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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 03-14 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Introduction of New Commission Member .Approval of Minutes 2/14/78 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 MARCH 14, 1978 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Cornmis sibn met in regular session and was called to order', by Chairman' Phyllis Plummer at 7 :38 p.m. Chairman Phyllis Plummer, Commissioners Delores Hastings, Leo Beikler, Ray Haroldson, Dale Magnuson, Karen Duenow, Ronald Turner and Clifford Williams. Also present were Director of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. The Secretary reported that Councilman Fignar would be unable to attend this evening's meeting. Chairman Plummer introduced and welcomed new Commission member Clifford Williams whose appoint- ment to the Housing Commission had been confirmed by the City Council on February 13, 1978. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Turner to approve the minutes of the February 14, 1978 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Pat Weitzel arrived at 7 :40 p.m. Proposed Amendment to The Secretary introduced the first item of business Housing Maintenance Ordinance on the agenda, that of a review of a proposed amend- ment to the City's Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. He explained that the purpose of the proposal is to require rental dwelling owners to notify the City when any change occurs in the status of the information provided on their original license appli- cation. He stated that presently Section 12-903 of the Ordinance requires certain information to be provided the City at the time application for a license is made, such as the name, address and phone number of the owners and resident agent, if any; the name, address and phone number of a vendor, if the dwelling is being sold through a contract for deed; the legal address of the dwelling; the number of dwelling units within the dwelling; and a descrip- tion of procedures through which tenant inquiries and complaints are to be pro cessed. He pointed out that one of the purposes of the licensing requirement is to assure that the City is aware of the current legal ownership and how to contact that ownership primarily for the purpose of serving legal complaints and notices should they be required. He added that another purpose is to assure that the City knows the current procedure and persons responsible for resolving legitimate maintenance and occupancy complaints. The Secretary reported that a problem has recently come to light in that the license clerk and the housing inspector have experienced some difficulty in reaching owners of particular properties because they have either moved and /or have changed phone numbers. He noted that there have also been changes in caretakers, rental agents and estab- lished complaint procedures regarding certain complexes unknown to the City. He stated that some owners, without transferring the title or ownership of the property; have in effect shrouded the landlord- tenant communication process by moving or changing personnel and procedures. He reported that administrative efforts to track down the owners, and to .learn who new personnel are, have been fairly successful, but have been very time consuming and frustrating. In certain cases the response of the owners has been that they have "complied" with the ordinance by completing the application in full. He noted that this is technically correct in that the ordinance does not specify that the City must be informed of any changes in the required information contained in Section 12-903 of the ordinance other than a change or transfer of ownership.` The Secretary reported that in order to clear up this techni- cality and to provide the mechanism necessary to require that this information be kept current and accurate, it is recommended that Section 12 -903 of the ordinance be amended to read "that every person holding an operating license shall give notice in writing to the compliance official within 72 hours after any change of this information." The Director of Planning and Inspection briefly cited various examples indicating the problems experienced. He stated that in some cases an owner of an apartment building will move and the City is unaware of how this person can be contacted. He explained that the ordinance presently requires any change in the status of a resident agent to be conveyed to the City but does not require such information if the owner still resides within the seven county metropolitan area. ,A discussion ensued relative to the proposed ordinance amendment with Commissioner Haroldson inquiring as to what the City can do to gain compliance so that this informa- tion will be supplied. The Director of Planning and Inspection responded that there are certain,legal means the City could Action Recommending Ordinance Amendment Housing Information take such as a tag or citation for-violation of the City Ordinances which would carry a misdemeanor fine. Commissioner Haroldson, referring to the proposed ordinance amendment, stated that he would prefer giving persons longer than 72 hours to notify the City of any change. He suggested that five business days be substituted for the 72 hours and added that he felt this would be a more reasonable time period for notification. The Director of Planning and Inspec- tion responded that the five business day notice would be adequate, but he suggested, for consistency, that Section 12 -908 of the Ordinance, which requires notice to the City upon any transfer of ownership of a rental unit within 72 hours, also be changed to five business days. Chairman Plummer polled members of the Commission regarding their preference for notice being "five business days" or "72 hours It was the consensus of the Commission that "five business days" be used. Following further discussion there was a motion by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to recommend that the City Council amend Chapter 12 of the City Ordinances relative to rental dwelling license application information-to require every person holding an operating license to notify the City within five business days upon any change in the information required in Section 12 -903 and to also recommend that "five business days" be sub stituted for "72 hours" in Section 12 -908 of the Ordinance. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Plummer recommended, as an ongoing Com- mission project, that members of the Commission each month develop a list of housing information including such things as meetings relating to housing, workshops being conducted on housing and other informational items which might be passed along to the Brooklyn Center Post for publication. She explained that she felt this would be in keeping with one of the duties and responsibilities required of the Com- mission, namely providing public information relative to housing affairs. Chairman" Plummer requested Commissioner Beikler to provide such information for the April Housing Com- mission meeting. Chairman Plummer reported that the next item of business on the agenda is scheduled to be a discussion of part I of the Metropolitan Council Housing Develop- ment Guide. She requested that consideration of this item be deferred until after the Housing Commission has addressed other discussion items on the agenda. Chairman Plummer introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of a discussion relating to the State Energy Agency aerial heat loss photo program. The Sec- retary explained that Commissioner Haroldson at the February 14, 1978 Commission meeting had raised the question regarding the status of the aerial heat loss photo program. He reported that he has received information from the Energy Agency regarding that program and commented that presently the Agency is seeking an appropriation from the State Legislature to continue the program. He explained that the Agency had received an appropriation and had taken aerial heat loss photos of Minneapolis and St. Paul proper, the City of Bloomington and some free standing communities in outstate Minnesota such as Rochester, Mankato and Duluth. He stated that he has been informed that at the present time there is not funding available to continue with the heat loss photo program and provide this service for communities requesting it. He briefly reviewed how the program is operated and the types of conditions that must be present for effective aerial heat loss photos to be taken. He noted that Brooklyn Center has requested the Energy Agency to take aerial heat loss photos of the City and the Agency has indicated that it would be possible if further funding is available. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the Energy Agency aerial heat loss photo program. It was suggested that the Secretary provide information to the Conservation Commis sion regarding the need for father state funding to continue this program and to solicit their support to request the City Council to urge the State Legislature to appropriate the necessary funding to continue with this program. It was the consensus of the Housing Commission to direct the Secretary to solicit support from the Conservation Com- mission to request the City Council to adopt a resolution urging the State Legislature to appropriate necessary funding for the aerial heat loss program. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission recessed at Recess 8 :31 p.m. and resumed at 8:56 p.m. The Secretary introduced the next item of business on the agenda by stating that members of the Commission had been furnished with a copy of the minutes of the Metro HRA Advisory Committee meeting of February 14, 1978 and also a memorandum dated February 23, 1978 dealing with the possible development of a program designed to provide rental Aerial Heat Loss Photos Large Family Rental Housing Program Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance Review housing for large families. He explained that the information had been presented to the Commission so that they would have the opportunity to familarize themselves with this program. He reported that a large family rental housing program is being considered by the 'Metro HRA because of the perceived need for the development of such units due to the lack of available units in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. He noted that at this time no community is being asked to commit themselves to joining a Metro HRA public housing program but that the Metro HRA is requesting communities to express their opinions as to whether or not the Metro -HRA should be involved in public housing and also the feelings of local communities regarding such a program. He suggested that members of the Commission take the time necessary to review this information and added that further information would be presented as it becomes available. Chairman Plummer commented that she is aware of a number of the problems experienced by large families attempting to find rental units tha t are adequate in size for their families. She explained that generally there are very few such units available for these families on a rental basis. She noted that former Mayor Philip Cohen is Chairman of the Metro HRA Advisory Committee and stated that it might be possible to have Mr. Cohen appear before the Housing Commission to explain the program in more detail in the near future. Chairman Plummer introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of a discussion on how the Housing Commission would proceed with its planned review of the City's Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. She stated that the review is intended primarily to provide members of the Com- mission with the opportunity of becoming better aware of the provisions of the Ordinance. She further stated that this review could also be used as an opportunity to make various amendments to the Ordinance if they are deemed necessary. Commissioner Turner suggested that members of the Commission review on their own the Housing Maint- enance and Occupancy Ordinance and then at sub- sequent Commission meetings discuss the provisions of the Ordinance in more detail. Commissioner Haroldson suggested that the Commis- sioner ask for input from the City Manager, the City staff and the City Council regarding whether or -5- 3 -14 -78 not there are problems with the Ordinance and if there is a need for any modification. The Secretary reported that the Department of Planning and Inspection will be compiling an analysis of com- pliance orders that have been written with respect to the Housing Maintenance Ordinance and that it is anticipated that the Commission will have an opportunity to participate in a "mock appeal" to a compliance order within the near future. Commissioner Weitzel suggested that the Commission review pages 1-7 of the Ordinance for a detailed discussion at the April Housing Commission meeting. Chairman Plummer suggested that the discussion relating to the Metropolitan Council Housing Development Guide be deferred until the April meeting. Motion by Commissioner Haroldson and seconded by Com- missioner Duenow to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Com- mission adjourned at 9 :36 p.m. Chairman Adjournment Housing Development Guide