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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.06.17 HCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JUNE 17, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Commissioner O'Connor at 7:05 p.m. MEETINGATTENDEES Vice Chair Natalie O'Connor Commissioner Alyssa Kuglin Commissioner Jamal Said Commissioner Landon Straub City Staff present: Associate Planner Krystin Eldridge APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner O'Connor and seconded by Commissioner Straub to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner O'Connor and seconded by Commissioner Straub to approve the March 18, 2025, minutes as submitted. The motion passed. NEW CHAIR ELECTION Associate Planner Krystin Eldrige explained that Chair Florence Williams would have to be removed as Chair due to moving, and then a new Chair could be elected. She asked Commissioner O'Connor if she would like to fill the Chair role. The Commission decided to wait until the next meeting to elect a Vice Chair if Commissioner O'Connor became the Chair. There was a motion by Commissioner Straub and seconded by Commissioner Kuglin to nominate Commissioner O'Connor as the Chair. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Straub and seconded by Commissioner Kuglin to close the election. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Straub and seconded by Commissioner Kuglin to accept the results of the election of Chair for 2025. The motion passed. 09/16/25 -1- NEW NEIGHBOR BAGS DISCUSSION Ms. Eldridge explained there is a packet of things that is shared with the community when they go out door -knocking or to hang the bags on doors. She stated that some of the things in the bags are outdated and that a business outreach needs to be done to see which companies would like to give coupons. She stated that names needed to be updated as well. If anyone had anything that they would like included in the bags, then they could let her know. Ms. Eldridge shared that some of the things included in the bags would be the permit process, how high fences could be, how residential contractors work, the building permit process for contractors, and different city ordinances that the community may find useful. Chair O'Connor suggested including a list of licensed contractors, plumbers, etc, that live in Brooklyn Center, so neighbors can use their neighbors for things. She is willing to help with this list. She suggested that the City send out a letter to residents who may want to be included on the list. Ms. Eldridge stated that the City has a policy that it cannot promote or make recommendations for different contractors. She was unsure if the Housing Commission would be able to have a list of businesses to use, but she is willing to ask. Chair O'Connor asked who does the outreach for businesses that are included in the packets, such as those who give coupons. Ms. Eldridge stated that she does a lot of the outreach to businesses. Ms. Eldrige shared that they would go out in July and August with the bags. There are about 250 homes that are mapped out where they would bring bags. Commissioner Said asked who the bags go to. Ms. Eldridge stated that they are new homeowners. Ms. Eldridge explained that the homes are all over; she tried to break it up and is hoping to go out in groups, but it can also be done individually. She is thinking that if there were three teams, that would be about 85 per team, and that would be over two visits, so just over 40 in one night. Chair O'Connor felt it would be fiin to go in pairs. She also asked if they could put a flyer in the bags that said they are compiling a list of our neighbors' businesses, please email us if you are interested. Commissioner Straub suggested that it be more like a Next -Door group and be driven rather than the City dispensed. Ms. Eldridge stated that she would see if she could be the name on the flyer; otherwise, she asked Chair O'Connor if she was willing to be the name on the flyer. Commissioner Said suggested that other businesses be included as well, such as cleaners. Ms. Eldridge stated that she has the list of addresses for the Commissioners when they take the bags out, and there are no names on them, just addresses. 06/17/25 -2- Chair O'Connor asked what they looked like. Ms. Eldridge stated that they are reusable blue totes, which hold all the information for the residents. Ms. Eldridge explained that included in the bags is information on burglary prevention, and she is thinking about adding driveway information because there are many questions about expanding or changing driveways. There is also a map called Shop, Meet, Eat in the bag, which is being updated to show all the restaurants and public city buildings. Commissioner Kuglin asked if there was anything about when permits are needed in the bag. Ms. Eldridge stated that there is some information about permits, but not everything, because there are so many different things that need permits. Commissioner Straub stated there is a flyer titled Permit Information for Home Improvement. Ms. Eldridge shared that there is information about recruiting block captains, who are accountable to officers around what is happening in their neighborhood. Chair O'Connor asked about National Night Out and how block captains relate to that. Ms. Eldridge stated that National Night Out is done in the blocks, and the block captains work with the police officers to make it work. The City also hosts an event at the government building. Commissioner Straub stated that he has a neighbor who hosts a block parry every year for National Night Out, and many times, the police officers will be present with other activities as well. Commissioner Said stated that if you contact the City before National Night Out, the police and fire will put you on a list to come to your neighborhood's block party. Chair O'Connor asked when National Night Out is. Ms. Eldridge stated that it is the first Tuesday in August. Chair O'Connor asked if there is a list of those who have block parties. Ms. Eldrige explained that she did not know, but she could ask Chris Stein, the crime prevention specialist, if he has a list. Commissioner Straub stated that he was not sure if it was approved by the City for his neighborhood, but that he just gets a flyer every year from one of his neighbors. Ms. Eldridge stated that she thinks anybody can host an event on National Night Out. The point of the event is to interact with the people around you and let them know that you are all looking out for each other. Commissioner Said added that many associations in Brooklyn Center host events such as National Night Out. Commissioner Said stated that there is an event run by the City, where they go to different parks and there is a free meal along with it, that families can attend and meet their neighbors. Ms. Eldridge stated that the bags would be handed out at the July and August meetings, but if that did not work, then they could pick a different day as well. This would be done instead of the meetings. She added that she would be putting the bags together in the next month. She asked if there were questions or if they wanted to pick teams now to go out with. Chair O'Connor stated they could wait until the next meeting to decide who to go with, when more people are present. Ms. Eldridge shared the map that they would be going out to and stated that she would come up with a good idea of where everyone would go. 06/17/25 -3- COMMUNITYDEVELOPMENT UPDATES Ms. Eldridge stated that Icon Beauty is now open. They are a beauty supply store. Commissioner Said asked if they were new or had just moved locations. Ms. Eldrige stated that this would be their second store, as they already have a store by Wingstop and the car wash. Ms. Eldridge explained that they are working with the owner to remove the blacked -out windows, as they were not put up with permission from the City. The City is trying to have pedestrian -facing businesses not have blackout windows on Xerxes. Commissioner Said asked if they had filled the space because it was quite large. Ms. Eldridge stated that when she was last in the store, it seemed like it would be quite full. Ms. Eldridge explained that Micholandia has moved out of their space, and Mi-Michoacana moved in. It seems to be the same concept, but with more options. Chair O'Connor asked if Micholandia had trouble with traffic or what the reason was for moving out. Ms. Eldridge stated that she was not sure why they moved out; they just quietly vacated the space. Ms. Eldridge stated that the City just got done presenting Oh Pretty! Events and Rentals, which will be located in the Humboldt Shopping Center. They will host birthdays and weddings, along with catering food. Ms. Eldridge shared that Community Development is working with a coffee lounge that will go in Humboldt Shopping Center; however, they are still going through permitting, state plumbing, and the health department. Commissioner Said asked how the City is helping the coffee lounge through the process. Ms. Eldridge stated that the City is helping them go through the permit process and malting sure that they meet their deadlines, and construction is going as planned. Ms. Eldridge explained that ACER, African Career Education and Resources, is going for a grant to expand and redevelop the Shingle Creels Center in August. This is still in the early stages of happening. Ms. Eldridge stated that the Brooklyn Boulevard Dental clinic is going to be doing some updates: they are expanding and giving the building a facelift. Ms. Eldridge explained that Capi is expanding. They are moving their services to Shingle Creels Center. She stated that there will be more traffic in the area because of it. Ms. Eldridge noted that the City is working with the residents who have two houses on Brooklyn Boulevard, where there should only be one structure on the parcel. So, the city is working to correct this in the records, and contractors were brought in to finish out the parking lots. The parcel needs to be replatted and taken through the city process. Commissioner Said asked if the City would move one of the properties from the lots. Ms. Eldrige stated that it was not the plan, 06/17/25 -4- but that the lot lines would be changed. Chair O'Connor asked if they had put in the services already. Ms. Eldridge stated that there are water utilities. Chair O'Connor asked if the plan was for six units. Ms. Eldridge stated that she thinks it is seven units. Ms. Eldridge explained that the City is working on cannabis ordinances. This includes temporary events, and how to regulate cannabis, such as no smoking and signage. She added that a lottery will have to be held to choose who gets to have stores, which will probably take place at a City Council meeting because it needs to be public. Chair O'Connor asked if they are being limited to an area, and if there is room for three businesses. Ms. Eldridge stated that the state minimum is three, and that is what the City capped it at. There are many vacant stores that they could go into. Chair O'Connor asked if there was anything new on the Sears building. Ms. Eldridge stated there was not. Commissioner Said stated he did not want to see it become apartment buildings. OTHER BUSINESS FUTURE DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR HOUSING COMMISSION There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Chair O'Connor and seconded by Commissioner Said to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Chair Pro Tern O'Connor 06/17/25 -5-