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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 05-04 Y2000M BROOKLYN CENTER YEAR 2000 CELEBRATION TUESDAY, MAY 4, 7 PM BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEETING MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Phil Cohen. In attendance: Phil Cohen; Valerie Jones & Deb Hill, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council; Doug Darnell, Brooklyn Center School District; Tony Kuefler, Earle Brown Days; Diane Spector, Rotary; Sue LaCrosse, Recreation Department; Sally Thompson, Brookdale; Kay Lasman, Councilmember; Bob Ellingson, Brooklyn Center High School Class Reunion; Sean Rahn, Discover The Center; Ed Nelson, Councilmember; Myrna Kragness, Mayor; Pat Milton, Peacemakers; Tom Shinnick, Historical Society; Bob Becker, Lions Club. Phil gave a quick background on the Year 2000 committee. He said the publicity and finance committees need to be established right away. He suggested a float in the parade and the need to get information out during Earle Brown Days. The plan will go to the Earle Brown Days committee. He asked Sue the status of the logo contest. She said the information has gone out to all of the elementary schools, secondary schools, Sun Post, cable and the City Watch newsletter. We have received three entries. Brent Cory of the Chamber faxed the names of the three judges. Some of the previous suggestions for activities have included a city wide block party in conjunction with Neighborhood Crime Watch, time capsule opening - July 4, fireworks, youth activities involving  the scouts, campfire, treasure hunt, dance on New Years Eve, birthday party on February 11, talent show. It has also been suggested other events be tied in with the celebration, such as the Heritage Festival, Earle Brown Days, Halloween Party, Holly Sunday. However, the dedication for the fire station will be in November to coincide with their 50th anniversary. Phil said the celebration can be long or short. Diane said she would like to see larger kids games possibly different parks competing. They would like to see the recreation department more involved. It was suggested that a Year 2000 celebration sign be put up at all parks. Phil passed around a sign up sheet for committees. He asked people to sign up for a Year 2000 committee or sub committee. Bob Ellingson - He said he has talked to people who have been involved with reunions. He has the list of the first ten graduating classes. He has talked to a professional company that organizes reunions and has been getting advice from those who have organized reunions. He has talked to people who have organized reunions from four different classes of Brooklyn Center High School. He cannot guarantee he can pull it off. In calling the Holiday Inn and the Earle Brown Heritage Center, he determined the best time for a reunion is September. The hotels want a guarantee. He said he needs at least a year, which he has. Kay Lasman - She would like the celebration to be a commitment to youth. She would like to see the parade as a commitment to youth looking at youth as our future. She would like an all night dance. She would like to see a resolution drafted to promote peace, prosperity and unity. She would like to have a focus on the Class of 2000 - survey them, tabulate results, and possibly put this in our newsletter. She suggested countdown activities and marking historical spots, for example Osseo Road. Sally Thompson - She said Brookdale Center would want to hold events all year, possibly a Historical  Society display. They would like to hold more childrens activities. However, their grand reopening will be in the year 2001. Diane Spector - She said Rotary has sponsored the Earle Brown Days Family Fun Games in the past. She would like to spend some time to make it a bigger event. She would like the four school districts to work together to focus on children, but not forget the other age groups. Pat Milton - She said in her job, she focuses on youth. However, she sees each month during the year 2000 could be a different focus, for example, one month could be for seniors. Each monthly focus could have a display at Brookdale. She said she facilitates a youth advisory commission. She said they do not feel valued. She would like to see a focus on teens, perhaps a youth center. Tony Kuefler - He said there will be a pro wrestling event during Earle Brown Days this year. It will be free to the public. He said we will test the crowd reaction. He said it should compliment the arts & crafts fair. This could be a fund raiser later this fall, in Year 2000, or as an annual event. Tom Shinnick - As a representative of the Historical Society, he said they are working on the big  book to be ready in Year 2000. There hasnt been much said about having the Day At The Farm; they are concentrating on the book. Doug Darnell - He said that the Relay For Life might be a good event to host the all night dance. It is held annually in July. He suggested a kick off with the former mayor from the north - Jesse. Bob Becker - He said Bob Jechorek will be the president of the Lions club. He will be the representative for Year 2000 in the future. Valerie Jones & Deb Hill - They said Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council takes in so many  communities, Brooklyn Center being one of them. They cant put a lot of time into one community. They could provide access to some programs such as Success By Six or services such as research assistance. Phil said the Year 2000 marks a changing face of Brooklyn Center and maybe they could see where we are. Sean Rahn - He suggested a winter carnival, a countdown of activities a week before Year 2000, sleigh rides, medallion hunt and other activities leading up to the fireworks. Diane Spector - On Arbor Day, 2000, we could plant trees somewhere in Brooklyn Center. Mayor Kragness - She would like to see activities encompass all of Brooklyn Center, including all ages. She suggested highlighting a different age group each month. She would like to see diverse things, and to see the Lions Club and Rotary involved. She said different organizations could take a month. Phil thanked the council for their support for the Year 2000 Celebration. Ed Nelson - He said the Prayer Breakfast will be held on April 8, 2000. He said he had just come from a DARE meeting at Orchard Lane School. He said the kids had great essays. He suggested getting DARE kids involved with the celebration. Phil said the key is getting them hyped. Phil asked Sue about involving the schools. She said it is hard because the schools have children from other cities other than Brooklyn Center and they see their schools as their own little community. Kay  agreed. Ed suggested an essay contest, What my community means to me. Kay suggested an audio/cassette competition. Diane suggested Cable TV as a resource. Deb and Valerie said there is a Regional Human Rights Commission and they are doing an essay contest. Northwest Human Services Council is facilitating it. Doug suggested a mascot. Tony said we could become the coordinating group for organizations. We would invite them to forward their events to us. Phil said we could have each organization give us their calendar and we could merge them together. Pat said Discover The Center is changing their focus from public relations to combining energy and they are assisting other organizations.  Ed suggested holding the kick off on February 11, Brooklyn Centers Birthday. There could be a dance and fireworks. Sue said she will reserve Constitution Hall at the community center. Phil said he will ask the Earle Brown Days committee to cover the cost of $1,000 for expenses for publicity. He asked if a few people would stay around and meet to come up with ideas for a float and a promotional piece to be given out at events. He would like a meeting one month from today. The meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Sue LaCrosse Program Supervisor