MNA & EMCUCC invitation to view and discuss Driving While Black

The Morningside Neighborhood Association (MNA)

and Edina Morningside Community Church (EMCUCC)

invite you to view and discuss

Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America

A Free Two-Part Event

All are welcome to view via Zoom the PBS documentary, Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America, and to participate in an optional, facilitated small group discussion. Based on Gretchen Sorin’s book, “Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights" (W.W. Norton, 2020), the film shows "how the advent of the car brought new mobility and freedom for African Americans but also exposed them to discrimination and deadly violence, and how that history resonates today.” — PBS promotional page, https://www.pbs.org/show/driving-while-black/

The MNA and EMCUCC will host this free two-part event from 7 to 9 PM on

Part 1. Tuesday, 6/01/21 (film via Zoom). The film will start promptly at 7 PM and runs for just under two hours.

Part 2. Tuesday, 6/15/21 (small group discussions via Zoom and/or in person, open to all who viewed the film in Part 1 or on their own).

Here is how to get the Zoom link for the film:

  • If you are a Morningside resident and on the MNA email list, you will receive the link in an MNA email before the event.

  • If you are a Morningside resident and not on the MNA email list, please sign up for MNA emails at edina.morningside@gmail.com.

  • If you are a member of EMCUCC or on its email list, you will receive the link in an EMCUCC email before the event.

  • All others, please register for the event by email to edina.morningside@gmail.com by Friday, May 28. The Zoom link will be sent to the email address in your RSVP.

If you prefer to watch the film on your own, here is the Twin Cities Public Television link: https://www.tpt.org/driving-while/black/

To participate in a small group discussion, please register by email to edina.morningside@gmail.com or to emcucc@emcucc.org. by Friday, June 11.

Please indicate in your email whether you prefer to participate by Zoom, in person, or either. If by Zoom, the link will be sent to the email address in your RSVP.

Questions about the film, discussion format, or how to use Zoom?

Please contact edina.morningside@gmail.com

City of Edina proposing to reduce parking for new developments and in commercial areas; Planning Commission taking public comment

The City of Edina is proposing to reduce the amount of off-street parking required for new developments and in commercial areas.

Residents are invited to learn more and comment. The City has posted information to BetterTogetherEdina.org/parking-ordinance-amendments and also invited calls for information to the City’s Planning Division at 952-826-0369.

A City press release listed the "highlights of the parking ordinance amendment" as:

  • General reduction in the number of parking stalls required for projects;

  • Maximum limits on [the number of] parking spaces;

  • Separate regulations within the City’s commercial nodes; and

  • Incentives for developers to reduce parking.

The MNA Steering Committee has asked the City to help residents better understand the issues and proposed changes by providing three examples of how the proposed changes would have affected projects recently proposed and/or built, including The Lorient at Sunnyside Road and France Avenue.

The Edina Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on its proposed amendment to parking ordinances on Wednesday, 4/28/21, at 7 PM. Residents may comment in writing, by leaving a voicemail at 952-826-0377, or by participating in the public hearing on 4/28.

Morningside Neighborhood Association invites you to view and discuss Jim Crow of the North —

Free Event

All are welcome to join a free Zoom viewing and facilitated discussion of the Twin Cities Public Television original documentary Jim Crow of the North.

The film shows how racial covenants, redlining, and other forms of systematic racism in the Twin Cities created disparities in housing opportunities for white and Black people that persist and are some of the largest in the U.S.

The MNA will host this free event on Monday, 3/08/21, from 7 to 9 PM via Zoom. The film will start promptly at 7pm with the (optional) discussion to follow.

Here is how to get the Zoom link:

● If you are a Morningside resident and on the MNA email list, you will receive the link in an MNA

email before the event.

● If you are a Morningside resident and not on the MNA email list, please sign up at

edina.morningside@gmail.com.

● If you are not a Morningside resident, please register for the event by email to

edina.morningside@gmail.com by Friday, March 5. The Zoom link will be sent to the email

address in your RSVP.

Questions about the discussion format or how to use Zoom? Contact edina.morningside@gmail.com

Help During COVID-19

Email: edina.morningside@gmail.com

Website: edinamorningside.org

Facebook: EdinaMNA

Many more people are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues during COVID-19. The MNA wants you to know about local resources that can help you be safe and mentally healthy. Please see the list below for more information on how to access support.

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts:

If you or another are feeling suicidal, but do not have imminent thoughts of harm, or are generally having mental health concerns, you can call COPE at 612-596-1223 (for those under 17 years of age, 612-348-2233). This is Hennepin County’s 24/7 mental health hotline, staffed by clinical social workers. They can assess your needs and make a plan to get help, regardless of your insurance coverage. If you or someone you know are imminently suicidal, go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 for assistance.

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse:

People isolating at home naturally are experiencing increased interpersonal stress and are at risk for a higher incidence of domestic violence and child abuse. For domestic abuse help, including need for shelter, call Cornerstone/MN Day Once Crisis at 866-223-1111. If you have concerns that a child is being maltreated, call Hennepin County Child Protection at 612-348-3552.

Financial and Other Types of Assistance:

If you or your Edina neighbor needs help with food, rent, etc., you can find it with just one call to the Edina Resource Center, at 952-848-3936. ERC telephones are answered Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 

The ERC serves anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Edina and is a collaborative effort between the City of Edina, Edina Public Schools, and the local community. The ERC refers callers to a wide range of resources. 

Edina residents also are welcome to reach out directly to community agencies:

Street reconstruction funding input deadline - Tuesday January 19

How much should residents pay for street reconstruction? Currently, owners of property on the reconstructed street pay 100%. In some neighborhoods, recent reconstruction project estimates have been as high as $30,000 per lot. A City of Edina task force is studying options and will report to the City Council. It is asking residents to indicate whether they prefer that payment for the costs of street reconstruction be allocated half to special assessments and half to municipal taxes, or if they prefer that the costs be funded 100% by taxes. Either proposal would increase municipal taxes. The Council may approve a recommended alternative or continue the current policy. To review and comment on the proposals, please visit https://www.bettertogetheredina.org/street-funding-task-force through Tuesday, January 19.


Election 2020 - Direct Balloting at Edina City Hall starting Tuesday, October 27

Election 2020 - Direct Balloting at Edina City Hall starting Tuesday, October 27

Beginning 10/27/20 at Edina City Hall, Edina voters can fill out their ballots and run them directly through the machines to be counted. Hours include: - 8 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays through Friday, October 30 - 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, October 31 - Until 5 PM on Monday, November 2 Voters must wear a mask and may not enter Edina City Hall if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic. To ensure social distancing, a limited number of people will be allowed inside City Hall. Once capacity inside the building has been reached, voters will queue up outside under a tent. Please dress for the weather.

Ballot drop-off area still available outside City Hall for voters to drop off their completed ballots without leaving their car, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and until 3 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/Election or call 952-826-0363.

Flood risk reduction pop-up open house in Weber Park this Saturday, 10/31/20, from 1 to 3 PM

Flood risk reduction pop-up open house in Weber Park this Saturday, 10/31/20, from 1 to 3 PM. 

All Morningsiders are welcome to drop in to hear from the City of Edina about alternatives for reducing flood risk in the Morningside area. City staff will answer questions and take comments.

Background and survey: For background on the project and/or to leave your comments online in answers to a brief survey, please see www.bettertogetheredina.org/morningside.

Timeline: The City of Edina is planning flood prevention infrastructure work in Morningside to coincide with street reconstruction scheduled for 2022 and 2023. Design and engineering are in process. Refined concepts will be presented to Morningside residents in a virtual meeting in a little over a month, December 2020. 

Updated concepts and engineering drawings will be presented to the Edina City Council in the spring of 2021, when the Council will decide how to proceed. 

Your questions and comments are important and will help shape the final design.