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Leverage the global power of Coldwell Banker.® Contact your Neighborhood Specialist today. 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 Guaranteed Rate Affinity Edina Regional Office, 7550 France Ave, S STE 100, Edina, MN 55435

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AUTUMN•2017 AboutTown Table Of Contents Volume 28, Number 4 Circulation 25,000 Calendar Of Events...... 1 Autumn 2017 Autumn Calendar Highlights...... 4 Official Publication of the EdinaMN.gov A Word From The Mayor...... 5 City of Edina, Minnesota Forgotten Opera Sensation Emma Abbott Bankrolled 4801 West 50th Street Early Edina Development ...... 6 Edina, Minnesota 55424 It’s Not Only Neighborly ... It’s The Law...... 12 952-826-0359 Makeover Improves City Website, Facility Pages...... 14 Editor: Jennifer Bennerotte New Utility Bill Payment System Offers Improved Designer: Katie Laux Functionality...... 18 Windsource Brings Clean, Renewable Energy Contributing Writers: Ying Chen Axt, Krystal Caron, Dick Option To Edina...... 20 Crockett, Wes Drey, Kaylin Eidsness, David Katz, Grace Kramer, Debbie Townsend, Dawn Wills and Mary Woitte Home Energy Fair To Be Held Oct. 7...... 22 Edinborough Park Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary...... 26 Photographers: Michael Braun and Dietrich Nissen Officer Piper To Work In Edina Schools...... 30 Publisher: City of Edina Recreation Supervisor Works To Make Edina Even About Town is produced by the City of Edina. More Active...... 32 To advertise in About Town, call Barb Pederson, New Approaches To Teaching And Learning 612-998-7412. Prepare Young Minds for What’s Next...... 34 Copyright 2017 by City of Edina, City Explores Covering Highway 100 To Reunite 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Grandview Neighborhoods...... 36 About Town is published quarterly by the City of Edina. Edina Community Foundation: Diversity And Inclusion...... 38 The purpose of the magazine is to keep Edina residents informed of news, activities and programs that are Funding, Nearby Development Next Steps For important to them. We include articles of interest about our Fred Richards Park...... 40 residents and community history as well. VEAP Strengthens Access to Healthy Foods, Affordable Housing and Social Services...... 44 About Town is printed on recycled paper to conform to City Planning Matters...... 46 conservation guidelines. Business Notes...... 50 Cover photo by Andrea Bryant. The Last Word...... 54 a blue print for success. We’ve got one. It’s called the 360˚ Remodeling Plan. 

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CA US TO SET UP YOUR FIRST HOUSE VISIT. About Town Calendar October 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 p.m., Somewhat 7 p.m., City Council, 7 p.m., Edina Parent Noon, Teddy Bear 9 a.m.-9 p.m., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Home Dixieland Band, Edina City Hall. Communications Band, Edinborough Edinborough Park Energy Fair, Braemar Edinborough Park. Network Forum Park. 30th anniversary Golf Course. “How to Talk to celebration, Your Kids About 5-8 p.m., 33rd-annual Edinborough Park. 9 a.m., Construction Sexuality,” Edina Members’ Juried Walking Tour, Performing Arts Exhibition opening, Braemar Golf Course. Center. Edina Art Center.

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 p.m., Rum River 9:30 a.m., School 7 p.m., Heritage 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Alphabits, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Brass, Edinborough Board candidate Preservation Commission, Edina Edinborough Park. Urban Vision Park. forum, Edina Commission, Edina City Hall. Symposium, Braemar Community Center. City Hall. 7 p.m., Energy Golf Course. & Environment 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., Parks Commission, Edina Health Commission, & Recreation City Hall. Edina City Hall. Commission, Edina City Hall. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7 p.m., Roseville Big 7 p.m., Edina High 4-6 p.m., Community 7-9 p.m., Wine & No school for Edina No school for Edina 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Band, Edinborough School Choral Flu Shot Clinic, Edina Canvas Wednesday, Public Schools. Public Schools. Pumpkin Fest, 50th & Park. Concert, Edina Community Center. Braemar Golf Course. France. High School Fick Noon, Woodland Auditorium. 7 p.m., City Council, Puppets, Edinborough Edina City Hall. Park.

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7 p.m., Seward 7 p.m., School Board, 7 p.m., Human 7 p.m., Planning 4:30 p.m., Arts & 6:30-8:30 p.m., Not- 6 p.m., Edina High Concert Band, Edina Community Rights & Relations Commission, Edina Culture Commission So-Scary Halloween School Carnival Edinborough Park. Center. Commission, Edina City Hall. Edina Art Center. Party, Edinborough Concert, Edina City Hall. Park. High School Fick 6 p.m., Transportation Auditorium. 7 p.m., Zuhrah Shrine Commission, Edina Band, Edinborough City Hall. Park.

29 30 31 7 p.m., First John

 Philip Sousa

Tear Here Memorial Band, Edinborough Park.



2017 AUTUMN • 1 About Town Calendar November 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 Braemar Golf Dome 7 p.m., Edina High 7 p.m., Edina High 7 p.m., Edina High opens for the season. School fall play, School fall play, School fall play, “The Visit,” Edina “The Visit,” Edina “The Visit,” Edina Performing Arts Performing Arts Performing Arts Center. Center. Center.

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7 p.m., St. Paul Police 7 p.m., Edina Parent Election Day. Polls 7 p.m., City Council, 7 p.m., Energy Veterans Day. Band, Edinborough Communications open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Edina City Hall. & Environment City Hall closed. Park. Network Forum Commission, Edina “Creating Character City Hall. 6:30 p.m., Friday & Connection in Your Family Movie Night, Home,” South View Edinborough Park. Middle School.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 7 p.m., Heart of a 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., Heritage 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Westwood 10 a.m.-noon, Town Tinman Performance, Health Commission, Preservation Commission, Edina Hills Nature Center, Hall meeting, location Edinborough Park. Edina City Hall. Commission, Edina City Hall. Edinborough Park. TBD. City Hall. 4:30 p.m., Arts & 7 p.m., School Board, 7-9 p.m., Wine & Culture Commission, 5 p.m., Edina Edina Community 7 p.m., Human Canvas Wednesday, Edina Art Center. Federated Women’s Center. Rights & Relations Braemar Golf Course. 6 p.m., Transportation Club Fundraiser, Commission, Edina Commission, Edina Edina Country Club. City Hall. City Hall. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7 p.m., The 7 p.m., City Council, No school for Edina No school for Edina No school for Edina 3-5 p.m., Small Percolators band, Edina City Hall. Public Schools. Public Schools. Public Schools. Business Saturday & Edinborough Park. Winter Market, 50th Thanksgiving. City Hall closed. & France. City Hall closed.

26 27 28 29 30 7 p.m., First John 7 p.m., Bend in the 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Jack & Kitty, Philip Sousa River Big Band, Commission, Edina Edinborough Park. Memorial Band, Edinborough Park. City Hall. Edinborough Park. 7 p.m., Kindergarten information night, Concord, Cornelia, Countryside, Creek Valley and Highlands elementary schools. 2 • AUTUMN 2017 About Town Calendar December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 p.m., Minneapolis 5 p.m., Human Noon, Jack Pearson, 6:30 p.m., Friday 8:45 and 10:30 a.m., Police Band, Rights & Relations Edinborough Park. Family Movie Night, Breakfast with Santa, Edinborough Park. Commission, Edina Edinborough Park. Braemar Golf Course. City Hall. 7 p.m., Winter Jubilee 7 p.m., Winter Jubilee 7 p.m., City Council, concert, Edina concert, Edina Edina City Hall. High School Fick High School Fick Auditorium. Auditorium.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 p.m., St. Louis Park 6:30 p.m., Community 7 p.m., Parks 7 p.m., Planning Noon, Richardson Community Band, Health Commission, & Recreation Commission, Edina Nature Center, Edinborough Park. Edina City Hall. Commission, Edina City Hall. Edinborough Park. City Hall. 7 p.m., School Board, 7 p.m., Energy Edina Community 7 p.m., Heritage & Environment Center. Preservation Commission, Edina Commission, Edina City Hall. City Hall. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7 p.m., Good 7 p.m., Edina High 7 p.m., City Council, 4:30 p.m., Arts & News Big Band, School Band concert, Edina City Hall. Culture Commission Edinborough Park. Edina High School Edina Art Center. Fick Auditorium. 7 p.m., Brio Brass, Edinborough Park. 6 p.m., Transportation 7 p.m., Edina High Commission, Edina School Band concert, City Hall. Edina High School Fick Auditorium. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 No school for Edina No school for Edina No school for Edina No school for Edina No school for Edina Public Schools. Public Schools. Public Schools. Public Schools. Public Schools.

Christmas. 5-8 p.m., Pre-New City Hall closed. Year’s Eve Party, Edinborough Park.

3 • AUTUMN 2017 Autumn Calendar Highlights

Other Dates To Remember Where: Downtown Edina, 50th Street and France Avenue. Oct. 6 5:30 p.m., Edina Education Fund “Socktoberfest,” Cost: Free Braemar Golf Dome. Info: 50th & France Business & Professional Association, 952-922-1524, or 50thandFrance.com. Oct. 10 7 p.m., LaVelle Jazz Band, Edinborough Park.

Oct. 26 Noon, Bob the Beachcomber, Edinborough Park.

Nov. 14 7 p.m., River City Jazz Orchestra, Edinborough Park.

Nov. 14 7 p.m., Parks & Recreation Commission, Edina City Hall.

Dec. 5 7 p.m., Eden Prairie Community Band, Edinborough Park.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Party What: Start your Halloween weekend off with a party at Edinborough Park! Trick-or-treating, games, special File Photo “kid-friendly” entertainment and mask-making with the Edina Art Center round out this exclusive annual family event. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and admission price includes full access to Adventure Peak and the Great Hall play areas. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Where: Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S. Cost: $11/child; adults free with paying child. Discount available for pre-registration. Info: 952-833-9540 or EdinboroughPark.com. Pumpkin Fest What: The 50th & France Business & Professional Association hosts Pumpkin Fest, a fun, family- oriented day filled with festive activities, including

trick-or-treating, face painting, petting zoo and a cake  walk. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. File Photo Tear Here 

4 • AUTUMN 2017 A Word From The Mayor

One of Edina’s longest-serving public servants quietly stepped crafted to meet the current requirements of the mortgage down from volunteer service to the City this summer. Jack Rice industry. Up to $60,000 is available to income- and asset- retired from the Edina Housing Foundation, an organization eligible homebuyers in a defined area of Edina. he helped found about four decades ago with William Greer, • Group home. Interest-free first mortgage to Mount Olivet Virginia Shaw, Ronald Ringling and John Bailey. Rolling Acres for the purchase of a single-family home to serve as a group home for four low- or moderate-income Rice started work as a public servant in 1973 when he joined people. what was then called the Park Board and was a member until December 1978. With a clear calling for public service and • Oak Glen of Edina. Provided funds in the form of a loan/ an interest in continually making Edina a better community, grant to assist in the restoration of 26 Section 8 units in he helped form the East Edina Housing Foundation a few Oak Glen of Edina, thus encouraging the owner to extend years later. the Section 8 contract for another decade. • H.O.M.E. Annually, the Foundation provides a grant The East Edina Housing Foundation, now doing business as to Senior Community Services for its Household and the Edina Housing Foundation, was organized by the Housing Outside Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) program & Redevelopment Authority in 1985 to provide modest cost to fill the gap in its funding request that cannot be fully housing opportunities to people of low and moderate incomes. accommodated with the City’s Community Development Initially, second mortgages were offered to qualified buyers Block Grant budget. of the Edinborough condominium complex. Over time, the deferred loan program was expanded to include Centennial Rice served on the Foundation for three years after its Lakes condominiums and owner-occupied housing. inception, then took a 10-year hiatus before rejoining and serving another two decades. While his work on the Edina Initially, the funds to start the second mortgage program Housing Foundation spanned the longest amount of time, Rice came from tax-increment financing funds associated with the served the City in other ways. Most notably, he served on the Edinborough development. The second mortgage program has City Council from 1988 to 1994. In the 2000s, he was of great been very successful, with more than 300 second mortgages assistance with a complicated property acquisition for the site issued. As these second mortgages have been paid back, of the current Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility on the Foundation has invested the funds, creating a source for Metro Boulevard. future affordable housing offerings. Rice and his colleagues on the Foundation have diligently watched over and used those Rice helped shape the community and the City owes him a funds to create housing opportunities. debt of gratitude. When you see him around town, please thank him for his service. Over the years, the Foundation has offered the following affordable housing funding programs:

• Second mortgage program. Second mortgages have been  issued since 1985, accruing 5 percent simple interest. • Come Home 2 Edina program. Replacing the original James B. Hovland second mortgage program, this program has been Mayor Tear Here 

2017 AUTUMN • 5 Forgotten Opera Sensation Emma Abbott Bankrolled Early Edina Development

Editor’s Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 will appear in the Winter 2018 issue of About Town. In the next issue, we will delve into how Emma Abbott came to lend her name and deep pockets to the development of one of Edina’s earliest and most progressive subdivisions.

By David Katz, Contributing Writer

While few today know her name or story, in her time, opera prima donna Emma Abbott enjoyed an international reputation as America’s premier singing sensation. Over an extraordinary career that spanned from 1859 to her premature death in 1891, this plucky soprano rose from hardscrabble Midwestern roots to the top of her chosen profession: a media darling in Paris and London, belle of the ball in the opera meccas of Milan and Florence, and a doorbuster act in “New World” markets from New York to San Francisco. The Life and Professional Career of Emma Abbott (1891), by Sadie E. Martin. Emma Abbott established the Abbott English Opera Surprisingly, at the absolute zenith of her career, this Company – the first such American troupe formed by a globe-trekking phenom held a special place in her heart woman – in 1878. for a tract of land in the northeast corner of present- day Edina. She never resided there herself. Had she Her paternal grandfather Dyer Abbott taught military lived just a year or two longer, however, the star would fife during the War of 1812, and maintained a private have molded “Emma Abbott Park” into a combination music studio in Connecticut in his later years. Emma’s residential oasis and weekend retreat for the growing father, Seth, followed suit, becoming an in-demand choir Minneapolis working class. instructor and itinerant band leader. After marrying Almira Palmer – an accomplished singer, naturally – in From Peoria To Paris 1842, Seth moved west to the growing burb of Chicago In the words of a family friend, Emma “[exuded] musical in pursuit of greener pastures. Although he successfully talent from her first lisped words.” That is probably only established himself as a “musical celebrity of that time a slight exaggeration. Her relations boasted “refined and locality,” Seth’s reputation and earnings fell short of musical taste and talents … were well educated in music his lofty hopes. theory, and skillful manipulators of popular instruments,” dating back at least two generations, according to her Emma, the couple’s third child, was born in Chicago on biographer and friend Sadie E. Martin. Dec. 9, 1850.

6 • AUTUMN 2017 Seth moved the growing Abbott brood to Peoria, Illinois, shortly thereafter, where he dabbled in various commercial enterprises, but continued to nurse his and his family’s musical aspirations. (Seth’s entrepreneurial ambitions will play into the story again shortly.)

It was here, at the ripe age of 8, that Emma gave her first vocal concert – to a schoolhouse full of miners in her father’s employ. Donations received at a half-dozen free, casual performances such as this enabled young Emma to afford professional lessons back in Chicago, where she studied under a maestro with the auspicious name of Mozart.

She then furthered her vocal education in New York City, where the cash-strapped ingénue had the good fortune to enjoy the patronage of several national luminaries, including famed New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, abolitionist and preacher Henry Ward Beecher, and Clara Louise Kellogg – America’s preeminent operatic soprano at that time.

Afterward, like Kellogg and every other opera singer The Life and Professional Career of Emma Abbott (1891), by Sadie E. Martin. seeking to achieve headliner status, Emma traveled to Seth Abbott enjoyed a close relationship with his daughter, Europe to polish her voice and acting skills. She quickly nurturing her talent and instilling the work ethnic needed to perfected Italian and German, the languages of opera, succeed in the competitive world of musical theater. “She and eventually mastered French, the lingua franca of high never uttered [Seth’s] name without a prefix of endearment,” society, with equal alacrity. noted one childhood friend.

Seats for Emma’s formal stage debut in London, and later Novelty was another. Cosmopolitan audiences had never shows on the continent, “sold at a premium, and even before encountered “a product of the wild and woolly aisles and foyers were packed to the doors,” remembered West,” who embodied the ideals of an opera prima donna Martin. Her obvious talents were only part of the reason while also breaking the mold in striking ways. Off stage, for this meteoric rise. Emma’s many surprising hobbies ranged from fencing (continued on next page)

2017 AUTUMN • 7 to hiking to nautical pursuits like rowing, sailing and swimming. (She purportedly even once saved the life of a drowning victim.)

In addition, Emma’s devotion to historical authenticity and the minutiae of stagecraft set her apart. When she prepared for the popular opera Queen Anne, for instance, she read up extensively on the British monarch in the little free time available to her. She insisted on wearing a gown of “moss-green velvet and shrimp-pink satin” – an exact copy of one on display at the Louvre – even though reproducing Queen Anne’s finery “cost many times that of the royal garment itself.”

The Abbott English Opera Company While abroad, Emma met and in 1874 wed a New York expat named Eugene Wetherell. Although a love match, the marriage proved a boon to Emma’s professional prospects as well – particularly after the couple returned

(1891), by Sadie E. Martin. stateside. Eugene took the reins as business manager when, in 1878, the prima donna incorporated the Abbott English Opera Company (incidentally, the first such troupe formed by a woman in America).

The Abbott English Opera Company, which employed upward of 60 cast and crew in its heyday, toured widely throughout the country for over a decade. Emma, as artistic director, initially concentrated on bankable classics like Romeo and Juliet and Verdi’s La Traviata.

The Life and Professional Career of Emma Abbott However, unlike her competitors, who staged “the same Between each season, Emma Abbott traveled to Europe to old repertoire year after year,” Emma was not content scout new operas to adapt for the American stage. Over to perform “time-worn opera in a stereotyped manner,” time, such novel offerings gave the Abbott English Opera Company a leg up on the competition. (continued on page 10)

8 • AUTUMN 2017 Minnesota Misses Out On Abbott’s ‘Grand Mausoleum’ Emma Abbott’s adoring husband and adroit business manager, Eugene Wetherell, died 18 months before her. Family and friends held funeral services near his childhood home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and interred his remains at seaside Oak Grove Cemetery.

Emma considered that arrangement temporary; she nursed a grandiose ambition to, in the words of her biographer, “erect one of Submitted Photo the most expensive, indeed perhaps the costliest monument in the Abbott Grave Marker United States dedicated to the memory of a private individual.”

She strongly considered moving Eugene’s remains to Greenwood Cemetery in New York City, a tranquil place he had once called “the loveliest spot on earth.” She also flirted with the idea of constructing this “grand mausoleum” in Minnesota, as an adornment for Emma Abbott Park or another of Seth Abbott’s platted subdivisions in or near Edina.

In the end, the question of location proved a moot one. Eugene’s mother, citing a state law which barred Emma from disinterring her son without her permission, insisted Gloucester remain his final resting place. Understandably, Emma did not take kindly to that pronouncement. However, once “a burst of passionate grief” subsided, she opted to move forward with her plans.

The ornate Wetherell Monument in Gloucester, built of Quincy granite at a height of nearly 60 feet, is an amalgam of six different designs commissioned by Emma Abbott. She did not live to see it completed, and was buried there alongside her husband after her own untimely Submitted Photo death in 1891. Wetherell Monument

2017 AUTUMN • 9 noted Martin. Each off-season, she traveled to Europe to research new operas to adapt for the American stage. New crowd favorites like Anne Boleyn and Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado gave Abbott’s troupe a decided leg up, particularly in the West and Midwest.

Once it hit its stride, the Abbott English Opera Company often netted as much as $10,000, which equates to more than $235,000 in today’s dollars, in profits from just one week-long engagement.

Emma, who starred in most of the productions herself, naturally generated the most crowd enthusiasm. In the words of one arts critic with a flair for mental imagery, the prima donna’s nightly standing ovations typically came complete with “flowers and sweetmeats in sufficient quantities to stock a moderate-sized conservatory and confectionary stand.”

In 13 years on the road, the Abbott English Opera Company (1891), by Sadie E. Martin. also had the singular honor to stage the inaugural shows at a record 35 new music halls from coast to coast – proof positive of Emma Abbott’s singular popularity.

If the opera superstar is little remembered today, it is at least partly attributable to the sad fact that the soprano was cut down in her prime.

On Dec. 29, 1890, the troupe dedicated a new opera hall in Ogden, Utah. Emma caught a chill that night in the drafty,

The Life and Professional Career of Emma Abbott unfinished building, and came down with pneumonia soon after. Abbott English Opera Company productions came to be known for their extraordinary – and extraordinarily expensive – costumes.

10 • AUTUMN 2017 In this case, her renowned work ethic proved her downfall. Despite protestations from her entourage and personal physician, Emma refused to cancel a performance scheduled for the following night in Salt Lake City.

“I must sing if I die for it,” she declared. It proved a prophetic statement. After a brave showing in the opera Martha, her condition took an abrupt turn for the worse. Despite bedrest and round-the-clock physician attention, Emma Abbott fell into delirium and died on Jan. 5, at just 40 years of age.

On her deathbed, Emma voiced satisfaction with a life well lived, but regretted leaving three major projects Submitted Photo unfinished. First, she would not live to complete a Had she lived longer, the opera prima donna would have left promising, original collaboration with famed French her own stamp on “Emma Abbott Park,” a subdivision platted composer Edmond Audran then in development for the by her father in present-day Edina. Today, Todd Park sits Abbott English Opera Company. Second, she would never close to where Seth Abbott intended to site the community’s lay eyes on the grandiose monument she had recently titular green space. commissioned in memory of her husband. Author’s Note: Edina did not become “Edina” until 1888, when Last but not least, Emma lamented that she would never residents of what was then informally called “West Richfield” voted see “Emma Abbott Park,” one of her enterprising father’s to secede from Richfield Township and form a separate village. The favorite pet projects, take shape in far-off Edina. story of Emma and Seth Abbott straddles this seminal moment in local history. For the sake of simplicity, “Edina” is used here Martin’s biography wistfully notes: “Had Miss Abbott throughout. lived, she would have joined her father in the making of this [subdivision] bearing her name a real park, with Background information for this piece came from materials beautiful trees, flowers and streams of water … a place maintained by the Edina Historical Society, Minnesota Historical Society, and Illinois State Historical Society. Books of particular where the citizens of Minneapolis might resort, and enjoy help to the author include as her gift, pure air and charming surroundings.” The Life and Professional Career of Emma Abbott (1891), by Sadie E. Martin, and The History of Edina, Minnesota: From Settlement to Suburb (1988), by Paul Donald Hesterman. Unless otherwise attributed, direct quotes come from the Martin biography.

2017 AUTUMN • 11 It’s Not Only Neighborly … It’s The Law

Leaves What It Means: Vacation rentals like VRBO and Airbnb are not allowed in Edina. Single-family residential The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 24, Article II, Sec. 21 – properties are to be used as the residence of an owner or Prohibited encumbrances or obstructions. No person shall tenant of the unit. If the owner does not reside in the unit, obstruct, encroach upon, encumber or interfere, wholly a tenant may reside, but for a period of not less than 30 or partially, with any street, boulevard, alley, sidewalk, consecutive days. easement, park or public ground by placing … refuse, as For more information, contact the Planning Division at defined in Article III of Chapter 20. 952-826-0369. What it Means: Keep fallen leaves out of the street to help prevent clogging the storm sewer, which can lead Junk to water runoff, backups and flooding. In the fall, three street sweepers work four to six weeks, collecting leaves The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 23, Article II, Div. 3, Sec. throughout the city. If residents rake leaves from their 68 – Discarded or disused equipment or material and refuse. yards into the streets, the street sweeper will not be able to The following are declared to be nuisances affecting keep up. Residents should compost their leaves or contact public health … Accumulations of discarded or disused their refuse hauler for proper disposal. Licensed haulers in machinery, household appliances and furnishings, or other the city are Aspen Waste Systems, 612-884-8000; Republic material, or storage in the open of machinery, equipment Services, 952-941-5174; Curbside Waste, Inc., 763-504-2872; or materials not in normal use on the premises where GarbageMan of Edina, 763-269-8182; Vierkant Disposal, stored, in a manner conducive to the harboring of rats, 612-922-2505; Suburban Waste Service, 952- 937-8900; and mice, snakes or vermin, or to fire, health or safety hazards Waste Management, 952-890-1100. from such accumulations. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at What It Means: Nobody likes to see non-operational 952-826-0376. vehicles, appliances, refuse or temporary trash receptacles on the front lawn. Please dispose of these things promptly Vacation Rental by Owners and responsibly. Visit hennepin.us/dropoffs or call 612- 348-3777 for information on recycling household junk and The Law: Edina City Code Chapter 36, Article XII., Div. 2, hazardous waste. Sec. 1254 (c)(8). Customary home occupation as an accessory For more information, contact the Health Division at use … the following shall specifically not be permitted 952-826-0370. as customary home occupations … Tourist homes, boardinghouses or rooming houses and other kinds of – Compiled by Dawn Wills transient occupancies.

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2017 AUTUMN • 13 Makeover Improves City Website, Facility Pages

By Debbie Townsend

If you haven’t visited EdinaMN.gov lately, you’re in for a surprise.

The City of Edina’s website has been redesigned to make it easier for people to quickly find the information they want. It’s also mobile-friendly, so it works well on any device.

New menus display the most sought-after information for each department or facility, meaning the answers you seek are usually found in a single click.

Buttons take you directly to the calendar of events, the sign-up for email notifications or a featured City event.

The latest news is right at the top, giving you the basic information in a quick glance.

The new calendar lets you see all City events and Edina Aquatic Center, Edina Art Center, Edina Liquor, meetings or just the ones you want. For example, users Edinborough Park and the Edina Senior Center. All of can choose just to see Edinborough Park events, what’s those sites got a makeover and improved navigation. happening at City Hall or both. To help create a better browsing experience for people, The redesign got an enthusiastic endorsement from City staff worked with consultant CivicPlus, which City Hall Receptionist Lynette Biunno, who fields more specializes in developing user-friendly government questions about the City than anyone else. websites. In addition, Communications & Technology “The toolbars are amazing to me!” she said. “I love that Services staff did an extensive study of the old site’s there are dropdowns that are so very informative and so traffic and how people moved through it. Feedback from easy to navigate with everything that I need right there! residents and a usability study also contributed to the No more guessing where to go for information!” improvements.

The project also included creating stronger websites for “We are thankful for the feedback and many suggestions the City’s enterprise facilities: Braemar Arena, Braemar we received from focus group participants and other Field, Braemar Golf Course, Centennial Lakes Park, residents who want to help us improve the website,” said

14 • AUTUMN 2017 Communications & Technology Services Director Jennifer hopeful they will be able to find information much more Bennerotte. “It’s an important communications tool for all quickly and enjoy a better experience while browsing.” City departments.” Look for more improvements in the coming months as She encourages people to visit EdinaMN.gov and see for new features are rolled out. themselves. Please email any feedback about the website to “The City’s new website is more modern in look and [email protected] or call the Communications & functionality,” she said. “With the majority of our users Technology Services Department at 952-826-0359. now accessing the site from a smartphone or tablet, I’m

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2017 AUTUMN • 17 New Utility Bill Payment System Offers Improved Functionality

By Krystal Caron

Nearly three months after the launch of the new utility bill payment system, residents and the City are still reveling in the long list of improvements the new system offers. InvoiceCloud is the company behind the new bill payment system, which offers more reliability and an array of new features for users.

“This system really improved the customer experience with the bill-paying process. It is safe, easy and convenient. InvoiceCloud provides a portal that residents can access to manage their own billing,” said Finance Director Don Uram. “We’re pleasantly surprised at how well the rollout of this system has been. People seem enthused about using it and are taking advantage of what it can do for them. We are getting comments on the Residents have the option to set up highly personalized notifications and reminders feature. People can sign up payment and notification preferences in the new utility bill for text messages and emails for when the bill is due.” payment system.

Through InvoiceCloud, residents are able to view their utility bills online and pay online, by phone or by text. • Ability to register online to receive notifications by Credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks are text message and/or pay by text. accepted. In addition, there are several new features • Option to make a one-time payment or create an available: account to gain access to all features. • Email notifications when a bill is ready, just before • Security to save payment options for future use. the due date and when a scheduled payment is pending. • Ability to schedule payments or enroll in AutoPay.

• Option to pay by phone at any time. The phone “Something that makes InvoiceCloud unique is that we’re number to make payments is 844-476-3107. a true software as a service. That means that every time there is an upgrade, it is automatically available to all clients when we launch. There is no need to ever install

18 • AUTUMN 2017 anything new,” said InvoiceCloud Marketing Associate “This system is going to allow the people to manage their Casey Tocchio. “We also have the highest e-adoption in own utility billing accounts. Users didn’t have the ability the industry. We convert more conventional payers – mail to update their own credit cards and make payments and in-person payers – to online payers. That has a lot to via phone in our old system. And a new feature will be do with the ease of use of our system; it’s intuitive. We paying for more than one account, which will be helpful allow people to pay more than one invoice in a single for landlords and their tenants or residents who own transaction, we have the ability to let our payers view more than one house,” said Lohmann. “Users will have the last 24 months of their past bills and we have the several options; they can really personalize it.” ability for payers to pay by text and receive text message reminders.” While some account information was successfully transferred to the InvoiceCloud system, the Finance Utility Billing Supervisor Lori Lohmann oversees the Department still asks users to log into their account to utility billing process and has helped research a variety of ensure accuracy and to set up new preferences. bill pay options before ultimately selecting InvoiceCloud. “We encourage past users to go to the website and go “InvoiceCloud had aspects that mirrored other online through the registration process to select the various payment sites, but was more user friendly. We wanted to options that they require. We encourage everyone to do be sure that people would have some general familiarity that in order to experience the full functionality of the with the interface, too,” said Lohmann. new site,” said Uram. To learn more or sign up, visit EdinaMN.gov/Finance. InvoiceCloud is currently used by several other cities in the metro, including Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Eden For more information, contact the Finance Department at Prairie, Maple Grove and Eagan. 952-826-0373.

The previous bill pay system was managed by the Local Government Information Systems (LOGIS) consortium and had been used for the past several years. The Finance Department recognized the tool had issues with browser and operating system compatibility and left room for improvement.

2017 AUTUMN • 19 Windsource Brings Clean, Renewable Energy Option to Edina

By Kaylin Eidsness

Now that consumers are becoming more aware of the positive impact alternative energy has on the environment, residents and business owners, along with Xcel Energy, are taking advantage of renewable energy sources.

The existing energy mix the community receives from Xcel Energy includes 25 percent renewable energy and is more than 55 percent carbon free. Many would like even more clean energy, and are looking to power their home or business with wind and solar sources.

One option is to participate in Xcel Energy’s Windsource program, where residents and business owners can pay a little extra every month to get some or all of their energy from wind energy – which can cost less than the price of a latte.

“Energy & Environment Commissioners and other residents have been working hard to get the message out to their neighbors,” said City of Edina Sustainability Coordinator Tara Brown. “From a film series, to hosting ‘Energy House Parties,’ to the Home Energy Fair coming this October, residents want to empower each other to help Edina become a leader in subscribing to renewable energy.”

PROTECT THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. In July 2016, the Edina City Council set a goal to reduce For $5 a month, the average household can get 50-100 Sign up today! the City’s own electrical use 7.5 percent by March 2018 percentEdinaMN.gov/Windsource of its electricity from renewableThe City of Edinaenergy. and Xcel Energy are pleased to work together to achieve our community goals. and encourages residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint as well. Currently, roughly 60 percent

20 • AUTUMN 2017 of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity in Edina 4 to 8 blocks per month. For $5 a month, the average come from commercial properties and 30 percent from household can get 50-100 percent of its electricity from residential. The municipality and schools make up the renewable energy. remaining 10 percent of electricity-related emissions. “Windsource is a great choice for customers,” said “The Council made that goal because the community Hoffman. “Residents are saying they want carbon-free has told us that the environment is important to them, energy, but installing solar panels on your roof can the air we breathe is important, having a stable climate be expensive. This program is a hassle-free way for and keeping the earth safe is important,” said Mayor customers to have clean energy powering their home.” Jim Hovland. “A really easy, affordable way that we can do that is to tell our community about Windsource and To make it easy, the Windsource subscription is added to encourage them to take part.” the customer’s Xcel Energy bill. The program is certified by Green-e Energy and regulated by the Public Utility All of the carbon-free energy comes from wind farms in Commission. Minnesota. “You don’t have to be a homeowner to subscribe,” “We’re very lucky to have strong wind here, which a said Brown. “Anyone with an electricity bill – renters lot of people don’t think about,” said Howard Hoffman, and businesses included – can sign up to source their Xcel Energy Demand-Side Management Consultant and electricity through renewable energy.” Edina Energy & Environment Commissioner. “People typically think of the east and west coasts as hotbeds for There are currently 900 Windsource subscribers in Edina. wind energy, but Minnesota is among the wind energy The community goal is to have 675 additional subscribers leaders.” over the next five months. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Windsource or Hoffman also said that Xcel Energy has been the top contact Brown at [email protected] or 952-826-1621. utility provider of wind energy in the United States for more than a decade.

To sign up for Windsource, residents can select how much energy they’d like to purchase through the program each month. One 100 kilowatt-hour block of renewable energy costs about $1, and the average household uses

2017 AUTUMN • 21 Home Energy Fair To Be Held Oct. 7

By Grace Kramer

Win prizes, take part in family-friendly activities and EDINA learn how to save money during the Home Energy Fair on Saturday, Oct. 7. The free event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. HOME ENERGY FAIR is sponsored by the Edina Energy & Environment (EEC) SAVE ENERGY & MONEY! Commission and Xcel Energy. It will be held at Braemar Golf Course, 6364 John Harris Drive. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The EEC hosts an annual community gathering. Past FREE! events have included forums and expert speakers in Saturday, Oct. 7 energy and environment topics. Braemar This year, the event will focus on bringing together Clubhouse 6364 John Harris home and energy experts to help residents care for their Drive homes and learn about new technologies that will allow them to reduce energy use and save money. EdinaGoGreen.org The fair will be a family-friendly event with interactive exhibits, food and prizes. Among the prizes are certificates for Dairy Queen ice cream cakes and Rachio Smart Sprinkler controllers that let you customize and control sprinkler systems from your smartphone.

“This event will be really accessible to residents who are interested in learning about ways to take care of “Our purpose is to meet the City’s electricity action their homes going into the fall and winter seasons,” said goals and encourage residents to take some steps to Lauren Satterlee, Energy & Environment Commissioner. reduce their electricity at home,” said Satterlee. “It’ll be a fun environment to swing by.” Residents will be able to sign up for a Home Energy Exhibitors include Home Energy Squad teams, building Squad visit that can help them identify energy leaks contractors and solar farm vendors, as well as tables in their homes. Additionally, they can sign up for with information about renewable energy such as Windsource energy through Xcel Energy, an alternative Windsource. Visitors will also be able to check out the energy program the City encourages residents to electric car show. consider.

22 • AUTUMN 2017 “We want residents to feel more empowered and Overall, the fair will be a great opportunity to get knowledgeable on how they can save money on their informed and empowered on reducing energy use. energy bill and keep up their house,” said the City’s Sustainability Coordinator, Tara Brown. “It will also just be a great time,” said Brown. For more information on the Home Energy Fair, contact The commission hopes that the fair will be an Brown at [email protected] or 952-826-1621. opportunity for learning and fun.

“We highly recommend those families that are looking for something to do on Saturday, Oct. 7, come out and entertain your kids while learning to save money on your house,” said Brown.

The City has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025. The fair is the first step Energy savings customized in empowering residents to help with this goal. for your home. “We want to continue to support residents,” said Brown. “We’ve heard that people want to reduce their Consultation, diagnostic tests, materials, and greenhouse gas emissions and Edina has the opportunity labor for only $50 (normally $100) to do that. This is a great way for people to learn how they can take action themselves and save money.” thanks to the City of Edina.

The EEC is using the fair to take a step back, look at the current and future impact of the community’s energy use, and make sure it is working toward a cleaner future. Reducing energy use in Edina homes is a way that Edina can continue to be a leader in the area.

“Edina has a really high quality of life and I think we’re all proud to be living in this community,” said Satterlee. “We have really great goals tied to the environment and Schedule your visit today sustainability and we want to continue to lead in that area. This is a way that residents can really help our Call 651-328-6220 community be a leader in sustainability.”

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2017 AUTUMN • 25 Edinborough Park Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

By Grace Kramer

In 1987, when Edinborough Park opened to the public, it looked different than it does today with a 40-by-40-foot ice skating rink, no Adventure Peak and a small indoor play area. Memories have been made there every day of its 30-year evolution as the Twin Cities’ premier indoor park.

“Edinborough opened with the idea of attracting younger families to the area who could live, work and play all in the same place,” said Edinborough Park General Manager Patty McGrath.

The space was not originally intended for children when planning began. It was going to be a young adult athletic

facility with basketball and tennis courts. The idea of File photo building the “cultural centerpiece” of Edina was also Construction crews worked hard to lay the foundation considered. Ultimately, the decision was made to create a of Edinborough Park. Since this photo, Edinborough has space for a mix of culture and recreation. experienced many changes such as the removal of the skating rink and addition of Adventure Peak. From the start, the goal of Edinborough Park, 7700 York Ave. S., was to create a natural setting for people to play year-round. A lot of time was put into picking out Today, Edinborough is known for its events such as the the plants and trees that filled the Great Hall and the annual Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties that draw surrounding areas of the space. in hundreds of visitors. At its start, though, Edinborough was known for holding events such as proms, weddings “We wanted full-grown trees in the park,” said former and even a visit from the King and Queen of Sweden. Parks & Recreation Director Bob Kojetin. “We went to Florida to pick them out.” “We had to clean all the bathrooms in preparation of them coming,” said Kojetin. “Then we had to lock them The trees grew too tall after some years and many were up because they couldn’t be used by anyone besides removed in recent years, but at its start, this natural feel the Queen.” made it the premier venue in the area.

26 • AUTUMN 2017 Weddings became such a major demand from the park that they had to hire someone to manage them. The original park manager, Bill Bach, was even married in the park.

Although it has been years since Edinborough Park has Edinborough Park been a wedding venue, McGrath notes they still regularly CITY OF EDINA get calls inquiring about hosting. Before Adventure Peak was the main attraction of 30 Edinborough Park, a small ice skating rink brought people inside.

“We once brought in a professional figure skater. He was Celebrating an Olympic-level figure skater and he put on a skating 30 years show on the ice rink,” said former City Manager Gordon Hughes. “I remember him doing a triple jump in the middle of indoor fun of the park, which was fascinating to me because I had no under the sun! experience in ice skating.” Friday, Oct. 6 EDINBOROUGHPARK.COM The skating rink had rounded corners and was so small that a custom ice resurfacer had to be designed.

Eventually, the resurfacer broke down just as indoor Come to Edinborough Park on Oct. 6 for a variety of playgrounds were becoming popular, so the rink discounts and fun. The day will include: was removed. • $3 Admission to Playpark (save $4.50) “Edinborough Park was at the forefront of the indoor • $30 off Adventure Peak Annual Membership park movement and immediately set the standard for all Limit one per family. Must be purchased Oct. 6. others to follow,” said Tom Shirley, former Edinborough Park General Manager and current General Manager of • $30 off Pool & Track Annual membership Centennial Lakes Park. Limit one per family. Must be purchased Oct. 6 • Entertainment, special activities and treats! Whether it’s known to residents as their wedding or prom venue, the place where they learned to skate or Adventure (continued on next page)

2017 AUTUMN • 27 Peak as it is today, Edinborough has remained a place The staff wants Edinborough to remain relevant and fun where families can spend time and play together. for park patrons. And after 30 years, they will not be slowing down. Ann Kattreh, former General Manager of Edinborough and current Parks & Recreation Director, brought her three kids “It’s our responsibility to keep up with the times and to to Edinborough regularly when they were young. keep the park fresh,” McGrath said. “And it will always be a priority to keep things up to date so it is a great “It gave me a firsthand opportunity to experience what an experience for everyone.” environment like Edinborough means to Minnesotans by providing a place to let kids play, socialize and exercise For more information on Edinborough Park’s 30th no matter what the weather is like outside,” said Kattreh. anniversary, contact McGrath at 952-833-9542 or Beitel at 952-833-9543. Kattreh always valued the multigenerational appeal and its ability to bring people of all ages and ability together.

“This is truly a place where parents play with their kids and I think that’s very unique,” said Edinborough Park Assistant Manager Dawn Beitel. “It’s fun to see grandparents coming with their grandkids or adults coming with their kids and saying, ‘My mom used to take me here.’”

As time has gone on, Edinborough’s staff has focused on making it even more accessible to all family members.

“The park was designed so it was less about observing kids playing and more about actually playing with them,” said Beitel. “Adventure Peak was actually built with wider tunnels so family members could actively play with their kids. It’s not just sitting on the sidelines and watching.”

28 • AUTUMN 2017 The Edina Resource Center, in partnership with the City of Edina and Edina Public Schools, is your free and confidential connection to information, resources and services. If you live, work or go to school in the City of Edina, we are here to listen to your needs and connect you with helpful, relevant resources. We partner with community organizations to ensure that needs are met and services are coordinated.

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2017 AUTUMN • 29 Officer Piper To Work In Edina Schools

By Debbie Townsend

Morgan Piper isn’t likely to stand out this fall as she begins working in Edina Public Schools.

In street clothes, she will blend in with teachers and staff walking the school halls. She’s known for being calm and compassionate. She’s a good listener and a problem- solver.

“I like to be able to sit down and talk with people,” Piper said.

Those qualities made her the choice for the new School Resource Officer.

Piper replaces Eric Carlson, who finished his rotation in Photo by Michael Braun the position. She will be based out of Valley View Middle Edina Police Officer Morgan Piper started working in Edina schools this fall as the new School Resource Officer. Most School, but will work with students, parents and staff at days she will be wearing street clothes and not her police all nine public schools and with David Boosalis, the School uniform. Resource Officer based at Edina High School. The positions are a partnership between the schools and the City. present prevention and safety programs for youth and Piper’s desire to work with people was among the are a supportive presence in the schools, counseling and reasons an Edina Public Schools committee recommended mentoring students as needed. her for the position, said South View Middle School Assistant Principal Ryan Carlson. “Being an SRO is like being the police chief in a small town, except you are the only officer in the department,” “I think the ability to build relationships is really, really said Boosalis, who is going into his fourth year in the key,” said Carlson, who served on the committee. “She position. came across as someone who would be able to build those relationships.” Edina’s Police Chief, Dave Nelson, served as the City’s first School Resource Officer back in 1994. School Resource Officers do far more than patrol schools and investigate crimes on campus. They develop and

30 • AUTUMN 2017 “It’s very important we have a strong relationship with the schools,” Nelson said.

He described the position as evolving into one that’s more mentor and counselor than enforcer. The goal is to help our youth.

“Let’s focus on what’s the best solution for the student to correct the behavior,” Nelson said.

Piper, who has been with the Edina Police Department for seven years, didn’t plan on becoming a police officer. She was an English major, which could come in handy while working in schools. Her desire to help people led her to police work. Piper’s message to students and staff will be that she is With you every smile of the way. there to serve as a resource. General dental care for the entire family. “I’m not here to get you into trouble. I’m not here to Early morning and evening appointments. arrest you,” she said. New patients welcome.

She will, of course, respond to any police-related incident on campuses. But she expects to spend the majority of her time explaining possible consequences to students, making presentations, offering advice, referring people to the help they need or just being a good listener.

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2017 AUTUMN • 31 Recreation Supervisor Works To Make Edina Even More Active

By Krystal Caron Tiffany Bushland has been drawn to athletics and recreation her whole life. Growing up in New Ulm, Minnesota, she played hockey, softball and volleyball. She recently began as the City’s new Recreation Supervisor and her passion for recreation and active communities has not waned. “Being able to impact people’s lives in a fun and healthy way and provide resources for people to be active while also having fun is really important to me; and being able to give people that while they’re in their own community is great,” said Bushland. “One of the areas I hope to focus on is expanding the adult leagues and offerings that we Photo by Michael Braun already have. People play sports their entire lives and The City’s new Recreation Supervisor, Tiffany Bushland, then it drops off when you hit adulthood, so I want to tap began work in June. into that.” “At the University of Minnesota, I worked with the Bushland started in June after a previous Recreation facilities that the general student population utilized and Supervisor, Eric Boettcher, took a job in Whitewater, I oversaw the external events in all the spaces, including Wisconsin. external leagues, youth leagues and summer camps,” Bushland attended the University of Minnesota – Twin said Bushland. “But I was involved with special projects Cities and received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology happening in St. Louis Park through the Commission and a master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis and that really sparked my interest in city recreation,” in Sports Management. She previously worked for the explained Bushland. Hopkins school district as the Lindbergh Center Manager Her work on the St. Louis Park commission gives her where she oversaw the facility and the district athletic experience that Edina leadership appreciates. scheduling. She worked there for a year and a half before taking the role of Facility Manager of Events and “Serving on the City of St. Louis Park’s Parks & Operations with the University of Minnesota Recreation Recreation Advisory Commission gives her a unique and Wellness Department. As a resident of St. Louis perspective on accountability and service to our Park, she now serves on the St. Louis Park Parks and residents,” said Parks & Recreation Supervisor Ann Recreation Advisory Commission. Kattreh. “She quickly rose to the top of an incredibly

32 • AUTUMN 2017 talented and deep candidate pool. Tiffany is very they’re very knowledgeable,” she said. “I’m really dedicated, confident, hard-working, detail oriented and enjoying the variety. I get to work with the adults in has a proven track record of professional success. We are adult leagues, the youth in youth sporting camps and the thrilled to have Tiffany on our team.” athletic associations.” “The point of a Parks & Recreation Commission is to Bushland lives in St. Louis Park with her husband, be a sounding board. It serves to hear the community’s Shane. In addition to a new job, Bushland was married in recommendations, so the ideas behind both St. Louis Park September at her parents’ cabin outside of New Ulm. and Edina’s commissions are similar in that way. It is For more information on the Parks & Recreation great that I have that background coming into this role,” Department, call 952-826-0367 or visit EdinaParks.com. added Bushland. As a Recreation Supervisor, Bushland is the point person • Private apartments with • Personal & concierge services for a variety of activities and associations. The variety month to-month rental can be dizzying, but she sees it as a high point in her role • Wellness program with PTA and hopes to make strides toward more consistency and • Flexible meal plans • Weekly housekeeping finding ways to make processes operate more smoothly. • Transportation for • Respite and hospice stays shopping, banking and more “There’s a very wide variety in this position, which I • Age in place with loving care, think is great because you really stay entertained. I can • Physician visits and 24 hour dignity and serenity nursing staff on site dabble in this and dabble in that. I’m spending a lot • Private apartments with • Personal & concierge services of time learning the current processes of the different • Pmonthrivate ato-monthpartmen rentalts with •• P Wellnessersonal &program conci ewithrge sPTAervices associations and school districts. I just want to learn how • mFlexibleonth to meal-mo nplansth rental •I• W nWeeklyedlleneps eshousekeeping nprdogeranmt wLitihv PiTnAg, things work, what has historically happened and how • •F Transportationlexible meal p forlan s •• W RespiteAeekslsyi andhsotue shospicedek eLepii staysvnging, we want to move forward,” said Bushland. “I want to be shopping, banking and more • Age in place with loving care, • Transportation for • Respite and hospice stays sure that we’re being fair and accurate with our athletic • Physician visits and 24 hour Edignityxten andd eserenityd Assisted snursinghoppin gstaff, ba nonki nsiteg and more • Many daily activities associations. We want to ensure there is enough and there • Age in place with loving care, • Physician visits and 24 hour Living are equal opportunities for all people.” Call for a tour dignityIndependent and serenity Living, nursing sandtaff oan site Assisted Living, Bushland recognizes the learning curve ahead, but she Free Lunch Extended Assisted appreciates she’s part of a great team. (952) 920-9145 IndependeLivingnt Living, “Every day I learn something new, like a new project 55 57Ye Yearsars o off S Serviceervice to to theA ths Communitysei Cstoemd mLuivniintyg, or program. I’m thinking nonstop, but the team here is fantastic. The people working in the Parks & Recreation Extended Assisted Department have been working here for a while and Living

2017 AUTUMN • 33

55 Years of Service to the Community New Approaches To Teaching And Learning Prepare Young Minds For What’s Next

By Wes Drey and Mary Woitte, Contributing Writers

“Creative people start with a question,” said Highlands Elementary Media Specialist Lisa Dooley to students gathered in a room adjacent to the school’s media center. “What question are you going to try to answer today?”

Students were seated in groups of four or five, the tables before them covered with everything from buttons and rocks to empty, crinkled water bottles. The students brought the materials from home to use in a project. However, the room in which they were seated is not the art room – it is the school’s “maker space.”

Often the phrase “maker space” conjures images of

advanced technology such as 3D printers and robots. Submitted Photo Not often associated with maker spaces are items such Students learn about electrical circuits in an elementary as duct tape, scraps of wood and foam, and pieces of school maker space. deconstructed keyboards and computers. The theme was “found object,” where students were to create a project This year, maker spaces that were creatively shoehorned using items found at home. “If you could design a machine into corners of school media centers have an identified that would turn snow into any other material, what would home that provides adequate and appropriate room for that machine look like?” asked Dooley. exploration and invention. Media centers in six of the Maker spaces are unique learning areas, in part because district’s nine schools have been designed and renovated they foster so many aspects of Edina Public Schools’ (EPS) to include a maker space, along with zoned areas for educational competencies – collaboration, communication, books and flexible collaboration work. (The remaining innovative thinking and creating – and, in turn, important three schools will have the same design as their facility aspects of the district’s mission – to educate all students renovations occur in the coming year.) to thrive in a “rapidly changing, culturally diverse, Creation of the maker spaces and renovation of school global society.” They give students opportunity to learn, media centers are part of the district’s Next Gen facilities experiment, problem-solve and create in real-world plan that is transforming learning spaces throughout the kinds of ways. As the “found object” lab demonstrates, district to meet the changing needs of how students learn it is not all about equipment – it is a lot about space and and how teachers teach. A combination of school district possibilities.

34 • AUTUMN 2017 funds, donations from local organizations such as the Thomas led a series of professional development sessions Edina Education Fund, and business partnerships work that were open to teachers district-wide. The sessions together to enhance the learning experience for not only included a demonstration of maker activity with Thomas EPS students, but also for district teachers and staff. leading a group of students through a project while EPS teachers observed. Teachers then stepped into the students’ Last year, Highlands enlisted the expertise of Annmarie shoes by trying the project themselves. Thomas, an Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, Schulze School of The fun was preceded by a talk about the maker mindset, Entrepreneurship, and Opus College of Business. In where Thomas posed the question, “Can you truly her book, Making Matters: Kids, Tools and the Future of understand something without experience?” She then Innovation, Thomas suggests, through stories, research and stressed that anyone can be a maker “even without a 3D data, is “crucial to encourage today’s youth to be makers printer, without electronics. Maker education is really – to see the world as something they are actively helping engagement education.” Thomas practices what she to create.” preaches with her own students at the University of St. Thomas, where she runs the Playful Learning Lab, a maker space providing college students with hands-on, real-world learning opportunities.

“Being a maker is about creating,” said Highlands Principal Katie Mahoney. “It’s about enabling kids to solve problems, and giving them the space and time to struggle. It’s not about the items or technology. It’s about a mindset and how we do what we do.”

By having access and opportunities to maker spaces and other innovative learning experiences, EPS students are gaining the essential skills needed to be prepared for whatever lies ahead of them in college, career and life. For more information, visit edinaschools.org. Submitted photo Objects brought from home were the basis for maker space projects.

2017 AUTUMN • 35 City Explores Covering Highway 100 To Reunite Grandview Neighborhoods

By Debbie Townsend The Opportunity Decades ago, people could safely and comfortably walk It sounds like something out of a futuristic movie: Build and bicycle through the Grandview area. Historic Cahill new green space – on top of a major highway, with School was part of a park. That changed in the early traffic still zooming through underneath. But that is the 1970s when the Minnesota Department of Transportation concept of a new study to determine the feasibility of (MnDOT) expanded the highway and installed multiple constructing a large bridge over portions of Minnesota on- and off-ramps, dividing Grandview. Today, Cahill Highway 100 and the unused slopes and land along the School is an isolated spot in a much smaller Tupa Park. highway corridor. Residents complain the area is unsafe as vehicles zoom Similar projects already have been built in Minneapolis, on and off the highway. Bloomington, Fort Snelling and Duluth. The green bridge concept could potentially fix that. In the “It’s actually not unusual, and it’s becoming very Grandview area, Highway 100 runs in a valley, with cars popular all over the country,” said Cyrus Knutson, and trucks downslope from the residents and businesses Director of the Center for Community Connections above. Unused land along the highway sides grows at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. “It’s weeds and collects trash. Much of that land is owned by something that cities and departments of transportation MnDOT. have been doing for about 20 years.” The Concept Whether it’s feasible in Edina is still a big question. The Grandview Green project would span across six-lane Highway 100 between the existing bridges on West 50th A very preliminary look, done in May, at putting a “lid” Street/Vernon Avenue and Eden Avenue. Essentially, it on Highway 100 from roughly Vernon Avenue/50th would be a bridge intended to serve people rather than Street to Eden Avenue says yes, it might be. It’s vehicles. It would create new green space for people to enough to give the project a working title, “Grandview use and enjoy. The sloping portions of the highway and Green,” and to take the next steps of talking with City some of the area taken up by highway ramps and local commissions, residents and those who live near the access roads could be reconfigured to accommodate new highway about their thoughts. Also ahead are studies by buildings – possibly office, retail or housing. Parking transportation, environmental and other consultants to could be constructed underneath portions of these see how feasible it might be. buildings in the existing low areas. By the numbers, it The plan is to take it slowly, step by step, rather than could mean up to 13 acres of new, buildable land; more fast track such a complex project, said City of Edina than 2,500 potential new parking spaces; and more than Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf. 2.4 million square feet of private development. “At any point, we might find a fatal flaw,” he said. “There’s tremendous benefit to the community that is possible with this type of project. Most significant is

36 • AUTUMN 2017 re-connecting neighbors who live on opposite sides of direction of the highway, the actual use is still to be the busy highway by means of a public green space,” defined. Neuendorf noted it might be used for cars or as Neuendorf said. space for buses, rail, or some other form of transportation or utility needed in the distant future. Knutson points to the Leif Erickson Park in Duluth, the A-B-C Parking Ramps in Minneapolis and the Longfellow The City and MnDOT also will have to seriously Gardens near Minnehaha Falls as examples of completed consider the financial costs of the project. Neither projects that successfully straddle major highways. wants to create additional infrastructure unless there are clear means to pay for it. The preliminary financial “People are really excited about it,” Knutson said. forecast, however, shows returns from new development “I think they understand what a barrier these large exceeding estimated project costs. highways have created. They say, ‘I live in this place and I don’t go across the highways.’” What’s Next Initial environmental, utility and transportation Other possible benefits include job creation, housing studies are under way. Staff and consultants began opportunities and maybe building a community center gathering community thoughts and suggestions on across from City Hall, a project residents and community what community purpose the lid will fill, with a report groups have requested. on the findings expected in early 2018. Simultaneously, “I think it’s ambitious. It’s a well-formed concept and MnDOT continues to work with Edina and other metro really taken the shape of a proposal at this point,” communities to explore how this type of 21st century Knutson said. “Because it involves commercial, project could be funded and done. residential, public space and the connection over the For more information, contact Neuendorf at highway, it’s a pretty comprehensive proposal to meet a [email protected] or 952-826-0407. number of different needs and uses.” Potential Issues Technically, such a project is possible. How much new space could feasibly be constructed and in which specific locations requires more detailed study and input from community residents. Many technical matters also must be investigated before any decision is made about the Grandview Green project – from possible highway expansion to environmental impact. While the preliminary concept already presumes space will be provided for one additional lane in each

2017 AUTUMN • 37 Edina Community Foundation: Diversity And Inclusion

By Dick Crockett, Contributing Writer

The Edina Community Foundation (ECF) exists to enhance and enrich the lives of all community members in myriad ways. Our programs and services are offered to everyone in the Edina community regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. We define the Edina community as individuals who live, work or attend school in Edina, and our mission is to bring people together to serve, strengthen and celebrate our community.

We promote an inclusive and welcoming environment for all Edina community members, and many of our programs and services encompass elements promoting diversity and inclusivity, including economic diversity. Submitted Photo Edina Challenge: ECF initiated and still leads the Edina Dulce Torres was a 2016 Connecting With Kids Leadership Challenge, a collaborative group of organizations that Award recipient. meets regularly to address ways they can work together to meet the needs of financially challenged youth in Edina. These efforts are aimed at not only recognizing Connect Card enrollment is open to any child who meets disadvantaged kids who live and attend school in the federal criteria for free and reduced-priced meals. Edina, but also ensuring they have the same access to Connect Card information and enrollment applications high-quality programming as other Edina kids. Edina are provided in Spanish and Somali for ease of access. Challenge seeks to give every child every chance of ECF launched the Connect Card program in 2016, and success regardless of economic status. enrollment has steadily grown.

Connect Card: The Connect Card program is an Edina Edina Parks & Recreation Scholarships: ECF provides Challenge initiative allowing families in need access Edina Challenge scholarships for disadvantaged Edina to a variety of community programs and scholarships youth to participate in Edina Parks & Recreation through a one-stop qualification process. Enrolled programs. These grants help families in need give their families receive a unique Connect Card for each child. children the same recreational enrichment opportunities The code on this card can be used to access scholarships as their peers. for activities and programs throughout the community.

38 • AUTUMN 2017 One-to-One Mentoring Program: As part of the Edina ECF Designated Funds: ECF provides organizational Challenge initiative, ECF helped launch the One-to- and accounting services as a charitable giving partner One program with initial funding and organizational to a wide variety of community groups, including some support. This mentoring program matches struggling engaged in efforts aimed at reaching out to a specific middle school students with a mature high school ethnic group. Examples include these programs initiated student or older adult in a structured weekly mentoring by students of color: program during the academic year. Middle school SEVA Football – uses soccer and donated soccer counselors at South View Middle school select students equipment as a medium for education and they think would benefit from such a mentoring empowerment among minority youth both locally relationship for participation. Participants in the and abroad. program are often economically disadvantaged, students of color or recent immigrants. One-to-One is now a Unlocking Young Minds – provides educational program of the Southdale YMCA. resources to children in developing countries so the cycle of poverty may be broken. The Last Mile: ECF provided initial Edina Challenge OmniSight International – raises funds and obtains funding for The Last Mile program at Edina High donated eyeglasses for a school in India that does not School. This program provided individualized have the resources to aid visually impaired students. counseling and mentoring support for financially disadvantaged graduating seniors (who are often the ECF’s role in these programs highlights the commitment first in their family to attend college), and it has now of our Board of Directors and staff to create an Edina been succeeded by “College Possible.” community where all can thrive, and we invite suggestions on how we might better incorporate Edina Dialogue: In partnership with the Edina diversity and inclusion practices in our work to serve, Community Library, ECF hosts an annual Martin Luther strengthen and celebrate the Edina community. King Jr. holiday speaker and event addressing a topic pertinent to race and diversity. In 2017, the topic was For more information on ECF or to donate, visit the City of Edina’s newly created Race & Equity Task edinacommunityfoundation.org or send an email Force. to [email protected].

Connecting With Kids: A person of color has been chosen as an honoree at its annual Leadership Breakfast for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the keynote speaker in 2017 was a five-time medal winner in the International Paralympics.

2017 AUTUMN • 39 Funding, Nearby Development Next Steps For Fred Richards Park

By Debbie Townsend

Three years of planning, study, public input, concept drawings, presentations, feedback and revisions have turned into a plan for Edina’s next great park.

At 43 acres – nearly double the size of Centennial Lakes Park – Fred Richards Park will feature everything from serene nature spaces to pickleball courts to a giant lawn for field sports. In winter, visitors will be able to sled, snowshoe or cross-country ski through it.

“It’s going to be an amazing park when it’s done,” said Parks & Recreation Director Ann Kattreh of the park at 7640 Parklawn Ave.

In July, the City Council unanimously approved the Photo by Dietrich Nissen Master Plan, which lays out the basic design, features Fred Richards Park will eventually feature everything from and uses for the park, setting the stage for the project to serene nature spaces to pickleball courts to a giant lawn for move beyond the design phase. field sports. “Construction could begin in 2019 if everything falls into place,” Kattreh said. When the park opens, it will be difficult to tell the land was once home to Fred Richards Golf Course, which Part of the park’s funding depends on the closed in 2014. People will be able to reach the park redevelopment of the former Pentagon Park property, from access points on all four sides and via the Nine which lies adjacent to the southwest corner of the Mile Creek Regional Trail that winds through it. Once park space. Some parking also would come from that there, they can visit a small part or wander through the development. That and other funding needs to be five main sections, all connected but providing different determined for both building and maintaining the park experiences and recreation. before the project can move forward. “Creating a lot of nodes and activities along the trails The City’s next step, after determining funding, would and space provides a diversity of things for people to do be to draft final construction and bid documents, and interact with the site,” said Terry Minirak, Principal possibly in 2018, Kattreh said. at Confluence, the consultant that helped develop the Master Plan.

40 • AUTUMN 2017 The five areas are: Great Lawn This area south of The Loop and north of the old Nature Bank clubhouse will have lots of parking available nearby. The western side of the park will feature water, woods, Planned features include: wetlands and open spaces returned to nature. It’s • Large open lawn meant to be a spot for relaxation or learning about our • Field that accommodates sports and special events surroundings. Planned features include: • Open field when no sports are in session • Pollinator garden • Wetlands restoration Central Green • Nature play areas This section of the park near the Great Lawn, old • Boardwalk over water areas clubhouse and parking will host a variety of activities. • Places to sit and relax Planned features include: • Pickleball courts Neighborhood Park • Multipurpose sport court for basketball and futsal Located on the eastern edge of the park, this section • Small stage/yoga deck provides connections to the Parklawn Neighborhood • Playground and a play spot for children. Planned features include: • Swings • Traditional playground with play structures • Picnic shelter Some parts of the plan remain in discussion. When approving the Master Plan, the City Council deferred The Loop field scheduling and lighting installation decisions in The northernmost section of the park, north of the the Great Lawn area. During public meetings and in Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail, featuring a looping feedback, many residents expressed interest in new uses trail among gardens and open spaces. Planned features for the former golf course clubhouse, with popular ideas include: including renovations for a restaurant or brewpub. Such an operation also could provide revenue to help with • Rolling walking trail park maintenance. These aspects will be determined as • Native prairie garden funding and construction move forward. • Garden seating To see park plans or learn more about the project, visit EdinaMN.gov/FredRichardsPark.

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2017 AUTUMN • 43 VEAP Strengthens Access to Healthy Foods, Affordable Housing and Social Services

By Ying Chen Axt

What the community needs most from Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) is access to healthy foods, affordable housing and social services.

That’s what a recent and robust strategic planning process revealed. VEAP’s new Strategic Framework, which was arrived at with input from clients and other

partners, will focus and strengthen VEAP’s programs to Submitted Photo meet the changing needs of community members. Approximately 10,000 individuals every month have access to healthy foods from VEAP’s food pantry. Access To Healthy Foods VEAP clients consistently report affordability is the biggest barrier to eating healthy. Clients noted access developers, with lost affordability and the displacement to healthy foods was a factor in their ability to achieve of hundreds of families at a time. future success. In response to the growing need of healthy foods, VEAP has begun to make changes in its “Through the food program, VEAP is able to help clients food delivery to get more healthy foods into the hands free up dollars they would spend on food so they can of the people who need it most. Among the 3.4 million pay their rent,” said Patty Schulz, Advancement Director pounds of food distributed in 2016, 1.8 million pounds at VEAP. “Homelessness is extremely expensive for (52 percent) were fresh fruits and vegetables. taxpayers and cities.”

Access to Safe, Affordable, Dignified Housing At VEAP, individuals and families who are typically Lack of affordable housing is a mounting crisis. With spending a large percentage of their income on rent nearly 80 percent of clients living on $1,600 per month are able to access financial assistance to prevent and spending 70-80 percent of their income on housing, homelessness through VEAP’s Social Services they live with the constant threat of missing a rent department. In addition, VEAP has formalized its payment and possible eviction. Meanwhile, affordable commitment to lead and participate in community housing options are rapidly purchased by for-profit dialogue and to promote strategies to increase access to affordable, safe and dignified housing.

44 • AUTUMN 2017 Social Connections And Support Systems Avenue). Approximately 10 percent of VEAP clients are Fifty-three percent of VEAP clients reported they Edina residents. rarely, or never, were able to get help from others when For more information, visit VEAP.org. they needed it and had no one to go to for help. They expressed a strong desire for connections with others, seeking a mix of emotional support, practical help and opportunities to network for career development.

VEAP’s Social Services programming offers caring, professional support for individuals and families to stabilize their financial situation. VEAP’s licensed social workers and community health workers guide clients through these complex issues – sometimes providing them with financial assistance – helping people in a strengths-based approach to navigate all systems of support and address their critical needs.

“VEAP is at an exciting turning point, poised to deepen its commitment to making a profound difference not only in the lives of those in need, but in the lives of all involved: volunteers, supporters and partners alike,” said VEAP’s CEO Lisa Horn. “VEAP needs you more than ever.”

With 110,496 visits to its food pantry in 2016, VEAP operates one of the largest food pantries in Minnesota. In addition, VEAP provided 12,823 rides to medical appointments and home from the food pantry, allocated $167,000 in financial assistance and performed 520 new client assessments by social workers in 2016.

VEAP clients are low-income residents in the cities of Bloomington, Edina, Richfield and a portion of south Minneapolis (south of 50th Street and west of Cedar

2017 AUTUMN • 45 Planning Matters

Construction Scheduled To Begin In January 2018 On space. The project will also feature four rotating public art ‘Edina Collaborative’ walls and four public art sculpture locations. Downtown Edina will see some changes next year. Some green project elements include a 3,000-square-foot In April, the Edina City Council approved plans for “Edina green roof, electric car charging stations, a 10 percent Collaborative,” a $79 million redevelopment project to reduction in impervious surface and the use of low-VOC revitalize vacant property and parking ramps along Market building products and LED lighting in public areas. Street (formerly West 49 1/2 Street). Construction will take place in phases and is scheduled to Saturday Properties and Buhl Investors plan to build 110 begin in January 2018. The first phase includes revamping apartments, 35,000 square feet of new retail space and the North Ramp, followed by demolition of the Center roughly 300 additional parking stalls. In late 2016, the Ramp and reconstruction on that site. Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority selected the developers’ proposal. For more information on the project, contact Peter Deanovic from Buhl Investors at 612-968-3728. The project includes a one-acre plaza with pedestrian walkways. Included in the plaza is a community gathering RH To Build New Showroom In Southwest Corner Of Southdale Center Property Restoration Hardware will build a 58,000-square-foot “RH” showroom on the northeast corner of France Avenue and 69th Street, near the water tower on the Southdale Center campus.

In July, the Edina City Council approved plans for the RH store, which will include furniture sales, a rooftop showroom, restaurant, outdoor courtyards and garden terraces. The store will feature two main entrances: one that opens to the intersection and one that faces Southdale Center. Valet parking services will be available on-site, which allows for reduced site parking. Submitted Illustration The $79 million redevelopment project will transform the vacant RH has other free-standing showrooms in Boston, Chicago property and ramps along Market Street. and Denver, but this is the first in Minnesota.

46 • AUTUMN 2017 Edina School Bus Garage To Be Redeveloped As Apartments Dallas-based developer Trammell Crow Co. is building a six-story, 165-unit apartment complex on the old Edina Public Schools bus garage site at 5150 and 5220 Eden Ave.

The apartments, geared toward active adults ages 55 and up, will include a bistro bar and WiFi coffee lounge, activity center, pet spa, fitness center, yoga studio, club room, great room, chef and catering kitchens and resort- style pool deck with an outdoor kitchen. Per the City’s affordable housing policy, 10 percent of the rentable area of the apartments will be affordable housing. Submitted Illustration The RH showroom being built on the corner of Frace Avenue The project approved by the Edina City Council in July and 69th Street is slated to open winter 2018. will include 214 parking spaces for the apartment complex. To enhance the property, a double row of trees will be (continued on next page) planted along France Avenue and 69th Street to screen parking.

Construction is slated to begin this fall. Management hopes to open next winter.

For more information on the project, email [email protected]. Submitted Illustration The old Edina school bus garage site will boast a new 165-unit apartment building for those 55 and older.

2017 AUTUMN • 47 More than 70 trees will be planted on the 1.64-acre site to make the space more green.

Demolition of the old school bus garage will begin this winter. Trammell Crow officials hope to begin renting the apartments by Spring 2019.

For more information on the project, contact Mary Lucas at [email protected] or 630-481-1179.

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2017 AUTUMN • 49 Business Notes

KC CORE Chiropractic Practice Opens In Southdale Centennial Lakes Office Park Wins International Medical Center TOBY Award The hospital-based chiropractic practice KC CORE has The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) opened a new location in the Southdale Medical Center. of Greater Minneapolis awarded the International TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) Award to After working at an Iowa location for four years, Dr. Centennial Lakes Office Park in its 2017 category. Grant Nobles wanted to open a KC CORE franchise of his own. Nobles has family in the Minneapolis area and The office park, owned by United Properties Investment, decided it was a good fit. It is the first Minnesota KC LLC, and State Farm Realty Company and managed by CORE location. Cushman & Wakefield Northmarq, won in the Suburban Office Park (Mid-Rise) category. “The clear choice was to open up in Southdale Medical Center in Edina because it’s a great area and because of “It was an honor for Centennial Lakes Office Park to receive the foot traffic we see,” Nobles said. “Our whole basis is the TOBY for Best Low-Rise Suburban Office Park,” said hospital-based chiropractic care, so we’re trying to bridge Ellen Morton, General Manager of the office park. “Every the gap between medicinal care and physical therapy, day, our team works hard to ensure that our building meets which we can do when we’re located in a medical center.” the highest standards applicable and our tenants are happy leasing space in our building, and in Edina.” KC CORE MN opened in May and specializes in myofascial relief therapy, a type of deep tissue massage The award was announced at the June 27 BOMA that is not typically seen in a typical clinic. Treatment times International Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. are also 30 minutes, longer than most chiropractic visits. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our ownership “We definitely take the time to work with the tissues and team, United Properties Investment, LLC, and State Farm work with the joints,” said Nobles. “We want to be sure Realty Company, which provides us the resources we by the time people are leaving they feel a lot better.” need to maintain our high standards,” said Morton. KC CORE MN is located in Southdale Medical Center, 6545 France Ave. S., Suite 301. For more information, visit Edina Business Organizations Grow Membership kansascitycore.com/edina. The Edina Chamber of Commerce has welcomed 14 businesses into its organization since April.

These businesses are American Family Insurance – Burnett & Associates; Artistry Theater and Visual Arts; Barnes & Noble Kitchen; Bjorn Portraiture; Brookdale

50 • AUTUMN 2017 Edina; Edina Realty – Kim Melin; Edina Realty – Judd has welcomed Harriet & Alice, Alchemy Edina, Anne Sampson; Global Talent Strategies, LLC; Ideal Image; Shaeffer Realty, Carbone’s Pizzeria, Edward Jones, Hope KC CORE MN; Minnesota Office Technology Group Law and Verizon 50th Street since April. (MOTG); Tesla; The Bar Method; and Tufford-Hughes and For more information about the Chamber of Commerce, call Associates. 952-806-9060. For more information on the 50th & France The 50th & France Business & Professional Association Business & Professional Association, call 952-922-1524. has also grown in the past few months. The organization – Compiled by Grace Kramer

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2017 AUTUMN • 51 Ellyn Wolfenson 612-644-3033 mobile 612-915-8894 office [email protected] www.ellynwolfenson.com International President’s PremierElite Voted BestBest Real Real Estate Estate Agent Agent and and Super Agent 2012-Super 2017 Agent, 2012-2016 Minneapolis/St. Paul Paul Magazine Magazine “It’s all about relationships!”

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52 • AUTUMN 2017 Home Rehab Funds For Qualified Edina Home Owners

You may qualify for up to $30,000 to make repairs or necessary improvements to your Edina home through Hennepin County Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. This program provides deferred repayment funds on a first-come-first-served basis to people who can show financial need. If you would like to receive information, income guidelines, qualification summaries, interest rates, and applications, please call Hennepin County Housing Rehabilitation at 612-348-9260. Dozens of Edina residents have protected the value of their homes by using this program. If your primary residence is located in Edina and needs repair or structural improvements, please give

Hennepin County a call. CITY OF EDINA PLANNING DIVISION

2017 AUTUMN • 53 The Last Word

One of the more interesting higher than any official source of City information provided insights in the 2017 Quality by the City’s human, print or electronic resources. It’s higher of Life Survey data for me is than any form of traditional news media like the Edina Sun learning where residents get Current (64 percent) or the Star Tribune (63 percent). It’s their information about City higher than any form of official or unofficial social media. government. It tells us where we The City of Edina spends hundreds of thousands of dollars should put our information in every year on newsletters, website updates, communications order to get it into the ears and staff and much more in order to communicate accurate and brains of our residents. reliable information. And, despite all that, most people report As a City official, I’d like to think getting most of their information about the City of Edina that residents get most of their from talking to their friends, family and neighbors. information about Edina city What does this mean for the City? Two things. First, it government from the City of Edina. To a large extent, they reminds me Edina is, in many ways, a small town. Residents do. More than 60 percent of the survey respondents report know and trust their neighbors and friends. If they hear that the City’s website is either a major or minor source of something about the City from their neighbors or friends, City government information. The City’s YouTube and cable they believe it. That is good for the City to know. television channels were noted by 11 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The City’s email notification service, City Second, if family, friends and neighbors are the most Extra, was mentioned by 21 percent. The City’s social media important source of city government information for our presence was noted by 40 percent, up from 5 percent in 2011. residents, where are those people getting their information? On the human side, 31 percent reported that City employees I think they are getting it from the direct City sources, like were a source of information. City Council Members came in About Town, our website and our Council Members and at 26 percent. The survey has a 4.5 percent margin of error, so employees. It is vitally important that the City continue these two sources are essentially tied. to serve as a primary source of information so that the secondary sources have accurate and reliable information to The City’s highest-rated communication tool is the magazine share. you’re reading right now. About Town was classified as a major or minor source of information about the City of Edina Sharing information with residents is a high calling for by 82 percent of our survey respondents. those of us who work for the City. Informed residents are better stewards of their community. In the end, that’s what But, even as highly rated and successful at catching the will preserve the exceptional quality of life in Edina for public’s attention as About Town is, it is not the No. 1 source years to come. of information about the City for Edina residents. The top source of information, as reported in our survey, is Edina residents. In the survey, the option was called “word of mouth from friends, family or neighbors.” Eighty-nine percent of our survey respondents rank it as either a major Scott H. Neal or minor source of information about the City. The rating is City Manager

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2017 AUTUMN • 55