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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 10-21 HCM MIlVUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING CONIlVIISSION OF TI� i CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 21, 2008 COUNCIL CONIlvIISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Landis at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Steve Landis, Commissioners Gretchen Knutson, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Judy Thorbus and Joshua Xiong. Also present were Council Liaison Mary O'Connor and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Michael Johnson was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 20, 2008 There was a motion by Chairperson Landis and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2008 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 17, 2008 There was a motion by Chairperson Landis and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2008 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. NEW COMMISSION MEMBER Chairperson Landis welcomed new Commission member Gretchen Knutson. Ms. Knutson explained that she has been a resident of Brooklyn Center for five years and was resident of Robbinsdale for five years previously. She explained she is a project manager for Medica and that she saw the opportunity to serve on the Housing Commission on the City's website. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Landis noted that he would defer his report until later in the meeting under Item No. 8. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember O'Connor reported on numerous items from previous Council meetings including the following: Planning for 69` and Shingle Creek Parkway improvements including side streets. Page 1 �I 10-21-08 Potential development at old Howe Fertilizer site at 49` and Osseo Road. Finance Commission and City Council joint meeting. An ordinance prohibiting flashing and rotating signs. Administrative fines charter amendment on the ballot November 4, 2008. Status of Wal-Mart at Brookdale Center. Councilmember O'Connor reported that at this point the lawsuit between Sears and Wal- Mart regarding this project has stalled the project. Joint Powers Agreement between Hennepin County and the City of Brooklyn Center on youth program. The start of City Council meetings streaming on line. 57�' and Logan project including the installation of a soil vapor extractiori system on the old shopping center site. Aldrich neighborhood street, water and sewer reconstruction for next year. Remote meter reading program for the City. Chapter 19 amendment regarding graffiti. Chapter 12 amendment regarding vacant buildings. Chapter 12 amendment regarding inspections and notifications. REVIEW OF 2008 HOUSING COMMISSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS Chairperson Landis noted that he had summarized the Commission's accomplishments in his written report and noted the following: February 2008 review of Administrative Fines. March 2008 Housing Commission elections, discussion of rental strategy and junk vehicles Apri12008 foreclosure discussion with Diane Sannes from the Riverwood Neighborhood Association. discussion of rental strategy and discussion of duties and responsibilities for Housing Commission. May 2008 rental strategy review with Rental Strategy Team Leaders June 2008 rental strategy review and discussion of city neighborhood area meeting plan IDENTIFICATION OF HOUSING GOALS FOR REMAINDER OF 2008 Chairperson Landis noted his identification of goals for the remainder of 2008 which included filling vacant commission positions, noting that the northeast part of the city lacks representation. Identification of potential volunteers including representation from the northeast part of the city. In November receive update on rental strategy. In December update on Comprehensive Plan and in January review duties and responsibilities of the Commission. Chairperson Landis asked for additional suggestions for goals for the Commission. Commissioner Thorbus requested that Chapter 12 ordinance amendments be reviewed along with the rental strategies of the city. REVIEW ABANDONED VEHICLE ORD�NANCE Page 2 10-21-08 Chairperson Landis noted that he drives around the city on a regular basis and has noticed abandoned vehicles and expressed a concern about the apparent lack of teeth in current ordinances. He cited examples of a Mustang in a neighborhood sitting for several years along with a Toyota sitting parked for several years. Chairperson Landis and Commission members reviewed an October 18, 2007 memorandum, prepared by the Assistant to the City Manager, regarding various vehicle parking issues. Chairperson Landis noted that he believes the City needs to have additional regulatory authority to abate vehicles parked illegally for long periods of time. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson discussed the Commission's involvement in reviewing vehicle parking over the past several years including the parking of recreational vehicles and parking on side yards and back yards. The Commission continued its discussion of the October 2007 memorandum and the Community Development Specialist was asked to determine the status of the recommendations contained in the October memorandum. OTHER B USINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJO URNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Chairman Page 3 10-21-08