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Home My WebLink About2019 Edition 210 Summer IN THIS ISSUE 2019 Heritage Film Series 2 Brooklyns Count 2020 2 Neighborhood Engagement Teams 3 Arbor Day Planting 4 Personalized Pavers: Plaza of Honor 4 Save the Date 5 Earle Brown Days 6 Travel Safety Tips 8 Prevent Heatstroke 8 Prevent Sewer Backups 9 Consumer Confidence Report 10 Plant for Clean Water 10 Wellhead Protection 11 NEWSCi t y City of Brooklyn Center Celebrating the news, events & cultures that connect us JUNE 2019, Edition 210 METRO C LINE TO CONNECT BROOKLYN CENTER AND MINNEAPOLIS Metro Transit launched its third METRO Bus Rapid Transit Line (BRT), the METRO C Line on Saturday, June 8. The Metro C Line connects Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center with fast, frequent and all-day service. During the event celebration, Mayor Elliott discussed the impact and importance of the C Line for Brooklyn Center. Starting at Brooklyn Center Transit Center (BCTC), the METRO C Line will connect riders to jobs and to leisure in both Hennepin County cities. Other event speakers included: • Tim Walz (Governor)• Jacob Frey (Mayor of Minneapolis) • Wes Kooistra (General Manager of Metro Transit) • Irene Fernando (Hennepin County Commissioner) • Robert Lilligren (Metropolitan Council Councilmember) • John Marshall, Xcel Energy (Community Outreach Director) • Scott Dibble (Minnesota Senator) • Margaret Lewis, (Sr. Vice President, Manufacturing & Facilities) • Frank Hornstein (Minnesota House Representative) Following speeches, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony and an inaugural ride from Penn and Lowry to BCTC and back. Here are a few fun facts: • These are the first 60-foot electric buses in the metro. • Riders can pay before they get on the bus for faster service. • There are NexTrip real-time information signs at every C Line station. • Buses run every 10 minutes. • Stations have heated shelters with security cameras, emergency phones and trash cans. For more information, visit www.metrotransit.org/news-room. 2 JUNE 2019, Edition 210 NEWS Ci t y Pictured above, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar visits Brooklyn Center to celebrate the extension of Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED). Congratulations to Mayor Elliott, City Council and all of those who successfully advocated on behalf of Brooklyn Center residents subject to Deferred Enforcement Departure. Community Engagement 2019 HERITAGE CELEBRATION FILM AND DISCUSSION SERIES The City of Brooklyn Center is collaborating with Hennepin County Public Library (Brookdale) to host a film and discussion series. Join us monthly as we celebrate and learn about the history of ethnic populations and how they have contributed to the culture and heritage of various communities. Remember to mark your calendar for upcoming film and discussions to be held at Brookdale Library room ABC or Creekside*, 1:30-3:30pm. Saturday, June 29: Cool Runnings Saturday, September 28*: Selena Saturday, October 26: Roman Holiday Saturday, November 23*: Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale Visit cityofbrooklyncenter.org for upcoming films. Thanks to everyone who is planning to join us. BROOKLYNS COUNT 2020 During Tuesday, April 23 Brooklyns Census 2020 Coalition meeting attendees selected “Brooklyns Count 2020” as coalition tagline. Pictured above, Dr. Reggie Edwards, Deputy City Manager (City of Brooklyn Center) and pictured below, Josie Shardlow, Community Engagement Manager (Brooklyn Park) engage attendees in an exercise to identify “hard to count” people in the Brooklyns. Next Census Meeting Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-8:00pm* Community Activity Center | Gardenview Room 5600 85th Ave N. | Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Join us for this training as we get more comfortable using targeted messages in two conversation scenarios, door knocking and hosting a gathering. RSVP: Xp Lee, 763-315-8466 or xp.lee@brooklynpark.org *Snacks and drinks provided 3 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT TEAMS ARE UP AND RUNNING Residents of the Bellvue, West Palmer Lake and Willow Lane Neighborhoods participated in their first Neighborhood Engagement Program meeting. Participants were introduced to a new program designed to build engagement teams in each neighborhood. There were 17 meetings scheduled covering every neighborhood in the City including the three previously mentioned. Meeting were held between March and May. During each meeting, residents were asked: What would an engaged neighborhood look like? What can the group do to engage other neighbors? What would be a good time and location to meet? NOW HIRING PART-TIME POSITIONS • Neighborhood Engagement Liaisons • Public Works Seasonal Maintenance Learn more at cityofbrooklyncenter.org. Residents of the West Palmer Lake Neighborhood and city staff. Residents of the Willow Lane Neighborhood and city staff. Hey Bellevue Neighborhood! Save the Date for an Ice Cream Social at Bellevue Park on Saturday, July 20 at 1:00pm. For more information visit the city’s website. Pictured above, residents of the Bellvue Neighborhood. SHARE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS ONLINE Need a place to share your public event with the community? The Community Bulletin Board is offered as a free public service. For more information regarding eligibility or to see the latest updates visit cityofbrooklyncenter. org/BulletinBoard. Upcoming Heritage Celebrations 2019 Take time to learn more about the history of ethnic populations and how they have contributed to the culture and heritage of our community. Here are upcoming Heritage Celebrations. JUNE CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH JULY 1 SOMALI INDEPENDENCE DAY JULY 26 LIBERIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED THURSDAY, JULY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY 4 JUNE 2019, Edition 210 NEWS Ci t y Partners in Education ARBOR DAY PLANTING The City of Brooklyn Center Public Works were joined by 80 second grade students from the New Millennium Academy on Thursday, May 16 for the planting of five new trees in Happy Hollow Park. The new trees will replace four existing Ash trees. The City’s plan is to remove Ash trees and plant a more diverse urban forest. This marks the 27th anniversary of Brooklyn Center as a Tree City USA member. This important designation means that Brooklyn Center adheres to the requirements set forth by the Arbor Day Foundation including a department to oversee the care and maintenance of the City’s urban forest, an ordinance describing the practices, a $2 per capita budget for a forestry program, and an annual observance of Arbor Day. Thank you to the students and staff that took part in the celebration! LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE ON THE PLAZA OF HONOR Did you know you can purchase personalized brick paver? Pavers may be purchased to honor our veterans, civic organizations and those individuals who contributed to the rich history of this great community. Other ideas include: • Memorial • Tribute • Business • Church • Club • Gift • Individual • Family • School • Pet Your purchase ensures you a personalized, engraved brick paver 4” x 8” permanently laid as a part of the Plaza of Honor, located at the Amphitheater next to the flag poles. Groups of bricks may be clustered together for families or groups, provided they are all ordered together. Pavers are Calstar (Fly Ash). The message can be a maximum of 45 characters or spaces. Cost: $250/Brick Paver Questions, call 763-569-3400 or visit cityofbrooklyncenter.org/ documentcenter/view/757 5 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org Save the Date FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS The City of Brooklyn Center has partnered with developer Alatus to redevelop the old Brookdale Ford and Brookdale Square site at Bass Lake Road and Shingle Creek Parkway. A series of four educational and interactive workshops took place between mid-March and May. The fourth and final workshop on the Opportunity Site occurred on May 1, with 80 people in attendance. Based on discussions and feedback from the first three workshops, the group worked through a consensus building method to edit a set of draft recommendations for the Opportunity Site Redevelopment. A report was prepared by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) which included the final community recommendations and was presented to the City Council at the June 10 meeting. Thank you to all who were able to participate. HOME BUYING SEMINAR A Home Buying Seminar was held on Thursday, April 25. One-hundred percent of attendees surveyed stated that they felt more prepared for home ownership and would recommend the seminar to anyone considering buying a home. Please visit our website for upcoming opportunities. EVENT July 24 Riverdale Park* | 6:00-7:30 p.m. August 5 NNO Kickoff Party | 6:00-8:00 p.m. (CC) August 6 NNO | 5:30-9:00 p.m. (Citywide) August 13/14 Safety Academy | 8:30-4:30 p.m.(CC) September 17 Happy Hollow Park* | 6:00-7:30 p.m. Neighborhood Area Meetings* Notifications for the Neighborhood Area Meetings will be placed in with the utility billings. SAVE THE DATE 6 JUNE 2019, Edition 210 NEWS Ci t y 7 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org 8 JUNE 2019, Edition 210 NEWS Ci t y Safe Communities TAKE ACTION AGAINST HEATSTROKE: HELP SAVE LIVES The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Safe Kids Worldwide are asking the public to act to help save lives. Heatstroke is the leading cause of non- crash related vehicle fatalities for kids 14 and younger in the United States. In the first six months of 2017, 26 children nationwide died of heatstroke after being left in a car. NHTSA cautions that temperatures inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes, which is why it’s vitally important to never leave a child alone in a parked car; keep the keys out of a child’s reach and look in both the front and back of the vehicle before locking the door and walking away. The agency’s public education campaign “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock” offers the following tips. For Parents and Caregivers: Remind yourself that the child is in the car. • Place a briefcase, purse, or cell phone next to the child’s car seat so that you’ll always check the back seat before leaving the car. • Call your spouse or another caregiver to confirm you’ve dropped your child off. • Have your daycare provider call you if your child doesn’t arrive. • Write a note and place it on the dashboard of your car, or set a reminder on your cell phone or calendar. For Bystanders: Actions to take if you see a child alone in a vehicle: • Always make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately. • If the child appears to be okay, attempt to locate the parents or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over the PA system. • If the child is not responsive and appears to be in distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child—even if that means breaking a window. Stay connected with NHTSA: NHTSAmedia@dot.gov 202-366-9550 TRAVELING? HERE ARE A FEW SAFETY TIPS: Notify your Neighborhood Watch Captain of the dates that you will be leaving and returning. (If you do not participate in the Neighborhood Watch Program, now would be a good time to start). Contact Crime Prevention Specialist Becky Boie at 763-503-3272 or bboie@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us 1. Keep shades and blinds in their normal position. 2. Stop the mail/packages and paper delivery, or make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to pick up daily. 3. Make sure all door and window locks are working properly. 4. Set lights on timers so that can turn on at the appropriate times. While traveling, try to use traveler’s checks to avoid carrying large amounts of cash or too many credit cards. Do not place these items in your luggage. Keep them with you at all times. PREVENT AUTO THEFT With summer here, we need to remember a few basic tips so that we do not become victims of auto theft or theft from autos. • Lock your doors and windows. • Do NOT leave valuables in sight in your car. Lock them in your trunk before you reach your destination. Even small items such as loose change or sunglasses can be attractive to a thief. • Do NOT leave your vehicle running unattended to warm up. It takes only seconds for a thief to break a window and drive away with your car. Under Brooklyn Center City Ordinance 27-122 it is a misdemeanor to leave a vehicle unattended without stopping the engine and removing the keys. You can be ticketed for this! Questions? Contact Officer Mike Peterson at 763-503-3226. CURFEW TIMES It is not safe for youth to be out after dark without a purpose. The City strongly encourages you to call 911 when kids are out after dark and when they are not in school on normal school days. AGE WEEKDAYS FRIDAY & SATURDAY Under 12 Home by 9:00pm Home by 10:00 pm 12-14 Home by 10:00pm Home by 11:00 pm 15-17 Home by 11:00pm Home by midnight 9 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org Healthy Communities HELP PREVENT SANITARY SEWER BACKUPS Recently, staff members in the Utilities Division have been experiencing pump failures in the City’s sanitary sewer system due to clogging by items not meant to be disposed of either by flushing or in drains. In order to minimize the risk of a sewer backup, it is important for property owners to be careful about items they flush and put down drains. Property owners and managers must remember that just because it is possible to get an item down sinks or flushed down a toilet doesn’t mean it should be put there. Please adhere to proper disposal methods. When excessive amounts of grease or other inappropriate waste are put into the sanitary sewer system, they can cause sewer lines to plug and pumps to fail. This can lead to sewers backing up into homes and businesses and possibly causing serious property damage. How You Can Help Property owners can help keep sanitary sewer lines clean by only disposing of appropriate waste in the sanitary sewer system. Some items that cause backups are diapers, shop towels, oils, grease, cloth rags, baby wipes, cleaning wipes, bandages, feminine products, prophy- lactics and stringy material such as floss or hair. Please dispose of these items in the trash so the system continues to flow properly and your basements and businesses remain dry. Also remember that even though some products such as baby wipes are labeled as “flushable” it is not appropriate to flush them. If your sanitary sewer backs up, the Brooklyn Center Utility Division may be your initial source of help. If the problem is in the main sewer line, City employees will come out to solve the problem. This service is available day or night, seven days a week (including holidays) and there is no fee for this service. The City is not responsible for problems in the house or the sewer line between the main sewer and the house. Problems in these areas are the responsibility of the property owner. Before you call the City, try to determine where the problem lies. This can be done by checking to see if the neighbor directly across the street is also having a problem. If the neighbor does not have a problem and the water backs up when you use it, the problem is likely in your system. To repair these problems, call a plumber or a sewer cleaning company. If water is coming up in the house when no water is being used, the problem is most likely in the City main sewer line. Contact the Public Works Department at (763) 585-7100 between the hours of 7am and 3:30pm, Monday - Friday. During other times, emergencies can be reported by calling 911. The dispatcher will contact one of the City’s Public Works employees to resolve the problem. Preventing Sewer Backups Many residential sewer problems can be avoided by having your sewer line cleaned periodically and taking care of what goes into your sewer system. Following are the most common causes of blocked sewers: • Grease and Oils – Store grease in a container and dispose of hardened grease in the trash. • Paper Products (tissues, paper towels, “flushable wipes”, etc.) – Put them in the trash. • Lint and Hair – Screen drains and use a laundry hose lint trap. • Tree Roots – Avoid planting trees or shrubs over your sewer line. . If you hire a private sewer cleaning service to remove tree roots, please notify the City as soon as possible. A secondary backup could occur when the roots from the private service become lodged in the City sewer line resulting in a backup into either your house or a neighbors’ house. Thank you for helping to keep our sewer lines moving in the right direction! YARD WASTE SITE NOW OPEN Get rid of those leaves, brush and other yard waste FREE at the Maple Grove Yard Waste Site. The site is located at 10300 Maple Grove Parkway. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 8am to 7 pm and Sunday noon to 7 pm. For more information visit www.mgyardwaste.com or call HRG at 763-493-8006. WATER TOWER NO. 2 REHABILITATION PROJECT 6900 Dupont Avenue N Brooklyn Center has three water towers which provide water pressure throughout the City and also water for fire suppression. Water towers are typically inspected every five years with full rehabilitations performed every 15-20 years. Water Tower No. 3 was partially completed in 2017 and received the final painting with the new City logo in 2018 by TMI Coatings. TMI Coatings also began rehabilitating Tower No. 2 in 2018 which was fully contained for painting and sand blasting. It will receive its final coat of paint in 2019. Residents in the immediate area of the towers will experience noise from machinery, compressors and other miscellaneous equipment. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 7am to 7pm. We apologize if you experience inconvenience during this important project. If you have any questions please call Public Works at 763-585-7100. 10 JUNE 2019, Edition 210 NEWS Ci t y Did You Know? 2018 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT The Brooklyn Center 2018 Consumer Confidence Report was available May 1, 2019. This report contains results of the monitoring performed of the drinking water for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2018. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers’ understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. The full 2018 Consumer Confidence Report for Brooklyn Center is available on at cityofbrooklyncenter.org/DocumentCenter/ View/7086 or you can search Consumer Confidence Report on the City’s Website. If you would like a paper copy provided to you, please call (763) 585-7100 or email publicworks@ci.brooklyn- center.mn.us. A computer kiosk is also available at City Hall. PLEDGE TO PLANT FOR CLEAN WATER Stormwater runoff is the leading water quality threat to our urban lakes and streams. Turf grass and impervious surfaces such as streets and parking lots prevent water from infiltrating into the ground, which results in increased polluted stormwater runoff reaching lakes and streams. By changing what we plant, we can make a difference in improving water quality. Native plants, or plants indigenous to the region, are well-adapted to local conditions. They also generally have longer root systems - sometimes up to 16-feet - so they absorb and filter water running off the land and mimic pre-settlement landscapes. These long-rooted plants can even break up clay soils and improve drainage. Even better, these deeply rooted plants don’t need as much water after they are established. Besides protecting and conserving water, native plants support pollinators. Native wildflowers provide higher quality nectar and pollen to insects than cultivated varieties (“cultivars”) that are most popular at nurseries. Planting natives not only helps protect water quality, it helps to restore lost pollinator habitat. Visit the Blue Thumb website to make your pledge at blue- thumb.org/pledge. There you will find all the resources needed to plan, purchase and plant a water-friendly garden. There are also how-to videos, cost-calculators, workshops, available speakers, grants and more. 11 www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org WELLHEAD PROTECTION - KEEPING GROUNDWATER CLEAN What is Wellhead Protection? Wellhead protection is a program to protect the public water supply by preventing contaminants from entering public supply wells. The area surrounding the public wells is called the wellhead, which contributes water to the well or well field over time. The wellhead protection area is determined by using technical criteria, such as the physical characteristics of the aquifer and the effects which pumping has on the rate and direction of groundwater movement. Why is Protecting Groundwater Important? Groundwater may be contaminated by surface contaminants such as microorganisms and chemicals. Although the City’s wells are 300-feet deep, contamination of groundwater could eventually affect the water quality. Because we use it for drinking water, if it is contaminated the City would need to find alternative sources for drinking. Cleaning up the groundwater is very expensive and inefficient. Therefore, it is better to prevent the pollution in the first place! Why is Wellhead Protection Required and Who Administers It? The 1986 Amendments of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires states to implement drinking water protection programs for public water wells. The Minnesota Groundwater Protection Act of 1989 designated the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as the lead agency for wellhead protection. What is the City Doing to Protect Groundwater? The City’s Wellhead Protection Plan was reviewed and approved by the MDH in 2015. The plan focuses on preventing contamination through the following actions: • Determining where the drinking water comes from, how vulnerable it is to potential contamination and establishing wellhead protection zones. The plan also focuses on the ongoing initiatives of protecting the wellhead area. • Complying with state and federal requirements. • Educating residents and businesses about our water supply and management of hazardous materials. • Monitoring drinking water and routinely testing for contaminants. • Watching for illegal activities that may pose a significant hazard to groundwater. • Monitoring environmental investigations, cleanups and construction activities to minimize impact to groundwater. Sealing Unused Wells Unused or “abandoned” wells must be sealed according to Minnesota State Law. Sealing is the process of filling the well with a special grout. Well sealing work must be completed by a well contractor licensed by the State of Minnesota. Unused wells can become a direct “pipeline” for contamination into the groundwater system. Although most wells in Brooklyn Center are four inches or smaller in diameter, larger-diameter wells can also pose a safety hazard for children and animals that may fall into them. By Minnesota State Law, a well must: • Be in use and operating properly; or • Have a Maintenance Permit from the MDH if it will be used in the future. • The well must meet sanitary requirements and an annual fee is required; or • Be properly sealed. The complete “Drinking Water Quality Report- Consumer Confidence Report” can be viewed on the City Website. For more information, please call: Brooklyn Center Public Utilities at (763) 585-7100 MDH Drinking Water Protection at (651) 201-4700 or visit the MDH website at www.health.state.mn.us. WHAT’S NEW? Central Garage took delivery of a new mini garbage truck that was approved with the 2019 Budget. The garbage truck will be used extensively in the parks, at bus stops and at other City facilities. City CONTACTS Council Members Mayor Mike Elliott Voicemail: (763) 569-3449 mayorelliott@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Councilmember Marquita Butler Voicemail: (763) 569-3446 councilmemberbutler@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Councilmember April Graves Voicemail: (763) 569-3448 councilmembergraves@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson Voicemail: (763) 569-3444 councilmemberlawrence-anderson@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Councilmember Dan Ryan Voicemail: (763) 569-3445 councilmemberryan@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us City Manager Curt Boganey (763) 569-3300 Printed on recycled paper City PHONE NUMBERS Administration ..............................................(763) 569-3300 Community Development ............................(763) 569-3330 Inspections, Code Enforcement, Ownership Services Public Works/Engineering ............................(763) 569-3340 Parks, Streets, Utilities ...............................(763) 585-7100 Finance .......................................................... (763) 569-3320 Utility Billing .............................................(763) 569-3390 Recreation & Community Center .................(763) 569-3400 Activity Weather Line ...............................(763) 569-3442 Earle Brown Heritage Center .......................(763) 569-6300 Centerbrook Golf Course ..............................(763) 549-3750 Fire ................................................................(763) 549-3600 Police (General Info) .....................................(763) 569-3333 Emergency & Non-Emergency Officer Assistance ......911 City COUNCIL MEETINGS City Council Regular Session meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7pm. Informal Open Forum is held at 6:45pm before Council meetings for persons who wish to address the City Council about issues not scheduled on the agenda. City Council Work Sessions are held immediately following the Regular Session City Council meetings. City Council Meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 16. Replays shown Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Wednesdays at 2:30am and 10:30am. You may also watch City Council meetings on-line, on demand at your convenience through a link on the City website. Call City Hall to verify meeting dates or visit the City’s website at cityofbrooklyncenter.org. 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2199 cityofbrooklyncenter.org e-mail: info@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us City Hall (763) 569-3300 Job Information Line (763) 569-3307 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 2170