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Home My WebLink About1998 12-08 Y2000M Year 2000 Celebration Organizational Meeting December 8, 1998 Brooklyn Center City Hall In Attendance: Judith Bergeland, Bill Miller, Henry Dorff, Phil Cohen, Kay Lasman, Tony Kuefler, Karen Youngberg, Tom Shinnick, and Sue LaCrosse. Phil Cohen Phil Cohen reviewed the time line. At the January meeting, we will summarize the ideas from the October and December meetings. A report will be forwarded to the Earle Brown Days committee and then to the City Council. In February, we will review the responses from Earle Brown Days and the Council, appoint a selection committee of nine members and a chair. In March, the results will be given to the Earle Brown Days committee. Phil said, at their last meeting, the Earle Brown Days committee agreed to cover the costs of mailings. Phil suggested sending our plans to Henningson & Snoxell, the Earle Brown Days attorney. They have been doing pro bono work for non profit organizations. Then, in March we should be in full gear. Because the City Council begins work on the budget in spring, he would like to find out what type of a commitment there would be from the City. He suggested the dedication of the new fire station, police station and other facilities. Phil would like to get a planning sheet out to everyone to get their ideas. He wants to make sure everyone knows they have an opportunity for input, maybe we should get a spot on channel 12. Tony Kuefler Tony said we may need to sit down with organizations to get their input and get them involved. He said we need to refine the suggestion sheet and include with it a time table. It was suggested we get a Year 2000 mascot. Kay Lasman  Kays ideas included: City wide block party-summer (Neighborhood watch groups-work for growth  in numbers before); large fireworks display on New Years Eve; time capsule-Millennium and  Centennial-Look to the future and make your mark in the past; unite childrens groups-Girl & Boy Scouts, Campfire, etc.-commitment to youth program; create a celebration badge and promote  throughout the city; treasure hunt; bike on the Boulevard walk/run/bike for peace and unity in the midst of diversity; all night dance and see first sunrise of new century together-alcohol free? tobacco free? (Earle Brown Center); draft resolution committing to peace, prosperity, and unity in B.C.; join  with the world wide celebration called The Billenium-the official world wide celebration of the year 2000; focus attention on the class of 2000 and their opinions (survey?); have countdown activities promoting peace and values to commemorate the last 100 days before Jan. 1, 2000; have a Miss Brooklyn Center competition; celebrate first birth for the year; mark historical spots (trail that became Osseo Rd. etc.); ice/snow sculptures (winter); talent show (winter or summer); commemorate new police and fire stations, improved city hall & community center. Henry Dorff Henry said he met with Kent Campbell and said he found out the Brooklyn Center Chamber has become the Brooklyn Community Chamber. It now includes Brooklyn Park, Robbinsdale and Crystal. He said we would make suggestions and present them to the Chamber through Kent. Henry  said one idea he has had is the ABCDEFG. He said it isnt important whether the businesses like the 1 idea, the key is to get the business community involved. He also suggested a big event to be held in the Brooklyn Center High School auditorium. We would sell tickets. He would like to see local talent too. Bill Miller Bill said the fire department will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. The preliminary plans are to have a dance and bring in old fire fighters. It may be held around October to coincide with fire prevention week. There was talk about doing water ball. We should probably get the police department involved. Judith Bergeland Judith said it will be the 10th anniversary of the Heritage Center. She said the question is whether we  do it on the Sunday of Earle Brown Days or at a different time. She said they did a New Years Eve party before and they did not get a good turnout. She said there is also an opportunity to rent it out. Phil said we have a unique facility and it is a big draw. He would like to see a farm related event. Maybe we should hook up with an event planner. Phil said many, many years ago there were charity dances at Brookdale. If we could get charities involved, they would sell tickets and the proceeds would be split among the organizations. Bill said he went to picnics at the farm. They got to ride horses, play softball, and had pancake breakfasts. As a child, he remembers getting pop from a trough. Phil asked Judith to check on how much of a time frame we can have without encroaching on profitable events. Tony said the historical society will host a Hall of Fame and A Day At The Farm. Karen Youngberg Karen would like to work with the Youth Initiative committee to get youth involved. She also suggested doing some of the events with neighboring cities. Tom Shinnick Tom said the Lions Club will be celebrating 45 years as a club. He would like to see the two little leagues involved. Maybe the Lions Club could sponsor a pancake breakfast and/or a spaghetti dinner. Sue LaCrosse Sue said she thinks the center of Brooklyn Center is the community center. She would like to see lots of events held at the community center, especially pool activities. With the Olympic pool, we have a unique facility. Phil asked what the niche was for the center. Sue said she thinks it is families because  we cant compete with the health clubs. Many families cant afford a club or do not want the commitment of a club. Other ideas Karen - Rotary would be interested in a softball tournament. Kay - Ecumenical service. Tony - Golf tournament. Sue said John Connolly submitted suggestions. He called and told Sue both Minneapolis and St. Paul are planning Year 2000 celebrations. At this time, he thinks the events are going to be centered  around New Years Eve. St. Pauls celebration will be more community based. Minneapolis is planning a full blown event and wants to draw people from all over to stay in their hotels. He said the size would be similar to a super bowl. He said we need to ask ourselves these questions. 1. Know who else is doing things in the area. 2 2. Which type of event are we looking at: a. Community oriented - attract BC & BP residents. b. Or an event to attract people from outside the area. The marketing and the events would be different depending on which approach you take. 3. Then, ask - Will this be: a. A one time occurrence b. Or, will it be an event held annually. If so, then people have to commit on a longer term basis. 4. Once we answer these questions, John is willing to share with us models for organizational structures.  Phil said we dont see the Chamber at large events, for example the Dudley. He said we should use the farm and ask North Metro Tourism to contribute. Judith said we need a destination attraction, like the Mall of America, a water park or the National Sports Center.  In answer to Johns questions, the consensus was both. The on-going activities would be geared to the community but some of the special things would be to attract people from outside the area. Phil said there is 5% resident turnover annually and asked about the new resident packets. Sue said they do not give out new resident packets anymore. Instead, they give out the Resident Resource Guide. She will find out if other things can be given out at that time. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 7 p.m. Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Sue LaCrosse Program Supervisor 3