West metro news briefs: Kim Hansen named Bloomington Chamber of Commerce president

Kim Hansen, who has experience in the business, nonprofit and political realms, has been named president of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber announced on Tuesday that Hansen will be its next leader. She will begin her new job Monday.

Hansen most recently served as district director of Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest. Before that, she was finance director for U.S. Rep. Tim Walz's re-election campaign and former legislator Mike Obermueller's campaign for Congress.

Hansen also served as membership director for the Edina Chamber of Commerce.

"I am honored to join the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce team," she said. "The chamber's work is vital to the region's business community."

Hansen will replace Maureen Scallen Failor, who left the chamber in May after leading it for nine years.

The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce represents and supports local businesses. Its board of directors includes local business leaders as well as elected officials.

Construction at Braemar Golf Course in Edina has forced a clubhouse restaurant to close, according to city officials.

The owners of Tin Fish decided to close after operating there for two years. They were unable to negotiate an amendment to their lease with the city that would reflect renovations being made to the golf course.

The last day of full service at the restaurant will be Tuesday. Limited menu items will be available Wednesday and Thursday.

A tentative agreement with the city allows Tin Fish's owners to take their restaurant equipment and receive nearly $130,000 for a portion of the investment they made in remodeling the clubhouse.

City officials hope to open a new restaurant in the clubhouse by March. They are expected to issue a request for proposals from vendors soon, according to City Manager Scott Neal.

Wilson, who served as Edina's assessor for 14 years, has been a member of the assessing officers' association since 1987 and was president of the organization in 2001-02.

"I had no idea it was coming, so I was speechless," Wilson said. "I'm very honored and humbled."

Before working in Edina, Wilson was the city assessor for Hopkins, residential appraiser for St. Louis Park and an appraisal assistant for Hennepin County.

Wilson has taught several courses in income and residential studies since first joining the association.

"Bob has worked tirelessly over the years to get our courses approved for [state] Department of Commerce credit and provided quality education in the form of numerous seminars," Association President Kyle Holmes said.

Fly Feet Running, a fitness program based in downtown Minneapolis, is set to open its second location in Wayzata this winter.

The gym, to be located at 881 Lake St. N. in the Promenade of Wayzata shopping block, will include two studios for larger classes and space for private and personal training. The center also sells athletic wear and other products.

Fly Feet Running was launched last year by former Target Corp. exec Kristin Shane. Its signature workout is performed on a treadmill and combines running, strength and mobility exercises.

The company will interview potential coaches Oct. 14 for the Wayzata studios at the downtown Minneapolis location, 15 S. 5th St. The Wayzata location will offer free classes leading up to its opening.

Miguel Otárola

The commissioners, acting as the county's Regional Railroad Authority, authorized a purchase negotiation for the property at 24 2nd Av. N., which is adjacent to the Federal Reserve's office building in downtown Minneapolis.

The Federal Reserve plans to develop the site, called the Heritage Landing parcel and currently used as a surface parking lot, to support its operations.

Kevin Duchschere

The city of Anoka is throwing its support behind a growing coalition of cities and counties seeking major Metropolitan Council reform.

The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution last month that calls for changes to the council's appointment process and the power of the regional planning agency.

"They are advocating that local control is given back to the cities and the counties," Anoka City Manager Greg Lee said at the Sept. 18 meeting.

Dozens of cities have since joined the fight by supporting the coalition's goals, which include making Met Council members elected officials rather than gubernatorial appointees. Lawmakers have taken similar steps at the Capitol to rein in the council's authority.