HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitySlick_November_2013CITYSLICK p1
A newsletter for the City Council and employees of the City of Edina
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2 Around The
Water Cooler
3 Staff Notes
6 Techy Tidbits
6 Letter Bag
11|8|2013
Nov. 10, Amy, Braemar
Golf Course
Nov. 11, Jeff, Engineering
Nov. 13, Terry, Public
Works
Nov. 19, Jeff, Police
Nov. 19, Bruce, Public
Works
Nov. 22, Courtney,
Administration
Nov. 26, Gina, Braemar
Golf Course
Nov. 27, Marc, Police
Nov. 29, Susan,
Administration
Nov. 29, Patrick,
Fire-Rescue &
Building Inspections
Nov. 30, Jerry,
Public Works
Nov. 30, Donna,
Senior Center
by Michael McGivern, Communications Intern
With jobs, duties and volunteer work as varied
as the seasons, Executive Assistant Susan
Howl will retire as Executive Assistant in the
Administration Department on Nov. 27
after nearly 30 years of service
with the City of Edina.
Howl graduated from
Gustavus Adolphus
College in St. Peter,
Minn., with a bach-
elor’s degree in Psy-
chology and a minor
in Executive Secre-
tarial, and previously
worked as an Ex-
ecutive Secretary at
IBM and as a physical
fitness instructor. On
July 2, 1984, Howl
began as a Secretary
for then-City Manager
Ken Rosland.
What is most remarkable
about Howl’s time with the
City are all the different hats she
has worn. In October 1987, she was
promoted to Administrative Assistant. She
was promoted again in September 1997 as
Human Services Coordinator. Her title was
changed to Executive Assistant in 2012 after
the most recent classification study was com-
pleted. Throughout her career she has per-
formed many duties, including bookkeeping
– with a ledger and pencil! – for Mayor Jim
Van Valkenburg, directing calls from an old-
style switchboard, coordinating City auctions
for unclaimed and claimed property from the
Police Department and serving on the Edina
Historical Society Board that planned an
annual antique show at Edinborough Park.
She was a major part of the City’s Centennial
Commission in 1988, which planned a year’s
worth of events for the 100th anni-
versary of Edina’s founding.
With events going on each
month to celebrate, Howl
was in charge of the Cen-
tennial 10K Run where
hundreds of locals ran
to celebrate the City’s
historic anniversary.
“It was a big deal
for us to celebrate
for a full year. It was
meaningful for [all
Edina residents],”
said Howl.
“Susan has been
a pinch hitter for a
variety of duties in
the Administration De-
partment,” said Assistant
City Manager Karen Kurt.
“Whatever the task was, she ap-
proached it with enthusiasm. We
will miss her care and warmth in how she ap-
proached her work, her coworkers and our
residents”.
Her fondest memories about the first half of
her run with the City included the annual trip
to former Appraiser Diane Koole’s lake cabin
with many of the other women from City Hall.
“We’d do a scavenger hunt with teams. We’d
have to stop at places like bars and libraries.
It was so much fun, the camaraderie,” said
Howl.
Retirement Nears for Executive Assistant
Continued on Page 2 ...
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.
Fire-Rescue & Inspections
Edina Fire Marshal Jeff Siems
will join a group of fire-
fighters from across the
country on Nov. 11 for
an 11-day mission trip
to Liberia to help rebuild
Monrovia, its capital city’s
fire service. Siems is travelling
with the Fire Rescue Alliance, which is sending
waves of teams over a three-week span to
teach fire rescue classes, assess the needs for
future growth and coordinate the donation of
fire gear, equipment, an ambulance and a fire
truck. The city of more than 1 million is still
recovering from the effects of two successive
civil wars.
Police
For the second consecutive year, the Edina
Police Department took first place in Memorial
Blood Center’s Battle of the Badges blood drive
competition. In August, police and fire de-
partments from the greater metropolitan area
battled it out in a friendly race to save and
sustain lives through blood donations.
The Edina Police Department received 64
votes from the community and collected 59
units of blood, beating Rogers Police and Fire
departments by four votes. Third place went
to Hennepin County EMS, which finished with
49 votes.
The next City of Edina blood drive will be held
9 a.m. Dec. 9 at Edina City Hall. Make sure
you sign up to save lives!
“For two years, we had City teams that competed at the
annual Anoka Halloween 5K. We won the costume contest
one year dressed as a box of crayons. We didn’t win the
other year, but we were dressed as a school of fish!”
“I worked with Susan for probably [25 years] and what I re-
member most about her is how kind and compassionate
she always was,” said former City Manager Gordon Hughes.
“She always had great empathy for everyone and was always
there willing to help.”
Howl believes a new chapter of her career began in 2004
when the new City Hall opened. “It was really a slick deal
moving from old City Hall to our new home in 2004. I’m
grateful for the new building and new technology. I couldn’t
make a [computer] mouse work when I started,” recalled
Howl. “It’s hard to conjure up, but that was the most exciting
time for me, moving from the old building to the new one.”
If her dedicated work in the Administration Department
wasn’t enough, Howl has done even more work for the City,
serving as staff liaison to the Human Rights & Relations
Commission and the Human Services Funding Task Force.
She has also headed the City’s charitable giving campaign,
which raised upwards of $10,000 annually for local charities
like the United Way and the Edina Community Foundation.
She thoroughly enjoyed giving City Hall tours to thousands of
elementary school students each year, teaching them about
Edina’s City government.
With her last day coming right as the Thanksgiving holiday
begins, Howl sees it as the right time to leave. A recent knee
replacement surgery, and possibly a second, helped her to
make the decision to move on. Increased involvement in her
seven grandchildren’s lives as well as her weekly bible study
sessions have given Howl new challenges to tackle.
Howl reflects: “For 29.5 years, I have had the privilege of
working in two unique city halls. What has been most mean-
ingful to me are the relationships I’ve developed here with
such wonderful people. I will be watching from the sidelines
and cheering for [everyone’s] successes!”
Howl’s Retirement – Continued from Page 1 ...
CITYSLICK p2
AROUND THE WATER COOLER
Senior Planner Joyce Repya and Susan Howl in 1994.
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STAFF NOTES
Chad Anderson began work as a Police
Officer on Oct. 14. Anderson comes to
Edina from the City of Moorhead, where
he was a Police Officer since 2008.
Prior to that, he was a Security Officer
for St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. He is a
graduate of Fond Du Lac Tribal and Com-
munity College, where he received an as-
sociate degree in Law Enforcement.
On Dec. 2, 2013, the City of Edina will
take over the City of Richfield’s dispatch
services. Current Richfield Dispatchers
Katie Danielson and Patty Knights
began their training with the City of
Edina in October and will become full-
time dispatchers when the transition
takes place in December. Danielson worked
for the City of Richfield since 2012. She
holds an associate degree in Law En-
forcement from Normandale Com-
munity College. Knights has more than
24 years of dispatching experience with
the City of Richfield.
Joseph Feriancek began work on Nov. 4 as
a part-time Traffic Safety Coordinator for
the Engineering Department. He holds
a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
from University of North Dakota. He pre-
viously worked as an Engineer/Public
Works Intern for the City of Coon Rapids.
Director of Engineering Wayne Houle re-
signed from the City of Edina. His last day
with the City was Oct. 31. Houle began
working for the City in 1996 as Assistant
City Engineer. In 2000, the duties of As-
sistant Public Works Director were added
to his position. He was promoted to Di-
rector of Public Works/City Engineering in
2002 and named Director of Engineering in January after a
city-wide reorganization.
Nathan Springer began work on Oct. 30
as a part-time 9-1-1 Dispatcher. Springer
worked as a Senior Security Officer at
Canterbury Park since 2010 and has an
associate degree in Law Enforcement
from Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community
College and a bachelor’s degree in Ge-
ography/Political Science and Communication
from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
EMPLOYEE MILESTONES
Tom Anderson, Edina Liquor – Southdale,
20 years. (Nov. 1, 1993)
Todd Anderson, Braemar Golf Course, 25 years.
(Nov. 1, 1988)
Doug Shiro, Public Works – Park Maintenance,
25 years. (Nov. 29. 1988)
MY FIRST JOB
Mark Nolan
What was your first job?
My first “real” job was
working food service at
Santa’s Village (in the Chicago
‘burbs) the summer after my
sophomore year in high school.
It was a local Santa/North Pole-
themed amusement park, where I
flipped burgers and ran the register at a couple of loud
restaurants.
Do you remember how much you were paid?
I don’t, but it couldn’t have been much more than $7 an
hour.
If you could do it all over again, would you still take that
job? Definitely. Not only did it teach me some responsi-
bility, but also it was the place for teenagers to work and
was a lot of fun.
What did you learn on the job that you have
carried with you into your career? Customer service.
When you’re taking orders from haggard parents and
screaming kids, you learn pretty quickly that empathy
and a simple smile can go a long way.
Mark Nolan is Transportation Planner in the
Engineering Department.
“My First Job” is a feature of City Slick compiled by
Lynette Biunno meant to give employees a glimpse of each
other’s professional beginnings.
by Michael McGivern, Communications Intern
After 24 years as a Patrol Officer with the Edina
Police Department (EPD), Joy Fragodt is retiring
on her 24th anniversary with the force Nov. 28.
Fragodt grew up in northeast Minnesota in a
military and police family and long dreamed of
working in law enforcement. Her father recom-
mended the military as a path she could
pursue that would lead to police work.
She was on active duty and served
four years in the Air Force where
she worked as a Police Officer,
moving up eventually to Staff
Sergeant. Before serving two
years at the Wright-Patterson
base in Dayton, Ohio, Fragodt
was stationed at Hessisch Ol-
dendorf Air Station in north-
central Germany.
After being discharged from
the Air Force, Fragodt spent her
entire career with the EPD, joining
the staff in November 1989 after an
internship with the Minnesota State
Patrol.
“Officer Fragodt and I both started in 1989.
From the very beginning, she has understood
how important it was to be kind to those in
need,” said Police Chief Jeff Long.
Being one of the first females to serve on
the EPD’s force, Fragodt feels she never felt
much resistance to her presence other than
the occasional call to help with a senior, “we’d
sometimes go to a call and someone would
look at me and ask ‘is backup coming?’” said
Fragodt. “I would usually reply that I can assist
and yes, backup is coming.”
“She always went beyond the basics of the job
and truly cared about the people she was sworn
to ‘protect and serve,’” said Long, “This is a very
tough job; human behavior is unpredictable.
While I was still on patrol, she had my back, lit-
erally. Joy and I were dispatched to a call at a
[teen dance]. However, on that night there was a
large fight amongst gang members from Indiana
and Chicago. As I was addressing one
issue, someone was charging me from
behind and Joy was able to restrain
the individual and saved me from
getting jumped.”
Memorable experiences
wearing the badge are the
friendships, mentors and
training she’s been a part
of, whether it be medical,
equipment or communi-
cations lessons. She also feels
that providing service in both
difficult situations and happier
duties like reading to kids at
schools provided her with the
drive to keep working with the EPD
all these years. Fragodt said her fa-
vorite time was her years spent working
the night shift, but she also liked working
outside during the day. The contrast solidifies her
love of the job and that “two days were never the
same.”
With her free time, Fragodt wants to take ad-
vantage of cooking classes as well as vol-
unteer work. She also wants to spend as much
time with her family as possible and travel to
places like Ireland and take a cross-country trip
throughout the United States to visit Air Force
friends.
JOY FRAGODT RETIRES FROM THE FORCE
“From the very
beginning,
she has
understood
how
important
it was to be
kind to
those
in need...”
CITYSLICK p4
EPD Honors Commitment ‘To Serve’
by Michael McGivern, Communications Intern
The Edina Police Department (EPD) is a civic leader when it
comes to community volunteer efforts and education.
Every man and woman that dons the badge has two duties:
to protect and serve. As civilians, we see the protection half
of that creed on a daily basis. Cops working the beat and
overseeing public events constantly help keep the peace,
but often not enough is made of the EPD’s charitable work.
Each year, the EPD takes part in campaigns, drives, fun-
runs, events and even facial hair growing to raise money
and awareness for Feed My Starving Children, multiple
myeloma, breast cancer, the Special Olympics and men’s
health issues.
Police Chief Jeff
Long has put an
added emphasis
on community
service since be-
coming the head
of the EPD four
years ago.
Last month, the
EPD spent time
raising awareness
of breast cancer by wearing the recognizable pink ribbon pin.
This month, staff is growing out facial hair for men’s health
awareness as part of “Movember.” The EPD also collects
candy for the St. Joe’s Home for Children and delivers it in
person and last year raised money for St. Joe’s by singing
Christmas carols at City Hall. They plan to do the same again
this year at local nursing homes.
“[Volunteerism] builds camaraderie,” said Long. “It’s an op-
portunity to support one another. Most of us will deal with
cancer, but maybe we can be a healthier and more educated
department.”
Long encourages routine physicals and shares information
and statistics on breast or prostate cancer with his de-
partment, and also allows participation in Movember so
that if a resident were to ask a male officer this month why
they have a “scruffy” look – typically a department no-no –
they can take an opportunity to enlighten.
On Sept. 29, department members took part in Multiple
Myeloma Research Fund’s Race for Research 5K Run/Walk.
The EPD got involved after Officer Steve Stroh lost his battle
with the disease in August 2012. This year’s “Team Steve”
was captained by Stroh’s widow, Caroline, and had 55
members.
Other fulfilling work the department takes a part of is multiple
events with the Minnesota Special Olympics. As Minnesota Law
Enforcement’s primary charity, Edina takes part in both the
annual Torch Run and Polar Plunge. Held each June, the Torch
Run is a symbolic run akin to Olympic’s “passing of the torch”
throughout the globe. Eden Prairie’s department hands off the
torch to the EPD at Braemar Arena and a representative takes it
all the way to Richfield.
EPD Detective
Erik Admundson
has been the
EPD’s liaison
with the Special
Olympics for the
past nine years.
“This is a great
partnership that
benefits all in-
volved,” he said.
“Our department
comes together and almost everyone participates in one
way or another. It is definitely a worthwhile endeavor that
will continue in coming years.”
Finally, the EPD will be involved this holiday season with
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), the local charity that
helps the needy through fundraising and packaging and
sending food abroad. The City’s Chaplain Corps recom-
mended FMSC as a great opportunity to lend a helping
hand.
With a handful of annual drives, the EPD has “stepped up
its game” when it comes to service work, but it isn’t enough
for Long and his department. “We hope to have [volunteer
opportunities] every month someday. Whether it is painting
an elderly person’s home, raking leaves or serving meals. It
doesn’t have to be too fancy.”
It is clear to see that efforts have been made, but aren’t sat-
isfied yet, when it comes to work by the Edina Police De-
partment.
CITYSLICK p5
EPD Lead Dispatcher Tony Martin regains his breath
after participating in the Polar Plunge.
Officer Keith Boerger and Lynn Olson package food for
Feed My Starving Children.
Chief Long carries the torch as part of the Torch Run.
LETTER BAG
Selected letters are
printed in City Slick
each month to let you
know what residents
and businesses think
of your services.
“ I have been very impressed by the service and selection
at Edina Liquor. The main reason is the accessibility to fine
scotches, whiskeys and bourbons. Specifically, Tom An-
derson keeps me informed of new releases, limited editions
and highly rated selections coming into the store. He’s also
been a great resource in describing the products character-
istics and brand history. It’s allowed me to be very informed,
an added benefit considering the thousands of dollars I’ve
spent in his store expanding my personal collection (i.e. Ma-
callen 18 & 21, Glenfiddich Snow Pheonix, George T Stagg,
Glenlivet 18 & 21, Glenmorangie 18, Oban Distillers Edition,
Balvenie 17 & 21 … to name a few).
“Which brings me to a key differentiator for Edina Liquor–
you care about those that enjoy your products. With the
holiday season approaching, there are a lot of limited re-
leases. In some cases, people are going to great lengths
to purchase and resell these items. This is making it in-
creasingly difficult for those of us that are buying these
products because we appreciate the craft, tradition and/
or want a quality product as a reward to getting through
a tough week. Other places (Surdyks, MGM, Eden Prairie
Liquor, etc.) don’t care. They just say FCFS or that your name
is on a mysterious list. I appreciate that Tom spends a little
time to learn more about his customers (plus the crew at the
York location) and understands that I “actually drink” these
masterpieces.
“This value is contagious. I have friends/colleagues that have
learned of this Edina Liquor niche and go out of their way
to buy products from Edina Liquors. It is our hope, that this
movement of inventory will help Tom grow/leverage rela-
tionships with distributers to gain access to additional and
newer products. We understand that there is fierce compe-
tition, most of the revenues are earned with high volume
$10-$25 items, and that there are fair-weather consumers
at the higher price points. We get it, it’s a business. But I
have noticed more and more people standing next to me in
front of the display case -- a positive indication that quality is
being associated with your brand.
“The final point is that I have great respect for Edina Liquor’s
integrity. Tom can easily mark up prices and gouge cus-
tomers for those extra dollars but he doesn’t. That speaks
volumes to the character, stability and confidence that you
have in your business principles. I like doing business with
those types of people and companies.
“I know liquor is a tough industry and good things are often
left unsaid. I wanted to make sure that these positive actions
are receiving their due recognition.
“Cheers.”
– Les Hoffman
Windows Updates
By Nick Lovejoy, I.T. Specialist
With all of the malware going
around, there can be some
confusion about what desktop
notifications are safe to click
on and what is unsafe.
If the pop-up is identical to the image your see here, it
means that Windows Updates have been installed on
your computer. The window will generally appear in the
lower right hand corner, by the clock.
If you see something different than this, contact the help
desk immediately.
We push out updates to protect your computers from
malicious software, resolve bugs and provide access
to new features/software. When you see this notifi-
cation, your computer needs to be restarted. Please do
so at your earliest convenience. Putting these updates
off could leave your computer vulnerable and cause the
updates to stack up as we push out more updates.
If you have any questions, please email
helpdesk@EdinaMN.gov or call 952-903-5711.
CITYSLICK p6
TECHY TIDBITS