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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Connection 06302013June 25 Council meets with aviation attorney The Council held a special meeting June 25 to meet with the City’s aviation attorney. The City has retained Peter Kirsch of Kaplan, Kirsch and Rockwell to represent Edina in its dealings with the Metropoli- tan Airports Commission (MAC) regarding aviation noise. Kirsch made a presentation to the Council entitled “Understanding Proposed Changes to Flight Tracks.” The presentation covered the top- ics of the Federal Aviation Ad- ministration’s (FAA) Next Gen program, which is meant to modernize the National Aero- space System and be imple- mented by 2025. Kirsch advised the City to get more technical, legal, political and regulatory data and then take the following steps: Determine probable im- pact, Consult with MAC and its Noise Oversight Commit- tee, Develop a comprehensive and confidential strategy, Develop a proposed solu- tion, Present proposal to FAA, Collaborate with FAA and carriers, Participate in environmen- tal review, and Pursue other options as necessary. Kirsch answered Council Mem- bers’ questions and empha- sized the importance of work- ing with MAC confidentially, though with input from the public. June 18 Council receives audit findings The City’s independent auditor gave the Council a “clean” opinion of the City’s financial statements for 2012. Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich, & Co. P.A. (MMKR), a firm of licensed certified public accountants, completed the audit. At the June 18 Council meeting, James Eichten, the Principal in charge of the audit, presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Manage- ment Report for the year end- ed Dec. 31, 2012, with no negative findings. The auditors did not identify any occurrenc- es where the City did not com- ply with State statutes and Federal laws and regulations. The auditors also did not iden- tify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that they consider to be mate- rial weaknesses. June 4 Council OKs hospital expansion The Council approved an ex- pansion of Fairview Southdale Hospital. The hospital is located off of the Crosstown Highway at 6401 France Ave. On June 4, the City Council approved a site plan with variances for a two-level, 88,974-square-foot addition on the north side of the hospital for a new Emer- gency Care and Urgent Care Center. Variances are required for parking and to accommodate a roundabout drop off and pick -up area and a drive aisle in front of the addition adjacent to the Crosstown. Emergency services would be offered on the main floor. Ob- servation units to accommo- date patient stays of less than 24 hours would be built on the second floor of the addition. Offices would be in the base- ment of the addition. The existing Emergency and Urgent Care facility would be remodeled for hospital use. The helipad, which sits where the addition will be located, will be moved. The hospital’s existing central plant will be enlarged to accommodate the new space. Hospital officials hope to start construction this fall. Council gives green light to Byerly’s development The Council approved plans for the redevelopment of Byerly’s. Lund Food holdings approved plans June 4 for Lund Food Holdings to tear down the ex- isting 59,000-square-foot Byerly’s supermarket and build a new, slightly smaller grocery store in the northwest corner of the property at 7171 France Ave. The existing store would A summary of the June 4, 18 & 25 Edina City Council meetings June 30, 2013 Volume 15, Issue 9 Council Connection Upcoming meetings: Heritage Preservation Board, 7 p.m. July 9 Park Board, 7 p.m. July 9 Planning Commission, 7 p.m. July 10 Energy & Environment Com- mission, 7 p.m. July 11 Community Health Committee, 6:30 p.m. July 16 City Council, 7 p.m. July 16 Transportation Commission, July 18 Human Rights & Relations Commission, 7 p.m. July 23 Planning Commission, 7 p.m. July 24 Arts & Culture Commission, 4:30 p.m. July 25 City Contacts City Manager Scott Neal 952-826-0401 Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415 City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408 Finance Director John Wallin 952-826-0410 Community Development Director Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf 952-0407 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. PLEASE RECYCLE. www.EdinaMN.gov remain open during construc- tion. When the new store is finished the existing store would be removed, and two apartment buildings would be built. Each of the apartment build- ings is planned to be six or seven stories with under- ground parking. One of the buildings would have retail on the first floor. In a second phase of develop- ment, another six-story, 60- unit apartment building with 10,500 square feet of retail space on the first level and two levels of underground parking would be constructed. As part of the approval pro- cess, the Council approved a rezoning of the property to Planned Unit Development, a final development plan and final plat with conditions. Tied to the project is recon- struction of Hazelton Road near the store. The west en- trance to Byerly’s will be modi- fied to right-in, right-out. The west entrance to the Rue de France shopping center will also be modified. A rounda- bout will be built for the east access to Byerly's and the Guitar Center. New sidewalk connections will be made from Hazelton to the Edina Prome- nade. Council appoints Grandview CAT The Council appointed a Com- munity Advisory Team (CAT) to help guide the redevelopment of the Grandview district. The Council appointed Nancy Grazzini Olson, commercial property owner; Bill McReavy, business owner or manager; Kevin Staunton and Michael Schroeder, Planning Commis- sion; Jennifer Janovy, Trans- portation Commission; Sue Jacobson, Park Board; Pat Olk and Jimmy Bennett, residents; and Sandy Fox, Bright Dorn- blaser and Mike Fischer, at- large residents. The Grandview CAT will work closely with Economic Devel- opment Manager Bill Neunen- dorf to advance the frame- work and vision for the area developed a few years ago.