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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 01-17 HCMApproval of Minutes 10-11-77 Call to Order Roll Call Approval of Minutes 11-15-77 Appointments MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 17, 1978 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOT'\ The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Phyllis Plummer at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Phyllis Plummer, Commissioners Dolores Hastings, Patricia Weitzel, Ronald Turner and Karen Duenow. Also present were Councilman Bill Fignar, Director of Planning and Inspection Blair Tremere, Inspection Aide Laurie Thompson and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Chairman Plummer reported that she had been informed that Commissioners Haroldson and Belk ler would be unable to attend this evening's meeting and were, therefore, excused. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Weitzel to approve the minutes of the October 11, 1977 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Commissioner Duenow and seconded by Commissioner Hastings to approve the minutes of the November 15, 1977 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Plummer introduced the first item of business on the agenda, that of various Housing Commission appointments. She explained that the Commission's bylaws call for the annual appointment of a Vice-Chair- man by the Chairman and she has asked Commissioner Hastings to serve in that capacity. She further reported that the Housing Commission enabling resolution states that Commissioners shall be assigned by the Chairman as liaison to neighborhood advisory committees of the Planning Commission. She announced her assignments which were as follows: Northwest neigh- borhood Commissioner Magnuson; Northeast neighbor- hood Commissioner Haroldson; Southeast neighborhood Commissioner Hastings; West Central neighborhood Commissioner Weitzel; Central neighborhood Commis- sioner Turner. She added that she has tentatively assigned Commissioner Beikler to the Sollthwest neighborhood advisory group until such time as someone -1- 1-17-78 living in that area is appointed to the Housing Commis- sion. Chairman Plummer noted that a proposed schedule for. Housing 1978 Commission Commission meetings in 1978 has been presented to members Meeting Schedule of the Commission. She stated that the schedule calls for Housing Commission meetings to generally be held on the second Tuesday of the month and to begin at 7 :30 p.m. The Secretary explained that the schedule is subject to change upon prior notification. The Commission next reviewed the 1977 Housing Commission attendance record. The Secretary reported that the Commis sion's enabling resolution and the Commission's bylaws state that three consecutive unexcused absences by a Com- mission member shall constitute automatic resignation from office. He pointed out that no Housing Commission members had missed three consecutive Commission meetings during 1977. He pointed out that the Commission's bylaws also state that three consecutive absences by a Commission member shall initiate discussion as to the members status on the Commission and that the Commission may direct the Chairman to investigate absences. The Secretary introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of the review of proposed home improvement grant criteria for evaluating and ranking eligible home improve- ment grant applications. He stated that the Housing Com- mission in May of 1977 had similarly reviewed home improve- ment grant criteria for use during that year's grant program. He explained that there have been some changes with respect to the State's priorities for these grants and that the Director of Planning and Inspection is present this evening to review new recommendations for the program. The Director of Planning and Inspection briefly reviewed the home improvement grant program and commented on the first year of the program. He stated that the purpose of the program is to make money available to eligible lower income homeowners for improvements to their dwellings which would directly affect the energy efficiency, safety or habitability of the dwelling or which increase the property's compliance with applicable housing codes. He further stated that last year the City had been allocated $15,236.00 for home improvement grants and that this allocation was expended on eight eligible grant applications. He noted that in addition to these grant funds the City was able to obtain funding for an additional grant in the amount of approximately $3,000.00. He reported that there have been some changes in the direction of the program this year over that of last year. He explained that the State has dropped the criteria which gives elderly 1 -17 -78 -2- 1977 Commission Attendance Record Home Improvement Grant Program Criteri applicants priority and that the repayment agreement period has been extended from five years to seven years. He pointed out that although the State has dropped the elderly priority, it does not preclude the City from using this as a priority or as a local goal. He reported that the State has also established a special priority for improving the accessibility of property for handi- capped residents and has established a special fund for these types of improvements. He explained that this special priority for handicapped persons will not affect the grant amount allocated to Brooklyn Center but rather these people will be directed to the State to seek funding for these accessible improvements to their homes. He commented that the Housing Commis- sion should look at the possibility of including a handicapped priority for inclusion in the local grant criteria. He explained that this criteria would give preference points to handicapped applicants that would meet the eligibility requirements for program related improvements other than accessibility improve- ments. The Director of Planning and Inspection reported that the criteria recommended by the Housing Commission will be forwarded to the City Council for their approval and that the criteria must also be reviewed by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (M.H. F.A.) and approved prior to their implementation. He further reported that Brooklyn Center has been allocated approximately $18,300.00 in grant funds for use in the grant program this year. He noted that the Legislature has provided funding for a two year program and that communities that do a credible job this year will be renewed at approximately the same funding level for next year, therefore, if the City allocates its portion of grant funds it can expect similar funding for 1978 -79. He noted that the grant criteria would be used primarily if the requests for grant funds exceed the amount of the City's allocation. He added that when reviewing grant applications a determination must be made as to whether the applicant is eligible in terms of their income fora grant and also whether or not the improve- ments requested are also eligible for grant funding. Provided these criteria are met the City would then use the ranking criteria to determine a priority for authorizing the grants. A brief discussion ensued relative to the Director of Planning and Inspection's report with Commissioner Hastings inquiring as to why the State had extended the length of time for the repayment agreement. Planning and Inspection Aide Laurie Thompson responded that the repayment agreement has really only been extended for a one year period of time. She explained that under the previous grant program eligible applivants would not have to repay a portion of the grant if they did not sell or transfer the ownership of the property after five full years from receiving the grant. She noted that the present repayment agreement calls for no repayment of the grant if the ownership of the property is transferred by the beginning of the seventh year. The Director of Planning and Inspection commented that by extending the repayment agreement the State is better able to recover a greater share of the money utilized for home improvement grants. The Director of Planning and Inspection then proceeded to review the recommended grant criteria for this years home improvement grant program. He stated that the grant criteria for the most part, are similar to that utilized in 1977 with a few exceptions. He explained that in 1977 energy related improvements were awarded three priority points while in 1978 it is recommended that energy related improvements be allowed up to five points depending on the type of improve- ment requested. He stated that another criteria added this year has to do with improving the habitability of a home and it is recommended that up to five points be awarded for this type of improvement. With regard to imminent health and safety improvements, the Director of Planning and Inspection stated that it is recommended that five points be awarded for this type of improvement. He further stated that it is also recommended that priority points be awarded to persons on the basis of their age and added that one point would be awarded for those eligible applicants who are 62 years of age or older. He noted that the City can use such a priority criteria even though the State is not emphasizing improvements for the elderly. He further reported that another added category deals with the age of a home and stated that it is recommended that priority points be awarded on the basis of the age of a particular dwelling with four points being awarded to a home that is 40 years old or more, three points for a home 30 to 39 years old, two points for a home 20 to 29 years old and one point for a home 10 to 19 years old. He next referred to the neighborhood impact criteria and stated that it has changed little over that utilized in 1977 but that the category of a "improving neighborhood" has been added and it is recommended that three priority points be awarded to a home falling into this category. He stated that the last rec- ommended category of home improvement grant criteria would be to award one point for a handicapped person makingeligible improvements to their home. A brief discussion ensued relative to the neighborhood impact criteria with Commissioner Hastings stating that she favors the addition of the "improving neighborhood criteria". The Secretary stated that the Housing Commission, when it reviewed 1-17-78 -4- Recess The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission recessed at 8:45 p.m. Commissioner Duenow left the meeting at 8 :50 p.m. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission resumed at 8:58 p.m. Home Improvement. Further discussion ensued relative to the Director of Grant Criteria Continued Planning and Inspection's report and the recommended criteria for the home improvement grant program. The Director of Planning and Inspection commented that the mandated comprehensive planning process which in- volves a housing element will, in all likelihood, require an actual inventory of the City's housing stock. He pointed out that this inventory would be more than just a quantitative study of the City's housing stock, it would be a qualitative study as well. He further stated that such an inventory would give the City a better understanding of the areas in which redevelopment or rehabilitation would be necessary this criteria last May, had commented on the fact that the neighborhood impact criteria seemed to favor improve ments in neighborhoods that are relatively stable and nonblighted. He pointed out that this criteria was established on the basis that the home improvement grant program has limited funds and that very little could be done utilizing these grant funds that would have a great impact on a truly blighted neighborhood. He added that if the City had unlimited resources, or extensively more resources, for the home improvement grant program, the criteria, in all likelihood, would be the opposite of that recommended. Commissioner Turner suggested that consideration might also be given to improvements made to property on heavily traveled streets if a tie breaker is needed because such improvements would have a more obvious effect on the impact of a neighborhood. In response to an inquiry by Chairman Plummer the Director of Planning and Inspection stated that following the approval of the home improvement grant criteria by the City Council and by M.H.F.A. the staff will review all grant applications to determine the eligibility of the applicant and also the eligibility of the requested home improvement and then apply the grant criteria priority points to the applications. He added that following the awarding of criteria points each applica- tion will be reviewed by the Housing Commission at an open meeting for the purpose of review and comment on how the points were awarded. He noted that following this review by the Housing Commission the applications would also be reviewed by the City Council for approval and then submitted for authorization to proceed with these improvements. Chairman Plummer stated that because the Housing Com- mission will review the applications and the manner in which priority points are awarded, that she has no problems with any of the criteria recommended by the staff. She noted that she favors the inclusion of priority points for persons over 62 years old and also the handicapped priority. Following further discussion there was a motion by Com- missioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Weitzel to recommend to the City Council the approval of the following priority ranking system for awarding home improvement grants in 1978: I. Income of Applicant $1,000.00 or less 5 points $1001 to $2000 4 points $2001 to $3000 3 points $3001 to $4000 2 points $4001 to $5000 1 point II. Tvpe of Work Energy Related up to 5 points Improve Habitability up to 5 points Imminent Health/Safety 5 points III. Acre of Applicant 62 years or older 1 point IV. Age of House 40 years or more 4 points 30 39 years 3 points 20 29 years 2 points 10 19 years 1 point V. Neighborhood Impact Significant impact in a: Declined Neighborhood 1 point Declining Neighborhood 2 points Improving Neighborhood 3 points Stable, Nonblighted Neighborhood 4 points VI. Handicapped Occupant 1 point 1-17-78 -6- Action Recommending Approval of a Priority Ranking System for the Home Improvement Grant Program Voting in favor Chairman Plummer, Commissioners Hastings, Turner and Weitzel. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. Commission Projects Chaitman Plummer introduced the next item of business or Areas of Interest that of a discussion about potential Housing Commission projects or areas of interest that members would like the Commission to pursue. She stated that she is interested in the various facets that make up the present high cost of housing in the area. She inquired of the Director of Planning and Inspection if it was possible to provide the Commission with information relating to the building code and concepts of land use planning to see how they affect the cost of housing. The Director of Planning and Inspection responded that he has served on an advisory committee reviewing standards for land use regulation and that the Metropolitan Council and the Association of Metropolitan Municipal- ities had published a report entitled Advisory Standards for Land Use Regulation. He further stated that it would be possible to obtain copies of these reports for members of the Housing Commission and that it would be benefi- cial for the Commission to review these matters. He explained that the report deals with land use ordinances in the metropolitan area, particularly as they relate to the constraints and opportunities for the construction of modest cost market rate housing. He noted that the report provides information which local officials can use when evaluating the requirements in their local land use ordinances for single family housing. He reported that land use ordinance provisions for house size, lot size and garages vary widely in the metro- politan area and that the advisory standards recommended in the report for house size, lot size and garage re- quirements are those which the Metropolitan Council and the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities have found appropriate to protect the health and safety of the residents in the community. He added that based on these standards, communities will be able to evaluate their own requirements to determine whether they are adding unneccessarily to the cost of housing. A brief discussion ensued relative to land use provisions and their effect on the cost of housing. Commissioner Turner stated that he would like to see a map of the City indicating where vacant land is available in the City and the zoning for the property and also what that zoning means. Chairman Plummer suggested that the discussion relating to Commission projects or areas of interest be held over until the February meeting so that members might have an opportunity to develop various ideas and also, hopefully, all members of the Commission would be in attendance. The Secretary suggested that Commissioners review the Commission's enabling resolution and bylaws to get a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of this Commission which may be helpful in determining future Commission projects or areas of interest which the Commission wishes to pursue. He added that it would also be beneficial for the Commission to review and get a better understanding of the City's Housing and Main tenance and Occupancy Ordinance. He pointed out that the Commission has been designated by the City Council to act as a sounding or review board for appeals to com- pliance orders issued under that ordinance. Councilman Fignar suggested that possibly fifteen minutes or so at each Commission meeting could be set aside to discuss various aspects of the ordinance. The Secretary suggested that the Commission might be divided into study groups which could review various sections in the ordinance and report back to the Housing Commission. Commissioner Hastings noted that when the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance was first being reviewed there had been much discussion about a certifi- cation program which would require an inspection before a home was sold to determine if the property was in com- pliance with the Housing Maintenance Ordinance. She explained that she has contacted the City of St. Louis Park which has such a program and has been informed that they would be happy to discuss the matter with her. She stated that she would be meeting with St. Louis Park inspectors and would report back to the Commission on the results of her meeting. She explained that she has also received copies of the St. Louis Park ordinance for the Commission's review. Councilman Fignar left the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Further discussion ensued relative to Commission projects and areas of interest with Chairman Plummer stating that the Commission would further review the matter of Com- mission projects and areas of interest and also the Commis sion's enabling resolution at its next Commission meeting. Chairman Motion by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Adjournment Weitzel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unani- mously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:53 p.m.