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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 09-06 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 SEPTEMBER 6, 1978 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Phyllis Plummer at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Phyllis Plummer, Commissioners Dolores Hastings, Ray Haroldson, Clifford Williams, and Reverend Robert Cilke. Also present were Councilmember Bill Fignar and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. Chairman Plummer indicated that Commissioner Karen Duenow was excused and that Commissioner Ron Turner was expected later in the evening. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 8 -8 -78 Commissioner Hastings requested that the minutes be corrected in the Commis sioner's Report to reflect that Commissioner Williams had also attended the North Hennepin Community College Planning Seminar. Chairman Plummer requested that the minutes reflect that Commissioner Williams had been excused for the August 8, 1978 meeting. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER Chairman Plummer and Councilmember Fignar took the opportunity to introduce the newest Commissioner, Reverend Robert Cilke, to the Commission. Commissioner Cilke replaces former Commissioner Leo Beikler. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Commissioner Ray Haroldson indicated that because of prior committments, he would be unable to attend the Commission's Housing Awareness Seminar on Sep- tember 16, 1978. Commissioner Hastings also indicated that she would not be able to attend the Housing Awareness Seminar. Chairman Plummer requested that each of the Commissioners pay the registration fee for the Housing Awareness Seminar, unless it was a hardship. She indicated those having a hardship should contact Brad Hoffman and he would make arrangements for them to attend the seminar free. She noted that such arrangements would be confidential between the Com- missioner and Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman. 9 -6 -78 -1- ST. LOUIS PARK CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAM Chairman Plummer introduced Mr. Harvey McPhee, the Director of Inspections, and Mr. Don Sewail, the Housing Inspector, from St. Louis Park. Mr. McPhee and Mr. Sewail had been invited by the Commission to discuss the St. Louis Park Housing Inspection Ordinance. Commissioner Turner arrived at 8:06 p.m. Don Sewail noted that most realtors appreciated the program. He stated that it provides them with a sense of relief when presenting a house to a perspective client. Commissioner Hastings inquired if the inspectors used the code that was enforced at the time the house was built. Mr. Sewail stated that generally this was true with few exceptions. He noted for example that a thirty amp wiring system would not be accepted under any circumstances. HE.4 further noted that it 9 -6 -78 -2 Mr. McPhee briefly described the inspection department at St. Louis Park. He noted that the Department handled environmental, building and zoning inspections. Mr. Don Sewail then described the St. Louis Park housing inspection program. He noted that the workload for this type of program required that an individual be assigned solely to this area. He further stated that the housing inspection program at its inception was voluntary. He noted that in an original target area of four blocks, only two individuals volunteered to have their homes inspected, even though the repairs would not have been required by the Building Inspection. The original discussion leading to the program was noted to have been very controversial and eventually a fourteen (14) person commission was formed to deal with the concerns of the citizens relative to that type of program. The members of the Com- mission were noted to have been antagonistic towards the concept fearing the en- croachment of government even more so into their lives. The Commissio -n eventually recommended a program in 1972 that was passed by the City Council and that was mandatory. Under the provisions of the ordinance, any residential structure either owned or rented, must be inspected prior to the sale or renthl of that dwelling. The ordinance also requires that repairs as noted on the certificate be made before the closing of the house. Mr. Sewall noted that it was a philosophy of the ordinance to operate as a health and safety inspection's ordinance. Lte also stated that homeowners now tend to approve of the concept. Councilmember Fignar requested Mr. Sewall carry the Commission through the process of obtaining a certificate. Mr. Sewail noted that at this time, most realtors are aware of the requirements as are most mortgage lenders. He stated that an agent or the homeowner comes in and files an application for an inspection prior to the sale and pays a $10 inspection fee. He noted that the $10 inspection fee has not changed et all. Commissioner Plummer inquired as to what the $10 fee covered. Mr. Sewall stated that the $10 fee covered the initial inspection and any reinspections required. Chairman Plummer then inquired if the program operated at a net loss, to which Mr. Sewail replied that it did. Commissioner Haroldson inquired as to how long an inspection was good for. Mr. Sewail replied that the inspection was good for one year. He then stated that the applicant sets up an appointment, noting a time and day con- venient for them to allow the building inspector into the house to make the inspection. He noted that there is a follow -up by phone and letter so that everyone is aware of when the inspection would take place. was not a code enforcement program, but rather a housing maintenance program. A lengthy discussion then ensued relative to experiences the City of St. Louis Park had with the program. Mr. Sewail noted that they had over 5,600 inspections since the program began. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman inquired if the City had been challenged in court relative to the City's liability under the program. Mr. Sewail indicated that the City had been taken to court on two (2) occasions, however it was to conciliatory court. He was not sure as to the City's liability of the program. Commissioner Haroldson inquired if the inspectors issue tags during their inspections. Mr. Sewail said it was not necessary to issue a tag because a certificate was re- quired at the closing of a sale and the certificate would not be issued until work had been completed. Commissioner Cilke inquired if there was a time limit for completing the work. Mr. Sewail replied that there was not a time limit to complete the work. He then noted that there were instances where the seller could not afford the correc- tions. He noted that under circumstances similar to that, that the house could be sold as is, but the buyer must hire the work to be done and sign a letter to that effect. The certificate would be contingent upon completion of that work. Council- member Fignar inquired if there was a time limit when there was a house that was bought as is. Don Sewail replied that yes, generally there is a ninety (90) day limit. Commissioner Haroldson inquired if he thought St. Louis Park should go to a truth in housing program similar to Minneapolis. Mr. .McPhee replied that the problem with truth in housing is that it does not solve any of the problems that are discovered. He stated that truth in housing merely makes the buyer aware of any problems associated with the house to be purchased, but does not require that those problems that would affect the health and safety of the individual be corrected. A lengthy discussion then ensued. Mr. McPhee closed by indicating that it was the intent of the program to maintain the economic viability of St. Louis Park's neighborhoods and indicated that he felt the mandatory housing inspection ordinance was doing a good job towards that end. HOUSING SEMINAR A brief discussion was held relative to the Housing Awareness Seminar planned for September 16. Chairman Plummer noted that a training session would be held prior to the workshop for workshop monitors. She then requested the Commissioners to work as monitors if it would be possible. Commissioner Haroldson indicated that because of a previous committment, he would be unable to attend the seminar. Commissioner Hastings also indicated that she would not be able to attend the seminar. Chairman Plummer indicated her delight about the speakers that had been recruited for the seminar. She noted that Phil Cohen from the Metropolitan Council would be coordinating the training sessions for the workshop monitors. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the University of Minnesota's housing workshop. Chairman Plummer noted that it would be worthwhile to look at the information distributed to the Commissioners and consider going to the workshop to be held on October 14. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Councilmember Bill Fignar reviewed his perception of the Community Development Program for the Commission. He noted that it was his understanding the program must primarily benefit low and moderate income individuals. He requested that the Commission take an active interest in the Community Development Program because of its relationship to the City's housing. Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman then described the program in greater detail, noting some of the program options available to the City. following a brief discussion, Chairman Plummer requested a listing of housing programs available under the Community Development Block Grant Program that the Commission might review. A lengthy discussion then ensued and it was agreed that Community Development would be discussed at the next Commission meeting and that the Secretary would provide information relative to the use of such monies for housing programs. OLD BUSINESS (Calendar Plannina) Chairman Plummer briefly informed the Commission that at the next Commission meeting they would have to take up calendar planning for the coming year. Chairman Plummer briefly reviewed some items to be scheduled during the coming calendar year for the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to adjourn the meeting. The motion was passed unanimously. The Housing Commis- sion adjourned at 10:34 p.m. Chairman