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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 11-15 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Review Metropolitan Council Housing Presentation MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE COUNTY DF HENNEPIN REGULAR SES €ION NOVEMBER 15, 1977 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Lou Howard at 7:38 p.m. Chairman Lou Howard, Commissioners Dolore;> Hastings, Leo Beikler, Dale Magnuson, Ronald Turner and Karen Duenow. Also present was Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Chairman Howard reported that Commissioner Haroldson and Councilman Fignar had informed him that they would be late to this evenings meeting. Chairman Howard commented on the Metropolitan Council Housing presentation given by Nancy Reeves at the October 11, 1977 Housing Commission meeting. He stated that he felt the presentation was timely and in- formative. He added that a number of points made by Ms. Reeves during the presentation focused around the need for future housing in the metropolitan area. He recalled that the Housing Commission, at its Septem- ber 13, 1977 meeting, had been asked by the Planning Commission to review and comment on Planning Com- mission Application No. 77044 submitted by the Jesus People Church which was a proposal to develop a nonresidential use in a residentially zoned area. He reported that it was the general concensus of the Housing Commission at that time that the proposal should not be looked upon favorably because of the potential negative impact on the future residential needs of Brooklyn Center. He concluded his comments by stating that two members of the Planning Commission that had attended the October 11 presentation had stated that they felt the insights gained at that meeting were helpful to them in making their recommendation to deny this Planning Com- mission Application to the City Council. Commissioner Weitzel arrived at 7 :40 p.m. Chairman Howard departed from the agenda briefly to introduce Ms. Eileen Anderson who is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota with an interest in housing matters. He stated that Ms. Anderson was attending this evenings Housing Commission meeting to get a better understanding of how local housing advisory com- missions operate. A brief discussion ensued relative to the substance of the presentation made by Nancy Reeves relating to Metro- politan Council housing policies. Commissioner Hastings commented that it was suggested at that meeting that the Housing Commission look at potential ways of developing local policies that would help reduce the costs of housing for people in need of housing, particularly low cost housing. She referred to a number of programs that have been developed to assist persons in finding affordable housing and noted that it had been suggested that there is a need for other programs to supplement the already implemented programs. She inquired as to what would be the best direction for the Housing Commission to take in advising the City Council on providing various supplementary programs. Chairman Howard stated that in the past there has been dis- cussion regarding the possibility of the City's HRA supple- menting various home improvement grant programs and rent assistance programs. He added that he felt there was a need for additional programs that would help upgrade homes and that the programs should be designed to address the problems of energy conservation improvements, code related improve- ments and other improvements that would have a positive effect on the safety and habitability of homes. He further stated that he felt in Brooklyn Center the greatest need was to maintain the present housing stock because there is a limited supply of land available for new housing construction in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Hastings further inquired if the Commission felt there was a need to develop a program which might help out persons already living in a home to make their present mortgage payments if they are having difficulty doing so. Commissioner Magnuson questioned whether or not there was a need, and if this was an area that the City would wish to get involved. He stated that generally banks will allow missed payments if arrangements are made beforehand. He expressed the opinion that he did not see a need for this type of program in the near future. Commissioner Duenow cautioned that there would be a number of things to consider in developing such a program and added that she too did not see the need for such a program at this time. Chairman Howard stated that the Commission, in looking at the housing needs in Brooklyn Center, must first set priorities as to the directions it feels the City Council should take with respect to housing problems and then weigh these priorities against one another and determine what is, and is not, 11 -15 -77 -2- Home Renovation Workshop feasible for the City to undertake. Further discussion ensued relative to the housing needs in Brooklyn Center with Commissioner Hastings comment- ing that perhaps the Housing Commission could be of help by presenting information to the community re- garding a number of housing programs already in existence She noted that a number of people contact Community Emergency Assistance Programs (C.E.A.P.) seeking help to find decent housing for their families. Chairman Howard suggested that possibly as a Commission project the Housing Commission could work with C.E.A.P. to develop information relating to various agencies that are established to assist people with housing problems and also develop further information on the various housing assistance programs available. Commissioner Plummer arrived at 7:55 p.m. Chairman Howard introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of a discussion relating to the Home Renovation Workshop conducted by the Housing Com- mission and the possibility of future endeavors of this nature by the Housing Commission. He stated that the general feeling among the Housing Commission had been that it would not be beneficial to conduct a home renova- tion workshop within the next six months. He requested each of the Commissioners to comment on any feedback they had received relative to the recently held home renovation workshop and to make suggestions as to how to improve the program should the Housing Commission again put on such a program. Commissioner Hastings stated that the feedback she had received indicated that people attending the workshop would like to see the number of topics discussed on a particular evening reduced. Commissioner Plummer concurred with Commissioner Hastings and stated that to hold three sessions concurrently on one evening made it difficult for persons attending the workshop to choose one of the three topics. She noted that a number of persons had indicated that they would like to have attended all three of the sessions conducted on the same evening. Commissioner Turner stated that he too favored having less topics at each session. Commis- sioner Beikler commented that it had been suggested that only one topic be held per session and that perhaps a session could be held every other night rather than once a week. Commissioner Magnuson stated that he felt four weeks was to long a period of time for con- ducting the overall workshop. He suggested that in the future the workshop be limited to one week and that there be a limited number of topics presented during the one week workshop. Commissioner Weitzel stated that she felt the more popular topics should he again utilized but felt that a one week workshop was too short. Commis- sioner Duenow suggested having two sessions per evening rather than three. Chairman Howard stated that it might be beneficial to conduct a home renovation workshop as a series and that it be spread out over a semester and held in.conjunction with other Community Education courses. He added that it might be possible to schedule a home renovation workshop series over an eight or nine week period and possibly even repeat some of the more popular topics. A brief discussion ensued relative to the home renovation workshop and the possibility of conducting such a work- shop in the future. Chairman Howard noted that Judy Labon, who had coordinated the workshop with Northern States Power, is no longer in the same position with N.S.P. He explain.ed that N.S.P. is still willing to help out financially in putting on such workshops, but is not able to supply the manpower for conducting such a workshop. Commissioner Plummer suggested that if might be beneficial for the Housing Commission to put on a workshop related to energy conserva- tion for residential homes rather than conduct an extensive home renovation workshop. Chairman Howard stated that he felt it was important for the Housing Commission to review and understand the City's Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. He ex- plained that the Housing Commission has been designated to be a sounding board and review board.for any contested compliance orders issued to persons in violation of the ordinance. He stated that he felt it would be worthwhile for the Commission to develop an understanding of how to proceed if a compliance order is appealed. He added that it might be beneficial for the Commission to conduct study sessions and possibly have mock appeals that could be reviewed by the Housing Commission. He pointed out that hopefully there will not be many appeals to compliance orders issued but that the Commission should be prepared to deal with these matters should they arise. Commissioner Weitzel suggested that some research be done with respect to the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance and possibly information provided to the Commis- sion as to what sections of the Ordinance most compliance orders are issued. 11-15-77 -4- A discussion ensued relative to the possibility of developing a truth in housing program or certification program for the sale of homes in Brooklyn Center. Chairman Howard noted that such a program had been discussed originally in conjunction with the development of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance but had been deferred until a later point in time. Other Business Introduction of Mayor -Elect Nyquist Future Housing Commission Projects It was suggested that the Housing Commission look further into this matter and discuss it in more detail at a future Housing Commission meeting. Chairman Howard introduced Mayor -Elect Dean Nyquist to members of the Commission and stated that the Mayor -Elect wished to sit in on the remainder of the Housing Commission meeting to get a better understanding of how it functions. Recess The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission recessed at 8 :45 p.m. Councilman Fignar arrived at 8:50 p.m. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission resumed at 9 :20 p.m. A discussion ensued relative to possible future Housing Commission projects. Chairman Howard suggested that members of the Housing Commission review the Commission's enabling resolution which outlines the duties and responsiblitie•s of the Commission and to develop suggestions as to areas in which the Housing Commission could be of assistance. Councilman Fignar stated that he would be meeting with the new city manager within the near future and would be dis- cussing possible directions which could be taken by the Housing Commission in the future. He stated that he would report back to the Commission. Commissioner Haroldson arrived at 9 :25 p. -5- 11 -15 -77 The Secretary commented that the Housing Commission, within the relatively near future, would be asked to review the housing element of the mandated comprehen- sive plan. He noted a meeting held on Augsut 15, 1977 involving the City Council and the various advisory commissions in, addition to the Charter Commission at which time this matter was reviewed. He suggested that members of the Housing Commission familarize themselves with the housing development guide so that they will be prepared to review and comment on the draft housing element to the City's Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Plummer stated that she thought it would be beneficial for. the Housing Commission to have a better understanding of the City's zoning ordinance particularly with respect to zoning criteria that pertains to housing in general such as setback requirements and minimum lot sizes. She added that she felt it would be of benefit to the Commission to have a better under- standing of the building code and how it relates to housing as well. 'She suggested that perhaps information could be developed with respect to these areas and that the Housing Commission could study and familarize itself with these aspects of housing. Chairman Howard recalled that the Commission had guest speakers in the past such as Rollie Comstock and Michael Gleeson who had opposing viewpoints on the subject of housing. He added that although their approaches to the housing problems were different, they both agreed that lifestyles in the coming years would be changing because of the housing picture. Chairman Howard urged the Com- mission to continue to look at all aspects of housing and to obtain different viewpoints on the subject so that they are better informed and better prepared to advise the City Council with respect to housing issues. Chairman Howard commented that this is his last meeting as Chairman of the Housing Commission and he expressed his appreciation to the members of the Commission for their dedicated service. He stated that he has enjoyed serving on the Housing Commission over the years and that hopefully he might some day return to serve again on the Housing Commission or another advisory commission to the City Council. Councilman Fignar stated that he was appreciative of Chairman Howard for all that he has done for the Housing Commission. He further stated that Chairman Howard had helped in the development of a Housing Commission for Brooklyn Center and had served since the Housing Com- mission was formulated as its only Chairman. He added that the leadership displayed by Chairman Howard has been of benefit to the Housing Commission as well as the City. Members of the Commission in turn thanked Chairman Howard for his leadership and the time he has put forth in serving on the Housing Commission. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Com- missioner Magnuson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Com- mission adjourned at 9:45 p.m. 11- 15 Chairman -6- Departure Comments Adjournment