FN August 2013It was a grand celebration of our community and the
weather was great for this year’s Fridley ‘49er Days
Festival. The kick-off activity was the annual parade, and
over 100 units entertained the many Fridley residents
and visitors lining the parade route. The marching bands,
floats, visiting royalty, local politicians, fire trucks, service
organizations and area businesses put on a good show.
The Fridley Lions Club members do a great job with one
of the best parades in the Twin Cities. Recently retired
Fridley City Manager Bill Burns was honored as the
Grand Marshall for this year’s parade.
The bulk of the ‘49er Days activities were moved to a
new venue this year, the Medtronic Campus on Old
Central Avenue. The new site proved to be a great
location for the festival events. The ‘49er Days
Committee and the community are grateful to
Medtronic for their support. Thanks to Gopher State
Expositions the carnival returned as part of the
celebration this year. They had a first-class carnival
complete with rides, games and good food that operated
august 2013
No. 183
A report to
the citizens of Fridley
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
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
Thursday through Sunday. The street dance crowd on
Friday night was entertained by the band “Power of 10”
and the Saturday night crowd enjoyed “Chris Brooks and
the Silver City Boys.” Saturday night the Fridley
Ambassadors Rachael Gabrelcik and Natalie Bailey were
crowned.
Some of the activities with this year’s Fridley ‘49er Days
included: the Fridley Ambassadors program, senior card
tournaments, a pizza eating contest, a pie baking contest,
a sand volleyball tournament, a tennis tournament, kids’
day activities, touch-a-truck & train, hot rod car show,
Bingo tent, Fridley idol singing competition, pickleball
clinic, Minnesota Twins baseball clinic, a fun run, and a
Fridley High School all-class reunion.
Thank you to the major sponsors of the 2013 Fridley
‘49er Days including the Fridley Lions Club, Medtronic,
Twin Cities Gateway, Cummins Power Generation and JJ
Taylor Distributing. Congratulations to the Fridley ‘49er
Days Committee on a wonderful community event.
A “New and Improved” Fridley ‘49er Days
Fridley
Check out our website for more info
www.FridleyMN.gov/youth-trips
763-572-3570
Fridley Parks & Recreation
School’s Out
Day Trips
October 16, 17, 18 & 21
page 2 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
City Changes
Business Hours
In June, the Municipal Center began new hours
of operation, with City offices closing at 4:30
p.m. This adjustment was made to better align
the City’s office hours with other state and local
governmental agencies. The Municipal Center
continues to open at 8:00 a.m.
Residents and others doing business with the City
who are unable to meet during normal business
hours are encouraged to contact the appropriate
staff members to schedule an appointment
outside normal business hours. The City’s main
switchboard can be reached by calling 763-572-
3450.
Visit the City’s website at www.FridleyMN.gov
for the latest news, upcoming events, and online
services.
The impacts of the past legislative session could
have far-reaching effects on the City’s finances.
One of the most commonly known financing tools
for many municipalities is Local Government
Aid (LGA), which experienced major reform this
past session. Other legislative changes include
reinstating the general sales tax exemption for cities
and counties, police and fire pension reform, and
the implementation of property tax levy limits for
2014.
Over the last several years, LGA has been
susceptible to last minute legislative budget cuts
and had truly become an unreliable source of
funding for Fridley as well as many other cities. To
protect the City from the impact of last minute
funding cuts, LGA has been moved out of the
General Fund to Capital Project Funds. The
philosophy behind the move is that the General
Fund is mostly operational funding which must
continue from year-to-year. Whereas, Capital
Project Funds are usually one-time purchases that
have more flexibility in delaying or postponing
purchases if funding changes.
The amount of LGA received over the past few
years has been approximately $760,000. The new
LGA formula along with additional State
appropriation will increase Fridley’s share to $1.2
million in 2014. If LGA reform did not happen
this past session, Fridley’s LGA share was scheduled
to be reduced to $484,000.
In June, the City Council met with staff in a
budget study session to review the preliminary
2014-18 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). The
LGA increases are tentatively targeted for building
and park improvements, along with capital
equipment replacement purchases. If the new LGA
formula becomes reliable from year-to-year, the
City will be able to decrease the reliance on
equipment certificates for capital equipment
purchases, which translates into lower property
taxes.
Another change that will have a positive impact on
City finances is reinstating of the sales tax
exemption. Starting January 1, 2014, cities and
counties will no longer have to pay general sales tax
on purchases. The City often hears from vendors
that they are surprised the City has to pay sales tax.
cities and counties have paid sales tax since 1992.
Preliminary calculations estimate that the General
Fund may save up to $100,000 by eliminating
sales tax.
Police and Fire pension reform was another major
change enacted this past session. Reform of the
pension fund was needed in order to ensure
continued viability for the foreseeable future.
Changes include marginal increases in both the
employer and employee contributions over the
next two years. Additional changes include
increasing the early retirement reduction
percentage, limiting annual cost of living
adjustments to one percent until the fund is 90%
funded, and finally, delaying the first retiree
increase for three years.
Finally, property tax levy limits were enacted as
part of the Omnibus tax bill. Fridley’s City
Charter has its own provision that limits property
tax levy increases to the CPI or 5 percent,
whichever is less. Under the City Charter, the
upcoming property tax levy was projected to be
capped at about 2.2 percent according to the CPI.
The Omnibus tax bill enacted a 3 percent levy
limit increase on property taxes. However,
provisions in the law also take into account
increases in LGA for the upcoming year. As a
result, the City’s general levy will likely remain flat
for next year.
Overall, the past Legislative session was positive
from the City’s financial perspective. Time will tell
if State funding levels will be both stable and
sustainable. The City’s next budget study session is
planned for August 19, with the preliminary levy
scheduled to be approved at the August 26 Council
meeting. A final budget study session will be held
in October with final levy and budget approval
scheduled for December.
If you have questions or comments, please contact
Darin Nelson, Finance Director, at 763-572-3520
or Darin.Nelson@FridleyMN.gov.
Legislative Session Impacts City Finances
Fridley Community Calendar
August
1 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
5 Parks & Recreation Commission
7 Appeals Commission
12 City Council
21 Planning Commission
26 City Council
September
2 City Offices Closed in Observance of
Labor Day
4 Appeals Commission
5 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
9 City Council
Charter Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
10 Environmental Quality & Energy Commission
18 Planning Commission
23 City Council
NOTE:All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and are held at the
Municipal Center, 6431 University Ave 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.
On July 8, the Fridley City Council awarded
the Oak Glen Creek Erosion Control Project
to Blackstone Contracting of Corcoran in the
amount of $263,516. Six bids were received on
June 27 for the project.
The project consists of a wide variety of corrective
actions aimed at eliminating severe erosion along
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 3
Oak Glen Creek Project Update
Glen Creek between East River Road and the
Mississippi River. To date, the corrective actions
have included removal of selected trees and the
preparation of brush bundles to be used as
revetments placed on stream banks to absorb the
energy of runoff. Other corrective actions will
include the installation of rock check dams in the
stream, installation of rip rap along stream banks,
and erosion control blanketing and seeding.
While the contractor’s schedule is not yet available,
the project will be constructed between now and
June of 2014.
The project cost was 14% below the estimated
cost. The majority of the project will be funded by
a $379,800 Clean Water Legacy Grant received
earlier this year by the Anoka Conservation
District. Half the remaining cost will be funded
from the City’s Storm Water Fund, and the
remainder assessed to the twenty-one benefiting
property owners.
Many thanks are in order to the Anoka
Conservation District for securing the grant, and
to the Conservation Corps of Minnesota for
completion of the tree removal portion of the
project in 2012 and 2013. Thanks also to the
property owners who have supported this project
and provided easements needed to complete this
project.
New Trail Maps Available
Thanks to the City’s second State Health
Improvement Program (SHIP) grant, funding was
made available to create an improved bike and
walking trail map of the Fridley area. The new map
not only shows where trails are located, but points
out common destinations, points of interest, and
areas where it is dangerous to cross an intersection.
The map also distinguishes between different types
of trails so you can take a route that matches your
comfort level and avoid routes where you have to
share the road if you prefer an off-road trail.
The new map is a key outcome of the completion
of an Active Transportation Plan for the City,
which is the main project funded by the SHIP
grant. Planning staff has long been interested in
updating a bicycling plan from the 1970s, that
was established to guide where new trail and
sidewalk connections were needed when private
development occurred. Priorities and needs have
changed over the past 40 years,making this project
long overdue. With various state and federal grant
opportunities available occasionally and new
redevelopment projects occurring in the
community, it was time for the City Council to
establish a new plan that sets priorities for when
funding became available. Completion of the map
also fulfills an action step in the Transportation
section of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
A limited quantity of the new maps is available in
the Parks and Recreation Department if you want
to pick up a copy, or it can be viewed and
downloaded from the City’s website under “Parks
& Rec” and “Fridley Connects.”
Are You Receiving
“Twin Cities Value?”
If you are receiving purple, yellow, or orange
bags with ad circulars on your driveway or in
your non-postal mailbox, and you do not want
the information, you can opt out of the delivery
by calling 612-673-7305 or by e-mailing
TCV@startribune.com.
“Twin Cities Value” is primarily intended for
homeowners who do not subscribe to the
StarTribune, as the ads are included in the
newspaper.
Municipal Center
Parking Ramp
Under Repair
If you have been to the Municipal Center over the
last couple of months, you may have noticed the
street entrance to the upper level of the parking ramp
is closed. Parking is still available on the upper level
via the Fairview Clinic parking lot directly south of
the ramp. Parking is still open and available on the
lower level of the parking ramp. Additional
temporary parking can also be found directly to the
south of the municipal center across Fourmies
Avenue in the northwest corner of the Fairview
Clinic parking lot.
The parking deck was inspected by the City’s
structural engineers that specialize in post-tensioned
parking structures. The parking deck is structurally
sound, but years of water intrusion have caused
corrosion issues. The scope of work to be performed
has not been completely identified, but will likely
include significant repair to the east wall, along with
waterproofing on the south side.
If you have additional questions, please contact Jim
Kosluchar, Public Works Director, at 763-572-3550
or Jim.Kosluchar@FridleyMN.gov.
Fridley residents have an opportunity to get rid of old
fluorescent tubes, electronics like televisions and DVD
players, appliances, scrap metal, car batteries, small
engines (ex. lawnmowers) and bicycles. Charges apply
for larger items. Old prescription drugs in their original
containers are collected for disposal, also.
Questions about the Fridley Drop-off events or
recycling? Call or go online at:
www.FridleyMN.gov/recycling-drop-off-days.
Fall Recycling
Drop-off
October 12 • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
City of Fridley Public Works
400 71st Ave NE • 763-572-3594
Elections News
page 4 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
Governor Dayton signed into law Chapter
131, the Omnibus Elections bill (HF 894),
on May 23, 2013, that was passed on a
bipartisan basis. Most of the changes affect
the administration of the elections; however,
there are a few changes that affect voters.
Some of these changes include:
•Allowing voters the ability to cast an
absentee ballot without an excuse for
elections becomes effective January 1, 2014;
•Reducing the number of voters a voucher may
vouch for from 15 to 8; and
•Creating a pilot e-Pollbook for 2013 to allow
electronic registration in a few cities and
requiring the Secretary of State to evaluate
the project and report to the Legislature by
January 31, 2014.
Anoka County has signed an agreement with
ES&S Elections Systems for the purchase of new
voting equipment and software through a Joint
Powers Agreement with the County, Municipalities
and School Districts. Our current voting
equipment was purchased in 2000. The technology
is old, and we can no longer buy parts or service for
the equipment. The election equipment will be
purchased by Anoka County, and the cities will pay
an annual software and maintenance fee to Anoka
County. While the City is paying software and
maintenance fees, the cost is actually about $7,000
less than the purchase of 2000 equipment. The
equipment will be delivered to the cities and school
districts in August and will be used for elections
held in 2013.
This fall, the City of Fridley does not have any
elections. However, two of the four school districts
are holding elections for School Board Members.
On November 5, Fridley School District
ISD #14 will hold its election at Fridley High
School, 6000 West Moore Lake Drive, and Spring
Lake Park ISD #16 will hold its election for Fridley
voters at Woodcrest Elementary School, 880
Osborne Road NE. If you have any questions
about the school district elections, you may contact
Karen Jacobs, ISD 14, at 763-502-5002 or Karen
Stifter, ISD #16, at 763-785-5513. For Absentee
Ballot information, please call Anoka County
Elections at 763-323-5275.
Annual Fridley
Fire Department
Open House
Saturday, October 5, 2013
from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at Station 1 –6431 University Avenue
Park Recycling Expanded
As you visit City parks this summer, you may
notice new recycling carts. Thanks to additional
grant funding from Anoka County, the City has
been able to expand recycling opportunities in
many City parks this year. The carts being used
look very similar to carts that residents now use for
placement of recyclables at the curb. In addition,
the recyclables the City is able to collect in the
parks also includes all of the same materials you
can recycle at home in Fridley.
So, besides the plastic water bottle or can of pop
you enjoy while watching a little league game,
many other items can be recycled in the parks too.
T h i n g s l i k e y o u r
youngster’s juice box or
a yogurt container could
al so be pu t i n th e
recycling bin. Don’t
forget that so many
more things can be
recycled rather than
placed in the trash now, like plastics marked 1-7.
If you have not taken a look lately, it is good to
view the recycling information on the City’s
website at www.FridleyMN.gov and search for the
word “recycling.”
Heat No Match for
Fire Explorers
Learning for Life Explorers are young people ages
14 - 20 years old who experience real-world, hands-
on career experience through partnerships with
businesses, organizations, and government agencies.
One career area of Learning for Life Explorers is
firefighting, and it is sponsored by local fire
departments like Fridley. On Saturday, May 18,
twenty-four Fire Explorers from Columbia Heights,
Fridley, West Metro Fire District and Woodbury
Fire Departments gathered at the fire training
facility in Fridley to train on firefighting skills.
The firefighting Explorer groups in the metro area
train together quarterly. On this particular weekend
Fridley Fire Explorer Advisors Dean Knowles and
Dave Neubarth organized the event at the Training
Center located behind Columbia Arena on
University Avenue. Nine Fridley explorers
participated with the group in two events.
Unfortunately, rain on that day postponed some of
the additional planned events.
Explorers don firefighting protective clothing
including breathing apparatus and having secured
their hose lines move in on a raging car fire. The
heat is intense as they begin to cool the flames. The
force of the water from the hose strains the
Explorer’s forward movement. The water cools the
fire, it’s almost out… POP! the fire re-ignites under
the car. Eventually the flames die down, go out and
several sweaty smiling faces emerge from their
protective masks. The car is really a burned out
vehicle that was acquired from a local towing
company and the flames are fed by propane
carefully controlled by a firefighter observing the
exercise. Additional trained firefighters are on hand
to guide the Explorers through the exercise.
Having completed the car fire exercise, the explorers
move into the residential training building and
again don their protective clothing. They move in
teams through the darkened room simulating a
search for people in a smoke filled environment.
The only things guiding them are their sense of
touch and hearing. Throughout the room there are
obstacles that they must overcome. They must also
learn to literally stretch their ability search the room
using each other as a chain. They learn to control
their breathing and communicate with their
teammates to negotiate the course. What’s at the
end of the course? Pizza! What’s a training event for
teenagers without a lot of food? The pizza was
provided compliments of The Zza Factory located
in Holly Center on Mississippi Street.
Rain dampened the Explorer’s plans for other
exercises outside on that Saturday, but they had the
opportunity to show off their skills, learn new skills,
make friends, build teamwork and most
importantly have fun!
If you have an interest in becoming a fire explorer,
contact the Fridley Fire Department at 763-572-
3613, visit our web site at www.FridleyMN.gov or
the Exploring Learning for Life web site at
exploring.learningforlife.org.
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 5
The beleaguered housing market is showing signs
of recovery; good news for many homeowners
looking to sell or refinance. There are a number of
signs that the Fridley housing market is a part of
this metro-wide trend as well. Like most
communities, the inventory of homes is lower than
last year at this time, and the mortgage rates are
more favorable than last summer. New
construction on a limited number of vacant lots in
the City is also showing promise.
This year’s market appears to have a smaller
percentage of distressed homes and an increased
presence from the traditional seller. Strong demand
has meant multiple offers on many listings and this
has fueled the price increases. Homes in “turn-key”
condition are faring the best, with offers over list
price and shorter marketing times. One downside
of this for the seller is greater pressure to find that
next house amid stiff competition and increasing
prices. Those looking to re-finance are also
benefitting from the price increases, as comparable
sales needed to support strong loan-to-value ratios
are becoming more available.
The Fridley market was surveyed for the
period including the 4th quarter of 2012 through
June 12, 2013. That same period was then
compared to the prior year, revealing an overall
increase of just over 13%, with nearly equal sales
volume in both periods. Condominium units have
done particularly well, with a sharp increase at 34%
for the average sales price. It should be noted that
this is on four sales versus six sales in the prior
period and this large increase is likely to come
down as the sales trickle in during the remaining
months of the selling season. Townhomes have
risen only 5%, but the volume of closed sales is up
30%. Single family detached homes are the big
winners so far, with an increase of 15% over last
year’s prices.
These large increases have not been seen since the
early to mid-2000s and are a cause of concern for
some. Though many similarities exist between this
market and those hyper-inflated markets that led to
the housing bubble, these gains appear a more
reasonable response to favorable market conditions
and have not given way to irrational enthusiasm as
of yet. These price gains are similar in magnitude to
some of the worst year-to-year losses and might just
be the market’s return to a more traditional growth
rate. Looking at sales data from as far back as 1992,
you can see a trend of nearly 3% growth in real
estate until 1997, when the market began to take
off. By 2006, the market levels off and then begins
a sharp descent which carried on through much of
the 2012 selling season. If you plot a theoretical
growth rate at 3% from 1992 to now, actual prices
are still below that trendline, suggesting further
gains above the average growth rate are needed to
get back to the historical norms of 2 to 3% growth
per year. If interest rates stay reasonably low and the
job market continues to improve, real estate should
be poised to achieve better than average growth
over the next few years.
We can all agree that rising home values are a good
thing and this is a signal of an economy on the
mend. It would be easier to feel confident in these
values if the changes in value were not so drastic
and the market not so volatile. Just as businesses
strive for predictable cash flows, homeowners hope
for growth in their equity and the confidence that
it will not be stripped away. Lessons learned on
many levels should help keep the mistakes that led
to the housing bubble from being repeated.
Lending is much more restrictive, appraisers are
now buffered from lenders, and consumers appear
to be less apt to use their homes as a source of
finance for non-durable goods.
Real Estate Values Moving Up
Fridley Offers Two
Community Gardens
Despite the late spring and inclement weather,
Fridley’s Community Gardens are planted and
expecting a bountiful fall harvest. There are two
Community Gardens located within the City of
Fridley offering nearly 100 garden plots to
residents, groups, employers and non-residents.
The City of Fridley Parks and Recreation
Department sponsors one community garden,
located on the west end of Locke Park, next to the
Public Works Maintenance facility and the other is
sponsored by Unity Hospital, located on the south
end of their parking lot.
Both groups provide tilled and irrigated spaces for
gardeners of all abilities and interests for a low-cost
fee—under $40 for a 15' x 20' plot (approx.).
Compost areas are available as well.
Spots fill up early, so start planning your garden
for next year, and look for registration information
in the spring. Gardens are open from late-May
through September. For more information, go to
the City of Fridley’s website at FridleyMN.gov
or call 763-572-3570 or Unity Hospital at
UnityGardens@allina.com or call 763-236-3282.
The Fridley Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) originally created the Housing
Replacement Program in 1995 for the purpose
of removing older, substandard housing and
replacing it with new housing. Because of the large
number of foreclosures that started in 2008, the
program was reestablished by the Minnesota
Legislature in 2010. The goals of the program
are to eliminate blight, preserve and expand the
City’s tax base and encourage neighborhood
revitalization through re-investment.
All of the properties acquired by the HRA, are
purchased on a voluntary basis directly from the
owner, whether it be an individual or bank. In
some cases, the sites are acquired through a tax
forfeiture. Once acquired, the structures are
demolished and the lots are then sold on a first-
come, first-served basis.
Over the past year, a total of 13 new homes
have been built, by three different builders, with
values ranging between $179,000 and $225,000.
The HRA encourages home designs which are
complementary to the neighborhoods in which
they are built. The homes must have a mix of low
maintenance materials on the exterior and must be
owner occupied.
For more information on the Housing
Replacement Program, contact Paul Bolin,
Assistant HRA Director, at 763-572-3591. A list
of available properties can be found on the City’s
website at FridleyMN.gov/housing-replacement-
program.
Housing Replacement Program Successful
Before 5825 21⁄2 Street After
Are you creative?
Do you like the smell of pumpkin guts
on a frosty October evening?
We are ready for you!
We have the pumpkins, tools, and patterns.
You supply the skill and talent.
Together we will be a winning combination.
Call the Nature Center to book your time slot!
Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave, Fridley • 763.572.3588
October 15-18, times vary
It is the middle of the night
and you believe you may be
having a heart attack. You call
9-1-1 for help, emergency
responders are quickly on their
way. When they arrive in your
neighborhood, will they be
able to locate your house?
Without the proper address
posted, it can be very difficult
for police officers, firefighters
and paramedics to determine
where an emergency might be.
The importance of a visible
address can be life-saving.
Every residence should have a
plainly legible address number
posted in a position to be
clearly visible from the street
or road front of the property.
Arabic numbers sh ou l d
contrast in color to their
background, and be a minimum size
of 4 inches high with at least a half
inch stroke width. Trees and brush
should be kept clear of the address. A
light illuminating the number during
night-time h ours is stron gly
recommended.
Beginning in August, Fridley
firefighters will be checking
residences and notifying property
owners if their address numbers
are not clearly posted. Minnesota
State Fire Code and the City
Ordinance allow for enforcement of
address numbers. The code language
can be found on the City website at
www.FridleyMN.gov. We would like
to work with all residents to help
ensure a quick response at the time of
an emergency. Questions can be
directed to the Fire Department staff
at 763-572-3612.
page 6 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
Back to School Safety
It is almost that time of the year again. Many
children are both excited about and dreading the
return of the school year. The City of Fridley and
the Fire Department would like to offer some
safety tips to make the transition back to school an
uncomplicated and safe one.
Parents, please take some extra time to work with
your children on planning a safe route to school.
Whether your child will be riding a bus, walking
or bicycling, it is a good idea to review and practice
their route ahead of time. Not only should the
child be comfortable knowing which direction to
take, it is also important to know how much time
may be needed and to have a back-up route.
Making the transition into the classroom changes
morning routines, meals and timing, and activity
levels. Including your child in the meal planning
and preparation process, helps them to learn about
healthy choices. In the week or two prior to school
starting, beginning the new schedule and routine
will eliminate a shock to their new day-to-day
timetable. While the typical school-day may
involve mostly sitting at a desk, their bodies still
require physical activity. Plan for time after school
and on days off to encourage physical activity.
If your child is starting school for the first time,
joining a new school or even nervous about a new
teacher, there are a few suggestions to aid in this
change. Visiting the classroom and meeting a
teacher prior to the first day of class can help
relieve some of the anxiety of the new experience.
Asking questions and hearing the concerns of
young children may ease the nerves of this big
stepping stone. Allowing your child to select their
backpack or a new set of clothing to wear on the
first day will provide some excitement and
confidence.
We would also like to ask all motorists on the road
to take some extra time for travel and be careful.
Minnesota law requires all vehicles to stop when a
school bus is loading or unloading children. Ten
feet on either side of a school bus is the most
dangerous area with regards to children being hit.
As children near a bus can be very unpredictable,
it is important to visually ensure a child’s
whereabouts prior to continuing your travel.
Many children may also be on the road bicycling
or walking to school. Make sure to always stop for
pedestrians in a cross-walk. Be mindful not to stop
directly in a cross-walk, which may place a
pedestrian in the path of traffic. Taking some extra
time and care allows both drivers and pedestrians
to share the road safely.
Visible Address Numbers Help Save Lives
Did You Know?
City Council meetings, along with other
commission meetings and City programming,
can be viewed on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. The beauty of viewing a program on-line
is that it can be done to fit your schedule.
Please visit http://FridleyTV.pegcentral.com for
a listing of available programming.
Here is just a sample of what’s available to be
viewed on-line:
•Council Meetings
•Community Development Journal
•Various Senior & Encore Group
Presentations
•Community Events
•Call on the Council
•Commission Meetings
Update on Safe
Routes to School
Projects
On April 22, the City Council approved
planned improvements for a funded Safe
Routes to School Project, and authorized a bid
advertisement for the project. City staff, who
have been finalizing details of design, have
encountered some challenges retrofitting
existing sidewalks and trails as the project has
progressed. The project is anticipated to be
awarded this summer, and work will begin this
fall and be completed in the spring.
Planned improvements include enhanced
visibility stop signs, new connecting trails and
secure bike parking areas at Fridley Middle
School. Near Hayes Elementary, new sidewalks
are planned for the intersection of 67th Street
and Monroe Street. Driver feedback speed signs
are also planned on Mississippi Street near
Hayes Elementary. Stevenson Elementary on
East River Road is slated to get a new walk
connection from Georgetown Apartments to
the school along East River Road, as well as a
repaved trail connection to River Edge Way
with lighting improvements. These connections
will allow more children to walk or bike to
school without traveling along East River Road.
The City had applied for a second Safe Routes
to School Grant this year that would have
provided a raised trail along 7th Street, and off-
road bike lane connections at the 61st Avenue
crossing at University Avenue and Highway 65,
but that project proposal was not funded.
Providing safe routes to school is a high priority
in the recently completed Active Transportation
Plan, so the City will continue to pursue
funding options to allow young residents who
live close to school to get to school on their own
power safely.
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Safety Camp was a Great Success!
For the 19th year in a row, the Fridley Police, Fire
and Recreation Departments hosted their annual
two-day Safety Camp on June 11 and 12 for
children who are entering 3rd or 4th grade. As has
been the case for many years, the camp was filled to
capacity and then some! A total of 161 children
enjoyed this fun-filled, educational experience that
aims to teach them about safety and help them
develop an awareness of the importance of living
safely.
Although the rain was pretty consistent on
Wednesday, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the
children!!
Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death
and disabling injury for children ages 0-14. The
main goal of Safety Camp is to help reduce the
number of these incidents. Safety Camp gives the
kids the skills necessary to cope with emergency
situations and enables them to make better
decisions in their lives.
During the two days, the children were divided
into six groups and each group had 3-4 adult
counselors. This year’s counselors included, from
the Police Department, Sgt. Steve Monsrud,
Officers Nick Knaeble, Nick Kaufer, Todd
Desjardin, Kevin Titus, Ryan George, Joe Magña,
and Mark Mickelson. The Fire Department
counselors were Todd Messer, Walt Messer, Renee
Hamdorf, Matt Allard, and Brian George. The
Parks and Recreation Department provided
Jennifer Rathsack, Shannon Nelson, Clinton
Olson, and Cassie Hupp. Allina Medical
Transportation also provided counselors, including
Kristine Kozer, Dan Seiberlich, Adam Harvey, and
Jamie Elzen. In addition, the spouse of one of the
police officers, Jessica Strange George, was a
counselor.
There were also other volunteers/staff that provided
assistance with various camp duties. These included
firefighter Dave Larson, Police Department
employees Myra Harris Johnson and Ginny
Helseth-Miller, Fridley School District employees
Jeanette Grant and Bobbie Johnson, and Senior
Volunteers Ann and Dewey Bangen, Dean Olson,
and Margaret Tschaekofske.
The campers and counselors listened to a wide
variety of speakers including a bullying prevention
program put on by PACER’S Kids Against
Bullying Puppet Program; home and fire safety
offered by Garrett Parten from the SBM Fire
Department; and wise decisionmaking/healthy
choices by quadriplegic Don Bania. Fridley’s K-9
Officer Gregg Olson provided a demonstration
with his partner, Nitro. Springbrook Nature Center
staff educated the kids about outdoor safety;
CLIMB Theater talked to the campers about health
and wellness, learning about nutritional
information and the value of exercise everyday;
Connexus Energy did a presentation on electrical
safety; while Creature Encounters talked about
animal safety. Allina Health talked to the kids
about sports injury prevention and fun with First
Aid.
Always a highlight for the campers is the chance for
free swim at the Fridley Middle School, after they
learn a bit about water safety!
The campers received a new bike helmet in
addition to their Safety Camp t-shirt, a tote bag
filled with goodies, a certificate and medallion, plus
loads of food for their $30 camp fee! They were also
measured to see to see how tall they are to
determine if they need to be riding in a booster seat
to ride SAFELY in the car. As is always the case, the
majority of the campers do need a booster seat to
ride safely.
To recognize the success of the campers, a
graduation ceremony was held at the Fridley High
School auditorium for the campers and their
families. The campers proudly walked on stage
with their counselors who were in uniform, to
receive their medallion. During the two days of
camp, the majority of the kids did not know the
occupation of their counselor. The look on their
faces when they saw them in uniform at the Ice
Cream Social/Graduation Ceremony was
priceless!!!
Safety Camp could not function without the
generous donations from the many sponsors,
including Allina Health, Unity Hospital, Anoka
County Safe Kids, Arctic Glacier Ice, BoB’s
Produce, Columbia Heights/Fridley Kiwanis,
Dunn Bros Coffee, Friendly Chevrolet, Fridley Fire
Auxiliary, Fridley Lions, Fridley McDonald’s,
Fridley Perkins, Fridley Target, Frito Lay, Pickle
Park, Showplace Theater and Voigt’s Bus
Company.
Thanks to all the sponsors, counselors, volunteers,
instructors and kids who made this year’s Safety
Camp a very special two-day – albeit wet –
experience! Judging by the very favorable
comments from the parents of the participants,
Safety Camp provided a very memorable, fun, and
valuable experience for all those involved.
K9s Recertified at
USPCA Trials
Police Service Dogs Nitro and Kona, along with
their handlers, Officer Gregg Olson and Officer
Matt Noren, participated in the United States
Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 12
Police Dog 1 (PD1) Certification Field Trials on
July 1 and 2 hosted by the Nicollet County
Sheriff’s Office in St. Peter, Minnesota. This year,
75 patrol dogs participated in the regional trials.
The USPCA PD1 is a test of all the abilities a
properly trained police service dog should
perform. For the safety of the officers and the
public, the certification tests multiple areas police
service dogs should be proficient in. Like most
certificates of performance, police service dogs are
certified annually. We are justifiably proud that
both of our K9 teams passed the required phases of
Obedience, Agility, Suspect Search, Evidence
Search, and Criminal Apprehension for their PD1
recertification.
The USPCA is the oldest and largest organization
to certify and set standards for police service dogs
in the world. USPCA Region 12 represents the
states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota,
South Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. Russ Hess,
Executive Director of the USPCA notes that
certification under the USPCA guidelines offers a
creditable test, that is not a simple pass or fail
standard, but one, which actually measures the
team’s efficiency. Hess, a retired K-9 handler and
police chief from Ohio, says, “The USPCA
certification assured me my teams were held at the
highest standard. Certification is a national level of
recognized performance. It requires training,
training and more training. It is my insurance as a
handler that I have documentation on my abilities.
I know it provides me with back up if those
qualifications or my dog’s qualifications are ever
questioned.”
Congratulations to the K9 teams!
Anyone with questions about the Fridley Police
Department’s Police Canine program may contact
Captain Brian Weierke at 763-572-3632 or by
email at Brian.Weierke@FridleyMN.gov.
MWMO Funding for
Stevenson Elementary
School Ravine Project
At its May, 2013, board meeting, the Mississippi
Watershed Management Organization (MWMO)
allocated $130,000 for a ravine restoration project at
the Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School. The
project is intended to reduce erosion and promote
native plant growth at the storm sewer outfall to the
Mississippi River. The project will reduce sediment
loading to the river, and provide an educational
opportunity for students. Selection of a design team
for the project is underway, and the MWMO hopes
to begin construction of the project in 2013.
The MWMO is one of three watershed
organizations in Fridley that are active in protecting
surface water quality, and covers the southeast area of
Fridley. The MWMO provides for the long-term
management of its water and associated land
resources through the development and
implementation of projects, programs, and policies
that respect ecosystem principles and reflect
changing community values.
For more information on the MWMO, or if you are
seeking assistance for a project or program to
improve water quality, visit the MWMO website at
www.mwmo.org. For any specific information on
this project, contact Public Works Director Jim
Kosluchar at 763-572-3550.
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As unbelievable as it may seem, the first five-year
review of the railroad “Quiet Zone” is due this fall.
Fridley’s Quiet Zone became effective October 21,
2008, when the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) issued an order to all railroads operating
over the BNSF mainline tracks in Fridley directing
engineers to not sound their horns. Absent such an
order, federal rules require locomotive engineers to
sound their horns upon approach to a road
crossing in the characteristic pattern of two longer
blasts, then a shorter one, followed by another long
sounding blast that should last until the lead
engine is actually in the crossing. With nearly 60
trains operating through Fridley at all hours of each
day on multiple crossings, area residents found it
hard to carry on phone calls, conversations with
family and friends, or to sleep.
Fridley staff worked for several years with area
residents and businesses, FRA staff, MnDOT
personnel, Anoka County Highway engineers, and
BNSF representatives to modify the grade crossings
at Osborne Road and 77th Way. In order to
maintain or even enhance safety at Quiet Zone
crossings, the FRA has identified several
modifications that communities may make.
Fridley’s crossings were treated with extended
medians on both sides of the tracks at both grade
crossings, and three private driveways were
converted to right-in/right-out access. In addition,
reflective delineators and signs advising motorists
and pedestrians that train horns are not routinely
sounded at the two crossings were installed. These
changes resulted in an improved safety score for
both crossings and qualified for an FRA Quiet
Zone order. These modifications cost $122,000
and were drawn from Fridley’s Municipal State Aid
Street funds.
The City received many positive comments and
“thank yous” from area residents once the train
horns fell silent. We also field calls from residents
when trains sound horns in or near the Quiet Zone
for other purposes inquiring as to the reason. It is
important to remember that a Quiet Zone order
only addresses the routine sounding of train horns
upon approach to grade crossings. Trains are still
required to sound horns at other times to warn
vehicles or pedestrians who are too close to the
tracks, to signal the impending movement of a
stopped train, in work zones, or in an emergency.
This fall marks the first of what will likely be
several five-year renewals of Fridley’s Quiet Zone.
The FRA requires that Fridley and Anoka County
update the average daily traffic counts on Osborne
Road and 77th Way at the tracks and BNSF to
update their daily train counts. Fridley must verify
that the safety enhancements remain in place and
continue to meet FRA requirements. Finally, City
staff must notify BNSF, Amtrak, MnDOT, and
Anoka County that all requirements have been met
and that the City intends to maintain the Quiet
Zone. These activities began in May of 2013 and
will be completed prior to the October, 2013,
deadline for Fridley’s Quiet Zone renewal.
If you have any questions or comments regarding
the Quiet Zone, please contact either Public Works
Director Jim Kosluchar at 763-572-3550, or
Public Safety Director Don Abbott at 763-572-
3529.
Quiet Zone On Track for First Five-Year Renewal
Back-to-School
Special
Sign up for one class
and get the second class
at HALF price!
Programs at Hayes and Stevenson Elementary
Recreation activities to do when the school day ends. 3:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Fridley’s Recreation After-School Program
offers something for everyone! Check out our
website for more information and class offerings.
www.FridleyMN.gov • 763-572-3570
Mummy’s love the Halloween Party!
Kids love Soccer League!
For up-to-date
construction information,
visit MnDOT’s website:
www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/694west/