lunch on
Wednesday, Aug. 14!
Annual City Employee BBQ
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Edina City Hall backyard.
Cheeseburgers, salads and
other treats will be served.
Cost is $5 per person.
EMPLOYEE MILESTONES
Keith Boerger, Police, 10 years. (July 6, 2003)
Adam L’Heureux, Police, 10 years. (July 7, 2003)
Jeffrey Bolks, Police, 25 years. (July 6, 1988)
Richard Lutz, Police, 40 years. (July 12. 1973)
Todd Halstead and Brandon Klatke of
the Public Works Department built
the foundation for the City Council’s
float in the parade, the idea for which
came from Communications Intern
Katie Lofrano. The duo were told
that the centerpiece of the float should
be a giant birthday cake to commemorate
Edina’s quasquicentennial celebration.
A few ideas of how to build the cake
were shared, but they were given free
rein to build the structure however
they liked. They built the foundation
for the cake on a City trailer and then
constructed the two-layer cake out of
cable reels used by Xcel Energy. They
covered the reels with chicken wire,
which Communications & Technology
Services staff used to “decorate” the
cake with thousands of sheets of
tissue paper pomps.
Accountant Kyle Sawyer spent a great
deal of time setting up the new Insight
budgeting module so that directors
and their delegates could enter their
2014-2015 budgets into the system.
In addition, he spent time training
users on use of the module and worked
one-on-one with several “contributors” to
answerquestions and make sure information
was entered accurately and in line with the timeline for
the budgeting process.
Any City employee can nominate a co-worker for a G.E.M.
(Going the Extra Mile) or Clover award. Simply jot down
why someone should receive recognition and route to the
Communications & Technology Services Department.
G.E.M. AWARD
CLOVER AWARD
CITYSLICK p5
by Frank Petrovic, Video Production Assistant
“I consider myself a recovering engineer,” said Bill
Neuendorf, Edina’s Economic Development
Manager. A civil engineer earlier in his career,
his passion eventually turned to urban
planning and economic development
— particularly to redevelopment.
Different from greenfield projects,
redevelopment is in many ways more
complex, but Neuendorf welcomes
the challenge.
“I personally find it more
rewarding,” he said. “You have
history and attachments … it has a
meaning to people.”
Neuendorf knew that he and the
Economic Development Manager
position were a great match when he
read the official job posting a little more than
a year ago. “This sounds fantastic,” he said. “I
already did all this stuff!” His vast experience includes
high-level positions in Urban Planning and Economic
Development for Preservation Chicago; the Village of
Morton Grove, Ill.; and Transit for Livable Communities
in St. Paul.
While earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Neuendorf
learned to be an “ultra-rational thinker.” Wanting
to take a step back from engineering, he earned a
master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the
University of Illinois, expanding the scope of his work
to combine engineering with economics, architecture
and the citizenry to provide a safe and satisfying
environment for residents and businesses.
With this broader focus, Neuendorf takes a much
more holistic approach to his work. He looks for
opportunities to reinvest in those areas of Edina
where improvements would be most beneficial to the
community, such as the old Public Works site and the
greater Grandview area.
“It’s a matter of coming up with a best project,” he
said, “one that satisfies the needs of the community
in a manner that’s financially feasible.” His goal is to
“There are a
lot of great
investment
opportunities
out there,
and I want
to be sure
we get our
fair share.
Actually, I
want us to
get more
than our fair
share.”
enhance Edina and grow its economic strength
without jeopardizing the community’s character.
Neuendorf said input from residents is a vital
component to a successful redevelopment.
He believes that people who have a say
on projects in their community are
happier with the eventual changes.
“Most people like to shape what
their world is around them,” he
said. “Do you want that change
to be something that happens
to you, or do you want it to be
something you shape?”
Neuendorf is currently involved
in redeveloping the Byerly’s site
on France Avenue, moving the
store to the northwest corner of the
property and making room for new
retail space and apartment buildings. He is
also working to upgrade the customer parking
experience at 50th and France, and he recently
invited community members and stakeholders
to join City staff when design firms pitched their
ideas. He wanted the people who live, work, do
business and pay taxes in that area to have a say.
“We want to create a local climate that is
supportive and conducive to existing businesses,”
he said.
Neuendorf wants an even brighter future for Edina.
“There are a lot of great investment opportunities
out there, and I want to be sure we get our fair
share,” he said. “Actually, I want us to get more
than our fair share.”
Neuendorf moved to Edina in January 2011 with
his wife, Maureen, and stepdaughter, Catherine.
In his free time, he enjoys long-distance running,
bicycling, kayaking and boating. He and his wife
will celebrate their five-year anniversary in January.
Catherine will be a junior at Edina High School this
fall; and Millie, their Yorkshire terrier puppy, is, as
this article went to press, “almost trained.”
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ... ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGERBILL NEUENDORF
CITYSLICK p6
“He’s given kids hope,” said Edina High School
Chemical/Mental Health Coordinator Janet Schank.
Since graduation, Fischer has been invited to present
the film at schools, organizations and conferences
across the country and has been an active participant
in non-profit human rights organizations, including
OutFront Minnesota, Safe Schools Coalition and the
PACER Center. Video Production Intern at the City of
Edina, Fischer has also been gaining experience in
filmmaking. He previously held a temporary position
as Production Assistant at Charthouse Learning in
Burnsville. Much of his time has been spent lobbying
for increased anti-bullying legislation, such as the Safe
Schools Act – which failed to pass this year.
“These students are dying and suffering and there are
some adults who are doing something about it, but
there are some who are caught up in the politics and
won’t do anything to help,” said Fischer, of the bullying
and suicide that occurs in schools. He said February
2014 is the earliest the legislation will reappear before
the Minnesota Senate. “Minnesota’s current bullying
prevention law is 37 words long,” added Fischer. “If this
legislation passes, it will become one of the strongest in
the country and will provide training and resources for
teachers and school employees so that they are more
equipped to handle bullying incidents.”
A new transfer student at the University of Minnesota,
Fischer plans to study political science and
communications. In his time off from school, he has
also worked on several short videos for various non-
profits and has traveled around the country to film his
next project, “Transphobia.”
If there’s one thing that’s certain about Fischer, it’s
that he is not afraid to be himself. “If I don’t get a job
because I’m doing something I believe in,” he said, in
regards to his political affiliations, “then I don’t think
that it would be a job I would want to have.”
11 Who Kare
Continued from Page 1 ...
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
GIS Administrator Rebecca Foster was
a presenter earlier this summer at the
national Cityworks Conference in Salt
Lake City. She has been a presenter for
three consecutive years, sharing Edina’s
advances in use of the Cityworks, the
asset management software used in the
Public Works Department to keep track
of our infrastructure and is tied to the
GIS.