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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 05-19 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING CONIlVIISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF NIINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MAY 19, 2009 COUNCII. CONIlVIISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Landis at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Steve Landis, Commissioners Kathy Amdahl, Gretchen Knutson, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, James Richards, Judy Thorbus and Joshua Xiong. Also present were Council Liaison Tim Roche and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated that she would like to discuss the National Night Out under Other Business on the agenda. There was a motion by Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson and seconded by Chair Landis to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MARCH 17, 2009 There was a motion by Chair Landis and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2009 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Landis explained he had spent some time examining the Housing Commission's activities over the past and had concluded that it has been a distinctly underutilized Commission. He also commented that the March 26, 2009 Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission was frustrating, noting that there was not a quorum of Planning Commission members present at the meeting until very late in the evening. Chairperson Landis suggested a sabbatical for the Commission to spend time examining the roles and responsibilities of the Housing Commission. He suggested the possibility of an informal meeting this summer to discuss the future of the Housing Commission and then convene again in September to consider the Commission's future. The Staff Liaison commented that he had been discussing the possibility of a home tour, related to the city's foreclosed home loan program, with the Assistant City Manager, possibly sometime in June of this year. He commented that there would be a possibility of the Housing Commission having a role in this home tour if it materialized. He explained the tour would most likely be conducted in conjunction with the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. Page 1 5-19-09 Commissioner Knutson stated she would be interested in getting more details of such a home tour and the Commission's role in the tour. The Staff Liaison noted he would keep in touch with the Housing Commission with regard to any details of a home tour. Chairperson Landis suggested that the Commission meet in an informal setting at his residence to discuss Housing Commission issues. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she would like to hear from Mr. Bublitz and the Assistant City Manager regarding a potential home tour in June and then meet informally in July. Chairperson Landis suggested that Sunday, July 12, 2009 would be his recommended date for the Commission's informal meeting at his residence. Commission members concurred with the July meeting and reconvening in September. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Roche updated Housing Commission members on the City's Renew Housing Loan Program and also noted the City will be receiving federal funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to address foreclosed properties. He also noted the FBI project is moving forward and that the Board of Review has been completed and went well for the city. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE The staff liaison explained that Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to go to the City Council for their preliminary approval on May 26, 2009 and it will then be sent to the Metropolitan Council for review by the end of May. He noted that the Planning Commission and Housing Commission comments have been incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan document to be presented to the City Council. VACANT/FORECLOSED PROPERTY UPDATE The staff liaison reviewed the number of vacant of properties in the city currently at approximately 335 which does not include pending sales, properties in foreclosure process that are still in the redemption stage, snowbirds and persons in nursing homes. He explained if all the vacants were counted in the aforementioned categories, there would be 420 vacant properties. At this point in time, there are 50 properties registered under the Vacant Property Registration Program. With regard to foreclosures, within the past 16 months there have been 735 foreclosures in the city with active foreclosures at 530 to 550. DISCUSSION: BENEFITS/DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOUSING COMMISSION Chairperson Landis explained this item had already been discussed by the Commission and moved on to the next item. OTHER B USINESS Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson noted she was on the National Night Out Committee and that on August 3, 2009 from 6 to 9 p.m. she needed representatives to be at Central Park for the kick-off Page 2 5-19-09 event. National Night Out was discussed and the Commission requested that all Commission Chairs get e-mails concerning notices sent from Becky Boie in the Police Department. There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Chairperson Landis and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:25 p.m. l� ��C�.��� Chairman Page 3 5-19-09