HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina Jan 2023Edina Innovation Lab Expanding to Help Businesses in Need
HRA Loan Will Cover Construction of New Space for Programs
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
The first class of small-business owners
has graduated from the Edina Innovation
Lab, learning finance, marketing, strategic
thinking and more skills as they created
customized business plans for success in
today’s marketplace.
The businesses are established, not start-
ups, said Lori Syverson, President of the
Edina Chamber of Commerce, which
runs the lab and it’s B.I.G. program –
Businesses who Innovate and Grow.
“They’re coming into the lab and saying,
‘We’re ready to take our business to the
next level.’”
The Chamber is taking the lab to the next
level as well, moving into permanent office
space this fall so it can expand services
and help more businesses succeed. The
Edina Innovation Lab, along with offices
for the Chamber and Explore Edina, will
move into part of the fifth floor of The E,
the former Regis Corp. headquarters at
7201 Metro Blvd.
To support the program and small
businesses, the Edina Housing &
Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is loaning
up to $800,000 for construction.
“In both Vision Edina and the
Comprehensive Plan, we talk about
the need to support small businesses
through coworking spaces, an incubator
or accelerator, but we didn’t know exactly
what that would be,” said Economic
Development Manager Bill Neuendorf.
“We’ve been working on it for years,
and the Chamber better defined what
was needed, and took the steps to
make it happen.”
The loan helps launch the lab, but doesn’t
commit the City to operational costs or
added staffing. Instead, the terms are
designed to assist the Chamber to succeed
since it has the expertise and connections
anyway, Neuendorf said.
The seven-year loan from tax-increment
funds carries 2 percent annual interest.
Up to $150,000 can be forgiven if the
Chamber raises $300,000 through
private donations for the lab.
“Our donors have been very excited to
participate and support us, but they were
waiting to see if we had the space and
what it is going to look like,” Syverson
said.
Another $100,000 of the HRA loan can
be forgiven if B.I.G. successfully runs some
of its six-month programs – called cohorts
– for strictly minority-owned businesses.
This would support the City’s race and
equity goals in addition to those in the
Comprehensive Plan and Vision Edina.
The new space will allow the B.I.G.
program to expand, eventually running
multiple cohorts of 8-12 business owners
at a time. Other programs will be added
to the lab, all aimed at helping businesses.
And as the Chamber pays off the loan,
the money will become a revolving loan
fund to assist more Edina businesses, all
without more taxpayer contributions or
additional City staffing.
For more about the program, visit
EdinaInnovationLab.com.
The Edina Innovation Lab will take over empty office space on part of the fifth floor of The E, the
former Regis Corp. headquarters building. (Photo by Brittany Bader)
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
JANUARY 2023
Volume 10, Issue 1Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
Property Tax History
www.EdinaMN.gov 1
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
City tax $1,102 $1,140 $1,195 $1,266 $1,319 $1,393 $1,474 $1,566 $1,623 $1,715 $1,930
Total tax $5,449 $5,606 $5,835 $6,276 $6,367 $6,715 $6,982 $7,251 $7,119 $7,551 $8,405
Median Value $396,300 $399,700 $438,800 $457,300 $466,500 $501,000 $530,650 $548,500 $551,300 $571,800 $659,900
$1,102
$1,930
$5,449
$8,405
$-
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
$6,000
$7,000
$8,000
$9,000 "Median" Value Home
- COMPILED BY AMY KYLLO
BY THE NUMBERS
Ice Skating
in Edina
Indoor public rinks
in Edina
3
Public parks with
outdoor ice rinks and
warming houses
13
Approximate number of ice
skating classes offered by
Edina Parks & Recreation
150
2023 City Budget ‘Sets a Strong Financial Foundation’ For Future
New Fire and Police Staff and Park Improvements Among the Highlights
BY BRITTANY BADER
The City Council approved a $144 million
consolidated City budget for 2023 at its Dec.
20 meeting, amending the initial 2022-2023
biennial budget.
Noteworthy inclusions are an increase to the
special street levy – which will continue the
gradual transition of street reconstruction
funding from special assessments to
property taxes – and a special park
improvement levy for playground equipment
replacement and park and recreation facility
improvements.
Other highlights of the budget include:
•Increase in personnel budgets to attract
and retain employees
•Playground replacements at Strachauer,
Todd and Walnut Ridge parks
(Fox Meadow and Wooddale playgrounds
also being replaced)
•New staff in the Fire and Police
departments
•Fire Station 2 planning
•Proactive sidewalk maintenance
inspections
•Increased street sweeping frequency
and quality
•Improved service levels for
commercial assessing
”This budget makes significant
improvements that residents will see across
the City and continues the good financial
practices we’ve started with the special
street levy,” said Finance Director Alisha
McAndrews. “It sets a strong financial
foundation to ensure the City can continue
providing the level of services that residents
expect. That includes anything from street
plowing to having sufficient public safety
personnel to respond to calls to making
sure park amenities are safe and in good
condition.”
About one-third of the budget is funded by
property taxes. For 2023, the City’s tax levy
– the total dollar amount the City collects in
property taxes – is $49.8 million. This is an
increase of 9.89% from 2022 and is primarily
due to inflationary cost pressures on City
operations and $1 million of new funding for
park improvements. Still, McAndrews says
this is in line and slightly below the average
10.1% increase being proposed by cities in
Hennepin County.
In 2023, for every property tax dollar paid
in Edina, about 23 cents will go to City
services. The remaining 77 cents will go to
other taxing jurisdictions, like Edina Public
Schools and Hennepin County. The City’s
portion of tax dollars funds critical City
services, with 41% for Public Safety, 19%
for Debt Service & Capital Outlay, 15% for
General Government, 15% for Public Works
and 10% for Parks & Recreation.
McAndrews explains that whether the Edina
portion of one’s property taxes will go up or
down depends on an individual property’s
classification and value and the classification
and value of surrounding properties in the
community.
“The overall estimated market value for the
city has increased by 12.4% since last year,
which is a significant increase. Even though
the City’s tax levy is increasing by 9.89%, this
market value increase is actually lowering the
effective tax rate for 2023. So, when you look
at the effective tax rate, most people are seeing
a decrease in how much they pay in taxes for
every dollar of their home value. However, how
it impacts property taxpayers will vary.”
To view City budget documents and
financial reports, visit EdinaMN.gov/Finance.
For more information on the 2023 budget,
contact McAndrews at 952-826-0419 or
AMcAndrews@EdinaMN.gov.
Note: Residents are paying less for every dollar value of their property, but for many single-family
homeowners, the valuation increase is greater than the tax rate reduction
Property Tax History
www.EdinaMN.gov 1
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
City tax $1,102 $1,140 $1,195 $1,266 $1,319 $1,393 $1,474 $1,566 $1,623 $1,715 $1,930
Total tax $5,449 $5,606 $5,835 $6,276 $6,367 $6,715 $6,982 $7,251 $7,119 $7,551 $8,405
Median Value $396,300 $399,700 $438,800 $457,300 $466,500 $501,000 $530,650 $548,500 $551,300 $571,800 $659,900
$1,102
$1,930
$5,449
$8,405
$-
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
$6,000
$7,000
$8,000
$9,000 "Median" Value Home
Ready for some winter fun? From
Centennial Lakes Park to Braemar
Arena and beyond, Edina has
opportunities to keep you twirling
on your toes! Ice skating is the
perfect outing to get the whole
family moving, have a romantic date
night or create personal time for
exercise and reflection.
Median Value Home
2
Louise Segreto to Represent Community in
Three Rivers Park District
Edina Resident to Start New Role as Commissioner
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
Edina resident Louise Segreto never
thought her name would be on a ballot
until her passion for all things related to
exploring the outdoors and commitment
to service collided into one opportunity.
Segreto was selected by voters in the 2022
General Election as the new Three Rivers
Park District Commissioner, succeeding
Michael St. John. Three Rivers Park District
is a natural resources-based park system
that encompasses 27,000 acres of parks
and promotes environmental stewardship
and education. She will serve District
4, which represents all or parts of the
cities of Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior,
Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka,
Orono, Richfield, Shorewood, Tonka Bay
and Woodland.
“It really is a large district that’s very
diverse,” said Segreto.
Segreto holds a bachelor’s degree in natural
resources and environmental policy from
Cornell University and a law degree from
the South Texas College of Law. She is an
attorney and most recently served as a
trustee for a group of private family trusts.
Being a Three Rivers Park District
Commissioner isn’t Segreto’s first time
serving the residents of Edina. She spent
two terms on the Edina Parks & Recreation
Commission from 2013 to 2017. During
her 30 years as a resident, she has served
in some capacity on the Minnesota Parks
& Trails Legacy Advisory Committee,
the Edina Task Force on Flooding and
Community Resilience, the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District, and most recently, the
Izaak Walton League of America-Bush Lake
Chapter. And now, she looks forward to
having a large impact in her community.
“Commissioners are charged with making
policy decisions for the Three Rivers
parks,” Segreto said, “overseeing the
budget and being good stewards for the
natural resources in the park facilities for
the future.”
Segreto is most excited about the
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park project
in Brooklyn Park. The Commission has
been working on a redevelopment plan
for this 160-acre park that includes a
new visitor center, an elevated walkway
called a Treetop Trail, nature play areas
and improved spots across the whole park.
Construction is anticipated to start in 2023.
“What I love most is that it’s a natural
resource-based park system, which is in
contrast to many parks,” Segreto said.
“What I mean by that is, some of our
parks are really reserves where there’s
somewhat of a restriction for building out
infrastructure, buildings, to ensure that
when people come to our parks, they’re
getting into habitat, into wildlife.”
As an avid outdoorswoman who loves
to spend time fishing, snowshoeing
and exploring, it is clear Segreto has an
unconditional respect and passion for
the natural world. She took an interest in
hearing residents in her district’s thoughts
on how they use parks. Segreto said she
also heard from a variety of park users
and some of those with disabilities about
their experiences in parks. She said it was
an amazing experience hearing from all
different park users.
“People are largely creatures of habit and
we lack in our day-to-day life enough time
to go explore and adventure,” Segreto
said. “I think exploring and adventuring is
part of our DNA that we don’t give honor
to. And I think our regional parks provide
a place for us to express that spirit.”
Segreto can be contacted at
lmsegreto@msn.com.
Starting Jan. 5, she can be contacted at
Louise.Segreto@threeriversparks.org.
For more information about the
Three Rivers Park District, visit
threeriversparks.org.
Louise Segreto enjoys the beauty of
Minnehaha Creek in Utley Park.
(Photo by Lauren Siebenaler)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, Jan. 1
New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 2
New Year’s Day observed;
City offices closed
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, Jan. 5, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Friday, Jan. 6, 6 p.m.
Family Full Moon Snowshoe,
Braemar Golf Course
Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m.
Winter Ice Festival,
Centennial Lakes Park
Friday, Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m.
Movie Night in the Amphitheater,
“Frozen II,” Edinborough Park
Monday, Jan. 16
Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
City offices closed
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment
Authority meeting,
Edina City Hall
Sunday, Jan. 22
Start of Lunar New Year
Thursday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.
New Fire Station 2
Neighborhood meeting,
Public Works & Park Maintenance
Facility
For a complete listing of meetings
and events, visit EdinaMN.gov.
Watch City Council, Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission meetings live:
• Edina TV (Comcast Channels 813 or 16)
• Facebook.com/EdinaMN
• “Watch a Meeting” webpage at
EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4
Council Approves 2023 Street Project
Morningside C Neighborhood Roadway Project to Begin in Spring
City of Edina Directory
City Council
Jim Hovland Mayor 612-874-8551
Kate Agnew Council Member 952-833-9556
Carolyn Jackson Council Member 952-833-9547
James Pierce Council Member 952-833-9548
Julie Risser Council Member 952-833-9557
City Staff
Scott Neal City Manager 952-826-0401
Lisa Schaefer Assistant City 952-826-0416
Manager
Jennifer Communications 952-833-9520
Bennerotte Director
Ryan Browning I.T. Director 952-826-0434
Kelly Curtin Human Resources 952-826-0402
Director
Alisha Finance Director 952-826-0419
McAndrews
Todd Milburn Police Chief 952-826-0487
Chad Millner Engineering Director 952-826-0318
Brian Olson Public Works 952-826-0311
Director
Andrew Slama Fire Chief 952-826-0332
Cary Teague Community 952-826-0460
Development Director
Perry Vetter Parks & 952-826-0430
Recreation Director
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 a Public Works
crew, call the Police Department’s non-
emergency number, 952-826-1610.
Nearly 1.5 miles of road will be
reconstructed this year in the
Morningside Neighborhood.
At its meeting Dec. 20, the City
Council approved the Morningside C
Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction
project, which includes portions of
West 40th Street and Monterey, Lynn,
Kipling, Grimes and Inglewood avenues.
Sidewalks will be installed on the east
side of Inglewood, Grimes and Lynn and
a bike boulevard added on Grimes with
pavement markings and signage.
The Council will consider a petition to add
a sidewalk to the remainder of the streets
later this month.
As part of the project, modifications to
the roadway and storm sewer will also be
made to improve drainage issues, sump
drain pipe will be installed where feasible
and curb and gutter will be replaced.
The project is anticipated to begin in the
spring and end in the fall.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved the 2023 tax levy and
operating budget.
•Denied a request for a Comprehensive
Plan amendment and rezoning to allow
for a restaurant at 6016 Vernon Ave.
The site is currently zoned to allow only
automotive service centers, gas stations
and car washes.
•Amended the City’s Tax-Increment
Financing (TIF) Policy to clarify that
most construction projects should be
privately financed and that the use of
TIF is the exception, not the rule. The
amended policy also clarifies that TIF
should only be used in Edina to deliver
benefits to the general public that
would not otherwise be possible on the
site. TIF can also be used by the City
to fund eligible public infrastructure
improvements.
•Adopted a resolution to formally
inform the State Legislature of the
City’s request to increase the spending
authority of the recently approved local
option sales tax in order to build a
fourth indoor ice rink at Braemar Arena.
The request would not increase the rate
of the half-percent local option sales tax
or the 19-year duration of the sales tax.
•Approved an agreement for the Edina
Police Department to join the Joint
Community Police Partnership (JCPP).
The JCPP is a collaborative effort among
Hennepin County and the cities of
Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn
Park, Crystal, Hopkins and Richfield.
The JCPP’s mission is to enhance
communication and understanding
between law enforcement and the
diverse residents of these cities.
The City Council next meets 7 p.m.
Jan. 3 and 17. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali
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