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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 06-19 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 JUNE 19, 2007 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Thorbus at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Judy Thorbus, Commissioners Michael Johnson, Kara Kuykendall, Steve Landis, and Joshua Xiong. Also present were Council Liaison Dan Ryan, City Manager Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. Commissioner Yolanda Lee was absent. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROYAL OF MINUTES MAY 1 S, 2007 The May Housing Commission minutes were deferred to the next.Housing Commission meeting. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT The Chair indicated she had nothing to report and proceeded with the next item. COUNCIL LIAISONREPORT Councilmember Ryan stated he had no items to report. STAFF PRESENTATION ON CODE ENFORCMENT The City Manager stated he thought the Housing Commission would be interested in learning about the transition of code enforcement from the Police Department to Community Development. He stated Mr. Hoffinan was here this evening to briefly review the status of code enforcement in Community Development. The Community Development Director stated that staffing of the code enforcement function had moved from the Police Department to Community Development on May 29, 2007. Mr. Hoffman explained the code enforcement staff in Community Development consists of one full time and one full time temporary employee. The Community Development Director continued to review how code enforcement is addressed in Community Development pointing out that the CEO's make an effort to walk through the neighborhoods in their sweeps and make personal contact with people when possible. During the sweep, an initial enforcement effort is made with follow up later on. The initial effort started in the southeast part of the city and has covered the entire southeast neighborhood to date. He explained the CEO's are now going 6-19-07 Page -1- back through the southeast neighborhood as follow up from their initial enforcement effort. Mr. Hoffinan explained, to date the code enforcement officers have discovered 16 unlicensed rentals,l6 vacant properties and 59 junk vehicles. They have written 1101etters to those properties with more than two violations and have hung 54 door tags on properties with two or less violations. In addition, the CEO's have issued 30 verbal warnings for less serious items. The Community Development Director pointed out the program is in evolution so there will be new issues coming up as the program matures. He pointed out that the CEO's can write citations which require a court appearance. He indicated staff will continue to look at legal mechanisms to achieve compliance including possible administrative fines and the use of nuisance laws in existence to clean up properties and levy the cost to owners, if it is legally possible. 'I'he Community Development Director then presented a Power Point presentation showing various examples of code enforcement items at specific properties. The Community Development Director addressed the issue of foreclosed properties and noted that if the City is able to clean up foreclosed properties and levy the cost against the property, it would be a carrying cost for the City until the property is sold. Commissioner Xiong stated he would like to see enforcement staff be very specific about what needs to be done at properties so people can determine how to comply with the order. Mr. Hoffinan stated he believes the code enforcement staff are quite specific and that people can always call staff to clarify any questions they have. Chairperson Thorbus inquired as to the next steps for the code enforcement program. The City Manager explained that the program is in the development phase and has just completed the southeast neighborhood and is going back to check on compliance. He added that we are seeing what works and what doesn't in terms of enforcement efforts. Commission members discussed public information relative to code enforcement including, cultural bamers to code enforcement, publicizing code enforcement information on Channe112, City Watch, etc., the possibility of holding a public meeting to gather input from residents regarding code enforcement and addressing specific code items in the City Watch. OTHER B USINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJO URNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Landis and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:20 p.m. l ai an v 6-19-0 Page -2-