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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 03-18 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 18, 2008 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Thorbus at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Judy Thorbus, Commissioners Michael Johnson, Steve Landis, and Kris Lawrence- Anderson. Also present were Council Liaison Mary O'Connor and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Xiong was absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 There was a motion by Commissioner Lawrence Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Landisto approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT The Chairperson had nothing to report. COUNCIL LIAISONREPORT Councilmember O'Connor had nothing to report. STAFF REPORT ON RENTAL STRATEGIES REPORT Chairperson Thorbus deferred the annual election of Chairperson to later in the meeting to allow the Assistant to the City Manager to report on the rental strategies project. The Assistant to the City Manager stated that all deparhnents are represented in the rental strategies project. She explained there are four primary action teams working on the project consisting of public policy and legislation, image and public perception, communication and community engagement and standards and operations. The Assistant to the City Manager reviewed an example of one of the action plans from the image and public perception team for Housing Commission members. Page 1 3-18-08 The Assistant to the City Manager noted that rental properties in Brooklyn Center take a significant of staff time and resources including police services and code enforcement. She continued to review the draft action plan from the image and public perception team. The Assistant to the City Manager explained the next step would be to roll out the action plans to the Housing Commission for their review and comment. She explained the objective would be to have the team members present their action plans at the April 15, 2008 Housing Commission meeting. The Assistant to the City Manager requested the Commission's comments on the brochure. The Commission's comments included a recommendation to put an index in the front of the brochure for ease in finding information. Ms. Schleuning requested that Commission members get back to her within the next week within any additional comments on the brochure. She also pointed out that information on rental issues and foreclosures are something that she is trying to include in the City Watch. ORDINANCE RELATING TO INOPERABLE AND JUNK YEHICLES The Assistant to the City Manager reviewed an October 18, 2007 memorandum regarding vehicle regulations for residential properties, which discussed the proposed ordinance changes for vehicle parking. She requested the Housing Commission to contact her if they have any comments on the proposed ordinance. She noted the public hearing on the junk and inoperable vehicles ordinance and the public hearing on the administrative fines proposal will be held on March 24 at the Council meeting. She also noted that staff will be looking at the issue of parking vehicles in backyards in the future. Chairperson Thorbus inquired as to how Brooklyn Park's ordinance may fit with the City's proposal because Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center are so close and have similar issues. The Assistant to the City Manager noted that in Brooklyn Park, any motorized vehicle must be parked on a hard surface and that non-motorized vehicles can be on gravel or grass. The Commission discussed the issue of junk vehicles and inoperable vehicles relative to the ordinance proposal. The Assistant to the City Manager pointed out that in addition to input from other city deparhnents, she appreciated the Housing Commission's input on the ordinance proposal. Commissioner Lawrence—Anderson inquired as to whether there are requirements for CO detectors in homes. The Assistant to the City Manager explained the State law recently changed on that issue and that it primarily addresses new home construction. She also stated that in the future, staffwill be looking at some type of informational brochure on interior home issues and also information pertinent for renters. She continued to discuss future projects including things such a livability standards, pointing out other parts of the country have addressed this issue, including a group called the Williams Institute in Texas. She added that she is looking at getting the Housing Commission members input on the development of livability standards in the city which is also part of the rental Page 2 3-18-08 strategy program. Staff distributed copies of the April 5, 2008 Remodeling Fair brochure and invited Housing Commission members to attend the fair if at all possible. The Assistant to the City Manager also reminded the Commission members of the City's Expo and Open House occurring on Apri112 Commissioner Landis commented that he would like to have the Housing Commission have a presence at the Apri112�' Expo and also discuss the possibility of the Housing Commission putting together some type of homeowner workshop. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson and Steve Landis volunteered to attend the April 12, 2008 City Expo and Open House on behalf of the Housing Commission. The Assistant to the City Manager left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. ANNUAL ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSONAND APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR Chairperson Thorbus stated she would like to continue on the Commission but would like to step back from her duties as Chair. Chairperson Thorbus nominated Commissioner Landis for Chair of the Housing Commission. There were no other nominations from the floor and the Housing Commission elected Steve Landis as Chair of the Commission for 2008 by unanimous consent. Chairperson Landis stated that he would like to resurrect the provisional license issue relative to single family properties. He noted that the rental licensing program has given a lot of attention to larger rental properties but has not addressed the single family rentals and smaller units. He added that the Commission needs a briefing on provisional licensing for single family properties OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Chairperson Landis to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Chairm Page 3 3-18-08