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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 07-08 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Approval of Minutes 6 -3 -75 August Meeting Review of Attendance Chart 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 JULY 8, 1975 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chair- man Howard at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Howard, Commissioners Beikler, Plummer, Weitzel, Ward, Haroldson and Hastings. Also present were Councilman Bill Fignar and Admini- strative Assistant Ron Warren. Excused from the meeting was Commissioner Kohrt and absent from the meeting was Commissioner Magnuson. Commissioner Haroldson noted that he had been excused from the June 3, 1975 meeting by the Chairman and that this was not noted in the minutes of that meeting. Motion by Commissioner Weitzel and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to approve the minutes of the June 3, 1975 meeting as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Hastings arrived at 7 :40 p.m. Chairman Howard noted that the next meeting of the Housing Commission would be on August 5, 1975 at which time the Ad Hoc Committee would make its report on the various housing finance programs available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The first item of business on the agenda was a review of Housing Commission attendance since June of 1974. The secretary distributed a copy of the attendance chart and noted that the information was taken from the official Housing Commission minutes. Chairman Howard noted that there were some cor- rections to the 1975 attendance chart. He stated thatCommissioner Magnuson had been excused from the January 7 meeting; that Commissioners Beikler and Kohrt had been excused from the February 4 meeting; that Commissioner Weitzel had been excused from the April 15 meeting; that Council- man Fignar had been excused from the May 6 meeting; and that Commissioner Haroldson had been excused from the June 3 meeting. Councilman Fignar noted that Commissioner Plummer was not appointed until February of 1975 and stated that this should be noted on the attendance chart. The secretary stated that the attendance chart would be corrected and distributed to Commission members at the next meeting. Chairman Howard noted that Commissioner Magnuson had been absent from the last two Housing Commis- sion meetings and that he was not yet present for this meeting. He further noted that Commission bylaws call for the automatic resignation of a Commission member for three unexcused absences. The Chairman deferred further discussion m this matter until later in the meeting. The next item of business on the agenda was a review by the secretary of the apartment licensing' procedure. The secretary noted that the Director of Planning and Inspection had conducted an informa- tional session for apartment owners on June 24, 1975 to explainthe licensing requirements and other pertinent provisions of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. He stated that thirty -one apartment owners, or their representatives, were in attendance at the two hour meeting. He briefly reviewed the agenda of the meeting with the Commissioners and commented that the informational session seemed to be successful. Regarding applications for apartment licenses, the secretary explained that as of this date 67 of the 76 apartments have applied for licenses. He further explained that the Planning and Inspection Depart- ment has also received license applications for 6 single family and 4 two family rental dwellings. Following the report a brief discussion ensued with the secretary answering Commissioners° questions regarding apartment licensing. Chairman Howard noted the revised copy of the Housing Enabling Resolutll Commission Enabling Resolution and asked members of the Commission to carefully review the resolution. The Chairman stated that he would like input from 7 -8 -75 -2- Apartment Licensing Bus Trip City Inspections of Houses Commissioners regarding new projects, programs or other activities related to the Commission's charged duties and responsibilities that can be undertaken by the group. The Chairman suggested that members keep in close contact with their respective neighborhood advisory groups regarding housing matters. A brief discussion ensued relative to future projects and activities to be undertaken by the Housing Commission. Councilman Fignar suggested that the Commission may need more guidance from the City Council and staff regarding other projects and ideas for the Commission. Councilman Fignar stated that he and the secretary would seek such guidance from the Council and staff and be pre- pared to present new ideas at the September meeting. Commissioner Hastings stated that she is aware of some homes in her neighborhood that have been abandoned. She suggested that the Commission con- tact the owners of these homes and possibly give them some guidance as to rehabilitating them. Commissioner Haroldson stated that a bus tour of the City in the near future might be beneficial to Commission members. Such a tour would give them a first hand view of the housing conditions in Brooklyn Center. Councilman Fignar noted that in his business he comes in contact with many people who have recently purchased a house in Brooklyn Center. He further noted that a number of these people have told him that it would have been beneficial to have some sort of inspection of these homes prior to purchase, so they would have been aware of any plumbing or electrical problems. Councilman Fignar suggested that such an inspection might bea worthwhile service for the City to provide. He noted that this might be an addi- tional burden on the Inspection Department, but further noted that such a service would need to be provided if the City should decide to certify houses prior to sale. Bylaws The next item of business on the agenda was the continued review of the Housing Commission bylaws. Chairman Howard noted the discussion at the June 3 meeting regarding Article VIII. He stated that he wished to withdraw his suggestion for change to this article. He further stated that -3- 7 -8 -75 he feels this article does not restrict the freedom of Commission members to speak on housing matters, it only restricts members from speaking on behalf of the Commission as a whole, without prior authori- zation. The secretary stated that this provision primarily prevents Commission members from committing the Commission to certain courses of action without prior consideration. A brief discussion ensued relative to Article VIII. It was the consensus of the Commission not to change Article VIII of the bylaws. Chairman Howard next noted Article IV of the bylaws relating to attendance. He stated that the first provision of the Article calls for the automatic resignation of a Commission member for three con- secutive unexcused absences. A brief discussion ensued relative to Article IV. It was the consensus of the Commission that the secretary revise this provision on Article IV, so that it might give the Commission some discre- tion or flexibility regarding automatic resignation for three consecutive unexcused absences. Chairman. Howard noted the earlier discussion regarding Commissioner Magnuson's absences. He further noted that Commissioner Magnuson's absence from this evening's meeting constituted the third consecutive absence from a Housing Commission meeting. He stated that the bylaws direct the Commission to discuss a Commissioner's status upon three consecutive absences. Commissioner Plummer stated that it was possible that Commissioner Magnuson, due to the nature of his real estate business, may have legitimate reasons for his absences from the last three meetings. She further stated that this possibility should be explored. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to this point. Following this discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Haroldson and seconded by Commissioner Hastings to direct the Chairman to investigate the reasons for Commissioner Magnuson's absences from Commission meetings. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Haroldson stated that Mayor Al Hofstede of Minneapolis is, in his opinion, an authority on housing matters. He further-stated that it might be possible to have Mayor Hofstede address the 7 -8 -75 -4 Discussion of Commissioner Magnuson's Absences Guest Speaker for Fall Meeting Housing Information Adjournment Housing Commission on housing developments and programs. Commissioner Haroldson asked if members of the Commission would be interested in having Mr. Hofstede as a speaker. Commis- sioner Plummer noted that Mayor Hofstede would be campaigning for re-election during the fall and suggested that if arrangements could be made they should be for after the fall elections. It was the consensus of the Commission to have Com- missioner Haroldson attempt to arrange an address by Mayor Hofstede to the Housing Commission on housing developments and programs. Chairman Howard requested Commissioner Plummer to search local newspapers and cut out articles relating to housing affairs and bring this information to the attention of the Commission. Motion by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Harold= to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Chairman -5- 7-8-75