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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 06-20 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Approval of Minutes 5/16/78 Commission Member Comments MINUTES 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 JUNE 20, 1978 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Phyllis Plummer at 7 :35 p.m. Chairman Plummer, Commissioners Dolores Hastings, Patricia Weitzel, Karen Duenow and Clifford Williams. Also present were guest Philip Cohen and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Chairman Plummer announced that Commissioners Magnuson and Turner had informed her that they would be unable to attend this evening's meeting and were, therefore, excused. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Duenow to approve the minutes of the May 16., 1978 Housing Commission meeting as sub- mitted. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Plummer introduced a new Commission agenda item and stated that it was one that she wished to have regularly on the Commission's agenda. She explained that the item was instituted to give members of the Commission the opportunity to comment on any housing matter or to bring anything of importance to the Commission's attention. Commissioner Williams inquired .if it was the Commis- sion's intention to look further into a certificate of occupancy program in association with the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. The Secretary responded that the Commission had given him direction in the past to bring something of this nature to the Commission's attention this fall. Commissioner Hastings stated that she was very interested in the large family housing program and inquired as to its status. The Secretary responded that one of the agenda items for later in the meeting deals with housing awareness seminars. He explained that -1- 6 -20 -78 it is the intention in developing these seminars to look at various housing needs. He added that perhaps in looking at housing needs the conclusion might be drawn that there is a need for a large family housing program in Brooklyn Center. Chairman Plummer introduced the next item of business on the agenda, by welcoming Philip Cohen, community project coordinator for the Metropolitan Council. She stated that it has been proposed that various housing awareness seminars be considered that would be developed to gain support for housing programs and to involve community leaders in sponsoring seminars in at least four segments of the metropolitan area and to provide various housing information. She stated that Mr. Cohen had been invited to this evening's Commission meeting to review the idea of these seminars and discuss the possibility of conducting one in this area. Mr. Cohen thanked Chairman Plummer for the opportunity to address the Housing Commission. He referred to an outline which had been distributed to the Housing Com- mission and commented that it has been suggested that such a seminar be developed to raise the awareness of community leaders with respect to such things as what are the housing needs of various communities, areas, the state and the nation. He pointed out that such a seminar could also address the costs associated with housing and what it costs for persons at this time to get into housing, whether it be owner occupied or rental. He stated that these seminars could also address a number of programs available such as those from HUD, the State Housing Finance Agency and various local programs. Councilmember Fignar arrived at 7 :45 p.m. Mr. Cohen stated that previously in the meeting one of the Commissioners had inquired regarding the large family housing program. He stated that there is a lot of fear associated with this program and that these fears are primarily the result of misunderstanding the program. He stated that a number of people have commented that they do not like the concept of a large family housing program because this program is not really for members of their particular community. He explained that these people are not aware that many people in their own community are in need of a large family housing program. He added; that a number also do not realize the fact that private homeowners are subsidized as well. He explained that there is a need for education regarding various housing programs and also education with respect to developing what a community's housing needs are. Housing Awareness Seminars Regarding the proposed housing awareness seminars, Mr. Cohen stated that the Metropolitan Council will assist as much as possible in putting these programs together and can provide many of the necessary re- sources, such as persons with expertise at addressing the topics that would be included. He explained that one of the proposed topics for the seminar would deal with the future of housing styles in this area and in the state and nation. He pointed out that there are a number of resource persons that the Metropolitan Council is aware of, both in the private and public sector, that can address such a topic. He added that he has briefly discussed the idea of these proposed housing awareness seminars with the Commission's Chairman and would like comments from the Commission on their feelings regarding these seminars. He pointed out the Metropolitan Council would be willing to help put on such seminars but it should be pointed out that this program would be a local based program put on by local groups. Chairman Plummer commented that she has talked with Eileen Oslund of the League of Women Voters regarding whether or not the League would like to jointly sponsor a housing awareness seminar in this area with the Housing Commission. She stated that she intends to discuss this subject with Ms. Oslund within the next few days and that there seems to be some interest on the part of the League of Women Voters regarding such a seminar. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the possibility of the Housing' Commission sponsoring a housing awareness seminar in the north metro area. Chairman Plummer pointed out that there has been some discussion regarding the best time to conduct such a seminar. She pointed out that it has been suggested that the seminar be held in the evening and it has also been suggested that perhaps an all day seminar held on a Saturday would be better. She added that it is felt that the best time to conduct the seminar would be some- time within the first week of September following Labor Day. Mr. Cohen stated that he felt the first thing the Housing Commission should decide is if they would like to be involved in such a program and then decide on the topics that should be presented. Further discussion ensued relative to potential topics that could be presented at a proposed seminar. In response to a Commission inquiry, Mr. Cohen stated that the intent of these seminars is to create an awareness in local communities as well as the entire -3- 6 -20 -78 metropolitan area regarding housing problems and the future of housing in general. He also stated that he felt the seminars should be geared primarily for elected and advisory officials in the local .communities because these are the people that will be making the policy decisions regarding housing in the future. He added that the general public as well should be invited to these seminars but that the focus and the direction of the seminars should be geared more to the policy makers that will be making future housing decisions. A discussion also ensued relative to the potential costs of putting on such a seminar. Mr. Cohen explained that the Metro Council could provide the resource persons for putting on the seminars and could also provide mailing lists for informing persons that might be interested in the seminars. He added that other mailing lists could be provided by the business community or the League of Women Voters, if the League would decide to become involved. He stated that the largest expense, which would not be very great, would involve postage for mailing out notices of the proposed seminar. Chairman Plummer stated that if the Housing Commission members would like to become involved in these housing awareness seminars, that she would name a committee to meet with the League of Women Voters regarding their interest and to also develop an agenda for the seminar in addition to establishing recommendations.regarding a date and time for the program. Councilmember Fignar commented that he sees much benefit in putting on such a program and that he would encourage the Housing Commission to become involved. He stated that the Commission had recently co- sponsored a home renovation workshop with Northern States Power that had been a great success due to the efforts of the Housing Commission. He noted that if the Commission did sponsor such a seminar it would be the first in the metropolitan area which would bring additional recog- nition to the community as well as the Commission. Chairman Plummer stated that her main concern regarding the sponsoring of such a seminar had to do with the availability of resource persons for putting on the program. She stated that Mr. Cohen has assured her that there will be excellent resource persons for discussing any housing topic that might be developed. She pointed out that she also liked the idea of getting a cross section of persons from within government and also outside government as resource people. She requested members 6 -20 -78 -4- Review Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance of the Commission to comment regarding whether or not they felt the Commission should become involved in such a program. Commissioner Williams stated that he favored the idea of sponsoring a housing awareness seminar. He added that he felt it might also be possible to get local banks or savings and loan institutions to become involved. Commissioner Duenow stated that she likes and supports the idea and encouraged the Commission to sponsor such a seminar. Commissioner Hastings commented that the Commission has in the past talked- about putting on other workshops and providing community education regarding housing. She stated she felt involvement in the proposed seminar would tie into one of the duties and responsibilities of the Housing Commission, that being to provide education seminars for the citizens of Brooklyn Center in matters of housing. She added that she also liked the idea of having the League of Women Voters involved in the program as well and that she felt September would be an excellent month to put on the seminar. Commissioner Weitzel also spoke in favor of the Housing Commission being involved in the proposed seminar. Chairman Plummer named Commissioners Weitzel, Williams and Duenow, when she is available, to work with her in preparing an agenda for a housing awareness seminar and to meet with the League of Women Voters regarding their participation and to establish a firm date and time for the program. Recess The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission recessed at 8:42 p.m. and resumed at 9 :05 p.m. The Housing Commission proceeded to review and discuss the first seven pages of the Brooklyn Center Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance.. The Secretary responded to various Commission inquiries and clarified some points of concern regarding the ordinance. Suggestions were made that the City, when it is feasible and practical, revise language in the ordinance so as not to exclusively refer to the male gender. It was pointed out that reference to the male gender only appeared in a few places in the ordinance but that the Commission felt this should be corrected -5- 6 -20 -78 at some time. Commissioner Williams suggested that it might be worthwhile for the ordinance to incorporate the metric system as well as the standard measurements when the ordinance cites measurements, temperature or other similar type things. Following further discussion, there was a motion by Com- missioner Weitzel and seconded by Commissioner Duenow to recommend that the City, when feasible and practical, revise the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance so that it does not not refer exclusively to the male gender and to also incorporate the metric system as well as the current system when dealing with measurements. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Plummer requested the Commission to review the next seven pages of the ordinance for discussion purposes at the next Housing Commission meeting. The Secretary reported that he has received a copy of proposed amendments to the Housing Chapter of the Metro- politan Development Guide, and that the Metro Council intends to hold public hearings on these proposed amend- ments on July 20, 1978. He stated that when copies of the proposed amendments are available, they will be forwarded on to members of the Housing Commission. Chairman Plummer recommended deferring discussion regarding housing information and the Metropolitan Development Guide until a later Housing Commission meeting. Chairman Plummer reported that generally the Housing Commission, due to vacations and other summer activities, has not met during the summer months. She stated that the Commission would normally break until its September meeting and that she felt it would be appropriate this year as well. She pointed out that a special Commission meeting would be held to hear a report from the committee developing an agenda and various other information for the proposed housing awareness seminar. She stated that this special meeting would probably be called within the next three or four weeks. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commis- sioner Weitzel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9 :36 p.m. Chairman Housing Chapter of the Metropolitan Development Guide Summer Schedule Adjournment