HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 04-09 HCMCall to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes:
3 -12 -74
Approval of Minutes:
3 -19 -74
Review of the Housing Chairman Howard introduced the City Manager
Maintenance and who reviewed the proposed Housing Maintenance
Occupancy Ordinance and Occupancy Ordinance. He stated that since
the last meeting of the Commission he has
received some reaction from citizens in Brooklyn
Center to the proposed Code. He stated that
most of the reaction was expressed in terms of
a fear of governmental control.
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
APRIL 9, 1974
CITY HALL
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met
in regular session and was called to order
by Chairman Howard at 7 :30 p.m.
Chairman Howard, Commissioners Ward, Kohrt,
Haroldson, Beikler and Hastings. Also present
were Councilman Bill Fignar, City Manager
Donald Poss, Director of Planning and Inspec-
tion Blair Tremere and Administrative Assistant
Daniel Hartman.
Motion by Commissioner Ward and seconded by
Commissioner Kohrt to approve the minutes of
the March 12, 1974 meeting as corrected. The
motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Haroldson and seconded
by Commissioner Hastings to approve the minutes
of the March 19, 1974 meeting as submitted.
The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners Nelson and Weitzel arrived at
7:35 p.m.
A lengthy discussion ensued relative to each
section of the Code with a critique of the
document by the Commissioners.
Commissioner Ward voiced his concern as to
the definition of a dwelling unit and its
reference to permanent kitchen facilities.
He stated that it would seem appropriate to
define the term in a governmental sense.
He also voiced his concern as to the defini-
tion of a substandard dwelling and its refer-
ence to established City Ordinances. The
City Manager stated that the Housing Maintenance
and Occupancy Code should supplement other
City Codes.
Commissioner Hastings then inquired as to the
possibility of renting bedrooms in single
family homes. Mr. Poss stated that the con-
cept of room renting versus renting a dwelling
unit is addressed in the Zoning Ordinance. He
commented that the Housing Maintenance and
Occupancy Code would not supersede the Zoning
Ordinance in any way. He stated that the
Housing Commission must keep in mind that the
Housing Code outlines minimal standards for
existing dwelling units in Brooklyn Center.
Commissioner Kohrt next inquired as to the
established time limits for removal of snow
and ice required in the Code. A brief dis-
cussion ensued relative to a standard time
which would allow for the removal of ice and
snow from both parking lots and sidewalks.
Chairman Howard asked as to the requirement
for an approved sewer system in certain sec-
tions of the Code. Mr. Poss stated that such
terminology was used since the City's sanitary
sewer system is not always available. He
stated that private systems are still in use
in Brooklyn Center.
The City Manager then elaborated on the door
lock provision in the Code which requires dead
bolt locks. He stated that this provision also
exists in the Building Code and has reduced
burglaries in the City.
The City Manager also stated that the new State
Building Code requires fire and smoke detection
devices in all apartments and single family
homes under construction. He commented that
this provision could eventually become a part
of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy
Ordinance.
Recess
Continued Review
of the Housing
Maintenance and
Occupancy Ordinance
Councilman Fignar next inquired as to the use
of mechanical ventilation systems in lieu of
just ventilation systems. A short discussion
ensued relative to the terminology with the
Commission concluding that the type of ventila-
tion system should be left to the discretion
of the Compliance Officer.
The discussion of the Code continued with
comments being made by Commissioners in re-
ference to the electrical requirements and
the need to paint exterior surfaces of all
residential structures in Brooklyn Center.
The Commission recessed at 9 :00 p.m. and
resumed at 9 :16 p.m.
The review of the Code continued with Chair-
man Howard commenting on the fence maintenance
provision. He stated that this provision is
needed in terms of upkeep for fencing in the
community.
Commissioner Nelson next inquired as to the
yard cover provision, stating that it seemed
to be a questionable area for enforcement.
The City Manager agreed, commenting that this
could be a problem in terms of what people
consider adequate lawn or ground cover.
Commissioner Ward asked about the absolute
requirements found.in the Code and the dis-
cretion of the Compliance Officer in adjusting
certain qualifications. The City Manager com-
mented that it is important for the require-
ments to be enforceable and also express the
overall character of Brooklyn Center. He
commented that if the Code is unrealistic,
changes must be made.
Councilman Fignar inquired as to the dimensions
of occupancy allowed in a dwelling unit referring
to 150 feet of habitable room space for the first
occupant and 100 square feet for each additional
occupant. The City Manager commented that this
is a minimum. He stated that occupancy of a
dwelling unit must also meet the second criteria,
which is two times the number of inhabitable
rooms less the kitchen.
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Establish
Next Meeting
Approval for
Commissioners to
Speak on Housing
Maintenance and
Occupancy Ordinance
Adjournment
Commissioner Haroldson then asked about the
minimum ceiling height. The City Manager
replied that there is a need for a minimum
ceiling height in terms of ventilation.
Commissioner Nelson commented that in her
observation the requirement cannot be met
with regard to expansion areas in most homes.
The City Manager next reviewed sections dealing
with the licensing of rental units, the license
fee and the requirement of the owner or agent
to apply for said license. He stated that all
license applications would be required to have
a resident agent with management control over
the multi dwelling operation in the Twin City
Metropolitan Area.
The City Manager continued by stating that the
section dealing with occupancy register is a
delicate one. He stated that this could become
an issue since it would require the names of
all occupants and the number of adults and
children currently living in the unit or units.
He stated that this information would have to
be recorded and available for the City to review.
Upon conclusion of the ordinance review, Chair-
man Howard thanked Mr. Poss for his attendance.
Chairman Howard established April 30, 1974 as
the next meeting of the Housing Commission to
continue the Commission's review of the Housing
Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance.
He commented that before April 30, 1974 Commis-
sioners should meet with their Neighborhood
Advisory Committees to discuss the Code.
Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by
Commissioner Kohrt to allow Commissioners to
speak on behalf of the Housing Commission in
the area of Housing Maintenance and Occupancy
with reference to the document entitled "Back-
ground Data on A Proposed Housing Occupancy
and Maintenance Code for Brooklyn Center
Motion by Commissioner Ward and seconded by
Commissioner Nelson toadjourn the meeting.
The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn
Center Housing Commission adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
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Chairman