Spring 2017 About Town

New Race & Equity Task Force AboutTown Page 40 Official Magazine of the City of Edina

SPRING•2017 AboutTown Table Of Contents Calendar Of Events...... 1 Volume 28, Number 2 Circulation 25,000 Spring 2017 Spring Calendar Highlights...... 4 Official Publication of the EdinaMN.gov A Word From The Mayor...... 5 City of Edina, Minnesota Willard Ikola Built Hornets Dynasty, Shaped Edina’s 4801 West 50th Street Hockey Ethos (Part 2) ...... 6 Edina, Minnesota 55424 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law...... 14 952-826-0359 Edina Liquor To Launch Delivery To Edina Addresses....16 Editor: Jennifer Bennerotte Public Service Runs In The Family For New Liquor Designer: Katie Laux General Manager ...... 18 Contributing Writers: Kaylin Eidsness, David Katz, Lauren City Seeks 2017 Heritage Award Nominations...... 20 Siebenaler, Debbie Townsend and Dawn Wills. Trail Construction Closes Part of Bredesen Park...... 22 Photographer: Michael Braun Siems Promoted To Assistant Fire Chief of Operations...26 Publisher: City of Edina Entries Being Accepted For 14th-Annual About Town is produced by the City of Edina. Photo Contest...... 30 To advertise in About Town, call Barb Pederson, Dressen To Retire From Edina Public Schools...... 32 612-998-7412. Bronze K-9 To Set Up Post Outside Of Copyright 2017 by City of Edina, Police Department ...... 34 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Edina Seeks Help Cutting Energy Consumption...... 36 About Town is published quarterly by the City of Edina. City Begins New Race & Equity Task Force and The purpose of the magazine is to keep Edina residents Working Groups...... 40 informed of news, activities and programs that are Planning Matters...... 44 important to them. We include articles of interest about our Edina Library To Close For Renovations...... 45 residents and community history as well. Business Notes...... 48 About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City conservation guidelines. Six Commercial Areas Will Be Focus of Edina Comp Plan...... 52 Cover photo by Kate Schmitt. The Last Word...... 54 a blue print for success. We’ve got one. It’s called the 360˚ Remodeling Plan. 

Our 360˚ Remodeling Plan is more than a ballpark estimate and a quick sketch. It delivers Tear Here comprehensive planning and customer-centric design, setting the stage for a highly successful remodeling experience. Call us to explore how our 360˚ Plan can make it easier to bring your remodeling dreams to life.  612.861.0188 | sylvestremn.com remodeling & design Transforming homes and lives for over 40 years.

Imagine your life transformed. Remodel your home.

Imagine your life transformed. Contact us about remodeling your home.

CA US TO SET UP YOUR FIRST HOUSE VISIT. About Town Calendar April 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 p.m., Continental 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., City Council, 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Teddy Bear 6:30 p.m., Family 10 a.m.-noon, Town Ballet Company, Health Commission, Edina City Hall. Commission, Edina Band, Edinborough Movie Night, “The Hall Meeting, Edinborough Park. Edina City Hall. City Hall. Park. Angry Birds Movie,” Braemar Golf Course. 7 p.m., Park Board, Edinborough Park. Edina City Hall. 10-11:30 a.m., Barnyard Babies, 7 p.m., Brio Brass, Edinborough Park. Edinborough Park.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 p.m., LaDolce Vita Noon, Wonderful 9 a.m., Bunny Jazz, Edinborough World of Woody, Breakfast, Braemar Park. Edinborough Park. Golf Course.

7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina City Hall.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 p.m., Heritage 7 p.m., City Council, Noon, Wendy’s Preservation Board, Edina City Hall. Wiggle, Jiggle and Edina City Hall. Jam, Edinborough 7 p.m., Roseville Big Park. Band, Edinborough Park. 6 p.m., Transportation Commission, Edina City Hall.

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7 p.m., Emergence 7 p.m., Human 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Rusty’s 10 a.m., Arbor Day 7 p.m., “Annie,”  Brass Band, Rights & Relations Commission, Edina Rockin’ Jamboree, celebration, Sherwood Richfield High Tear Here Edinborough Park. Commission, Edina City Hall. Edinborough Park. Park. School. City Hall. 30 4:30 p.m., Arts & 7 p.m., “Annie,” Culture Commission, Richfield High School. 3 p.m., “Annie,” Richfield High School. Edina City Hall. 

2017 SPRING • 1 About Town Calendar May 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 p.m., City Council, Noon, Music from 6:30 p.m., Family 10 a.m.-noon, Vehicle Edina City Hall. Mary Ellen Skeesick, Movie Night, “Storks,” Day, Southdale Center Edinborough Park. Edinborough Park. parking lot.

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 p.m., Days of 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., Heritage 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Westwood 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Edina 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Edina Rememberance, Edina Health Commission, Preservation Board, Commission, Edina Hills Nature Center Garden Council plant Garden Council plant City Hall. Edina City Hall. Edina City Hall. City Hall. Puppets & Storytime, sale, Arneson Acres sale, Arneson Acres Edinborough Park. Park. Park. 7 p.m., Southside Big 7 p.m., Park Board, Band, Edinborough Edina City Hall. 4:30-7:30 p.m., Taste Park. of Edina, Westin Galleria Edina.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7:25 a.m., Susan G. 7 p.m., City Council, Noon, Kid Power Komen Race for the Edina City Hall. with Rachael, Cure Twin Cities, Edinborough Park. Southdale Center. 6 p.m., Transportation 7 p.m., Northern Commission, Edina Winds Concert Band, City Hall. Edinborough Park.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10 a.m.-noon, 7 p.m., Human 6 p.m., Metro Blooms 4:30 p.m., Arts & Bike Safety Day, Rights & Relations workshop, Public Culture Commission, Edinborough Park. Commission, Edina Works & Park Edina City Hall. City Hall. Maintenance Facility. 7 p.m., The 1st John Philip Sousa 7 p.m., Jazz on 7 p.m., Planning Memorial Band, the Prairie Band, Commission, Edina Edinborough Park. Edinborough Park. City Hall.

28 29 30 31 7 p.m., Execs Big Memorial Day. City Band, Edinborough Hall closed. Park.

2 • SPRING 2017 About Town Calendar June 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Noon, Storytime with 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Edina 10 a.m., Edina Carol McCormick, Art Fair, 50th & Aquatic Center opens Centennial Lakes Park. France. for the season. 3-7 p.m., Farmers Sunset, Movie in the Market, Centennial 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Edina Park, “Suffragette,” Lakes Park. Art Fair, 50th & Centennial France. Lakes Park.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Edina 7 p.m., Minnesota Noon, Teddy Bear 7 p.m., Planning 7 p.m., Energy Art Fair, 50th & Symphonic Winds, Band, Centennial Commission, Edina & Environment France. Centennial Lakes Lakes Park. City Hall. Commission, Edina Park. City Hall. 7 p.m., South of 7 p.m., City Council, 7 p.m., The Good the River Big Band, Edina City Hall. News Big Band, Centennial Lakes Park. Centennial Lakes Park.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Parade 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., Park Board, 7 p.m., Kreisjugend Noon, Will Hale and 9:30 p.m., Nite Glow of Boats, Centennial Health Commission, Edina City Hall. Orchester, Centennial the Tadpole Parade, Golf, Braemar Golf Lakes Park. Edina City Hall. Lakes Park. Centennial Lakes Park. Course. 7 p.m., Heritage 7 p.m., The 1st Preservation Board, 6 p.m., Transportation 7 p.m., Bend in the John Philip Sousa Edina City Hall. Commission, Edina River Big Band, Memorial Band, City Hall. Centennial Lakes Centennial Lakes Park. Park. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7 p.m., Honeywell 7 p.m., Jazz on the Noon, Alphabits 7 p.m., Planning 4:30 p.m., Arts & Concert Band, Prairie, Centennial Band, Centennial Commission, Edina Culture Commission, Centennial Lakes Park. Lakes Park. Lakes Park. City Hall. Edina City Hall.

7 p.m., City Council, 7 p.m., St. Louis Park Edina City Hall. Community Band, Centennial Lakes Park.

25 26 27 28 29 30 7 p.m., Hopkins 7 p.m., Southside Noon, The Bazillions, 7 p.m., Homeward Sunset, Movie in Westwind Concert Big Band, Centennial Centennial Lakes Park. Bound, Centennial the Park, “Sing,” Band, Centennial Lakes Park. Lakes Park. Centennial Lakes Lakes Park. 7 p.m., Human Park. Rights & Relations Commission, Edina City Hall.

3 • SPRING 2017 Spring Calendar Highlights

Other Dates To Remember Days of Remembrance Human Rights Forum April 8 9 a.m.-noon, Richfield Community Wellness Expo, What: The Human Rights & Relations Commission will Richfield High School. hold its seventh-annual Human Rights event, Days of Remembrance. Days of Remembrance is intended to April 20 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission film raise awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides series, “Before the Flood,” Edina Senior Center. around the globe and to provide an opportunity April 27 7 p.m., “Annie,” Richfield High School. to remember and honor the victims, and to share experiences of survivors. The event serves to educate April 30 7 p.m., The 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band, the community on how genocide impacts the lives of Edinborough Park. survivors and affects society. It’s also a time to reflect May 9 7 p.m., Westwind Big Band, Edinborough Park. on what can be done to make a difference on these issues. The Days of Remembrance Human Rights May 11 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission, Edina Forum is free and open to the public; no advance City Hall. registration is required. May 18 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission film When: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7 series, “Facing the Surge,” Edina Senior Center. Where: Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. June 6 7 p.m., Vintage Piano with Jim Shannon, Centennial Info: EdinaMN.gov/days_remembrance Lakes Park. June 8 Noon, Wonderful World of Woody, Centennial Lakes Park. Edina Garden Council Plant Sale June 8 Sunset, Movie in the Park, “The BFG,” Centennial What: This popular plant sale sponsored by the Edina Lakes Park. Garden Council (EGC) offers flowering annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, combination hanging June 13 Noon, Bob the Beachcomber, Centennial Lakes Park. baskets and containers. Plants are not treated with June 13 7 p.m., Sidewalk Café Duo, Centennial Lakes Park. bee toxic or neonicotinoid chemicals. Great deals are the many winter-hardened perennials that EGC June 15 7 p.m., Energy & Environment Commission film members bring from their gardens. The EGC is a series, “Merchants of Doubt,” Edina Senior Center nonprofit organization and proceeds from the plant sale are donated to the City for Arneson Acres June 15 Sunset, Movie in the Park, “Ghostbusters” (2016), Park improvements, horticultural scholarships and Centennial Lakes Park. gardening beautification projects in Edina. June 20 7 p.m., Vintage Piano with Jim Shannon, Centennial When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 12; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lakes Park. Saturday, May 13 June 22 Sunset, Movie in the Park, “Fantastic Beasts and Where: Arneson Acres Park Greenhouse, 4711 W. 70th St. Where to Find Them,” Centennial Lakes Park. Info: edinagardencouncil.org  June 27 7 p.m., Sidewalk Café Duo, Centennial Lakes Park. Tear Here 

4 • SPRING 2017 A Word From The Mayor

Edina is proud to be part of a clean energy initiative: a advancement of solar energy and recognizes that as it Community Solar Garden that will provide access to clean, catches on, others will benefit at reduced costs. solar power without residents having to install solar panels on their homes. Since the Edina City Hall solar garden came online, for example, the cost of commercial-scale solar installations in The City of Edina selected Cooperative Energy Futures Minnesota has dropped by roughly 60 percent because of (CEF), a local, member-owned energy cooperative, to early adopters and pilot projects similar to ours. develop, own and operate a 618 kW solar array on the roof of the city’s Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility at Additionally, the SunShot Initiative was a major funder of 7450 Metro Blvd. It is fully subscribed and will generate a number of efforts, helping communities and the industry enough power for about 66 homes when it comes online drive down costs. A recent article on solar energy shares this summer. how SunShot’s once seemingly impossible goal of $1/ watt installed for utility-scale solar has been achieved three Edina residents who subscribed had the opportunity to years ahead of schedule. The leveled cost of solar energy is buy up to 120 percent of their electricity use from the Edina now as cheap or cheaper than most retail electric rates. solar array. Most homes use around 800 kWh of electricity per month, which totals 9,600 kWh/year or 8 kW. Xcel will Xcel Energy, in its most recent long-term resource plan, deliver energy from the Cooperative Energy Futures array assumes that solar will be approximately 8 percent of its to the electricity grid and credit subscribers’ bills for the supply within 12 years. energy it produces. I am proud of the work Edina has done to provide access The solar garden on the Public Works & Park Maintenance to renewable energy and will continue to look for ways for Facility is not the first on a City rooftop. For several years, our community to champion sustainability efforts. there has been a solar garden on the roof of City Hall. The project cost about $200,000, which was covered with grants from Xcel Energy, Made in Minnesota and the federal government. The City investment has been staff time to get the array up and going and maintaining it. However, the City averages a savings of about $1,300 annually in charges for power. James B. Hovland Mayor Some people challenge these green efforts, being critical of the cost. These decisions are a balance of financial analysis, supporting innovation and environmental stewardship. The City of Edina is proud to be a leader in the use and  Tear Here 

2017 SPRING • 5 Willard Ikola Built Hornets Dynasty, Shaped Edina’s Hockey Ethos

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part series. Part Although inexperienced and at times unsure of himself, one appeared in the Winter 2017 issue of About Town. Ikola entered the 1958-59 hockey season with certain core convictions and team expectations – principles that By David Katz, Contributing Writer would propel the Hornets to their later success. For one, beginning his first day on the job, Ikola stressed In October 1958, while on active duty in California, punctuality. As noted in his autobiography: “I believed Willard Ikola received an unexpected call from Leo in always being five minutes early for anything I was Fick, Director of Secondary Education for Edina schools. involved in. Being late was not acceptable. Kids learned Edina’s hockey coach, former Gopher star Kenny Yackel, that to be on time was an expectation, and it was never a had just signed with the Boston Bruins. problem for me.”

“Now, Edina was really in a spot because where are you Above all else, however, Ikola valued good going to find a coach this late in the year, just a month sportsmanship. In interviews, he calls out with pride that before practice begins?” Ikola recalled in his memoir, Ike: he never once spent time teaching his players how to Minnesota Hockey Icon. body-check. He frowned upon instigating arguments with referees or picking unnecessary fights with opponents. Without getting the aspiring coach’s hopes up, none Even fierce rivals grudgingly credited Edina’s hockey other than John Mariucci lobbied hard to secure Ikola ambassadors – consistently the least penalized team in the the position. Mariucci later joked that he visited Edina so league – for their clean game play. often on his friend’s behalf that he began to suspect the school was courting him to fill the opening. Attitude and work ethic notwithstanding, Ikola’s first season with the Hornets proved pretty dismal, at least by Only 26 at the time, the Minnesota native jumped at Fick’s the standards of their later triumphs. They finished 4-9-5, offer – though he confesses certain reservations. “I was and just fifth in the Lake Conference. Averaging a mere saying to myself, ‘Where in the hell is Edina?’ I had no 1.5 goals a game, and weak on both stick-handling and idea. The city could just have well been east of St. Paul, shooting, the Hornets required more regimented training. for all I knew.” Ikola developed thoughtful, drill-intensive schedules for The school system hired Ikola, on a substitute contract the next year’s practices, and this became the new norm. basis, to take the reins of the hockey program while also Students who played under Ike from 1959 all the way teaching physical education at South View Junior High through 1991 hold memories of drill cards poking out School. He did not know it yet, but Ikola would both start from his baseball cap, notes Minnesota Hockey Hub. and end his 33-year coaching career at Edina High School.

(continued on Page 8)

6 • SPRING 2017 The Man in the Tweed Fedora When the Minneapolis Star profiled Willard Ikola’s career and impending retirement in a 1991 feature, they ran the story under the headline “Hats Off to a Champ.” The reference made perfect sense even to readers with only a passing knowledge of the coach’s accomplishments at Edina High School.

On a whim, Ike purchased his iconic fedora for $5 at a St. Louis Park clothier before the start of his second year with the Hornets. The 1959-60 season saw marked improvements over the last.

“I really wasn’t superstitious about wearing the hat – File Photo but it sure did get me a lot of wins,” he quipped in his 2015 memoirs. Ikola is pictured in the houndstooth fedora that would become his trademark. He purchased the hat in part Ikola completed the ensemble with a shirt, tie and because it was emblazoned with the word “Champ” on the sports coat. For the most part, however, he limited this inside – an omen he found amusing. signature look to game day. For practices, a baseball cap and sweatpants sufficed. Tournament at the Met Center. In a unique tribute to a standout coach, they decided to use his iconic fedora as “It was really amazing to me how the ‘Hat’ took on a part of the trophy – bronzed and placed atop a wooden life of its own,” Ikola said. Edina’s regular appearances pedestal. at state hockey championships played a role, of course. He also cites the increased popularity of the tournament Ikola does not know what happened to this one-of-a- once the league began televising big games. “I was kind trophy after the North Stars moved to Texas in shown wearing the hat on the bench and people got 1993 and the old Met Center was leveled the following used to seeing me in it.” year. After the controlled demolition, he jokingly asked: “Did you see my bronzed hat billow up in the air?” For several years after Ikola’s retirement, the Minnesota North Stars sponsored a special Edina Holiday Hockey

2017 SPRING • 7 In short order, these changes reaped dividends. Edina the new facility off U.S. Highway 169. Stymied only by secured first place in the region during Ike’s second a close-fought 0-0 tie with Bloomington Lincoln, the season, and thereafter, it became atypical for the Hornets Hornets finished that season with a near-perfect 15-0- not to advance past the semifinals in regional play. 1 record – winning the Lake Conference by a healthy margin. Chronicling each of Coach Ikola’s seasons at the helm of Edina’s most storied sports team would take up a full 1968-69 book – and does. Written with assistance from Minnesota Two years later, Edina clinched that conference crown sports historian Jim Hoey, Ikola’s autobiography is with a clean 16-0 winning streak. Avenging several engaging reading for even the most casual hockey fan. previous middling appearances at state, Ikola’s team then For present purposes, a high-level look at some of the trounced Bloomington Kennedy and several other worthy most memorable seasons must suffice. opponents during the first rounds of play in the state tournament. 1966-67 In hindsight, Ikola’s ninth season with the Hornets stands Players remembered those games for their charged out as a turning point. Edinans could not know it at the atmosphere, notes Minnesota Vintage Hockey. For the first time, but 1966-67 marked the beginning of a nine-year time, teams competed not in the Saint Paul Auditorium stretch when its high school varsity hockey team would (home to the tournament for a quarter of a century), but win consecutive conference championships and lose just at the Met Center in Bloomington. Built for a new NHL two games in the process. franchise, the Minnesota North Stars, the 15,000-seat rink underscored for Ikola’s team just how far they had come. After a bruising loss in the regional semifinals the year before, the Hornets received a much-needed morale boost Edina faced off against Warroad in the championship when the home team moved into a home of its own. game. In media portrayals, the match pitted the large, Financed by the City, largely through issuance of revenue metro, southern school against a smaller, more rural, and bonds, Braemar Arena first opened its doors as an early northern opponent. Warroad, led in scoring by a future Christmas present on Dec. 14, 1965. As former Edina Olympian and Hall of Famer named Henry Boucha, held Historical Society Executive Director Marci Matson noted a clear edge in crowd support. in a 2015 feature for About Town, the new arena did much to galvanize local interest in hockey and other ice sports. During the second period, in the game’s most memorable moment, an Edina player took Boucha out of the game Of course, nurturing a hockey dynasty in the making with a fluke board check that punctured an ear drum. also played some part. Ikola and his varsity team eagerly Spectators booed and jeered for the remainder of the moved operations from the Blake Arena in Hopkins to match, but Ikola credits his team for keeping an even keel.

8 • SPRING 2017 from the 1969 championship on display as part of “City of Hockey,” the Edina Historical Society’s recent exhibit on the community’s favorite pastime, proved among the most popular.

1970-71 One of the challenges inherent in coaching high school sports is grappling with the turnover in veteran players each season. Returning talent in Ikola’s 1969-70 roster included many of the students who had propelled the Hornets to their first-ever state championship, and Edina went 15-0-1 in conference play that year. With much of the core 1969 team graduated by 1971, though, Edina was not

File Photo expected to perform particularly well at the state level. Edina brought home the 1968-69 state title, Willard Ikola’s Coach Ikola was equal parts proud and surprised after a first, after a heart-pounding final against Warroad. It may just be “the greatest game in Minnesota high school hockey come-from-behind upset of Minneapolis Southwest and a history.” surprise win against a strong team from St. Paul Johnson put Edina in contention for the state crown once again.

“As always, I gave them very simple instructions: ‘Got “Of the 17 guys on the tournament roster, 13 were in their your blades? Got your mouthpieces? Let’s go.’ Edina first year on the varsity. Yet, it was one of the most poised kids were sort of funny; when there was a big game, you teams I ever had,” Ikola praised in his memoirs. “That didn’t have to say too much. They were ready to play.” team never got rattled and just kept getting better.”

In the end, they took the 1969 state championship – 1973-74 Ikola’s first after 11 seasons with the Hornets – by a In 1972, the Edina school district split its growing student narrow margin of 5-4. body between two high schools, divided by Minnesota A thoughtful 2003 retrospective in the Rochester Post Highway 100 and called, aptly enough, Edina East and Bulletin posits that the Edina-Warroad match may just Edina West. Ikola stayed on with the Hornets at Edina be “the greatest game in Minnesota high school hockey East. Edina West tapped his former assistant, Bart Larson, history.” It’s a contestable claim, but one with merit here to helm the team (soon dubbed the Cougars) at the newer in Edina. The game-winning stick and other artifacts high school. (continued on next page)

2017 SPRING • 9 Ikola and Larson did a masterful job brokering this transition, though they had much working in their favor. Braemar Arena had expanded to two rinks by this time, allowing the two varsity teams to conduct simultaneous practices. Moreover, the ranks of the Edina Hockey Association had swelled to over 1,500. Ikola therefore retained a fine talent pool for the Hornets.

Even so, a division of the best prospects between East and West hampered Ikola over the short term. His team lost its first regular season game in five years, 2-0, to none other than the Cougars.

By the 1973-74 season, though, the Hornets had undeniably hit their stride once again. Going 14-0 in conference play and 24-0 overall, Ikola entered that year’s state tourney as the odds-on favorite.

Edina East beat Bemidji soundly in the final match. However, that year’s truly unforgettable moment came during an earlier game versus West St. Paul’s Henry Sibley. Fortified by an ace goaltender, Sibley shot ahead to 3-0 by the third period. In a picture-perfect finish, the Hornets then scored an astounding five goals in just over six minutes of game play.

“It was, without a doubt, the best comeback of my coaching career – and against a really good club,” noted Ikola in his memoir. “I’d coached more than eight hundred high school hockey games and nothing like that Minnesota Vintage Hockey had ever happened.” Ikola won more than 600 games over his 33-year coaching career. The hard-fought 1969 championship is among the 1981-82 most memorable. Ikola joined forces with former assistant and one-time

10 • SPRING 2017 rival Larson in 1981 to shepherd Edina hockey through Ikola and Larson’s newly recombined team went 16-4 in its next major transition. In that year, East and West the 1981-82 regular season. Ike attributes those four losses reconsolidated as one high school. For the first time in to the difficulty of reestablishing a seamless rapport. eight years, Ikola again had the opportunity to pull talent from across Edina to play under the Hornets banner. Both offensively and defensively, the Hornets hit their stride by the state tourney, held that year at the St. This proved a bittersweet advantage. “With so many Paul Civic Center. In a memorable semifinal, in which players to choose from, it was the only year I can Bloomington Jefferson scored a tying goal with seconds remember when we had no sophomores,” he lamented in left in regulation play, the Hornets advanced with a 3-2 Ike: Minnesota Hockey Icon. Compounding matters, Ike did overtime victory. Ikola’s senior-heavy team then went not know most of the Edina West candidates particularly on to beat the White Bear Mariners in an impressive 6-0 well, as most had not passed through Valley View Middle shutout. School (where he taught at the time). “Of all the games I have coached, the last game against Mariner may have been the most perfect game we ever played, not just in the state tournament, but at any level,” Ikola later recalled. That is high praise indeed, given that the 1982 title was Edina’s sixth – and the third in five years.

1987-88 Ikola credits Edina’s popular Peewee and Bantam youth leagues for nurturing talent and providing the Hornets with a pipeline that most high school hockey coaches can only dream of. Ike’s 30th season with the team is a particularly illustrative case in point.

In 1987, the Hornets boasted 12 seniors – players Ikola had followed from Peewee on up. In all, some 80 students File Photo turned out for tryouts. “Many of the kids we cut could Over a long and distinguished career, Willard Ikola coached certainly play varsity hockey at a lot of schools,” Ikola 105 players who would go on to compete in Division I level collegiate hockey. Pictured here is the 1982 roster, arguably wrote in his memoirs. With so many veteran players on the one of the best to ever play under Ikola. ice, “we thought we could make a run at winning state.” (continued on next page)

2017 SPRING • 11 Although the Hornets finished second to Minnetonka in the Lake Blue conference, pundits judged their prospects good as the tournament approached. Edina took a hit, in both offensive capability and morale, when top scorer Tom Nevers broke his wrist in practice. Relying upon a strong roster with no weak links, Ikola modified his rotations to compensate.

After edging out familiar nemesis Warroad in a double overtime 2-1 victory memorable for stellar defense on both sides, Edina advanced to the final opposite Hill- Murray (Maplewood). After a particularly intense first period, the Hornets pulled ahead 5-3 to win the state crown yet again.

1990-91

Edina finished the 1990-91 season with a respectable if File Photo unspectacular 16-9 record. Even so, this season holds Edina brought home eight state championships (four as a special place in the annals of Hornets history for two Edina East and another four as a consolidated high school) reasons. with Willard Ikola at the helm. The coach is quick to give his athletes the bulk of the credit. Over his career with the Prior to the season’s start, Ikola announced his intention Hornets, he coached nine students who would later go on to retire. A humble man by nature, the longtime coach to careers in the NHL. would have been perfectly willing to step down without great fanfare. After propelling Edina to dynasty status, Looking back on his final months as head coach, Ikola however, the hockey community was not about to let remembers more than the usual amount of media Ikola’s farewell season go unmarked. attention. His impending retirement was not the only On Oct. 6, 1990, at a special ceremony in Ikola’s reason. During the same season, senior goaltender Jenny hometown of Eveleth, Minnesota, the United States Hanley became the first girl to play varsity for the team. Hockey Hall of Fame inducted the Hornets hero as part “It was no fluke that she played for us. She was a solid of its small but prestigious 1990 class. Edina High School goaltender. Jenny had played two years with the junior bestowed an award of its own on Ikola during his last varsity, so I was very familiar with her game,” Ikola home game at Braemar Arena in 1991.

12 • SPRING 2017 recalled in Ike: Minnesota Hockey Icon. “ESPN, NBC, CBS, Information for this story comes from resources maintained Sports Illustrated and even the Christian Science Monitor by the Minnesota Historical Society, Vintage Minnesota were here to do stories on her or me or both of us. It was Hockey and the Edina Historical Society. Sources of a fun year!” particular note include A Complete History of the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament (1945-2000) by Maggie Hometown Hero Kirchoff and Ike: Minnesota Hockey Icon, co-authored by For Willard Ikola, ‘retirement’ proved something of Jim Hoey and the legend himself. a misnomer. After leaving the Hornets in Larson’s capable hands, Ikola conducted clinics for youth hockey associations across Minnesota. He also became an NHL talent scout, first for the North Stars and later for the New York Islanders.

A world-class goaltender in his playing prime (see the Winter 2017 edition of About Town) and an adept scout in retirement, Ikola is still best-known as a coach. His name is inexorably tied to Edina’s strong hockey tradition. Over the course of his 33-year career, Ikola coached the Hornets to eight state titles: four as a consolidated Edina High School, plus four as Edina East.

On top of the high accolades mentioned above, Willard Ikola is enshrined in the hall of fames maintained by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association, National High School Sports Federation and the Minnesota State High School League. In addition, WCCO singled out Ikola as SEMANSEDG Minnesota High School Hockey Coach of the Year on six EN E.C EF OM separate occasions. D HOCKEY SCHOOL with Some would call that a conservative estimate. DAVE LANGEVIN 612-940-7550

2017 SPRING • 13 It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law

Driveway Sealers Storage Of Refuse And Recycling Containers The Law: Edina City Code Section 10-649, Use Of Coal Tar-Based Sealer Prohibited. “No person shall apply any coal tar-based sealer to any driveway, parking lot or other The Law: Edina City Code Section 20-126, Refuse Containers. surface within the city of Edina.” Containers on residential properties shall not be placed or maintained in such a way as to unreasonably interfere What it Means: The use of sealers on asphalt driveways with the use of the adjoining property. … Containers on is a common practice. However, scientific studies on the residential property shall be stored in such a manner as use of driveway sealers have demonstrated a relationship to be out of view from the street in front of the premises between stormwater runoff and certain health and or in a garage located on the premises except as provided environmental concerns. hereafter. Occupants of single-dwelling unit, double- dwelling unit and townhouse properties may, but are Coal tar sealers contain Polycystic Aromatic Hydrocarbons not required to, place refuse containers adjacent to the (PAHs), which have been identified as probable human street or alley adjoining the dwelling and off the traveled carcinogens. PAHs from the sealants are released into the portion of the road but not earlier than 12 hours prior to environment and become part of stormwater runoff. Once the day scheduled for collection. Within 12 hours after the PAHs reach the ponds, lakes and streams, they may pose scheduled collection, the containers and any material not a risk to aquatic life, birds and mammals. Also, PAHs collected shall be returned [to storage]. are causing issues for municipalities in the disposal of stormwater pond sediment. What it Means: Garbage and recycling containers must be stored in a place that cannot be seen from the street, either Asphalt-based sealers contain just a fraction of the amount in a garage or screened area. Containers can be put out of PAHs as coal tar-based sealants. Because there is a by the street for collection up to 12 hours before collection viable alternative on the market, the City of Edina, along and must be put away within 12 hours of the scheduled with the State of Minnesota, has banned coal tar-based collection. Any material not collected must also be put sealers. away and stored within 12 hours of collection.

For more information, contact Water Resources Coordinator For more information, contact Environmental Health Specialist/ Jessica Wilson, 952-826-0445. Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot, 952-826-0463.

— Compiled by Dawn Wills

14 • SPRING 2017 the power of print Enhancing Smiles... graphic design • digital printing • offset printing Your 40-Year Neighbor Building Conﬁdence... mailing services •promotional products Changing Lives 5101 Vernon Ave. S, #1D, New Customer Edina, MN 55436 Located at Complimentary, Ph 952-920-1949 50th & Cosmetic, Discount. Restorative & Fax 952-920-1512 France Implant Consultation Contact [email protected] www.jerrysprinting.com www.smilesatfrance.com for details. 4999 France Ave. South, Suite 230 • Edina / Minneapolis • 612-824-7033 We deliver on time – and on budget.

Our Edina office Has moved. Stop by our new Edina location at 71st and France Ave.

Discover all the benefits of AAA in one convenient location.

In addition to our famous roadside assistance, browse our expanded travel store and talk with an experienced agent about all of your travel and insurance needs. Visit us at our new Edina location at 7151 France Ave. S., directly behind Lunds/Byerlys, and don’t forget to ask about exclusive member benefits and savings! Business Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm. Saturday: 9am-3pm.

AAA.com

2017 SPRING • 15 Edina Liquor To Launch Delivery To Edina Addresses

By Kaylin Eidsness Edina Liquor contracted with Drizly, a Boston-based alcohol-delivery technology company that services 40 Hosting a party, but don’t feel like hauling bottles of beer markets throughout the United States and Canada. Edina and wine? Having people over for dinner, but can’t find Liquor is its first municipal liquor store client. time to run to the liquor store beforehand? Edina Liquor has you covered. Edina Liquor will pay 5 to 8 percent of its monthly revenue from deliveries to Drizly for its software, but This spring, Edina Liquor is rolling out delivery to any handle its own orders, deliveries and transactions, which Edina address. sets Drizly apart from other delivery providers. Furbish said that’s what made Drizly such an attractive company “This really compliments the in-store experience with which to work. that we’re striving for and creates another level of convenience, so those folks who don’t have time or “We’re very excited to be working with the City of Edina don’t want to leave their house don’t have to,” said Josh and bringing the convenience of Drizly to its residents,” Furbish, General Manager of Edina Liquor. said Andy Frukacz, Midwest Marketing Manager for Drizly. “We are looking forward to people in Edina trying Drizly for the first time and sharing their feedback with us.”

“Drizly’s goal is to be the backbone of the operation, but you’ll see our face and our brand, as opposed to the other providers out there,” said Furbish. “Our employees will load up the orders, deliver them and bring them to the doorstep.”

Deliveries are based out of Edina Liquor – 50th & France, because of its location in Edina and customer count. The store is typically less busy than the other two locations, E DINA L IQUOR giving its employees more time to dedicate to deliveries. Customers can shop via Drizly’s app or website to find what alcohol they’d like delivered, along with other odds Customers can order alcohol to be delivered from Edina and ends that Edina Liquor – 50th & France carries. Liquor through the Drizly app or website. Delivery is available on orders over $35 and free. Drivers cannot accept tips. Deliveries are made between 3 and

16 • SPRING 2017 EdinaOnTheGoAd-AS.pdf 1 2/5/17 9:48 AM

8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Orders placed up until C 3 p.m. can still be delivered on the same day. Staff must M check customers’ identification upon arrival to verify age and also reserve the right to refuse a sale if the customer Y does not produce a valid ID or is found too intoxicated to CM accept the order. MY

In 2016, the City Manager’s Liquor Store Task Force, CY made up of a small group of individuals who live or workCMY in Edina and have backgrounds in hospitality, liquor, K grocery and marketing, was created to examine Edina Liquor’s operations, customer experience, marketing, product mix and operational revenues and expenses, and make recommendations to improve the customer experience and increase revenues. Delivery was one of the task force’s recommendations.

“We asked ourselves what are some of the things that SOUTHDALE Y residents would like and benefit from,” said Edina resident Nick Pahl, one of the members of the Task Force. FREE WEEK PASS

“Delivery was a good one. I have young kids and it’s one $0 ENROLLMENT, $150 SAVINGS less stop with the kids, one less stop to get them out of the *OFFER EXPIRES 5/10/2017 car. It’s convenient.”  FREE DROP OFF CHILD CARE This year, Furbish is hoping to see a 5 to 10 percent  190+ GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES increase in revenue as a result of the new delivery service.  SWIMMING & FAMILY POOL  FULLY EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER Inventory will be updated in real time. Orders can  ALL AGES & FITNESS LEVELS be placed through the app that can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play or online at EdinaLiquor.com. To activate pass contact Karl For more information, contact Furbish at 952-903-5732 or 952 897 5476 7355 York Ave. [email protected]. [email protected] ymcamn.org

2017 SPRING • 17 Public Service Runs In The Family For New Liquor General Manager

By Debbie Townsend

Josh Furbish’s great-grandfather helped homestead Williams, Minnesota, served as its mayor and was Fire Chief for Lake of the Woods County.

Furbish’s grandparents both worked in social services in Lake of the Woods County. His father is the Sanitation Director there and built up a snow-removal business on the side, often working 20 hours a day in the winter.

“He always made a point to serve the seniors of the community with his business, providing rates that wouldn’t even cover the cost of his gas, but making sure they had a clean, safe driveway during the worst of storms,” Furbish said of his father.

The sole proprietor of a flower shop and greenhouse, his mother supplied flowers to the high school for graduations and special events.

So it should come as no surprise that Furbish is following the family path of combining business and public service into a career. He is the City’s new General Manager of Liquor Operations, after more than a decade of work in sales and retail management, including in communications, home improvement and multi-unit mall management. Photo by Debbie Townsend

“I believe my family’s involvement with public service Josh Furbish, the new General Manager of Liquor Operations, was a major influence in my decision to pursue this role has his office in the Southdale Edina Liquor store, which and utilize my business experience to serve a community features a wine wall. rather than shareholders of larger corporations,” Furbish said.

18 • SPRING 2017 That dedication and his business experience also made Liquor Director who manages the 50th & France store. him stand out in the City’s search for a new person to “He is working with the veteran staff to help improve an head up Edina Liquor and its three stores. already good operation while implementing new venues for increased profit and customers, such as delivery and “Josh has an impressive track record of improving both online sales.” sales and operational practices in highly competitive markets,” Assistant City Manager Lisa Schaefer said. Another task will be educating people that the money “I am confident that Josh is the right person to lead they spend at Edina Liquor goes to City amenities, Edina Liquor.” improving those while lessening the burden on taxpayers.

Furbish arrives at a challenging time. City Manager Scott “We will not only be sharing the message with folks Neal has set a goal of nearly doubling profits by 2019. coming into the stores, we’ll be sharing the message Thanks to the dedicated work of members of the City with folks at Braemar Golf Course when they reopen the Manager’s Liquor Store Task Force and Schaefer, there course on how money from Edina Liquor helped make is a plan to get there. It includes online ordering, home that happen,” Furbish said. The same will be done at delivery, a customer loyalty program and improved other facilities that benefit, such as the Edina Art Center customer service. and Centennial Lakes Park.

Challenge doesn’t faze Furbish. After the 9/11 attacks, he “The message is very, very critical.” interrupted his business education to join the U.S. Army, training as a combat medic. He returned to finish his And if it comes directly from Furbish, it will come with schooling, then entered the business world. He was once a smile. He greets everyone with a grin, eager to shake hired at a place where the doors would likely close in six hands and get to know people. He eschews a City Hall months and there was no real plan to survive; after nine office for a spot right in the Southdale store on York months working with Furbish, the business was in good Avenue so he is part of the customer experience. enough shape to sign a five-year lease. In Edina, he has the work of the task force and support of City leadership, Improving that experience is another goal. Furbish along with that of many dedicated community members. encourages people to stop by, check out Edina Liquor and see for themselves. “That fuels my optimism to get this back to where it needs to be,” Furbish said. Reach Furbish at [email protected] or at 952-903-5732. “Josh brings an out-of-the-box, fresh approach to the liquor operations,” said Greg “Woody” Keehr, Assistant

2017 SPRING • 19 City Seeks 2017 Heritage Award Nominations

By Krystal Caron & Associates, to maintain the integrity of the 1935 Tudor home. In order to preserve signature rooms, such as the Each spring, the Edina Heritage Preservation Board foyer, dining room and vaulted living room, the addition (HPB) asks community members for nominations for was designed to sit back on the site, allowing the historic the annual Heritage Award. The Heritage Award is living room gable to keep its prominent position on the given to a local business, person or neighborhood for front façade. preserving, rehabilitating or restoring a historical place in Edina. Nominations for the 2017 Heritage Award are due “The overall sensitivity to scale, form, materials and April 12. craftsmanship successfully created a seamless unified house with consistent period character, and elevated “The Heritage Award is one of the highlights of the its overall size and function for modern living,” said Heritage Preservation Board’s annual calendar. It provides Architect Jean Rehkamp Larson in her Heritage Award an opportunity for the public to participate in recognizing nomination. “It’s great to live in a community that preservation done right in the community,” said Senior appreciates historic preservation, because it’s such a Planner Joyce Repya and staff liaison for the HPB. valuable resource for our culture and it’s sustainable.”

Doug and Patricia Vayda were recognized with the 2016 That’s why Edina’s preservation consultant hopes the Heritage Award for their home at 5201 Wooddale Ave. public looks for special landmarks within the city this The Vaydas elected to preserve the historic character year. of their home and use the house’s current style as inspiration as they updated the space and increased the “It would be really nice if people could think of the house’s footprint. forgotten places and forgotten people within our community that have made an impact,” said Preservation “We bought from the original owner and she just Consultant Robert Vogel. “Recently, it’s been a showcase celebrated her 110 birthday this past fall. They asked if of some of the really good projects and remodels we’ve she could come over to see the house with her grandkids done, but it can be more than that.” and great-grandkids,” said Doug Vayda. The Vaydas’ success in preserving the integrity of the original Morningside Neighborhood and Convention Grill have home was clear in their reaction. “They still remember both been awarded the Heritage Award, not because of this house as their grandmother’s house and the only recent projects but because of the history they carry. comment was that we built them the family room that they had really wanted.” “If you can nominate a property that typifies something that makes Edina special, then you’re on the right track. The Vaydas worked closely with their architects, Convention Grill, Morningside and the Edina Cinema Rehkamp Larson Architects, and contractor, JS Johnson all make Edina special,” said Repya. “Don’t be shy;

20 • SPRING 2017 the Heritage Preservation Board and past recipients are not eligible for the award.

In addition to the Vayda House, previous winners include Savory’s Gardens, Arthur Erickson House, Southdale Center, the Convention Grill, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, a colonial revival home in the Edina Country Club District, the Coddington House on Blake Road, Edina Morningside Community Church, the historic Sly Farmhouse on Brookview Avenue, the Morningside Neighborhood, Edina Cinema for its iconic sign and the Baird House.

Award nominations are due 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12. Nominations can be submitted online at EdinaMN.gov/heritage-award-form. Submissions should Andrea Rugg Photography include the address of the heritage resource; description Homeowners Doug and Patricia Vayda received the 2016 of its preservation, rehabilitation or restoration; and the Heritage Award for their care in preserving the original name and address of the owner. A photo should also be character of their 1935 Tudor home, while making updates for a modern lifestyle. included. Entries can also be mailed to Edina Heritage Award, Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN nominators don’t need to be an expert or an architect. 55424. Think about what might resonate with the city moving The award will be presented at an Edina City Council forward as well; something that in 30 years people are meeting during National Preservation Month in May. going to recognize that it really helped to add to the history of the community.” For more information about the Heritage Award, contact Repya at 952-826-0462 or [email protected]. The Heritage Award was established in 2003 to showcase local preservation activity happening on properties located within the City of Edina. Any individual, company or organization is eligible for the award, including non-residents, but the historic property or resource must be located in Edina. Current members of

2017 SPRING • 21 Trail Construction Closes Part of Bredesen Park

Bredesen Park users will feel the biggest impact from the construction. A section of the loop trail in the southwest area of the park, near Gleason Road and Minnesota Highway 62, is closed until October. Signs are posted to let walkers and bicyclists know where they will need to turn around and backtrack instead of looping around the park.

The Three Rivers Park District is improving the trails in that section and extending them to a new pedestrian bridge crossing Highway 62 that will connect Bredesen Park to Creek Valley Elementary School.

“In order to incorporate our trail into those trails and get up and over Highway 62, we are using a portion of the

File Photo bike paved trail. It has to come up to the bridge,” said A section of the loop trail at Bredesen Park is closed until Project Manager Eric Nelson of the Three Rivers Park October while the Nine Mile Creek Trail is under construction. District.

Work on the bridge is expected to begin in early April. By Debbie Townsend Expect some lane shifts along that area of Highway 62, but no long-term closures are planned, according to The final segment of a 15-mile trail stretching from Nelson. Hopkins to Bloomington is under construction in Edina. Three Rivers plans to keep the pedestrian and bike trails The Nine Mile Creek Trail, when completed in summer separate, as they are now in Bredesen, except where they 2018, will connect parks, schools, churches and business come up to the bridge and cross it. Once over the bridge, districts. It will offer paths for both pedestrians and the trails split again, Nelson said. Three Rivers will bicyclists and have easy connections to buses and other maintain the entire stretch of the Nine Mile Creek Trail, transportation. including where it goes through Bredesen Park. “The trail is going to be fantastic,” said Edina Parks & The new bike trail section in Bredesen will be two-way, Recreation Director Ann Kattreh. a feature riders have been asking for, Kattreh said. The

22 • SPRING 2017 new trail also should eliminate closed paths in that Once the full trail opens, people can use it to reach flood-prone section of the park. multiple other trails. Nelson pointed out bicyclists can ride to Hopkins Depot, a jumping-off point for hundreds “By raising the trail up, it will no longer have to close of miles of trails. when it rains,” Nelson said. “This trail is going to give our residents links between The spring and summer construction closure is not ideal our own parks and access to the regional park system,” for the popular park trails, but it had to be that way, Kattreh said. Nelson said. For more information, visit threeriversparks.org and look “We are building the boardwalk segments over the under the “Parks & Trails” tab. Reach Kattreh at winter, but where the paved trail is, that has to be on [email protected] or 952-826-0430. thawed ground,” he said.

Four boardwalks at various points in Edina will take the Nine Mile Creek Trail over wetland areas. During the winter, construction crews were able to drive pylons into the frozen ground for the boardwalks and begin building them.

The majority of construction for this segment, known as the west segment in Edina, will happen this year. Some work is scheduled for spring 2018, with a target date of GET YOUR 7 PRINCIPLES FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT @ WWW.TOMGARTNER.COM June 1, 2018, to open the full trail, Nelson said.

The east segment – from Tracy Avenue to Xerxes Avenue South – is substantially complete. The City plans to build a trail segment after doing sewer upgrades Helping you achieve your financial goals. along Xerxes this year. Despite the work, the east section TOM GARTNER, MSAPM, CFP® ISC Wealth Manager is expected to formally open this spring after some FINANCIAL ISCfinancialadvisors.com painting and sign installation. ADVISORS 952-835-1560 Minnesota Center, Suite 270 I 7760 France Avenue South l Minneapolis, MN 55435

2017 SPRING • 23 MORE GREEN SPACES

EDINA CHAPEL FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES Family Owned & Operated Since 1857 Every Purchase You Make Helps Improve Our Parks

All Your Favorite Brands • Three Convenient Locations • Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff

West 50th & Vernon Avenue at Hwy. 100 Grandview Southdale 952-920-3996 50th & France www.washburn-mcreavy.com EdinaLiquor.com

24 • SPRING 2017 Serving the Edina French-American Community Cosmetic, Family & Sports Dentistry, PA Stephane Cattelin www.stephane cattelin.com Dentistry with eye on today 612-703-8229 & a vision for tomorrow..!

DR. DOUGLAS L. LAMBERT, DDS Call us at 952-922-9119 DR. SANDRA J. HOUCK, DDS www.yoursmiledocs.com THE International Approach to Real Estate

STANDUP PADDLEBOARDS Boards • Paddles • Accessories PLUS a staff of knowledgeable experts

Headquarters for water adventure above and below SNORKELING EQUIPMENT SCUBA CERTIFICATION Snorkel and Scuba Diving Equipment PLUS classes and travel services Visit us! 5015 Penn Avenue S. Minneapolis 612-925-4818 1571 Century Point Eagan 651-681-8434 www.scubacenter.com

2017 SPRING • 25 Siems Promoted To Assistant Fire Chief Of Operations

By Lauren Siebenaler

For several years, Jeff Siems has focused on preventing fires. Now, the newly promoted Assistant Fire Chief will oversee the team that fights them.

Siems has been with the Edina Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department for almost 25 years. He started as Paramedic/ Firefighter in 1992 and was promoted to Lieutenant six years later. Since 2012, he has served as Fire Marshal, making connections with residents and workers across Edina.

Now, he takes on a new role in the community as one of two Assistant Fire Chiefs. The other is Craig Essig, Assistant Fire Chief of Training & Safety. Photo by Michael Braun “One of the key positions in our department that Jeff has Jeff Siems will serve as one of two Assistant Fire Chiefs in fulfilled for the last several years is that of Fire Marshal Edina. and the Fire Marshal is a very important position,” said Tom Schmitz, Fire Chief. “His ability to interact with people in our department, community, contractors and Siems says he had to work behind the scenes as Fire other City Hall personnel have set him up very well for Marshal and looks forward to taking more of an active the position as the Assistant Chief because he will need role again, helping victims in emergency fire situations to interact at the City level, other departments and the and keeping them safe. community as a whole.” As Assistant Fire Chief of Operations, Siems will As Fire Marshal, Siems’ main role was preventing coordinate activities, operations, assignments and fires. He organized and coordinated fire inspection scheduling for shifts and ensure the effective delivery programs for businesses, and ensured building plans of the Department’s services to the community. Siems and specifications conformed to City Code. He provided will oversee and coordinate day-to-day operations and supervision and leadership to Department personnel, activities of the Department, coordinate equipment participating in decisions on matters of hiring, transfers, maintenance and vehicle rotation, and administer suspensions, promotions and more. recruiting and pre-employment testing. He will serve

26 • SPRING 2017 as the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator, and The previous Assistant Fire Chief of Operations was supervise emergency response personnel. Darrell Todd, who retired last year after 28 years in the department. He will help make decisions on what equipment the Fire Department needs to continue to work safely and “I’m really excited and I feel very privileged to be efficiently. He will make sure paramedics/firefighters given this opportunity. I’ve been working hard for the have the tools and resources in the event of an emergency opportunity to come and I’m excited for our future,” and manage their roles. said Siems.

“The first thing I plan to do as Assistant Fire Chief is For more information on the Edina Fire-Rescue & understand the roles and responsibilities of the job, Inspections Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/Fire. and the next thing I plan to do is make sure I work and coordinate with the shift captains and the shifts,” said Siems.

“All of the command staff has the capability of managing an emergency incident,” said Schmitz. “It isn’t just the Fire Chief who manages the incident; we have a system in With you every smile of the way. place and any of the chief officers can take on that role of General dental care for the entire family. incident commander.” Early morning and evening appointments. New patients welcome. Siems received his associate degree in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Wellness from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He received his Public Safety Master’s certificate from Hamline University and a master’s from the Naval Post Graduate School in Homeland Defense and Security. He completed the Certified Emergency Manager program through the State of Minnesota Homeland Security & Ann M. Thiele Burt, DDS Camille M. Jensen, DDS Annette G. Dunford, DDS Emergency Management, and Executive Fire Officer Dr. Brandon Kvidt Owen J. Thoele, DDS program through the National Fire Academy. Preferred provider for most insurance companies. Call or request your appointment online. 6545 France Ave. S, Suite 390, Edina, MN 55435 952-926-3534 | parkdental.com

2017 SPRING • 27 EDINA 6800 FRANCE EDINA 50TH & FRANCE

Jeff and Diane Anderes 952-927-2842 Pam Aagaard 952-261-7576 Winnie Crosbie 612-741-9556 Dave Anderson 612-750-2209 John Everett 952-927-1646 Babette Bean 952-924-8722 Mark Granlund 612-803-8129 Meg Boehne 952-240-4417 Ruthann Holetz 952-927-1624 Megan Brinkman 612-802-5057 Cindy Jarvis 612-600-4119 Stephanie Chandler 612-599-7107 Gary Judson 612-859-4863 Krysta Clark 612-644-3173 Mary Greig Krieter 612-719-0665 Sheila Cronin 952-913-2129 Deb Langevin 651-343-0404 Karen Daly 612-751-0663 Jane Larson 612-720-1048 Amy Deckas 612-735-7430 John MacKany 952-927-1163 Chad Eckert 612-590-3090 John McDonald 952-927-1197 Lisa Eckert 952-240-7890 Kim Melin 952-201-4758 Lisa Heim 612-382-9672 Jane Oelfke 952-200-5712 Mark Kouatli 612-708-8400 Jude Dugan Olson 952-927-1186 Kyle Litwin 612-803-5595 Keenan Olson 952-240-4903 Brad, Amy & Meghan McNamara 952-924-8785 Aaron Ouska 612-940-8020 Tom and Meg Meyers 952-924-8712 Ginna Raming 952-210-8342 Andy and Teresa Mitchell 612-242-4514 Tom & Erick Ries 952-393-6600 Sara Moran 612-720-7560 Margie and John Sampsell 952-927-1195 Marcia Russell 612-965-7997 Danya Spencer 952-237-6611 Linda Smaby 612-325-7972 Jim Starr 612-247-5898 Kris Waggoner 612-965-3655 Susan and Gary Wahman 952-334-4663 Sylva Zoraqi 612-710-8081 Chris Willette 612-388-8828 Dan Willette 952-927-1694

Find us at Find us at edina6800.edinarealty.com edina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com

28 • SPRING 2017 EDINA 6800 FRANCE EDINA 50TH & FRANCE

Find us at Find us at edina6800.edinarealty.com edina50thandfrance.edinarealty.com

2017 SPRING • 29 Entries Being Accepted For 14th-Annual Photo Contest

By Dawn Wills

Every photo has a story to tell. The City of Edina and Edina Magazine invite those who live, work or go to school in Edina to submit their best photos that tell Edina’s story in the 14th-annual “Images of Edina” photo contest.

The contest, sponsored by the City’s Communications & Technology Services Department, is free to enter and open to both amateur and professional photographers who live, work or go to school in Edina. For the seventh year, Edina Magazine is a co-sponsor, allowing entrants to Submitted Photo submit their photos online at edinamag.com. “Edina” by Bryan Singer won Best in Show in the 2016 Images of Edina Photo Contest. Past winner Andrea Bryant said, “I think [the photos] represent the community so well when it’s the citizens taking the photos.” ‘Images of Edina’ Photo Contest Rules Photos must have been taken in Edina, and should be entered Category winners, a “Best in Show” winner and a in one of five categories: “Readers’ Choice” winner will receive plaques, be recognized at a City Council meeting and have their work • Businesses displayed for up to two years at Edina City Hall. Photos may also be published in issues of Edina Magazine or City • People of Edina publications such as About Town or the Parks & • Community Events Recreation Activities Directory. • Places in Edina “What’s nice about it is seeing your photo on the big screen at the awards,” said past winner Bryan Singer. • Plants & Animals

Photos can be submitted online between April 3 and June Photographers may submit up to five photographs in any 16 at edinamag.com. Following the entry period, readers category. can vote for their favorite photos from June 19 to July 21. Only photos taken between June 1, 2016 and June 15, 2017, are eligible.

30 • SPRING 2017 All submissions must be the original work of the submitting For a complete list of official rules, contest criteria and to photographer. submit your photos, visit EdinaMN.gov/PhotoContest or edinamag.com. All photo entries become the property of the City and Edina Magazine. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/PhotoContest or contact Communications Assistant Dawn Wills at By submitting one or more photos, photographers must [email protected]. agree to the terms of the City’s Submitted Photo & Original Artwork Policy, found at EdinaMN.gov/PhotoContest.

Training Celebrating 24 Years of Dance Excellence www.victoriadance.com Minnesota’s Top Dancers Since 1993! Enroll Today!

VDP offers high energy classes with PROPER technique! TAP l JAZZ l CLASSICAL BALLET l LYRICAL l MODERN l HIP HOP CREATIVE MOVEMENT l MUSICAL THEATER l DANCE LINE

(952) 835-7497 EDINA’S PREMIER DANCE STUDIO 7109 AMUNDSON AVE.

2017 SPRING • 31 Dressen To Retire From Edina Public Schools

“My wife laughs at our relationship,” said Locklear. “It’s a friendship; it’s a professional relationship. It’s two people working as hard as they can to do the best they can. I will miss those conversations with him.”

Dressen, who began as Superintendent of Edina Public Schools in July 2006, started his career as an elementary school teacher in Annandale, Minnesota, about 40 years ago. From there, he worked as a principal in St. Joseph and Waconia and an associate principal in Brooklyn Center before beginning his career track as a superintendent in Waconia and Alexandria prior to coming to Edina.

“I’m a teacher,” said Dressen, whose parents were both educators. “All I know is the love of learning and a real Photo by Michael Braun strong commitment to serving.” Superintendent Ric Dressen will retire June 30 after more than 10 years with Edina Public Schools. Dressen also ran the statewide Minnesota Education Finance Reform Task Force under former Gov. Tim By Kaylin Eidsness Pawlenty’s recommendation from 2003 to 2004. In addition, Dressen led the Superintendency Institute, Extraordinary leader. Genuine love for education. Passion a consortium of superintendents. He serves as the for kids. Those are just a few of the praises colleagues University of St. Thomas Board of Engineering director of Superintendent Ric Dressen sang about him while and is an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s University of reflecting on his more-than-10-year career with Edina Minnesota. He’s also a member of the Edina Morningside Public Schools. Rotary Club and sits on the Fairview Southdale Hospital Board of Directors. “He has made the Edina journey a lot of fun for me and for [Edina High School] and will be deeply missed,” said “My commitment to leadership aligns well with a Edina High School Principal Bruce Locklear of Dressen. community-based approach to educating its young people. Focus on young people, focus on their future,” Locklear added that he’ll also miss his daily 6 a.m. phone said Dressen. “Those are all things I believe in and that’s calls with Dressen. where I like to lead from.”

32 • SPRING 2017 “Ric Dressen is one of the finest people I have ever Even though Dressen has clearly enjoyed serving Edina, worked with during my tenure on the Council,” said he recognizes the important role community plays in a Edina Mayor Jim Hovland. “He has set the standard for student’s life. leadership in the state amongst educators and has helped our District carefully prepare for the future. He is simply “It’s the magic of community. It’s what Edina does well. as high quality a person as one would hope to know in It’s what a community-based system does well,” said their lifetime. I will miss him a great deal.” Dressen. “They recognize the value of neighborhoods, value of education, value of quality of life. We recognize While with Edina Public Schools, one of Dressen’s major the power of partnership, because that’s what makes it projects was overseeing development of the 2012 strategic work. Partnership within the schools with staff, between plan, Next Generation, to bring students into the 21st home and school, and the district and community. century. This included the approval of the $124.9 million Because everything is possible when we’re all pulling bond referendum, which funded updates to the facilities together.” and creating spaces that better suit personalized learning. “It’s also the power of public education. I’ve seen dreams Regina Neville, an Edina School Board member since come true, because of it,” said Dressen, who will continue 2009, praised Dressen for his success in looking forward to reside in Edina with his wife, Kerry. and seeing how education can change young learners. “I have really enjoyed working with Ric,” said Edina “He’s an educator,” said Neville. “I see when he’s around City Manager Scott Neal. “I’ve worked with a lot of kids that he connects with them and his door is always superintendents throughout the years and in terms open. He’s guided Edina Schools with a real vision and of sincerely working with the City, Ric sees us as an we see that with a lot of his accomplishments that have important partner in helping the school district achieve its happened in the District.” mission. I really like that, because I want to help, too.”

Dressen’s love of education and serving the community “I want to live in a community and Edina’s a great shines through when he speaks about his retirement and community. I like that sense of community. I’m rooted in his plans afterward. it,” Dressen said.

“I want to give back, because I’ve gained so much from Dressen’s last day with the District will be June 30. it,” said Dressen. “I’m looking forward to slowing down a little bit, but it’s about making a difference. I want to keep For more information, visit edinaschools.org. finding ways to do that. It’s been an honor to be able to do it here and I have a deep passion for it.”

2017 SPRING • 33 Bronze K-9 To Set Up Post Outside Of Police Department

By Kaylin Eidsness the long, hard work and the devotion,” said Sgt. Kevin Rofidal, who worked alongside K-9 partner Kodiak for A life-size bronze police K-9 will have a home outside the eight years. “It’s also something the community when Edina Police Department come September. The bronze visiting City Hall can enjoy, because the support from the German shepherd, meant to honor all working dogs, is a community has been unwavering.” creation of Edina resident Michelle Recke. Bronze is everlasting, so to speak. The metal has endured “I’m overly impressed with all the things service dogs do the test of time, tracing back thousands of years. It’s one for people,” said Recke, a clay, stone and bronze sculptor of the reasons Recke likes the medium so much; it lasts. and self-proclaimed “dog nerd.” “When they were first talking about doing a K-9 memorial, I was all about it. I “I hope the K-9 sculpture will be here watching over said ‘sign me up. I’ll do whatever you want!’” Edina for years and years to come,” she said. Recke also

Recke, who started sculpting bronze at age 16, has deep roots in Edina. She’s lived in the city since fourth grade. Her grandparents and parents are also from Edina. She even owns a business in Edina. However, while most of Recke’s time during the week is spent running her in-home daycare – “I’ve potty-trained half of Edina,” she jokes – it’s the weekends she dedicates to art.

For the last year, Recke worked on the piece in her home studio, making sure the proportions and characteristics of the sculpture were similar to those of a real life German shepherd. What started as a carved foam armature covered in clay will measure roughly 46 inches from nose to tail and 14 inches from hind foot to hind foot, when complete. Photo by Kaylin Eidsness Once finished, it will be mounted on a stone pedestal, surrounded by landscaping. Officer Mike Seeger, who was partnered with K-9 Diesel for 8 years, Officer Mike Bengston, who began training in March with his new partner K-9 Ike, and Officer Sean Young, whose current “It’s the finest, everlasting honor to what the K-9s have partner is K-9 Blitz, helped carve out fur on the clay sculpture done for the community – not just the sacrifices, but before it was finished and sent to the foundry for casting.

34 • SPRING 2017 enjoys the metal, because “even though it’s an unmovable solid piece, you can get it to flow.” Since 2001, when Police Sgt. Kevin Rofidal revitalized the K-9 program from the 1970s when Edina’s first Thanks to funding provided by the Edina Federated K-9 left with his handler to join the Minneapolis Police Women’s Club, Edina Crime Prevention Fund, Edina Department, the Edina Police Department has had five Community Foundation and the City of Edina’s Public Art K-9 teams. Edina working group, what was once an idea – a longtime Sgt. Kevin Rofidal and K-9 Kodiak, retired 2010 coming – will turn into a friendly greeting as people visit City Hall and the Police Department. Officer Mike Seeger and K-9 Diesel, retired 2014

“Public Art Edina has been talking about having a K-9 Officer Jason Behr and K-9 Blade, retired 2016 sculpture in Edina for many years, long before I was even involved in Public Art,” said Barbara La Valleur, previous Officer Sean Young and K-9 Blitz Chair of Public Art Edina and member of the Arts & Culture Commission. “People in Edina love their dogs, as Officer Mike Bengston and K-9 Ike we’ve seen with Spaulding (the bronze dog sculpture at 50th & France). A K-9 sculpture will honor not only the $10,000-$15,000 is still needed. To make a donation, visit service animals, but also our Police Department and the EdinaCrimeFund.org and specify that the donation is for great work they do.” the K-9 sculpture.

In February, Recke delivered the clay piece to the foundry, For more information about the sculpture, call Frey at Casting Creations in Howard Lake, Minnesota. There, the 952-903-5729. art will take on its new life as a bronze sculpture. Once back to Recke’s studio, she’ll do the finishing welding and grinding, as well as the patina work. Your Partner “It’s going to be an amazing piece,” said Edina Art Center General Manager Michael Frey, who worked to secure In $11,000 in funding for the sculpture. “I’m very excited Pet Care. about it.” EDINA While the foundry funding is secure, the organizations Gus Young Ln. -- supporting the sculpture are still looking for donations to Ban eld.com fund the stone pedestal and landscaping. Approximately

2017 SPRING • 35 Edina Seeks Help Cutting Energy Consumption

By Debbie Townsend in Energy, a two-year service offered to communities by Xcel Energy. Edina is among 23 cities in Minnesota and Edina has a lot of qualities to brag about, but being a top Colorado that have joined the program. energy user is not one of them. The two most obvious benefits are saving money and Edina residents consume more energy per capita than helping the environment. Reductions also will help the people in almost any city in the state. According to the City reach the state-mandated 30 percent reduction in Regional Indicators Initiative, Edina is third highest, greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. just behind Lake Elmo and Minnetonka, and far above Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. “We know the largest greenhouse gas emitter for us is energy consumption, so that’s where we are focusing,” “It’s not something we want to be No. 1 at,” said said Tara Brown, the City’s Sustainability Coordinator. Sarah Zarrin, 2016 Chairwoman of the City’s Energy & Environment Commission. The City To change that, the City has begun an effort to reduce City government is working on energy reduction efforts. energy consumption in homes, businesses and City Edina facilities have been surveyed and studied for their buildings. It created its plan with the support of Partners energy use and efficiencies, or lack thereof. From that, a list of potential energy reduction opportunities is being created and ranked. Electricity Usage in Edina by Kilowatt Hour This spring, the list will be evaluated, looking at various aspects, including costs versus energy savings. Edina The community used 584 200,641,234 officials hope to start making approved upgrades million kilowatt hours soon after, using money that comes from a charge on of electricity in 2014, 351,963,529 utility bills, the Conservation & Sustainability Fund. spending $59.2 million for power. Commercial and “The majority of the Conservation & Sustainability Industrial users accounted Fund customers pay into will be spent on energy-saving for 60 percent of the total Commercial & Industrial upgrades,” Brown said. The projects, once completed, and residential use was will result in ongoing energy savings for the City and its 34 percent. Residential taxpayers. Source: Xcel Energy Municipal Public Schools

36 • SPRING 2017 Business 5 Steps Residents Can Take The City has an open invitation to businesses to help evaluate their energy use and connect them with Edina’s residential households use an average of 9,430 resources, including programs offered by Xcel Energy and kilowatt hours a year. Over the next year, the City is Centerpoint Energy. challenging households to save 750 kWh. Here are five steps residents can take. “After completing our 10-minute survey, we’ll follow up with you and help you customize a program that will save Know your energy use. See a breakdown in the you money and lower your energy costs,” Brown said. My Energy feature through your Xcel Energy online account. Xcel Energy, as part of the Partners in Energy program, is offering Edina businesses a discount on its Turn Key Recycle your second refrigerator (average savings Services. An energy auditor comes to the business, of 1,034 kWh per year) and receive a $35 rebate. Visit analyzes the building and identifies energy savings, costs, xcelenergy.com and search for “refrigerator.” potential utility rebates and paybacks. The owner decides which projects to take on and when. Get a Home Energy Squad visit (average 820 kWh annual savings in Edina). Sign up online at Businesses must sign up for the assessment by May mncee.org/hes/edina. 31, 2017, to get half off the $600 service. Those who go through it can earn a 30 percent bonus rebate for putting in Buy Energy Star-certified appliances. Research options most measures within one year of the audit. and learn more at www.energystar.gov/products.

Business owners interested in learning more should visit Check your thermostat’s program. Turning it down EdinaMN.gov/green_business or contact Brown at just one degree saves up to 3 percent on your heating 952-826-1621 or [email protected]. bill. If you’re out a lot, set it lower while you’re gone. Learn more at energy.gov/energysaver/thermostats. Residential Edina households burn up more electricity than those in Compare that to St. Louis Park, where the average was any city in the entire Twin Cities region, except for Lake $3,517. Elmo, according to the Regional Indicators Initiative. The Most people know the basics: Turn off lights as you leave average electricity bill in 2013 – the last year the initiative a room, properly insulate doors and windows. Some gathered statistics – was $5,304 annually in Edina. reductions, however, come in surprising places. (continued on next page)

2017 SPRING • 37 “Did you know the coolest innovations in energy are in insulation?” Brown asked. Street reconstructions Public Safety Alerts Residents are encouraged to schedule a visit from the CITY EXTRA! Parks & Rec activities Home Energy Squad. They’ll evaluate a home for easy upgrades and install efficiencies like weather stripping and Sign up for email updates! Business News programmable thermostats, said Tami Gunderzik, who Job Listings manages the Partners in Energy program for Xcel. The EdinaMN.gov/CityExtra And much more! $100 visits are only $50 for customers after a $50 subsidy from the City.

Residents also can go green with where they get their energy, such as turning to solar or wind energy. Zarrin gets 80 percent of her home’s electricity through the Windsource program for about $6 more a month. WE’RE SHARING THE

“It’s the best thing you can do in terms of ease,” she said.

As of 2014, 683 Xcel customers – residential and commercial – were signed up for Windsource, according to Xcel. INTRODUCING OUR   For those who already have subscribed to Windsource or NEW CO-STAR made energy reduction changes, Zarrin encourages them to talk to others about how easy it is.

“Talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends. Let them know about it,” Zarrin said. “Let’s do this together.” For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/gogreenedina or contact Brown at 952-826-1621 or [email protected] RedCowMN.com RedRabbitMN.com RED COW ST PAUL 393 Selby • 651.789.0545 RED COW MPLS 3624 W 50th • 612.767.4411 RED COW N LOOP 208 1st Ave N • 612.238.0050 RED RABBIT N LOOP 201 Washington Ave N • 612.767.8855

38 • SPRING 2017 - ADVERTISEMENT- U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card

Premium Rewards. Premium Beneﬁ ts.

Apply today at your local Edina U.S. Bank branch or visit ﬂ experks.com.

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to credit approval. The creditor and issuer of the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from American Express. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express. © 2017 U.S. Bank

2017 SPRING • 39 City Begins New Race & Equity Task Force And Working Groups

By Krystal Caron “That’s where we look at how to recruit more diversity in employment and boards and commissions, and The members of the new Edina Race & Equity Task Force how we ensure that when we’re looking for input and are set to begin the challenging process of developing involvement, that we’re hearing from all demographics recommendations on policies, practices and strategies within the city. A lot of things can have an adverse to identify and eliminate race-based disparities in City impact on minority groups, though it may not be readily facilities, services and institutions. apparent. These working groups will look into our practices and determine if there is a disparate impact “This year will be a year where we are going to be part on a minority group in certain areas. If there is, then we of a larger community initiative to take a deeper look will look at why and what we can do on a policy level to at race and equity in Edina. We are going to examine change that.” whether or not our City government policies, practices and operations create disparate outcomes for people of Concurrently, Edina will participate in a program offered differing racial groups,” said City Manager Scott Neal. “If by the Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) we are creating disparate outcomes, we are committed to and the League of Minnesota Cities. The program will discover why and what can be done to correct that.” explore race and equity issues, from a policy perspective, in collaboration with several other cities that are The Task Force serves as a nine-person steering participating in GARE. committee comprised of community members who will lead three working groups to review practices and Edina is part of the second cohort completing the GARE procedures in the areas of City services, City facilities and program. The first cohort was held in 2016 and involved City institutions. 14 cities, including Edina neighbors Bloomington, Hopkins and St. Louis Park. “The City Services Working Group will look at access to and equality of government services, such as law “This will be intensive and the Edina team will consist enforcement, paramedic services or Public Works of five staff members, three Human Rights & Relations services like plowing snow. The facilities group will Commissioners and one City Council member,” assess whether parks and public buildings are equally said Schaefer. “By going through this programming, welcoming, accessible and available to all members of the we’ll receive training, tools, model policies, surveys, community. And the Institutional group really focuses professional networking and technical assistance to share on the procedures and policies of the City,” explained with the Task Force and working groups.” Assistant City Manager Lisa Schaefer. (continued on Page 42)

40 • SPRING 2017 Race & Equity Task Force Race & Equity Task Force Members were chosen by City Council in February. They are:

Jessica Kingston (Co-chair) City Services City Facilities City Institutions Working Group Working Group Working Group James Pierce (Co-chair) Al Alexander (Chair) Val Burke (Chair) Kamala Puram (Chair) Katherine Bass Ana Munro (Co-chair) Elena Brito Sifferlin Eric Rehm (Co-chair) Leonel Dorvil (Co-chair) Engineering Coordinator Pat Arseneault (HRRC) Thuy Anh Fox Sharon Allison (GARE) Edinborough Park and Edina Aquatic Center Katherine Bass Phil Godinez Sheila Burmeister Assistant Manager Community Health Ramla Hasanali Leonel Dorvil Dawn Beitel Administrator Jeff Brown Michelle Meek (HRRC) Police Sgt. Brian Hubbard Arnold Bigbee Christine Bremer (GARE) Christina Smith Heather Edelson (HRRC) Randolph Cooper Daniel Nye Ramla Hasanali Human Resources Director Guled Said Phil Godinez Kelly Curtin (GARE) Christina Smith Electrical/HVAC Thuy Anh Fox Supervisor Noah Silver (GARE) June Yoshinari Davis

In addition, Allison, Arseneault, Curtin, Edelson, Hubbard, Meek, Assistant City Manager Lisa Schaefer, Silver and City Council Member Kevin Staunton will serve on the Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) team.

2017 SPRING • 41 According to the League of Minnesota Cities, the government’s proactive work on racial equity has the Sylva Zoraqi ® potential to leverage significant change, setting the stage REALTOR for the achievement of racial equity. By supporting Edina Realty Office: 952-924-8739 targeted cohorts of jurisdictions and providing best 50th & France Cell: 612-710-8081 practices, tools and resources, participating cities are [email protected] helping to build and sustain current efforts and build a national movement for racial equity. SylvaZoraqi.edinarealty.com

Schaefer agrees. “This will affect every department in the City. This will give us the chance to build skills and resources to look at decision-making through a race and equity lens. We need to start by helping people understand why this is important.” When it comes time to make The Task Force’s review process is expected to be your most important financial completed by December 2017. GARE will require 66 hours decision, trust an expert. of training in addition to homework between sessions. After the review process is completed, Schaefer expects to Experience the Bell enact recommendations fairly quickly. Bank Mortgage Difference.

“If the policies are operational, staff can just implement those. If it requires an ordinance or policy change at the Ramona Jenkins Council level, then we’ll bring those to the Council for Senior Mortgage Loan Officer approval,” she said. “It’s also a matter of building the NMLS# 264221 City’s racial equity competency. Having racial equity 952.905.5558 competency is a trait that will be looked for in leaders and www.ramonajenkins.com staff.”

For more information, contact Schaefer at 952-826-0416 or [email protected].

42 • SPRINGBell Ads 3.6x3.6_OCT16.indd 2 201710/21/16 12:06 PM CURB APPEAL STARTS AT THE CURB.

When it comes to gorgeous driveways and sidewalks, we attract a lot of attention.

CONCRETE WORKS

Hage Concrete612-861-4243 Works www.hageconcrete.com Expires July 1, 2017 Corporate Identity Colors:

Background Green PMS 336 C 95% M 15% Y 47% K 62% Since 1930 Reverse out in white Hage PMS 186 C 0% M 100% Y 75% K 4% • PrivateC oncreteapa rWotmrks ent s w ith Revers out in• Whit Pee rsonal & concierge services monthSpade to- mon th r ent al Gray tones as needed or defined in the ai file 3.625 x 3.625 • Wellness program with PTA • Flexible meal plans • Weekly housekeeping • Transportation for • Respite and hospice stays shopping, banking and more • Age in place with loving care, • Physician visits and 24 hour dignity and serenity nursing staff on site • Private apartments with • Personal & concierge services • Pmonthrivate ato-monthpartmen rentalts with •• P Wellnessersonal &program conci ewithrge sPTAervices • mFlexibleonth to meal-mo nplansth rental •I• W nWeeklyedlleneps eshousekeeping nprdogeranmt wLitihv PiTnAg, • •F Transportationlexible meal p forlan s •• W Respiteeekly andhou shospiceekeepi staysng shopping, banking and more • AgeAs ins iplaceste withd L lovingivin care,g, • •T Physicianransporta visitstion fandor 24 hour • Rdignityespite andand serenityhospice stays shopping, banking and more Extended Assisted nursing staff on site •• A Manyge in dailyplac eactivities with loving care, • PhysCallician for vis ait stour and 24 hour dignityIndependent anLd isevreinitgy Living, nursing sandtaff oan site Assisted Living, Free Lunch Extended Assisted (952) 920-9145 IndependeLivingnt Living, 55 56Ye Yearsars o off S Serviceervice to to theA ths Communitysei Cstoemd mLuivniintyg, Extended Assisted Living

2017 SPRING • 43 55 Years of Service to the Community Planning Matters

Twin Cities Orthopedics Will Go Forward With New to Centennial Lakes. The second phase could potentially Development include a 200,000-square-foot addition and more levels Twin Cities Orthopedics will double its space with a new added to the parking deck. The parking deck would building on France Avenue. be shared between the existing and new buildings. The third phase would be for a freestanding 7,700-square- In November, the Edina City Council approved foot restaurant in the northeast corner of the site. This is Frauenshuh Companies’ proposal for a development at the same location for which a restaurant was previously 7700 France Ave. for Twin Cities Orthopedics. approved for development, but never built.

Frauenshuh plans to develop the southwest corner of “It’s a very large site and it provides Twin Cities the site in phases. In the first phase would be a 60,000- to Orthopedics that future expansion flexibility,” said David 80,000-square-foot, three- or four-story medical office Anderson with Frauenshuh Companies. “Really, it’s an building and a 358-stall parking deck. Frauenshuh essential part of their future vision to start out with this Companies will dedicate 18,000 square feet on the north first phase and have that flexibility to grow.” property line of the site area for a pedestrian easement where a sidewalk will be built. The sidewalk will connect Twin Cities Orthopedics plans to consolidate operations at three Edina locations into the new building. Those locations offer prosthetics, physical therapy and other services.

For more information, contact the Planning Division at 952-826-0369.

– Compiled by Dawn Wills Submitted Illustration Twin Cities Orthopedics will consolidate its operations with a new building at 7700 France Ave.

44 • SPRING 2017 Edina Library To Close For Renovations

When Hennepin County Library – Edina reopens in late August, patrons will find lighter, more comfortable spaces with improved acoustics, an enclosed reading room and collaborative working spaces, as well as a larger children’s area with interactive learning elements.

The library, located at 5280 Grandview Square, will close for renovations at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 9.

“The renovation will allow the Edina Library to better serve the community and share the full benefits that the Hennepin County Library system brings,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison. “Our libraries provide a space for people of all ages to learn and grow, experience art and culture and to receive Submitted Photo services. We are always working to meet the evolving The Edina Library will close for several months for a needs and demands of our residents, and the Edina renovation. The space has not been renovated since it opened Library renovation is only one part of that work.” in 2002. opened in a shared facility with the Edina Senior While Edina Library is closed, patrons are encouraged Center. to visit other Hennepin County libraries: For more information about the project, visit the Edina • Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina Library building project page at www.hclib.org/edina. • Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis • Hopkins Library, 22 11th Ave. N., Hopkins

The budget for the renovation project is $1.1 million.

Edina Library has been providing service to Edina residents in its current location since 2002, when it

2017 SPRING • 45 Ellyn Wolfenson 612-644-3033 mobile 612-915-8894 office [email protected] www.ellynwolfenson.com International President’s Elite Voted Best Real Estate Agent and Super Agent, 2012-2016 Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine “It’s all about relationships!”

on France Vibrant Senior Living and Care • Beautiful studio, one- and two-bedroom Call today to reserve the apartment homes near shopping, restaurants Newly constructed rental floor plan of your choice! and connected to Fairview Southdale Hospital apartment homes offering • Heated, underground parking senior living, assisted living, 952-848-8888 • Restaurant-style dining memory care, care suites 6500 France Ave. S. • Movie theater and transitional care within Edina, MN 55435 • Multiple fireplace lounges, in addition to a one welcoming community. beautiful outdoor patio and fireplace AuroraOnFrance.com AURORA ON FRANCE • Hair salon and spa ~ Library Senior Living is Edina’s Private dining ~ Bistro ~ Fitness center premier place to call home!

46 • SPRING 2017 ?

Evaluation of academic profile • Customized college list Essay brainstorming • Financial aid and scholarship info YOU have insurance for Get a jump sewer back-up s? start on college Check your policy today!

plans! Coverage for backups of sewers and basement drains is available, but not always included in a basic homeowner’s We can help! insurance policy. In addition, insurance companies that do offer the Call today for your FREE 30-minute consultation protection have varying amounts of coverage. by your Edina neighbor. 404.218.0182 Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if you www.colledge4u.com have coverage for backups.

Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai If you do not have coverage, consider adding to your policy because in most cases the City is not liable for damages and provides only limited coverage.

2017 SPRING • 47 Business Notes

Tide signature scent, so your garments come back clean and smelling fresh.”

Tide Dry Cleaners has been growing across the United States, with a total of 48 stores operational at the end of January. Tide offers “signature services” for its customers. These services include “Back to Black” for faded black articles of clothing and “Tide Color Restore” for colored clothes that have lost their brightness. Another service is a loyalty program called “Tide Dry Cleaners Inner Circle Rewards.” The loyalty programs helps customers earn points to go toward free services. New customers automatically receive 50 percent off their first visit to the store, and after 12 articles are brought in, customers will get a free shirt cleaning.

An automated kiosk, much like a Redbox machine, makes Tide Dry Cleaners a 24-hour drop off and pick-up service for time-crunched Edina residents. Another convenient service is valet parking, which is similar to a drive-thru. Submitted Photo Tide Dry Cleaners owners, Todd and Kathy Laabs, stand in “Our customer service representatives come to your car for front of their new store front at 71 France. both drop-off and pick-up, so there is no need to get out of Tide Dry Cleaner Business Opens In Edina your car. This is great when you have kids in the car or to A Tide Dry Cleaners business has come to Edina. The avoid the cold elements of the winter,” said Laabs. second Tide business in Minnesota was opened by Todd All cleaning is done on site. Tide Dry Cleaners features a and Kathy Laabs at 7131 France Ave. S. in November 2016. signature seven-point quality inspection – quality is checked “Everything starts and ends with the Tide brand itself. From and measured at seven different points in the dry-cleaning the moment you walk through the front door, you will process. Tide takes care of all minor alterations and button experience a bright, clean and friendly environment,” said replacements free of charge. Todd Laabs. “We use Tide brand laundry detergent and For more information about Tide Dry Cleaners, visit Downy products in all of our wet-cleaning processes versus tidedrycleaners.com. using bulk/generic laundry products. Our dry cleaning process uses Green Earth technology and scented with the

48 • SPRING 2017 AAA’s Travel Agency And Luggage Store Moves To Mayor Reappointed To 71 France Transportation Advisory Board AAA Travel Agency and Luggage Store has moved from the Edina Mayor Jim Hovland Galleria’s lower level to 71 France. will again serve as chair of the Transportation Advisory Board “We wanted a larger space after the Galleria remodeled,” (TAB.) This is Hovland’s 12th year said Linda Snyder, AAA’s Vice President of Travel & Retail serving on the TAB and second year Services. “After 22 years in that space, we want to add an as its chair. insurance specialist to our staff, and we didn’t have room to fit someone in there. Our travel store area was very According to the Metropolitan cramped. The setup with the limited space was cluttered.” Mayor Jim Hovland Council, the TAB helps shape regional and state transportation The move to 7151 France Ave. was official Jan. 11. They have plans. It also solicits, reviews and selects local four staff members and have added a full-service insurance transportation projects for federal funding. agent called a Membership Insurance Representative who sells auto insurance, life insurance and AAA memberships. “I have been pleased and honored to be able to serve this group, the Metropolitan Council and the region as the “We’re excited to be in that neighborhood in a more TAB chair for the past two years and to continue to serve convenient area,” said Snyder. “We are looking forward to as its chair for the next two years as well,” said Hovland. being more visible to more people who might not have seen us down in the Galleria. We’re excited to meet the other The resident members reappointed to districts include tenants who come into the 71 France area because there is a Sam Villella, TAB District E; and Rolf Parsons, TAB lot of room for development.” District F. The new resident members appointed are Carrie Christenson, TAB District G; and Peter Duncan, AAA has all the necessities for travel and although they are TAB District H. a membership agency, they also plan trips for non-members. There are discounts for members, but everyone is welcome There are also six new alternates: Christopher to planning services for world-wide travel, and TripTik map Geisler, District E; Mark Wagner, District F; Conor routing for auto travel, among other services. Johnson, District G; Nickolas Fox, District H; Matt Hollishead, Transit representative; and Matt Privratksy, “The staff is thrilled to be in a new location. We have a lot of representative for non-motorized transportation. customers and we hope they find us over at 71 France,” said Snyder. For more information about the TAB, visit metrocouncil.org. For more information on AAA’s Travel Agency and Luggage Store, visit Minneapolis.aaa.com. (continued on next page)

2017 SPRING • 49 Business Organizations Grow Membership The 50th & France Business & Professional Association has added four businesses to its membership roster since November. The Edina Chamber of Commerce has also welcomed eight businesses as new members.

New members of the 50th & France Business & Professional We want to help you Association include Shop in the City, Witt + Bliss, Hope Law OWN AN EDINA HOME and Buhl Investors. Want To Learn More? Contact Joyce Repya New members of the Edina Chamber of Commerce include 952-826-0462 or [email protected] Buhl Investors, Envy Skin Clinic, Giordano’s, IRL Escape, Onyx Edina, Organic Lawns by LUNSETH, Salons by JC and The Reserve. For more information about the 50th & France Business & Professional Association, call 952-922-1524. For more information about the Chamber of Commerce, call your$5 next food purchaseOFF of $20 or more 952-806-9060. with this coupon

– Compiled by Lauren Siebenaler

Braemar Park, 6364 John Harris Dr 952.941.5573 tinﬁshmn.com

Golf Clubhouse open all winter for pre-game snacks, lunch, dinner, team banquets or parties

50 • SPRING 2017 - ADVERTISEMENT-

FEW THINGS MAKE AS GOOD A FIRST IMPRESSION AS THEY DO A LASTING ONE.

ConnectEdina Community with Education us! edinaschools.org/communityed TechniCrete®.The only concrete with a lifetime, no-crack guarantee. Early Childhood Family Education | Preschool | Youth Classes 612-861-4243 Youth Camps | School Age Care | Adult Learning | Fitness HAGECONCRETE.COM CONCRETE WORKS Community Conversations | Volunteers

2017 SPRING • 51 Six Commercial Areas Will Be Focus of Edina Comp Plan

By Debbie Townsend of Minneapolis, to lead the Comprehensive Plan effort. The City’s Planning Commission will oversee the entire Edina is at the start of a two-year process for shaping the project. vision of the city for the next 20 years. Land use usually is the topic that brings the most input Technically, the process results in the creation of a dense and concern. Aaker quickly calms most concerns by document known as the Comprehensive Plan. It covers clearly stating single-dwelling residential land use – the planning topics such as transportation, water resources, largest percentage of land use in the city – will not change parks, housing and land use. in the 2018 plan.

In practice, the Plan is used to guide development, Most of the land use focus will be on creating small area prepare for changes in the community such as increased plans for six areas that residents already know are under traffic, and give an outline of how to address other pressure for change: factors that may have an impact on people, businesses and quality of life. It’s also used as a basis for developing • Greater Southdale programs and directing where to spend tax dollars. • 44th & France “This is the opportunity to look at our goals and our • 50th & France vision for the future. Now is the time to readjust those,” • Valley View & Wooddale said Assistant City Planner Kris Aaker. • Grandview Aaker emphasized that this is just an update to the 2008 • 70th & Cahill Comprehensive Plan, not an effort that’s starting from scratch. The Metropolitan Council requires cities update Land use designations for those areas aren’t anticipated their Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. Work on this to change; they were made mixed use – a designation update essentially began with Vision Edina, a strategic that allows for a variety of development such as housing planning process in 2015 that involved extensive public and retail – from the 2008 plan. But more specific visions comment. for each one will be part of the 2018 plan. Biko actually helped with the Valley View and Wooddale small “The vision has been established – a little tweaking area plan, which is already done. Small area plans for around the edges maybe – but essentially the vision has Grandview and Greater Southdale are in progress. been established and that’s what we’re going to work with as we move forward,” Bill Smith said of Vision Biko plans to have working groups of residents involved Edina while speaking to the City Council Feb. 7. The in the development of the other three small plans. Council approved hiring Smith’s firm, Biko Associates

52 • SPRING 2017 developing the entire Comprehensive Plan, reviewing it and the City Council giving the final stamp of approval before the end of the year.

Between now and then, people have multiple ways to learn more or get involved.

• Check for updates online at EdinaMN.gov/comp_ plan_update. • Watch or attend Planning Council meetings. They’re held at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of

Submitted Rendering each month at City Hall. They’re also shown live and later rebroadcast on Edina TV and are available on 50th & France is one of the six areas that will be the focus of the 2018 Edina Comprehensive Plan. Edina TV’s Youtube channel. • Contact members of the Planning Commission or of “We feel strongly that community residents – people who the appropriate City Board or Commission. Those will be affected by planning outcomes – really deserve groups will have major input on the 2018 document. a place at the table, so there will be frequent outreach to • Attend a public meeting. Dates are to be announced. community members,” Smith said.

The most significant change from 2008 is the addition of For more information, contact Aaker at [email protected] or 952-826-0461. two elements: Resilience and Economic Competitiveness. Those will be woven throughout the various plan sections, as will the concept of equity and health in all policies. “Those will touch on every chapter,” Aaker said. SSppeeaakk UUpp,, EEddiinnaa!! “For the first time, the Comp Plans for the metropolitan area are going to include resiliency and energy and JOIN the discussion! environmental issues at a different level than they’ve ever considered them before,” Smith said.

The process is already under way. Small area planning SpeakUpEdina.org will take place the rest of this year, with 2018 focused on

2017 SPRING • 53 The Last Word

In the winter issue of About Town, The sketch plan review is not mandatory, but it provides a there was a story in the “Planning valuable opportunity for developers. The sketch plan review Matters” section about a sketch plan process allows a developer with an idea to get early, informal review performed by the Planning feedback from both the Planning Commission and the City Commission and City Council Council. The feedback is non-binding because the review is of a proposed redevelopment informal, but it provides a development team with valuable project in the Wooddale-Valley insight about the likely reception their plan may receive should View area. The story caused a bit they go forward with spending their money to produce all of the of a stir because some readers did application materials for an official development plan. not understand the review was The sketch plan is also an early “heads up” to the neighborhood very preliminary in nature and of a possible project. While the sketch plan review process they assumed that the project was does not include a public hearing, the review itself is all done imminent. The About Town story, in public meetings at City Hall and carried live on Edina TV. combined with the social media Neighborhood residents can see and hear about the possible chatter, only raised more questions than answers. project as well as the Planning Commission’s and City Council’s The City learned several lessons. One outcome is that we will reactions to it. This allows residents and property owners more no longer report on sketch plan reviews in About Town. The lead time to react when, and if, the project receiving the sketch time for preparation of the quarterly About Town stories is long plan review advances to the official development plan review and the probability of sketch plans actually going forward is soft. process. Once an official application is received, notices are Those two factors combined produce too much uncertainty to be mailed to adjoining property owners and public hearings are included in an official City publication because, as we’ve seen, held by both the Planning Commission and City Council. uncertainty in a redevelopment project can cause real confusion The sketch plan review process has proven itself to be a and potential unnecessary economic pain for those concerned. valuable tool in the City’s approach to development projects. Another lesson learned is that the City should make a better It provides more and earlier notice to interested residents of effort to explain the process and rationale of the sketch plan impending real estate development proposals. It provides more review. and earlier opportunities for policy makers to provide feedback The submission of an official application to the City for the on impending real estate development proposals. It allows the development of real estate is a big deal. The standards required City and the development community to work together more by the City for the application materials are voluminous and cooperatively to produce development projects that are more expensive to meet. Because they are voluminous and expensive sensitive to the community and a development review process to meet, developers tend to get very committed very early in that is faster and less expensive. The sketch plan review has the development review process. One of the collateral impacts been a positive addition to our regulatory process and produced of this dynamic is that the various parties can get entrenched on positive results for Edina. the outcomes they want too early. The sketch plan review was introduced in 2011 to break the City and the development community out of this cycle. The sketch plan standards are informal and much less expensive than an official development plan. It’s not quite back-of-the-napkin kind Scott H. Neal of stuff, but it’s not too far from that, either. City Manager

54 • SPRING 2017 Dedicated to Project Management Since 1998

(612) 877-7505 [email protected] www.pcgmn.com

Closets • Garage • Home Office • Laundry Room • Pantry • Mudroom

Contact us for a complimentary in-home design consultation today! 2634 Minnehaha Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55406 (612) 623-0987 | tccloset.com

2017 SPRING • 55 AboutTown Magazine PRESORT STD City of Edina U.S. POSTAGE 4801 West 50th Street PAID Edina, MN 55424 TWIN CITIES MN EdinaMN.gov Permit No. 3932 AboutTown ***ECRWSS*** POSTAL PATRON CAR-RT-WS

Contact one of these Edina Specialists for help with all of your real estate needs! Curt Adams Anne C. Elliott Jerry and Stella Rezac 612-701-7376 612-327-3027 612-720-6942 Beth Andrews Kathryn Haymaker Steve Schmitz 612-801-2041 612-203-1486 952-484-6045 Emily Bradley Isaac Johnson Wade Thommen 651-792-5340 612-280-9991 952-994-2035 Tom and Kari Cartier Seth Johnson Mike Weiss 612-910-9556 612-810-5124 612-747-5463 Daniel and Julie Desrochers Karen Moe 612-554-4773 612-418-6840 Jerome Nelson NMLS #340544 Tel 952-844-6042 PHH Home Loans Edina Regional Office, 7550 France Ave, S STE 100, Edina, MN 55435

©2017 Burnet Realty LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Burnet fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Burnet are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Burnet.