HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 Edition 74 June �..�� BR CENTER
CITY NEWSLETTER
NUMBER 74 JUNE, 1991
� «
Earle Brown Days
' The 1991 Brooklyn Center Earle
Brown Days will conclude June
30 with the Sunday in Central
' Park celebration.
A children's group, Ducktails,
will perform at 7 p.m., followed
�.. by the Schick's Sextet.
b„
The evening will end with what
� is considered one of the most
spectacular fireworks displays in
the state.
' The entire event is free and will
be staged in Central Park, located
behind the Civic Center. Specta-
tors should bring a lawn chair or
blanket. Refreshments will be
677 Graduate From sold.
A complete schedule of Earle
Brown Days activities is available
S.A.R.E. Program
as one of the inserts in this news-
Graduation ceremonies were held cer Dick Fryer presented the 341 letter.
in January and May of this year at elementary age students who suc-
Brooklyn Center High School and cessfully completed the program in N
at the Earle Brown Heritage Center the fall of 1990. Students were from
for elementary age kids who par- Earle Brown, Evergreen, Northport,
ticipated in the D.A.R.E. (Drug and St. Alphonsus schools. t-
Abuse Resistance Education) pro -
gram. At the Heritage Center, Officer <�
Fred Bebensee presented the 336
At the high school, D.A.R.E. Offi- students from Palmer Lake, Willow
Lane, Fair Oaks, Garden City and DUCKTAILS
Orchard Lane schools.
The guest speaker at both gradu-
ations was Bob Coughlin, Univer-
sity of Minnesota football star and
professional boxer.
The graduation ceremonies were
attended by local dignitaries in-
cluding the mayor, city council f
members, school officials and the
This newsletter represents the chief of police.
ty of Brooklyn Centers con - An estimated 1,000 family mem-
for conservation of resources bers and friends also attended each
and energy. This issue is printed of the graduation ceremonies.
on 100% recycled paper.
(Continued on Page 2)
SCHIEK'S SEXTET
1
Preliminary Design For Potential
Highway 100 Upgrade •
A preliminary design study is being construction could be awarded as of private properties, but will still
conducted by MNDOT for the po- early as 1994. Because total proj- require the acquisition of:
tential upgrade of Highway 100 ect costs range between $40 and
between Glenwood Avenue in $75 million, not including right -of- •The existing Denny's restaurant
Golden Valley and 50th Avenue in way costs, the implementation and site.
Brooklyn Center. completion of all segments may well •
An apartment building and sev-
Two public meetings were held in extend into the mid and late 1990s. eral homes on France Avenue (south
1990 to identify issues and analy- The plans are to upgrade this of Highway 100).
ses contained in the next step of road area to "freeway standards ". .Small "partial" acquisitions of
the development process. This means that access to Highway other properties in the France
100 can be provided only at grade Avenue area.
At this point, initial contracts for separated interchanges. Plans for
improvements of the section in Anyone interested in reviewing
Brooklyn Center include: details of the MNDOT plans for
•The construction of an inter- Highway 100 improvements
New P . U. P. s. change at the France Avenue cross should contact the Brooklyn
Center Engineering Department,
Facility Under ' 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, 569-
*The closing of the existing ac- 3340; or contact MNDOT's proj-
Construction In cesses at Indiana Avenue. ect engineer, Steve Hay, at the
Maple Grove MNDOT office, 2055 North Lilac
p •The closing of the existing 50th Drive in Golden Valley, 593 -8400.
Avenue accesses to Highway 100.
Ground breaking ceremonies were j
held February 28 for a new animal Based on recommendations from «Lr w7 uCCess By 6"
containment facility scheduled to the City of Brooklyn Center, it has
be completed by the end of August, been tentatively agreed to develop Project
1991. a diamond interchange at the France
Avenue crossing. his design will
g• g In March of 1990, the United Way ,
Pets Under Police Security minimize the need for acquisition began a replication of their "Suc-
(P.U.P.S.), a joint powers organiza- cess By 6" project in Northwest
tion of seven communities, is com- Hennepin County, with the North -
pleting the new facility at 11350 T� west Hennepin Human Services
89th Avenue North in Maple Grove. L'�' E. Council acting as the coordinator.
The facility will have a total of 4,915 (Continued from Page 1)
square feet and will consist of a The purpose of this project is to
small lobby with office space, ken- The graduation ceremonies in May develop a community fully suppor-
nels and a service area. of 1991 marked the second full tive of all its children.
year that the Brooklyn Center Po-
The new facility will house and lice Department has offered the Two committees were created to
care for animals impounded by the D.A.R.E. program. The program will identify the barriers to healthy
member police departments and be offered to the same schools during childhood development and to
will be under the direct control of the 1991 -92 school year. develop action strategies to over -
the seven member communities. In come these barriers. These com -
the past, many cities had contracted D.A.R.E. is a drug prevention mittees are composed of leaders
with Funk Animal Hospital in program with uniformed police of- from business, government, and
Brooklyn Park to provide these ficers informing elementary stu- education, along with service pro -
services. dents of the dangers of drug abuse viders and early childhood devel-
and the potential consequences. opment experts.
This modern facility will incorpo- The program has been well received
rate the latest in kennel design and by students, parents and educa- If you would like additional in*
techniques in the care of animals, tional professionals across the mation about "Success By 6 North -
but will not provide veterinary serv- nation since its inception in Los west ", please call Amy Vomhof at
ices. Angeles in 1983. 493 -2802.
2
Test Soil To Develop Proper
awn Fertilization Program
*Send or bring a sample of soil to ground.
By Kristen Mann a private soil fertility testing labo-
ratory or to the University of Min- *Clippings not left on the lawn,
To get the most out of your fertil- nesota Soil Testing Laboratory. The leaves and other debris should be
izer and to protect water supplies, a approximate cost for this is $7 to removed as soon as possible from
soil test should be done to estab- $10, with results available in 7 to street gutters, sidewalks and drive -
lish the proper lawn fertility pro- 10 days. Using this method a re- "Ways.
gram for your yard. port will recommend whether phos -
•When mowing lawns, do not di-
Fertilizing without a soil test may Phorus or other fertilizer is needed. rect clippings into the street, lake,
waste your money and add exces- Improper use of chemical or or- pond or stream.
sive nutrients to your soil. In turn, ganic lawn and garden fertilizers oB careful not to deposit fertil-
these excess nutrients may con- may contribute to pollution of lakes, p
tribute to pollution of drinking water ponds, streams and groundwaters. izer in the water when applying fer-
supplies, lakes, ponds, and streams. tilizer near lakes, ponds or streams.
Guidelines for fertilizer applica- .For waterfront roe owners,
Out of 17 elements required by tion and landscape maintenance: p p
plants for proper growth, the three leave a "buffer zone" consisting of a
primary ones are nitrogen, phos- *Test your soil and follow soil test strip of grasses or natural vegeta-
phorous and potassium. Most home recommendations. tion.
owners purchase blender fertiliz- Detailed instructions on how to
ers (for example, 10- 10 -10, 10- 5- -Water your lawn after fertilizing,
10, etc.). These numbers represent but do not allow water to run off take a proper soil sample and where
the percentage of nitrogen, phos- into streets, lakes, ponds or streams. to send it for analysis can be ob-
tained from the University of Min -
Wfertilizer grade is not best for and potash the fertilizer. .Any fertilizer spilled on roads or nesota Extension Service Office -
all soils, since native soil phospho- sidewalks should be promptly Hennepin County at 542 -1427.
cleaned up.
rus and potassium levels deter- Note: Kristen Mann is president of
mine needs. Deficiencies of the other *Never apply fertilizer to frozen the Upper Twin Lake Association.
elements are rare.
A soil test will determine which
nutrients are needed in the - Brooklyn Center
izer. Once the amount of phosphopho-
rus and potassium in the soil is 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
determined, subsequent sampling Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
may not be necessary for many
years if their levels are adequate. CITY COUNCIL
Some Minnesota soils are natu-
rally high in phosphorus because Todd Paulson . ............................... ..........................Mayor
of previous fertilization practices. Phil Cohen ........... ............................... .....................Councilman
Some soils contain low levels of Jerry Pedlar ......... ............................... .....................Councilman
phosphorus, which is necessary to Dave Rosene ....... ............................... .....................Councilman
CeliaScott ............. ............................... ...................Councilwoman
maintain vigorous plant growth.
The most important soil test is Gerald Splinter .............................. ...........................City Manager
to establish the base levels of ele-
ments. Soil testing can be done SERVICE DIRECTORY
two ways: Emergency Number (24 Hours)
-Purchase of a soil test kit from a POLICE- FIRE - MEDICAL ........................... ............................911
W and garden supply. These kits Police (non- emergency, information) ......................... ............ 569 -3333
in price from $14 to $20 and City Hall Offices ....................................................... ............... 569 -3300
may be more appropriate for fol- (Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
lowing a specific known deficiency Community Center ........... ............................... .......................569 -3400
or excess elements in your soil.
3
Liquor Profits Are Deposited
Into City's General Fund
The City of Brooklyn Center nue that helps to control the level liquor stores are transferred to
opened its first liquor store in 1949 of taxes for the community. the City's general fund, from
and currently operates three off- which expenditures are made for
sale liquor stores. The stores are lo- Liquor store employees attend City services which include po-
cated at 69th and Humboldt, 6250 training sessions to learn rules and lice and fire protection, streets,
Brooklyn Boulevard, and in the regulations of the Dram Shop Act, parks, and public utilities main -
Northbrook Shopping Center. which regulates the sale of alco- tenance, and all other general
holic beverages, as well as how to operating activities of the City.
The City has remained involved "card" customers (check identifica-
in its municipal liquor operation in tion for legal age), and how to ac- The West Fire Station and Boule-
order to control the sale of alco- cept checks. vard Liquor, both located at
holic beverages to the residents Brooklyn Boulevard and 63rd Ave -
and to maintain a source of reve- The profits from all three City nue North, and City park land
purchased in 1966, have all been
paid for by proceeds from the liquor
City Operates 3 Municipal o pe rati o ns .
i
Following Foollolio g is some interesting
Off -Sale Liquor Stores historical information regarding
the City's involvement in the
operation of the municipal liquor
stores.
LIQUO HUMBOLDT : UO *The City adopted an ordinance
on March 19, 1948, authorizi
the establishment of a municip
liquor store.
L ,
*The first municipal off-sale liq-
uor store was opened in December
of 1949 at 6445 Lyndale Avenue
r� North. Revenue bonds were sold to
acquire the land, building, fixtures
and equipment. The bonds and
interest on the bonds were paid
from earnings of the store. This
e { , store was closed and the operation
transferred to the Humboldt Square
t Shopping Center on December 1,
., 1973.
•A second off -sale store was
opened at 6250 Osseo Road (now
Brooklyn Boulevard) in October of
1959. This building also continues
to house the fire station for the
N O R T H B R O O K LIQUOR west side of the community. Reve-
nue bonds were also sold to ac-
quire the land, building, fixtures
and equipment.
•In a 1961 referendum, resident
voted by a five to one margin
retain its municipal off -sale liquor
.... �,_� stores.
(Continued on Page 5)
4
Liquor... Public Works Department
(Continued from Page 4) Plans Several Projects
W A third off -sale store was opened The City's Public Works Depart- materials.
at the Brookdale Shopping Center ment will be undertaking several .Completion of Well #10 on
in March of 1962. This was the first capital improvement projects this Camden Avenue near Evergreen
store leased by the City. It contin- summer. The following are some of Park. This project will assure the
ued in operation until February 28, the major projects to be constructed: City's ability to meet fire demands
1967, when it was closed and its *Landscaping on 65th and Hum- during periods of peak water con -
operations moved to the Northbrook boldt Avenues around Brooklyn sumption.
Shopping Center. Four stores were Center High School, and on West •Improvements to the water dis-
temporarily in operation for several River Road. Both these streets had tribution system. This project will '
months during this transfer to take major street improvements in 1990, construct a new water main in the
advantage of the holiday season and landscaping is the final phase area of Dupont and 69th Avenues.
business. for those projects. •Construction of a new sewage
*Continuing removal of the homes Lift Station #2 on L dale Avenue
•The City sponsored a "Split -Liq- on the north side of 69th Avenue �
uor" law, passed by the Minnesota near 55th Avenue. This project will
State Legislature in 1967, allowing between West Palmer Lake Drive improve the reliability and efficiency
municipalities to issue on -sale li and Brooklyn Boulevard, and prepa- of the facility, and will eliminate
uor licenses while retaining its ration of the corridor for the up- the persistent odor problem from
coming 1992 street widening proj- the old lift station.
municipal off -sale stores. ect. Work also will begin on soil
*James Fischback was the first correction in the corner of Palmer •A private developer will be con -
liquor store manager, serving from
Lake Park where the newly aligned structing the new Tvvin View Mead -
ows development west of France
November of 1950 until December 69th Avenue will be constructed. Avenue and north of the Murphy
of 1960. *Bicycle- pedestrian trail improve- Warehouse, including building 51 st
ments, including rebuilding the Avenue North and installing public
Truman Nelson was named a sinking trail behind the Hennepin
utilities. This project will be super -
Q ore manager when the new store
County Service Center. The new vised by City staff. Up to 25 new
opened in 1959, and was appointed trail will be designed to "float" on homes will be constructed by the
the overall manager in December of the marsh soil using special eo-
of 1984 y g s p g developer.
1960. Nelson retired in May textile fabric and lightweight fill
after serving the City for more than
29 years. Human Services Survey
-Jerry Olson, appointed in June
of 1984, is the current manager. Identifies Needs
•A fully automated liquor inven- The Northwest Hennepin Human The basic structure of the survey
tory management control system Services Council is the planning, allowed residents to respond to
was installed in 1981, through research and coordinating agency questions about the role of munici-
LOGIS (Local Government Infor- responsible for assessing human palities in the human services de-
mation Systems). service needs in Brooklyn Center livery system; how people access
and the other 14 municipalities of information about human services
And a closing historical foot- Northwest Suburban Hennepin and their general awareness of
note: County. human services agencies in the area;
the perceived need for human serv-
In 1954, three gunmen robbed One method by which the North- ices programs relating to family
Police Chief Bob Cahlander and west Hennepin Human Services issues, children's issues, persons
store manager James Fischback Council gathers resident input is with disabilities, and senior con -
when they returned from the an area -wide phone survey con- cerns; and attitudes towards city
Camden State Bank in a squad car ducted every three years. The most services, taxes, and local govern -
with money for the weekend check recent survey was completed at the ment.
cashing business. Three men wear- end of 1990.
V false noses and false glasses, If you would like additional in-
d armed with .45 caliber auto- The results of the survey indi- formation about the results of
matic guns and with a submachine cated the desired human services this survey please call the North -
gun escaped with approximately priorities for Brooklyn Center resi- west Hennepin Human Services
$5,000. The case was never solved. dents. Council at 493 -2802.
5
I
City Receives 16 Cents Of Each
Property Tax Dollar
•
f per capita went up 1.4 %. In sharp As a state auditor in 1987, Gover-
A great deal of attention was re- contrast, school spending per pupil nor Carlson praised cities for their
cently focused on Governor went up 13.1% and county spend- efficient delivery of services. In a
Carlson's budget proposal includ- ing went up 26.3 %. Star Tribune news article (1/30/
ing massive cuts in state aid to 88) Mr. Carlson said: "The blame
cities in order to offset state defi- From 1979 to 1988, per capita for higher spending lies not with
cits. state aid for Minnesota cities de- the cities ... The fault is with the
creased from $165.70 to $163.15 federal government for spending
The State of Minnesota, since when measured in 1987 dollars. By cuts in areas such as water and
i 1967, has provided the cities with contrast, Brooklyn Center in 1991 sewer improvements ... And it lies
assistance, allowing the cities to will receive only $137 per capita with the state government for not
j furnish the necessary governmen- from the various state aid programs. sharing the burden, and indeed
! tal services to its residents, while Minnesota city expenditures, from unloading its burdens on the cit-
E holding down the burden on prop- 1980 to 1988, increased from ies."
erty taxes. $426.30 to $440.32 per capita when
measured in 1980 dollars accord- The comparison of Brooklyn
State aids to local units of gov- ing to the state auditor's office. Center to other cities is the most
ernment was further justified as Brooklyn Center's 1991 general fund recent information available from
the result of State mandates with- expenditures are $380 per capita. the state auditor's office.
out any dollars to pay directly for
� them.
1990 SUBURBAN 1989 TAXES
The City of Brooklyn Center, along CITY TAX RATES* PER CAPITA* ,
with other municipalities, has CITY TAX RATE
worked very hard to manage city fi- Apple Valley 24.587 Golden Valley $424.96 I
nances in a prudent manner, and Lakeville 23.195 Eden Prairie $355.16
through the budget hearing proc- Woodbury 20.778 Bloomington $306.34
ess to receive input from the resi- Golden Valley 20.350 Hopkins $282.65
dents. Eden Prairie 20.277 Plymouth $263.91.
The City of Brooklyn Center's Maple Grove 20.247 Minnetonka $257.19
taxes represent 16 percent of your Richfield 20.061 St. Louis Park $239.36
904 Edina $230.26 9
Park 1.
total tax bill. Schools, counties, Brooklyn Par
and small taxing jurisdictions Crystal 19.757 Roseville $223.12 j
make up the rest. On a state -wide St. Louis Park 19.363 Fridley $215.75 {
Inver Grove Heights 19.169 Richfield $210.74
basis, city taxes represent about g i,
49 Burnsville $186
Hopkins 18.982 .
23 percent of local government P {
taxes. Burnsville 18.481 New Hope $178.98
Bloomington 18.326 Lakeville $172.46
When state -wide spending, be- Eagan 17.750 Woodbury $169.66
tween 1980 and 1987, was meas- Maplewood 17.507 Eagan $169.88
ured.in 1987 dollars, city spending Coon Rapids 17.507 Coon Rapids $167.08
New Hope 17.142 Maplewood $164.92
Brooklyn Center 16.974 Apple Valley $163.48
Brooklyn Shoreview 16.705 n Center $161.88 y
WHERE DOES YOUR Blaine 16.636 Brooklyn Park $157.02
Plymouth 15.858 Blaine $141.09
PROPERTY TAX White Bear Lake 15.775 Maple Grove $137.92
DOLLAR GO? Minnetonka 15.775 Inver Grove Heights $137.08
Fridley 15.004 New Brighton $124.99
SCHOOLS 54% Roseville 14.565 Crystal $114.59
° New Brighton 13.604 White Bear Lake $ 98.13
COUNTY 25 /o Shoreview $ 96.050
CITY 16% Edina 12.959
OTHER 5% *SOURCE: State Auditor's *SOURCE: State Auditor's
Financial Health Profile Financial Health Profile
6