New Members, Weed Inspector on Edina City Council Agenda

This evening marks the first Edina City Council meeting of 2011, with Joni Bennett and Josh Sprague being officially sworn into office.

When the council convenes tonight, Jan. 4, Sprague will be welcomed to the council while Bennett will return to the group. The agenda is largely comprised of routine actions like designating an official newspaper, approving facsimile signatures and designating official depositories for public funds.

The council will appoint a Mayor Pro Tem during the meeting as well, a position previously held by outgoing member Scot Housh. Mayor Jim Hovland has recommended the council appoint Ann Swenson to the position, as she is the member of the longest tenure.

Outside of routine business, the council will also be dealing with a variety of street reconstruction projects. While they will only be setting public hearings for reconstruction in the Killarney Shores, McCauley Heights and Oscar Roberts neighborhoods, the council will also receive feasibility reports for work in the Golf Terrace and Carson's Hill neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most bizarre item on the agenda is the annual appointment of an Assistant Weed Inspector for the city. Park Superintendent Vince Cockriel, who has done the job for several years now, has been nominated to continue to inspecting weeds around the city.

According to a city report, the Assistant Weed Inspector identifies and eradicates noxious weeds as defined by Minnesota law. The inspector is also responsible cutting turf grasses and weeds throughout the city that exceed 10 inches in height.

The Edina City Council will convene at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4., in . The full agenda for the meeting can be found online here.