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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.10.17 HCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 17, 2023 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Enger at 7:10 p.m. MEETINGATTENDEES Chair Gretchen Enger Commissioner Lori Best-Deyoe Commissioner Laura Freund Commissioner Jerry Gayflor Commissioner Florence Williams Vice Chair Michael Donnelly was absent and excused. Commissioner Elizabeth Riel was absent. City Staff present: Community Development Director and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson, Associate Planner Krystin Eldridge, and City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence -Anderson. Also present: None. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Best-Deyoe and seconded by Commissioner Freund to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OFMINUTES: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 There was a motion by Commissioner Best-Deyoe and seconded by Commissioner Freund to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2023 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. LANDLORD/TENANT ORDINANCE FEEDBACK DISCUSSION Commissioner Enger summarized the general discussion of the feedback heard from the landlords and tenants regarding the Tenant Protection Ordinance. She mentioned comments made by Marty and Eric from the Landlord Housing Commission Meeting; the commenters expressed the difficulty evict troubled tenants with the 30-day notification requirement in place. They added the Ordinance presents burdens to the landlords to manage the different expectations throughout different jurisdictions. Overall, the preference of the landlords is for the City to adopt an Ordinance in -line with the State's recommended 14-day pre -eviction notice timeline. Commissioners expressed confusion about the timeline and process around pre -eviction and actual eviction notices. There were questions about how much time a tenant has when an actual 10/17/23 -1- DRAFT eviction notice is received by a tenant. Chair Enger also relayed a summary of feedback from the session with Crest Residents, Tenant Advocates, and HOME Line. During the meeting, Samuel Spaid, Housing Attorney with HOME Line pointed out how rates of eviction climbed significantly in other cities compared to Brooklyn Center. The Commissioners also asked questions about the meaning of just cause non -renewals. Commissioner Williams explained she works within the shelter system. She stated that many of the shelter habitants list non -renewal of their lease as their reason for needing shelter. Commissioner Williams expressed her support of the 30-day ordinance. City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence -Anderson explained that the undue burden the City places on landlords to evict tenants. She noted if landlords cannot evict problematic tenants, then they may not want to continue supporting the Brooklyn Center rental market. City Council Liaison Lawrence -Anderson stated she supports the option for a 14-day ordinance within Brooklyn Center to promote a business -friendly environment and avoid the burden of vacant buildings in the City. City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence -Anderson noted the hardship of balancing business owner interests and renter interests. There is a wholistic view that needs to be considered when the evaluating City dynamics. Property taxes should also be considered when evaluating these ordinances as well. Commissioner Williams added she is concerned about property taxes as well. She stated she is experiencing the same increases and would prefer to have lower taxes. However, she would prefer tax dollars be used to support the community members rather than landlords. Commissioner Gayflor stated he is unsure about which eviction timeline he supports due to the lack of data for how each timeline impacts renters. Community Development Director and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson explained the data may be unavailable as it is not information renters nor landlords report. Commissioner Freund noted she is generally in support of the 30-day timeline ordinance because of the power imbalance between renter and landlord. The Commission should consider the social dynamics of discrimination within the system when drafting the Ordinance. She added she would support even stricter tenant protections on landlords. Commissioner Williams and Chair Enger both consider equitable outcomes for both Landlord and Tenant regarding the Tenant Protections Ordinance and Commissioners Williams, Gayflor, and Freund expressed their support of upholding the current Ordinance. 10/17/23 -2- DRAFT There was a motion by Chair Enger and seconded by Commissioner Williams to recommend the City Council uphold the current Tenant Protection Ordinance. The motion passed. 7100 BROOKLYNBOULEVARD — HOUSING PRESENTATION Associate Planner Krystin Eldridge presented the Planning Commission application proposed for 7100 Brooklyn Boulevard. 7100 Brooklyn Boulevard will be a 17-unit multi -family residential property. It would be a conversion from office to residential. It was originally a credit union. In its location to the North -Brooklyn Center United Methodist Church and to the south are office condos. To the West are single family residentials and a stormwater pond directly to the West. Planning Commission was not in support of the project and neighbors surrounding the property were not in support either. Chair Enger asked about feedback from surrounding properties and the minutes and recording fiom the meeting. She also asked how long the building was vacant and what the prior use was. Ms. Eldridge explained the other business tenants would prefer the business district be maintained and expressed concern about increased traffic. Additionally, the church at the north end of the development requested installation of a fence along the property line. Developers were receptive to installing a fence and noted a fence was already proposed for the project. A simple extension of the fence would appease the church's request. Commissioner Freund and Williams noted their support of more housing and diversity of housing choice within Brooklyn Center. FOLLOW UP NOVEMBER 21, 2023 —REPEAT RENTALS —TYPE IV Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson stated the following Housing Commission meeting would address repeat rentals. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Best-Deyoe to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:45_ p.m. Chair Enger 10/17/23 -3- DRAFT