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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 12-10 HCM 1 1 Call to Order 1976 Meeting Dates 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 DECEMBER 10, 1975 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Howard at 7 :30 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Howard, Commissioners Beikler, Ward, Weitzel, Kohrt, Haroldson and Plummer. Also present were Councilman Bill Fignar and Ad- ministrative Assistant Ron Warren. Chairman Howard noted that Commissioners Magnuson and Hastings would be unable to attend this evening's meeting and were excused. 1 Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Weitzel and seconded by 11 -12 -75 Commissioner Kohrt to approve the minutes of the November 12, 1975 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The first item of business discussed was proposed Commission meeting dates for 1976. Chairman Howard noted that presently Commission meetings were scheduled for the first Tuesday after the first City Council meeting of each month. He further noted that this scheduling had created some conflicts, forcing the Commission to reschedule some of its meetings. He stated that it would be beneficial to establish a more definite day each month for Commission meetings and recommended having Commission meetings either on the first or second Tuesday of each month. A brief discussion ensued relative to meeting days. It was the consensus of the Commission that meeting dates be set on the second Tuesday of each month. Chairman Howard then requested the secretary to draw up a schedule showing the actual meeting dates and distribute it to the Commission members. The Chairman noted that the first meeting for 1976 would be on Tuesday, January 13, at 7 :30 p.m. Chairman Howard then proceeded to introduce Mr. Albert Hofstede, Mayor of the City of Minneapolis. He noted that Mayor Hofstede has been active in area politics since 1966 as a member of the Metropolitan Council and in his present position. Chairman Howard further noted that Mayor Hofstede was instrumental in developing and implementing a number of housing programs in the area Mayor Hofstede, before beginning his presentation, noted that he brought along Mr. Tom Copeland of his staff who was present to answer any questions relating to specific housing programs in Minneapolis. He began his presentation by stating that housing problems have to be looked at in a broad sense. The entire area must be viewed as to the overall housing problem. He noted that what larger cities, such as Minneapolis, do to solve housing problems will have an effect on housing problems in the suburbs. To the same extent, he further noted, what suburbs do regarding housing can and will affect the central, older cities. In this sense, he stated, we must look at the overall housing picture. He explained that changes in the last few years have affected housing planning. He noted that population estimates, Wnich have been decreased for the year 2000, the energy problem and the extremely high cost of building new homes and supplying the needed services for these homes have forced us to look at new methods for meeting the area's housing needs. He stated we no longer can afford to continue to spread out from the central cities. The energy shortage has made it more practical for people to work closer to where they live. Mayor Hofstede stated that between 80% and 85% of the people in this area cannot afford to build or buy a new home. All of these factors now make it more practical for people to buy older homes or to fix up and rehabilitate homes that are presently in need of repair. He noted that these factors led City officials in Minneapolis to plan programs to maintain and rehabilitate older homes. He stated that when he took office over 30,000 homes in Minneapolis were in need of repair and some 8,000 homes were beyond 1210 ®75 _2® Introduction of Guest Speaker Presentation by Mayor Albert Hofstede repair and needed to be destroyed. The major problem facing Minneapolis, and other cities wanting to rehabilitate old homes, is the lack of money. Mayor Hofstede explained that in order to have any success with rehabilitation programs you need the backing and cooperation of the neighborhoods or communities where the rehabilitation is to take place. He stated that the first thing that must be done is to develop an esprit de corps within a target area. It is important also to assure neighborhood leaders that no undesirable develop- ment, such as massive high rise apartments, will be foisted upon neighborhoods not desiring such developments. He explained also that it is important to seek out and use the input provided by neighborhood or community leaders to be successful in such programs. Mayor Hofstede briefly noted some of the Minneapolis housing programs such as: the home ownership program where the City bought, rehabilitated, and then resold old homes; the program in which homes could be bought from the City for $1 provided these homes were rehabilitated and brought up to code; and programs designed to remove dilapidated and unrehabilitatable homes and to resell the land for new development. He explained that the City of Minneapolis was given the authority to sell bonds obtain mort- gage money for some of these programs. He stated that the City also made use of revenue sharing and community development block grants to help finance other programs. He further stated that obtaining money for these housing programs is still the biggest problem. Mayor Hofstede noted that none of these programs are designed to completely replace existing urban renewal programs. The goal is to prevent areas of the City from becoming in such a state that urban renewal techniques are the only means available to alleviate the problems. In other words, he stated, put money into housing reha- bilitation programs to prevent the complete deterioration of homes and thus save valuable housing stock. He explained that much has been learned from Minneapolis' housing programs and stated that they have found out that when absentee -land- lordism reaches a certain point neighborhoods -3- 12 -10 -75 deteriorate. Because of this, he further explained, the City is striving to maintain at least a 5050 balance between home owners and home renters. He noted that many suburban areas that have large shopping areas, similar to Brookdale, will experience many of the same housing problems as central cities. He attributed this to the fact that large shopping areas are similar to downtown core areas and these shopping areas tend to create similar problems, although perhaps on a smaller scale, for the municipalities that they are in. He concluded his remarks by noting that there are many things that suburban areas can do to prevent housing deterioration problems. He stated that enforcing preventative maintenance codes and "truth in housing legislation" can have positive effects on deteriorating housing. He further stated that Minneapolis' problems is beyond the point where such legislation can help, it simply costs to much to force home owners to repair many of the houses in Minneapolis. He noted that on the other hand suburban area problems are not yet to that point and prevention now is not as costly a proposition. Following a question and answer session between Commission members, persons in the audience and Mayor Hofstede and Tom Copeland, Chairman Howard expressed his appreciation to the guest speaker for his presentation. The Housing Commission recessed at 9 :00 p.m. and Recess resumed at 9 :20 p.m. Chairman Howard announced that Michael Gleeson, Assistant Professor of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, would be the Housing Commission's January 13th guest speaker. He noted that Mr. Gleeson was recom- mended by Mayor Phil Cohen as an excellent resource person to address the Housing Commission. Chairman Howard stated that some of Mr. Gleeson's views might differ from the views expressed by Rollie Comstock, a previous speaker, and may give the Commission a different perspective of the housing problem. He further stated that his presentation would be a two -part presentation with the first part dealing with particular housing issues in Brooklyn Center and the second part 12-10-75 -4- Guest Speaker for January Meeting Letter of Appreciation Jaycee Program Community Education Project Adjournment dealing with overall housing problems. The secretary noted that Mr. Gleeson had requested copies of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance, the Zoning Ordinance and the Platting Ordinance to familiarize himself with laws per- taining to housing in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Haroldson stated that the Housing Commission should send a letter of appreciation to Mayor Al Hofstede for this evening's presenta- tion. Chairman Howard noted that the Brooklyn Center Jaycees were planning a housing program for this spring and had contacted the Housing Commission regarding possible volunteer help with the program. He further noted that more information on this subject would be forthcoming at the next Housing Commission meeting. Chairman Howard stated that the Brooklyn Center Community Education Director was still interested in conducting a housing seminar in conjunction with the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission. He further stated that more information on this program would be given once it is available. Motion by Commissioner Haroldson and seconded by Commissioner Weitzel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Chairman -5- 12 -10 -75