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1991 Fall CITYOFFRIDLEY Fall Newsletter 1991 No. 72 Raccoons Create Automatic Problems ne long standing Fridley resident has been substantially increasing Doors To Be its numbers in the past few years. They are enticed with unlimited free housing and food,yet are not wanted. Raccoons have become Added a pest because they have adapted well to suburban living. They use chimneys and garages for shelter and garbage for food. Some people he City Council Authorized install- even put special food out for them. ing special door openers for the This unnaturally high population causes health problems for the raccoons, handicapped on the upper and lower other wild life,and people. About 80%of Twin City raccoons carry a roundworm Tlevels of the Fridley Municipal Center, parasite called`Raccoon Roundworm.' This worm can cause incurable central The Fridley Human Resource Commission and a nervous system disorders in people and animals. Disability Task Force discovered that because a Infection comes from ingesting the roundworms' eggs which are found in strong force is needed to keep the doors from raccoon droppings and surfaces such as decks or sidewalks they contact. Because being blown open from inside pressure,people in the microscopic eggs are very tough and sticky, washing with soap, strong wheel chairs were unable to open them. This is detergent or chemical cleaner will not destroy the eggs. Touching a surface that part of the long range plan to have public has eggs on it or dropping a popsickle or cookie on it,then touching your eyes or buildings in Fridley meet accessibility codes. lips or eating the cookie causes the infection to be passed to people. The only way to avoid this infection is to not have raccoon droppings in your yard. To keep raccoons out of a yard remove shelters by screening chimneys,and Citizen Survey closing up sheds or garages. Garbage cans should be tightly covered. Do not in- tentionally feed raccoons because that especially increases their population and Results To Help potential health hazards. No one is immune from raccoons moving in uninvited.In fact,a few years ago Councilmember Billings had one living in his chimney because it was un- Planners n- PIanners screened. After putting a chimney screen on it,he had no more problems. hat do Fridley citizens want from For more information about raccoons or the raccoon roundworm, call the their government? Springbrook Nature Center at 784-3854. What do they think about current ? That is what City officials No one benefits by intentionally feeding raccoons. The raccoons services wanted ? know. But what is the best become pests because they adapt too well to our City. They can way to get this information? also spread disease to people and other animals. To be one hundred percent accurate staff could walk around and visit each property owner. But obviously that is not possible given that at least , 10,000 families live in Fridley. The next best choice is a survey of randomly selected individuals. Even though not all people are questioned,statistics and studies have proven that a sample is an accurate alternative and gives 4 opinions representative of the entire population. aq In May nearly 3,000 surveys were mailed. By June, a very favorable 1,006 responses for this type of survey or 34 percent were returned. Be- cause responses were anonymous,many people chose to make some very candid yet worthwhile comments. The results of this survey will be used by the City Council,City commissions,and City staff to e See Survey, page 3 PAGE 2 CITY OF FRIDLEY FALL 1991 Assessor's Corner Wood Burning Safety by Leon Madsen old weather is rapidly ap- from combustibles on all sides,the bot- REMINDER--It's not too late to apply forproaching so people us- tom and the top. the property tax refund program. If your tax ing wood for heating or level including attics that a chimney passes payable in 1991 is over 10% in excess of that recreation should inspect Fire stops are required at each ceiling paid last year,you may be entitled to a refund of and repair their fireplaces, through or 75%of the excess. Also,depending on the com- wood burning stoves, and chimneys iIf a fire occurs,fire stops bination of your household fire ld income and the tax now before they are put to constant help slow re from spreading from one aid this year,you may be entitled to an addi- level to the next. P Y y Y use. Anyone thinking about installing tional refund. To determine if you qualify,refer a wood burner should also consider the The City makes two inspections on to the gold Minnesota form M-1PR included in following points. Each aspect is equally wood burners. The first is a"rough-in"to your 1990 State Income tax forms,or obtain the important,and if any one is neglected approve construction materials and make form and instruction booklet from our office. a fire could result. sure that proper clearances and fire stops Even though there is a slight penalty for filing have been provided. The final inspection after August 15,it is well worth checking into. The wood burner. confirms that the unit is up to code,checks WINTER VACATIONERS--If you plan on All prefabricated units must be ap- for proper location, and that outside air being out of town between December 15 and proved by an accredited testing agency. for combustion is provided. The home is January 15, you should complete an absentee The stove pipe and its connectors must also inspected for the proper number and HOMESTEAD APPLICATION. Social Secu- also be agency approved and compat- location of smoke detectors. rity numbers of all owners are required when fil- ible with the stove manufacturer's Chimney and wood burner ing. specifications. maintenance. Please remember,if you have any questions Wood burner installation. Chimney fires are the most frequent about your property taxes, feel free to contact Fridleyrequires a building permit . g p hazard but can be easily prevented. Creo- the Fridley Assessor's Office,572-3536to install and make major repairs. Proper sote,a tarry byproduct from burning wood installation includes proper distance can build up in the chimney or stovepipe if they are not properly maintained. If creosote is allowed to build up more than an eighth of an inch,it may ignite into a " very hot fire that could melt or crack the chimney causing a structural fire. .� Chimney sweeps using specially shaped ��. metal brushes and scrapers and vacuum 73rd Avenue ,a equipment are the best cleaning solution. between Home style methods often crack or dam- University and , Central will be a age chimneys. completed in time ��_�,� Wood. for fall strolls. Burning hard woods that have been Entrances and � split and dried for at least one year also intersections ` helps to prevent creosote build up. Soft along 73rd were green wood should not be used. �' improved and 1.2 �P miles were added a If your smoke detector activates be- �: lieve it. Evacuate the house immedi- to the bike/ ately,then call the fire department from a walkway system along the entire neighbor's home. By using proper equipment,installing upgraded section of 73rd, and along �` �� � it correctly,maintaining it,and only us- a portion of ing dry hard wood, you will help make University Avenue k your heating season safe. For more infor- so that � � mation about wood burning devices, Community and call the City Inspection Department Locke parks are at 572-5602. now connected. FALL 1991 CITY OF FRIDLEY PAGE 3 Survey from page 1 plan according to citizen wishes. Results will also be used to correct service areas Block Grants which appear to need it. The following table and graphs show some of the statistics which will be used Granted by planners when planning considering services for Fridley residents. Some The City Council designated Community questions show a high percentage of"Don't Know"responses. In many of these Development Block Grant (CDBG)money instances,we believe that those people either had not used the service or did not for 13 local organizations.The Federal Gov- need assistance in that area. ernment provides the money for organiza- X 25%called 911 to request police department services within the last year. tions who serve low and moderate income X 38%feel that crime has increased since they moved to Fridley. 7%think it people. A Total of$38,835 was distributed. decreased. 37%feel it has remained the same. X 36% think neighborhood police patrol should increase. 51% say it should remain the same. x 79%think Fridley drinking water is free from discoloration or sediment. �( 78%think street center lines and turn arrows are easy to see. �( 45%would like more street lights in their neighborhood. 20%don't know. Fall Compost I m I pos} j( 59% think Springbrook Nature Center programs are interesting and educa- tional. 39%don't know. I O r Summer X 61% agree that summer playground activities are varied and valuable for Fridley youngsters. 37%don't know. Flowers X 88%feel that we should continue to inspect neighborhoods for junk cars and trash violations. )( 61%think no one in a single family home should be allowed to create a separateow that grass clippings and leaves apartment unless it is for parents or relatives. 12%don't know, are prohibited from landfills and X 65%think the yard waste drop off fee is necessary. garbage burners, composting is X 60%think the quarterly recycling fee is necessary. the best disposal method. To allow for home composting, Fridley recently revised its City Code 113 (Solid Waste)to address the issue Citizens Rate City Services of composting. With this revision residents are encouraged to compost provided that certain Satisfied w/Fire _� 610 criteria are met. Don't know 13,a Compost areas must be fully confined �) I within a fenced area or enclosed structure and Don't know :13 h. The Satisfied Police eo3 cannot be more than four feet hi are g y I not allowed in the front yard and must be at Good snow remove ,3. least five feet from the side or rear lot line. In Don't know 3: - addition, composting must be conducted so Sat. w/ rec prog Sol that a nuisance is not created for neighbors. Don't know169 Compost may consist of yard waste,fruit/ Promt response vegetable waste, garden waste, egg shells, complaintsqDon't know - ,2, coffee grounds, soil, fertilizer, flowers, or small shrub or trimmings twigs generated on How taxes used? - g g Mostly used wisely 701 the site where the composting is conducted. Always used wisely 39 ! Meat,bones,grease,whole eggs,dairy prod- Don't know 316 ucts, and human or pet feces are strictly Feel they have a - j prohibited from compost areas. say running things. 5281 As all p Don't know good g 33. ! I gardeners know, compost is an important ingredient for a successful crop. 0 200 400 600 800 After decomposing those old leaves enrich the soil, keep it moist and also keep weeds from growing. Start your compost pile today for next year's garden. PAGE 4 CITY OF FRIDLEY FALL 1991 Fridley Taxes ; t as low as the Recycle Glass about y get Unlike some other packages,glass is 0 nce again Fridley has been recognized as one of the lowest taxing cities in 100 percent recyclable. That means that the metro area,making Fridley taxpayers the big winners. That rating is in an old bottle can be made into a new bottle an annual Property Tax Review prepared by the non-partisan Citizens an infinite number of times without weak- League. ening its components. Of the 95 metro-area cities they studied,Fridley ranks 83rd lowest in city taxes on Anchor Glass,a local company,pro- the average home. (I.E. 82 of the 95 metro communities levy more city taxes on the vides an end market for all the post con- average homeowner than we do in Fridley!) sumer glass in Minnesota. In 1990 55,000 Even when county and school levies are included, Fridley still ranks among the tons of glass containers were diverted lowest...74th out of 95. While taxes are being kept low an outstanding public school from Minnesota landfills, or the equiva- system is provided as well as good City service from the police,fire,and public works. lent needed to manufacture 220 million At the same time Fridley has been rated by Moody's, a national financial rating new bottles. service as having outstanding financial management. Fridley's ranking of Aal is the Currently, each new bottle contains highest any city our size can earn. approximately 50 percent recycled glass. Those are all good signs that Fridley taxpayers are getting their money's worth,and Not only is crushed waste glass essential much more. for making new bottles and jars, but re- cycled glass melts at a lower temperature than raw materials,saving energy costs. Property Tax On A $90,000 House To effectively use recycled glass strict quality standards must be followed. Included are School,County,City,MTC,and miscellaneous taxing districts. Contaminants such as ceramics, dishes and ovenware,stones,plate window glass j or mirrors, heat resistant glass or Pyrex, lead based glass, such as crystal or TV tubes, metals, such as aluminum caps, steel lids,lead bottle collars and light bulb filaments have recently caused entire loads - $1 155 of recycled glass to be rejected. t- $1,148 - ' These contaminants can seriously damage the furnace,cause machine down- time, and result in poor glass quality. - - - Contaminants not only cause aesthetic problems but can weaken the bottle's wall. $1,067 Even the smallest amount of ceramics, which is the greatest concern, jam the $1,041 ' $1,035 forming machine. 1,007 $1,019 We encourage everyone to recycle, however, please be careful to sort your recyclables carefully. For glass, a good rule of thumb is:If you can see through it, Fridley Spring Lake Blaine Coon Brooklyn Columbia Minneapolis New St.Paul park Rapids Center Heights Brighton and it has had a cap or lid on it,then it is generally acceptable. Remember, put your recyclables out This newsletter is printed on recycled paper on Fridays. The calendar on page 6 shows using a vegetable based ink instead of a your correct day. For more recycling information, call Lisa Campbell at petroleum based ink which is not as 572-3594. environmentally sound. This newsletter can D be recycled with office paper. FALL 1991 CITY OF FRIDLEY PAGE 5 Councilmember zf Regional Ward 11 g Election Senior Centers Planned 0 n Tbesday,November 5,1991, there will be an election for by Steven E. Billings the office of Councilmember in Ward II for a three year Councilmember Ward 1 term. According to the 1990 census,Fridley The Polling places locations are as has 3,728 senior citizens and projections follows: show that number will grow to 5,775 or WARD 2 PRECINCT 1 19%of the population by the year 2000. decide that it is practical and beneficial to Woodcrest Elementary School To fully provide for that segment of our the area, they will define the focus or 880 Osborne Road Northeast population,Fridley is considering joining mission including what programs might WARD 2 PRECINCT 2 the cities of New Brighton,Mounds View, be offered. Then it is on to recommending Knights of Columbus Hall and Spring Lake Park to form a regional potential locations, the p type of building 6831 Highway#65 Northeast senior center. A preliminary staff pro- and its configuration,estimating constmc- WARD 2 PRECINCT 3 posal was reviewed by the four city coun- tion and operating costs,and recommend- St. Philip's Lutheran Church cils, but many tough decisions must be ing staff requirements. They will also 6180 Highway#65 Northeast made before it becomes a reality. WARD 2 PRECINCT 4 identify grant sources and other funding. North Park Elementary School We expect that a regional senior cen- The complex structure and intergovem- 5575 Fillmore Street Northeast ter would yield economies of scale for mental issues will also be discussed. * construction and operating purposes. It The task force will meet with senior Voting locations will be open from should also offer a wider program variety 7 am.to 8 pm. citizens, school districts, counties, and and better quality senior services than other interested stakeholders before their New voters may register at the City individual communities could. recommendation is complete. We are Offices until October 15th.After thatdate To determine if a regional senior cen- looking for citizen input or any thoughts people may register to vote on election ter is feasible,the four city councils ap- on this subject. If you want to attend task day by either bringing a current driver's pointed a committee to study its advan- force meetings or are interested in their license or have a registered voter accom- tages and disadvantages. The senior work,contact the Fridley City Manager's pany them to the appropriate polling loca- citizens task force is composed of elected office at 572-3500 or contact your City tion. officials and various individuals who are Councilmember. Absentee ballots will are available interested in this project. They will begin While studies have been thorough, until October 4th for those unable to vote meeting by September 6th and are plan- they are preliminary,making the regional on election day. ning to have a recommendation by Febru- senior center issue far from being re- Call Shirley Haapala, Fridley City ary 25, 1992. solved. Certainly,though,from my point Clerk, at 572-3523 if you wish to know First,they will address the basic issue of view,a regional senior center has much your voting location or other election in- of whether or not we should establish a to offer that we cannot provide on our formation. regional senior citizens center. If they own. Viking crime prevention Mediation Services football cards area again� re you experiencing a problem or conflict with a neighbor,a landlord or available from Fridleytenant, a business or consumer, a friend or family member? Anoka Make County residents have an alternative to court. Call 755-5300 and ask Police Officers. County Services to settle the problem. They also have a program to Sure It is safe before alleviate some of the problems associated with visitations following you ask. divorces and seperations. It is confidential,speedy,convenient,free,and it works! PAGE 6 CITY OF FRIDLEY FALL 1991 City Calendar - Fall 1991 Briefly . . . Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday aturday, from the City Council 1 2 Labor 3C 4 5 6 Recycle 7 AUTO BODY SHOPS Day Conf PL HR Area 1-North Holiday � of Miss.St. July 22, placed moratorium on issu- ing special use permits for auto body CV ` 8Grand- 9 10 11 12 13 Recycle 14 repair businesses. ',Q parent' HRA CC Area 2-South Da PR of Miss.St. ANIMAL CONTROL 15 16 17 18 19 20 Recycle 21 July 22, renewed contract with Sky- G) line Veterinary Clinic for animal con- E& PL Area 1-North of Miss.St. trot contract. RENOVATION SET 22 23 24 25 26 Anoka 27 Recycle 28 coununty LRT Area 2-South July 1,created tax increment financ- PubHearing of Miss.St. ing(TIF)district#11 on the Southwest and Northwest corner of Osborne and 29 30 10:30am University Avenue, the former Cub C C Anoka Cnty. CH Board Rm. Foods building. TIF is used to reno- vate blighted areas, provide Jobs in I the redeveloped area, and increase i the tax base for that property. ! Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday LRT STUDY 1 2 3 4 Recycle 5 July 1, reviewed the draft Light Rail A PL HR Area 1-North Transit Environmental Impact State- of Miss.St. ment and gave the Anoka County Rail 6 7 8 9 10 11 Recycle 12 Authority 8 pages containing 5 is- Cc HRA Area 2-South sues, prepared by the Fridley Envi- P R of Miss.St. ronmental Quality&Energy Commis- 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 Recycle 19 sion, to consider before finalizing the study. Columbus A PL Area 1-North RAPID OIL REBUILD Day E of Miss.St. July 1,gave the go ahead for Rapid Oil 20 21 22 23 24 United 25 Recycle 26 to rebuild their University Avenue CC CTV Nations Area 2-South Location Day of Miss.St. FUEL STORAGE TANKS 27 2$, f.29 30 31 June 17,updated City Code,restrict- �H Halloween i1 ing where above ground fuel storage tanks can be located and how they must be screened from public view. NEW COMPUTER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday June 17, as part of the City's 5 year 1 Recycle 2 computer plan, approved the pur- Area 1-North chase of a new Minicomputer, soft- of Miss.St. ware and maintenance contract. 3 45 Election 6 7 HR 8 Recycle 9 CC Day Area 2-South of Miss.St. Calendar Code 10 llVeteran's 12 13 14 15 Recycle 16 A _Appeals Commission �. Day A PL HRA Area 1-North © Holiday of Miss.St. CC -City Council Z 17 18CC EQ 19E 20 21 22 Recycle 23 CH -Charter Commission Area 2-South CTI -Cable TV Commission of Miss.St. EQE _Environmental Quality&Energy 24 2 26 27 28 29 30 HR -Human Resources Commission C Con A Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day Holiday HRA -Housing Redevelopment Authority The HRA and Cable Commission meet at 7 pm. PL -Planning Commission The City Council and all other Commissions meet at 7:30 pm. PR -Parks&Recreation Commission at the Municipal Center located at 6431 University Avenue NE. FALL 1991 CITY OF FRIDLEY PAGE 7 Briefly . . . from page 6 National FLOOD CONTROL June 17, requested Army Corps of Engi- neers to study Mississippi River flood control alongthe levy between 79th and Fair- mont. success story PAWN SHOPS June 3,passed ordinance regulating pawn by Nancy J. Jorgenson shops. 6 CITIES WATERSHED Councilmember-at-Large June 3,renewed Joint Powersreement � I am proud to report that Fridley had for the 6 Cities Watershed Management more block parties for National Night Out District which includes about two thirds than any other city in Minnesota, of the City. a,except Night these St. Paul and Minneapolis. We had 63 g Outparties, formerly SIGN PLAN block parties with at least 3,000 people non-named neighbors said they would May 20,approved new sign plan for Moon celebrating that neighborhoods are for gladly join their Neighborhood Watch Plaza. families and friends,not for criminals. Program. CONTINGENCY FUNDS SET Saying,"We helped take a bite out of One of our Police Officers chose only May 20, passed resolution setting mini- to attend his neighborhood art and said mum reserve funds to protect against crime"may seem a bit trite. It is,how- g party State cutting local government aid. Also ever, the best crime prevention tactic. that he had a lot of fun and that he too established contingency fund in the event The facts speak for themselves,the police enjoyed meeting all of his neighbors. of a local disaster. Although these funds -- citizen partnership does work to keep Other quotes I would like to pass along. have always existed, the resolution for- the crime rate low. "We never get around to doing this;this malized the process and set reserve levels. On National Night Out 12 police offi- was real fun.""This was well worth it and PROCLAMATIONS cers and McGruff the Crime Dog visited didn't take a lot of time." National Nigh Out-August 6 many of the parties where they dispensed We are very fortunate in Fridley to Gordon Sangster Day-June 18 safety tips and answered questions. On have so many service clubs and busi- Student Foreign Exchange Week-June 3 my rounds that night, I was impressed nesses generously donate to city-wide - 9 presented to Lara Claudia Rosales - with the participants' dedication to the functions making them both effective and Mexico and Saida Mashina Sahari - Ma- laysia Neighborhood Crime Watch program and successful. Thanks,too,to the 20 Jaycees Ma- laysia how much fun the were having. I was who rode aloe with the Police seeing Public Works Week- May 19 -25 Y g• g g also encouraged by the upbeat nature of how their donations made the night the parties and their diversity. One party memorable. October Hydrant had a band,another a DJ,and people were One last tip passed along from the playing volleyball at others. Police. We strongly encourage people to Flushing Many of the Block Captains told me use their garage for cars and bikes making they knew their neighbors by sight but did sure the doors are securely closed and The City of Fridley will flush hydrants not know all their names. Now, after locked. during the Month of October. Flushing is done every six months to remove iron and m Service Built manganese deposits plus many other min- erals that build up in the lines during the summer. The serviceability of the fire hydrants is also checked at this time. On August 1,the Hiunan Service Center Anoka County Job Training Center Flushing may create a disturbance in of Anoka County opened its doors. It is Minnesota Dept of Jobs and Training the water mains resulting in water discol- located at 1201 - 89th Avenue NE, in Minnesota Job Services oration. The water is acceptable for drink- Blaine,and houses nonprofit and govem- and dozens more ing,though there is the possibility clothes ment sector programs. Included are: If you are planning to use any of these may be stained during washing. Anoka County Community Action services be sure to call ahead, because Anyone who experiences water discol- Program(ACCAP) their locations likely have changed.Some oration that lasts longer than a day should ARC of Anoka County were previously in the Anoka County call the Public Works Department at 572- Community Emergency Assistance Court House. Call 783-4747 for more in- RISE formation about the new Human Service 3566 during business hours. Family Resource Center Center. No flushing will be done on weekends Anoka County Community Health& or Mondays. Environmental Services PAGE 8 CITY OF FRIDLEY FALL 1991 Winter Parking Iurtatadlon shower curtain and long straws for getting a Regulations . . , cool drink on a hot afternoon hanging city ordinance specifies that from the Commons for 24 hours a day from Park water tower? No, November 1st to May 1st that is part of the vehicles must not impede equipment needed to the plowing or removal of catch the lead based snow or ice. The City does paint being sand not want to tag and tow cars illegally blasted off. The tower parked during winter snow removal, but needs to be sometimes it is the only way to maintain refurbished and properly plowed thoroughfares to enable modernized to keep it emergency vehicles to drive safely. operating properly for Snow plowing and sanding begin when another 20 years. driving conditions become poor,or at the Water towers store end of a snow storm. Even if plowing water to ensure that begins in the wee hours of the morning, enough water with residents are still responsible for remov- sufficient pressure is ing parked vehicles from city streets. No available for everyday specific amount of snow must fall nor and emergency use. does a snow emergency have to be de- clared. For more information about the City's j plowing policy, call the Police Depart- ment at 572-3629 and request the snow bird fact sheet. Channel 31 Update Municipal cable channel FMTV 31 carries Enjoy Halloween at Springbrook all of the City Council meetings live and re- Nature Center. Continuous indoor - cablecast the next day and the following outdoor program from 6 pm. to 9pm Weekend. A video newsletter that parallels this newsletter and other special programs lip Thursday, October 31. B00000! are also shown. For a monthly program guide call us at 572-3501. 1991 City of Fridley CITY OF FRIDLEY CAR-RT-SORT Fall Newsletter BULK RATE Mayor ............................ William J.Nee 6431 University Avenue NE. U.S.POSTAGE Councilmember-at-large .................... Nancy J.Jorgenson Fridley, M N 55432 PAID Minnneapolis,MN Councilmember 1st Ward .................. Steven E.Billings 571-3450 Permit No.2886 Councilmember 2nd Ward ................ Dennis L.Schneider Councilmember 3rd Ward.................. Edward J.Fitzpatrick City Manager...................................... William W.Burns } Editor.................................................. Jim Froehle CITY OF FRIDLEY SERVICE DIRECTORY Administrative Offices/Municipal Center..........571-3450 I POSTAL CUSTOMER Office hours: 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.,Monday-Friday. 24 Hour Recreation Hotline................................ 571-9397 TDD....................................................................572-3534 LiquorStore........................................................571-3480 Police(24 Hours-Non-Emergency)....................572-3629 FIRE AND POLICE EMERGENCY ............911