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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 Edition 98 Fall Brooklyn Center's Fa 1995 CITY WATCH A community newsletter published by the City of Brooklyn Center, No. 98 CITY PLANS CITIES' WEEKACTIVITIES Inside the City ... Garage Open House and More... New faces, New places 2 On October 5 from 4 -7 p.m. the City will hold an open house at its munici- McComb promoted pal garage at 6844 Shingle Creek Parkway. Part of the statewide Cities' to Captain 2 Week promotion, the open house hopes to be fun and educational for all. In 1996 budget public hearings 2 addition to showcasing its newly - remodeled facility, the City plans to display STrib supplement 3 21 pieces of public works equipment from front -end loaders to street Camp Target makes sweepers. In addition, each City division will showcase their products and donation 3 services and there will be games, prizes and giveaways for all. 1995 Paint- A -Thon 3 Snowplows and Bobcats go to school Rally Nights 3 In addition to the open house at the central garage public works employ - Resident packet wins ees will take a field trip to all area elementary schools. On Tuesday, Octo- award 4 ber 3, students will get an up close lesson on public works equipment and Employee of the Quarter 4 will also learn about snowplow safety. Park Watch 4 Students encouraged to compete in Poster Contest Charter commission and Students will also be invited to participate in a poster contest titled "What Communications task force City Government Means to Me ". Winners will receive free passes to the need members 4 community center. The winning posters will be displayed at city hall and the Bond issue 5 winners will be announced at a council meeting. New fitness program at For more information on Cities' Week events, see back page. community center 5 Landscape contest winners 5 Yardwaste information 6 COUN CIL SETS TAX LEVY FOR `96 AT Photo contest 7 1995 LEVEL Open house 8 On Wednesday, September 20 the city council voted to keep the proposed Poster contest 8 1996 property tax levy the same as in 1995. First, the council moved the appropriation of $50,636 for Project PEACE and $30,900 for I.N.W.T.E, from r � , the police department to social services which was then cut by $50,000. A rfflionffA® Continued on page 2. to share your ideas, CITY MANAGER HIRING PROCEEDS AS PLANNED hopes and dreams Ninety-nine applications have been received for the city manager about position. The city council will review applicants and should have Brooklyn Center interviews scheduled for late September or early October. The final Discover the Center Rally selection of a city manager is anticipated after the interview process. Nights. Seepage 3 Depending on the individual's schedule, a new city manager should be on for details. board by year end. New Steve McComb 1996 budget cuts Faces promoted to Continued from page 1 The council also voted to increase Stephen Baker police captain the entrance fee to the community has joined the city , � _s _ - center by $.25 which will generate as city assessor. y r 7 an estimated $20,000 of revenue. Stephen was recently a commercial Additionally, the council cut the appraiser for the City of St. Louis budget of city services by $244,164 Park. He also worked as a as follows: s Community development $ 21,300 Contingency account $ 75,539 Officer Steve McComb was pro- Data processing $ 50,000 moted to Captain of the Brooklyn Gov't buildings $ 13,500 Center Police Department on Human rights Monday, June 26. McComb is filling commission $ 4,000 the captain's position left vacant Police department $ 2,125 4 when Scott Kline was promoted to Streets maintenance $ 7,700 Chief of Police earlier this year. Total $244,164 Hennepin County Appraiser and as McComb has been a police officer The council will continue to review Fee Appraiser for Griffith Appraisers with the Brooklyn Center Police the budget in preparation for final of Minneapolis. Department since 1972. He was adoption at the end of the year. At A native of the area, Stephen grew promoted to sergeant in 1984. this point, the council can still make up in Bloomington and attended the During his tenure, McComb has cuts and adjustments to the budget University of Minnesota. He is a been coordinator of the Emergency but can no make additional changes Certified Real Estate Property Operations Unit, firearms training to the levy. Appraiser, a Certified Minnesota officer, community services sergeant Truth and taxation public hearings Assessor and a Licensed Real and administrative sergeant. will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6 Estate Broker. In his new role, Captain McComb and Wednesday December 13, if will be in charge of all activities and needed, to hear public input regard - personnel in the department's ing the budget. The council hopes to investigative division. formally adopt the 1996 budget at its December 16 council meeting. New LDS Social Services, 6120 Earle Brown Sylvania Lighting, 6860 Shingle Creek Drive Pkwy. „ Places CHB Enterprises, 6200 Shingle Creek Structural Design, 6860 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Pkwy. Olevia Colors, Inc., 3715 5oth Avenue N. Auer Steel, 6707 Shingle Creek Pkwy. New Businesses in Metro Tech Corportation, 3715 50th Ave. N. Supermats, 1800 Freeway Blvd. Brooklyn Center Fuddrucker's, 5800 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Reddi Brakes, 1800 Freeway Blvd. Regis Hairstylists, Brookdale Center Pagoda Jewelry Brookdale Center Carlton Cards, Brookdale AAA of Minnesota, 6000 Shingle Creek Mervyn's, Brookdale Center Joe Kaminsky, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Pkwy. Surrounding Image, 5740 Brooklyn Blvd. Comfort Inn, 1600 James Circle North EBD Automated Engineering, 6870 LDS Social Services, 6120 Earle Brown Dr. Subway, 6545 West River Rd. (in SA) Shingle Creek Pkwy. Viking Office Products, 5001 France Ave. N. Boston Market, 6050 Shingle Creek Steller Tech, 6800 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Pkwy. CITY WATCH PAGE 2 Brooklyn Center to be VOLUNTEERS HELP CITY PAINT A NEW IMAGE featured in Star Tribune supplement } , LIL The Star Tribune, in coopera- tion with the Discover the Center campaign, will be writing, printing and delivering a special section called "Brooklyn Center Close Up" on October 26. The supplement will be distrib- Disc o „ uted to Star Tribune subscribers 4 t he ce e who live in Brooklyn Center, � Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valle Maple Grove New Ho Valley, P Hope, northeast Plymouth, northwest Minneapolis and Osseo. --°- - --°— The piece will celebrate the Volunteers from the Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Commission, Housing Commission, City Staff and people and places of Brooklyn Council participated in the 1995 National Paint -A -Thou Center and will feature articles earlier this summer. Pictured are: Kristen Mann; Jim Glasoe; on Discover the Center, the Earle Dave Fisher; Tom Bublitz; Kathleen Carmody; homeowner Brown Heritage Center, and Pat Hegg; Randy Mills; Bob Torres; Johanna Mills; Joyce Brookdale, as well as the quality Lindquist; Lindsay Mills; Joyce Gulseth; Ernie Erickson and Nancy Carlson. Volunteers not pictured: Terri Swanson, of life in the City. Janine Atchison, Omar Abdelwahed, Scott Kline, Lois Kline, If you'd like to advertise in this Karen Youngberg and Debra Hilstrom. supplement, call Diane Adams at 673 -4090 DISCOVER THE CENTER HOSTS Camp Target W E THE PEOPLE donates to recreation program RALLYNIGHTS During the four Wednesdays in October, the Discover the Center committee will host "We the People" Rally Nights. Rally Nights is a series of community meetings where residents and business people share ideas, develop creative solutions to problems, and strengthen their sense of pride in the community where they live and /or work. Everyone is invited. No reservations required. Just come and share your ideas and hopes for Brooklyn Center. Wed. Oct. 4 Earle Brown Heritage Center Wed. Oct. 11 Community Center's Constitution Hall Ed Badgley, store manager for Wed. Oct. 18 Community Center's Constitution Hall Target on Shingle Creek Park- Wed. Oct. 25 Community Center's Constitution Hall way, receives a plaque of appreciation from the City for The Earle Brown Heritage Center is at 6155 Earle Brown Drive donating camping equipment to The community ter is at 6301 Shingle Creek Pkw the City's day camp program. y cen 9 y All rallies will be held from 7 -10 p.m. CITY WATCH PAGE 3 CITY WINS AWARD FOR NEW RESIDENT PACKAGE COMMISSIO The City of Brooklyn Center won an award of merit from the Minnesota PARK WATCH LOOKS OUT Area of Government Communicators for their new resident packet. The award was pre- sented at The 13th Annual Northern Lights FOR TROUBLE Awards °` Banquet at the Saint Paul Hotel. The banquet Just like neighborhood watch is designed to honor the best in government groups strive to keep their neigh- communications. borhoods safe, Park Watch's The new resident packet won in the purpose is to report unsafe category of promotional /information behavior in city parks. brochure or pamphlet over 12 pages. Developed by the parks and x The packet was specifically acknowl- recreation commission, Park edged for being a complete informa- Watch's purpose is to encourage tional packet designed to effec- residents to call the authorities if tively and efficiently inform they see trouble and /or mainte- potential home buyers and new nance issues in parks. �. residents of the services the For emergencies residents city and community offers. should call 9 -1 -1. Non- emergen- °'` Twenty -one communications profes- Gies, call 569 -3333. For mainte- sionals from a variety of public and private nance issues call 569 -3428. corporations judged the competition which was exclu- sively for projects created in 1994. Charter Commission needs The new resident packet is a four -color folder with 3 pockets, a map and a members 8 -page promotional brochure stitched inside. The pockets display informa- The City's charter commission tion sheets regarding who's who in the community, city and community has openings for members. The programs, city ordinances and parks, trails and other recreational informa- charter commission's purpose is tio To obtain a new resident packet, stop by city hall. to review the City's existing charter, consider proposed DICKSON NAMED SNOW REMOVAL REMINDERS changes and make recommenda- EMPLOYEE OF THE The City of Brooklyn Center tions to the council for changes. To attempts to plow all city receive an application, call Patti at QUARTER * streets within 12 hours of a 569 -3306. Ruth Dickson, administration/ "normal" snow fall. community development secretary, Remember Communications Task Force was named City of Brooklyn Center � Residents are responsible for seeks interested volunteers Employee of the Quarter, Second keeping mailboxes clear of snow for The City's ad hoc communica- Quarter 1995 by the city's Employee post office deliveries, and recycling tions task force is looking for ers must be accessible for Action Committee. Dickson was one containers and placed off the street r interested residents or business pick of five City employees nominated by allow for snow removal. professionals who would like to coworkers for outstanding perfor- 4 No vehicle is allowed to stand on help evaluate and recommend mance during the quarter. any city roadway, street or highway better ways for the City to commu- For her efforts, Dickson received for more than four consecutive nicate with residents and busi- an employee of the quarter plaque hours between 2 and 6 a.m., nor nesses. Current projects include and a certificate. Dickson will also more than six consecutive hours cable TV programming, business be eligible for Employee of the Year other times. information packet and access to which wins a $100 gift certificate to 4 All fire hydrants should be shov- the Internet. For an application, be used at city-owned facilities. eled at least five feet on each side. I call Patti at 569 -3306. CITY WATCH PAGE 4 CAPITAL CITY AWARDS IMPROVEMENTS RESIDENTS WITH GREEN THUMBS SURVEY CONDUCTED The votes are in and the grand prize winner of the First annual landscape Decision Resources recently and garden contest is Susan Warner at 5655 Humboldt Avenue N. Susan conducted a survey of residents in designed the property around limestone paths as well as a handicapped - Brooklyn Center regarding their accessible ramp. thoughts on expanding the City's For her efforts, Susan won a $100 gift certificate to Malmborg's Garden police and fire stations, the commu- Center, courtesy of the City. Out of 12 entries, there was one grand prize nity center as well as city parks. The winner, and first and second place winners in the landscape and garden results of the survey are expected in divisions. Those winners received $50 and $25 gift certificates, respectively. late September. The council will then Grand Prize Winner decide whether or not to hold a bond referendum later in the year.' COMMUNITY CENTER OFFERS NEW FITNESS PROGRAM The community center is now offering a new program designed to enhance membership and Susan Warner encourage more people to attend 5655 Humboldt Avenue N. fitness classes. Starting Sept. 13 everyone who Landscape Division Garden Division takes out a membership to use the FF community center pool, exercise room and sauna receive free passes to drop in to exercise classes offered through the . recreation division. ' For more information, call the Community Center First Prize - John and Christine First Prize - Elmer Peterson at 569 -3400. Zimmerman, 5533 France 5350 Logan Interested in viewing the council meetings? Council meetings are held the second and - fourth Monday of every month at 7 X ., ., .'Ba'krr, p.m. in city hall. Can't attend? �" s e Watch the meeting live on Channel 37 or at 6:30 p.m. the following Tuesday or 6:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Second Prize - Kayla & Craig Moen Second Prize - Lucille Jennrich the following Wednesday. 1313 57th Avenue 5413 James Avenue CITY WATCH PAGE 5 "The Building of a Working Neighborhood Association" by Jerry Blamey - Riverwood Neighborhood Association Our association was started important not to become a single In 1994, we interviewed all candi- because a few citizens shared the purpose group, having a life only in dates for election to City offices. Not dream that they have the right and opposition to this commercial to endorse, but to publish for our the power to share in the City proposal. We wanted more. We members a synopsis of each decisions that affect their neighbor- wanted the neighbors to have a candidate so our members could hood. Not in a spirit of bullyness; voice in what their association make informed choices. but in cooperation with the City to should stand for. We have general membership build the best neighborhoods This grass roots organization took meetings twice a year. Our associa- possible and thereby enhance the place in the fall of 1993. In January tion includes approximately 200 image of our City in total. of 1994, we held a general meeting households with a very high per - We started with a common cause, of neighbors. We defined the centage of these homes as mem- a rallying point the majority of our geographical boundaries of our bers. All of our efforts are funded by neighbors agreed upon. We were association and brainstormed goals. voluntary member contributions. No faced with the introduction of a We also set up a governance plan, City funds are used. commercial property, a 24 -hour gas elected our first executive committee A most rewarding pride has station, car wash and convenience and recognized ourself as a viable, taken over our neighborhood as a store in a predominantly residential working voice to the City. result of these efforts and many of area. We believed no neighborhood We then presented our papers to our members now refer to the should be subjected to such a noisy, the city council to be recognized and person next door not as a "neigh - unsightly crime source as was began to lobby the council and staff bor ", but as a "friend ". proposed. on our opposition to the commercial Ed Note: The Riverwood Neighborhood Although our initial efforts were a proposal. Our efforts were heard Association has offered to help other little ragged, slowly leadership by and City staff and council agreed interested neighborhoods form an associa- some individuals became obvious. that a "gateway" area of our city tion. For more information, call Tom Kouri They were willing to study the should reflect a better image than 560 -0621 or Jerry Blarney 560 -0184 commercial proposal, find the flaws was proposed. The request for the Yardwaste Drop -off Site in the proposal and work to bring commercial proposal was voted Open through November 30 those flaws to the attention of down and more realistic, visionary 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon - Sat neighbors and the City. These plans for the area were proposed. Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday courageous citizens were willing to We know communication is Located approximately 4 miles west of lobby the planning commission to extremely important to keep our 85th Ave. N. on Cty Rd. 81 to Cty Rd. not only show our opposition to the organization alive. Hence, we 121. Lefton 121 across tracks to proposal, but exactly how neighbor- publish a quarterly newsletter which 101 st Right on 101 st. hood unfriendly the commercial includes updates on city matters, For more information call 493 -8006 enterprise was. biographies on new neighbors and It was very important at this time to projects to be involved in. We have Goodwill opens store and drop off become organized as a neighborhood, adopted a portion of Highway 252 at 7324 Lakeland Ave. N., Brooklyn showing strength and commitment. We for cleanup and are working on Park. Open 7 days a week. distributed petitions against the proposal adopting other areas. Hours: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 8 p.m and suggested a general meeting of our We have worked hard on estab- Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. neighbors to begin an "association lishing neighborhood crime watch Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. of neighbors ", with well- defined groups and have achieved nearly Drop off at Hennepin Transfer objectives and goals. It was very 100% in that area. Station will now be closed. CITY WATCH PAGE 6 Scenes from the Center 1 st Annual Photo Contest., Calling all photography buffs! The City of Brooklyn Center is proud to sponsor its first annual photo contest. Now's the time to show off your community through your camera lens. This year's theme is "A Center of Recreation and Beauty." Rules ❑You must live or work in Brooklyn Center. ❑Photos must be taken within City limits. ❑Photos must highlight a city park, trail, or recreation activity. ❑Photos with and without people eligible. ❑Photos must be color or black and white, 5X7 ". No slides. ❑You may enter up to three photos. Include a complete entry form for each. ❑Deadline December 4, 1995 at 4:30 p.m. Grand prize: Discover the Center T -shirt and mug, publication of photo in winter issue of City Watch, certificate of appreciation presented at a council meeting. Honorable mention: Discover the Center mug, publication of photo in winter issue of City Watch and a Certificate of Appreciation presented at a city council meeting. All entries: All entries will be displayed at city hall. Winners notified by December 11. Scenes from the Center City of Brooklyn Center Photo Contest Application Name of entrant/photographer Location photo taken Month /year photo taken Photo caption (include names, if known, of all people in photo). YeS, I agree to allow my photo to be used for promotional purposes with proper credit. Signature Date All photo entries become the property of the City of Brooklyn Center and won't be returned. Submit to the City of Brooklyn Center Photo Contest, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy. Brooklyn Center MN 55430. CITY WATCH PAGE 7 i CITY GARAGE OPEN HOUSE " Thursday October 5, 1995 4 -7 p.m. ;I 6844 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center Twenty -one pieces of public works equipment on display Picture yourself a city employee as you sit upon one of our many pieces of equipment and have a Polaroid taken for you to keep Displays of City services Hot dog, chips, pop and cookie only 25 cents each Fire trucks, squad cars, contests, give aways and more... C1 t� Toster contest Rules Prizes C ity C a l end ar -All entries must reflect the First place in each category October theme "What City Services Mean receives 2 free passes to the to Me" community center pool and 4 Rally Nights Earle Brown *Entries must be on 8 1/2 X 11 water slide Heritage Center, 7 -10 p.m. paper Runners up receive one free 5 City garage open house, -Only two entries per child pass to pool and water slide 4 -7 p.m. -Child's name, school and grade 11 Rally Nights, Constitution must be printed on back of entry Categories /grades Hall, 7 -10 p.m. -Send entries to: Poster contest, K -2 18 Rally Nights, Constitution City of Brooklyn Center, 6301 3 -5 Hall, 7 -10 p.m. Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn 6 -8 25 Rally Nights, Constitution Center, MN 55430 -2199 Hall 7 - p.m. Deadline: October 16 at 4:30 p.m. 29 Halloween Party, Community Ctr. 2 p.m. November 4 Holiday Bazaar, z �y -R Park Center, 9 a.m. - X6 M . y� 4 p.m. rf December City of Brooklyn Center 3 Holly Sunday, Community City officials City numbers Center, 2 -4 p.m. Mayor 24 -hour emergency 6 Truth in Taxation Public Myrna Kragness Police, Fire, Medical 911 Hearing, 7 p.m. Non - emergency 9 Kids Shopping Corner, Councilmembers police 569 -3333 Kathleen Carmody City Hall & TDD 569 -3300 Community Center, Debra Hilstrom Community 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Barbara Kalligher Center & pool 569 -3400 Appt. necessary Kristen Mann 13 Truth in Taxation Public Interim City Manager Business Hours Hearing (tentative) Cam Andre Mon - Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CITY WATCH