Ramsey Resident - 1991 - January

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EDUCATOR BRINGS 'TRADITIONS' TO RENOVATED HISTORIC RAMSEY HOME Excerpts from article written by Chris Lommel of Elk River Star "Sometimes you need a little tradition," says local entrepreneur Linda Obrycki. Her new family-run business is built around that concept. Obrycki, an Early Childhood Family Education instructor at Brooklyn Center and consultant for toy and child safety, wants to cater to what she sees as a renewed interest in the family and the simple joys in life. Obrycki, her husband Jeff, and children, Kelly, 21, Aaron, 11, and Kara, 9, have spent months renovating a historic site in Ramsey, the site she hopes someday will become a thriving mixture of arts and crafts, specialty shops and education. Obrycki calls it "Traditions of Ramsey." The emphasis is on family and the toys and lifestyles today's parents and grandparents experienced in their chHdhoods. Renovating began early last year on the first level of the F.S. and Mary Trickey turn-of-the-century farmstead, located across from the weigh station on Highway 10. "It's a house within a house," said Obrycki or the poured concrete structure. Much of the original interior has been preserved, including pipes that used to feed gas lanterns. The house is occupied by Obrycki's business, the Primarily Kids Shoppe. The "general store" is a combination gift shop, toy store and museum. Obrycki notes the house is located on a site that has a rich history of its own. Formerly known as Itasca Village (named after Lake Itasca), the Anoka County book of deeds informed her the land was originally purchased by Alexander Ramsey, a well-known Minnesota politician and the state's first territorial governor. It housed the first post office of Anoka County, according to Obrycki's research on the site. There was also an unsuccessful attempt to locate a territorial capital there. A sign outside the business at 9349 Highway 10 notes the site as the beginning of the Red River Oxcart Trail. In 1864 the St. Paul Pacific Railroad established a line to the site and called it Itasca Station. In 1865 the line was completed to Elk River. Hours at the Primarily Kids Shoppe are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Visits are also available by appointment by calling Obrycki at 427-1919. Primarily Kids Shoppe, one of Ramsey's newest businesses, has located in the turn-of-the-century farmstead at 9349 Highway 10 NW, across from the weigh station. Linda Obrycki, early childhood teacher, and her family, began renovating the farmstead early in 1990 and opened for business in June. The store is a combination gift shop, toy store and museum, emphasizing toys and traditions of the past. Linda stated that her purpose in renovating the farmstead and initiating this concept of a business was to respond the growing interest of families to return to the basics HISTORIC SITE BECOMES HOME TO ONE OF RAMSEY'S NEWEST BUSINESSES and to display those 'basics' in their original setting. In her business venture, Linda has also been researching the history of the site of the farmstead. The property was first owned by Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's first territorial governor, and reportedly house the first post office in Anoka County. The Primarily Kids Shoppe is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Individual and group tours are also available by appointment by calling Linda at 427-1919. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL City Council met on December 11 and received a report from Kathi Peterson regarding the Keep America Beautiful Conference. The Keep Ramsey Clean program is the only active community program in Minnesota and they are hoping to capitalize on the opportunity to outline Ramsey as being the best in the state for beautification. Mr. Geoffrey Bridwell's request for a conditional use permit for excavating on property adjacent to the 153rd Avenue NW. Project was approved. Mr. Dennis Liekvall's claim for damages to his septic system was denied. The Ramsey Fire Department Relief Association By- Laws case was tabled until the January 22, 1991 agenda. The City contribution for the Ramsey Fire Department Relief Association was also tabled for the January 22, 1991 agenda. City Staff was directed to seek and receive bids for short-term disability for the Fire Department for one year and that the Association will change their By-Laws to address same for the second year and subsequent years. City Attorney Goodrich will prepare an agreement between Waste Management of Minnesota and the City of Ramsey with regard to WMMI's request to connect to the City's storm sewer system. With regard to the decrease in the disposal rate at the landfill, Mr. Otter from WMMI explained that at this time they are unable to keep the total volume needed to support the lower prices; so they will continue to pay the full fee. Mr. Kenneth Malloy of Pannell Kerr Forster was present to review the 1989 audit for the City. He noted that the City has improved its General Fund financial position to a healthy fund balance and highlighted some suggested corrective actions to avoid problems in the future. A resolution was adopted to approve the charitable gambling license at J.R.'s for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A resolution was adopted to authorize the City to enter into an easement acquisition and assessment agreement for the McKinley Street NW. extension. A resolution was adopted authorizing agreements for a Cooperative Opportunities for Resource Enhancement Program fishing pier in River's Bend Park. A resolution was adopted regarding obtaining health and life insurance through Local Government Information Systems (LOG IS) for benefit-earning employees. City Administrator Hartley's resignation was accepted and a resolution was adopted granting Mr. Hartley severance pay for three months. City Council met on December 18 and Mr. Hartley recognized the attributes of the outgoing Mayor and Council members and presented each with a plaque of appreciation for their years of service to the community. The Council members and Mr. Hartley were also presented with t- shirts from Environmental Specialist Bruce Bacon in appreciation for their support of the tree program for the City of Ramsey. City Council approved Mr. James Monson's request to construct a HAM radio tower at 15705 Traprock Street NW. contingent upon a tree screen being planted by the fall of 1991 and upon the applicant receiving favorable FAA approval. A motion was approved to engage Pannell Kerr Forster for the City's 1990 audit. It was agreed upon that a public hearing with City Council will be held on January 22,1991 with regard to Aluminum Recycling Inc.'s request for a conditional use permit for an aluminum processing and waste recycling facility. The agreement granting authorization to Waste Management of Minnesota Inc. to discharge processed groundwater into the City's storm sewer system as proposed by the City Attorney was approved. Based on the contingency that a written policy is in place, the acceptance of donations, disbursements and necessary reporting and the safekeeping function of funds on behalf of the Becky Weiss Bike Roadeo was approved. The motion to rename the handicapped portion of River's Bend Park to the David R. Hartley Park in recognition of his efforts on that project and others was approved. Mayor Reimann suggested the new City Council begin advertising immediately for a new City Administrator. A resolution was approved recognizing the Anoka Senior High School Football Team for their outstanding performance in the 1990 State AA Football Tournament. The terms and changes in the Second Amended Employment Agreement for the City Administrator were reviewed and approved. City Council met on January 8 and City Attorney William Goodrich administered the Oaths of Office to Jim Gilbertson as Mayor and Sheila Beyer and Glen Hardin as Councilmembers. The City Council established the City Council sub-committees for 1991. The City Administrator vacancy and organizational structure was tabled to be discussed at the City Council workshop. It was decided the City Council would hold a workshop on Saturday, January 12. Motion carried to continue the 1990 schedule of the City's rates and charges with the option to change and adopt them in 1991 after closer review. A resolution was adopted waiving health and life insurance and medical reimbursement allowance through LOGIS for Ramsey City Councilmembers at this time. City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the purchase of mobile radios for the Public Works and Engineering Departments. City Council decided that the Reciprocal Fire Service Agreement between the cities of Elk River and Ramsey be reviewed by the Ramsey Fire Board and the response be made back to the City Council. The airport issue will be added to the agenda for the Council workshop on January 12. Motion to rescind prior action on renaming a portion of River's Bend Park with a recommendation that it should be referred to the Park Board.