HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Connection 10012013City hires Barr to help
with flood map appeals
The Council authorized an
engineering agreement with
Barr Engineering to appeal
new Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency (FEMA)-
proposed flood hazard desig-
nations in three Edina are-
as: Nine Mile Village, Morning-
side and Rolling Green.
Using hydrologic models and
more accurate elevation infor-
mation than was available in
2004 when the flood plain
maps were last revised, FEMA
has been working to revise
the maps throughout Henne-
pin County. They issued a set
of Preliminary Flood Insurance
Rate Maps and the accompa-
nying Flood Insurance Study
for Hennepin County and
started a 90-day review period
on April 5, 2013.
During the official 90-day ap-
peal period, City staff notified
more than 800 residents of
the proposed changes and
identified three areas where
appeals appear to be justified.
On June 4, the Council ap-
proved a proposal for Barr
Engineering to perform a tech-
nical evaluation of the three
areas to determine if they
warrant appeal. Barr’s evalua-
tion identified issues signifi-
cant enough to warrant ap-
peals in each of the three
areas. City staff worked with
Barr to prepare the appeals
and submitted them to FEMA
on July 3, 2013. The technical
evaluation, preparation of
appeals and subsequent cor-
respondence with FEMA has
concluded the work included
in the prior contract with Barr
Engineering.
The issues identified, particu-
larly in the Rolling Green area,
are complex and require addi-
tional technical support as
City staff pursues the appeals.
Under a new contract for pro-
fessional services, Barr will
continue the technical work
required to pursue the ap-
peals, which may progress
through a number of stages
over a period of time.
Council gives preliminary
approval of subdivision
The Council granted prelimi-
nary approval of a subdivision
in the Rolling Green Neighbor-
hood.
John Adams, on behalf of
property owner Ted Warner, is
proposing to subdivide the
property at 5 Merilane into
three lots. The existing home
is located in the middle of the
property and would remain. A
new driveway would be con-
structed to serve the existing
home. The current driveway
would be located on one of
the two new lots.
Council approves medical
office expansion The Council approved the
expansion of the Southdale
Medical Office.
The City Council approved a
60,000-square-foot expansion
of the Southdale Medical Of-
fice building at 6525 to 6545
France Ave. The four-story
addition would be located on
the south side of the existing
building and west of the exist-
ing parking ramp.
The Council approved a site
plan for the project and vari-
A summary of the Oct. 1 Edina City Council meetings
Oct. 11, 2013
Volume 15, Issue 15 Council Connection
Upcoming meetings:
City Council, 7 p.m. Oct. 14
Human Rights & Relations
Commission, 7 p.m. Oct. 22
Arts & Culture Commission,
4:30 p.m. Oct. 24
Transportation Commission,
6 p.m. Oct. 24
Grandview Community Adviso-
ry Team, 7 p.m. Oct. 29
City Contacts
City Manager
Scott Neal 952-826-0401
Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt 952-826-0415
City Clerk Debra Mangen 952-826-0408
Water Resources Coordinator Laura Adler 952-826-0445
Community Development Director
Cary Teague 952-826-0460 Director of Engineering
Wayne Houle 952-826-0443
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
ances for parking ramp set-
back and parking stalls.
Construction is expected to
begin later this year.
Council hears reports on
hydro-seeding The City’s Director of Engi-
neering reported that his de-
partment is evaluating its use
of hydro-seed in areas where
it is trying to establish turf.
In the past, sod was used to
restore areas disturbed by
construction. The sod was
guaranteed for six weeks.
Last year, residents and staff
noticed that portions of sod
installed during the 2011
construction season were not
healthy. With drought condi-
tions much of the year, most
of the new sod turned brown,
reflecting poorly on the con-
struction project even though
continued maintenance of
the sod is the responsibility of
the homeowner.
This year, the City used hydro-
seed on its projects and ex-
tended the maintenance peri-
od to 90 days.
Director of Engineering
Wayne Houle reported to the
Council that the hydro-
seeding process has been
successful in most project
areas. Even with the dry con-
ditions in August, most of the
turf created by hydro-seeding
met or exceeded staff’s ex-
pectations. Areas that did not
meet staff’s expectations are
being fertilized or re-seeded.