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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitySlick_October_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 5 Techy Tidbits 5 Letterbag 10|11|2013 Oct. 13, Amy, Police Oct. 20, Mary, Braemar Golf Course Oct. 22, Eric, Finance Oct. 22, Brandon, Fire- Rescue & Inspections Oct. 23, Laurene, Police Oct. 23, Jeff, Braemar Golf Course Oct. 23, Mike, Fire-Rescue & Inspections Oct. 24, Bev, Community Development Oct. 24, David, Police Oct. 25, Ann, Parks & Recreation Oct. 25, Bill, Administration Oct. 26, Lee, Public Works Oct. 26, Kyle, Finance Oct. 27, Ruth, Fire-Rescue & Inspections Oct. 31, Candy, Human Resources The Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) is en- couraging employees to learn about changes in benefits before open enrollment begins later this year. The EAC was created earlier this year with four goals for 2013, including making recommen- dations for health insurance plans offered by the City, as well as the benefit contribution structure. Over the group’s nine meetings, the EAC took an in-depth look at the health plans available to the City and reviewed contribution structures offered by Edina’s comparison cities. “Insurance is complicated! There are so many options and ways benefits can be structured,” said Water Resources Coordinator Laura Adler, a member of the EAC. “We spent the majority of our time this year learning.” Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen, another member of the committee, feels the same way. “This is not a simple A to B equation,” he said. “There were a lot of variables to consider what was best for the collective whole. I think em- ployees will benefit from our recommendations.” After learning the ins and outs of benefits, the Committee made the following recommendations, which were approved by City Manager Scott Neal: • Drop the $500 deductible plan due to low en- rollment. • Incent movement from Copay plans to High- Deductible Plans (Either the HRA or HSA plans). • Research deductible funding options for the first year of switching to a High-Deductible Plan. • Structure the City contribution to make de- pendent coverage more affordable. • Eliminate $50 opt-out incentive which will eventually be prohibited under healthcare reform. • Do not change the current LTD, STD, Life or Dental plans. The EAC has recommended the following monthly benefit contributions for 2014: • All Copay Plan Enrollees $825 • Single High-Deductible Plans $840 • Employee + Spouse/Child HDHP $925 • Family High-Deductible Plans $950 • Employees Opting Out $343.50 Copay Plans Don’t Make $en$e Over the course of a calendar year, employees will pay significantly more money on a Copay Plan than on a High-Deductible plan, even if the em- ployee has a large amount of medical expenses. “Copay Plans are expensive,” Adler said. “You will pay more for a Copay Plan than a High-Deductible Plan over the course of the year, no matter what kind of medical issues you have.” Employee Advisory Committee Encourages Attendance At Open Enrollment General Sessions Continued on Page 3 ... 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 Liquor Edina Liquor is holding a food drive through Oct. 31. All three Edina Liquor locations are collecting food and cash donations to benefit Volunteers En- listed to Assist People (VEAP). VEAP is a non-profit agency serving low-income, senior and disabled people in Edina, Bloomington, Richfield and south Minneapolis. This is Edina Liquor’s sixth year participating in the food drive. Edina Liquor partners with Coors Light and the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association as part of a larger statewide food drive. To entice customers to donate, Edina Liquor is of- fering a 10 percent discountto anyone who donates five or more non-perishable food items. In ad- dition, store staff will ask customers at checkout if they would like to donate $1 to VEAP, which will be added to the purchase total. In conjunction with the food drive, Edina Liquor– Southdale, 6755 York Ave. S., will hold a paper- shredding event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Anyone can bring personal and confidential documents for shredding. Though the shredding is free, a donation to the local food shelf is en- couraged. Edina Liquor staff will give a coupon for 10 percent off a purchase at Edina Liquor to anyone who donates five cans of food or more at the shredding event. Engineering The City’s street reconstruction season is quickly winding down. Work in the Mendelssohn, Nor- mandale, Braemar Hills and Lake Edina areas are finished or will be completed in the coming weeks. This winter, the City will request bids for 2014’s six roadway reconstruction projects. On Monday, Sept. 30, dozens of residents from Edina’s Arden Park Neighborhood met in the City Hall lobby to provide feedback on the 54th Street reconstruction’s design scenarios. The consultant will use this feedback to finalize plans for street design and reconstruction, including a new bridge over Minnehaha Creek, in 2014. Fire-Rescue & Building Inspections Fire Prevention Month is well under way! This year’s theme is “Prevent Kitchen Fires!” which stresses the need to use caution when cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), two out of every five fires start in the kitchen. This month, the Edina Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department will make more than 70 presentations to nearly 3,000 school children in Edina. The De- partment is also coordinating fire drills for schools and businesses throughout Edina. In conjunction with Fire Prevention Month, the De- partment is hosting a coloring contest for children in Grades K-5. Children are asked to submit a drawing of what their families do to prevent kitchen fires. The winner of the contest will win a ride to school on a fire truck. Entries are due Oct. 31. The Building Inspections division has issued 88 de- molition permits so far this year. With two and a half months of the year remaining, the City is on track to surpass last year’s record-breaking numbers. Police October’s Focus In: School Speed Zone As a part of the 2013 “Focus In” campaign, Edina patrol officers are focusing efforts on school speed zones this month. School is in full swing and the outdoor activity around schools has increased. Drivers entering school zones are mandated to reduce their speeds when children are present. Education will include a warning to those who violate the statutes or codes. In extenuating cir- cumstances, a citation may be issued. “Focus In” is a campaign aimed to educate the public and gain compliance with various state statutes and ordinances. All statutes will be en- forced year-round, but additional attention will be paid to the focus of the month. Responsible Firearms Ownership class The Edina Crime Prevention Fund is teaming up with the Edina Police Department to hold a Re- sponsible Firearms Ownership class from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility, 7525 Braemar Blvd. The class will be offered again 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Through discussion and product demonstrations, attendees will learn about Minnesota laws re- garding firearm ownership, Permit to Carry, weapon-and-ammunition storage in your home and vehicle, and child-gun safety. Families are en- couraged to attend together, or bring elementary- aged children to learn about gun safety. The classes are free and open to the public. No reg- istration is required. Complimentary gun locks will be provided to those who attend. Unwanted CITYSLICK p2 AROUND THE WATER COOLER STAFF NOTES John Pagano began Monday, Sept. 16, as a part-time Community Service Officer for the Edina Police De- partment. John is currently at- tending Inver Grove Heights Com- munity College and working toward a degree in Law Enforcement. He served in the U.S. Army and is cur- rently a Training Non-Commissioned Officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Dena Pech began Friday, Oct. 4, as Video Production Intern in the City’s Com- munications & Technology Services Department. He received his bach- elor’s degree in communications from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., and most recently interned at ParkTV in St. Louis Park. He has also written several screenplays. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Patrick Willson began as a part-time Video Pro- duction Assistant. Willson works full-time as Community Cable Access Coordinator at the City of New Ulm, Minn. He has more than 15 years of experience in video pro- duction at KMSP/Fox 9, Burnsville/ Eagan Community Television, Quad Cities Community Television in Champlin and CTN Studio in Coon Rapids. He received an associate degree in tele- vision production from Hennepin Technical College. After nearly nine years of service to the City of Edina, Community Health Administrator and City Sanitarian Sherry Engelman retired Oct. 1. She had been active on a number of environmental and public health boards and committees, including acting as the staff liaison for Edina’s Community Health Committee, and has cultivated a substantial network of health professionals throughout the state. Former Fire Chief Marty Scheerer has come out of retirement to assist the City as a consultant, effective Monday, Oct. 7. Scheerer’s as- signment is temporary and 100 percent focused on the Building In- spections Division. Scheerer will help staff in the division continue their efforts to sharpen customer service and business operations practices. CITYSLICK p3 Employees currently enrolled in the $30 Copay plan and $500 Deductible plan are strongly encouraged to attend a Copay Plan Informational Session in addition the General Session. In the Copay Plan Informational Session you will learn: • What the differences are between HRA and HSA plans; and • How High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) save you money, re- gardless of your medical situation. Open Enrollment Sessions Open enrollment will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 21. Adler encourages all of her coworkers to attend one of the General Sessions to learn more. “It’s really good to have a full understanding of the options available before you complete your enrollment” she said. “Everyone’s situation is different. You may not be on the best plan for you. [These Open Enrollment General Sessions] are a good way to learn about what is available.” Accounting Associate Lynn Zuidema, another member of the EAC, echoed her comments. “There are money-saving alternatives available,” she said. “Listen to the options and run the numbers based on your medical ex- perience this year. Personally, I switched plans to an HSA and I’m saving $400 per month.” “There are no dumb questions. If you feel uncomfortable asking a question in the big group, ask HR or someone on the Advisory Committee for help,” said Goergen. “It’s important to get your answer, because no two situations are the same.” In addition to the Human Resources Department and City insurance brokers/vendors, members of the EAC will attend the open enrollment sessions to discuss the changes for 2014. All employees are strongly en- couraged to attend an open enrollment session listed above. Open Enrollment – Continued from Page 1 ... TRAP SHOOTING FUNDRAISER TO RAISE MONEY FOR POLICE K-9S The United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) will hold its “Clays for K-9s” Trap Shoot Fundraiser 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at the West End Trap Club in Eagan. The Edina and Airport police departments are hosting the event to raise money for the upcoming 2014 National Detector Trials in May. The Trials will take place from May 4 to May 7 next year at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and in Edina. “Our K-9s are an integral part of our department. Without the assistance of Diesel and Blade, a number of criminals wouldn’t have been caught and drugs would have gone undetected,” said Edina Police Chief Jeff Long. “Our K-9s also work as partners with many other municipalities to help sniff out illegal drugs in our community.” The event at 4899 Brooklyn Lane will also include a silent auction and K-9 demonstrations. The cost is $50 per person, which includes the trap shooting, shells (12- and 20-gauge are available), food and beverage. Indi- vidual or squads of five are welcome. No prior trap shooting ex- perience is required. For participants who care to eat, but not shoot, the cost is $10 per person. Those 12 years of age and younger cost $5. All of the profits from the event will benefit the USPCA and Retired Paws, a non-profit created to provide financial support for retired aging K-9s. For more information or to purchase tickets to the fundraiser, contact the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610. The de- partments are also looking for individuals, businesses and civic organizations to sponsor the National Trials to help defray costs. For more information on the Clays for K-9s and National De- tector Trials, contact Amy Kilian at amy.kilian@uspca.org or 612-282-0394. – by Michael McGivern and Kaylin Martin Edina Police Officer Mike Seeger with K-9 Diesel CITYSLICK p4 PARKS & RECREATION’S FAUS A STANDOUT AMONG THE HERD by Michael McGivern, Communications Intern “How did I feel when I heard the news? About the same way, I guess, that Columbus felt when he looked out from his ship and first saw land.” — Baseball Hall of Fame in- ductee Charles “Dazzy” Vance. Few athletes have the honor of saying they are a Hall of Famer. Recently, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Susan Faus got the call from North Dakota State University (NDSU), congratulating her on getting the nod for the Bison Athletics Hall of Fame. On Friday, Oct. 11, Faus joined 258 of her peers and six teams in the Hall during a ceremony at the Fargo Holiday Inn. The real highlight was being recognized during halftime of the homecoming football game, home of the back-to-back Na- tional Champion Bison football team. “I am so honored to be inducted into North Dakota State Uni- versity’s Athletic Hall of Fame,” Faus said. “It’s humbling to be recognized for [something] that I had so much fun doing.” Faus was already inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame at Rocori High School in Cold Spring, Minn., a few miles southwest of St. Cloud in central Minnesota, and with good reason. After a high school career for the Spartans that in- cluded multiple State Championships, school records in track, two conference MVPs and more than 1,000 career points in basketball, Faus took her duel-threat talents to Fargo. At NDSU, the laundry list of accomplishments runs longer than some legal documents. Faus started all 33 games as point guard for the 1991 National Champion women’s bas- ketball team. She is a four-time All-American in track and a two-time North Central Conference champion in the 400- meter dash. The list is much longer, but Faus is modest about her accomplishments. “My experience at North Dakota State was amazing. NDSU has such a great tradition of outstanding athletic programs. I was surrounded by so much talent in both track and bas- ketball, which is why I had the success that I did,” she said. For more information about the NDSU Hall of Fame and Faus’ accomplishments, visit www.gobison.com/news. iOS 7 — 11 Changes That Matter To You by Katie Bisek, I.T. Specialist 1 Screen Unlock — You can now swipe anywhere on the Lock screen to go to the Passcode screen 2 Control Center — Swiping “up” will allow you to access to commonly changed settings such as: • Turn on and off Airplane Mode, Wireless, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, Orientation Lock • Adjust the screen brightness • Adjust the volume; • Turn on and off various utilities: Flashlight, Timer, Camera 3 Multi-tasking — As in previous iOS versions, you can double- tap the home button and see a list of running apps. In iOS 7, doing this will present you with larger thumbnails of each app that is running. You can swipe and tap on the thumbnail to switch to that app. 4 Closing Open Applications — To close running apps, double tap on the home button to see the apps that are running. Swiping “up” on the thumbnail will close the application. To close up to three apps at once, swipe “up” with three fingers on the screen. 5 Spotlight Search has moved — You now swipe “down” from the middle of the screen and the search box appears at the top. 6 Maps — Apple Maps now allows for full-screen mode and night mode. 8 Safari — Close open windows faster by tapping on the show pages icon at the bottom right of the screen. To close a page in this view, just swipe “left” on it. 9 Save Your Cellular Data Plan — Here’s how you can block cellular data usage in iOS 7 on an app by app basis. • Part One: Limit what apps can use the cellular network Tap on Settings > Tap on Cellular > Scroll down to Use Cellular Data For section > Toggle the app’s on/off switches. If you have a limit on your cellular data usage, you should defi- nitely spend a couple of minutes making sure that only the apps you want can use cellular data. • Part Two: Stop apps from refreshing data in the back- ground Tap on Settings > Tap on General > Go to Background App Refresh > Toggle the entire feature off or choose app by app. 10 App Grouping Folders — Now shown in its own screen when tapped on rather than sliding down. 11 Calendar — To see a listing of your appointments, tap on the Search icon to bring up the list. 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 shopping at Edina Liquor on Vernon for a few years now, and want to say that I am pleased with the growth of the craft/specialty beers I have seen over the years. When I first started shopping, there was little selection outside the macro breweries, a few imports and Summit, but now there is a great selection of craft in both 6/12 packs as well as 22oz bottles. Great job, Tim Hengemuhle, for taking what once was a wine and spirits store that had beer into a well balanced liquor store.” — Barry Bradley WELLNESS CORNER It’s not too late to sign up for the autumn walk! Join the Edina Wellness Committee as employees walk to Chile! They will start the trek from Minneapolis on Monday, Oct. 14 and end in Santiago, Chile, on Friday, Nov. 15. A chili feed will cap off the event at the Edina Public Works & Park Main- tenance Facility on Thursday, Nov. 21. Each week, participants keep track of their steps using a pe- dometer and submit the results every Friday during the walk to Dawn Beitel in the Parks & Recreation Department. Participants will be grouped with three other walkers to form a team of four. If you’ve participated in past walks and still have a pedometer, please use it if you can. Prizes will be rewarded to the team with the most steps each week, as well as to the top three individuals with the most steps overall. And don’t forget your punch card! Each week of the walk, participants will receive one punch. Those who finish the walk will receive an extra punch at the chili feed. To sign up, contact Centennial Lakes Park Assistant Manager Laura Knollmaier at 952-833-9583 or lknollmaier@EdinaMN.gov. CITYSLICK p5 TECHY TIDBITS EMPLOYEE MILESTONES John Harris, Public Works, 5 years. (Oct. 20, 2008) Jerry Reiter, Public works, 25 years. (Oct. 5, 1988)