FN April 2014Beginning in June and lasting into
November, MnDOT will be
reconstructing Trunk Highway 65. The
highway is a major transportation artery
in the City, carrying about 35,000
vehicles per day. It is also adjacent to
many businesses and residential
neighborhoods. Pedestrians and
bicyclists cross the Highway 65 at many
intersections. For these reasons, City
officials have been working diligently
with MnDOT to develop a local detour
plan that will help ease the confusion
and disturbance for businesses and
residents.
The project will include badly needed resurfacing of
pavement, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements,
and pedestrian access improvements.
Construction will take place in two phases. The first phase
will take approximately 8 weeks and will see all southbound
lanes closed from County Road 10 to Medtronic Parkway.
During the first three weeks, contractors will accelerate the
completion of the segment from Highway 10 to 81st
Avenue. This will allow southbound traffic the ability to
access 81st Avenue for the remainder of the first
construction phase.
April 2014
No. 187
6431 University Avenue NE
Fridley, MN 55432
phone: 763-571-3450
www.FridleyMN.gov
e-mail: info@FridleyMN.gov
C O M M U N I T Y R E P O R T
PRESORTED STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit NO. 92886
Summer Closures on Highway 65
Fridley
The second phase will also take
approximately 8 weeks to complete and will
see the north bound lanes closed from
Medtronic Parkway to County Road 10.
During the first three weeks of this
construction phase, the segment from
Medtronic Parkway to Moore Lake Drive
will be completed in an accelerated fashion.
This will allow northbound traffic access to
Moore Lake Road for the remainder of the
construction phase.
There will also be a separate reconstruction
project on Highway 65 from 53rd Avenue
to the north end of Moore Lake. This
project will resurface pavement, replace
guardrail, and add pedestrian facilities. This work will be
completed before the start of the larger project, and
resurfacing will be done on off-peak hours and weekends to
minimize the impact.
There will be meetings held before the start of the project
to address specific concerns, but as of the publishing of this
newsletter have not yet been determined. The City of
Fridley’s website will provide these meeting dates and times
when available. For further information and to subscribe to
project notices and updates, go to the MnDOT web page:
www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy65springlake/
One way the City of Fridley tracks its progress is by using a citizen
survey. Last December, such a survey was conducted for the City by the
Morris-Leatherman Company to gauge satisfaction levels on key subjects
such as quality of life, service delivery and issue identification. The results
are positive and there is an overall sense of optimism about the future.
With regard to questions regarding “quality of life,” 87% of residents
find Fridley to be a “good” to “excellent” place to live. What most
residents like about Fridley is its convenient location within the metro
area, and its proximity to jobs and family. These qualities provide a small
town feel, which they like to call home. When it came to identifying
problems, 41% were hard pressed to find any. There is, however, a desire
for greater feelings of safety, as rising crime was cited by 21%. This level,
while considered important to City leaders, is not statistically significant,
and therefore not a cause for alarm.
City services are perceived as “solid.” Public safety garnered the highest
levels of satisfaction and all other services are at or above metropolitan
area norms. Residents perceive the services provided as highly valued for
the cost. Wasteful spending is not perceived to be the case. Overall,
residents are pleased with the City’s services and its leadership and
management. General satisfaction levels are within the top 10% of
metropolitan communities.
The desirability for new or expanded services and programs are only
moderate. As a result, the proposition of a new community center
registered low to moderate support; park improvements through a tax
increase yielded strong opposition, and the concept of organized refuse
hauling had no significant majority for or against. There is, however, a
desire for greater retail and restaurant opportunities.
The survey is statistically valid, consisting of 400 randomly selected
homes in Fridley. It is done by phone and includes houses with cell
phones only, and landline only homes. It took an average respondent 28
minutes to complete the survey. All 400 residents who started the survey
completed it. With a refusal rate of only 3.5%, the survey results are
predictable within +/-5% out of 100. For more information visit
www.FridleyMN.gov.
Citizen Survey Results Are In
What’s Inside
Hydrant Flushing .....................2
City Council Filing Dates..........2
Annual Reappraisal .................2
Finance Department.................3
Water Meter Change-Out.........3
Recycling Drop-off ...................4
Edgewater Gardens ................4
Volunteerism ...........................5
Street Improvement Project .......5
‘49er Days .............................5
Severe Weather Awareness ......6
Community Development..........6
Safety Camp Celebrates
20 Years .............................7
Dryer Fires .............................7
Winterfest...............................8
Raingarden Workshop .............8
Public Works ..........................8
Mayor – Scott J. Lund
Councilmember-at-Large – Robert L. Barnette
Councilmember 1st Ward – James T. Saefke
Councilmember 2nd Ward – Dolores M. Varichak
Councilmember 3rd Ward – Ann R. Bolkcom
City Manager – Wally Wysopal
Quality of
Life
Most Serious Issue
City Service Ratings
Like Most about Fridley
2013 City of Fridley StudyThe Morris Letterman Company
The City’s appraisal staff will be visiting approximately
1,800 residential properties identified on the map below.
These visits will begin by mid-May and conclude by the
end of September. The reassessment area consists of
residential properties on the north end of the City while
commercial, industrial and apartment properties in
various locations will also be visited.
Residents will receive a blue postcard one to two weeks
prior to staff’s arrival in the
area. The postcard will explain
the reassessment and the
process involved, and includes
the telephone number to
contact staff with questions or
to set up an appointment prior
to the general canvassing.
Staff will be going door-to-door
and conducting inspections in
this area Monday through
Friday between 9:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. If the resident is
home, they will show their City
identification and ask to do a
visual inspection of the inside
of the property or a simple
exterior inspection only. If no
one is home, they will leave a
tag on the door which will have
the date of the visit, explain the purpose of the visit and
instruct the property owner to contact staff to schedule
an appointment if an interior inspection is required. In
the event there is no response to the appraiser’s request,
an estimate of what is typical for the neighborhood will
be made for the property. If the property owner
disagrees with the value assigned on the tax statement
received next spring, the Local Board of Appeal &
Equalization will require the owner to allow an interior
inspection before agreeing to any adjustment.
The appraiser will be verifying data, such as number of
bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as gathering
information on the condition of the property. Our goal
is to accurately describe the property so that yearly
reassessments better follow market trends and values are
more reliably estimated. All property owners receive a
notice of valuation and classification each spring with the
appraiser’s estimated market value. Should the property
owner disagree with this value, the first step in appeal is
to call your local assessor. If you cannot resolve your
issues with the assessor, you can appeal to the Local
Board of Appeal & Equalization at the City. If you are
still not able to resolve differences in opinion of value or
classification, you may then move on to the County
Board of Appeal & Equalization.
Approximately 20 percent of Fridley residences are
reappraised each year. The data collected this year will be
used for the January 2, 2015, assessment for taxes
payable in 2016. There is always a two-year lag between
the time the data on values are collected and the time
they are reflected in property taxes. We hope this
information will help you understand your tax
statements. After taking this into account, if you still
disagree with the value assigned to your property, please
contact Patrick Maghrak for residential properties at
763-572-3536 or Mary Smith, City Assessor, at 763-
572-3537 regarding commercial, industrial or apartment
properties. In most cases Patrick or Mary will be able to
resolve your problems without resorting to the formal
appeal process described on your tax statement.
Please note that City staff carries a photo identification
card. Please make sure you ask to see it. We look
forward to working with you in updating your property
values and making the process as easy as possible. If you
have any questions, please contact Mary Smith, City
Assessor, or Patrick Maghrak, Residential Appraiser.
Annual Reappraisal: A Sure Sign of Spring!
2014 Filing Dates for
Fridley City Council
The filing dates for the offices of Councilmember
Wards 1, 2 and 3 of the Fridley City Council begins
Tuesday, May 20, 2014, and ends Tuesday, June 3,
2014. City offices will be open Monday through
Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with the
exception of the Memorial Day Holiday on May 26)
and until 5:00 pm on June 3. At the time of filing,
candidates for office must supply to the City Clerk a
Nomination Petition circulated and signed by at least
10 registered voters during the filing period and a $10
application fee. If more than two candidates file for
one office, a Primary Election will be held on August
12 to determine which two candidates move forward
to the November General Election.
To run for one of these four-year terms, candidates
must be a registered voter, 21 years of age or more
upon assuming office, a resident of the City for at least
thirty days by election day, and not have filed for any
other office during this election cycle.
For additional information regarding the
requirements or for a copy of filing materials, please
call the City Clerk at 763-572-3523 or e-mail your
questions to elections@FridleyMN.gov.
Hydrant Flushing
Kory Jorgensen’s team in Fridley’s Water Division
expects to be flushing hydrants this year starting in
April. They are hoping to work from April 7 through
April 25 in the neighborhoods nearest the Commons
Park Treatment Plant, and move from there outward
toward the City’s boundaries. With this season's
challenging winter and much repair work expected on
the distribution system, crews may not complete
flushing citywide until May 9. Hydrant flushing is
performed to remove small amounts of sediments
(typically iron and manganese) that settle in certain
water mains over the course of the year. Crews also use
this as an opportunity to inspect hydrants for any
future repairs that may be needed.
During the flushing, deposits from the water lines may
create a yellowish to brownish discoloration of water
in homes near the flushing area. While this water is
generally safe for drinking, it may discolor laundry. If
this discoloration lasts longer than two days, residents
are asked to call the City’s Public Works Department
at 763-572-3566 or contact Kory Jorgensen at
Kory.Jorgensen@FridleyMN.gov.
page 2 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
Summer
Parks and Recreation Department
All day adventure and fun for youth who have completed grades K-7.June 16 - August 157:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Monday - FridayFridley Community Center$125/week ($30 daily fee available)For youth who have completed Grades K-7.
Complete program information available online. 763-572-3570 | www.FridleyMN.gov
Recreation Opportunities for Creative Kids in the Summer
Full days of continuous recreation and enrichment activities for up to 10 weeks this summer.
An ACTIVE Program for ACTIVE Kids!
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 3
Water Meter Change-
Out Continues
The residential water meter replacement program
resumes in May for the homes located in the
highlighted area of the above map. Residents will
be notified by mail, and the work will be done by
City employees. The old meters have reached their
useful life and require replacement before leaks
develop. The advantage of the new meters is they
report usage automatically and eliminate the need
for reporting cards.
The City expects to install 500 meters this year in
the Rice Creek Terrace West, Holiday Hills, Rice
Creek Plaza, Edgewater Gardens, and Ashton
neighborhoods. The automated meters not only
eliminate the need for residents to read meters,
they also provide more accurate readings that are
used for both water and sewer billing.
Additionally, new meter capabilities provide better
opportunities for leak detection.
The meters are installed during weekday
hours, and typically take less than 30 minutes. We
ask that residents receiving notices from the
City respond promptly to schedule a time for
their meter change-out, as this assistance is
essential to the efficiency of the metering
replacement program. If there are questions, please
contact the City’s Public Works Department by
calling 763- 572-3566.
Spotlight on Finance Department
This edition shines a spotlight on the Finance
Department.
The Finance Department comprises four divisions:
Assessing, Accounting, Management Information
Systems, and Liquor. At the head of it all is Finance
Director Darin Nelson.
“It’s been a lightning fast 3½ years,” says Darin,
speaking of his time thus far at Fridley. “We’ve had
numerous big events. The 2011 tornado was nine
months after I started.” In addition to weather
diasters, he has been met with budget constraints,
local government aid fluctuations, and the call to step
in as Acting City Manager for a period of time. He
tackles the varied duties of his position with a
problem-solver mentality.
“In the role of Finance Director it’s a different
challenge every day. It’s exciting
to take on those challenges and to
find solutions,” says Darin.
One major innovation the
department is excited about is the
introduction of online utility
billing. eBill allows customers to
e nrol l i n el e c t r o ni c b i l l
notification and online payment
services free of charge. This
program just became available in
November of last year, and
already hundreds of customers
have signed up. In addition to
enrolling for eBill, customers can
also sign up for a Direct Payment service to have their
utility bill paid automatically from a checking or
savings account. Residents can find enrollment
instructions on their current statements.
In addition to the introduction of eBill, another big
shift on the horizon is the installation of a new
financial system to replace the current antiquated one.
Conversion over to the the new system is projected to
take the next 9 to 18 months.“Between finance,
payroll, human resources and utility billing staff, this
is going to take a lot of hours of dedication by a lot of
people. On top of their normal jobs, they will be
working on implementing the new system,” says
Darin.
It is a good thing dedication is not hard to come by
among Finance employees. More than a few have
worked their way up through various positions with
the City.
Kyle Birkholz started as a part-time liquor clerk in
1990. Today, as Liquor Operations Manager, he takes
pride in the completion of the second Fridley Liquor
location, its expanded selection, and bright, clean
ambience. He enjoys seeing how the success of the
municipal liquor stores benefits the community. “At
the end of the month, you can see exactly how much
revenue you’ve generated for the City,” he says. This
revenue goes towards reducing the property tax
burden on citizens and businesses in Fridley.
City Assessor Mary Smith began work in the Finance
Department in 1987 as a special assessments clerk. “I
feel privileged to have been able to work here this
long,” she says. “I enjoy the interaction I have with
the public and with coworkers,” says Mary. Nodding
to colleague Pat Maghrak, she adds, “And I have the
best appraiser. He makes my job easier.”
Pat joined the City about two years ago, desiring new
challenges and opportunities in his line of work. “It is
a privilege to be in public service,” he says. “Most of
my background is in private business, and I take
customer service very seriously.” He also wants
community members to know that as an appraiser, he
is very concerned with fairness. “We are careful not to
make any exceptions or to give anyone an advantage
over someone else.”
Information Technology Manager Jim Erickson has
been with the City for 16 years. He says his favorite
aspects of his job are problem-solving, working with
new technologies, and finding ways to make the
organization more effective and efficient.
Maintaining the City’s computers is a large task in
itself, as there are about 150 of them located
throughout several buildings. But that is only one
part of the MIS division’s job.
“My position is not strictly a tech position,” says Jim.
“It demands an understanding of the business aspects
of the City and how they interrelate with the needs of
citizens, users and departments, as well as the legal
requirements that the City must meet.”
With so many areas of responsibility, there is never a
slow moment for the Finance Department. Though
they operate in a relatively “behind the scenes”
manner, they have a big hand in supporting every
other department and every action taken by the City.
Darin speaks highly of his staff and appreciates the
hard work they do every day: “At the City of Fridley,
people are very genuine and true to their passion of
providing public service.”
New this year! Nature camps available for children ages 5-12 each week of the summer!
Summer should be full of fun and games! But summer should also be safe and enriching. We do both
at Camp Springbrook. Help your children unplug and recharge in nature this summer.
$140 per week | 9 am - 4 pm | Monday - Friday
Full descriptions of all camp titles can be found on our website: www.SpringbrookNatureCenter.org
Fridley Community Calendar
April
3 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
7 Charter Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
14 City Council Meeting
16 Planning Commission
28 City Council Meeting
May
1 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
5 Charter Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
7 Appeals Commission
12 City Council Meeting
13 Environmental Quality & Energy Commission
21 Planning Commission
26 City Offices Closed in Observance of
Memorial Day
27 City Council Meeting
NOTE:City Council and Commission meetings start at
7:00 p.m. Meetings are held at the Municipal Center,
6431 University Avenue NE. The public is welcome.
Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other
persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids and
would like to attend a meeting, should contact Roberta
Collins at 763-572-3500 at least one week in advance.
Neighborhood Feature: Edgewater Gardens
There is an unmistakable magnetism about Edgewater
Gardens neighborhood. Maybe it is the prime location:
framed by Locke Lake, community parks, and the
regional trail network. Or maybe it is even more than
that.
“We have great neighbors,” says Holly Schultz. “They
are the driving force of what makes us enjoy Fridley so
much.” That warm sentiment is widespread among the
neighborhood, where bonds between families reach
back decades.
“A group of us gets together once a month to play cards.
We’ve had this card group going for 30 years,” says
Gidget Brooks. The neighborhood also boasts a book
club, a birthday club, and a perennially robust turnout
at their Night to Unite celebration, held at Redeemer
Church. “It always gets the neighborhood spirit going,”
says Sandy Nelson, who has lived in the neighborhood
for 35 years.
“Supporting your neighbors the best you can,” is a
community value cited by Gidget and echoed by many
others. Some examples of this philosophy in action
stand out in the minds of residents:
“When new families would move in, welcome-to-the-
neighborhood parties would be arranged where
everyone could introduce themselves,” Holly
remembers.
“After the big storms, people were more than willing to
help each other clean up,” says Kay Skarhus.
Groups of Edgewater Gardens families have joined
together to support causes such as the Muscular
Dystrophy Association, Habitat for Humanity, and
Meals on Wheels. “You have to take part. You have to
help each other,” Gidget says.
Whether it’s helping a neighbor shovel snow in the dark
of winter, or sharing a swimming pool in the heat of
summer, people in the neighborhood watch out for
each other and offer what they can. “I really feel it’s a
strong neighborhood,” says Holly.
“My favorite memories really are of the friendly
community,” says Ann Hansen. “Even people we don’t
know well will stop and talk to us, and tell us they’re
glad we’re here.”
The welcoming vibe of Edgewater Gardens often
extends to visitors and passersby traveling on the
Mississippi River Regional Trail. It has been a great
venue for exercise, socialization and making new
friends. “The people who pass by on the trail are
pleasant to deal with. Sometimes we hand out water to
them,” says Kay.
Two City parks, a County park and art center across
East River Road, and Locke Lake also provide
recreational opportunities to the neighborhood.
Another interesting geographical and historical tidbit is
that Edgewater Gardens contains a tiny, turn-of-the-
century cemetery that was left behind when the church
building on the site was relocated. The existence of the
strikingly old gravesites makes sense when one learns
that a portion of today’s Edgewater Gardens was platted
all the way back in 1886. Two additional plats were
created in 1959 and 1972.
Gidget and her husband Edward say taking pride in the
upkeep of the neighborhood is important to them.
“Taking care of your property and what’s around you,
and being respectful. These are the ideas we were all
raised with and the values we passed along to our kids.”
One unique testament to the quality of the
neighborhood: At least three couples that moved away
for one reason or another eventually moved back later
in life.
Ann and her husband Dallas lived here in the 1980s
and moved away after their son graduated. They
returned after a 20-year absence, to almost the same
exact place they left. “We can see our old house out the
window,” says Ann. “We just loved the neighborhood
and are still close with many of the same families.”
Kay had grown up on the other side of what is now
Locke Lake. As an adult she moved back into a house
on the lake to be closer to her family, and has been back
for 14 years.
After their three kids graduated and moved out, Jan and
Steve left Edgewater Gardens for a townhome in
Plymouth. Jan remained close with her friends in the
neighborhood, continuing to participate in the book
and card clubs. With the arrival of grandchildren, she
and her husband found themselves wishing for a single
family home with a yard for the little ones to play in.
Jan remembers contemplating the move: “I said, ‘If
we’re going to do it, we’re going to go back to where my
buddies are.’” And so they returned to their old
neighborhood. Jan enjoys being close to longtime
friends who can pop in for a quick hello or cup of
coffee. “It’s just a great group of people and we hope
they all stick around,” says Jan.
From the sounds of it, most of her neighbors do plan to
stick around as long as possible. “We’ve actually had
people come knock on our door and ask us if we’re
willing to sell our house, but we haven’t been
interested,” says Holly.
“We’re very happy with the neighborhood and have no
plans to move,” says Sandy.
Edgewater Gardens is a shining example of the power of
positive connections among neighbors. Extending that
first greeting, stepping up to support each other, and
making the effort to build friendships can have lasting
effects on the character of a neighborhood.
Residential Recycling
Drop-off Day is May 3
Fridley’s Spring Residential Recycling Drop-off will be
held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the
Fridley Public Works facility, 400 71st Avenue, behind
the former Columbia Arena. This event is open to all
Fridley single family, apartment and mobile home
residents. New this year: mattress and box spring
recycling ($8.00/piece).
Other items accepted include appliances (large or
small), air conditioners, electronics (all sizes of TVs,
monitors, computers, etc.), small engines (drained),
scrap metal, bicycles (any condition), free document
shredding (while you watch), fluorescent bulb disposal
(limit 10 per household or business, free), and car
batteries.
Again this year, free recycling of carpeting and pads is
offered. The carpet must be dry, tied in maximum of
6’ length rolls, with the carpet facing out. Carpet
scraps or soiled throw rugs are not accepted.
Bring proof of residency and the event postcard mailed
out in April. Most items may be recycled for free.
Larger volumes of electronics, CRTs, appliances, and
air conditioners will incur charges. Cash or a check
made payable to “City of Fridley” will be the only
types of payment accepted.
Furniture and household goods will no longer be
accepted in 2014. Please bring those items to the local
Goodwill or Salvation Army.
The City’s fall Residential Recycling Drop-off will be
held at the same location on Saturday, October 11.
For more information, visit www.FridleyMN.gov/
garbage-recycling/recycling-drop-off-days or call 763-
572-3594 to reach the Fridley Environmental Planner.
Think about your own neighborhood.
How do you interact with your neighbors?
What community values do you share?
If you would like to see your neighborhood
featured in a future newsletter edition,
let us know by calling 763-572-3500.
You can also take a look at a map
of all Fridley neighborhoods at
www.FridleyMN.gov/maps/general.
page 4 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
After holding a public hearing at their February 24 City
Council meeting, the Fridley City Council voted to seek
bids for the 2014 street improvement project in the
North Industrial area of Fridley. This project includes 3.4
miles of street rehabilitation, and extends from
Commerce Circle on the South to 83rd Avenue on the
north, and is bounded by the BNSF Railroad on the west
and University Avenue on the east. Due to economic
considerations, the City Council had deferred this project
from construction in 2012 to be planned for 2014
construction. The total project is estimated to cost
$1,749,000, of which $663,000 is for utility
improvements to water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater
drainage systems.
Properties within the area were notified of the hearing by
mail, along with the estimated special assessment. At the
hearing on improvements, there were a few questions
relating to access, schedule, and construction sequencing.
Utility work is expected to begin in late May, with
rehabilitation of a 10-inch diameter water main on Main
Street from Osborne Road to 81st Avenue NE. This
main was selected for replacement due to its break history
and subsurface conditions. There will also be some
smaller power and natural gas replacements coordinated
early in the project season.
The City’s project work will continue in several phases,
with the replacement of damaged or settled curbing, and
minor repairs to water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer
structures. The existing paving will then be milled and
the used asphalt will be recycled offsite, or in some areas,
mixed with the existing gravel base. Once the base has
been compacted and graded, and milled areas are
prepped, the contractor will apply a new asphalt layer.
The final steps of the project will include sawing and
sealing expansion joints in the new pavement and
restoration adjacent to curb replacements.
During milling, short-term access closures and parking
prohibitions will occur. When repaving begins, street
segments will be closed for up to eight hours. The City
will evaluate an alternative for night paving to minimize
disruption to businesses.
The City Council is expected to consider a project award
in April. The contractor is anticipated to complete each
phase of the street work in a four-week period between
June and September. Staff will be providing a notice
regarding the overall project schedule to affected
properties in the construction area, and will be delivering
periodic project notices to update property owners
regarding scheduled work and temporary road closures.
Property owners have been providing a point of contact
and feedback via a questionnaire that is available on the
project site at www.FridleyMN.gov/engineering/projects.
This information is critical to provide the best
coordination and notification of businesses in the area.
Businesses are also encouraged to visit the project page
and sign up for electronic updates.
We ask that the traveling public pay special attention to
work zone signage and detours during the construction
season, and to drive carefully in and around work zone
areas. Those who have questions should contact Layne
Otteson at 763-572-3551.
You have heard the popular phrase... It takes a village to
raise a child? At Fridley Community Theater, it takes
“community” to raise the curtain and the emphasis is
truly on “community.”
Led by a 9-member, all volunteer
Board o f Dire ct ors, Fridley
Community Theater (FCT) is
entering its fifth season of
o utsta n di n g l o c a l th e a t e r
productions. That longevity takes a
lot of commitment, hard work,
dedication, creativity, and talent of
all kinds. And, it is all volunteer.
Toni Craft, Fridley School
District’s Community Education
Director, has been a part of
the organization since its inception, and credits much
of the organization’s success to the vision and insight of
Dan Wold, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
for the Fridley Community Education Department,
and director Tom Larson. “They knew there was
something special here in Fridley—and they were
right!” Craft said. “The Fridley Community Theater
has been a true success story from the start because of
the strong foundation and community here.”
“Volunteers are crucial to the success of the
productions. I am continually amazed at the vast array
and variety of talent we attract for these productions,"
said Wold. When asked what is his secret in dealing
with volunteers, he said “I want to encourage and
empower our volunteers and give them opportunities
for them to do what they do best.” He went on to say,
“If people feel what they have to offer is important,
then they can provide resources and support for the
theater.”
Behind the scenes, you will find dozens of people who
just want to help. Many offer their expertise,
craftsmanship, and artistry of carpentry, sewing,
photography, lighting and sound design, painting,
graphic design, music, dance, computers, stage
management, box office operations, and construction.
Some just offer a lending hand by selling tickets,
ushering, operating spot lights,
helping with concessions, passing out
marketing materials, or organizing
and cleaning costumes. Then there
are those truly invisible helpers
behind the stage who dress in black
who use their sheer strength and
brawn to lift, push, pull and operate
the complex stages designed and
constructed by Wold and his
volunteers. Some help for a few
hours, some take time off of work and
dedicate nights and weekends to
make it all happen. There is
something for everyone, and it does take everyone to
succeed.
Many volunteers like Debra Johnson, have seen their
true passion come to light. She recently made her
début as the Artistic Director for FCT’s successful
dinner theater production of "Barefoot in the Park."
Debra grew up and went to school in Fridley and
comes back to contribute her time and talents, and to
be a part of something very special. She has
participated in every production of FCT and expressed
an interest in directing. FCT helped to bring her dream
to reality and she could not be more honored and
thrilled. “What a blessing for a Fridley Alumnus of the
drama program like myself to come home and once
again continue my journey with Fridley Community
Theatre. There are so many ways to be involved. I have
enjoyed acting on stage again and branching out with
an opportunity to direct a show. I would encourage
anyone who is considering reawakening their passion
to come join the team.”
We welcome your talent…Volunteer today! To
volunteer visit us at FridleyCommunityTheatre.org.
‘49er Days Turns 40!
Do you remember the first Fridley ‘49er Days Festival?
This annual community tradition started in 1975 and
plans are underway for our 40th anniversary
celebration. Some of the highlights for the 2014
festival include the parade on Thursday evening and a
carnival Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As in 2013,
activities will be held at the Medtronic Rice Creek
Campus located off of Old Central.
There will be two free street dances with The
Whitesidewalls and Chris Brooks & The Silver City
Boys performing, a Karaoke Contest, Hot Rod Car
Show, Pizza Eating Contest, kids activities, Pie Baking
Contest, and much more! The Fridley Historical
Society is planning a historical tour of Fridley with
stops along the Mississippi River. The event should
wrap up with a bang with a huge fireworks display. For
further information on this year’s festival, contact
Tom Bourque by e-mail at waveruna@yahoo.com or
603-548-3958.
2014 Street Improvement Project Update
Volunteerism Puts the “Community” in
Fridley Community Theater
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 5
Severe Weather
Awareness Week is
April 21-25
For more than 25 years, Minnesota has conducted a
Severe Weather Awareness Week in partnership with
the National Weather Service and local governments.
The information campaign is designed to teach and
remind Minnesotans about weather hazards, and
provides resources to minimize the risks associated
with severe weather. Everyone is encouraged to make
a plan, build an emergency kit and practice their
emergency plans.
The main event of Severe Weather Awareness Week is
the annual statewide tornado drills. These drills are
scheduled for Thursday, April 24, at 1:45 p.m. and
6:55 p.m. At those times, sirens and NOAA weather
radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning.
The first drill is intended for institutions and
businesses, while the evening drill is intended for
families and second shift workers.
The City of Fridley encourages all residents to use
NOAA weather radios for receiving warnings in their
homes. Weather radios can be programmed to only
activate warnings in Anoka County. Weather radios
are the best warning method for storms occurring late
at night when many people are in their homes
sleeping. NOAA weather radios can be purchased at
most electronics stores.
For questions or more information please contact
Fridley Police Captain Brian Weierke at
Brian.Weierke@FridleyMN.gov.
Sirens
What They Mean…
•They are meant to warn people who are outdoors.
(Get a weather alert radio for indoors!)
•The siren alerts you to a tornado warning or a
manmade emergency such a chemical leak.
•They do not warn you of a severe thunderstorm
or tornado watch.
•There is no such thing as an “All Clear Siren”. The
siren does not sound for the entire duration of the
event.
What to do…
•If you hear the sirens, go indoors and turn on the
radio or TV.
•Take appropriate action depending on the
circumstances.
•For a tornado warning, go to a lower level or
secure location away from windows.
•The siren will sound for 5 minutes and will re-
activate if another threat is introduced.
•Once the sirens stop, it does not mean the
warning has expired. Check the radio or TV for
updates on weather conditions.
Residential, commercial, and industrial activity is
kicking into high gear in many areas of Fridley!
Community Development Director Scott Hickok
offers updates on several projects.
GATEWAY WEST
(3rd Street & 57th - 59th Avenues)
“To see four homes being built at once, with a fifth
about to start, is very exciting,” says Scott, referring to
the recent bustling activity in the Gateway West
development. “This has been a long time coming.”
A brief timeline of key Gateway West milestones starts
back in 1976, with the City’s commitment to reinforce
and support the residential character of the
surrounding neighborhood, which at that time held a
mixed bag of residential and commercial use,
including a used car lot. In the 1990s, the HRA began
acquiring and preparing properties within this strip of
land. A 2005 replat formed the 16-unit, single family
development we see today, divided into north and
south blocks.
GATEWAY NORTHEAST
(University Avenue Service Drive, east of University
Avenue NE from 58th Avenue to 61st Avenue )
City Council has approved the master plan for the
development of the Cielo apartment complex at the
Gateway Northeast site.
Final details such as the
vacation of University
Avenue Service Drive are
being squared away.
The full plan for the Cielo
complex (whose name
translates to “sky” or
“heaven”) includes three
buildings with a total of
265 units. Each building
will have three floors of
living atop one floor of
ground level parking.
Buildings 1 and 2 will be
connected by a skyway.
Desire to seek input from
future neighbors was also
displayed by Trident Development. “This developer is
one of the premiere developers in knowing how to
engage the neighborhood,” said Scott. They offered
choices and gathered residents’ input regarding the
height, style and color of a fence that will go up
between the development and neighboring backyards
to the east. Trident also agreed to include a public
sidewalk through the site, which will be shielded from
University by another decorative fence with lighted
bollards.
With development activity planned to start in the fall,
a whole new look could start to take shape within a
year. “This is part of our Transit Oriented
Development objective to take the emphasis off cars
and traffic,” says Scott. “You will look out at
architecture and perhaps public art instead of parking
lots and typical suburban views.”
NORTHERN STACKS
(4800 East River Road)
Expect to see construction on the site this summer.
Hyde Development is very pleased with the level of
interest in the business park and is planning on
relatively quick movement. Phase 1 cleanup begins as
soon as weather permits.
This area was originally home to Northern Pump Co.
(the namesake of the new development), which
manufactured Navy gun barrels during WWII and
beyond. A variety of industrial activities took place at
the site over the years, leaving behind a large amount
of polluted soil to be taken care of now.
“It’s ingenious how the clean-up will work,” explains
Scott. Rather than having a lot of trucks coming in
and out of the site, the contaminants will be contained
in a sealed “vault” of sorts under a parking area. As
soon as that is completed, construction will begin on
the two buildings that are part of Phase 1. The
combined square footage of the two will be nearly
350,000 square feet for office/warehouse and bulk
distribution use. The developers plan to have the first
building occupied as soon as October.
Modification to access points off East River Road
along the site will be underway soon as well. A full-
access, signalized intersection will go in just to the
north of the two new buildings. The current
intersection at 51st Way will add modern audible
crossing controls for safer crossing. In addition to
these full-access points, there will be two ¾ access
points as well.
CITGO STATION DEMOLITION
(61st Avenue and University Avenue)
The long awaited demolition of the abandoned gas
station is done. The work was delayed several times as
a result of the severe winter weather. “When we tear a
building down, particulate gets released into the air,
and it needs to be sprayed down with water. It is
nearly impossible to do this in such cold
temperatures,” says Scott. The machinery and
surrounding environment would almost instantly be
turned to ice.
Additionally, the building’s utilities were essentially
frozen solid. A certain amount of thaw needed to
happen in order disconnect them. The failure to do
this properly could result in the rumble of the
demolition affecting other peoples’ pipes down the
line.
Some aspects of the site were not visible because they
were below ground. For example, a 5,000 gallon tank
buried underneath the canopy was abandoned in place
in the 1980s. At the time of its abandonment, it was
filled with concrete. So what is left is a massive block
of concrete encased in a tank. “The tank will have to
be peeled off like the skin of an onion and the concrete
broken up into chunks light enough to transport on
the highway,” says Scott.
The City does not own the property but because it was
in such bad shape the City helped facilitate the
demolition. The property will be assessed for the cost
of the demolition. The owner will attempt to resell the
property.
Community Development Update
page 6 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
Dryer Fires: Spring
Cleaning is Not Enough
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, there are an estimated 15,500 fires, ten
deaths and ten injuries due to clothes dryer fires each
year. Several hundred people each year are subjected to
carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer vent
set-ups as well.
The Fridley Fire Department reminds you to clean lint
from clothes dryer vents and exhaust ducts, and be
aware that lint build-up blocks the flow of air, causing
excessive heat that can start fires.
To help prevent dryer fires from occurring:
•Clean the lint screen before or after drying each
load of clothes.If clothing is still damp at the end
of a typical drying cycle, or drying requires more
time than normal, this may be a sign that the lint
screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.
•Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct
periodically.Check the outside dryer vent while
the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is
escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct
may be blocked. To remove the blockage, it may
be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from
the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to
the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer
again.
•Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build
up.Clean the interior of the dryer chassis
periodically to minimize the amount of lint
accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer
clean and free of clutter.
•Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting
with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct.
Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or
corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides
maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type
duct can more easily trap lint and is more
susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly
reduce the airflow.
We would also like to remind everyone to regularly
test your smoke detectors and discuss fire safety within
your own home. If you would like more fire safety
information please feel free to contact us at
FridleyFire@FridleyMN.gov.
Fridley Safety Camp Celebrates 20 Years!
In June of 1995 a group of community, business and
city leaders organized Fridley’s first ever Safety Camp.
The response was overwhelming. The 150 openings
were filled quickly leaving many on a waiting list.
Since that first camp, over 3,000 children have had the
opportunity to be a part of Fridley’s annual Safety
Camp! This year, on June 17 and 18, we will celebrate
20 years of hosting this fun learning experience that
enables our children to make better decisions in their
lives and develop an awareness of the importance of
living safely!
Safety Camp is a two-day event sponsored by the
Fridley Police, Fire, and Recreation Departments.
Local businesses get in on the act, too, by donating
supplies and making contributions. Without them,
the camp would be impossible. Senior citizens also
make contributions of their time and bring a warm
sense of community to the program.
The main goal of Safety Camp is to help reduce the
number of accidents and injuries among our young
children. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of
death and disabling injury among children ages 0-14.
Safety Camp gives the kids the skills necessary to cope
with emergency situations. They are taught safety in
the following areas: water, fire, drugs, personal,
poison, outdoor, electrical, internet, railroad, seat
belts, campgrounds, burns, bikes, animal, brain injury
prevention, first aid, bullying and so much more. The
instructors are from city, state and regional
organizations.
The camp is run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17 and 18 – rain or
shine. At the end of the second day, the campers and
their families are invited to the Fridley High School
auditorium for an awards ceremony. For $30.00, the
children receive lunch both days, snacks, leadership,
supplies, a Safety Camp t-shirt, hat, bike helmet, and
tote bag! Scholarships are available.
To celebrate this milestone, ALL Safety Camp
graduates, counselors, and volunteers from the past 19
years are invited to attend the Ice Cream Social and
Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, starting at
5:45 p.m. at the Fridley High School auditorium.
Mingle with the officers, firefighters, medics, and
recreation staff. Find YOUR Safety Camp counselor!
All graduates will be recognized on stage at the start of
the Graduation Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
You can sign up to join this fun event on the “Fridley
Recreation” Facebook page. Feel free to leave
comments on your Safety Camp memories on the FB
page or e-mail them to the Safety Camp Coordinator,
Liz Chevalier, at Liz.Chevalier@FridleyMN.gov.
For more information about Safety Camp, please call
Liz at 763-572-3626 or email at the above address.
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 7
WinterFest: A Wonderful Winter Day
The 2014 WinterFest attracted more than 500
participants on January 25 in Fridley. The participants
enjoyed a wide variety of outdoor activities at
Commons Park and many indoor activities at the
Fridley Community Center. There were a wide variety
of activities provided by the many different
organizations involved, and help from volunteer
groups was crucial to the success of the event.
Despite temperatures hovering in the single digits, all
outdoor activities saw great participation levels. The
outdoor activities included horse-drawn hayrides,
North Metro Youth Hockey Association Mites
Hockey Tournament, a bonfire, snowshoeing, ice
skating, sledding, photos with a dogsled team, and a
medallion hunt. Inside, there was a family dance,
carnival games, live animals, arts and crafts, Bingo and
concessions.
The more than 20 volunteers included those from the
Fridley Senior Program, Fridley High School Key
Club, Fridley High School National Honor Society,
Single Volunteers of the Twin Cities, Boy Scout Troop
#167, District #14 Early Childhood Family
Education (ECFE), District #14 Tiger Club, and the
Encore Program. The Banfill-Locke Center for the
Arts took responsibility for an Arts and Crafts Room.
The Fridley Lions provided a bonfire, and the Fridley
49er Ambassador Committee staffed a concession
booth and silent auction. The Fridley Lions Club
made a generous financial contribution.
The event was coordinated by Margo Numedahl of
the Fridley Recreation Department. She had a lot of
help from her staff colleagues, Jack Kirk, Mike Maher,
Connie Thompson, Sue Johnson, Tara Rogness, Jan
Swanson and Cleve McCoy. The Fridley Police
Reserves also deserve credit for providing traffic
control and Officer Gregg Olson and Nitro for the K9
demo. The Fridley Fire Department once again was
there with a rescue unit and stood ready to respond to
injuries. Thanks also to the Parks Maintenance
Division of the Fridley Public Works Department
which created paths for the hay ride, brought out
benches and tables for the bonfire, prepared the
skating rinks and made safe walking areas.
Congratulations to all who were involved! This was
truly a community-wide event that was made possible
by great teamwork from many different individuals
and organizations. We look forward to seeing all of
you next January for Winterfest 2015!
Raingarden
Workshop
Thursday, May 8, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Fridley Community Center
6085 7th St. NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Cost: $15.00 per household.
Each registered person may bring a second
person from their household at no
additional cost.
Registration is restricted to the first 40
households from Fridley, Columbia Heights,
Hilltop, St. Anthony Village and Lauderdale only.
This is not a metro-wide event.
Winter of 2013-2014 a
Challenge for Public
Works Department
As of the date of this writing, signs of a warm-up are
being applauded by many. To say that Fridley has had
a tough winter season would be understating the
length and intensity of the “Winter of 2013-14.”
Fridley residents and businesses have faced many
challenges during this season. Several Fridley
departments have also borne the brunt of severe
weather, including the Fire Department, Police
Department, and Public Works Department.
Several weather-related impacts were significant to the
Public Works Department this season. While snowfall
totals were not extreme, the frequency of snowfalls
over the winter was higher than normal. As of early
March, there have been 18 citywide plowings, versus
an average of 8 in an average winter season. Sanding
events also exceeded the norm. In total, additional
costs for snow and ice control have been roughly
$154,000 above normal for such items as fuel, de-
icing materials, and labor.
Costs for repairs to water main breaks over the winter
season to date were $72,000 in materials, equipment,
contractor assistance, and labor. With continuous
cold weather, Fridley experienced frost at
unprecedented depths. The 20 water main breaks
since January 1 are mainly attributed to these frost
conditions, including three breaks on January 5
which were repaired during one arctic blast with
minus 30 plus wind chills. The Water Division
typically has 18 water main breaks in a calendar year.
Unfortunately, the Department is anticipating a
number of breaks in the spring as frost recedes.
Utilities personnel also assisted homeowners with
frozen water services, with frost freezing service lines
throughout Minnesota. To date, there have been a
record 79 frozen services citywide in 2014. There have
not been any frozen services in recent years, and some
owners who have not experienced frozen services in
50 plus years had this unfortunate occurrence. The
assistance rendered in responding to frozen services
and assisting owners with thawing of frozen water and
sewer services added $24,000 in costs.
On the brighter side, it was a record season for
outdoor ice skating, as rinks were in place for four
weeks longer than in a normal year. The City also
initiated expanded plowing of trails this year, and the
Public Works Department knows if they can stay
reasonably passable this past season, future seasons
should be much more manageable.
We would like to extend a thank you to our Public
Works personnel and Public Safety staff and
Emergency Responders for their efforts and
dedication during an extremely challenging season.
We also would like to thank the residents and
businesses of Fridley for working with our crews to
resolve any emergencies they may have experienced.
If you have any Public Works emergencies to report,
please contact them at 763-572-3566 or after
hours/weekends at 763-427-1212.
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 8
This fast-paced and focused three-hour workshop explores the latest
information in healthy yard care practices, combined with the Metro
Blooms’ approach to raingarden design and installation. Participants
move quickly from an overview of healthy yard care practices to focus
on a raingarden and native planting design for their property with
expert help from a landscape design professional and Master
Gardener. Participants will learn about watershed management,
stormwater runoff, and raingarden basics including design, installation
and maintenance of raingardens using native plants. Participants will
receive hands-on assistance in planning a raingarden project.
Before attending, participants will complete homework assignments
and arrive at the workshop with necessary information about their
property.
To Register: metroblooms.org/workshops.php; or call Metro Blooms at 651-699-2426.
15% Off
Total Non-Sale Purchase
Valid at Fridley Liquor
No limits. No other discounts apply.Good while supplies last
20% Off
All Non-Sale Wine
Valid at Fridley Liquor
No limits. No other discounts apply.Good while supplies last