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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 11-13 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 NOVEMBER 13, 1979 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Plummer at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Plummer, Commissioners Williams, Ainas, Duenow, Hastings, Turner, Haroldson and Weitzel. Also present were Councilmember Bill Fignar and Admin- istrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Commissioner Cilke would be late to this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 10 -9 -79 Motion by Commissioner Haroldson, seconded by Commissioner Ainas to approve the minutes of the October 9, 1979 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Chairman Plummer stated that she had just recently attended a conference entitled "Can Women Affect the Energy Crisis She stated that Barry Commoner had been the featured speaker at the conference. She further stated that it had been very informative and she briefly described the various topics that had been dis- cussed. Commissioner Hastings reported to the Commission that the Sunday Tribune was carrying an article on housing programs in Minneapolis. She stated that she felt it was worthwhile and that the Commissioners should take the opportunity to read those articles. WORKSHOP DISCUSSION Chairman Plummer introduced the next discussion item by stating that she would like to see the Commission establish some topics for the proposed workshop in April. She added that she would like to see some discussion on the use of solar energy and windmills. Commissioner Weitzel inquired as to the topics that we had reviewed at the last meeting. Chairman Plummer stated that we had discussed plumbing, wallpapering, paneling, insulation and landscaping. Commissioner Haroldson stated that information on financing energy related activities in the home should also be the subject of the workshop. Chairman Plummer concurred noting that money is getting tighter and expensive. She also stated that dis- cussion should include tax incentive and further stated that the discussion should be directed towards the rehabilitation of existing homes as opposed to new construction. A brief discussion then ensued with Councilmember Fignar stating that the Commission should review the old housing seminar file to establish an organizational plan of attack for the proposed- housing seminar. Councilmember Fignar then inquired as to the desire on the part of the Conser- vation Commission to be involved. Chairman Plummer indicated that the Conser- vation Commission is -very much interested in pursuing the workshop jointly. Administrative Assistant Hoffman stated that the Conservation Commission had discussed the seminar at their previous meeting and that they were waiting for the Housing Commission to set dates and suggest some topics. 11 -13 -79 -1- A brief discussion then ensued relative to potential dates. Following that dis- cussion, Chairman Plummer proposed that the housing seminar be tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evenings during the month of April. Those dates would 4110 include April 9, 16, 23 and 30. There was a concurrence amongst the Commissioners to tentively schedule the workshops for those dates. A lengthy discussion then ensued relative to workshop topic possibilities. Councilmember Fignar stated that he felt there should be someone discussing weatherstripping. Commissioner Ainas indicated that he felt that it should be someone that is in the insulation business but not a salesman. There was a con- currence that the topic should be confined to the rehabilitation of existing properties and energy conservation. A brief discussion was held relative to compensation for lecturers. Commissioner Haroldson noted that the last time lecturers were given dinner certificates. He indicated that we should perhaps do that again. Councilmember Fignar indicated that N.S.P. had donated the dinner certificates. Commissioner Ainas inquired if at the former workshop, speakers had presented an outline of their lecture prior to the workshop. It was indicated that they had not given an outline to the Commission but most had given the lecture before. Commissioner Haroldson stated that the Commission did present some direction to the speakers by indicating the topics and areas that they wanted to see covered. Commissioner Ainas proposed that any potential speakers be given some direction prior to the workshop. 'Commissioner Hastings requested that the topics cover permits and inspections. Councilmember Fignar indicated that the speakers should be familiar with the minimum code and be able to cover that topic. It was agreed that this discussion would be continued to the December Housing Commission meeting. HOUSING INSPECTION ORDINANCE Councilmember Fignar commented that the Council.had mixed emotions relative to a housing inspection ordinance at this time. He stated that a consensus of the Council at this point did not want that type of an ordinance. He added that the Council requested that the Commission develop a list of pros and cons relative to housing inspection ordinances. He also stated that the Council would like the Commission to discuss the ordinance with the Board of Realtors and study the proposal further for a draft to be brought back for Council' consideration. Following Councilmember Fignar's comments, Chairman Plummer added that the Com- mission should talk with mortgage officials, appraisers and building officials to get their input. She stated that there is a need for community input and perhaps a questionnaire could be developed to.be sent out with the Manager's Newsletter. Councilmember Fignar indicated that he felt the list of pros and cons should be developed first. He added that he had already received several calls both for and against the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Cilke arrived at 8:52 p.m. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the ordinance with Councilmember Fignar noting that the Mayor seemed to be opposed to the St'. Louis Park approach. Chairman Plummer inquired if we could address the question as a volunteer pro- ject. Councilmember Fignar indicated that there is a preference for the truth in- housing which involves the purchasers to negotiate the price. Commissioner Haroldson indicated that he would still like to see a combination of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Park approach. 11 -13 -79 -2- Following a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Duenow indicated she would check to see if she could find someone from Midwest to speak on housing inspection ordinances. Chairman Plummer requested that the Commissioners jot down the pros and cons of the ordinance as they came in mind. Commissioner Haroldson inquired if we should not set a public hearing. Commissioner Weitzel felt that we should establish our list of pros and cons prior to confronting a public group which the Commission would anticipate being opposed to such an ordinance. Commissioner Hastings indicated that she felt there was a need for further infor- mation prior to a public hearing on the matter. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to get more information. It was agreed that speakers from the Board of Realtors and from the mortgage companies would be invited to address the Commission. Commissioner Haroldson inquired if Council members would attend if we had such speakers. Councilmember Fignar indicated that he would invite the Council members. Chairman Plummer indicated that we would then try to have the speakers for the December meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Plummer indicated that there had been a discussion on the use of Community Development funds for passive solar retrofitting for existing homes of low and moderate income people. She stated that it would be a solar demon- stration project and added that a public hearing would be held the following Wednesday evening and invited all of the Commissioners to attend and comment on the use of Community Development monies. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Weitzel, seconded by Commissioner Hastings to adjourn the Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Chairman