1999 Fall City of RicHey
C0111MIM
ae F all No 1999 102
Music, Fireworks Part of Birthday Party
After an event-packed sum- nity Center and continue at the Center before being sealed.
mer of exciting 50th Anniversary high school football field. Here Beginning around 7 p.m.,
activities, our community cel- is what is planned: there will be a formal 50th
ebration continues into the fall A huge birthday cake will be Anniversary program at the high-
with
ighwith a big Birthday Bash on provided by McGlynn's begin- school football stadium.
Saturday, September 18th. (If ning at 6:30 p.m. at the The Minneapolis Commodore
the weather doesn't cooperate, Community Center. Chorus will perform at 8 p.m.
the get-together will be held on Essays from the American Fireworks will be presented
Sunday, September 19th). Legion's contest will be between 9 and 9:30 p.m. in the
Come celebrate 50 years with displayed. Commons Park area, with
friends and neighbors at The Historical Society's time viewing from the high school
Fridley's Birthday Party! capsule contents will be on football field bleachers.
Festivities begin at the Commu- final display at the Community
Nearly 4000 Residents
Celebrate National Night Out
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd, four fire
trucks, eight police cars,a mountain bike, and
assorted other vehicles left city hall to visit the
72 block parties celebrating National Night Out. 9.e�
"O. C. Bee" from Old County Buffet joined
McGruff this year. Between 3,500 and 4,000 ,a
�I
residents were out meeting neighbors,sampling
goodies and catching up on neighborhood
news. After visits from Police and Fire, Eunice
Roberts from Windemere Circle advised that m `�
"all were good ambassadors".
New additions to National Night Out activi-
ties included a block party hosted by Determan
Browne for their neighbors on 72nd Avenue.
Fridley Terrace residents enjoyed "supper in
the street"hosted by their management. At the same time, residents at Cheri Lane Apartments got
acquainted over a barbecue.
In addition to Police Officers and Firefighters, guests at block parties included Spring Lake Park
Senior High members of LEO Club (affiliated with the Spring Lake Park Lions) who distributed over
150 donated books to children attending the various block parties. Fridley's Mayor and City Council
members also visited parties and fielded many questions from the various neighborhoods.
Numerous residents commented that this year was their best turnout yet. All indicated they are
looking forward to National Night Out 2000.
Y2K Community Readiness
Are You Ready for the Millennium?
Some Tips for Every Resident to Ponder
Most experts feel that there will about compliance and testing that 5. Get Involved in Volunteer
be minimal, if any, effects from has been done on that piece of Activities to Help Prepare Your
Y2K, but you can prepare for pos- equipment and advice on what Neighbors
sible Y2K problems with a few you can do if it has been found to Be a good neighbor by check-
common sense precautions. Pre- be non-compliant. ing on the elderly and the frail.
pare your home and family just Help to make them aware of how
as you would for problems caused 3. Keep Paper Copies
y p the Y2K problem may affect their
by a good old Minnesota blizzard. There are other things you can do to be prepared: protect lives. Another benefit to neighbor
your personal finances by keep- organization is raising your
General Readiness Tips ing paper copies of all your state- neighborhood's level of security by
• Run errands ahead of time. ments that reflect the current participating in your Neighbor-
Go grocery shopping in status of all your accounts. This hood Block Crime Watch Group.
advance-keep at least one includes bank accounts, credit Call Rosie Griep at 572-3638 if you
week's worth of groceries card accounts, investment need information for your neigh-
on hand. borhood.
accounts, retirement accounts,
• Keep your automobile's gas mortgage payments, etc. There is Another thing to consider:
tank at least half full; it is no need to close or withdraw from
Generators. If you choose to
not a safe practice to store any of your accounts if you keep
purchase a home generator, call
quantities of gasoline. a good "paper trail".
• If you take prescription the City's Inspection Division
medications,be sure to have (572-3604) for permit informa-
up to a week's supply onResidents should tion. It may be wise to have a
hand. professional install it and give you
Keep extra supplies of take a sensible maintenance instructions. For
approach to Y2K. instance, if you do not isolate
batteries and flashlights pp
around the house. Prepare as if we were circuits when in use, generators
going to have a good can spike back into the lines and
possibly injure electrical workers.
Y2K-Specific Readiness old Minnesota blizzard. To prevent back spikes,generators
Tips should not be connected to a
home's central wiring. Instead,
1. Determine Which Automated 4. Be Prepared systems that are to be powered by
Systems will be Affected Much like awinter storm,Y2K the generator should be directly
Residents should remember has the potential of knocking out wired or plugged into the genera-
that Y2K only affects those power and impeding transporta- tor. Small portable generators also
systems that rely on a date func- tion for a while. NSP will most produce carbon monoxide and can
tion. Once this is determined,note likely be able to get power to your be lethal in nonventilated areas.
which systems are important to home,but check your thermostat. Keep them outside or in a garage
your security or health and Is it programmable or is it with the door open. When storing
research or replace them. mechanical?If it is programmable, fuel, be sure to use a U.L.-listed
contact the manufacturer or the container which has a self-closing
2. Is Technology Y2K Ready? heating/cooling company that lid and a fire screen. Store fuel
Your next step is to determine installed it to determine if it will away from flames and outside of
if your equipment is Y2K compli- have a problem with date or time the home.
ant. Contact the manufacturer, functions on January 1, 2000.
who can provide information
2 City of Fridley
72K Community Readiness
City Prepares What Our Service
for Y2K The Y2K Problem Providers are
The millennium bug, or Saying about Y2K
Fridley is working diligently to Year 2000 problem (Y2K),
put its programs and functions springs from computer pro- NSP has publicly stated that
in a state of readiness so that grams that store dates in a there is no greater risk be
,
there are no interruptions in ser- two-digit field: for instance, without power on January 1,
vices or operations on January "1989" is stored as "89.,, 2000, than on any other day.
1st. City staff has conducted When 2000 rolls around, MNDOT has stated that if there
internal audits of equipment and programs that haven't been
have corrected or replaced items updated might interpret is electrical power,the traffic sig-
that were of concern. 4400" as "1900" instead of pals will work.
Water and sewer are the 442000".
primary critical service that the Because many programs Gas companies continue to re-
City provides to residents. use and store dates for mind us that their service does
Generators have been purchased many reasons, the effects of not rely computer chips. Gas
for the sewer lift stations in case the problem are unpredict- is pressure fed through pipes
of power failure. The water is able. powered by gas engines that are
gravity fed. Similarly, genera- fueled by the gas in the pipes.
The only role of a computer is to
tors are in place at our water
facilities. The City has a 24-hour monitor gas flow.
supply even without power.
These services are critical, Phone companies have added
regardless of what causes a capacity and are confident they
power loss. are ready for the millennium. As
We are also reviewing and always, the potential exists that
updating the City's Emergency an overload to the system could
Management Plan and preparing cause a delay in getting a dial
tone (much like what occurs on
to respond to community-wide Mother's Day). An overload
Y2K emergencies that may occur
as the new millennium arrives. could occur if many curious cus-
This Plan is a revised version of tomers pick up their telephones
the same Plan used for other Year 2000 Readiness at midnight on January 1, 2000.
disaster preparedness scenarios Disclosure So Why Are We Concerned
(i.e. long-term power outages or Information contained in this with Y2K if We Are Assured
floods). A contingency plan is communication relates to the There Will Be No Problems?
being considered for converting City of Fridley's Year 2000 This is a good planning
the Community Center to a con- efforts. The disclosure of this exercise. Power can be lost at
gregate care facility,if necessary. information is intended to any time for any reason; being
serve as a Year 2000 Readi-
For a brochure outlining Y2K ness Disclosure under the prepared makes sense. Y2K is
strategies and the City's Y2K Year 2000 Information and different from other emergency
preparation efforts, contact Bill situations because we know
Readiness Disclosure Act,
Champa at 572-3502, or visit the Public Law 105-271. when it will happen. We do not
City's Web site for updated infor- know what the impact will be,
mation. but our planning efforts will not
Web site address: be wasted as they can apply to
www.ci.fridley.mmus any emergency.
City of Fridley 3
Recycling & The Environment
RecyclingNews
Fall Yard Waste Site to Monthly Recycling Anoka County
Open After First Frost Drop-Offs Continue on Household Hazardous
Residents Can Bring Leaves to Second Saturday of the
Transfer Site Month Waste Site Opens
Appliances and Household
The City is planning on ope'- Goods Accepted If you have been storing that
ating its yard waste transfer site old paint or unwanted pesticide,
again this fall. For a fee, Fridley The City of Fridley will ""ting for an opportunity to get
residents may deposit leaves, rid of it, the wait is over. Anoka
grass clippings, and garden continue to host a monthly drop- County has now opened a year-
off for appliances, fluorescent
wastes at the drop-off. Brush 's bulbs, useable furniture, scrap round facility that accepts
not accepted at the City yard metal clothing and household household hazardous waste from
waste drop-off, but Anoka goods on the second Saturday of Anoka County residents at no
County now accepts brush at the charge.
Bunker Hills Compost Site for a the month through November. The site is located in Blaine at
fee. Call the County at 612- Collections are held from 9 a.m.- 3230 1015' Ave. NE. It will be
323-5730 for current fees and 3 p.m. at the old recycling open through Octoberon
center site behind Columbia Ice
hours. Arena on 71St Ave. NE. Call the Wednesdays from 2 - 8 p.m.,
The yard waste transfer site is recycling hotline at 572-3607 for Fridays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and
located behind Columbia Ice details and fees. Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Arena at 350 - 71 st Ave. NE. The From November through March,
opening date will be dependent the facility will be open
upon when we experience our November 15 is Wednesdays from 2-8 p.m. and
first frost. To find out current Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
fees and when the site is open, "America Recycles Household hazardous wastes
call the City's recorded recycling Day" accepted include: pesticides,
hotline number at 572-3607. liquid paint,mercury,paint thin-
ner, paint stripper,wood preser-
America Recycles Day is on vatives, gasoline, fuels, aerosol
Monday, November 15th. Watch cans that have contents remain-
Holiday Recycling the Anoka Shopper for informa- ing, driveway sealer,used motor
Schedule tion on upcoming events in our oil, used oil filters, antifreeze and
Please note that curbside area and where you can sign up other household products that
recycling collections for prizes. Prizes include: a are corrosive, flammable,
normally occurring on house built from recycled build- combustible or poisonous.
Thursday, November 25, ing materials, a trip to Disney Residents dropping off materi-
will instead be collected on World, and refurbished comput- als must bring identification,
Friday, November 26, due ers. The 1999 America Recycles such as a driver's license, as
to the Thanksgiving holi- Day campaign theme is "For our proof of residency. Wastes will
da Also since Christmas children's future...buy recycled not be collected from businesses,
y Additional information is
and New Year's Day occur today." schools or organizations. For
on Saturdays this year, also available at the following more information about the site,
recycling collection days website address: call Anoka County Integrated
will not change during Waste Management at 612-
those weeks. www.americarecyclesday.org 323-5730.
4 City of Fridley
Community Involvement
Open House at Citizen Survey Begins
Springbrook One Goal is to Measure Satisfaction with Services
The City of Fridley will be conduct telephone interviews on
Nature Center conducting its biennial survey of evenings and weekends. Each
residents beginning after survey will require about 45
Over the past two summers, September 7. The survey is used minutes to complete. The results
research has been conducted at to measure citizen satisfaction will be forwarded to the City
the Springbrook Nature Center with City services as well as to Council by the end of the year
in an effort to find out why 90% gather citizen input regarding and will be available for our year
of the Nature Center's wetland upcoming policy issues. It also 2000 goal-setting and budgeting
vegetation has disappeared in includes questions that are process. A summary of the
the past ten years. On Saturday, aimed at measuring citizen results will also be available on
October 16, from 10 a.m. - 3 awareness and determining the City's web site.
p.m., the public is invited to an differences in responses by If you are one of the people
open house at the Springbrook geographic area, gender,age,etc. chosen for the sample, we hope
Nature Center to see the results The survey questionnaire has you will participate. Your input
of this research. been developed by City staff and will help us identify areas of
If you have an interest in will be administered by Decision needed improvement and will
preserving the Nature Center's Resources, Ltd of Minneapolis. provide broader community
wetland habitat, this event will They will select arandom sample perspective on some very
interest you. Come take a walk- of 500 Fridley residents and will important issues.
ing tour to see the equipment
used and obtain information on
how you can personally help
mitigate your impact on the wet- It's Not Too Early to Think Snow
lands. This is an event for all New Snow Regulations to Improve Snow
ages with refreshments provided.
Removal Efforts
This past summer, the City adopted (Chapter 514). The
passed two ordinances dealing purpose of the ordinance is to
CITY OF FRIDLEY with winter snow removal activi- prohibit vehicles from pushing
WINTER PARKING ties. The first was an addition to snow onto or across City streets
RESTRICTIONS Chapter 506 (Unattended Vehicle onto boulevards ofprivate orpub-
ordinance)prohibiting the parking lic property. Property owners of
NO PARKING ON of vehicles on City streets between the removed snow are responsible
ANY CITY STREET the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 for their actions or the actions of
a.m., commencing the first day of any agent involved in the snow
November through the first day removal process. Penalties result
NOVEMBER 1 - MAY 1 of May of the following year. in a notice of the first violation
2 A.M. to 6 A.M. Vehicles parked on streets dur- with a second violation penalty
ing this time will be tagged and of$50, third $200, fourth $500,
towed as obstructions to snow not-to-exceed $700 and 90 days
plowing activities. This change in jail plus any City costs.
should expedite and improve the If you have any questions
snow plowing activities by City regarding these ordinances or
crews. would like a complete copy of the
The second ordinance, deal- ordinances, you may call the
ing with Private Property Snow Public Works Director at
and Ice Removal, was also 572-3550.
City of Fridley 5
HRA Annual
Update
Fridley Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Looking Back... an overall program to replace program to assist with extraor-
1999 is not only the last year of substandard buildings and under- dinary expenses to replace poor
the century, but the 2011 anniver- developed areas with vital, attrac- soil. American Excelsior,
sary of the Fridley HRA's redevel- tive developments that enlarge the Agro-K, and several smaller busi-
opment program. The Fridley HRA City's tax base, create jobs, and nesses along Rancher's Road
and the City Council have worked provide new housing. and Main Street are examples of
cooperatively to redevelop certain these types of projects.
areas of the City to meet a variety Redevelopment Projects
of community needs. The follow- Redevelopment activities typi- Housing Program
ing takes a look at 20 years of cally involve buying land, demol-
accomplishments, and also looksIn the early 1990s, the HRA
at the issues for the future. fishing buildings, and preparing the initiated an array of housing t
site for new development. In some programs to maintain and
cases, the HRA completed these improve Fridley's housing stock.
What is the HRA?
activities. The Christenson Unlike other cities in the metro '
According to State law, the Crossing development and the o
Mayor with the consent of the Cit area, Fridley offers a 5% loan
Y Y Target and Columbia Park Office
Council, appoints the members of buildings are examples of redevel-
program for certain types of
the Authorityfor a five year term. housing improvements. The
Y opment initiated by the HRA. The loan program is set up to
The Authority is composed of five new Medtronic campus is another
residents who volunteer their time. eventually become self-
supporting.
example. The HRA has also reim- supporting. About 200 home-
The members attend a regular bursed developers for eligible owners have taken advantage of
monthly meeting on the first expenses, like soil correction. Sev- this program. Also, the Scattered
Thursday of the month as well as eral businesses have located in the
other meetings as needed. Site Acquisition and Housing
g industrial area in the northern part Replacement Program has
The HRA uses tax increment of the City as a result of the HRA's
financing to implement a variety of
housing and redevelopment
projects. These projects are part of
FRIDLEY PLAZA
CLENICi
f
1979
Redevelopment Fridley Fridley Target Johnson Main Sam's Shorewood Advanced Moore
Program Plaza Office Northern Printing Street Club Restaurant, Companies Lake
Starts Clinic Building Operations 1985 Businesses 1986 Holly Center 1989 Racquet
1983 1983 Building 1984-87 1987 Club &
1985 Shopping Cntr.
1990
HRA Annual Update
. . . Twenty Years of Accomplishments
replaced 30 older, substandard intends to explore options to sides of the railroad tracks on the
houses with new homes in several develop a program for rehabilita- vacant land near 61 sl Avenue. The
neighborhoods. Special housing tion of multi-family housing as HRA is considering acquiring the
rehabilitation programs have also well. vacant land on the west side of the
been created for certain areas in The HRA owns the former tracks to preserve the area for a
the City. Hyde Park is an Frank's Used Car site and the station site, or possible redevelop-
example. Fridley residents can former JR Automotive site along ment. The commuter rail project
also take advantage of two University Avenue. Redevelop- is supported by many businesses
remodeling planbooks, attend an ment along University Avenue will along the corridor, including
annual remodeling fair, and enhance the vitality of adjacent Medtronic.
consult the Remodeling Advisor neighborhoods and improve the Finally, the 2151 century is off to
for remodeling ideas and services. image of the City. The HRA will be a good start with the initiation of a
working on redeveloping these new world headquarters for
Future Issues sites and will be soliciting input Medtronic. The project adds a
The next 20 years will be just from the surrounding neighbor- significant amount of tax base to
as important to the City as the last hoods. the community, and will create
20. The City is in the process of A commuter rail service between 3,000 new jobs. The Medtronic
updating its Comprehensive Plan Minneapolis and St. Cloud is project will spur additional invest-
for the future. The HRA will con- proposed by the Northstar ment and development interest in
tinue to work closely with the City Corridor Development Authority our community.
Council to implement the goals (NCDA) along the existing The HRA will continue to pur-
and visions that the community Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail- sue development opportunities
sets out in this document. road tracks. The NCDA is evaluat- that benefit the residents of
Housing rehabilitation will ing park and ride sites on both Fridley.
continue to be a priority for the
HRA. In addition to the programs
for single family housing, the HRA
77
t, O� �
1999
Rice Creek Springbrook McGlynn Bob's Norwood Agro K, Christenson North Park Goodyear Medtronic
Business Apartments Bakeries Produce, Square Rylund Crossing, Bus. Center, 1997-98 (under
Center 1991 1992 Sheet Metal 1994 1995 American Minnesota Banfill construction)
1990 Connectors, Excelsior Commercial Crossing 1999
Eco Finishing 1996 Rail 1999
1993 1997 Onan/Murphy
1999
i
i
HRA Annual Update
Onan and Murphy Warehouse Team Up!
Onan and Murphy Warehouse remove any environmental con- Fridley HRA. The purpose of the
teamed up to break ground on a cerns has been accomplished. tax increment financing assis-
400,000 square-foot warehouse The $13.5 million project cost tance was to help with soil
this spring, returning a once included $2. 1 million of correction and the extraordinary
polluted parcel into a productive remediation and site improvement public improvement costs associ-
tax base. The project was a perfect costs to make the parcel buildable. ated with the project. Storm sewer
match for both companies. Onan The project received $956,140 in and sanitary sewer lines had to be
had been leasing space from pollution clean-up funds from the jacked underneath the railroad
Murphy Warehouse on Main tracks, for example, and a
Street, but wanted to significant amount of fill and
consolidate this warehouse soil compaction had to occur
function with space for Onan's to achieve proper elevations.
vendors. Murphy Warehouse When completed, the
also wanted to build additional project will generate about
warehouse space because $475,000 in taxes per year.
existing tenants in its Roseville Even though the site is within
facility needed to be relocated. a tax increment district, the
The major hurdle was making project will create property
the land on the Onan campus taxes immediately for affected
buildable. jurisdictions. About$160,00
Thanks to the recent work will be divided between
completed by Real Estate Independent School District
Recycling Inc., the developer Department of Trade and 16, Anoka County and the City of
working on behalf of Onan and Economic Development and the Fridley beginning in the year 2001.
Murphy Warehouse, the site has Metropolitan Council,in addition Finally, Onan will add about 100
been de-listed as a superfund site, to $1.2 million of"pay as you go" new jobs as a result of this project.
and the necessary work to fully tax increment financing from the
Medtronic Breaks Ground at 100 Twin Site
Medtronic Inc. held their offi-
cial ground breaking ceremony on
June 24, 1999. Several dignitar-
ies grabbed ceremonial shovels
and scooped up the dirt to start
construction of 500,000 square
feet of corporate office space and
related facilities.
Initial summer construction
activities included a significant
amount of excavation for the
multi-level parking ramp and for
the foundations of the six other
buildings for the campus. Some
of the buildings could be occupied
as early as late fall 2000.
The new parkway being built
along the north side of the site will
take shape this fall. It is currently Senator Steve Novak, Mayor Nancy Jorgenson, Medtronic CEO Bill George,
anticipated that the road will be and the Metropolitan Council's Ted Mondale were a few of the dignitaries on
completed next year. hand on June 24 for Medtronic's ground breaking ceremony.
Home • -
Mortgages Available New Remodeling Advisor is
to Fridley First-Time Here to Help
Homebuyers
Are you thinking of
If you are a first-time remodeling? Does this
homebuyer, don't overlook the question strike dread
below-market rate financing that in your heart?Have no
is available through the fear, the Remodeling
,k
Minnesota Cities Participation Advisor of Fridley is
Program. For a limited time, here.
qualified first-time buyers can My name is Ginnyxz
receive a home mortgage at an Harrington and I am
attractive rate of 5.89% (6.65% the new Remodeling
A.P.R.). Loans can be used to Advisor for the City of
buy an existing home (max. price Fridley. I come to this
$121,842) or build a new home position with 25 years
(max. price$128,000) within the of experience in the
City of Fridley. remodeling and build-
To qualify, a household must ing industry. I am here to help contractors, costs, schedules
meet the following guidelines: you define the scope of your and building and zoning codes.
remodeling projects, research If you have any questions
1. Be a first-time buyer. the different options available regarding your remodeling
2. Only single family homes, and evaluate all possible solu- project, please contact me at
town homes or condo- tions. I can also assist you in 572-3515. 1 am in the office
miniums are eligible. answering questions regarding Tuesday through Thursday.
3. Property must be owner-
occupied within 60 days
of closing.
4. Borrower must have a
good credit rating. Get a 5% Loan to Fix-up Your Home
5. Income limits are based
on household size.
Are you planning to remodel your home in the near future? Have
you thought about financing? The Fridley HRA may be able to
Family Max. Household help. The HRA offers a variety of financing packages to meet your
Size Income home improvement needs. Depending on your financial situation,
you may be eligible to borrow up to $35,000 at a 5% interest rate.
1 $33,450 The maximum repayment term is 20 years.
2 $38,250 To qualify, you need to meet these simple guidelines:
3 $43,000
4 $47,800
$51,600 1. Maximum annual household income is $58,650.
5
5 $55,450 2. Must own and occupy the property.
3. Must have a good credit rating.
In addition, the home seller For more information or an application, call the Fridley Home
must pay 1-1/2 discount points. Improvement Hotline at 335-2651.
For more details and a list of Equal Opportunity Housing Provider
eligible lenders, call 572-3591.
City of Fridley 9
Community
Additional Revenues Will Diversify Tax Base
City Council Approves Utility Franchise Fee
4
The Fridley City Council 1-800-895-4999. Alternatively, fee exceeded $2,000.
approved the second and final call the Fridley City Manager's While the City remains
reading of a utility franchise fee office at 612-572-3506. financially healthy,the franchise 1
at their meeting on August 9, Public testimony on the fran- fee is needed to address the
1999. The fee is expected to go chise fees was heard on three growing trend toward use of the
into effect for the November occasions: July 12t'', July 261'' City's reserves to balance the '
billing by Minnegasco and NSP. and August 9t''. Three amend- General Fund budget. Budgeted
ments to the franchise fee ordi- use of reserves amounted to i
In case you missed the nance were accepted as a result more than $1.3 million in 1999.
meetings or didn't catch them on of issues raised during these Use of these reserves is related 1
the City's cable television meetings. These included an to costs associated with the
channel, here are a few of the amendment that offered a rebate addition of police officers, the
particulars. While the fee is not to commercial/industrial cus- operation of the Fridley
technically a sales tax, it has the tomers for that portion of their Community Center, the
same effect as a sales tax on annual franchise fee that operation of various youth j
electric and gas sales in Fridley. exceeded 5% of their annual programs and other programs j
For residential gas and electric electric or gas bill. Council also that have been added in recent
customers, the fee will be based approved an amendment that years as a response to j
on 3%of the customer's metered provided a rebate to any school community needs. It is also a
gas or electric bill prior to the district whose annual franchise response to relatively flat State
application of state sales taxes. revenues and property tax
For the average utility customer, revenues. The latter revenues
we expect that the fee will be a have been raised only once in the
little over $3 per month for both Franchise Fee Factslast eight years.
utilities. Commercial/industrial The franchise fee has been
customers will pay a flat fee chosen as a means of raising
based on the customer category effect as a sales tax. revenue for various reasons. As
of each metered account. Ninety 8 The franchise fee was a defacto sales tax, it helps to
percent of NSP's commercial and needed diversify our tax base. It is also
industrial accounts in FridleyGeneral Fund budget incremental in nature and, for
will be charged $12.50 per and not use City that reason, not as burdensome
month or less. Ninety-two reservesas a property tax that comes due
percent of Minnegasco's every six months. It also has the
commercial/industrial accounts0 NSP Minnegasco '
• advantage of being collected from
will be charged $13.82 per all users of City services
month or less. No commercial/ increase in their including non-profit organ-
industrial account will be November bills. izations and public entities.
charged more than $150/per a Blaine, CoonWhile taxes are not popular,
customer account per month for Mounds View and we think that even with this new
each of the two utilities. In the Minneapolis have used tax, Fridley City services are still
event that commercial/ similar franchise fees one of the best bargains around.
industrial customers want helpto diversify their tax i We hope that you agree.
in calculating their franchise
fees, they may call Minnegasco
at 612-321-4939 and NSP at
10 City of Fridley
Community News
City Unveils Budget for Year 2000
The budget for next year was year. Later in the year,usually by neighborhood telephone alerts for
presented in draft form to the November, "truth in taxation" weather emergencies or for other
Fridley City Council on August statements are sent to all public safety related reasons.
23, 1999. Total budgeted property owners. These The capital improvements
expenditures for all funds, statements spell out the cost of section of the budget provides for
excluding enterprise funds are the City's property tax levy to the construction of a 4,000
$13,988,218.This compares with individual property owners. The square foot facility near Columbia
$14,997,428 for the current year. statements also alert taxpayers to Arena. The building will be used
The amount includes the City's "truth in taxation to provide classroom and office
$11,524,624 in General Fund hearing" on the budget. This is space for our fire training facility
expenditures and$1,541,200 for usually held sometime during the that is located nearby. It will also
Capital Improvement Fund first week in December. At this double as space for our public
expenditures.The remainder will meeting the City Manager works maintenance offices, with
be used to fund various special explains the budget in detail and a shower/locker room and lunch
revenue funds and the 6 Cities the Council hears citizen reaction room facilities.
Watershed District. While the to the budget.At the next meeting Other capital improvements
total budgeted expenditures are in December, Council considers include up-grading of streets
6.7% under 1999 budgeted the final budget resolution. And around the Melody Manor area of
expenditures, General Fund the whole process begins again a Fridley. These include: the
expenditures will increase by few weeks later. University Avenue East Service
$449,718, or by 4.1%. Drive, the 73rd Avenue Service
The City's budgeting process Drive, Symphony Street,
begins early each year with a The 2000 budget Symphony Court, 74th Avenue
Council/Commission survey. In represents a and 71s' Avenue. The estimated
this survey Council members, as continuation of the cost for these improvements is
well as all board and commission $500,000.
1999 budget with
members, are asked a long series allowances for inflation. In addition to building and
of survey questions about issues street improvements, the 2000
that are facing the City. budget also provides for the
Responses to the survey are used upgrading of Community,
by City staff to develop goals for This year there were few budget Creekridge,Flannery,Jubilee and
the corrin year. After Council issues. For the most part, next
g y year's budget represents a Locke parks. Money has also
has reviewed the goals, those been budgeted for tennis and
goals that have budget continuation of the 1999 budget
g i
g with allowances for inflation. It basketball court resurfacing and
implications are incorporated into for the replacement of the Moore
departmental budgets. When does, however, include funding
p g for one additional police officer Lake aerator.
Council meets in June to review who is to be placed at Fridley High Those are the highlights of the
the budget,they review the major School. The budget also provides 2000 City of Fridley budget. We
budget issues and have an expect to produce a more detailed
opportunity to raise questions for modest increases in, " financial publication prior to the
about budget detail. By August information systemsstaffing end of the year. In the event that
the bud et is read for formal and includes funding for a large
g y tractor/mower that will be used you have questions about the City
consideration and by the second budget, we welcome your phone
meeting of the month, Council for mowing the University Avenue calls at the City Manager's Office
considers a resolution to approve corridor by City crews.
(572-3500) or your e-mail
the proposed budget. They alit idf
so Additionally, proves or new comments at
consider a resolution approving hardware and software that will
pp g ffid1ey@ci.ffid1ey.mn.us the Police Department to dley®ci.fridley.mn.us
a property tax levy for the coming provide city-wide or
City of Fridley 11
MW
• • : LNOVEMBER
11 Recycling Drop-Off Day 6 Planning Commission 3 Planning Commission
13 City Council 7 *Human Resources 4 *Human Resources Commis-
*Parks & Recreation Comm. Commission sion
15 Planning Commission Housing & Redevelopment 7 City Council
18 50th Anniversary Birthday Authority 9 Appeals Commission
Party 9 Recycling Drop-Off Day 11 Veteran's Day Holiday
20 City Council Meeting 11 City Council 13 Recycling Drop-Off Day
Council Conference Meeting
21 Environmental Quality & 13 Appeals Commission 115 5 Environmental Quality t
Energy Commission 18 Council Conference Meeting
22 Appeals Commission 19 Environmental Quality& Energy Energy Commission
27 *Charter Commission Commission *Cable TV Commission
20 Planning Commission 17 Planning Commission
25 City Council 22 City Council
*Charter Commission 24 Appeals Commission
27 Appeals Commission 25 Thanksgiving Holiday
'NOTE: Cable, Charter, Human 26 Thanksgiving Holiday
Resources and Parks & 29 *Charter Commission
Recreation Commissions meet at •
7 p.m. All other commissions and
the City Council meet at 7:30 p.m. 1 Planning Commission
All meetings are held at the 2 *Human Resources Commission
Municipal Center,6431 University Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Avenue, NE. The public is 8 Appeals Commission
welcome. 13 City Council Meeting
City of Fridley BULK RATE
FALL NEWSLETTER 1999 6431 University Avenue NE U.SPAPIIDTACE
Fridley, MN 55432 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
MAYOR PERMIT No. 2886
Nancy J. Jorgenson
COUNCILMEMBER-AT-LARGE
Robert L. Barnette
COUNCILMEMBER 1ST WARD
Steven E. Billings
COUNCILMEMBER 2ND WARD
Richard P. Wolfe
COUNCILMEMBER 3RD WARD
Ann R. Bolkcom
CITY MANAGER
William W. Burns **ECRWSS**
EDITOR
William Champa Postal Customer
FRIDLEY SERVICE DIRECTORY
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 571-3450
OFFICE HOURS:
8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F; 8 a.m.-7 p.m.Tues.
e-mail address: fridley@,ifridley.mn.us
Web Site: www.ci.fi-idley.mn.us
24 HR. FRIDLEY INFO LINE 572-3600
24 HR. RECREATION HOTLINE 572-3578
24 HR, RECYCLING HOTLINE 572-3607
FRIDLEY LIQUOR STORE 571-3480
TDD 572-3534
POLICE (non-emergency) 572-3629
FIRE& POLICE EMERGENCY 911