HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdition Edina July 2023BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
For decades, the unique star-shaped
roof of St. Peter’s Edina has stood out on
France Avenue.
“People who have lived in Edina know
what the building is,” said Heritage
Preservation Commissioner Tommy
Everson, who nominated the church for
the City’s 2023 Heritage Award. “They
may not know the story behind it. It is a
bit of a landmark because of the roof, in
particular, and because of its proximity
to 50th & France.”
The church, located at 5421 France Ave.,
was built in 1957. It is the only church
in Minnesota and building in Edina
that was designed by Ralph Rapson,
a renowned architect known for his
work in the Modernist style. The
structure has undergone several
additions and renovations over the
decades, but still maintains its integrity
and serves in the same capacity for
which it was originally intended.
The unique “church-in-the-round” plan
evolved for two reasons. Site limitations
did not permit a traditional long,
rectangular nave, and a circular sanctuary
with wraparound seating suited the
congregation’s liturgical philosophy of the
family of man gathered around the Lord’s
table. The church’s star-shaped roof, which
is composed of eight steeply pitched,
glass-filled gables, is its most distinctive
and recognizable feature. It represents a
crown. The altar stands directly below the
center of the star.
Since the church was built in 1957, it has
been used for worship, education and
community space. For nearly 70 years,
the church building was a kindergarten
through eighth-grade school. For the
last 10 years, the classroom space has
been used exclusively for early childhood
education. The church was also a
founding member of Volunteers Enlisted
to Assist People (VEAP) and stored food
for the community for years.
“Education has been a big part of our
history,” said Pastor Mark Shockey.
“There was a small, little red schoolhouse
that had four classrooms in it and then
at that point, the sanctuary was built.
Then came the partnership in education
with the U of M, and with Ralph Rapson
building the church.”
An influential architect and educator,
Rapson received the commission in 1954,
the year he moved to Minneapolis to
head the School of Architecture at the
University of Minnesota, a position he
held for 30 years. Prior to his arrival in the
state, Rapson taught architecture at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and designed American Embassy buildings
in Europe for the U.S. State Department.
Highlights of his long, prolific career
include the original Tyrone Guthrie
Theatre (1963) and Cedar-Riverside in
Minneapolis (1973).
“I think where architects think they’re
impactful is when they create a structure
that is unique like this. It makes its
occupants feel like they are someplace
special. This building stands out and it’s
different. That’s what you strive for,” said
Everson. “Being a residential architect, I
like to think of it as I’m designing kind of
a memory box for families. That’s where
they spend their time and that’s their
biggest investment. And so that’s why I
really respect what Rapson did here.”
St. Peter’s was given the Edina Heritage
Award in May. The Edina Heritage
Preservation Commission sponsors the
annual award to showcase local historic
preservation activity. The award is given
to an individual, family, company or
organization that has contributed to the
historic fabric of the community and
made an outstanding contribution to the
preservation, rehabilitation, restoration
and use of Edina’s heritage resource. The
heritage resource must be located in Edina.
For more information about the Heritage
Award and past recipients, visit
EdinaMN.gov/HeritageAward.
St. Peter’s Unique Steeple is an Edina Staple
Church Given Heritage Award for Ralph Rapson’s Ahead-of-His-Time Architecture
St. Peter’s Edina’s unique star-shaped roof and round gathering space concept was built in 1957.
(Photo by Dan Carpenter)
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT PAGE 3 Edition: Edina
JULY 2023
Volume 10, Issue 7Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
BY RENEE MOTTET
This year marks 100 years of rich history,
enjoyment and memories made at the
Edina Country Club, a premier private
club in the heart of Edina’s historic
Country Club District. Both the club and
district were designed and developed by
local real estate developer Samuel Thorpe
Sr. in the early 1900s.
Throughout the year, the Country Club is
celebrating in various ways. In addition to
the club’s traditional events with unique
themes tied into the anniversary, a large
clock was recently placed behind the
clubhouse to memorialize the anniversary
for decades to come. A large all-day
centennial festival will take place in July
to honor the monumental year with
members and their families.
Since its founding, the Country Club
has undergone various renovations,
and even a name change. What was
originally known as the Thorpe Country
Club began as a clubhouse and a 9-hole
course in 1923. The course was eventually
expanded one year later into an 18-hole
course designed by Tom Bendelow.
The initial clubhouse took two years to
build and then lasted for six years before
it burned to the ground on Halloween
in 1929. It was replaced with a colonial
structure one year later on what is now
the present fifth green and sixth tee.
In 1946, the then joint Edina-
Morningside School Board needed a site
to build both a high school and junior
high and considered the Thorpe Country
Club’s location, specifically where the
18th green is. The school board set out
to seize the property, which required
a referendum. However, a group of
businessmen decided to oppose the
measure. They went door to door
throughout Edina to gain support for the
club, leading to a failed referendum. The
group then bought the Thorpe Country
Club and renamed it the Edina Country
Club on Feb. 6, 1946.
As the club expanded, a third and final
clubhouse was built on the current site
in 1959. Most recently, in 2010-2011, the
team of Tom Lehman and Chris Brands
redesigned the course, installing new
green complexes, bunkers, tees and
fairway grasses for golfers.
General Manger Three Carpenter said, “In
the last 100 years, we’ve seen the Edina
Country Club become a cornerstone of
Edina in providing activities and social
opportunities. As we move forward, we
want the club to create a true community
for members as a hub of connection,
experiences and events.”
Next year will bring the 100-year
anniversary of Edina’s Country Club
District, which was carefully designed
and developed by Thorpe and was one of
the first modern planned communities in
the country. The neighborhood is on the
National Register of Historic Places.
For more information on the Edina
Country Club, visit edinacountryclub.org.
Learn more about the Edina Country Club
District at bit.ly/ECCdistrict.
Edina Country Club Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
Private Club Sits in the Heart of Town’s Most Historic Neighborhood
A photo taken from a tee box shows Edina Country Club’s old clubhouse. (Submitted Photo)
An aerial photo taken of the Edina Country Club’s old clubhouse in the lower center shows
the surrounding Country Club District to the left. (Submitted Photo)
This aerial photo shows the early years of the Edina Country Club. (Submitted Photo)
2
POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2022
City of Edina Directory
City Council
Mayor
Jim Hovland – 612-874-8551
Council Members
Kate Agnew – 952-833-9556
Carolyn Jackson – 952-833-9547
James Pierce – 952-833-9548
Julie Risser – 952-833-9557
Executive Leadership Team
City Manager
Scott Neal – 952-826-0401
Assistant City Manager
Lisa Schaefer – 952-826-0416
Communications Director
Jennifer Bennerotte – 952-833-9520
Community Development Director
Cary Teague – 952-826-0460
Engineering Director
Chad Millner – 952-826-0318
Finance Director
Alisha McAndrews – 952-826-0419
Fire Chief
Andrew Slama – 952-826-0332
Human Resources Director
Kelly Curtin – 952-826-0402
I.T. Director
Ryan Browning – 952-826-0434
Parks & Recreation Director
Perry Vetter – 952-826-0430
Police Chief
Todd Milburn – 952-826-0487
Public Works Director
Brian Olson – 952-826-0311
The City of Edina reports financial year-
end results in its Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR). This report
summarizes significant data from select
funds in the Dec. 31, 2022 ACFR and
is consistent with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles. For a complete
review of the City’s financial position
for 2022, consult the ACFR, available at
EdinaMN.gov/Finance.
BY PETER NOMELAND
Through a recent statewide settlement,
the City of Edina is expected to receive
thousands of dollars for almost two
decades for response to the opioid crisis.
Payments began in Fall 2022.
The City is eligible to receive up
to $20,000 a year over 18 years. Most
of the money is expected to be geared
toward prevention efforts and awareness,
strengthening the City’s rapid response
program, and the activities and advocacy
of a community health board that will
focus specifically on opioid
abuse prevention.
A settlement between Minnesota and
several pharmaceuticals and opioid
manufacturers was finalized in July
2021 with millions of dollars going into
prevention and awareness surrounding
overdose deaths. Data from the
Minnesota Department of Health shows
that from 2020 to 2021, opioid-involved
overdose deaths increased by 44%, to an
all-time high of 978 deaths in 2021.
The State of Minnesota will be eligible
to receive more than $296 million over
18 years. Up to $222 million of that will
be paid directly to Minnesota cities and
counties, according to a statement from
the Attorney General’s office.
The community health board is made up
of stakeholders from the cities of Edina,
Richfield and Bloomington. They will
collaborate with representatives from
local public health providers, school
districts, treatment providers, first
responders, youth service providers
and community members.
The board has worked with the Minnesota
Department of Health to compile local
data involving opioid use and has
conducted several meetings to begin
constructing a proposed work plan
for spending these funds.
The Johns Hopkins Principles for the
Use of Funds from the Opioid Litigation
highlights five principles to help guide
governments and local groups to use
funds to the best of their abilities.
1. Spend the money to save lives
2. Use evidence to guide spending
3. Invest in youth prevention
4. Focus on racial equity
5. Develop a fair and transparent process
for deciding where to spend funds
For more information on the
settlement along with data and
resources on opioids in Minnesota, visit
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids.
City of Edina Included in
Opioid Settlement
City will receive up to $20,000 a Year
for Opioid Abuse Prevention and Awareness
3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
ANNUAL REPORT
BY BRITTANY BADER
Did you know that revenue from Edina
Liquor helps fund some of your favorite
places to have fun in Edina? On average,
$820,000 of its profits are transferred
each year into City of Edina Parks &
Recreation operations and capital
improvement projects. In 2022, $350,000
was transferred to the Edina Art Center,
$350,000 to Centennial Lakes Park and
$300,000 to Braemar Arena.
On June 5, 2023, Edina Liquor celebrated
75 years of being City-owned and
operated. Since its start in 1948, the
operation has grown to three locations:
50th & France, 3943 W. 50th St.;
Grandview, 5013 Vernon Ave. S.; and
Southdale, 6755 York Ave. S.
“Part of our philosophy around celebrating
75 years is getting outside our liquor stores
and being more visible in the community
like the beverage garden at Centennial
Lakes Farmers Market or whiskey classes
at Braemar Golf Course,” said Edina Liquor
General Manager Josh Furbish. “Our staff
enjoys telling people about Edina Liquor
and the contributions it makes to the city.”
Furbish became the General Manager of
Edina Liquor in 2016. Since then, Edina
Liquor has averaged $13.3 million in
revenue annually and has had three of its
top five highest-grossing years.
“When I think about the success over the
last five years, the first thing that comes
to mind is what we’ve done with this
team and the development of our staff
and how it has benefited the enterprise.
We employ a certified sommelier and
have staff who are certified by the Wine
& Spirit Education Trust in very specific
areas. So, the experience that you’re going
to get in our store is certainly elevated
from where it was when I came on six
and a half years ago, and we’re going to
continue to build on that in 2023.”
To learn more about Edina Liquor,
visit EdinaLiquor.com. To view
more Edina Liquor milestones,
visit Bit.ly/EdinaLiquorTimeline.
2018
Financials
•Revenue: $13.4 million
•Net Profit: $1.4 million (Second-
most profitable year on record)
Notable Achievements
•Prioritized product selection and
expanded brand portfolio to
include more local Minnesota-
made products and smaller craft
breweries and wineries
2019
Financials
•Revenue: $13.1 million
($70,000 from e-commerce
and delivery services)
•Net Profit: $1.2 million
Notable Achievements
•Launched e-commerce and
delivery services (From start
to finish, the entire process is
managed by Edina Liquor)
•Began staff training program
to enhance in-store customer
experience by partnering with a
local wine educator
•Modernized store interiors
and layouts
•Completed energy updates
to stores resulting in all three
locations becoming ENERGY
STAR certified
2020
Financials
•Revenue: $12.1 million ($2.2
million from e-commerce and
delivery services)
•Net Profit: Just over $650,000
(Despite challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic, the enterprise still had a
profitable year)
Notable Achievements
•Following store closures due to
the pandemic, e-commerce orders
averaged 250 a day, with a daily record
on April 17 of 464 individual orders
2021
Financials
•Revenue: $14.3 million (First time
in history the enterprise surpassed
$14 million in annual sales)
•Net Profit: Just over $780,000
Notable Achievements
•During a national labor shortage,
the Retail Sales Lead position was
created to stabilize operations by
restructuring flexible part-time
positions to extended part-time
positions with a living wage and
health benefits
2022
Financials
•Revenue: $14.4 million (Highest
grossing year of all time)
•Net Profit: $624,235
Notable Achievements
•Launched an e-commerce
mobile app for Edina Liquor
•Started a beverage garden at
Centennial Lakes Park Farmers Market
•Expanded offerings of old-world
wine selection, craft spirits and
ready to drink cocktails
At a Glance: Five Years of Edina Liquor Operations
In 2022, $1 Million Supported Parks & Recreation Operations
Edina Liquor Five-Year Financials
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Operating Revenue 13,401,754 13,094,407 12,117,414 14,313,232 14,427,474
Operating Expenses 11,995,159 11,949,857 11,522,017 13,519,779 13,733,783
Operating Income 1,406,595 1,144,550 595,397 793,453 693,691
Non-Operating Revenues (Expenses) 25,246 46,175 59,180 (12,954) (69,456)
Income before Transfer 1,431,841 1,190,725 654,577 780,499 624,235
Transfer In 906 2,290 3,226 4,156 4,673
Transfer Out 800,000 850,000 600,000 850,000 1,000,000 Income before Transfer Transfer Out
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022$0
$.5
$1
$1.5
$2
$2.5
MillionsLiquor Operating Transfers
4
Golfers practice their drives at the Golf Dome using
the Toptracer ball-tracking technology. (File Photo)
BY PETER NOMELAND
Braemar Golf Course had record revenue
in 2022 thanks to investments made
by the City of Edina and the continued
passion for golf in the community.
Golf course revenue, both public and
private, has skyrocketed across the country,
reaching record highs in 2022, according
to the National Golf Foundation. Since the
Braemar Championship 18 was renovated
and reopened at 6364 John Harris Drive
in 2018, the course had gains in revenue
every year outside of the COVID-19
pandemic-affected 2020 fiscal year.
“We’re super happy that all of our
departments have seen substantial growth
over the last five years since the renovation,”
said Joseph Abood, General Manager of
Braemar Golf Course. Green fees, cart fees,
driving range, golf dome, merchandise and
instruction have seen increased revenue and
popularity at the course.
The biggest driver of the revenue increase
was the addition of Toptracer ball-tracing
technology to the Golf Dome,
Braemar Golf Course Thrives After Strong Fiscal 2022
Renovations to the Course and Golf Dome Result in Record-High Revenues
ANNUAL REPORT
- COMPILED BY RENEE MOTTET
91
Edina households currently
using the free monthly high-
speed internet provided by
the City through one
ARPA-funded program.
the year all of Edina’s ARPA
funds must be spent.
2026
ARPA spending
plans approved
by City Council. The
largest allocations
in Phase 2 will go
to government
operations
and capital
improvements at
Centennial Lakes
and Edinborough
parks.
2
Programs and initiatives
supported with ARPA
funds in 2022.
11
7420 Braemar Blvd., in late 2019. The
course hit $6,063,172 in revenue during
the 2022 fiscal year, with the largest gains
coming from the Golf Dome, which saw
around a $500,000 increase in admissions
from 2021 to 2022.
As part of the plan to turn around golf
course operations, the restaurant at the
course was privatized and is currently
operated by Red River Kitchen, which also
hosts and schedules events on the property.
“The investment in the property is
definitely paying off,” said Abood.
An estimated $8.1 million investment
planned for Braemar Park will include
improvements to the golf course parking
lot and access to the golf course.
For more information about Braemar Golf
Course, visit BraemarGolf.com.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Edina
was allocated $4.9 million to provide relief from the COVID-19
pandemic and boost the economy. The spending plans for the
ARPA funds were approved by the City Council in 2021 and
2022 after the City received input from the community.
To learn more about the City’s use of ARPA funds,
visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/arpa.
BY THE NUMBERS
ARPA Funds
Braemar Golf Five-Year Financials
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Operating Revenue 1,396,173 3,395,815 3,947,681 5,384,684 6,063,172
Operating Expenses 2,192,512 3,684,311 4,029,075 4,835,667 5,119,485
Operating Income (Loss) (796,339) (288,496) (81,394) 549,017 943,687
Non-Operating Revenues (Expenses) (196,971) (291,265) (189,298) (119,871) (192,626)
Income (Loss) before Transfer (993,310) (579,761) (270,692) 429,146 751,061
Transfer In 115,085 65,821 48,954 53,364 59,401 Op. Revenue Op. Expenses Op. Income (Loss)
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
$0
$6
$4
$2
($2)
$8
$10
$12
$14
MillionsGolf Operating Income (Loss)
5City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
“SPARC” is an appropriate acronym for
the Special Projects and Redevelopment
Capital Fund, as its goal is to boost
local businesses, create jobs and deliver
benefits to the community.
Created in 2021 from $9.3 million in
incremental property tax money that
otherwise would have been returned
to Hennepin County, SPARC has funded
one project that has been completed.
Another launches this summer and one
has been designated.
“This is an opportunity that happens maybe
once in a generation,” said Economic
Development Manager Bill Neuendorf of
state legislation that allowed Edina to keep
and use the property taxes. “We wanted to
take bold action to do something good to
build community and grow jobs in Edina.”
Money designated so far helped renovate
the Edina Theatre, including its historic
sign; assisted in construction of the
Edina Innovation Lab that will help small
business leaders succeed; and will pay
a developer to build a new public road
that will serve as the front door to Fred
Richards Park in addition to serving the
nearby businesses and residents.
The remaining roughly $6 million, which
must be spent by 2025, is planned
to provide direct assistance to small
businesses and for unique projects.
Proposed programs to help small
businesses include:
•Grants up to $25,000 to improve their
spaces for better customer experience.
•Loans up to $149,000, with some
forgivable, for bigger improvements,
such as in spaces that have been
chronically vacant.
“Currently, we have almost no programs
to support and incentivize small business,”
Neuendorf said. “So I’m recommending
we establish two programs specifically
aimed at smaller, locally owned businesses.”
Neuendorf also is proposing a revolving
loan fund for larger and unique projects.
“By doing a revolving loan fund, we are
hoping to use these dollars not to help just
one generation of businesses but several
generations,” he said.
Members of the Housing and
Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
enthusiastically endorsed the proposals,
which will be brought before them later
this year for final approval.
“Overall, I’m really excited to see some of
the projects come through,” said HRA
Commissioner Kate Agnew after hearing a
presentation in May.
For more information on
the SPARC program, visit
EdinaMN.gov/EconomicDevelopment
or contact Neuendorf at
bneuendorf@EdinaMN.gov.
SPARC Fund to Benefit Edina Small Businesses Next
Money Has Helped Edina Theatre, Innovation Lab and Fred Richards Park Entrance
ANNUAL REPORT
SPARC Projects To DateProject: Edina Theatre
Purpose: Renovate and reopen historic movie
theater at heart of 50th & France
SPARC Assistance: $351,000 forgivable loan
Status: Complete
(File Photo)
Project: Edina Innovation Lab
Purpose: Assist construction of space that trains
entrepreneurs for business success
SPARC Assistance: $800,000 loan with up to
$250,000 forgivable
Status: Finishing construction; opening July 2023
(Submitted Photo)
Project: 4620 W. 77th St. Redevelopment
Purpose: To build a new road for public access to
Fred Richards Park and parking
SPARC Assistance: $2 million forgivable loan
Status: In Planning
(Submitted Illustration)
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Detailed in the graphs provided are the 2022 and
2021 total revenues and expenditures for all the
governmental funds. Revenues are presented
by category (e.g., Taxes) and expenditures
are presented by function (e.g., General
Government). At the end of the current fiscal
year, revenues and expenditures totaled $77.0M
and $103.0M, respectively, for an overall decrease
in fund balance of $26M before other financing
sources (e.g., Transfers, Bonds Issued, etc.).
Revenues came in 5%, or $3.4M, higher than
2021. The increase is mostly attributable to
increased taxes ($3.2M), special assessments
($295k), licenses and permits ($1.4M),
intergovernmental ($3.1M), charges of services
($274k) and other ($1.5M), partially offset by a
decrease in tax increment collections ($6.5M).
2022 Intergovernmental revenue was higher by
$3.1M due to American Rescue Plan Act ($1.2M)
and municipal state-aid street funding ($1.5M).
Increase in Other Revenue is mostly attributable
to other revenue ($4.7M). The City’s Housing
& Redevelopment Authority received $4.1M
in buy-in contributions to support affordable
housing efforts. Tax Revenue (property, franchise
fees and lodging taxes) increased 7% and tax
increment collections decreased 79%. The
increase in taxes is the result of an increased
general fund operating levy that provides funding
for governmental services (public safety, public
works, etc.); property taxes represent 58% of
all governmental fund revenues and 66% of
General Fund revenues. Tax increment decreased
mostly due to fewer increment collections from
the Southdale 2 Tax-Increment Financing District.
Charges for services (e.g., park registrations)
increased in 2022 as a result of less
COVID-19 impact.
Expenditures came in 34% or $26.3M higher
than 2021. This is attributed to increases in
General Government ($7.6M), Public Safety
($16.7M), Public Works ($325k), Parks ($369k)
and Debt Service ($1.0M). General Government
increases are due to American Rescue Plan Act
funding and the Housing & Redevelopment
Authority emergency rental assistance, affordable
housing purchases and rehabilitation, forgivable
loans ($3.65M) and capital spending ($4.0M)
mostly for Eden Avenue improvements. Public
Works increased primarily due to budgeted
merit increases to attract and retain staff to
better manage our capital assets ($324k). Parks
increases are leveling out to be consistent with
pre-pandemic trends ($368k). Public Safety had
a capital spend of $15.2M for land acquisition for
a new Fire Station 2. Debt service expenditures
increased primarily due to issuance of 2021B to
advance refunding of the outstanding maturities
of 2013A.
Governmental Funds
Governmental Fund Expenditures
2021 2022 Difference
General Government $15,206,275 $22,812,564 $7,606,289
Public Safety $26,213,713 $ 43,180,505 $16,966,792
Public Works $18,970,221 $19,294,918 $324,697
Parks & Recreation $6,379,999 $6,748,817 $368,818
Debt Service $10,218,346 $11,296,389 $1,078,043
Totals $76,988,554 $103,333,193 $26,344,639
$0
$10
$20
$40
$50
$30
Public
Safety
Parks &
Recreation
General
Government
Public
Works
Debt
ServiceMillionsGovernmental Fund Expenditures Comparison
2021 2022
2021 2022
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
Tax In
cr
e
m
e
nt
C
oll
ecti
o
ns
Special
Ass
ess
me
nts
Licenses
&
Per
mits
Interg
o
v
er
n
m
e
ntal
Charg
es f
or
S
ervic
es
TaxesMillionsGovernmental Fund Revenues ComparisonGovernmental Fund Revenues
2021 2022 Difference
Taxes $44,903,999 $48,193,547 $3,289,548
Tax Increment
Collections $8,295,756 $1,720,243 $6,575,513
Special Assessments $4,130,703 $4,426,156 $295,453
Licenses and Permits $6,077,446 $7,482,098 $1,404,652
Intergovernmental $3,321,222 $6,459,627 $3,138,405
Charges for Services $5,980,258 $6,254,411 $274,153
Other $1,284,971 $2,879,331 $1,594,360
Totals $73,994,355 $77,415,413 $3,421,058
Other
7City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Residents Give High Marks to Quality of Life in Edina
Safety, City Services and Housing are Themes of 2023 Survey
UPCOMING EVENTS
Children’s Concert,
Centennial Lakes Park
11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Concert in the Park,
Centennial Lakes Park
7 p.m. Sundays, Mondays
and Wednesdays
Farmers Market,
Centennial Lakes Park
3-7 p.m. Thursdays
Da Beauty League, Braemar Arena
5-8:30 p.m. Mondays and
Wednesdays through Aug. 23
Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4,
Independence Day
City offices closed
Tuesday, July 4, 10 a.m.
Independence Day Parade, begins
behind Edina City Hall
Tuesday, July 4, 8 p.m.
First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band
concert to be followed by fireworks,
Rosland Park
Thursday, July 6, 10 a.m.
Story Stroll & Chalk the Walk,
Centennial Lakes Park
Thursday, July 13, 10 a.m.
Art in the Park, Countryside Park
Monday, July 17, 7 p.m.
Town Talk: Police Operations, Online
Tuesday, July 18, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Wednesday, July 19, 5 p.m.
Art Together, Fred Richards Park
Thursday, July 20, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, July 27, 10 a.m.
Bike Rodeo, Pamela Park
Thursday, July 27- Friday, July 28
Ashura
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” web page at
EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings
Edina residents enjoy a high quality of life. That’s
the verdict from the latest Quality of Life Survey
of Edina residents by an independent research
company. In the survey conducted this spring by
Polco, 93 percent of respondents rated the quality
of life in Edina as “excellent” or “good.”
There were three other key findings of this year’s
survey, recently presented to the City Council:
• While residents generally feel safe in Edina,
the feeling of safety has declined in some
areas of the city and the perception of
some types of crime has increased. Nine
in 10 positively rated the overall feeling of
safety in Edina, but the percent feeling very
or somewhat safe in the greater Southdale
area dropped to 67%. The percentage of
residents who perceive that youth crimes and
violent crime is a moderate, major or extreme
problem has increased since the 2021 Quality
of Life Survey.
• City services continue to be highly rated. The
highest-rated City services of Fire services,
ambulance or emergency medical services,
City parks and Police services all rate higher
than national benchmarks. Ambulance or
emergency medical services also rate higher
than Minnesota benchmarks.
• Residents see opportunities for improvement
with housing and development. Among
the “most serious issues facing Edina,”
respondents identified overdevelopment, the
wrong type of development and teardowns,
and the need for more affordable housing.
Polco administered the six-page survey of 2,000
randomly selected Edina households March 22-
May 3. The results were statistically weighted to
reflect community demographics and are accurate
to plus or minus 5 percent and will assist the City
Council and other decision makers going forward.
In other business last month, the Council:
• Amended the local law to allow residents
to replace lawns with native grasses and
wildflowers, increase buffer distances around
waterbodies and decrease the front yard
setback for planned landscape and natural
areas. In addition, the allowable height of
turf grass and weeds was increased from 10
to 12 inches. The changes are intended to
help combat climate change, provide shelter
and food for songbirds and small mammals
and improve the environment.
• Adopted a resolution acknowledging and
approving action taken by the Minnesota
State Legislature allowing the City to revise
its spending plan for the local sales and use
tax, subject to a majority of Edina voters
approving the revised spending plan in a
future referendum. The Council at its July
18 meeting is expected to approve the
referendum question and direct staff to
schedule the referendum.
• Increased the budget for the construction
of Fire Station 2. Estimates for the proposed
project have been higher than estimated
when bonding for the project was
considered.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m. July 18.
For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov8
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