HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 Edition 108 November Edition 108 November1997
C Wa tch
A newsletter for residents of the City of Brooklyn Center
City Council adopts goals for 1998
At the October 14 City Council meet- Goal No. 5. Implement fire and Goal No. 11. Implement those study
ing, the Council adopted the following police plans: either build with bond recommendations adopted by Coun-
goals and objectives for 1998: proceeds or seek betterment of fac- cil for liquor store and Earle Brown
Goal No. 1. Develop plan for providing ilities if no bond monies are available. Heritage Center.
operating and future capital needs funds Goal No. 6. The City Council will Bond election results
for the golf course, liquor stores and
be more active in regional issues
Earle Brown Heritage Center. affecting the City. On November 4, 1997, Brooklyn
Goal No. 2. Review City's departmental Center voters supported a $7.9
structure with analysis of needs and Goal No. 7. Continue to work on Million bond referendum for police
identification of opportunities for im- redevelopment issues with emphasis and fire buildings. Voter turnout was
proved service delivery. on Brookdale, Brooklyn Blvd., and approximately 30 %. Ballots cast in
53rd Ave., while being able to respond the eight precincts totaled as follows:
Goal No. 3. Establish contingency option to other opportunities. 3,497 YES votes
1'orCouncil in the event of funding losses.
Goal No. 8. Continue code enforce- 834 NO votes
Goal No. 4. Establish long -range fin- ment with Council review of process
ancial plan for City: and goals with staff to refine the code City CO u n c i I
• Five year enforcement effort.
• Ten to twenty -year appendix of ma- Thanks voters
Goal No. 9. Meet with commission
jor future needs and possible approaches
chairs to develop updated goals We would like to thank all of
for addressing these needs. the people who were involved in
and missions for each of the City's P P
commissions. the successful bond election to
-" —" meet our police and fire build -
Inside this edition' Goal No. 10. Develop a plan to ing needs and all of the people
address building needs at City Hall/ who turned out to vote and ex-
1998 Goals 1 Community Center for handicapped press their opinions. We appre-
Bond election 1 accessibility, roofing, heating, ven- ciate the efforts of the citizens
tilation, air conditioning, removal of who took time to go through the
Voter thank y ou 1 ' police functions, and citizen access to
facilities during the open houses,
Brookdale 2 service. the Financial Commission
Police Chief recruitment 2 • Council chambers (sound system, Which reviewed the proposed
lights, etc.)
bond financing and made recom-
Highway 100 2 mendations for the project, the
• ADA accessibility volunteer citizens who worked
Holly Sunday: 2 •Roof
on a committee supporting the
CO detectors 3 • Entrances bond referendum, and the many
BC commissions 4 • Community Center City staff and volunteers who
• Heating, ventilation and air- worked at the open houses.
conditioning
1
i
Brookdale update Police Chief j
recruitment
The sale of Brookdale to new own- Interviews were conducted b a
Y County Road 81 to just past the rail -
ers appears to be on track for a clos- technical panel of police chiefs and a road bridge north of France Avenue,
ing toward the latter part of November. community /departmental panel on has received the highest rating in the
Construction of the regional storm October 23rd in the process to find a annual competition for funding from
water pond that will serve the area replacement for Police Chief Scott the Metropolitan Council. If this fund- i
around and including Brookdale Kline, who will be retiring at the ing is approved by the Metropolitan
will begin during November. A beginning of January, 1998. Seven Council, this phase will be much
ground breaking is set for Monday, candidates were interviewed in the closer to becoming a reality. Stages
November 17, at 8:00 at the process that narrowed the field to a approved by the Metropolitan Coun-
Centerbrook Golf Course. The re- smaller group of finalists, who will cil, this phase will be much closer to
gional pond was made possible be given final interviews by the end becoming a reality. Stages 1, 2, and 3
through a grant from the State of Min- of November. have already been funded for the work
nesota that was approved in this past High 1 �� from Highway 55 through County
Legislative Session through the efforts Road 81.
of our local legislators, Speaker Phil Stage 4 of the proposed reconstruc-
Carruthers, Senator Linda Scheid, and tion of Highway 100, which is the I
Representative Lyndon Carlson. phase in Brooklyn Center from I
�'�eyience fhe �gBlc ffhe holy s e�rvn of
Sunday, December 7
2 :00 -5:00 P.M.
2.00 — 4 :00 P.M. Hayrides
2.00 — 4 :30 P.M. Santa
2 :15 — 5 :15 P.M. Dickens Carolers
3 :30 — 4 :00 P.M. Max the Magician
4 :15 — 5.00 P.M. Kidsong and Company Concert
5:00 P.M. Tree Lighting Ceremony �
Free refreshments
Free Polaroid° picture of your child with Santa
Please bring a new toy to be donated to CEAP
Brooklyn Center Community Center
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
569 -3400
City Watch 2
CO alarm may not mean immediate danger
Sometimes called "The Silent apparent symptoms of CO
Killer," carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisoning, you should
tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that contact a qualified tech -
can cause illness and even death in nical person such as the Symptoms of carbon
today's tightly insulated homes. gas company or other
CO is a gas produced by incomplete heating and appliance monoxide poisoning
combustion. Improperly adjusted technician to check your
adjusted for possible sources 'Dizziness
burners, poorly ventilated flues, P
damaged or inadequately maintained of carbon monoxide. • Headache
fuel - burning applicances can result Brooklyn Center Fire • Nausea or vomiting
in carbon monoxide accumulation in Chief Ron Boman sug- • Unconsiousness
the home. gests that if you are going
Most CO (carbon monoxide) to purchase a carbon If you suspect carbon
alerts are pre - emergency monoxide detector you
should consider purchas- monoxide poisoning:
The Occupational Safety and ing only the type of unit
Health Association (OSHA) has that has a digital display, • Remove victim to fresh air
established that exposure to levels of has time weighted averag- and keep victim warm.
CO of 35 ppm (parts per million) ing, has at least an 80 • Call 911 and inform emergency
should not be exceeded over an eight decibel alarm, and has a personnel of a possible carbon
hour period of time. Most CO test and reset button. monoxide poisoning.
detectors on the market are calibrated Without a test and reset
to sound an alarm if CO Contact a qualified technician
concentrations exceed 15 ppm over button, once the detector to investigate the source of the
eight hours. At this level, most people trips it can take a number problem.
reset.
will not experience adverse effects of r hours for the unit to be
CO poisoning. re
If the activation of a CO detector is Before you install a
an emergency, someone in the carbon monoxide detector Fire personnel are not trained
household will probably be ex- you rhouldconsiderhavin- to adequately detect the actual
periencing symptoms of CO your fuel burning ap source of carbon monoxide.
poisoning. If the CO alarm goes off Pliance checked for safety
yet no one in the home is experiencing and efficiency by a Their primary responsibility is
dizziness, headaches, nausea or qualified service tech- to help In vacating the
occupants nician. You may also want ants and to remove the
vomiting, the alarm is most likely /�
for apre- hazardous condition. In that to have your chimney immediate life safety hazard
event, it is not necessary to call 9111 inspected and cleaned out by ventilating the premises
but you should open a couple of doors if it is of masonry
or windows and calla service construction. Also, be sure and to help find a qualified
technician. your CO detector is technician to check the source
If someone in the home is installed properly accord- of the problem.
experiencing symptoms of CO ing to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
poisoning, remove the victim to fresh
air, keep the victim warm and at rest If you have any questions
and dial 911 to alert emergency about carbon monoxide
personnel immediately. detectors, call Fire Chief
It is recommended if your CO Ron Boman at 569 -3360.
detector is sounding or if you have a _
reading of 15 ppm and there are no
City Watch 3
City Council and City of Brooklyn Center
Commissions 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway !
a
Meeting Schedule /Locations Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
City Council 569 -3300 City Hall
Regular meetings of the City 569 -3400 Recreation
Council are held the second and enc 911 Emergency
fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 g y
P M. in Council Chambers at Citv 569 -3333 Police non - emergency
Hall. If a regularly scheduled 569 -3300 TDD
meeting should fall on a Monday 569 -3307 Job information line
holiday, the meeting will be held on
Tuesd Mayor Myrna Kragness
Planning Commission Councilmember Kathleen Carmody
Regular meetings of the Planning Councilmember Debra Hilstrom
Commission are scheduled on the Councilmember Kay Lasman
second and fourth Thursday of the Councilmember Robert Peppe
month at 7:30 P.M. at City Dill.
Housing Commission Michael J. McCauley, City Manager
Housing Commission meetings
are hell the third Tuesday of the City Council meeting rebroadcasts
month at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall.
Parks and Rec Commission Watch City Council meetings live on cable Channel 37. Replays
The Parks and Recreation shown at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesdays, and 6:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M.
Commission meets the third on Wednesdays following City Council meetings.
'Ibesday of every month at 7:00
P.M. at City Hall.
Printed on recycled paper o =n�„��
Charter Commission
Meetings of the Charter
Commission are subject to call.
Human Rights and Resources City of Brooklyn Center
The Human Rights and 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Resources Commission meets the Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
second Wednesday of the month at
7:00 PA4. at City Hall.
Financial Commission
The Financial Commission meets
the first Thursday of the month at
7:00 P.M. at City Hall.
Schedule i.v subject to change.
Call City Hall at 569 -3300 to
verify meeting tunes and dates.
Volunteers Needed on
City Commissions
Current vacancies exist on City
advisory commissions. This is your
opportunity to participate in local
government. Applications will be
accepted through December '12,
1997. Please call City Clerk Sharon
Knutson to apply, 569 -3300.
N E W S
Snow Removal
L E T T E R O p erations
November 15, 1997 Please follow regulations to aid in safe, efficient snow removal
Safe & Smart, Let's all do our p art!
FYI Snow removal Safety!
Snow removal ............. I Street snow removal operations will begin Please remind your children not to build
Winterparking regulations ... 1 when there has been a snowfall snow forts or play in the snow piles made
Safety! ................... I of more than 2 '/2 inches, or if by the plows. The plow operators often
Garbage/recycling containers . I
Keep fire hydrants clear! ..... I other conditions warrant plowing. cannot see children in the snow banks,
Mailboxes - Installation and Sidewalk snow removal will and they could be
Damage ............... 2 occur when there has been a snowfall of buried in the snow
Boulevard Maintenance Policy one inch or more. Crews will begin or seriously hurt.
2 plowing as soon as the storm subsides. When driving "Always assume
Winter Driving ............. 2
Driveways ................. 2 The City streets are divided into ten allow ample that the
districts, with plows assigned to each distance between snowplow
district. The arterial streets will be your vehicle and the operator cannot
x , cleared first, followed by the residential snowplow. Snow see you."
streets. The snow plow must make conditions often
• st° several passes up and down the street to require that the
�••• remove the snow; two to clear the center snowplow driver stop and back up before
• and two or more to widen the street gutter continuing; this can create a potential
• to gutter accident when vehicles follow too closely.
Because plowing routes are sometimes These simple precautions will make for
long, it may be one hour or more between a much safer winter driving season.
the clearing pass and the final widening
pass.
Snow Removal Garbage /recycling
Operations
Winter parking regulations containers
The Public Works Residents are reminded to follow City Garbage and recycling containers must be
garage is normally open parking ordinances and not to placed so they are accessible for pickup,
7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. park overnight on streets; but during the snow season they
Monday thru Friday. especially during and after a may not be placed in the road or
snowfall. Vehicles will be on the sidewalk. To assist
To report snowy or icy ticketed and towed away, if necessary, snowplowing operations, place
conditions outside of when obstructing snow removal the containers in the driveway.
these hours if snowplows operations.
are operating, a public City ordinances state that no vehicle shall
works dispatcher may be park upon any street between the hours of Keep fire hydrants clear
available at 569 -3380. 2 A.M. and 6 A.M., nor for more than six Once again, please help keep fire hydrants
If there is no answer, consecutive hours at any other time. clear of snow. In the event of a fire,
please call the Police Parking in alleys is not permitted at valuable time may be lost if the fire
non- emeregency number any time. These regulations are department has to locate and /or remove
at 569 -3333. strictly enforced during winter months. snow from a hydrant.
■ 2 November 15, 1997 Snow Removal Operations
Mailboxes - Installation Boulevard Maintenance Driveways
and Damage Policy
We apologize in
Residents are reminded that by P %--Hot advance for plugged
Standard mailbox and city ordinance, items such as driveways, which are
post installations meeting landscape rocks, sprinkler systems, unavoidable side effects of well -
U.S. Postal regulations fences, bollards, timbers, shrubs, plowed streets and sidewalks. To
are allowed within the retaining walls, gardens, and large reduce the frustration of shoveling
boulevard area. You should check permanent mailbox installations out the end of your driveway twice,
your mailbox and post installation (constructed of concrete, brick, we suggest you wait until the street is
each year to prevent problems which wood, etc.) are not allowed on the plowed to its full width before
typically occur during the winter boulevard, that is, from the edge of tackling the windrow.
months, making repairs difficult and the street back 10 -15 feet. The
causing a delay in mail delivery. boulevard area is reserved for snow
Check mailbox posts for signs of storage and for utility placements. On
rotting wood or rusted metal. occasion objects in the boulevard are
Typically, when a post has been in damaged during winter snowplowing
the ground for a few years, a wood operations when they are struck by
post will rot off and a metal post will heavy snow and ice or snowplowing
rust at the base. Rotted, rusted, or equipment. The city cannot accept
unstable installations need to be responsibility for private property
replaced with a sturdy 4 "x 4" post located on city right -of -way and will
and the mailbox and paper box must not repair or replace immovable
be installed a minimum of 45" items placed in these areas. Property 4
above the street surface to owners should remove items or place
accommodate the height of the plow. them at least ten feet behind the curb ,
The city will repair or replace line or the edge of the street., �
properly installed mailboxes which siegao. eRel "00"#
are damaged by direct contact with winter Driving
snow removal equipment. Make sure your vehicle is equipped
The city will not assume The average weight of a car
responsibility for damage simply With booster cables, road flares, a is 3,000 pounds. weight of a snowplow
shovel, snowmobile suit, sleeping The average i
caused from snow pressure. g g p
bag or blankets, mittens, stocking cap is 30,000 pounds.
and boots, windshield scraper and
tow rope.
Equip your vehicle with a "winter
Questions? survival kit" which should include: Give them a Wave
Concerns? flashlights, hand /foot warmer Brooklyn Center's snowplow
Comments? packets, first aid supplies, high operators work long, cold hours,
energy candy or snacks, brightly many of which are in the late evening
colored cloth to tie on vehicle's or early morning. The City's
Please call the public antenna for help if stranded. snowplow operators are well- trained
works municipal garage Make sure your vehicle is prepared and have years of experience. The
at for Minnesota's harsh winters. Test suggestions provided in this
your anti- freeze, battery, brakes, newsletter will help them perform
569 -3380 exhaust and lights. Never travel with their duties. When you see them on
less than a half tank of gas. the streets, feel free to give them a
7 a.m. to 3:30 p .m. friendly wave to let them know
they're appreciated.