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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 06-03 HCMCall to Order Roll Call Approval of Minutes 5-6-75 Correspondence 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 JUNE 3, 1975 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Howard at 735 p.m. Chairman Howard, Commissioners Beikler, Kohrt, Hastings, and Weitzel. Also present were Councilman Bill Fignar and Administrative Assistant Ron Warren. Chairman Howard noted that Commissioner Plummer would be unable to attend this evening's meeting and had been excused because of a conflict in her schedule. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Kohrt to approve the minutes of the May 6, 1975 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Howard introduced the first item of business on the agenda, a review of correspondence received since the May 5 meeting. He noted that Jim Norwick, Director of Community Education for the Brooklyn Center School District, had sent a letter thanking members of the Commission for their participation in BC Kaleidoscope '75. Chairman Howard also thanked and commended members of the Commission for their cooperation and effort in present- ing the Housing Commission's exhibit at the Kaleidoscope program. Minnesota Housing Chairman Howard introduced the next item of business, a Finance Agency brief review of MHFA programs. He noted that he had Information obtained a booklet entitled Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Legislative Information, that contained information on all of the various MHFA programs in effect prior to March, 1975. Chairman Howard referred the booklet to the Ad Hoc Committee studying housing finance programs, and asked the Committee, comprised of Commissioners Kohrt, Magnuson and Beikler, to prepare a report on housing finance programs for the Commission's August meeting. The Chairman stated that he would be in close •contact with the MHFA regarding these programs and would, in turn, keep the Ad Hoc Committee informed of any further program developments. Chairman Howard reported that the MHFA's home improvement program would continue even though they had not received a legislative appropriation during this session of the State Legislature. He stated that MHFA plans to sell bonds in the fall of 1975 to finance the program. Councilman Fignar requested an update on the home :prove ment program. Following this request, a brief report by the Chairman ensued relative to the home improvement program and bank participa- tion in the program. The Chairman noted that a number of banks were skeptical as to the volume of business the MHFA home improvement program would generate. He further noted that the banks, for the most part, have a "wait- and -see" attitude toward the program, but he feels the program may become more popular in the future. Chairman Howard stated that he intends to invite a represen- tative of the MHFA to give a presentation to the Housing Commission this fall. He noted that he would attempt to arrange this presentation for the September meeting and strongly urged all Commission members to make every effort possible to attend this meeting. The next item of business on the agenda was the review of the Housing Commission Bylaws. The Chairman noted Article X which calls for an annual review of the bylaws by the Commission, and allows for the amendment of the bylaws by a two thirds vote of the entire Commission provided the proposed amendments are presented to the Commission members ten days in advance of any action. Following this explanation, a review of the bylaws ensued with the Chairman noting that Article VIII seems to restrict members of the Housing Commission from speaking to other commissions or individuals on Housing Commission matters without first being authorized to do so by the Commission. He further noted that this provision might require a special meeting if one of the members was invited to speak at a civic group meeting or at another advisory commission meeting about Housing Commission matters. The Secretary noted that Article VIII is a provision common to many of the advisory commissions of the City. He stated that its purpose is to prevent members from formally speaking on behalf of, or in a manner that seems to represent a formal position of the Housing Commission, without it first being considered by the Commission as a whole. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Home Improvement Program MHFA Presentation Review of Bylaws Housing Ordinance Informational Session Director of Planning and Inspection, Blair Tremere, arrived at 8000 p.m. Commissioner Kohrt noted that Article VIII seems to be a standard or general statement aimed at avoiding some possible embarrasing situations, but he stated that perhaps the provision should be broadened to authorize the Chairman to allow Commissioners to make presentations to other committees or to civic groups without first being authorized to do so by the entire Commission. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to Article VIII of the Bylaws with Councilman Fignar suggesting that the Secretary review the article and make suggested changes that might alleviate the problems noted. Chairman Howard stated that he felt the item should be deferred until the next meeting when the Commissioners not present at this meeting could oe given a chance to express their feelings on this article. He further stated that an Ad Hoc committee should be formed at the next meeting to review this matter. It was the consensus of the Commission to defer further discussion of Article VIII to the July meeting so that other Commission members could be given an opportunity to express themselves on the subject and also to form a review committee. Commissioner Hastings noted Article VII of the Bylaws which states that members of the Housing Commission shall be members of their respective neighborhood advisory committee of the Planning Commission. She further noted that a more positive effort should be made by Housing Commission members to become more active in these neighborhood advisory co mittees Status Report on The Chairman requested that the Secretary prepare a status Commissioners' report for the July meeting on unexcused absences from Absences Housing Commission meetings since June of 1974. Housing Commissioner Hastings passed out a booklet entitled Rehabilitation Housing Rehabilitation in Minneapolis, for the Commission's in Minneapolis review. She stated that the booklet was very informative and contained data on a number of different rehabilitation programs and concepts. The Secretary noted that the City was planning an infor- mational session on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center Social Hall for Brooklyn Center apartment owners to explain the licensing procedures for apartment nits and also to respond to questions relating to the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance. Chairman Howard recognized the Director of Planning and Inspection, Blair Tremere, who reported on the licensing procedure to be implemented for rental dwellings A lengthy discussion ensued with the Director of Planning and Inspection answering questions from the Commissioners relating to apartment licensing and the informational session. Mr. Tremere concluded his report by extending an invitation to all the members of the Commission to attend the informa- tional session on June 24. Chairman Howard noted that the next Housing Commission July Meeting meeting would be on Tuesday, July 8, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman asked the Commissioners to think of dis- cussion items, projects, programs, and other activities related to the Commission's charged responsibilities for discussion at future meetings. He stated that the Commission needs to develop ways to increase its activity and the parti- cipation of its members in Housing Commission affairs. Motion by Commissioner Weitzel and seconded by Commissioner Hastings to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Chairman General Information Adjournment