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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 Edition 144 November-DecemberEdition 144 November/December 2003 City Watch A newsletter for residents of the City of Brooklyn Center Budget Process Update What is being cut and what Also being cut is funding for: The City Council adopted a preliminary budget and preliminary tax levy on is being retained? PRISM medical transportation September 8, 2003. The City Council North Hennepin Mediation Service Cuts are being made in many areas was faced with the loss of $1.68 including general reductions in many COOP Northwest Million in local government aid for operating departments. Some of the Entertainment in the Parks 2004 ($1.18 Million will be lost in operating areas being reduced are: Fireworks for Earle Brown Days 2003). The preliminary budget reflects (the Fire Relief Association has a reduction of approximately $790,000 % Cut donated pull-tab proceeds to fund in operations and the elimination of this in 2004) Mayor & Council -4.28% $625,000 in transfers for street reconstruction and capital projects such City Manager -12.54% Reduced funding will mean: as park improvements. A franchise fee Police-4.21% No warming houses or attendants for has been proposed as a source of ice rinks funding for street reconstruction Fire-2.33% projects. A franchise fee would fund the Reduction to 5 ice rinks Human Resources -3.59% City’s portion of street reconstruction Reduced senior programming Emergency Prep. -0.40% projects and provide a source of Reduced after school youth revenue independent of State imposed programs Public Works -11.08% levy limits or cuts in local government Reduced recreation programs Recreation-18.03% aids. The preliminary levy is the Reduced pool hours maximum levy that can be adopted on Park Maintenance -12.43% Fewer people for street and park December 8, 2003, when a final budget maintenance Social Services -20.49% is adopted. The final levy may be lower Fewer portable toilets in parks than the preliminary levy. The City’s These cuts will have differing impacts. Replacement of street signs and Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held In police, the reductions reflect greater markings will be on a reduced basis at 7:00 on December 1, 2003. PM use of grants for equipment and the 4 City Watch newsletters instead of results of reorganization. Police patrol 6 per year will be maintained at current budgeted full-time positions. However, the Impacts on taxes and fees Attend the Public Hearing DARE program may be eliminated. Real estate taxes for homeowners will Fire operations will be maintained at increase due to increase shifts of taxes Brooklyn Center residents are invited to current levels, with grants used for from commercial property to attend the Public Hearing of the City equipment. The issue with grants being homeowners and the phasing out of Council to provide input on and ask used for equipment is that the budget limited market value, whether the City questions about the proposed 2004 will not contain sufficient monies to increases its levy or not. The rough budget and levy. The hearing will be purchase equipment for police and fire impact of the City’s preliminary levy held on: operations in the event that grant increase of $398,833 would be $28.60 funding is reduced or becomes per year or $2.38 per month on a home. Monday, December 1, 2003 unavailable. The impact of a 3% franchise fee on gas 7:00 PM and electric service would be Brooklyn Center City Hall Funding for five full-time positions is approximately $2.92 per month. A Council Chambers eliminated in the preliminary budget. franchise fee rate would apply equally to This follows a reduction of 3 full-time 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway all utility customers, commercial, positions to balance the 2003 budget. Brooklyn Center residential, governmental and non-profit. The positions being removed from the budget are an engineering technician, a street maintenance position, a park maintenance position, an administrative Budget Update continued on Page 2 technician position, and an aquatics supervisor. Budget Process Want To Reduce Junk Mail? continued from Page 1 Every year households get an estimated 50 pounds worth of unwanted, unsolicited mail. That’s 50 pounds of irritation for Operating, Debt & Authority Levies + State Aids you and 2.6 million tons of paper to discard nationally. To Budgets (Prior to 2003 Cuts) reduce the waste, Hennepin County Environmental Services offers these tips: $15 Debt Service Levy Register with DMA (Direct Marketing Association) Mail $10 HRA Levy Preference Service by either calling Hennepin County $5 State Aid Environmental Services at (612) 348-3777, and the Operating Levy department will mail you a free postcard to fill in and mail to $0 the DMA; or, visit the State Office of Environmental 200220032004 Assistance web site at www.moea.state.mn.us to download, print and mail a form to send to the DMA. Stay off mailing lists. Consistently add a privacy Other Areas Being Examined statement such as “Do not rent, trade, sell or give away my The City is part of a multi-jurisdictional study of name, address, or phone number” to anything asking for emergency dispatch services looking into possible contact information. ways to combine dispatch services and reduce costs, especially capital costs for dispatch center equipment. Call 1-888-5-OPT OUT (1-888-567-8688) to eliminate The Charter Commission has been asked to review a credit card solicitations from the nation’s major consumer possible charter change to allow the issuance of credit bureaus – Equifax , Experian, Innovis and Trans administrative citations instead of tickets that are Union. A recorded message will ask for your social security processed through the court system. number, full name, address and telephone number. If you The replacement cycles for City equipment are being select the two-year option, your request can be completed reviewed. We are shifting to a 3-year cycle on police with just the phone call. If you select the permanent option, squads as a result of a change in the market for used your request will take effect only after you return the form vehicles indicating it is now more cost effective to be that will be mailed to you. on a 3-year cycle. In previous years the city shifted from a 3-year to a 2-year cycle due to greater trade in values in that market. Twin Lakes Management Plan The City is exploring the opening of a second liquor Open House th store at 69 & Brooklyn Blvd. as a possible source of Thursday, November 20, 2003 7 – 9 additional revenue for capital or operating needs. PM Community Center Constitution Hall Summary The City of Brooklyn Center is in the process of The City is facing severe reductions in state aids designed to developing a management plan for Twin Lakes (Upper, assist homeowners by reducing the tax burden in cities like Middle, and Lower Twin Lakes) and is holding an open Brooklyn Center with lower property wealth than some other house for formal public comment. The purpose of this cities. The City’s needs are not reduced by virtue of these state project is to develop an action plan for the protection and decisions and the City Council and Financial Commission are improvement of water quality in Twin Lakes through working diligently to balance the reductions in City services quantitative analysis, public outreach, lake and watershed and the replacement of a part of the lost state aid. characterization, and watershed and lake restoration. The ultimate end product will be a comprehensive program to meet resource management goals for Twin Lakes. November is National American Indian This is your opportunity to formally comment on the Heritage Month diagnostic work and action plans under development of Twin Lakes. The meeting will consist of a presentation 1.5% of Brooklyn Center’s population reported as covering the work completed on the management plan and American Indian and Alaska Native in Census 2000. a question and answer period. The presentation will be During the month of November, we celebrate the rich followed by a formal comment period. Written formal cultural traditions and proud ancestry of American comments will also be accepted for 15 days following this Indians and Alaska Natives, and we recognize the vital meeting. A draft of the Diagnostic Study and the contributions these groups have made to the strength Management Plan will be available a minimum of 15 days and diversity of our society. prior to the meeting at www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org . www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org City Watch 2 2003 LANDSCAPE & GARDEN CONTEST WINNERS OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE/HARDSCAPE Walt & Sandy Wenholz th 501 – 69 Avenue North Bricks from the South St. Paul stockyards and cobblestones from Minneapolis add a touch of history to the patios, paths, and steps in this well -maintained property. Inviting pathways lead to an award-winning water feature and a whimsical elf house sculpted from a tree trunk. OUTSTANDING BACKYARD GARDEN Barbara Mielke 7230 Bryant Avenue North Paths of woodchip, stone, and rock invite you to delightful gardens filled with surprises. Small trees, numerous varieties of ground cover, hosta, and other shade plants enhance the English Garden. MOST TRANSFORMED SPACE Clarice Bailey BEST SMALL SPACE GARDEN 5424 Irving Avenue North Nancy Blom Recognized for her strong sense of design and clever use of th 2820 – 67 Lane North recycled materials, Clarice was commended for providing a positive visual impact on the immediate neighborhood by Through careful design this homeowner has taken maximum bringing her gardens out front for all to see. Teenage advantage of minimal space making this multiple dwelling an daughter Hannah played an important role in the inviting place to come home to, not only for the homeowner but also transformation. for her neighbors. City Watch www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org 3 Carbon Monoxide Alarm May Not Mean Immediate Danger Sometimes called The Silent Killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, Symptoms of carbon odorless, colorless gas that can cause illness and even death in today’s tightly monoxide poisoning insulated homes. Dizziness Headache CO is a gas produced by incomplete combustion. Improperly adjusted burners, Nausea or vomiting poorly ventilated flues, or damaged or inadequately maintained fuel-burning Unconsciousness appliances can result in carbon monoxide accumulation in the home. If you suspect carbon Most Carbon Monoxide Alerts Are Pre-Emergency monoxide poisoning The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) has established that exposure to levels of CO of 35 ppm (parts per million) should not be exceeded Remove victim to fresh over an eight-hour period of time. Most CO detectors on the market are air and keep victim warm. calibrated to sound an alarm if CO concentrations exceed 15 ppm over eight hours. At this level, most people will not experience adverse effects of CO Call 911 and inform poisoning. emergency personnel of a possible carbon monoxide If the activation of a CO detector is an emergency, someone in the household poisoning. will probably be experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning. If the CO alarm goes off yet no one in the home is experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea, Contact a qualified or vomiting, the alarm is most likely for a pre-hazardous condition. In that technician to investigate event, it is not necessary to call 911 but you should open a couple of doors or the source of the problem. windows and call a service technician. Fire personnel are not trained to If someone in the home is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, remove adequately detect the actual source the victim to fresh air, keep the victim warm and at rest and dial 911 to alert of carbon monoxide. Their primary emergency personnel immediately. responsibility is to help in vacating the occupants and to remove the It is recommended if your CO detector is sounding or if you have a reading of immediate life safety hazard by 15 ppm and there are no apparent symptoms of CO poisoning, you should ventilating the premises and to help contact a qualified technical person such as the gas company or other heating find a qualified technician to check and appliance technician to check your home for possible sources of carbon the source of the problem. monoxide. Before you install a carbon monoxide detector, you should consider having your fuel-burning appliance checked for safety and efficiency by a qualified service technician. You may also want to have your chimney inspected and The Consumer Product Safety cleaned out if it is of masonry construction. Also, be sure your CO detector is Commission recommends installed properly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. that every home be equipped with at least one carbon If you have questions about carbon monoxide detectors, call Fire Chief Ron monoxide alarm near the Boman at (763) 503-3160. sleeping area of the home. Because victims of CO “If you are going to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, poisoning will slip deeper into unconsciousness as their you should consider purchasing only the type of unit that has CO condition worsens, a loud a digital display, has time weighted averaging, has at least alarm is necessary to wake them. For maximum an 80 decibel alarm, and has a test and reset button. Without protection, place one carbon a test and reset button, once the detector trips it can take a monoxide alarm on every level of your home . number of hours for the unit to be reset.” Fire Chief Ron Boman www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org City Watch 4 Snow Removal Operations Snow Removal Mailboxes: Installation and Damage Street snow removal operations will begin when there has been a snowfall of more Standard mailbox and post installations meeting U.S. Postal regulations are allowed than 2.5 inches or if other conditions within the boulevard area. You should check your mailbox and post installation each warrant plowing. Sidewalk snow removal year to prevent problems, which typically occur during the winter months making will occur when there has been a snowfall repairs difficult and causing a delay in mail delivery. Check mailbox posts for signs of one inch or more. Crews will begin of rotting wood or rusted metal. Typically, when a post has been in the ground for a plowing as soon as the storm subsides. The few years, a wood post will rot off and a metal post will rust at the base. Rotted, City streets are divided into ten districts, rusted, or unstable installations need to be replaced with a sturdy 4" x 4" post and the with plows assigned to each district. The mailbox and paper box must be installed a minimum of 45" above the street arterial streets will be cleared first, surface to accommodate the height of the plow. The City will repair or replace followed by the residential streets. The direct contact properly installed mailboxes which are damaged by with snow snow plow must make several passes up removal equipment. The City will not assume responsibility for damage simply and down the street to remove the snow; caused from snow pressure. two to clear the center and two or more to widen the street gutter to gutter. Because Boulevard Maintenance plowing routes are sometimes long, it may Residents are reminded that by City ordinance items such as landscape rocks, be one hour or more between the clearing sprinkler systems, fences, bollards, timbers, shrubs, retaining walls, gardens, and pass and the final widening pass. large permanent mailbox installations (constructed of concrete, brick, wood, etc.) are not allowed on the boulevard, that is, from the edge of the street back 10-15 feet. Garbage/Recycling The boulevard area is reserved for snow storage and for utility placements. On Containers occasion objects in the boulevard are damaged during winter snowplowing Garbage and recycling containers must be operations when they are struck by heavy snow and ice or snowplowing equipment. placed so they are accessible for pickup, The City cannot accept responsibility for private property located on City right-of- not but during the snow season they may way and will not repair or replace immovable or movable items placed in these be placed in the road or on the sidewalk. areas. Property owners should remove items or place them at least ten feet behind To assist snowplowing operations, place the curb line or the edge of the street. the containers in the driveway. Stay Back From the Plow Keep Fire Hydrants Clear Never pass a snowplow. They create dangerous snow clouds that not only contain Please help keep fire hydrants clear of snow, but road debris such as rocks and sand. When driving allow ample distance snow. In the event of a fire, valuable time between your vehicle and the snowplow. Snow conditions often require that the may be lost if the fire department has to snowplow driver stop and back up before continuing; this can create a potential locate and/or remove snow from a hydrant. accident when vehicles follow too closely. Driveways We apologize in advance for plugged To report snowy or icy road conditions call: driveways, which are unavoidable side effects of well-plowed streets and sidewalks. To reduce the frustration of Public Works garage shoveling out the end of your driveway 7 to 3:30 AMPM twice, we suggest you wait until the street Monday-Friday is plowed to its full width before tackling (763) 569-3380 the windrow of snow left by plows. Child Safety After-Hours Please remind your children not to build Non-Emergency snow forts or play in the snow piles made Police Department by the plows. The plow operators often (763) 569-3333 cannot see children in the snow banks, and they could be buried in the snow or seriously hurt. Printed on recycled paper City Watch www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org 5 NeighborhoodBrooklyn Center Watch Crime Prevention Program National Night Out 2003 was a huge success in Brooklyn Center, as the City had over 100 parties participating in the event. Brooklyn Center Watch The members of the Brooklyn Center Crime Groups increased from 162 to 184 this year, and we Prevention Program would like to take this look forward to continuing this growth. opportunity to explain to you our role in helping residents reduce crime and improve the quality of Project 365 has been turned into the National life in Brooklyn Center. Former Mayor Phil Association of Town Watch for judging, and the Cohen and former Police Chief Jim Lindsay were results will be released at the end of October. Once instrumental, along with many of the civic we learn the results, we’ll be sure to let our Watch organizations, in the development of the Crime Groups know how we ranked in the national Prevention Program. Incorporated in 1982, the competition. Brooklyn Center Crime Prevention Program was initially organized for the purpose of collecting funds to pay for crime If your area does not have a Neighborhood Watch Group – the tips and rewards. process is very simple and we will offer any assistance we can. This program consists of small neighborhood organizations that Since its inception, the program has flourished and provides assist in eliminating crime from their areas. There is safety in financial contributions for National Night Out, the Police and numbers, and the more participants we have in this program the Citizen Award Ceremony, Summer Youth Program, DARE, more criminals we can keep out of Brooklyn Center. The Police and various other programs in an effort to reduce crime. The Department cannot successfully fight crime alone - we need our Crime Prevention Program was also instrumental in the hiring community members to be our “eyes and ears” and report any of the first Community Service Officer, as well as the suspicious activity. You know the neighbors living in your area, organization of our 184 Neighborhood Watch Groups. In 2003 and what activity seems suspicious. the Crime Prevention Board helped create and paid for a citizen preparedness guide that was distributed on August 5 to all the If you want to start a Neighborhood Watch Group, contact Neighborhood Watch groups. This booklet contained 17 pages Neighborhood Liaison Officers Becky Boie at (763) 503-3272 of valuable information on current safety issues. or Matt Koncar at (763) 503-3270 for information and assistance. The benefits of joining a Watch Group are many: The Crime Prevention Program receives no funding from the you will receive the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, crime City’s budget, and depends exclusively on fundraising and watch signs, as well as have a great reason to gather with your donations from members of the community. The Crime neighbors and Police and Fire officials at least once annually. Prevention Board looks forward to continuing services on behalf of Brooklyn Center residents and promoting a safe and Neighborhood Watch Groups are sponsored by the City of peaceful living environment. If you have questions or Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Center Crime Prevention suggestions or would like to help in the Crime Prevention Program. Call today to find out how to start your own Group! Program please call Becky Boie at (763) 503-3272 or Matt Koncar at (763) 503-3270. Volunteer Opportunity: Representative To The Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Advisory Commission The City of Brooklyn Center is seeking a Brooklyn Center resident who has an interest in human services issues and would be willing to serve as a municipal representative to the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Advisory Commission. The Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is a human services planning and coordinating agency serving 15 cities in northern Hennepin County since 1972. The goals of the Council are to improve access to human services for area residents, raise awareness of human service needs, and coordinate and assist in planning for needed human services in the community. The Advisory Commission is composed of citizen representatives appointed for two-year terms by their respective City Council. As an Advisory Commissioner, representatives are asked to attend one Advisory Commission meeting per month and serve on one Commission committee or task force during the year. An applicant's previous experience in human service programs is helpful, but not required. The most important quality is a sincere concern for human service needs in the community. Appointment to the Advisory Commission will be made by the Brooklyn Center City Council. If you are interested in volunteering for this position or would like to obtain additional information, call the City Clerk at (763) 569-3300, stop by City Hall to pick up an application packet, or visit the City’s web site at www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org. www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org City Watch 6 Winter Driving Precautions Winter is quickly approaching and we must again be Things to Remember reminded of the challenge driving can be – particularly 1. When spotting an icy area, do not slam on the during the first snowfall. Although drivers grow to be brakes. Use them gradually and try to remain complacent by the tight handling of our vehicles on dry calm. If your tires do lock up, you will have no summer roads, this will soon change. First we see the control of the direction your vehicle takes. warnings of the rain and snow mixture. This is nature’s Turning the steering wheel will have little or no way of telling us things are going to get worse. For most effect. The next biggest clue to an icy road, drivers, these hints are sufficient to begin Minnesota’s besides actually seeing the ice, is the row of snow-driving season. Unfortunately, for other drivers the vehicles stuck in the ditch ahead. It’s amazing hints don’t sink in until the tow truck arrives. how many drivers pass vehicles stuck in the snow, and while driving at full speed become the next Thousands of vehicles end up in the ditch or in accidents car in the ditch. with each first Minnesota snowfall. Throughout the 2. Bridges and overpasses can be particularly winter, these numbers will decrease as drivers become slippery as they don’t have the ground beneath cautious and more acclimated to the challenging road them for warmth. conditions. Let’s start this winter driving season out 3. Always make sure you have a full supply of where we left off last year, by learning from our mistakes window wash. With all the sand, salt and slush and becoming cautious drivers. dirtying your windshield, it’s nice to just wash it away. Special Note to the Many SUV Drivers 4. Do not attempt to pass a snowplow - on either side. With snow flying everywhere, the driver may Four-wheel drive is very nice to have for the few not see you and you will not have a clear view occasions we use it, but remember on ice ahead. There is no such thing as a minor accident 4-wheel drive = 4-wheel slide with a snowplow! Always give them extra space. 5. Always maintain at least a two second spacing Thought For the Season The more between you and the vehicle ahead. Most drivers towed from the ditch say they didn’t believe snow = the more space. there was anything they could have done to prevent from 6. The most important thought of all is to allow more sliding there. The majority of vehicles in the ditch are time for your daily travels. It takes time to clear there because of excessive speed and inattentiveness to accidents and debris which, in turn, means delay the road conditions. However, drivers have complete in road travel. control over both of these factors. ParkingCode Enforcement Update Parking ordinances can often seem complicated, but are Every spring and summer the Police Department inspects quite simple when broken down. All vehicles parked each property in the City for property code violations in a outside must be properly licensed and operable. program called “Summer Sweep.” Although it can seem Inoperable cars, car parts, etc. must be stored in a garage. that the City is singling you out for a particular violation, Vehicles in the front or side setback must be parked on nearly 1,100 violation notices were sent this year. Most pavement or class 5 (gravel) surface. Parking on grass or property owners address violations quickly, and so far this dirt in the front or side setbacks is prohibited. Vehicles year nine cases have been referred to court. may be parked on grass in back or side yards provided that they are operable and properly licensed. While the sweep this year is coming to an end, the code enforcement staff still conduct inspections around the Parking on City streets is prohibited between the hours of City and respond to citizen complaints. Should you need 2:00 and 6:00 . It is also illegal to park on a City to make a complaint, call the code enforcement line at AMAM street for more than six consecutive hours. Permits for (763) 503-3173. Although you may remain anonymous, it parking variances are available and can be obtained from is helpful if you leave a name or a number so we can the Police Department. update you on the actions taken to address your concerns. City Watch www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org 7 City of Brooklyn Center 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 Official web site www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org Sunday, December 7 2 5 – PM e-mail: info@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Brooklyn Center Community Center City Hall (763) 569-3300 Recreation (763) 569-3400 Santa! Visit with (2 – 4:30 ) PM Hayride! Go on a (2:15 – 4:15) PM Emergency 911 Holiday Jingo (2 – 4:00 ) PM Police non-emergency (763) 569-3333 Magic Show featuring the magic of Brian Richards (4:15 ) PM Holiday Tree! Lighting of the (5 ) PM Job Information Line (763) 569-3307 Persons with hearing or speech impairment are served by the Please bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots! MN Relay Service 711 (TTY/Voice) Free cookies and beverages! Free pictures will be taken with Santa while film supplies last. Mayor Myrna Kragness Voicemail: (763) 569-3450 Questions, please call (763) 569-3400 mayorkragness@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Sponsored by the Brooklyn Center Lions Club Councilmember Kathleen Carmody Voicemail: (763) 569-3444 Spotlight on Parks councilmembercarmody@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Happy Hollow Park Picnic Shelter Councilmember Kay Lasman Voicemail: (763) 569-3448 From picnics to family reunions, retreats and socials, we may councilmemberlasman@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us have the ideal location for your next gathering at one of Brooklyn Center’s parks. Councilmember Diane Niesen Voicemail: (763) 569-3445 Happy Hollow Picnic Shelter – Nestled councilmemberniesen@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us amongst stately oak trees, the Happy Councilmember Bob Peppe Hollow picnic shelter is an ideal Voicemail: (763) 569-3446 spot for a quiet picnic for two, or a councilmemberpeppe@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us small family gathering. Conveniently located at 5100 City Manager Michael J. McCauley Abbott Avenue in the heart of Brooklyn Center, Happy Hollow City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Monday of the Park also features a playground, ball Informal Open Forum month at 7 . is held at 6:45 PMPM fields, basketball court, and other nature amenities. before Council meetings. Watch City Council meetings live on cable Channel 16. Replays shown Tuesdays at 6:30 and PM For further information about the Happy Hollow Park picnic Wednesdays at 2:30 and 10:30 . AMAM shelter, or any of our park facilities, please Contact the Community Activities, Recreation and Services Department at Call City Hall to verify meeting dates (763) 569-3300 (763) 569-3400. 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center MN 55430