[Music] Welcome to Agenda Edina, a program summarizing the actions taken at city hall that affect you most. I'm your host, Dorothia Marty. The Edina Aquatic Center is a summer favorite, and the city of Edina is making sure it stays that way. The city council has approved construction of a new filter room, replacing a pump house that's been in service since 1958. and no longer meets modern standards. The upgrades are needed to comply with state code, including updates to pumping equipment, filters, electrical capacity, and surge tanks. The project also includes mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural improvements. The biggest issue we have is um the code through the department of health has changed since the original construction. Uh it is requiring us to enlarge the balancing tanks which is basically what takes the um water that's displaced by all the kids and and people that are enjoying it here today and it does not dump it down the drain. It takes it to a place where it can be stored and then be reused as pool water again. Um the balancing tanks that are there currently are under size for a pool of this size. So, a large portion of this project requires us to increase those to the new code requirements that will allow us to accept the actual capacity of the pool and the displacement that's going to happen. >> Just 10 days before the 2021 season opening, a mechanical failure nearly shut the center down. With parts long obsolete, Autton's team had to scrge used components to get the system running, delaying opening day by more than a week. Since then, plans have been underway to prevent a repeat. Construction of the new filter room will begin this fall after the aquatic center closes for the season on August 17th. It will be built next to the original pump house with a new deck built above it. That added space will be used for shaded seating and reservable spaces such as cabanas, enhancing the guest experience. HNU Construction was awarded the construction contract. The $ 8.4 million project is expected to wrap up by May 2026. To make utility costs more equitable and to generate more revenue for public improvements, the city of Edina is changing its utility franchise fee structure. Right now, all residential customers pay a flat fee of $355 per month for both gas and electricity. But starting on January 1st, that fee will change to 4% of your monthly utility bill. The shift to a percentage-based fee means customers will pay in proportion to how much energy they use, which is a more equitable approach. Yeah, with the new 4% fee, residents really have the ability to impact those fees by doing some small changes in their homes. They can do LED lighting or take advantage of more efficient systems and HVAC systems when they have major equipment replacements at their home. That gives the residents those opportunities to reduce the fees. And that's what council really liked about this change from a flat rate to a percentage-based fee. Revenue from these fees will help fund important community projects, including sustainability initiatives, safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, street lighting, and road reconstruction. Earlier this year, the city council directed staff to raise franchise fees rather than taxes to fund an additional $1 million per year for street reconstruction. Technology advances so quickly these days that it can be difficult to keep up. It can be particularly challenging for Edina's older residents. That's why the Edina Senior Center partners with senior community services to offer free one-on-one sessions to overcome techreated challenges. Edina TV looks at help available along with the organization and volunteers behind this important service. >> You know, here's what I would like to be able to do with my email. I'd like to have like a box on one side that says business, that says friends, that says family. >> Using new technology can have amazing benefits when it works. >> It just didn't always work. I mean, I've done it. When the tech is constantly changing, just getting started can be the opposite of simple. >> I was giving a presentation a couple weeks ago and a gentleman came up to me and said, "Gary, I'm 84 years old. I've made it this far in my life without technology." >> Seniors who make the choice to learn how to navigate a world largely integrated with technology can find free assistance through senior community services. We're not trying to convert anybody to technology, but there are certain things in life that you just cannot do without technology. And if you don't want to do them, that's your call. But it makes life easier. >> Are you getting it on your phone? >> Private one-on-one appointments with skilled volunteers. >> Have you changed your password on your Amazon? >> Like this at the senior center and at home are helping those 60 and over become more comfortable in a digital world. It is really nice having the one-on-one because it takes away some of that um the fear of having to be in a class learning how to do something on your phone or your laptop or your iPad. >> It's very satisfying because people come in with what might seem like a small question um but it's become a big question to them and sometimes they have a whole list of things they want to accomplish in 55 minutes. Seniors can apply for help with other tasks, too. And >> so, interior, we provide help with housekeeping and handyman stuff. Exterior, we'll do lawns in the summer, snow removal in the winter. >> Are you getting it on your phone? >> Leveraging technology and improving lives, one step and one click at a time. >> They can call us. We can get them scheduled over the phone. They can stop by the front desk and sign up for the appointment. >> I'm Dan Carpenter for Adana TV. >> Visit senior community.org. org if you or somebody you know could use a little help with technology or if you are interested in volunteering to help others. I hope you are enjoying these last few weeks of summer. Thank you for watching this episode of Agenda Edina. I'm your host Dorothia Marty. [Music]