HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 04-15 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
APRIL 15, 2008
COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM
II
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Steve Landis at 7:00
p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Steve Landis, Commissioners Michael Johnson, Judy Thorbus, Kris Lawrence-
Anderson, and Joshua Xiong. Also present were Council Liaison Mary O' Connor and Community
Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Michael Johnson was absent and excused.
Ms. Diane Sannes representing the Riverwood Association was also present at the meeting.
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Chairperson Landis noted that Diane Sannes from the Riverwood Neighborhood Association
was here this evening to present information on home foreclosures to the. He requested that
she be added to the agenda after the Council Liaison report. There was a motion by
Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson and seconded by Commissioner Xiong to approve the
agenda with the addition of Ms. Sannes report following the Council Liaison report. The
motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 18, 2008
The March 18 minutes were not available and were deferred to the May meeting.
CHAIRPERSONS REPORT
Chairperson Landis distributed his written Chair's report dated Tuesday, April 15, 2008 (copy
included with minutes). Chairperson Landis began his report by noting that the City Expo was very
successful for the first year with a good turnout. He noted that there was a seeming lack of visitor's
at the emergency vehicles display which could have been a result of the weather and the location of
the vehicles.
One of the items Chairperson Landis wanted to follow up from conversations with residents at the
Expo was the situation of the need to clean up around the area of the SuperAmerica at 57�' and
Logan.
Diane Sannes pointed out that the Manager of SA at 65�' and 252 was also the Manager of the 57�'
and Logan site. She noted his name is Dave Bergen and indicated he is a good community partner
and has worked with the Riverwood Association. She also noted that there was no trash can by the
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bus stop which could be contributing to the litter.
Chairperson Landis continued with his report noting the need for additional representation on the
Housing Commission particularly in the southeast neighborhood. He inquired whether the 57�' and
Logan area is on the Adopt a Street program. I
The Communi Develo ment S ecialist stated he would follow u with the Code Enforcement staff I
tY P P P
regarding the SuperAmerica site.
Chairperson Landis noted that in light of Ms. Sannes presentation this evening, he would continue
with his report later in the meeting.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember O'Connor reported on numerous items from the Council meeting and other city
activities including the following:
Earle Brown Days will be from June 26 28
2011 is the city's 100�' Birthday Party and Dianne Sannes is the chair of the celebration
organization.
Progress of the Embassy Suites Hotel noting it will open in 2009 and that the D-Barn will
become a spa affiliated with the hotel
The city is selling $4,335,000 in 'T'IF bonds for various items including the clean-up of
Brookdale Ford and Xerxes Avenue improvements.
2007-2008 tax information regazding types of properties and values noting that the 2008
values are down overall but that commercial and industrial property is up.
Noted lawsuit between Brookdale Center and Sears was concluded over Wal-Mart and that
Sears position prevailed.
Council passed a resolution approving activities of the Hennepin County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority in the city including First Time Homebuyer Program, Rehab
Program and Hennepin's Home Ownership Program.
Noted an MPCA report on middle Twin Lake noting that samples had been taken from the
lake and further assessm�nt was not necessary.
The inoperable junk vehicle ordinance passed.
Howe Fertilizer site will be redeveloped by Real Estate Recycling.
Twin Lake Manor Apartments had been purchased by a. new owner.
Noted the 2008 street project for the city.
Reviewed briefly that the Comprehensive Plan update is in process and public input will be
sought.
Explained the administrative fines procedure proposed by the city will go to the Charter
Commission for consideration.
Chairperson Landis noted that a meeting had been scheduled with the Charter Commission to discuss
the pros and cons of the administration fine process. He then resumed his Chair's report and
explained that the Commission is down two members and representation from the northeast and
southeast area is needed.
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Chairperson Landis noted that Councilmember O'Connor covered most of the items to update the
Housing Commission on city activities. He added that the administrative fines proposal would
provide an alternative from going to court but that the individual could go to court if they chose.
Chairperson Landis reviewed several information items including the following:
A discussion of an automated meter reading system for public utilities in the city.
Xerxes Avenue improvement project.
The Bass Lake Road improvements have not yet been approved. He expressed a concern for
trash and graffiti in this area and inquired whether the MTC, County or City was responsible
for clean up in this area currently.
He also noted the junk vehicle ordinance was passed, bids were accepted on street projects
and the police presented their annual report.
Chairperson Landis addressed orie item of business as follow up from the last meeting and appointed
Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson as Vice Chair. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson accepted the
appointment as Vice Chair of the Housing Commission for 2008.
PRESENTATION BY DIANE SANNES FROM THE RIYERWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION
Chairperson Landis noted that at last night's City Council meeting the City Staff reported they will
be developing information on foreclosure strategies. He then reviewed the foreclosure discussion
section of his April 15, 2008 Chair'S report..
Ms. Sannes began her report by reviewing some of her past projects including maintenance of the
Brooklyn Boulevard intersection nodes and maintenance of plantings in numerous other areas of the
ciTy. She explained these are the kinds of projects people can undertake in the city.
Ms. Sannes briefly reviewed the history of the Riverwood Neighborhood Association noting that
there are 250 homes in the association which was formed in 1992 over a proposal for a Holiday Gas
Station to be located in their neighborhood.
Ms. Sannes discussed the activities of the Riverwood Neighborhood Association and reviewed a
copy of their neighborhood newsletter. With regazd to foreclosures, Ms. Sannes noted she had made
a presentation to the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council on March 20, 2008 and
explained that there are five foreclosures per day in Brooklyn Park and one to two per day occurring
in Brooklyn Center. She reviewed the foreclosures occurring.in the Humboldt Court project and
noted that there were seven to eight foreclosures in the Riverwood neighborhood.
Ms. Sannes emphasized the need for neighbors to help and that there needs to be a grass roots
program to address the foreclosure situation in the city.
with as much as a 12 to 24 month
Chairperson Landis noted that foreclosures are a difficult situation
redemption period. Because of this he pointed out that if a person buys a foreclosed home, there is a
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risk of losing the purchased home if the owner comes back to redeem it. He stated that we as a
Commission could become more involved with residents interested in a grass roots effort, noting the
example of mowing grass and providing home maintenance on foreclosed properties.
He then explained the Brooklyn Center Business Association as looking at a graffiti elimination
program and it was noted that the Minnesota Department of Transportation does an excellent job of
removing graffiti.
Chairperson Landis thanked Ms. Sannes for her presentation this evening and appreciated her taking
the time to come to the Commission. He added that the Commission could look at foreclosure as an
agenda item in the future.
Commissioner Thorbus stated that she would like the city to get reprints of the series on foreclosures
in the Sun Post.
Chairperson Landis noted that the City Manager stated at last night's Council meeting that
foreclosure information will be in the City Watch newsletter. He again emphasized again the need to
possible consider foreclosure as an issue for the Housing Commission to address.
DISCUSSION OF CITYRENTAL STRATEGY
Chairperson Landis noted that he wanted to address Section 12-913 but he stated he would adopt a
wait and see attitude until the recommendations from staff are received regarding rental strategies.
REVIEW DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLIITES OF HOUSING COMMISSION
Chairperson Landis noted the lateness of the hour and in order to expedite this evening's meeting, he
asked the Commission to review the documents included in their packets this evening especially the
resolution establishing a Brooklyn Center Housing Commission and defining duties and
responsibilities therefore. He added that this will be on a future agenda and encouraged Commission
members to provide their comments on the Commission's duties and responsibilities to the
Community Development Specialist prior to the May meeting.
DISCIISSION OF 2008 HOUSING COMMISSIONAGENDA
Chairperson Landis proposed an increased involvement by the Housing Commission in the
foreclosure aftermath with the understanding that the Housing Commission would not duplicate staff
efforts.
Cominissioner Lawrence-Anderson suggested that the Commission should help facilitate City
Council goals. Chairperson Landis noted that perhaps this should be a major goal as staff fleshes out
the overall goals. He added that we may want to consider fostering community organizations
developing in the city. He discussed the neighborhood crime watch and that we may be able to pull
watch groups together.
Commissioner Thorbus brought up the issue of CDBG grant programs and stated she would like
information on those programs on future agendas of the Housing Commission. One of the issues he
was concerned with was that CDBG might be restructured to address incomes that now fall through
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the cracks especially seniors.
The Community Development Specialist stated that he could compile information on the CDBG
program, CEAP, Senior Community Services and other housing efforts for a future agenda.
Chairperson Landis directed Housing Commission members to submit their ideas for goals and
agenda items to the Community Development Specialist.
UPDATE ON CITYDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The Community Development Specialist briefly reviewed current development activities including
the GSA/FBI site, progress on Embassy Suites, the Brookdale Ford acquisition, potential
development of the Howe Fertilizer site, status of the 57�' and Logan soil vapor investigation, the
status of the former Northwest Racquet Club site across from the former Joslyn site and the Xerxes
Avenue street improvements and streetscape project.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business addressed by the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Xiong to adjourn the
meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Chairman
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Brooklyn Center—Housing Commission—Chair's Report
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
l. Attended Brooklyn Center Expo on Saturday, April 12, 20Q8. Also in attendance was
Kris Lawrence-Anderson.
a. Attendance was light but we enjoyed a steady stream of home owners.
b. Was an excellent opportunity to interface with residents. This is an event the city
should strongly consider repeating annually.
c. Input was provided from citizens to Housing Commission on the following items:
i. Super America at 57�' and Logan is a mess, has been a mess and is
expected to continue to be a mess. Homeowner has been in touch with
S.A. Corporate Office which sent a complaint form. Problem continues
unmitigated. Will follow up with Code Compliance and/or other staff.
ii. Several homeowners inquired about renting out their homes in part or
whole. Directed to appropriate ordnance and to administrative staff.
iii. Several homeowner voice growing concern with foreclosures. This is
sornething we will discuss tonight and which the City Council discussed
last night.
2. I am actively recruiting representation from the north-east section of the city, an area
recognized as Riverwood. We have one of the homeowners with us tonight. Note:
review current member's locations within city and note who covers which section of the
city.
3. Official Minutes of the City Counci] relevant to housing.
4. Appoint Vice Chair
5. Planning to be in touch with the Planning Commission in order to identify designated
members of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee to which we are to be working with.
Foreclosure Discussion
1. Riverwood homeowner Diane Sannes has joined us tonight to discuss foreclosure issues.
2. Based on last night's City Council meeting, City Staff are expected to present a variety of
suggestions regarding the foreclosure situation in the near-term.
3. The city of Minneapolis has adopted a number of aggressive efforts aimed at maintaining
appearances and safety of homes and neighborhoods. Some or all of these measures will
be published in a.future edition of the City Newsletter. Measures include but are not
limited to:
a. Watching empty homes for sighs of any activity or trespassers.
b. Notifying the Police of any suspicious activity.
c. Checking doors and or windows (actively or passively dependent upon level of
comfort, never placing oneself at risk or danger)
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d. Neighbors can also assist with maintaining the appearance of lawns and shrubs on
a volunteer basis thereby reducing the cost associated with the city having to do
so.
4. My personal suggestion for City Staff is to research the possibility of reducing associated
city taxes on a foreclosed home which is for sale, making a home more desirable by a
new homeowner. There may be other options and as noted, the City Staff are exploring.
Citv Rental Stratesv
My goal tonight was to further discuss our thoughts regarding the city's rental strategy.
Specifically, Chapter 12, Section 12-913 (Provisional Licenses) in which paragraph 1 limits
Provisional Licenses to "multiple dwellings, with five or more units". Rather than discuss this
matter again—knowing full-well what our consensus is—I would like to suggest we adopt a
wait-and-see position until the City Staff is able to present their recommendations. It hardly pays
for us to continue our frustrated dialogue until we know the direction being recommended by the
City Manager who to this point has demonstrated excellent performance and an ongoing
commitment to quality stewardship for the city.
Duties and Resvonsibilities
For the purpose of tonight's discussion I wanted to simply review in general the Resolution
Establishing a Brooklyn Center Housing Commission and Defining Duties and Responsibilities
Therefore. I would like to suggest that after a brief review, we discuss for no more than 15
minutes then review on our own time for a more lengthy discussion in May.
2008 Housine Commission A�enda
Partially based on our review of the aforementioned Duties and Responsibilities I would like our
group to propose a 2008 Housing Commission Agenda which allows us to work in concert with
the City Manager and staff. Input can begin tonight and culminate in final discussion in May.
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