HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_Nov_ 20144801 W. 50th St.
Edina, MN 55424
952-927-8861
mail@EdinaMN.gov
www.EdinaMN.gov
The City of Edina
Speak Up, Edina!
NOVEMBER 2014
Volume 1, Issue 11
Legend:
Infrastructure
Commercial and Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Workforce
Communication and Engagement
Community Vision
Aviation Noise
Edi tion:
Staunton, Stewart Elected to
City Council
The City’s next monthly discussion is now
available at www.SpeakUpEdina.org. The
discussion, which focuses on the use of plastic
bags in Edina, is available until Jan. 2, 2015.
Plastic bags have become a staple in modern
retail, being used in many commercial
businesses. It is estimated that more than
1 trillion plastic bags are used every year
around the world, most of which are thrown
away. Los Angeles; Seattle; Austin, Texas; and
other cities have banned plastic bags. In the
discussion, the City asks whether or not plastic
bags should be banned in Edina; whether or
not a fee or tax on single-use bags should be
imposed as an alternative to banning them;
and how the City can better educate shoppers
and encourage the use of reusable bags.
This month, the City has been gathering
feedback on residential fire sprinklers.
Questions posed range from whether
residential fire sprinklers should be required
in all homes, regardless of size; if the potential
benefit outweighs upfront costs; and if
sprinkler systems could decrease the number
of major fires. The discussion is open until
Monday, Dec. 1. Feedback from the discussion
will be presented to the City Council Dec. 16.
To make your voice heard, visit
www.SpeakUpEdina.org
Kevin Staunton and
Bob Stewart will
take the oath of
office as members
of the Edina City
Council Tuesday,
Jan. 6.
Seven people ran
for the two open
seats, including
incumbent Josh
Sprague. Council
Member Joni
Bennett did not
seek re-election.
Staunton,
a longtime
member of the
City’s Planning Commission, bested
challengers with nearly 25 percent of
the votes.
“We have a great City. We have a great
community and my objective is to …
keep going in the right direction,”
Staunton said. “We have a bunch of
issues that I’ve been dealing with for
the past nine years [on the Planning
Commission] and I am anxious to keep
working on those and other issues as I
move forward onto the City Council.”
Stewart narrowly edged out Jennifer
Janovy for the second open seat with
7,100 votes to her 6,977.
Stewart said he’s looking forward to
serving Edina. The Council candidates
ran good campaigns and it was a close
race, he said, adding that he’s relieved
and delighted to have won. “We had
seven candidates for two seats, so it
was a challenging campaign,” he said.
“Thank you to the other candidates.
It’s a great community with a lot of
talented people who stepped forward
to offer their services.”
Staunton and Stewart will serve
four-year terms.
Police ‘Focus In’
on the ‘Move
Over’ Law
As the 2014
“Focus In”
campaign comes
to an end, Edina
patrol officers
are focusing
efforts on the
“Move Over” law
in December.
Each year,
hundreds of
accidents and
injuries occur
while police officers conduct roadside traffic
stops. Following the tragic death of State
Trooper Ted Foss, the Minnesota Legislature
enacted the “Move Over” law, requiring drivers
to move to the furthest lane away from an
emergency vehicle as possible. If a driver is
unable to move over, the law requires him or
her to reduce the vehicle’s speed while passing
the officer.
Education will include a warning to those who
violate the statutes or codes. In extenuating
circumstances, a citation may be issued.
“Focus In” is a campaign aimed to educate
the public and gain compliance with various
state statutes and ordinances. The violations
the Police Department focus on have seasonal
relevance, affect the quality of life in Edina or
pose safety risks to residents. All statutes are
enforced year-round, but additional attention is
paid to the focus of the month.
This year, Police focused on obstructed vision,
failure to signal, unsafe equipment and failure
to display headlights, bike safety, curfew laws,
pedestrian safety, child safety and seat belts,
school bus stop arms and school speed zones.
From January through November, officers
made 733 stops for “Focus In” violations.
For more information, contact the Edina Police
Department at 952-826-1610.
Braemar Field and Backyard to Open Dec. 5
Edina Liquor – 50th & France to Celebrate Remodeling
The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of
Braemar Field and Braemar Arena’s Backyard rink, 7501
Ikola Way, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.
“We are so excited to see this project come to
completion,” said Braemar Arena Assistant Manager
Amanda Holle. “It’s been a long time in the making,
and we know our residents and visitors will greatly
enjoy both amenities.”
Participants can gather for speeches and the ribbon
cutting at 6:45 p.m., followed by events at Braemar
Field, the artificial turf field that is domed in the winter
months. Refreshments will be served alongside tours,
sport demonstrations, drawings for giveaways, open
field time, yard games, walking track activities, music
and more.
At 7:50 p.m., people can enjoy a performance by the
Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club at the
Backyard rink, an outdoor refrigerated rink at Braemar
Arena. Open skating will start shortly after.
A $12.2 million project, Braemar Field and the Backyard
rink have been in the works for years. At an August
2011 meeting, City Council directed staff, under the
guidance of the Park Board, to prepare a feasibility
study for an indoor athletic facility. After researching
the possibility of a sports dome, Parks & Recreation
Consultants presented their findings in February 2012.
For most of the spring and summer that year, local
architecture firm The Cunningham Group surveyed
possible sites to build facilities. By November, the
Board recommended the Braemar athletic field site to
the City Council and planted the idea of expanding
playing fields at multiple parks in Edina. In August 2013,
the Board recommended a new outdoor ice sheet at
Braemar Arena. Construction began the spring of 2014
and wrapped up shortly before the grand opening.
Braemar Field measures 400 feet long, 250 feet wide
and 75 feet high and will be a covered field from
November to April. The indoor turf field is surrounded
by a turf track that will be open to the public when
baseball and lacrosse practices aren’t taking place.
The Backyard rink is a covered regulation-size rink with
a refrigerated sheet of ice.
Parks & Recreation Director Ann Kattreh hopes the
extra sheet of ice and field will help alleviate some of the
traveling Edina athletes and their families have to do.
“I’m thrilled for the residents who have worked on
this initiative for so many years,” said Kattreh. “I’m
also very happy for the Edina families who will spend
less time traveling around the metro area for training
opportunities. These facilities are a tremendous
addition to our park system.”
For more information on Braemar Field and the
Backyard, visit www.EdinaParks.com or call Braemar
Arena at 952-833-9500.
After major remodeling in October, Edina Liquor – 50th
& France will host a grand reopening event Dec. 4-6 to
celebrate.
“The update went well; the old store was outdated,”
said Director of Liquor Operations Steve Grausam.
“We’re hoping to see our customers come back
from shopping at our other stores and visit 50th &
France again.”
Included in the estimated $311,000 remodel were
10-foot ceilings throughout the store, high-efficiency
LED lighting, a redesigned front checkout area, new
wood plank vinyl flooring, brick accents, a new color
scheme, newly tiled entryway, updated shelving and
display case at the front of the store and way-finding
signage. The office has also been relocated to the front
of the store.
The grand reopening celebration will feature discounts
and giveaways, including special pricing on high-end
scotch, sales of the Surly Darkness Brew (otherwise sold
out market-wide) and Surly Eight Ale, limited-edition
wine sales, tastings and a three-for-$20 mix-and-match
wine special. Customers will have an opportunity to
sample new offerings from Dewars and wax-dip a bottle
if purchased – a great holiday gift idea – from 2 to 5
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. All deals and specials are only
available at the Edina Liquor – 50th & France location.
“We’re eager to have people see the new facelift;
it’s beautiful in there,” said Edina Liquor Marketing
Assistant Kate Wisser. “This grand opening event
is really an opportunity to come in and take a look
around, take advantage of some special deals and see
the new space.”
The 50th & France location will see even more updates
next year as the exterior of the building is refaced.
Edina Liquor offers more than 1,000 varieties of wine,
250 brands of beer and 400 brands of liquor and has
three locations throughout the City.
All locations of Edina Liquor will be closed Nov. 27 for
Thanksgiving. Stores will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Christmas Eve. Stores will be closed Christmas Day
and New Year’s Day.
For more information, visit www.EdinaLiquor.com.
Election Results
Candidate Votes
Kevin Staunton 8,593
Bob Stewart 7,100
Jennifer Janovy 6,977
Josh Sprague 6,034
Keeya Steel 2,754
Blake Johnson 2,108
Thomas Bliss 875
Write-In 180
Kevin Staunton
Bob Stewart
We have a great
City. We have a
great community
and my objective is
to … keep going in
the right direction.”
– Kevin Staunton
NOVEMBER 2014
December
Broadcast Schedule
Edina City Council (shown until the next
scheduled meeting – generally two weeks)
• Saturdays – 7 p.m.
• Sundays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
• Tuesdays – 7 p.m. (live broadcast on first
and third Tuesdays of every month)
• Wednesdays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
Planning Commission (shown until the next
scheduled meeting – generally two weeks)
• Wednesdays – 7 p.m. (live broadcast
on second and fourth Wednesdays of
every month)
• Thursdays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
• Fridays – 7 p.m.
• Saturdays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
Park Board (airs through Dec. 8)
• Mondays – 7 p.m.
• Tuesdays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
• Thursdays – 10 p.m.
• Fridays – 6 a.m., 2 p.m.
Community Health Commission
(airs Dec. 1-29)
• Mondays – 10 p.m.
• Tuesdays – 6 a.m., 2 p.m.
• Thursdays – 7 p.m.
• Fridays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
Human Rights & Relations Commission
(airs Dec. 11-Jan. 8)
• Sundays – 7 p.m.
• Mondays – 3 a.m., 11 a.m.
• Wednesdays – 10 p.m.
• Thursdays – 6 a.m., 2 p.m.
Agenda: Edina (new episode on the 1st
and 15th of each month)
• Daily at 2:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m.
Beyond the Badge (new episode on the
1st of each month)
• Daily at 2 a.m., 10 a.m., 6 p.m.
Enterprise Edina (new episode on the
15th of each month)
• Daily at 2:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 6:15 p.m.
Rotary Club of Edina Meetings
(new episode weekly)
• Daily at 1 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m.
Programs can be watched on cable channels 16
(standard definition) or 813 (high definition).
All content is also streamed online at
www.EdinaMN.gov and www.youtube.com/
EdinaChannel16.
Edina Resident Selected as Public Art People’s
Choice Award Winner
In its 10th year, Public Art Edina named an Edina
resident winner of the People’s Choice Awards in
Edina’s annual public art poll.
Each year, new public art sculptures are voted on
by community members to identify the top three
favorites. The winner of this year’s People’s Choice
Awards was “Leaping Hare” by Edina resident Nick
Legeros, located at Grandview Square Park. “3
Dancing Sand Hill Cranes” by Jim Dehne, located at
50th & France, received second place and “Argonaut”
by James Bearden, located at Grandview Square Park,
received third place.
“I was both surprised and delighted that this was
selected as People’s Choice,” said Legeros of his
sculpture. “It’s an approachable piece; it’s a playful
element that’s very appealing.”
“Leaping Hare” was originally commissioned by a
Wayzata couple who wanted a piece to remind them
of Texas and their alma mater, the University of Texas –
Austin. Legeros explained that they wanted something
that would reflect the hare indigenous to Texas. Once
it was completed, he decided to do a second casting
of it and submit it to Edina for the rotating sculpture
exhibits. Legeros has submitted sculptures for the
rotating sculpture exhibits several times in the past.
His sculpture “Reflecting on Friendship” received
second place in the People’s Choice Awards in 2010
and was then purchased as a gift to the City of Edina.
It can be found at Centennial Lakes Park outside
Hughes Pavilion.
Other public art entries in the 2014 exhibition included
“Density Housing for the Modern Urban Fairy” by
Allison Ruby, “Mantle” by Steve Elliott, “Dynamic
Duo” by James Bearden, “Faith, Hope, Love” by
James Gabbert, “Roman Astrolabe” by Peter Vanni,
and “Medicine Wheel,” by Kevin Komadina and Joel
Carter, all located at The Promenade. “Honk!” by Chris
Gustafson and “How to Build a Birdhouse” by Michael
E. Kmiotek are located at 50th & France.
All 11 sculptures in the rotating exhibit will be on
display through May 2015. Winners of the People’s
Choice Awards received $1,000, $750 and $500,
respectively, and agreed to show their sculptures
until May 2016 for which they will receive another
$500 stipend.
“While ‘Leaping Hare’ was resoundingly selected as
the people’s favorite, the vast majority of sculptures
were separated by only 11 votes,” explained Public
Art Edina Chair Barbara La Valleur. “We were very
pleased with the quality and diversity of the pieces
that we received … and with the resulting ones that
were chosen. It’s always great to have things that look
different and use different mediums … and I think that
resonates with the public.”
Legeros and LaValluer encourage Edina residents
to contribute financially to the public art programs
in Edina.
“I’d like people who are residents of Edina to know
that they can contribute to the public art program in
Edina through their water bill. I do it. I’m a resident
of Edina and I think it’s a modest way to contribute
that shows your civic pride,” Legeros said. “We have
a great interest in the arts [here in Edina] and I think
… the program could continue to grow and expand.”
La Valleur agrees and noted that public art in Edina is
growing in reputation, and could continue to grow with
added support.
Public Art Edina encourages community members to
visit each display. Several other permanent public art
displays can be found throughout the City, including
a new art wrapped utility box at 66th Street and Valley
View Road that was designed by Public Art Edina
member Mark Lidke.
For more information about public art in Edina,
contact Art Center General Manager Michael Frey at
952-903-5729 or mfrey@EdinaMN.gov.
Crime Prevention Fund, City Set Up K-9
Retirement Fund
After Edina Police Department K-9s have served
their time and entered retirement, their handlers
may receive monetary help to cover the costs of
caring for them.
Marlene Joan Grassl recently made a generous
donation of $20,000 to the Edina Crime Prevention
Fund in order to start a program that will compensate
K-9 handlers providing care to dogs that have retired
from active service with the Edina Police Department.
Handlers can receive up to $2,000 annually for
expenses like food, veterinary services, grooming and
temporary kenneling services.
“Dogs have always been my love and not enough is
done for the retired K-9s or the people who have to
take care of all of the canine’s expenses,” Grassl said.
“I hope this will be the beginning of others who want
to donate to the cause and help the K-9s and their
caretakers.”
Edina Crime Prevention Fund Treasurer Denny
Maetzold thinks this program will be beneficial to
handlers who until this point were expected to take full
responsibility for caring for the dogs. “There are a lot
of expenses that go into caring properly for the K-9s
and that can really add up,” he said.
Edina Police Department Sgt. Kevin Rofidal, who cared
for K-9 Kodiak for four years after the dog’s retirement,
said, “There is no better way to for members of the
community to show appreciation than to donate to the
K-9 program. Over the years, I have been pleasantly
surprised by the overwhelming and unwavering
support the Edina community has afforded the K-9
program – it speaks volumes.”
The Edina Police Department currently has two K-9’s
on duty, Diesel and Blade. Although Blade has many
years ahead of him before retirement, Diesel will retire
at the end of this year.
Edina Police Department K-9 Officer Mike Seeger is
grateful for the support of the K-9 Retirement Fund as
he is preparing for Diesel’s retirement. “It seems like
all of the medical expenses and other major expenses
come up after retirement, so this program is really
going to help when Diesel goes into retirement,”
he said.
Anyone can donate to the new K-9 Retirement Fund. If
you would like to donate, please send a check payable
to the Edina Crime Prevention Fund to Edina City Hall,
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Please write “K-9
Retirement Fund” in the check’s memo line.
For more information on the K-9 Retirement Fund, call
the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.
Community Health Commission meeting,
Edina City Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
Wooddale/Valley View Progress Update, Edina
Senior Center
Thursday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.
Edina Liquor – 50th & France Grand
Reopening Begins
Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
Grandview Exploration Session, Edina
Community Center
Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Braemar Field and Backyard rink opening,
Braemar Field
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.
Town Hall Meeting, Edina Senior Center
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Park Board meeting, Edina City Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Heritage Preservation Board meeting,
Edina City Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.
Planning Commission meeting,
Edina City Hall
Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.
Energy & Environment Commission meeting,
Edina City Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m.
Transportation Commission meeting,
Edina City Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 7 p.m.
Human Rights & Relations Commission
meeting, Edina City Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 24, noon
City Hall closed for Christmas Eve
Thursday, Dec. 25 & Friday, Dec. 26
City Hall closed
Wednesday, Dec. 31, noon
City Hall closed for New Year’s Eve
Nick Legeros was named winner of the 2014 People’s Choice
Awards for his bronze sculpture “Leaping Hare.”
City Seeks Community Input for Vacant
Grandview Site
What could go on the vacant former Public Works site
at 5146 Eden Ave.? The City of Edina is looking for
ideas.
This fall, the City entered into a partnership with
Frauenshuh Commercial Real Estate Group to help
define what public and private uses could feasibly work
together on the site. To accomplish this, extensive
community feedback is needed.
“Neighbors have been talking about this site for more
than five years – dreaming and setting a vision for
the future,” said Economic Development Manager
Bill Neuendorf. “But this is where it gets real. This is
where the public can help shape the next great Edina
amenity.”
When the City’s Public Works Department vacated
the 3.3-acre site in 2010, it sparked a two-year
study of the entire Grandview area, during which a
50-member volunteer steering committee produced a
development framework with seven guiding principles.
“Through the framework, we thought a lot about
what the district could look like,” Neuendorf said.
“Beginning in December, the City is taking a close
look specifically at the former Public Works site, which
was envisioned to be reused with a combination of
public and private uses. Now is the time to define what
that looks like and potentially develop it.”
All are welcome to attend an “Exploration Session”
7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Edina Community
Center, 5701 Normandale Road, Room 303. At this
meeting, the conversation around the site’s future will
be renewed. Ideas and suggestions are encouraged.
Those unable to attend the meeting can organize
smaller group meetings by contacting Executive
Assistant Heather Branigin at 952-826-0403. Ideas are
also taken online at www.SpeakUpEdina.org.
“We want to hear the needs of residents, the business
community, the schools, worship groups, visitors – if
you have a stake in Edina, we want to hear your ideas,”
Neuendorf said.
In March, a discovery session will be held for public
evaluation of the initial reuse concepts compiled from
community meetings and “Speak Up, Edina!” The
community will have a chance to build on and further
refine the best use for the site.
Then, the ideas and concepts will be narrowed and
several possible scenarios will be developed. An open
house to review and comment on these scenarios will
be held in April.
For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Grandview.
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