FN August 2014Springbrook Nature Center is often described as a jewel of
wilderness hidden within an urban setting. After being
awarded a five million dollar grant from the State of
Minnesota for a new interpretive center, this jewel is about
to shine much brighter. New exhibits, expanded
classrooms, visitor amenities and beautiful rental spaces
will create an incredible resource for the people of Fridley.
For over a decade, a dedicated group of people from the
City of Fridley and the non-profit Springbrook Nature
Center Foundation have worked to create and implement
the S.P.R.I.N.G. (Sanctuary Protection and Renewal Into
the Next Generation) Project. This comprehensive plan to
revitalize the seven-acre park entrance and interpretive
center at the Nature Center will allow the site to expand its
programming, host weddings and events, and continue to
provide world-class environmental education to an ever-
growing audience.
After being awarded the grant, the City of Fridley and
Springbrook Nature Center Foundation have been busy
visiting sites to research designs and have worked with
nationally known Split Rock Studios of Arden Hills to
create an exciting conceptual design for the center’s new
exhibits. The designs feature a dramatic building entrance
full of large sculptures recreating the park’s wetlands.
august 2014
No. 189
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
Springbrook Nature Center Receives
Five Million Dollars for New Interpretive Center
Fridley
Visitors will walk beneath huge cattails as they encounter
frogs, ducks and turtles.
The proposed exhibits feature interactive elements for
visitors of all ages. One concept is for a large cutout of a
soil “cube.” Visitors can walk around it, interacting with
mushrooms and plants on top, see the roots and insects
beneath and even crawl through it to discover the many
organisms hidden within.
Beyond the concept designs, the next steps will be to
interview and hire a project manager and architect to begin
planning the new building for construction.
Excitement brewed at ‘49er Days this year, especially on
Saturday when sudden storms came in with a roar.
“Thank goodness we memorized the four winners, because
the paperwork was blown away,” says Mandy Meisner pie
eating chair about the rain and winds overtaking their tent.
But a little rain will not slow down our community. The
pie contest winner was announced. Fridley resident Jackie
Bollinger won the first place $1,000 prize with her
Blueberry Cream recipe.
The kids parade kicked off the Art & Music Festival
shortly before the storms forced a move to the high school.
Later, Chris Brooks (a Fridley HS alumn) & the Silver City
Boys set up at the American Legion for the “street” dance
and Fridley all-class reunion. Despite Saturday’s mad dash
for cover, the 40th year celebration of ‘49er Days was a
huge success.
Pete and Linda Borman (with the help of their daughter,
Kayla) kicked off the celebration on Thursday as the
Grand Marshals of the ‘49er Days parade. It was a fitting
tribute to the couple, who have organized the parade for
16 years. The two-hour parade featured about 100 units,
including eight marching bands and seven royalty floats.
Fridley Ambassadors Natalie Bailey and Rachael
Gabrielcik waved their final goodbyes in the parade before
passing the crowns onto the new Fridley Royalty at the
Saturday pageant. Congratulations to Ali Bennett, Shelby
Lindboe and Kylee Swendsrud who will represent Fridley
at parades and special events for the coming year.
Festivities concluded on Sunday with the Hot Rod Car
Show and the 2nd Annual Fridley Idol Contest. The
contest coordinator, David Ulrich, describes two weeks of
cut-throat karaoke preliminaries leading up to the final
event. “Judges had some tough calls to advance the top 10,
all of whom were vying for cash prizes and bragging rights
as Fridley’s newest singing sensation.”
Fridley resident, Kathleen Fuery, took 2nd place and a
$200 cash prize. Top billing went to Chelsea Csargo of
Minneapolis for a show-stopping performance of “At Last”
and “Respect.”
Cheers to 40 Years: The Ruby Anniversary of ‘49er Days
What’s Inside
City Partners with Businesses ....2
A New Look to Fridley .............2
Spotlight on Fridley HRA .........2
Summer Interns .......................3
Determining Property Values.....3
Fall Recycling Drop-off .............3
Garbage Cans in the Yard .......4
The Little Free Library ...............4
Meadowmoor Neighborhood ...5
Banfill-Locke Gets Creepy.........5
Fridley’s New Bike Lane...........5
Inspector Todd ........................6
Safety Camp Celebrates
20 Years .............................6
Recruiting Police Reserves ........6
Get Fired Up!.........................7
Fire Department Welcomes
Engine 3 ................................7
Fridley Calendar .....................8
Siren Upgrades.......................8
Art at Rick Creek.....................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
Nature Center Receives Grant, continued on page 8
It is a busy summer for redevelopment in Fridley. By
this time next year, several highly visible portions of
the City will have a whole new look. Here are
highlights of three of the current projects.
Northern Stacks
Groundbreaking at what is being called the Twin
Cities’ largest infill commercial redevelopment kicked
off with a ceremony in late May attended by public
officials, including Governor Mark Dayton. Cleanup
efforts are underway for this 122-acre site, no easy
task given its history. You can still see the famous “E”
with five stars painted on one of its smokestacks,
symbolizing the Battle E award given by the Navy for
excellence and efficiency. Unfortunately, the
manufacturing of gun turrets and barrels involved
chemicals and solvents that were disposed of on-site
and now makes redevelopment a challenge. Hyde
Development was able to put together both private
and public financing sources to make this possible,
and phase one has begun. Construction currently
consists of preparing areas for pavement, installing
pipelines, and removing debris as they get ready for
the first building, which should be constructed by the
end of this year. The first new cul-de-sac street, a
private truck access road, new signals and the
beginning of landscape should also be completed this
year. This project ultimately expects to create 3,000
jobs, with 10-12 new office and industrial buildings
on the site.
Cielo Apartments
Three upscale apartment buildings along University
Avenue will give the area south of 61st Avenue a
welcome facelift. Building plans and all planning and
zoning matters have been reviewed and approved.
Early engineering reviews and the Fire Marshal’s
review are also completed. Only the first of three
construction phases will be completed this year, which
includes replacing the existing chain link fence with
an ornamental one designed to complement the
buildings. Phase one also consists of an
architecturally-correct privacy fence to the east.
Construction has been planned to assure that footings
and other concrete work can commence before the
on-set of cold weather.
Interlude on the Unity Hospital Campus
If you have driven by Unity lately, you may have
noticed an impressive framework of concrete, iron
and steel studs. The shape and scale of this new
transitional care facility is now very evident. This is a
state of the art therapy facility; where guests will have
close access to the hospital without occupying a
typical hospital room during on-going therapy. This
three-story, 45,087 square foot building will consist of
38 private rooms, 2 semi-private rooms (2 beds in
each unit) and 8 care units, for a total of 50 new
skilled nursing beds in the building. A large therapy
space for guest rehabilitation will be located on the
first level.
The exterior of the building will complement the
surrounding area of the hospital campus to the north
and the residential area to the south across Lyric Lane.
The architecture of the building was carefully
designed with its neighbors in mind. The hospital end
of the new building will have a commercial
appearance, while the south end will have the
appearance of a 3-story residential complex. The two
distinct looks depend on what angle you view the
building, yet work well together as a single cohesive
structure. Construction is expected to be completed
later this year.
A New Look to Parts of FridleyFridley Commits to
Partnering with
Local Businesses
One of the greatest assets to any community is its
existing businesses. In fact, more jobs are created
through business expansions than new business
start-ups. Fridley is dedicated to maintaining a
vibrant community, and we want to understand
and meet the needs of our existing businesses.
This summer, we are launching a new Business
Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program.
We want to know what tools you need to be
successful. The BR&E program will be an on-
going effort to address business concerns, build
community capacity to sustain growth, and
develop and foster a relationship with our
business community.
The program’s first step will be to hear from you.
We are starting with a comprehensive survey to a
random sampling of Fridley businesses
representing all types of industries. If your
business is chosen, your voice will help develop
the structure of our program. What are your
frustrations? Needs? What do you like? How can
we help you achieve your goals? After surveys are
returned to the City and reviewed, staff and
elected officials will take the next step—a visit to
each business. We can learn the most by sitting
with you and discussing your responses, concerns
and questions.
BR&E programs have proven to be effective
throughout the State of Minnesota. We aim to
achieve similar success through our own efforts.
In the future, Fridley plans to conduct the survey
and visit with every community business. By
doing so, lasting relationships will be created and
maintained to assist local businesses. A shorter,
electronic version of the survey will also be sent
out yearly to every business. This information
will be used to identify trends and potential
issues. Our goal is to continually assist and
connect with all local businesses.
page 2 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
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
Spotlight on Fridley HRA
We hear the term a lot, especially with all the recent
expansion and construction in Fridley, but what
exactly is an HRA?
HRA = Housing and Redevelopment
Authority
This is a program developed in 1947 by the
Minnesota legislature which allows cities to create a
committee with the purpose of improving
substandard conditions. These conditions are
characterized by being in a state of disrepair, obsolete,
overcrowded and a general faulty arrangement or
design of buildings and improvements.
Fridley discovered their need for an HRA almost 50
years ago, after the storms of 1965. Larry Commers
has volunteered with the commission since 1969 and
became Chairman in 1976, a position he still holds
today. “Fridley’s HRA was established to assist the
rehabilitation of properties destroyed and damaged in
the tornadoes that came through and devastated
several neighborhoods and businesses,” says
Commers.
After that initial rebuilding, the HRA became fairly
inactive until 1974. “At that time, the HRA became
more broadly focused on maximizing undeveloped or
under-utilized land in Fridley,” describes Commers of
those early days. “By undertaking many major
developments, it has had a major impact on creating
significant market values and tax benefits for the
City.”
Today we can physically see the benefits of our HRA.
Since its creation, the HRA has continuously worked
to improve the City’s housing stock, increase property
values and assist with redevelopment. In the past 30
years, HRA redevelopment projects have generated
HRA, continued on page 8
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 3
Determining
Property Value
As we approach the final days of summer, our
thoughts turn to back-to-school shopping, a State
Fair corndog, and even colder temps. For City,
County and School Districts, it means budget
planning, and the arrival of your annual Truth in
Taxation Notice statement.
So what is a Truth in Taxation
Notice?
This notice is the final stage of the assessment
process. It takes the value of your home and
produces an estimated tax bill for 2015. Also
included are the date, location and time of budget
hearings at the City, County and School Districts.
Here you can share concerns about spending and
taxes.
The property tax process begins with the assessor’s
estimate of your home’s value. This estimate is
always effective as of January 2 in any given year,
and is a product of careful study of the real estate
market to identify market trends for like
properties. This year, residential values are still
increasing, but not at the record pace of last year.
These market trends are one of three factors that
determine the property value.
The second and third factors involve the assessor’s
visit. As you may have noticed, the assessor visits
your neighborhood once every five years to review
property information that is used to value your
home every year. They also visit homes that have
pulled permits that will affect values, such as
remodeling a kitchen or demolition. They verify
things like condition, quality of construction,
number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms.
The estimated value is then communicated to the
homeowner in March and the homeowner has the
opportunity to review the estimate and ask for
clarification if they feel the estimate is not
accurate. There are also two Boards of Appeal that
a property owner can attend if there are still
concerns.
The assessor looks at the entire property, as well as
similar properties in the area, and may make
adjustments based on criteria shown to affect value
in the market. These adjustments are applied
equally to similar properties. If you have questions
regarding your property value, the best place to
start is calling your local assessor.
For Fridley residential properties, please contact
Pat Maghrak at 763-572-3536 or by email at
Pat.Maghrak@FridleyMN.gov. For Fridley
commercial/industrial properties, please contact
Mary Smith at 763-572-3537 or by email at
Mary.Smith@FridleyMN.gov.
Meet Our Summer Interns
In the Summer of 1998, Lori Skotterud interned with
our Code Enforcement Division. She brought forth
fresh ideas and excitement. Flash forward to 2014 and
she is now the Community Development Director for
Palos Park, Illinois. Our own Community
Development Director Scott Hickok has kept in touch
and could not be more proud of her accomplishments.
Lori is one of many success stories that started by
interning with Fridley.
For over fifteen years, interns with the City have
played a huge part in improving our community
and stretching our resources. Internships typically last
10-16 weeks, traditionally in the summer months, and
interns commit to a 40-hour work week during that
time period. They provide the City with much-needed
manpower during our most active months, and
provide the students with real-world working
experience and references as they continue towards
career goals.
“Coming from a small town, I wanted to get the
experience with a larger city government. This
internship offered excellent experience working with
both the City Clerk and City Manager that is needed
to be successful in the area of public administration,”
explains Moranda Zimmer, currently interning in the
City Manager’s office. She plans to attend graduate
school this fall and hopes to continue working in the
public sector.
Moranda is one of five interns currently working at
Fridley. One of her primary areas of focus is in
elections. “I do see success in the program, not only
for the City but also for the intern,” says City Clerk
Deb Skogen. “Having the hands-on experience will
give her a perspective other students may not have.
This experience will help provide a base they can
continue to grow from, to help them decide if it is the
career path they want to take.”
Our current code enforcement intern, Hannah Rybak,
has one of the busiest jobs in the City. During her 13
weeks here, Hannah’s role is to inspect the exterior of
each residence, including apartment buildings. “This
is no small task,” explains City Planning Manager Julie
Jones. “There are approximately 7,400 single family
homes and about 1,000 more multiple unit properties
to inspect. That means she is trying to inspect over
100 properties a day! People sometimes get angry
about getting an impersonal letter and wish she would
just come knock on their door, but if she took time to
do that, she wouldn’t be able to inspect as many
properties.” In addition to physically performing
inspections, Hannah also completes data entry on
each visit and sends educational letters to property
owners when the need arises. She also follows up with
violations and works with the owner or city/county
staff on resolutions.
Alexis Raverty is interning with Fridley’s Housing
Redevelopment Authority (HRA). She is also
providing key manpower that is essential to the City’s
growth. “Alexis plays a key role in establishing the
City’s Business Retention and Expansion Program
(BR&E),” describes Paul Bolin, Assistant Executive
Director of the Fridley HRA. “She surveyed and
visited a number of businesses to learn from them
what the City can do to help their business grow. The
work Alexis is doing this summer will allow the City
to continue building relationships with our business
community.” You can read more about our new
BR&E program in this newsletter.
The Engineering Department is also utilizing interns
in their large 2014 Street Rehabilitation Project.
Johnathan Olson joins the City this summer, and Alec
DeBar returns to help guide the 3.4 miles of street
improvements in the northern end of Fridley. This
project includes strengthening and replacing street
pavement, spot replacement of curbing, drainage
improvements and utility repairs.
“Being a mentor brings value and added purpose to
our City employees, and interns bring excitement
about their field of study along with new trends,
energy and enthusiasm,” says Human Resources
Director Deborah Dahl. “It helps build community
relationships, in both the public and private sectors, as
these interns enter the working world. We help
develop future government workers, and they may
help us find qualified recruits for future positions and
internships.”
We thank all our current and past interns for being an
essential part of Fridley. If you are interested in a
future internship with the City, watch for postings on
our website at www.FridleyMN.gov.
Pictured left to right:
Moranda Zimmer, Hannah Rybak, Alexis Raverty, Alec DeBar, Johnathan Olson
Fall Recycling Drop-Off
October 11 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
City of Fridley Public Works • 400 71st Ave NE
Fridley Residents: Don’t miss this chance to get rid of old
fluorescent tubes, electronics, appliances, scrap metal, car
batteries, small engines (lawn mowers), bicycles and
more. Charges apply to larger items.
Questions? Give us a call at 763-572-3594 or visit online
at www.FridleyMN.gov/recycling
The Little Free Library
If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
On the quiet street of Stinson Blvd., John Gannon sits
on his front step and watches as children, joggers and
neighbors stop briefly at his curb, and he smiles.
For some, a love for people, for learning, for children
and for their job transcends a 40-hour work week. For
some, their passion spreads through all parts of life and
extends to everyone within their reach. Jane Ann
Gannon was one of those people.
The Gannons moved to Fridley in 1969, and today
Mr. Gannon still lives here with pride. His late wife,
Jane Ann, worked as a librarian in the Fridley Schools
for over 25 years. Her legacy lives on through the
“Little Free Library” that stands simply in their lawn.
Last Christmas, John Gannon, Jr., gave his mother a
present that touched her heart so completely that even
as she fell ill, she kept it near her. It was a beautiful
wooden house with doors, larger than a birdhouse,
smaller than a dollhouse, and clearly built with love.
She passed away on May 1, and a month later her
family decided to share that gift with the community.
“Neighbors came and went, even in the rain,” says
John Gannon, Jr., Family members and neighbors
honored Jane Ann on June 7 with a ribbon cutting at
the grand opening of her Little Free Library, the same
day they buried her ashes. Each visitor that day
received a bookmark that aptly read, “In Honor of
Jane Gannon whose love of family, friends and books
inspired her to provide this library for her
neighborhood.” It started out with just a few books
that the family had on hand, and slowly others
donated and borrowed. Now the Little Free Library is
packed full and used often.
Sara and Reese, both 9 years old, walked from a few
houses down to add a book and find a new one. “It’s
cool,” says Sara, “better than actually buying a book.”
Another young neighbor, 9-year old Katya, found Jane
Ann’s recipe book in that library. The next day, she and
her mother brought Mr. Gannon specially baked
éclairs. “I thought that it would be very touching to
give John some eclairs so that he knew I remembered
his wife,” says Katya of the beginner cookbook she
found in the library. A small gesture that made a big
impact. “Thanks to the book and the Little Free
Library, I have a new hobby of cooking.”
For John Gannon, Sr., the Little Free Library stands as
a daily tribute to the woman he so dearly loved. For
the community, the passion of an educator continues
to teach the art of learning and a lesson in sharing, a
lesson that is not lost on the Gannon’s neighbors.
Garbage Cans
in the Yard –
Why Do We Care?
Garbage cans in the front yard; flat tires on a car;
some old furniture in the yard, uncut grass –why
does the City care?
“We believe that decline is infectious,” says
Community Development Director Scott Hickok.
When one property goes downhill, the rest of the
neighborhood can rapidly lose inspiration. But
under systematic enforcement, community
standards are regularly made clear and results are
positive; about 75% of violations are resolved after
the first notice. “Our goal is to educate residents,”
Scott explains.
What is systematic code enforcement?
Each year, intensive property-by-property
inspections are undertaken by one or two summer
interns who aim to cover the entire city within 13
weeks. Fridley began this practice in 1997, and the
entire city has benefitted from this proactive
approach. First, it results in public awareness.
Second, it eliminates the blame game. Fridley
residents who receive a violation notice do not need
to worry that a neighbor is causing their property to
be targeted. This helps quell the animosity among
neighbors that complaint-only enforcement can
cause.
City Councilmember Bob Barnette was Fridley’s
first code inspector, at that time referred to as the
“Weed Inspector.” He believes in the City’s
approach. “It is part of being a responsible city, and
it is extremely important that we continue.” He is
active in the community and says that the bulk of
residents agree. “Most of the feedback I hear is very,
very positive.”
Common Code Issues
The placement of solid waste containers and
outdoor storage represents 65% of notices. Solid
waste containers can be outside and in view of the
street, provided they are not in the front yard. Front
yard is defined as the area between the front-most
building edge and the street.
Outdoor storage must be in the side or rear yard.
Code allows for neatly stacked firewood, a trailer or
a boat. Items such as extension ladders, lumber (not
associated with a current building permit), and
machinery are not permitted.
Other categories where violations have been noted
include inoperable or unlicensed vehicles openly
stored, weeds or long grass, and brush piles.
We all want to be part of a beautiful, growing
community. Code enforcement is one of many steps
we take to make sure Fridley is a vibrant and stable
home for families and businesses. If you have any
questions or concerns about code enforcement,
contact the Planning Division at 763-572-3592 or
by email at DL-Planning@FridleyMN.gov.
page 4 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
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
Kids love After-school Craft Classes!
Mummy’s love the Halloween Party!
When entering Meadowmoor Neighborhood you may
drive down one of the newly paved roads, notice the
tree-lined sidewalks, and spot houses
both old and new. Like many
neighborhoods, it is the people
inside these homes that make
Meadowmoor a special place to live.
Claire Montenegro, a fairly new
Meadowmoor resident, made the
right choice. “It’s the people that
make living here so enjoyable. Some
have lived here their entire lives and
others like me, who have young
children, plan on raising our family
here.”
Kelly Shoberg has lived in this neighborhood since
1976. She talks about the recent years and the range
of age in the neighborhood. “Many young families
have been moving to this area to raise a family. It is so
fun to see kids playing in the yards, families out for
walks, and having youth brought back to the
neighborhood. This is becoming my favorite part
about where I live.”
While Kelly’s favorite part is the youth in the
neighborhood, others love this neighborhood because
of its prime location. “This area is very convenient to
everything, and if it’s not in the area, you can jump on
Highway 65,” states one resident. Many of the
residents also comment on how quiet the
neighborhood is.
People love being out and about in Meadowmoor.
“The Carlsons are our favorite neighbors because they
are always outside. They are working on house or yard
projects, playing with their children, or enjoying the
weather. Having neighbors who are always outside
makes meeting people and becoming friends with
those in the neighborhood easier,” explains Claire
Montenegro.
Being outdoors is easy in this neighborhood with the
many attractions close by. Flanery Park is a common
place to go for the day to enjoy the
open space and the fun playground
equipment. “This park is great
because it is close enough to walk
to, and it is an awesome place for
the kids to meet others their age
within the neighborhood, and for
us adults to get to know others,
too,” says Claire. “Another really
great attraction close by is the Foot
Bridge. It is located in Spring Lake
Park, but is close enough to this
area to go and take a walk over.”
Working together as a neighborhood has been very
easy, as everyone is willing to help out. Kelly Shoberg,
a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, describes how
the neighborhood works together, whether it is a
neighborhood garage sale or just keeping each other
safe. “It has been a long time since we have had to
inform the neighborhood of an issue, which is a very
good thing. Everyone keeps an eye out for each other,
and we would know if a strange car was in the area.”
The quiet and quaint features of the Meadowmoor
Neighborhood have attracted young families to move
into the area, and have given others a reason to stay —
a mix unique to the area and a wonderful
representation of our great city.
Banfill-Locke Center
Gets Creepy
The former tavern and farmhouse now housing the
Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts has a reputation
for being haunted, and with a history that dates
back to the mid-1800s, it just might be. Come
explore the lore at the Art of Darkness: Inspired by
the Paranormal exhibition that runs August 30
through September 27. The show features over 100
paranormal-inspired works of art from artists across
the globe.
If you want to explore your dark side even more,
join them on Monday, September 8 at 7 p.m. for a
free event hosted by Twin Cities Paranormal
Research & Investigation. Learn more about the
history of the Banfill Tavern and see what evidence
has been collected during their time at the center.
Still want more? Limited tickets are available to join
TCPRI for a BBQ and night investigation. The fee
for this 4-hour ghost-hunt is $50.
For more information or to register for any of these
fascinating events, visit www.banfill-locke.org.
Neighborhood Feature: Meadowmoor
Does your neighborhood have a story?
Share it with us!
Call the City Communications Specialist at
763-572-3505 or
Raquel.Strand@FridleyMN.gov.
You can take a look at a map of all
Fridley neighborhoods at
www.FridleyMN.gov/maps/general
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 5
Our first dedicated bike lane is now available
on the west side of Main Street, starting at the
Fridley Northstar Train Station at 61st Avenue
and running south to 57th Avenue.
This is part of a larger project to be completed
in 2016. At that time, residents south of I-694
in the Main Street area will have safer
walking/biking access to key parts of the City.
Be on the lookout for
FRIDLEY’S NEW BIKE LANE!
December 9 1731 in Florence Italy
by Elizabeth Kauffman
Inspector Todd
When a Fridley officer is promoted to Inspector,
he is pinned with a small insignia that represents
big meaning. The Inspector pin is a shield around
a diamond, and on June 17, Officer Andrew Todd
was awarded this distinction in a small,
meaningful ceremony at City Hall. His wife
Heather pinned on his new badge and collar brass.
According to Fridley’s Director of Public Safety
Don Abbott, Inspector Todd is the right cut for
this job, as represented in the diamond on his pin.
“The traditional measures of a diamond are clarity,
color and cut. Clarity –the Inspector position
requires a person with a clear vision of what is
needed, to identify, prevent and resolve issues.
Color –one of the qualities of color is tone. The
Inspector is challenged to set the tone for their
unit. Cut –the Inspector position requires a
person who is cut out for the job and its
challenges.”
The shield is a universal symbol of police. It
represents protection, but also leadership, identity,
purpose and faithfulness dating back to ancient
times. The Inspector is expected to protect the
City, know their purpose and be faithful to our
values. We congratulate Inspector Todd in his new
role and look forward to his integral leadership in
the Information Services Unit.
“Whereas, Fridley Safety Camp was created in 1995 to
teach our community’s children skills to keep them safe,
including water safety, home & fire safety, poisoning,
electrical hazards, and bicycle & traffic safety; and
Whereas, Liz Chevalier introduced Safety Camp to the
City of Fridley, and has been the driving force behind it
for 20 years…”
June 18, 2014 was Liz Chevalier Safety Camp Day in
the City of Fridley, as proclaimed by Mayor Scott
Lund at the closing ceremonies for this year’s Safety
Camp.
For 20 years, Fridley Safety Camp has thrived with
enrollment reaching and exceeding the 150
attendance goal each and every year. In fact, that first
year in 1995, registrations filled within 3 days. In
total, over 3,000 children have attended Fridley Safety
Camp over the years.
Liz Chevalier proposed the idea of Safety Camp to
City leaders after visiting a similar event in Eden
Prairie, the only Safety Camp in the state at that time.
Fridley became the first city in Anoka County and the
second in the state of Minnesota to provide this type
of activity. Safety Camp started as a zero budget
endeavor, and that remains true today. It is funded
100% through donations from community businesses
and made possible by volunteers. Each year, a
minimum of 6 police officers, 6 firefighters, 3
Recreation staff and 3-4 Allina medics serve as
counselors. In addition, many seniors help out as
counselors or with checking kids in/out each
day and wherever else they are needed. Margaret
Tschkaekofske, 91 years young, is still an active
volunteer. At the end of camp this year when everyone
went home to rest, Margaret went on a 3-mile hike!
She is just one of many volunteers still going strong
with years of dedicated service.
Each year, 1,600-2,000 children between the ages of 5
and 14 die of accidental injuries and several hundred
thousand more are injured. The goal of Fridley’s two-
day Safety Camp is to teach children valuable skills to
keep them safe in a variety of emergency situations.
They have fun, make friends, learn new things, get
fitted with their own bike helmets and go home with
knowledge that may someday save a life. Parents
agree. As one parent expressed, “It makes us as a
family aware of the safety we ignore daily.”
Safety Camp is made possible through the joint
efforts of the Fridley Police, Fire and Recreation
Departments, coordinated by Liz, and through
partnerships she has made with area businesses and
groups. Sponsors such as McDonald’s, Bob’s Produce,
Perkins, Arctic Glacier Ice, Fridley Lions, Kiwanis and
Frito Lay have seen supporters for many years. More
recent supporters include Anoka County Safe kids,
Dunn Bros Coffee, Friendly Chevrolet, Fridley Fire
Auxiliary, Pickle Park, Schmit Towing and Voigt’s Bus
Service. Together these groups have made a difference,
and we thank them for twenty years of Safety Camp
success.
page 6 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
Safety Camp Celebrates 20 Years
Are you…?
•Interested in law enforcement?
•Want to make your community a
better place to live, work or play?
•Are you 20+ years old with a clean
background and driving record?
•Able to commit 8 hours/month and
attend monthly meetings?
Volunteer Reserve Officers assist by
patrolling in marked police cars,
transporting prisoners, identifying
problem areas, helping with traffic
control at events and accidents,
providing security at City functions, and
serving as another set of eyes in the
community.
To learn more, contact Sergeant
Jeff Guest at 763-502-1965 or visit us
online at www.FridleyMN.gov/police.
Make a Difference!
Now Recruiting
Fridley Police Reserves
AugustFest 2014
Fridley Historical Society
Wednesday, August 13, 6 p.m.
Outdoors at the History Center –611 Mississippi Street Northeast
City Band
Treats
Fridley
Ambassadors
Face Painting
Fire Truck
Trivia
Police Dispatcher
T-shirt Collector
Firefighter
Husband
Golfer
Firefighter
Mom
Gardener
Firefighter
Teacher
Fisherman
Firefighter
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 7
Get Fired Up! Your Time is Now.
Meet our firefighters. Renee is a mom; James is a
teacher; Matt is a sprinkler fitter; Todd is a police
dispatcher; Dave is a machinist.
They live and work in the community. They have
families and jobs. They are just like you. And they are
heroes.
“I joined the Fire Department in addition to my full-
time job for the added retirement benefit,” says
Lieutenant Todd Messer. “I don’t find it to be a hard
balance, and I absolutely love it.”
Paid, on-call firefighters in Fridley commit to training
once a week on either a Monday evening or Tuesday
morning. They are on shift up to 20 hours per month,
and respond from home to 30% of emergency calls.
People join for many reasons. For some, it is a way to
give back and serve the community. For others,
firefighting is a family tradition. For everyone, it offers
challenges, variety and the reward of making a
difference in people’s lives. “Everything we go on is
different,” explains Messer. “Each call is different—
different situations with different dynamics. It’s fun. It’s
exciting.”
Fire Captain Renee Hamdorf has been with the
department for almost 15 years. In addition to putting
out fires, Renee has delivered a baby and helped rescue
a Clydesdale horse, as well as numerous other animals.
James Lange is a full-time teacher and has been a paid,
on-call firefighter with Fridley for two years. His most
memorable adventure was kicking down his neighbor’s
door to perform a search for victims during a kitchen
fire. Dave Larson, a machinist and paid, on-call
firefighter, once pulled a three-year-old out of an
upstairs bedroom fire and has saved a life by performing
CPR. These skills and experiences are all part of the job,
and it all started with the first step.
You can take that first step, too, by attending our
Recruiting Fair on Wednesday, August 20 from 7-9
p.m. This is a 2-hour event for adults (18+) interested
in fire fighting. You will get a taste for the job with
demonstrations, hands-on learning, the opportunity to
test different skills, try on gear and, most importantly,
talk to current firefighters about their experiences and
how firefighting fits into their everyday lives. Fridley is
not hiring any full-time Fire positions at this time, but
we are seeking qualified paid, on-call fighters, especially
those with emergency response or fire experience. You
must live within a 6-minute response time from one of
our three fire stations.
For more information on our recruiting fair or paid,
on-call positions, contact us at 763-572-3612 or
FridleyFire@FridleyMN.gov.
Fridley Fire Department Welcomes Engine 3
A new tradition began in Fridley on June 7 when the Fire Department dedicated their new truck into service
with a “Wet Down” ceremony. Mother Nature even offered a helping hand while Captain Kim Herrmann
sprayed down the truck, which was then towel-dried by the dedicated Station 3 firefighters. Lieutenant Todd
Messer led the ceremonies, including the Presentation of Colors from the Fire Explorers and a hymn from the
MN State Fire Service Memorial Pipe Band. The dedication concluded with the long-standing tradition of
pushing the engine into the station. Engine 3 has all the equipment needed to combat a structure fire, respond
to medical emergencies or deal with any number of emergency calls. We look forward to this new engine keeping
residents safe for the next 20 years.
Fridley Fire Core Values:
Integrity
Professionalism
Accountable
Ethical
Dedicated
Disciplined
Respectful
Compassionate
Honor
Save the Date!
Annual Fridley
Fire Department
Open House
Saturday, October 4, 2014
All ages are welcome at our
annual Fire Open House on
Saturday, October 4.
Look for details coming soon
on our website at
www.FridleyMN.gov.
Professionalism Compassionate Integrity Dedicated
Siren Upgrades Address Your Concerns
We usually see natural disasters and national
emergencies from a distance, and most of us want to
believe it always happens somewhere else. For those
who lived in or near Fridley in 1965, this is not true.
They witnessed disaster first-hand when violent
tornados tore across the city, destroying one in four
homes. Then in the summer of 1986, Fridley was hit
again. This time, a tornado touchdown spent 16 long
minutes devastating the Springbrook Nature Center.
It is no wonder that outdoor warning sirens are a big
concern for Fridley residents. When they are not
working properly, people take notice. The City of
Fridley currently has eight outdoor Federal Signal
Siren units installed in the city. These 127-decibel
sirens were purchased in 1988. Sirens are silently
tested daily, and audibly sounded on the first
Wednesday of every month. Over the past few years,
the City has started to see an increase in failures and
maintenance costs to our siren system.
The safety of our City, its residents, buildings and
businesses, is our top concern. We evaluated the
equipment, placement, sound levels and direction,
and the research determined that 95% of the issues
resulted from outdated controller equipment.
Basically, each of the eight sirens consists of two parts:
First is the controller box that receives the signal from
Anoka County emergency management officials to
sound the siren, and the second is the siren head at
the top of the post that emits that sound. The City
has taken immediate action to protect its residents
and all eight controller boxes were replaced mid-June
of this year. They are now testing with 100% perfect
accuracy.
Over the next two years, each of the siren heads will
also be replaced. Together, these upgrades will ensure
functionality for 20 to 30 years. It is our hope that
they are not needed, but it is our responsibility to
ensure that they are ready.
As the upcoming months carry the risk of severe
weather, there are several things that you can do to be
prepared.
•Use a weather radio. These can be programmed
specifically for Anoka County warnings.
•Learn two ways out of every room.
•Know the safest room in event of a tornado
(basement, lower interior room with no windows,
bathtub, etc). Make sure your children know
where to go.
•Choose a meeting spot (one near your home and
one outside your neighborhood).
•Keep your family’s contact information with you.
In an emergency, in may be easier to text than to
call, as emergency workers may need the phone
lines.
•Have an out-of-town or out-of-area contact for all
family members to text, call or email as a way of
keeping track of family members in case of
separation.
•Build an emergency kit. There should be enough
food, water, clothing and supplies to last for at
least three days.
For more information on emergency preparedness,
visit our website at www.FridleyMN.gov.
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 8
Fridley Community Calendar
August
4 Parks & Recreation Commission
5 Night to Unite
6 Appeals Commission
7 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
11 City Council Meeting
20 Planning Commission
25 City Council Meeting
September
1 City Offices Closed in Observance Labor Day
3 Appeals Commission
4 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
8 City Council Meeting
8 Parks and Recreation Commission
9 Environmental Quality & Energy Commission
17 Planning Commission
22 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.
almost $300 million in new taxable market value,
and that number is growing with each new project.
In fact, Northern Stacks and The Cielo Apartments
(projects currently underway) are expected to
generate an additional $100 million in taxable
market value for the City.
Another program within the HRA is the Housing
Replacement Program. Since it started, the HRA has
replaced 37 blighted properties with new homes.
They also offer low interest home improvement
loans and a remodeling advisor service, which has
helped many residents upgrade and improve their
homes. The look and value of entire neighborhoods
can be affected by one struggling property, which
makes this program an essential tool for the
City. We have seen these efforts revitalize
neighborhoods, and inspire other homeowners to
make improvements as well.
The Fridley HRA consists of five volunteer members
appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Current
volunteers include Chairman Larry Commers, Vice
Chair Pat Gabel, Gordon Backlund, Bill Holm and
Stephen Eggert. “My role as Chair,” explains
Commers, “is to work closely with City staff and
the committee members to develop policy and
consensus, implement plans to create new
development projects and jobs, encourage
rehabilitation and remodeling of existing properties,
and to provide housing replacement and remodeling
programs for residents.” A tall order, but one he has
seen many years of success with. During his tenure,
Commers has been a part of early projects, such as
Johnson Printing, and extending to more recent
successes such as the Fridley Northstar Commuter
Rail Station. Other favorites include the Center City
Project, Medtronic and Christenson Crossing.
We thank the entire HRA for their time and efforts
toward continual improvements in Fridley. If you
have questions on HRA programs or want to explore
options for improving your home, please visit
www.FridleyMN.gov/HRA.
HRA, continued from page 2
According to Nature Center Director Mike Maher, “As
a staff, we are incredibly excited to look ahead at fun
and educational exhibits, expanded classroom space for
our programs and to be able to share this amazing
natural area with an expanded audience.”
While the new interpretive center will be the
immediate priority, the SPRING Project also includes
plans for a new picnic pavilion, outdoor classrooms, a
nature-based play area, an amphitheater and a
landscaped memorial plaza. The Springbrook Nature
Center foundation is currently launching a fundraising
campaign to raise the additional three million dollars
that will be needed to complete the vision. Exciting
opportunities for community involvement include a
message walkway. You will have a chance to be a part of
the new design by purchasing an engraved paver with a
personal message or dedication that will be
incorporated into the all new Springbrook Nature
Center.
For the most up-to-date information on the project,
visit springbrooknaturecenter.org or the Nature
Center’s Facebook page.
Nature Center Receives Grant, continued from page 1