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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 12-04 HCMCall to Order Approval Of Minutes: 1i -7 -73 Films Public Housing in Chicago .;.f 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 4, 1973 CITY HALL The Brooklyn Center. Housing Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Howard at 7 :31 p.m. R i] Call Chairman Howard, Commissioners Ward, Kohrt, Hast gs, i eikler; iiaroldson and Weitzel. Also present were Councilman Bill Fignar, Director of planning and Inspedtion Blair Tremere and Administrative Assistant Daniel Hartman. Motion by Commissioner Hastings and seconded by Commissioner Ward to approve the minu s of the November 7, 1973 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman HowarJ introduced the first item the agenda, the Housing Commission by -laws. He stated that the by -laws have been under' consideration since the last Commission metil Motion by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Hastings to adopt the Housing Commission by -laws. The motion passed unan- imously. The Commission then viewed two films entitled "Something Old, Something New" and Something of Your Own Commissioner Magnuson arrived at 8:10 p.m. Chairman Howard introduced Councilman -elect Robert Jensen. Chairman Howard commented on a recent trip he made to Chicago. He stated that he had the opportunity to tour certain public housing projects in Chicago and noted the problems existing in their high rise projects. Comments on the Films Recess Housing Action Workshop City Council Action Creating a Housing and Redevelopment Authority Chairman Howard stated that the films support the concept of education and training for people who live in subsidized housing projects. He stated that most people whose income quali- fies them for some type of assistance in the area of housing are in need of training to be able to maintain the housing unit. Councilman Fignar commented that people must know how to use their facilities to their maximum. He stated that some type of training program would seem to be a necessity. Chairman Howard commented that poor housing is one of the major causes of crime and violence in our society. Commissioner Hastings then stated that the films brought out the pride in ownership concept and how it creates a better living environment. Commissioner Ward commented that he agrees with the concept of training and education for people in subsidized housing projects. He stated that the Commission should study the topic in depth even though the City does not have subsidized housing. He com- mented that education in the area of housing maintenance would be a good topic for the general citizenry. The Commission recessed at 8:54 p.m. and resumed at 9:18 p.m. Chairman Howard then introduced the next item on the agenda, a discussion of the Housing Action Workshop. He stated that the workshop was informative and the federal speaker pro- vided an understanding of the newly proposed federal programs. Chairman Howard informed the Commission that the City Council on December 3, 1973 adopted a resolution of need creating a Brooklyn Center Housing and Redevelopment Authority. A discussion ensued relative to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The secretary outlined the developments that lead up to the City Council passage of the Housing and Rde- ,Telopment Authority resolution. Commissioner Ward inquired as to how the Housing and Redevelopment Authority would operate. Chairman Howard commented that the Planning Commission and the Housing Commission will provide citizen input to the City Council acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. He stated that the Housing Commission will look at housing from a social and economic viewpoint while the Planning Commission is charged with 31o;sing in trans, of he Comorehcnsive Plan. and actual project revew. f Jensen commented that the Planning Commis- sion and the Housing Commission are inter- related and must work together for a successful housing program in T.nooklyn Center. o of business was general concepts Hosing Maini;enance in housing maintenance. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to The concept of licensii multiple dwellings. Commissioner H:iroldson asked if by licero multiple dwellings, the City would have power to cicse certain apartment comp which are not up to code. The Director oc Planning and Inspection replied that if a complex has reached a point whereby the are not safe for occupancy, the Council val',71 have the right to deny its license and Ci0:777 the dwellings. He stated that such vio2aL_ of a Housing Maintenance Code would hav t_ through a fairly lengthy process before license could be revoked. Commissioner Magnuson then commented on the possibility of revoking the license to rent until all units are brought up to code. Commissioner Ward stated that the ability to maintain an apartment complex has a direct relationship to the amount of money generated by the units. He commented that it would be 12-4-73 Establishment of 'a Housing Maintenance Ad Hoc Committee Course of Action for Housing Maintenance and Occupancy hard for an apartment owner to upgrade a facility if he did not have money available. Mr. Tremere stated thDt a partment owners are in the business for profit and an apart, -Went complex must generate a certain amount of profit for the business to survive. He stated that if an apartment complex is not up to certain code standards, citizens should not have to live in such units so that the owner can generate profits. A lengthy discussion ensued with Commissioner Haroldson stating that as an apartment owner it was hard for him to comprehend an apartment complex so below code the City would have to revoke its license. Chairman Howard then established an Ad Hoc Committee to research the topic of housing maintenance from a conceptual point of view and to contact civic groups in the community for their recommendations once the staff has made its Housing Maintenance Code presenta- tion. He appointed Commissioner Nelson as chairman and Commissioners Hastings, Kohrt and Ward as members to the Ad Hoc Committee. A discussion ensued relative to a memorandum to the Housing Commission from the secretary dealing with a course of action for the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy topic. It was the general consensus of the Commission that such a course of action be established as a way of handling the topic of Housing Main- tenance and Occupancy and a time table be established at the next Commission meeting. The secretary then informed the Commission that a Housing Maintenance Code proposal prepared by the Staff will be available by February, 1974. Neighborhood Advisory The secretary distributed a list of the mem- Committees of the bers on the Neighborhood Advisory Committees Planning Commission of the Planning Commission. Chairman Howard stated that the Housing Commission members on the Neighborhood Advisory Committees should contact their chairman. -4- 12 -4 -73 Comments on the Housing Maintenance Ad Hoc Committee BC Kaleidoscope 74 Adjournment The secretary then commented on Commissioner Nelson's Ad Hoc Committee. He stated that timing was important in the course of action for a Housing Maintenance Code. He commented that the Ad Hoc Committee should not present the Housing Maintenance concept to civic groups until after the staff has made its presentation in February. Chairman Howard stated that Commissioner Nelson's committee would just make arrangements to meet with the civic groups at this time. He commented that presentations to the groups will not be made until after the staff presentation. Commissioner Hastings next reported on BC Kaleidoscope 74. She stated that BC Kaleido- scope 74 will allow the Housing Commission an opportunity to meet with citizens of Brooklyn Center and to inform them of the Housing Commis- sion activities. Legislative Chairman Howard then distributed information Information he had received from Representative Ernee McArthur on proposed housing legislation which will be under consideration by the 1974 Minnesota Legislature. He asked the Commission to review the information. Motion by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Weitzel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 10:50 p.m. -5- 12 -4 -73 Chairman Proposed: November 7, 1973 Adopted: December 4, 1973 BY -LAWS Of The BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION Pursuant to Resolution No. 73 -140, adopted by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center on August 20, 1973 relating to and providing for the establishment, appointment, organization and responsibilities of the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission, the said Commission does hereby adopt the following by -laws and rules for the conduct of its affairs. Article I. Officers Section 1. Personnel The officers shall consist of a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Section 2. Duties The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and shall appoint Ad Hoc Committee members and Ad Hoc Committee Chairmen. Article II. Meetings The Commission shall hold regular monthly meetings. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman upon sufficient notification to all Commis- sion members. Article III. Quorum The Vice- Chairman shall be appointed annually by the Chairman and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairman, and shall assume the Chair in the absence of the Chair- man. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission. -1- Article IV. Attendance Three consecutive unexecused absences by a Commission member shall constitute automatic resignation from office. Three consecutive absences by a Commission member shall initiate discussion as to the member's status on the Commission. The Commission may direct the Chairman to investigate absences. Article V. Minutes Minutes of each meeting shall be provided to each Commission member prior to the commencement of the succeeding meeting. Article VI. Ad Hoc Committees Section 1. Structure The Commission may create Ad Hoc Committees to investigate Housing concerns. Section 2. Membership Each Ad Hoc Committee shall consist of at least two Commission members. Section 3. Ad Hoc Committee Chairmen Each Ad Hoc Committee shall have a Chairman. The Ad Hoc Committee Chairman shall provide regular interim reports on the progress of the Ad Hoc Committee. A final report to the Commission must be submitted. Article VII. Neighborhood Advisory Committees Each Housing Commissioner representing a neighborhood as outlined in Resolution No. 73 -140 shall automatically be a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee of the Planning Commission. It is the responsibility of each Neighborhood Advisory Committee of the Planning Commission to review housing matters and present the neighborhood attitudes and opinions on general and specific housing programs directly affecting that neighborhood. -2- er Article VIII. General Provisions No member of the Housing Commission or its Committees shall be authorized to speak on behalf of the Commis- sion publicly, unless the Commission has first consid- ered and approved such statements. Article IX. Parlimentary Authority Robert's Rules of Order shall be the governing authority for all meetings of the Commission and for its Committees. Article X. Amendments These by -laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Commission provided the proposed amendments are presented to the Commission members ten days in advance. These by -laws shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Housing Commission.