HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_November-2023-Web-v2‘Sharing Values, Sharing Community’ Event To Be Held Nov. 12
Inclusivity Presentation to Focus on Early Childhood, K-12 Education and Youth Sports
Learn about preventing bias and
celebrating diversity, with a focus on
Edina children, during a special event
Sunday, Nov. 12.
The free, all-ages event, “Building an
Inclusive Community: Learning Bias So
All Can Thrive” will be 3-5 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at Edina City Hall,
4801 W. 50th St. It’s presented by
the Edina Human Rights & Relations
Commission (HRRC). Everyone who
lives, works or goes to school in Edina
is welcome and encouraged to attend.
No registration is needed.
At the event, speakers Bill Svrluga, Frances
“Frannie” Becquer and Anthony Walsh
will talk about the education efforts in
early childhood, K-12 and youth sports,
and what people can do to make Edina
a more inclusive community.
Svrluga is the founder and Executive
Director of Before Racism, a comprehensive
preschool program that helps young
children learn to appreciate and embrace
differences so that they can have greater
academic, social and career success.
Becquer is the Edina Public Schools (EPS)
Director of Achievement Equity and
Multilingual Learner Programming. She will
discuss EPS’ work with cultural proficiency,
also known as cultural competence.
Walsh is a Community Engagement
Specialist for Hennepin County and
author of Hockey is for Everybody. He
was a member of the 2013 Edina High
School State Champion hockey team and
a 2023 Mitchell Hamline School of Law
graduate. He maintains his connections
to youth sports and community diversity
work through his roles on the boards of
FreeWriters and Mosaic Hockey Collective.
HRRC Commissioner Joni Bennett is
eager to attend and learn. “I am looking
forward to an inspiring conversation,
hearing about great work from excellent
speakers, and learning more about what
the community needs and can do to
make Edina a place where all can thrive,”
she said.
Other HRRC members planning this
event hope it continues to help to build
a community that celebrates diversity
and fosters a sense of belonging for
everyone who lives, works or goes to
school in Edina.
People are welcome to attend in person
or watch live or later. Comcast subscribers
can watch it live and in rebroadcasts on
Bill Svrluga (left), Frances “Frannie” Becquer (middle) Anthony Walsh (right) will present at the
Nov. 12 event. (Submitted photos)
Edina TV, Channels 813 and 16, 7 p.m.
Mondays, 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 10
p.m. Wednesdays or 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Thursdays through Dec. 10. Others can
watch live on the City’s Facebook page,
Facebook.com/EdinaMN, or website,
EdinaMN.gov/LiveMeetings.
For more information on the Sharing
Values, Sharing Community Event, contact
Gillian Straub, staff liaison to the HRRC, at
gstraub@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0429,
or visit EdinaMN.gov/HRRC.
– COMPILED BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
AND COLETTE DANIELSKI
The Human Rights & Relations Commission presents:Building an Inclusive Community
Learning to Prevent Bias So All Can Thrive
City Council Chambers
Edina City Hall,
4801 W. 50th St.
3-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
Free Event!
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Edition: Edina
NOVEMBER 2023
Volume 10, Issue 11Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
Voters Asked To Decide on Braemar Arena Expansion
The Plan Would Add Fourth Sheet of Indoor Ice and
Safety Improvements
BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Early voting is in progress for the
Nov. 7 election in Edina. Here are some
common questions residents have asked
and their answers.
What’s on the ballot?
Two things are on the ballot for most voters
in Edina. All ballots have a yes/no question
about amending the spending plan for the
local sales tax Edina voters approved in
2022. Voters who live within Edina Public
Schools boundaries will also vote on three
open seats on the School Board.
Didn’t we already vote on this sales tax?
Residents are not voting on a new sales tax.
They are voting on whether the existing sales
tax can be used to fund the Arena expansion.
In November 2022, Edina voters approved
a half-cent sales tax increase to pay for
investments in Braemar Park and Fred
Richards Park, including new pickleball
and basketball courts, new trails and
playgrounds and nature preservation.
The $21.6 million investment for Braemar
Park included some critical infrastructure
upgrades at Braemar Arena. This vote is
to approve using that same tax to raise
$31.7 million for expansion and more
improvements at Braemar Arena, including
adding a fourth sheet of indoor ice and
making the drop-off/pick-up area safer.
Why expand Braemar Arena?
The Arena hosts 500,000 visitors a year.
The demand for ice time from youth
organizations, schools, leagues, skating
lessons and practice time exceeds capacity,
forcing local families to travel elsewhere
for available ice time. Adding a rink
would alleviate much of those challenges.
Learn more at EdinaAtPlay.org.
Will a “yes” vote increase the tax?
No. The same already-approved half-cent
sales tax will pay for the Braemar Arena
improvements as well as the projects
approved by voters in the November
2022 vote. The tax won’t go up.
Will it extend the sales tax beyond
what voters approved in 2022?
No. Legally, the half-cent sales tax must
end in 19 years or when enough money
has been raised to pay for the voter-
approved projects, whichever comes first.
Why are we voting on this now?
Ideally, the Braemar Arena expansion
would have been included in the 2022
vote. That part of the proposal didn’t get
approved by the State Legislature until
after the 2022 election, which is why it’s
on the ballot now.
What about the School Board races
on the ballot?
Cheryl Barry, Elliot Mann and Jennifer
Huwe are running for the three open
seats after the terms of Julie Greene,
Janie Shaw and Regina Neville expire
in December. Learn more in the School
Board section of Edinaschools.org.
How can I vote?
Direct balloting is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
weekdays through Nov. 3; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 4; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 6, at Edina City Hall.
If you vote on Election Day, you must
vote at your assigned polling place.
Learn more at EdinaMN.gov/election.
Ballot Language
The expansion question appears as “City Question” on ballots and has options
for a “Yes” or “No” vote. Here is how it reads on your ballot:
Amendment to the Voter-Approved Spending Plan for Edina Local Sales Tax
Shall the City of Edina be authorized to amend the spending plan for Braemar Park and
Arena from $21.6 million to a total of $53.3 million for the expansion and additional
improvements of Braemar Arena and associated bonding and administrative costs? If this
question is approved by a majority of voters, the rate of the sales tax approved by Edina
voters will remain unchanged at 0.5% and will remain in place for a maximum of 19 years
or until enough sales tax revenue has been collected to pay for the costs of the project.
Approval of this question will not impact funding from the sales tax for Fred Richards Park
that was approved by voters in November 2022.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m.
The Rosie Posies-Music,
Edinborough Park
Thursday, Nov. 2, 4 p.m.
Pumpkin Smash & Bash,
Countryside Park
Sunday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.
The Percolators, Edinborough Park
Tuesday, Nov. 7, Election Day
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Friday, Nov. 10
Veterans Day observed,
City offices closed
Friday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Movie Night in the Amphitheater,
“Shark Tale,” Edinborough Park
Saturday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day
Sunday, Nov. 12
Diwali
Sunday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.
Jazz on the Prairie Big Band,
Edinborough Park
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 3-5:30 p.m.
Business showcase and open house
for Edina Chamber of Commerce,
Edina Innovation Lab and Explore
Edina, 7201 Metro Blvd.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m.
Music with Kernsey, Edinborough Park
Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m.
Etiquette with Alice,
Braemar Golf Course
Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Holiday Craft & Book Bazaar, Edina
Senior Center
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving
City offices closed
Friday, Nov. 24
City offices closed
Sunday, Nov. 26, 6 p.m.
The First John Philip Sousa Memorial
Band, Edinborough Park
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
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3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
- COMPILED BY COLETTE DANIELSKI
This November, focus your efforts on organics recycling! Proper
organics recycling is just as important as recycling of paper,
glass, plastic and metal. Regardless of how much is in the
cart, make sure to put your carts out weekly. A little goes a
long way in making a difference! Visit EdinaMN.gov/organics
to learn more about ways you can improve your organic
recycling habits.
BY THE NUMBERS
Organics
Recycling
Organics recycling drop-off
sites in Edina: Centennial
Lakes Park, Community
Garden, Edina Senior Center
3
Edina homes observed with
overflowing trash cans in a
recent survey. They were not
using their organics carts
1 in 5
80 tons
Average amount of organics
collected monthly in Edina,
equaling approximately eight
T-Rex dinosaurs in weight
31.5%
Of Edina households
participate every week in
curbside organics recycling
Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot says avoid
“wishcycling.” Be sure an item can be recycled before
placing it in your blue cart. (Photo by Jason Heuer)
‘Wishcycling’ Increasing as Costly Recycling Trend
Throw Items in the Garbage If You Aren’t Positive They Can Be Recycled
When it comes to recycling, don’t guess
what goes in the cart.
“Wishcycling,” when people place items
in recycling in hopes they’ll be recycled,
actually costs more than putting those
items in the garbage, even if some are
recyclable. Improper items must be
sorted out, costing labor. Plastic bags
can clog a machine, costing time and
repairs. Contaminated recycling might be
thrown into the garbage entirely, ruining
anything that might have been recycled.
“It’s a problem because our recycling
places are regulated as to how much can
go to trash,” said Recycling Coordinator
Solvei Wilmot.
No more than 15 percent of recycling
intake can be trash, and Edina has been
at 8 to 10 percent, Wilmot said. That’s
better than some communities where
studies have found the rate higher than
25 percent, but Edina’s goal is to be
around 5 percent.
The “chasing arrows” triangle recycling
symbol found on boxes, plastics and
other items doesn’t help. The non-
regulated symbol doesn’t guarantee
you can recycle the item. It might
mean it’s made from recyclables.
Or it might just be a marketing ploy.
“There isn’t a regulation on that recycling
symbol,” Wilmot said.
So what plastic is OK to recycle in Edina?
Look for a 1, 2 or 5 in that triangle.
Brown or black plastic, regardless of a
recycling symbol or number; kids’ toys;
garden tools or anything else used
outdoors; clothes hangers; shrink wrap
and plastic bags of all types should go
in the garbage.
“All the thin plastics, those loose things
that would get caught up in a breeze, will
jam the machines,” Wilmot said.
For glass, recycle only what your food
comes in. So the jam jar is OK. But not
glassware, window glass, Pyrex dishes, etc.
When it comes to recycling, think big.
Small items, like scraps of paper, shredded
paper or bottle caps, fall through the
sorter or cause other issues. “If smaller
than a quarter, don’t put it in the bin,”
Wilmot said.
If you’re unsure, an old adage helps: When
in doubt, throw it out.
Reach Wilmot at swilmot@EdinaMN.gov
or 952-826-0463.
– COMPILED BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
Find Out What’s Recyclable
•Visit EdinaMN.gov/recycling for
a list and downloadable guides
•For items not on those lists, visit
Hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide
Holiday Waste Reduction and Reuse Tips
Decor
Holiday wreaths and garlands – Remove all lights, bows,
other non-organic decorations, wires, hooks and stands. Plant
material may go in your yard waste bin, if you have one and
it fits. Trees may be taken to the SMSC Organics Recycling
Facility in Shakopee 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays after Christmas
through January; visit Smscorf.com. For other curbside pickup
options, contact your garbage hauler or your local scout troop
(service available in limited areas). Do not put these items in
your organics bin. Save lights and décor you removed for reuse.
Holiday cards – Recycle paper cards. If they have foil, glitter
or glue, put those parts in the garbage.
Holiday light strings – Recycle at Express Metals, 8094
Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins. All string lights, including broken
ones, are accepted.
Pumpkins and gourds – Remove all glitter, paint, candles
and other décor before placing in your organics cart.
Ribbons and bows – Save for reuse. What you don’t save
goes in the garbage.
Tinsel and ornaments – Reuse or trash.
Wrapping paper – Save what can be reused. Place the rest in
the garbage as most cannot be recycled. Consider alternatives
such as newspaper or reusable wrap.
Gifts
•Shop thrift stores for décor or gifts or make regifting a
family tradition.
•Wrap gifts in another gift (example: kitchen gadgets in
a kitchen towel).
•List unwanted items on your local Buy Nothing group.
Meals
•Use reusable, compostable or recyclable cups, napkins,
plates and utensils.
•Avoid making too much food. Try the Guest-Imator tool
at savethefood.com to calculate how much you’ll need.
•If you have leftovers, send home with guests. This is a
good way to use the black plastic, unrecyclable takeout
containers you have been saving.
Almost all holiday decorations are unrecyclable. Americans
produce more waste during the end-of-year holidays than any
other time of year. More than 2.3 million pounds of wrapping
paper ends up in landfills every year, and that’s just one small
part of celebrations.
Here are some ways to reduce waste or recycle properly to avoid
adding to the problem.
Cart Tips
Organics
•Bag food scraps in compostable bags to reduce odors and
keep cart cleaner.
•Line cart with a compostable lawn and leaf bag. Roll the
bag closed before shutting the cart lid to reduce pest issues.
•Clean cart by rinsing with vinegar and water. Do not use
hazardous chemicals.
•See a list of acceptable and not acceptable items
at EdinaMN.gov/organics.
Recycling
•Do not stuff or jam cardboard into the cart. It could prevent
other items from sliding out, leaving you with a full cart
after pickup.
•Make sure items are dry before placing in cart to avoid
getting paper recyclables wet.
•If you aren’t positive an item can be recycled, put it in
the garbage. Don’t guess.
•See a list of acceptable and not acceptable items at
EdinaMN.gov/recycling. For items not listed there, select
“How Do I Get Rid Of…” in the left menu.
•If your recycling cart is always overflowing, request a larger
or second cart at no cost by calling 952-941-5174 or sending
an email to edinarecycles@republicservices.com
•If your recycling collection was missed by the hauler, send
an email to edinarecycles@republicservices.com.
Scan the QR code for more holiday
waste reduction and reuse tips.
4
5City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Hazardous Waste Disposal
E-Waste
Electronic waste and rechargable batteries are hazardous waste.
Placing these items in your trash or recycling is prohibited.
Rechargable batteries, particularly the kind found in cellphones
and cars, are the No. 1 cause of fires at recycling facilities and
are extremely dangerous. These items must be disposed of
properly to save lives and our green industries.
Tips
•Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill,
is required.
•Bring payment. Cash, check, major credit cards and debit
cards are accepted.
•Remain in your vehicle and follow directions given by staff.
•Items should be stored in the trunk of the vehicle, bed of
truck or in a trailer.
•Consider visiting on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
(Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days.)
For more information, visit
hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/drop-off-facilities.
– COMPILED BY COLETTE DANIELSKI
Some products we have in our homes contain hazardous
materials that can harm our health or the environment if not
disposed of safely. This includes unwanted chemical products
that are flammable, toxic or dangerous when combined with
other products.
Read the label on the product. Look for the words “caution,”
“warning,” “danger,” “poison,” “flammable,” “reactive,”
“corrosive” or “toxic” on the label of products that require
special disposal.
Household hazardous wastes include:
•Automotive fluids: Antifreeze, carburetor cleaner,
brake and transmission fluid, degreasers, fuels and oil
•Household, lawn and garden products: Cleaning
products, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, paints, stains
and thinners, pesticides and herbicides
•Personal care products: Hair spray, nail polish
remover, perfume
Drop-Off Center Locations
South Hennepin Recycling and Problem
Waste Drop-Off Center
1400 W. 96th St.
Bloomington, MN 55431
Hennepin County Recycling Center and
Transfer Station
8100 Jefferson Highway
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Phone Number: 612-348-3777
Email: environment@hennepin.us
Proper Waste Sorting Visit hennepin.us/residents#recycling-hazardous-waste
for more information on waste sorting.
Proper Cart Spacing
Recycling, organics recycling and trash/garbage carts should be
placed on the curb, three feet apart.
Janet Chandler, now a 93-year-old Bloomington
resident, worked part time as the City’s first Recycling
Coordinator from 1986 to 1995. (Photo by Glenn Gray)
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
There was a time when Edina’s only
recycling opportunity was supported
mainly by volunteers and depended on
drop-offs at a local supermarket. Today,
approximately 4,000 tons of material
is recycled each year through Edina’s
curbside collection program and nearly
13,800 households participate.
The Edina Garden Council started the
City’s first drop-off recycling spot for
glass and cans. Member Janet Chandler’s
involvement with the Garden Council
spurred a career with the City, and
eventually led to her bringing a curbside
program to all residents.
Chandler’s hire in 1986 kick-started the
City’s launch into the recycling industry.
Chandler lived in south Minneapolis
back then and had a few different
jobs in education before she was hired
as Recycling Coordinator for the City
and set to work on the Recycling
Commission’s goals.
“It’s really fun to be in the start of
something,” said Chandler. “And the
Edina residents were such good recyclers.
It was the best job I ever had.
“People who were hired in the job, like
me, weren’t quite sure what to do. So
very quickly, there was an organization
put together of all the recycling managers
and we met once a month to compare
notes. It was helpful because somebody
would come up with some little bit of
information or how they had gotten
information out to the residents.”
Although the direction was murky,
Chandler and her colleagues were
ambitious to make a change and do
good things for the environment.
Chandler’s behind-the-scenes work was
expansive during her nine years with the
City, despite her position only being part
time. She launched a curbside recycling
pilot program, helped support a recycling
center staffed by volunteers, helped grow
the Recycling Commission and much
more. She even worked on mapping
out each parcel that needed a recycling
cart. The first weekly collection started in
1989. By 1993, 80% of Edina homes were
participating in recycling and by 1993,
90% of residents were participating.
“In the beginning, the County offered
some monetary help to the cities for
certain things. I think the biggest one
may have been for recycling containers,”
said Chandler. “At the beginning, people
just started out with whatever they had,
maybe a plastic crate.”
Chandler retired in 1995. Despite being
an expert recycler after serving as Edina’s
Recycling Coordinator for nine years, the
now 93-year-old Bloomington resident still
consults recycling guides to make sure she
is disposing of items correctly. And she
keeps learning as recycling has evolved,
most recently with organics recycling.
Chandler is proud of how far recycling
has come, despite the environmental
challenges with plastics in the ocean.
She marveled at how trash collection has
changed in her lifetime, from sending
everything to the dump to now garbage,
recycling, organics and yard carts that
drastically reduce what’s actually thrown
out. Chandler’s many years of recycling
influence in Edina may very well have set
the course for the successful program we
all know today.
For more information on the
City’s recycling program, visit
EdinaMN.gov/Recycling.
Edina’s First Recycling Coordinator Led to Today’s Successful Program
Chandler’s Persistence and Dedication Improved the Environment
3 feet 3 feet
Do not line up carts
behind each other
Dig out a space for your
carts to be placed at
the curb in winter
6
7City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
7500 York Cooperative Launches into Next Organics Recycling Adventure
Champion Residents Find Success with Multifamily Organics Pilot Program
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
Rev. Ernie Caldtvedt received credit for
“getting the apple rolling” on 7500 York
Cooperative’s composting efforts.
About eight years ago, Caldtvedt created
a composting spot on the property. He
collected food scraps in a labeled bin for
many years before he became less able to
do the physical work. That’s when the 7500
York Compost Team was born to support
his idea and figure out ways to improve it.
In the last few years, 7500 York’s Compost
Team evolved into an Organics Committee.
The group developed a partnership with
the City of Edina’s Organics
Recycling Coordinator, Twila
Singh, and started an organics
recycling pilot program for
multifamily housing. Originally, the
committee anticipated 40 condos
to participate in the program and
were surprised to have 65 sign up.
“My No. 1 piece of advice for
residents interested in doing this
on their property is that there has
to be one or a few people willing
to take responsibility in leading
the way,” Singh said. “We need
on-site champions to push for
the program to work.”
The education side of the program has
been the most rewarding. Guidance and
informational meetings have taken place
to give everyone an understanding of
what goes in the trash, what goes in the
recycling bin and what goes in the organics
cart. Singh conducted organics “audits”
to ensure proper materials were being
disposed of in organic collection carts.
Due to the low contamination levels, the
pilot program was deemed a success with
over 10,000 pounds of organic material
collected. The Organics Committee officially
rolled out the program to all of its nearly
340 condos in early October.
“Everyone who signs up for the compost
program is to have a training session so that
they know what is safe to put in there,” said
committee member Marty Urberg, who has
lived in the building since 2020.
The committee is excited to continue its
empowering work in lessening their trash
and improving recycling habits.
For more information on multifamily
organics recycling, visit
EdinaMN.gov/multifamilyorganics.
Multifamily Organics Recycling Tips:
•Identify on-site champion(s) to lead
the organics initiative.
•Use the City’s organics marketing
materials to spread the word and host
informational meetings with Organics
Recycling Coordinator Twila Singh.
Organics recycling goes hand-in-hand
with good recycling habits.
•Use compostable bags to cut back on
flies and bugs attracted to food waste.
•Keep an extra trash bin close to the
organics collection spot so people
can remove any contaminants.
•Be flexible and understand that each
property is different and faces
different challenges in participating
in organics recycling.
Over the summer, the 7500 York Cooperative Organics Committee
took a tour of the SMSC Organic Recycling Facility in Shakopee
where Edina sends compostable materials. (Submitted Photo)
I-494 HWY 100HWY 169HWY 169HWY 100HWY 62 HWY 62
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For residents who live in multifamily housing and do not have access
to curbside organics pickup, these dropsites are available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week all year long. Free rolls of compostable bags
are available at the Edina Senior Center.
Community Garden
7355 York Ave. S.
The organics bin is located at the entrance of the Community Garden.
33 Centennial Lakes Park
7499 France Ave. S.
The organics bin is located on the first level of the northern Centennial
Lakes Park parking ramp, underneath HomeGoods.
22
Edina Senior Center
5280 Grandview Square
The organics bin is located on the east side of the Senior Center building.
11
Organics Drop Site Locations
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov8
City to Require Merchants to Charge for Bags Beginning in 2024
Ordinance Meant to Reduce Pollution, Meet Climate Goals and Inspire Behavior Changes
ordinance, the City will move away from
plastic bags at its other operations,”
Hancock said.
With advice from a working group of the
Energy & Environment Commission, City
staff will launch an awareness campaign
in early 2024.
“The City is committed to preparing
merchants and shoppers for this change
and managing its impact,” Hancock
said. “The City will do this through an
awareness campaign and by providing
branded signage for merchants to use at
the stores. In other communities, avoiding
the fee being a surprise cuts down on
friction at the register and helps shoppers
plan ahead to bring their own bag.”
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved a site plan for the new
Fire Station 2 at 4401 W. 76th St.
with variances for additional signs,
a shorter first-floor building height
and less first-floor transparency. The
Council also approved an ordinance
amendment to allow publicly owned
and operated civic and cultural
institutions in the Planned Industrial
District where the property is located.
•Established a Century Homes program
to promote the preservation of
homes in Edina and celebrate the
history of older homes. Any property
owner whose home is 100 years or
older may apply for the recognition,
beginning in 2024.
To reduce waste in the community, the
City will require merchants to charge for
single-use bags beginning July 1, 2024.
An ordinance approved last month by the
Edina City Council will require merchants
to charge 5 cents for each plastic, paper,
compostable or reusable bag given to
customers. The merchant will retain the
money collected, but must report annually
to the City the total amount received in
fees and the number and type of bags
distributed. Minneapolis and Duluth have
similar ordinances in effect today.
“The purpose is three-fold: reduce the
threat of pollution from disposable bags,
meet Climate Action goals and inspire
behavior change away from disposable
goods,” explained Sustainability Manager
Grace Hancock.
Restaurants and government agencies
are exempt. Merchants are not required
to collect the fee from anyone with a
voucher or electronic benefits card issued
under the Women, Infants and Children
or Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families support programs, the federal
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program or a recognized Minnesota
food assistance program.
Under State law, the City cannot collect
a bag fee at its facilities. “The City
currently offers bags at its liquor stores,
the [Braemar] golf course restaurant and
the golf course pro shop. The City’s liquor
stores already offer paper bags, but to
show its commitment to the spirit of this
•Approved an agreement with
Southdale Center for supplemental
public safety services there. Southdale
Center will pay the City $120,000
per year and provide space for a
police substation for two Retail Crime
Investigators to perform their jobs at
the mall. The new police substation
will be built out at Southdale Center’s
expense in the mall directly across
from the Hennepin County Service
Center, providing a high-visibility
presence in the mall.
•Granted a conditional-use permit
to Puttshack for rooftop dining
at Southdale Center. Puttshack is
an upscale, tech-infused mini golf
experience under construction in the
former Herberger’s building, above a
new supermarket.
•Approved a site plan at 7250-7300
Bush Lake Road for Minnesota Made
Hockey for a new 10,240-square-
foot training facility on the southern
portion of the lot. The proposed
building would include a turf area,
weight training and other hockey-
specific training space. Once
complete, Minnesota Made Hockey
would move from its current space
on Amundson Avenue.
The City Council will next meet 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 and 21. For more information,
visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
***ECRWSS***Residential Customer
PRESORT STD
U.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPermit No. 3932
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