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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 10-14 HCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 14, 1980 CITY HALL CALL ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order at 7:50 p.m. by Chairman Phyllis Plummer. ROLL CALL Chairman Plummer, Commissioners Williams, Duenow, Ainas, and Turner. Also present were Councilmember Bill Fignar and Administrative Assistant. Brad Hoffman. Excused were Commissioners Cohen and Hastings. Councilmember Bill Fignar indicated that Phil Cohen was in New York at the time where Senator Durenberger would be introducing some housing legislation tied to energy efficiency interest rates. He noted that Phil Cohen was working with the bond people at that time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Ainas and seconded by Commissioner Turner to approve the minutes of the May 13, 1980 Brooklyn Center Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. It was noted that Ron Turner was present at the September 16, 1980 meeting and that the minutes for the September 16, 1980 meeting should be corrected to reflect such. There was a motion by Commissioner Ainas and seconded by Commissioner Duenow to approve the minutes of the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission meeting of September 16, 1980 as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. HOUSING INSPECTION ORDINANCE Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman reported on FHA and GI loan inspections. He briefly explained that such inspections were intended to insure the loan and did not provide the kind of protection or consumer awareness that a housing inspection ordinance contemplates. He noted that FHA and GI inspections merely assure the lender that the property meets the minimum standards of the Federal Government in order to insure the loan. A brief discussion then insued relative to FHA and GI inspections. Councilmember Fignar noted his experiences with the program and supported the comments of Administrative Assistant Hoffman. Commission member Turner noted that appraisers make assessments of homes in order to protect FHA /VA loans. Administrative Assistant Hoffman added that such information for .loans provided for FHA and VA are not available to the buyer which is the point of the inspection ordinance. -Councilmember Fignar noted that FHA and GI inspec- tions are not "compliance oriented" but rather are ordered toward assuring that the mechanics of the home are functional. Administrative Assistant Hoffman noted that while GI and FHA loans make up a good share of the market, it by no means covers the entire market. Following a brief discussion Councilmember Fignar noted that the St. Louis Park ordinance required "compliance in the House" and that it would be his preference that we entertain thoughts along that line if we are going to look at a housing inspection ordinance. Chair- man Plummer then indicated that if the Commission were to hold a public hearing in November, then an extensive article on the subject should be in the paper prior to this meeting. A brief discussion then ensued relative to whether or not a public hearing should be held in November. Commissioner Duenow then inquired as to the cost of a housing inspection program similar to the one in St. Louis Park. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicate that it would cost the City between $40,000 and $45,000 a year unless we were to go with some form of contractual arrangement. There was also a brief discussion as to the legal implications of such programs. Administrative Assistant Hoffman noted that there is a growing tendency in the courts to hold governmental agencies providing such inspection services accountable for the services. Commissioner Haroldson arrived at 8:05 p.m. Commissioner Ainas noted that the railroad comercial industry were responsible for inspecting tracks but that they aren't sued for train derailments. A brief discussion the ensued relative to the legal liabilities of such an ordi- nance. Chairman Plummer then inquired as to our ability to obtain a legal opinion as to our liability. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated that the City Attorney would be able to provide us with that opinion. Following a discussion Commissioner Haroldson indicated that if we really want to present a housing inspection ordinance to the Council then we have to be prepared with facts and figures. Commissioner Cilke arrived at 8:30 p.m. Chairman Plummer inquired if new housing was inspected. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated that they were. Councilmember Fignar indicated that new houses must meet the minimum code in affect at the time the houses were constructed. Chairman Plummer indicated that perhaps the Commission should look at a list of all the options available under a housing inspection ordinance. The.Commission recessed at 8 :45 p.m. and was reconvened at 1 19:00 p.m. Following recess Chairman Plummer again asked about an art in the paper. Commissioner Ainas felt that an article would help inform he public even those that are for it as well as those who are against it.l Commissioner Haroldson noted that the last inspection ordinance broughtto the Council did not receive much public attention until the very end. He Felt that perhaps an article in the paper or several articles would help bring the publics attention to the concept. Commissioner Turner indicated h(.: is of the opinion that the public does not want any more government control. Following a lengthy discussion=it was the consensus of the Commissioners that they wanted more information on various packages and categories and optionsunder the housing inspection ordinance before taking the matter to the publi9. Councilmember Fignar indicated that he would like to see the Commission Sidestep other projects and concentrate on this one particular item. It was agreed that a housing inspection ordinance would be the main topic of discussion at the next meeting. The next agenda item, Rehab Grant Administrative Guidelines -was tabled. OTHER BUSINESS None. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Haroldson and seconded by Commissioner Cilke to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:29 p.m. Chairman