FN June 2014The first railroad tracks were laid following the Red River
Ox Cart Trail alongside the Mississippi River through what
would eventually become the City of Fridley in 1864.
Freight trains consisting of over 100 cars traveling at speeds
of 59 mph were likely unimaginable. In 2014, two
mainline tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway transverse the entire north-south length of the
City, and divide many times over to form the Northtown
Yard at the City’s southern end. Furs, lumber, and
agricultural products were
the major rail shipments
at the dawn of the 20th
Century. Now, just over
100 years later, light crude
oil from Bakken in
western North Dakota is
the attent ion-getting
cargo. Six to eight trains
car r y i ng c ru d e o il ,
sloshing back and forth in
100 or so 30,000 gallon
tank cars per train, make
their way through Fridley
every day. That’s about 800 tank cars filled with over 20
million gallons of oil every 24 hours. We have all heard
about high profile oil train derailments over the last year,
and you may be wondering how prepared are we in Fridley
to respond to this type of incident.
First of all, Federal, State and local authorities throughout
the region are working on ways to keep our communities
safe. In addition, the railroads themselves are making
voluntary changes in the way they ship oil to lessen both
the likelihood of an incident and to minimize the
consequences of those that do still occur. Nationally, rail
shipments of crude oil have increased dramatically from a
mere 9,500 carloads in 2003 to an estimated 400,000
carloads in 2013. The 2014 tally is expected to climb even
higher. In our region, North Dakota produced 81,000
barrels per day in 2003 to 400,000 barrels per day midway
through 2013. These production levels far surpassed the
capacity of pipelines, and the bulk of Bakken crude oil
currently ships by rail.
Domestic crude oil rail shipments are carried by 92,000
rail tank cars and only 14,000 of these met the more
stringent safety standards when they were implemented in
2011. All new tank cars manufactured since 2011 meet
the new standards, and the rail industry is currently
retrofitting the fleet of existing rail cars with new safety
features. These safety enhancements include reinforced
“heat shields” on the car’s ends, thicker puncture resistant
tanks, and safety modifications to the hatches. In addition
June 2014
No. 188
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
City Takes Notice of Increased Rail Activity
Fridley
to increased track inspections, additional trackside
monitoring, and improved rail maintenance, BNSF has
agreed to voluntarily restrict the speed of trains
transporting crude oil through 46 urban areas, including
the Twin Cities and Fridley. These speed restrictions will
reduce oil train speeds to a maximum 40 mph from the
current speed limits of up to 59 mph. Proponents of the
speed restrictions claim the reduced energy levels present in
a derailment at the slower speeds will be less likely to result
in a rupture.
We sometimes get the
question regarding the
City’s ability to regulate
rail traffic in Fridley.
Federal case law has been
consistent and clear that
local jurisdictions lack
the ability to regulate
trains. That power is
reserved to the federal
g overnme n t ac ti n g
through the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA). The City supports FRA
and industry efforts to further improve the safe transport
of all rail shipments, including crude oil. The transport of
hazardous cargo through Fridley is not new. Trains, trucks,
and pipelines carrying potentially hazardous substances
pass through our City every day. In response, the City of
Fridley, Anoka County, and the State of Minnesota all have
response plans in place to prevent and respond to
incidents. While City staff prepares and routinely updates
our emergency response plans and training for all hazards,
this year Fridley’s police and fire leadership has attended
training regarding the hazards posed by oil trains. The
information our staff has brought back will be used to train
additional City staff this fall when a hypothetical oil train
derailment will serve as the scenario for an emergency
management training table-top exercise. This training will
bring together first responders, supervisors, and other staff
to work through a response plan and further enhance our
capabilities.
In the meantime, you can help protect yourself and our
community by keeping up on the oil train topic, by voicing
your support for transport safety initiatives to our state and
federal agencies and elected officials, and by preparing an
all-hazards emergency response plan for your home and
family. For information on elements to include in your
family plan, we recommend visiting www.ready.gov.
Locally, please contact Public Safety Director Don Abbott
or Police Captain Brian Weierke at 763-572-3629 for
comments or additional information.
What’s Inside
Fridley Superfund CAG............2
Fridley Market ........................2
Residential Refuse ...................2
Spotlight on Water Dept ..........3
FMTV.....................................3
Election Information .................4
Go Green!.............................4
Melody Manor Neighborhood..5
Resolving Neighborhood
Conflicts ............................5
Corn Washes Up in Locke Lake 6
Raingarden Improves
Water Quality ....................6
Grilling Safety.........................7
Fridley Calendar .....................7
‘49er Days Schedule ...............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
Tuesday,August 5, 2014
Join us as we celebrate our
Police and Community Partnership.
If you are interested in hosting a
neighborhood block party, please contact
Fridley Police Special Projects Coordinator
Myra Harris Johnson at 763-572-3638
or Myra.Harris@FridleyMN.gov
Duluth Trading Co.
Construction workers, landscapers, plumbers and
other tradespeople of Fridley will have a new local
source for workwear.
Duluth Trading Co. will be moving in to the 15,000
sq. ft. space right next to Cub Foods. “I’ve shopped in
their stores before and I can say they have good
products and a fun marketing strategy and
atmosphere,” says Fridley Community Development
Director Scott Hickok.
The brand is known for its jocular ads for workwear
apparel such as Longtail T-shirts, Firehose pants, and
Armachillo shirts. Started in 1989 by two brothers in
the construction business, the company has grown
from a small selection of worksite organizational tools
to a full line of clothing, shoes and other products for
men and women.
Duluth Trading Co. currently has five stores located
across Minnesota and Wisconsin, one being in
Bloomington. This will be its second metro
area location. “Fridley Market is a perfect place for
Duluth Trading Co. because we have so much
industry here. Their wares match our demographic so
well,” says Scott.
According to the developer, Tri-Land Properties,
construction is planned to begin this month, in
preparation for an October opening.
Teppanyaki Grill
After picking out some new work clothes at Duluth
Trading Co., shoppers will be able to grab some
dinner too. Asian buffet restaurant Teppanyaki Grill
has signed a lease for the southeast corner of the
building. Scott says this restaurant moving in will
bring some life to what is now considered the back of
the building. Having a new storefront and well-lit
parking visible from the highway will be a great step
in generating interest in the shopping center, he
predicts. Construction should be underway soon.
Teppanyaki Grill has another current location, in
Minneapolis at Hiawatha and Lake Street. It is known
for its extensive food offerings and expansive layout.
Chinese and American dishes, a mongolian grill, sushi
buffet, and a self-serve ice cream station are some of
its notable features.
Yet to Come
One more 15,000 sq ft space and three smaller shops
between Duluth Trading Co. and Fridley Liquor are
still up for the taking. With grocery, dining, and retail
providing a nice variety already, it will be exciting to
see who else moves in to Fridley Market. Keep an eye
out for future development!
New Arrivals to Fridley Market
Meetings continue between the City and the five
licensed residential refuse haulers with regard to the
possibility of organized hauling by zones in the City
of Fridley. All five of the licensed residential haulers
are participating, and a proposal from the haulers is
expected in the next 60 days. After that time, a public
hearing will be held.
The steps in the negotiations include agreeing on a
comprehensive scope of services which best serve the
residents of Fridley, a contract term which is in line
with the business interests of the haulers, a price
which reflects the lower costs attributed to the hauling
operation, and the creation of zones for the haulers to
serve. The City is also being mindful of the City
Charter provisions as it relates to services and fees.
The organized hauling by zone discussion is a result
of a recommendation by the Environmental Quality
and Energy Commission. After two years of review,
the Commission recommended to the City Council
in December, 2013, to consider organized hauling
by zones.
Some people do not care for organized hauling, as it
eliminates their choice in selecting a refuse hauler. The
City respects those opinions and must balance them
with the responsibility for preserving the quality of
City streets. Under our open system, as many as 11
heavy trucks may be on residential streets serving the
refuse, yard waste and recycling needs of residents.
Heavy trucks cause streets to wear out sooner and
increase City street maintenance costs. One estimate is
that heavy trucks increase street maintenance cost by
$100,000 to $200,000 annually. Under an organized
hauling by zone system, there would only be three
trucks on each residential street, thereby allowing our
streets to last longer and reduce maintenance expenses.
Look to the City web site for updates. You may direct
any questions regarding this process to City Manager
Wally Wysopal at 763-572-3506.
Residential Refuse Hauling Update
Fridley Superfund
Community Advisory
Group
The Fridley Superfund Community Advisory
Group (CAG) has now been formed for one year.
The EPA worked with the community to
establish this group in early 2013, with the goal
to act as a “go-between” between the EPA and
members of the Fridley community or others
interested in the issues surrounding Fridley and
its superfund sites. One of the CAG’s goals is to
provide as much information as possible about
the superfund sites located within the City of
Fridley.
There are currently 18 members on the Fridley
Superfund Community Advisory Group. The
group meets on the third Thursday of each
month at 6:00 p.m. at the Fridley Community
Center. These meetings are always open to the
public, and the CAG encourages anyone to
attend meetings anytime. Community
involvement and support is vital to the success
of the group. At these meetings, individuals
will learn many things about the Fridley
superfund sites, including, but not limited to,
ongoing remediation efforts, health concerns
related to contaminant exposure, and
development of these sites.
At the CAG meetings, there have been
presentations by the Mayor, superfund site
project managers, EPA staff, the Minnesota
Department of Health, and Pollution Control
Agency. There was also a presentation regarding
the upcoming redevelopment of one of the larger
sites. All of these presentations have provided
valuable information to the group in an effort to
learn about the history of these superfund sites,
the status of these sites currently, and what the
future holds for these sites. The CAG will be
working in the future to develop informational
resources for the public. It will continue to work
with State and Federal agencies to ensure that the
public is fully advised about the superfund sites
in Fridley.
Anyone interested in learning about the
superfund sites in Fridley should attend the CAG
meetings. There is also a website being developed,
which contains information about upcoming
meeting dates, information about prior meetings,
such as meeting agendas, meeting minutes and
copies of presentations done. That website can be
found at fridleycag.wordpress.com.
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
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 3
Many Ways to Watch
FMTV Programming
Want to stay up-to-date with Fridley happenings,
but cannot always tune in to Fridley Municipal
Television Channel 17? You are in luck, because
we are all about providing viewing opportunities
to fit your schedule and lifestyle. There are many
ways to catch a program you missed.
XFINITY ON DEMAND
Cable customers: Fridley Municipal Television
productions are available for free via XFINITY On
Demand. Press the “On Demand” button or
Channel 1 on your cable remote to access the
menu. Within the menu, first select “Get Local.”
Then “Civic on Demand.” Then “Fridley.” At
this point, you will have a display of all available
programs to choose from. City Council meetings
are available for one month. Most other programs
are available for three months. This is a convenient
way to watch programs on your own time, without
the need for a computer.
PEG CENTRAL
If you do have access to a computer and internet,
another option is PEG Central. PEG refers to
Public, Educational, and Government access
television, and PEG Central is essentially an online
archive of our programs since 2011. Videos can be
searched by title or sorted by category. PEG
Central is a particularly good place to watch City
Council meetings, because it includes a link to the
meeting agenda, as well as links to jump ahead in
the video to specific agenda items. To see for
yourself, visit http://fridleytv.pegcentral.com.
YOUTUBE
If you have ever watched a viral video or published
your own video to the web, you are probably
familiar with YouTube. YouTube is a very popular
video sharing website open to anyone. Fridley
Municipal TV has its own YouTube channel that
can be found at youtube.com/fridleymunicipaltv.
In addition to many of our regular programs, you
can find some of our shorter videos promoting
community events and other Fridley updates.
YouTube videos are easy to share with friends on
social media. The optional “subscribe” feature
allows you to register to be notified whenever we
post a new video. You do not need to make an
account in order to view the videos.
BY REQUEST
If all else fails, you can contact us and request a
show to be played on Channel 17 at a time that is
convenient for you, as long as it does not conflict
with a live broadcast. Cable Administrator Brian
Strand can be reached at 763-572-3501 or by
emailing FridleyTV@FridleyMN.gov.
Water Spotlight
In Little House on the Prairie, pioneer Laura Ingalls
Wilder recounts the story of her father and neighbor
hand-digging a well for their homestead. The ordeal
includes several days of digging, a near-death
experience due to methane inhalation, a small
explosion, and a quick escape from the suction power
of the watery mud they finally reach deep down in the
earth. All this to secure a steady supply of water.
Today, consistent access to good water with the simple
turn of a faucet is something most of us take for
granted. But without the diligence of Fridley’s water
maintenance employees, this would not be possible.
With 3 water treatment plants, 13 wells, 4 water
storage tanks, and enough water main mileage to
stretch from here to Iowa, Water Supervisor Kory
Jorgensen and his crew have their hands full. “The
quality of water delivered with only five full-time
staff,” is something Kory takes pride in.
In the pioneer days, digging the well was the first and
only step. Ma Ingalls would send down a bucket
whenever her girls were thirsty. Today there’s a lot
more to it.
“I don’t think a lot of the public realize all the
processes the water goes through to get from the well,
through the treatment process and distribution system
and into their homes,” says Philip Perron, an
employee with 20 years of experience. He is
responsible for operating Commons Filter Plant,
which includes backwashing water filters, mixing
chemicals, and maintaining valves and actuators.
“The fact that the Water Department can treat and
distribute 3 million to 10 million gallons of water per
day with very few complaints from the public,” is
rewarding for Philip.
Jason Wiehle, another 20-year employee, enjoys
helping residents with problems. He says that an
aspect of the job that some people might not be aware
of is “the amount of emergency and after-hours work
we do.” If your idea of a water employee’s job is to
check a meter once in a while, you are mistaken.
“We are very busy maintaining all of our facilities
and distribution,” Kory emphasizes. “The staff also
does snow removal.” The fact that a lot of this work
goes on unseen may result in another misconception:
“Everyone thinks we are overpaid,” says Keven
Becklin. “Not true.”
The bottom line is that it is easy to forget the hard
work that goes into keeping our water supply flowing.
Peter Gunderson says he finds satisfaction in fulfilling
the main mission of the division: “Keeping the City’s
water system well-maintained for all citizens.” We are
lucky to have a crew of long-time employees dedicated
to the task, and the modern technology to make it
efficient. Keep this in mind the next time you go to
the faucet for a drink—on that positive note, you may
notice your glass is already half-full!
Pre-registration is required
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 9
Commons Park
6249 7th Street NE
Fridley Parks & Recreation Department • 763-572-3570 • www.FridleyMN.gov
Wet &Wild
Water Party
Pictured left to right: Philip Perron, Kory Jorgensen, Keven Becklin, Peter Gunderson, Jason Wiehle
2014 Election Information
Primary Election August 12, 2014 • General Election November 4, 2014
Voting by Absentee Ballot:
Absentee ballot voting begins 45 days before each
election. Voters may now cast an absentee ballot in
person at Fridley City Hall prior to the election. All
absentee voting by mail will be conducted by Anoka
County. Voters no longer need a reason to vote by
absentee ballot, however, you do need to complete an
application requesting an absentee ballot.
For the 2014 Primary Election, absentee ballot voting
begins June 27 and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Monday,
August 11. For the 2014 General Election, absentee
ballot voting begins September 19 and ends at 5:00
p.m. on Monday, November 3.
City offices will be open Monday through Friday 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices will close on Monday
August 11 and November 3 at 5:00 p.m. In order to
process each absentee ballot in a timely fashion, we ask
voters to come in early as possible. New Election Equipment
Voters in the City of Fridley, and throughout Anoka
County, will see new election equipment (vote
tabulators) when casting their ballots in the
upcoming elections. The basic voting process
remains the same, with voters marking the oval on
a paper ballot to insert into the vote tabulator.
Advanced technology and improved features in the
updated election equipment will enhance the voting
process.
The old vote tabulator equipment purchased in
2000 performed well but had reached the end of its
useful life and had to be replaced. Significant
improvements in optical scan and tabulation
technology have been achieved since our last
equipment purchase. The new units offer many
advantages for our election workers and voters.
A Joint Powers Agreement between the county,
cities and school districts outlining the division of
election duties and allocation procedures was
approved in 2012, which set the stage for the
purchase of the equipment in 2013. A Request for
Proposal (RFP) was issued by Anoka County. The
County received three vendor proposals. Elections
Systems & Software (ES&S) was awarded the
contract with Anoka County to provide voting
software, hardware and equipment for polling
places and absentee voting. This election
equipment was used in the 2013 school district
elections, but will be used for the first time for
Fridley’s municipal elections.
The ES&S DS200™ combines our familiar paper-
based system with the flexibility and efficiency of
the most advanced digital image technology. The
new equipment offers a number of advantages
which include a cellular modem to allow the
transmission of vote totals directly from the polling
place; provides for the flexibility of ballot size;
complies with the Federal 2005 Voluntary Voting
Systems Guidelines for enhancements on usability,
accessibility and security; and provides a 12-inch
LCD touch screen monitor allowing voters and
election judges to cast their ballots and operate the
system.
Election equipment demonstrations are available
upon request by calling the Fridley City Clerk at
763-572-3523 or by e-mailing your request to
elections@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
Voting at the Precinct Location:
Those voters planning to vote at their precincts, (polling locations) will go to the precincts they voted at for the
2012 municipal, federal and state elections located at:
Ward 1, Precinct 1 Grace Evangelical Church, 755 73rd Avenue
Ward 1, Precinct 2 Hayes Elementary, 615 Mississippi Street
Ward 1, Precinct 3 Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Avenue
Ward 1, Precinct 4 Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th Street NE
Ward 2, Precinct 1 Woodcrest Elementary, 880 Osborne Road
Ward 2, Precinct 2 Michael Servetus Unitarian Church, 6565 Oakley Drive
Ward 2, Precinct 3 St. Phillips Lutheran Church, 6180 Highway 65
Ward 2, Precinct 4 North Park Elementary, 5575 Fillmore Street (off Lynde Drive)
Ward 3, Precinct 1 Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Avenue NE
Ward 3, Precinct 2 Redeemer Lutheran Church, 61 Mississippi Way
Ward 3, Precinct 3 Stevenson Elementary, 6080 East River Road
Ward 3, Precinct 4 Fridley Covenant Church, 6390 University Avenue NE
Election Results
The City can no longer report the unofficial totals
on election night. Absentee ballots are now counted
separately outside of the precinct totals at Anoka
County and added to the precinct totals separately. If
voters are interested in the unofficial vote totals, voters
may visit the City’s website www.FridleyMN.gov to
find the link to the Secretary of State’s Election Night
Reporting on election night. Vote totals will be placed
on cable after the City has received all of the unofficial
absentee ballot totals to add to the precinct vote totals.
The City’s official results will become available to
voters on the City’s website after the Canvass Board
meets to officially approve the results of the election.
If you have any election questions or are interested in
serving as an election judge, please contact the City
Clerk at 763-572-3523 or elections@FridleyMN.gov.
Fridley residents continue to Go Green!
Don’t be left behind! As of March over 360 utility customers have enrolled in eBill. eBill allows customers to
enroll in electronic bill notification and online payment services free of charge. This program just became
available in November of last year and already many customers are realizing both the time and cost savings
of eBill. Please see your current statement for easy to follow enrollment instructions and begin saving yourself
time and money each quarter.
In addition to enrolling for eBill, you can also sign up for our Direct Payment service to have your utility bill
paid automatically from your checking or savings account prior to its due date, avoiding late fees, stamps and
the hassle of mailing a payment! Simply complete the following information and mail it along with your next
utility payment.
Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________
Utility Account #:______________________________________________________________________________
Daytime phone#:______________________________________________________________________________
Financial Institution:_______________________________________________Checking Savings
By signing below I am authorizing the City of Fridley Utility Department to automatically withdraw my utility
payment from my checking/savings account.
_________________________________________________________________________
Signature Date
Attach voided check or savings withdrawal slip here.
For more information on either of these programs go to www.FridleyMN.gov and
click on utils/streets or call 763-572-3529.
Stepping into Melody Manor is like walking through
a musical glossary. Symphony, Lyric, Tempo, and
Concerto are a few of the themed street names found
in the neighborhood, which is located just south of
Unity Hospital.
The inspiration for this musical theme is a bit of a
mystery. Community Development Director Scott
Hickok did some digging in the archives of Planning
Commission meeting minutes from the early 1960s,
when the Melody Manor plat was proposed and
created. “I found it interesting that the musical names
and the relationship to the developer or development
really wasn’t part of the discussion in any of the
minutes,” he says.
Resident Melanie Schwartz does hear a bit of
discussion about the names, especially when she
introduces herself. “My name is Melanie and I live on
Melody Drive. I get a lot of comments about that,”
she says. She and her family moved here from Spring
Lake Park in 1998, seeking a quieter neighborhood,
close to church and school.
To some, the layout of the neighborhood resembles
sound waves emanating from a speaker. Or perhaps,
as Scott suggests, a curved sheet of music: “Remember
the chalk holder that music teachers used to hold five
pieces of chalk and to quickly draw a musical staff on
the chalkboard? If you had one of those in 1960, you
too could have designed this neighborhood.”
The man responsible for the early development of the
neighborhood was Ernest Madsen. After serving as
Fridley’s first City Manager in the mid-1950s, he went
on to form E & M Development Company with a
friend. In addition to Melody Manor, E & M
developed a number of other Fridley neighborhoods,
as well as the Commerce Park industrial area. After his
death, City Council named
Madsen Park in Melody
Manor in his honor.
As far as construction,
Clenron Inc., Mill City
Builders , and Homedale
Builders were some of the
contractors who were active in
the building of the original
Melody Manor homes. “On a tragic note, many
homes were built by the time of the 1965 tornado,”
says Scott. “Aerial photos of the devastation show
homes under construction, homes that had been
completed but then devastated, and occasionally you
could see a home that somehow was spared.”
Jerry Ratcliff’s brand new home was not among those
few spared. “We only lived there one month before
the tornado hit,” he recalls. His wife was seriously
injured, to the point where doctors said her chances of
survival were slim. Thankfully, she did make an
amazing recovery. The Ratcliffs were able to rebuild
their lives and their house in Melody Manor.
Today Jerry has a new relationship with the storms
that pass through. “I instigated the installation of the
rain gardens in our area,” he says. His notable curbside
garden, filled with a variety of perennial plants, can
take in a thousand gallons of water. After a few days of
steady spring rain, Jerry estimates that the rain gardens
in the neighborhood saved about five to seven
thousand gallons from washing into the storm sewers.
He got the idea for the gardens after seeing them in
another county while driving a tour bus. Since then
he’s become something of a local expert. “People
always come to ask me what kinds of plants to put in,”
says Jerry, who has been kind enough to split up and
share his plants with beginners.
Sharing is just one of the ways
Melody Manor residents show
their community spirit.
“We all watch out for each
other,” says Melanie. “We
watch out for neighbor kids, we
shovel each other’s driveways.
When big storms have come
through, neighbors have helped each other get
generators running. It’s nice.” She describes the make-
up of the neighborhood as a good mix of older
residents and newcomers. “Our neighbors are
fabulous,” she says. Jerry has similar feelings. “We
love it,” he says of the neighborhood.
It sounds like they are living in harmony in Melody
Manor.
Resolving Conflict
Peacefully in Your
Neighborhood
Each day, dozens of little things happen that could be
sources of conflict among neighbors. For example, a
neighbor leaves snow on the front sidewalk; a house
around the corner does not keep the lawn up; or a
parked car occasionally blocks the sidewalk. Such
things may be a little irritating for a moment or two
but most folks just move on. Life is short and in the
grand scheme of things, these are just small, easily
forgivable inconveniences.
But small things have a way of building up over time.
Neighbors can grow angry with one another. People
begin drawing battle lines over ordinarily mundane
matters. The truth is that living in proximity to others
has the potential to produce conflict. Each day, we
interact with those who may have cultural differences
and values that are not the same as our own.
Sometimes those differences become conflicts and
build up into heated situations. We respond to
conflicts based on perceptions, not necessarily to an
objective review of the facts. Conflicts often trigger
strong emotions. Our perceptions and emotions are
influenced by our life experiences, culture, values, and
beliefs. Being unable to manage emotions during
times of stress may hinder or eliminate our ability to
resolve conflict successfully.
When experiencing a conflict with a neighbor, it is
good to ask yourself some tough, but important
questions.
•Do you really want to resolve the conflict
and are you willing to sincerely negotiate?
Meaning:Are you willing to consider
more than one way to fix the problem.
•What do you want to change?
Meaning:Be clear. Attack the
specific problem not the person.
•Can you work it out together, or
do you need a third party?
Meaning:Treat each other as
equals and with respectful.
•Can you remain calm?
Meaning:Do you have emotional control?
Answering yes to those important questions indicates
you are on the way to resolving the conflict.
Constructive communication can resolve conflict.
Talking things over is often the best way to handle
problems and avoid having a seemingly minor conflict
escalate out of control.
If you feel you need assistance with resolving a
neighborhood conflict, the City of Fridley may be
able to help. The City’s website has a guide: Suggestions
for Preventing Conflict. Each neighborhood in
Fridley has a Neighborhood Resource Officer
(NRO), who will gladly help address quality of life
conflicts that arise. The guide and NRO contact
information are available at www.FridleyMN.gov
under “Police, Program & Projects.” Another great
resource is Mediation Services for Anoka County.
They can be reached at www.MediationService.org or
763-422-8878.
Neighborhood Feature: Melody Manor
If you would like to see your
neighborhood featured in a future
newsletter, let us know by calling
763-572-3500. 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
NICKEL
JAMBOREE
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday,August 6
Commons Park
carnival games • prizes
face painting • crazy hair
puppet shows • bingo
popcorn • hayrides and more!
Most activities are just
10 - 50 cents, so bring your change!
Neighbors around Locke Lake discovered corn
from the train spill of 2011 floating near the shore
after heavy rains in April and May churned up
sediment that had previously captured the corn.
Twigs, mud, chunks of wood and other upstream
and lakeshore debris contributed to the problem
because these organics decompose and release
unpleasant odors and phosphorus.
The Rice Creek Watershed drains to the
Mississippi River by passing through Locke Lake.
According to Matt Kocian, Lake and Stream
Specialist for the RCWD, total phosphorous
concentrations in Locke Lake were elevated in
2013, compared to previous years. This could be
due to the amount of rainfall we received,
especially early in the season, last year, similar to
what we experienced in late April and May this
year. Phosphorus in Locke Lake comes mainly
from Rice Creek. Thus, with more rain, and more
stormwater runoff, more phosphorus is delivered
to the lake. Corn and other organic debris in
Locke Lake, although aesthetically unpleasant,
do not contribute a significant amount of
phosphorus. Algae levels and water clarity test
results were similar to past years. RCWD will
continue to test water quality in 2014.
Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is one of the
key organizations working to improve water quality in
Fridley. A newly constructed raingarden was designed
to improve Locke Lake. The garden is located at the
corner of Brookview Drive and Rice Creek Terrace, at
the trail head for the Rice Creek West Regional Trail.
Shrubs were planted in May. Native flowers and
grasses were planted next, with the help of local
residents. RCWD provided $6,000 in funding to
maximize the raingarden’s ability to capture and
absorb stormwater runoff before it reaches the lake.
The remainder of the raingarden budget was the result
of a 2012 settlement negotiated with BNSF Railway
for environmental damages which occurred as a result
of the Locke Lake train derailment and corn spill in
2011. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
and the EPA, Locke Lake neighbors and U-MN Soils
remain involved. The DNR worked with the Rice
Creek Watershed District to use those funds to install
a large raingarden as one major step toward improving
water quality in Locke Lake.
Q
We love being a Mississippi River town. Since all of
our surface waters drain toward the Mississippi, really,
we all live on the River!
Here are some tips to keep our River healthy:
•Avoid garden fertilizers with phosphorus (the
middle number on a bag) unless a soil test indicates
it is lacking in your yard. Most properties have
sufficient or excess phosphorus. That extra
phosphorus runs into water bodies and contributes
to algae that are smelly in late summer and bad for
fish.
•If you live on the Lake or along a stream, do not use
lawn food on a nearby lawn. Even though lawn
fertilizer in Minnesota no longer contains
phosphorus, too much nitrogen has serious impacts
to our water, too.
•If you live along a lake or stream, plant a buffer of
native plants to capture water from storms before it
goes into the water.
•Create beds, swales and plantings in your yard to
intercept rainwater. Keep it draining downward on
your property instead of heading into the
stormdrain and later downriver.
•Find out if your property is suitable for a raingarden
and attend an upcoming class. Fridley is a partner
in Blue Thumb. Find out more ideas at
www.BlueThumb.org.
•Keep the stormdrain near your home free of leaves,
grass clippings and debris in all seasons.
page 6 F r i d l e y C o m m u n i t y R e p o r t
This popular and fast-paced three-hour workshop is back! Explore the latest information in healthy yard care practices
combined with the Metro Blooms and City approaches to raingarden design and installation. Participants move quickly
from an overview to focus on a raingarden and native planting design for their property with expert help from a landscape
design professional and Master Gardener. Participants will learn about stormwater runoff, tips for shoreline plantings and
raingarden basics including design, installation and maintenance of raingardens using native plants. Participants will
receive hands-on assistance in planning a raingarden project.
Before attending, participants will complete homework assignments and arrive at the workshop with necessary
information about their property.
Why attend? The beautiful flowers and structure of a well-designed raingarden are great additions to your
property but the garden will also capture stormwater and helps keep sediment out of our Mississippi River!
To Register: metroblooms.org/workshops.php; or call Metro Blooms at 651-699-2426.
Raingarden Improves Water Quality at Locke Lake
Corn Washes Up in
Locke Lake
Raingarden
Workshop
Thursday, June 19, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Fridley Community Center
6085 7th St. NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Cost: $15.00 per household.
Each registered person may bring a second
person from their household at no additional
cost.
Registration is restricted to the first 25 households
from Fridley, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, St. Anthony
Village and Lauderdale only. This is not a metro-wide
event.
w w w .F r i d l e y M N .g o v page 7
Grilling Safety
With spring finally upon us, it is a welcome sign to
smell the mouth-watering waft of your neighbor’s
dinner on the grill. Each year, more than 500 fires
occur when people use grills, and about 20 people are
injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions.
Before you kick-off your own BBQ, the Fridley Fire
Department would like to offer our top 10 tips for
safety this grilling season.
1.BBQ grills should only be used outdoors and
should be placed well away from the home, deck
railings and out from under eaves and
overhanging branches, with an adult in
attendance at all times.
2.Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease
and fat to build up on your grill, they provide
more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of
flare ups. Before you put anything on the grill,
get the grill hot and scrub it of any residue with
a clean wire-bristled brush.
3.Check all connections for leaks by turning on the
cylinder valve and spraying the connections with
a solution made by mixing equal amounts of
liquid dish soap and water. If bubbles appear,
those connections need to be tightened or
replaced.
4.Use long-handed tools to avoid leaning over the
grill when flipping over burgers and other meats.
Be mindful of sleeves and clothing when near a
grill as well.
5.Create separate areas on the grill for raw meat
and cooked foods to prevent cross-
contamination.
6.Invest in an instant-read thermometer: Making
sure meat and poultry are cooked to the proper
temperatures is vital to safe eating.
7.When you are finished grilling with charcoal, let
the coals completely cool before disposing of
them in a metal container—never put them into
a plastic or other combustible container.
8.Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of
your grill, and know how to use it! If you are
unsure how to use the extinguisher, do not waste
time trying to learn –just call 9-1-1.
9.DON’T: Turn on the gas while your grill lid is
closed. It causes gas to build up inside your grill,
and when you do light it, a fireball can explode
in your face.
10.DON’T: Overload your grill with food,
especially fatty meats. If too much fat drips on
to the flames at once, it may cause a flare-up that
can light nearby items on fire.
Finally, the Fridley Fire Department would like to
remind residents that the City has adopted the
Minnesota State Fire Code with regards to multi-
family dwellings which does not allow charcoal or gas
grills to be used or stored on decks or within 15’ of
dwellings that are 4 units or larger. For more
information please visit our website at
www.FridleyMN.gov
We hope that you enjoy your grilling season and time
with your family this summer. If you have any
questions related to grilling safety, please email Renee
at Renee.Hamdorf@FridleyMN.gov
Q
For your next backyard get together, here is Renee’s
favorite steak marinade to try out. (approximate
measurements)
1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil (Can substitute Olive Oil)
1 tablespoon White Balsamic Vinegar
1-2 cloves of garlic finely chopped or pressed
1 tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning
1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and place into Ziploc
style bag or air tight container with your favorite cut
of steak for at least 3 hours. Grill to your liking.
Fridley Community Calendar
June
2 Parks & Recreation Commission
4 Appeals Commission
5 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
9 City Council Meeting
18 Planning Commission
23 City Council Meeting
26-29 ‘49er Days
July
2 Appeals Commission
3 Housing & Redevelopment Authority
4 City Offices Closed in Observance
Independence Day
8 Environmental Quality & Energy Commission
14 City Council Meeting
16 Planning Commission
28 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.
Fridley 2013 Drinking
Water Quality Report
The City of Fridley (PWSID 1020031) has
summarized the results of monitoring done on its
drinking water for 2013 in its annual Water
Quality Report. This report includes details on
results of water quality testing in 2013 and news
relating to your City’s water system.
Your drinking water meets Federal and State
standards. We are proud to report that no
contaminants were detected at levels that violated
state and federal drinking water standards.
To review the Fridley 2013 Drinking Water
Quality Report, along with reports from previous
years, visit the City’s website at:
www.FridleyMN.gov/water-quality-report.
If you have questions on the 2013 Water Quality
Report, or would like to receive a paper copy of
the report, please contact the City of Fridley
Public Works Department at 763-572-3566.
Community Clean-Up Day
Saturday, June 21
8 a.m. - noon Clean-up
•Streams, ponds & trails
•we provide gloves and bags
Noon - 2 p.m.Grillin’ & Chillin’ Picnic
•Beverages, hot dogs, chips,
munchies and more!
Call Jan at 763-572-3588
Sign-up as an individual or as a team!!
More programs on-line!
www.FridleyMN.gov
J o i n t h efun!
Pre-school
Playgrounds
Soccer
T-ball
Tumblers in Motion
Elementary School
ROCKS
Playgrounds
Day Camps
T-ball
Tennis
Tumblers in Motion
Morning Classes
Wednesday Field Trips
Middle School
ROCKS
Morning Classes
Wednesday Field Trips
Chill
Leaders In Training
Recreation Summer Youth Activities
Thursday, June 26
3:00 - 7:00 p.m.Youth 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Community Center
6:20 p.m.“Run for Fun”St. Philip’s Church
6:30 p.m. ‘49er Days Parade Rain or Shine
Friday, June 27
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Senior Activities Community Center
5:00 p.m.Tennis Tournament Fridley High School
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. BINGO Medtronic
5:00 - 11:00 p.m.Carnival Medtronic
5:00 - 11:00 p.m.Lions Club Beer & Rotary Wine Sales Medtronic
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.Softball Tournament Community Park
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.Street Dance (The White Sidewalls)Medtronic
8:00 p.m.Pizza Eating Contest Medtronic
Saturday, June 28
8:00 a.m.Tennis Tournament Fridley High School
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.Softball Tournament Community Park
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Sand Volleyball Tournament Community Park
12:00 - 11:00 p.m.Carnival Medtronic
5:00 - 11:00 p.m.Lions Club Beer & Rotary Wine Sales Medtronic
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.Kids’ Day Events Medtronic
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.Touch-a-Truck & Train Medtronic
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.Allina/Unity Hospital Wellness Testing Medtronic
3:00 p.m.Pie Baking Contest Medtronic
5:00 -9:00 p.m. BINGO Medtronic
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.City Band Medtronic
6:00 - 11:00 p.m.FHS All Class Reunion Medtronic
6:00 p.m.Fridley Ambassador Pageant Fridley High School
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.Street Dance Medtronic
(Chris Brooks & the Silver City Boys)
8:00 p.m.Pizza Eating Contest Medtronic
Sunday, June 29
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Softball Tournament Community Park
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.Carnival Medtronic
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.Hot Rod Car Show Medtronic
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.Lions Club Beer Sales Medtronic
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.Fridley Idol Content/Karaoke Medtronic
Visit: www.ci.fridley.mn.us/
49er-days/49er-days-main
for more information
Medtronic is located at 7000 Old Central Avenue.
Fridley ‘49er Days is celebrating 40 years!
J U N E 2 6 - 2 9