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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil_Connection_3_20_2012Council continues to eye ‘sportsdome’ The Council agreed to continue exploring the possibility of con- structing a “sportsdome.” Last year, a group of Edina resi- dents who wish to develop an indoor sports facility for recrea- tional and competitive athletic activities came forward. A work- ing group of the Park Board was established to determine if there is community need and desire for such a facility. The working group determined that there is significant commu- nity interest in the construction of a sportsdome. Members also determined that due to limited field space in Edina, it is in the community’s best interest to build a sportsdome in a location that results in a net gain of an additional athletic field that can used throughout the year. The desired solution is a new rectan- gular-shaped artificial turf field with an inflatable dome over it during the winter months. The Council agreed to continue studying the matter and recom- mended that the Braemar Park area be examined first, in case an opportunity arises to build a sportsdome alongside a new golf dome. The new golf dome would replace the structure deflated by fire earlier this year. The Council is expected to take formal action to further the study at its next meeting. Council affirms stance on marriage equality Edina has joined with Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and Saint Paul in supporting mar- riage equality. The Council unanimously ap- proved a resolution opposing the proposed Constitutional Amendment to ban the legal recognition of same-sex rela- tions and unions in Minnesota. In 2010, Edina was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a Domestic Partnership Ordi- nance. Today, 15 couples are registered with the City as do- mestic partners. Members of the Human Rights & Relations Commission urged the Council to approve the resolution, say- ing that failure to oppose the constitutional amendment may be seen as a step backward. Council OKs plans for Vitamin Shoppe, financial firm The Council approved a redevel- opment on France Avenue. FE 70 has proposed tearing down the gas station at 6996 France Ave. and rebuilding an 8,260-square-foot office and retail building known as “Phoenix Plaza.” The building would include a 3,000-square- foot retail space for Vitamin Shoppe and a 5,260-square- foot office for Ameritrade. To move forward with the pro- ject, the property must be re- zoned as a Planned Unit Devel- opment and the Council must grant final development plan approval. The Council reviewed the devel- oper’s sketch plan for the pro- ject in July. The design of the building changed since that time. Because Council members preferred the sketch plan over what they saw more recently, they tabled action on the matter March 6, asking the developer to revise the building’s eleva- tions to look more like the first drawings they reviewed. The developer revised the plans A summary of the March 20 Edina City Council meeting March 22, 2012 Volume 14, Issue 7 Council Connection Upcoming meetings:  Art Center Board, 4:30 p.m. March 22  Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 p.m. March 27  Neighborhood Identification Steering Committee, 6:30 p.m. March 28  Planning Commission, 7 p.m. March 28  City Council, 7 p.m. April 3 City Contacts City Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Parks & Recreation Director John Keprios 952-826-0430 Human Resources Director Lisa Schaefer 952-826-0416 Community Development Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 We’d like to hear from you … If you have any comments, call Communications & Technology Services Director Jennifer Bennerotte at 952-833- 9520. The text of this publication will be available online at www.EdinaMN.gov. www.EdinaMN.gov accordingly, garnering the Council’s unanimous approval. Council approves religious observance policy To make sure no one is preclud- ed from participating during decision-making processes, the City Council approved a “Public Meetings and Religious Ob- servance Policy.” The League of Women Voters of Edina approached the City’s Administration Department late last year, encouraging staff to develop a policy restricting pub- lic meetings on days of religious observance. In response, a policy was drafted and feed- back solicited from the Human Rights & Relations Commission. According to the policy, in addi- tion to the holidays on which City offices are closed, City Council, board and commission meetings will not be scheduled on major Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu days of reli- gious observance with signifi- cant work restrictions. Those holidays are Christmas Eve and Good Friday (Christian); evening before and day of Yom Kippur, evening before and two days of Rosh Hashanah, evening before and first two days of Passover (Jewish); Eid al-Fitr and Eid al- Adha (Muslim); and Diwali (Hindu). Council approves two-year union contracts The City Council approved con- tracts with the City’s largest employee unions. The Council approved contracts with public service workers and police officers for 2012 and 2013.