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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 04-18 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 APRIL 18, 2006 SHINGLE CREEK 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, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Robert Paulson, Jean Schuster, Joshua Xiong and Mark Yelich. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Cannody and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. APPROYAL OFAGENDA Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson requested a discussion of the rental of single family properties under Other Business. There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Schuster to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed. APPROVAL OFMINUTES FEBRUARY21, 2006 There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Paulson to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2006 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Thorbus welcomed the new Housing Commission Members and took a few moments to allow them to introduce themselves and for Commission Members, Council and Staff to do likewise. At the request of Chairperson Thorbus, the Community Development Specialist reviewed the status of old Northbrook Shopping Center site pointing out that the site was acquired and cleared in 2005. He noted that environmental investigation of the site has been ongoing due to the previous location of a drycleaner and gasoline service stations on the site. He explained additional environmental investigation will be done this spring. He also noted the Opportunity Site Task Force, in conjunction with the planning firm of Damon Farber Associates, had developed a Request for Proposal and Development Guidelines for the site and that proposals were now being solicited with a due date of June 1, 2006. DISCUSSION OF HOUSING COMMISISON NEIGHBORHOOD REVIEW PROJECT Councilmember Carmody reviewed the Council's previous discussions of code related items 4-18-06 1 including restrictions on the parking of cars, RV parking, paving of driveways, etc. She explained the Council has wrestled with many of these issues and is attempting to move forward on areas where the City can focus its code enforcement efforts. She explained the City has received numerous complaints on illegally parked cars on lawns and other areas and that issuing tickets does not always work in terms of compliance. She then discussed other code issues including garbage can placement, storage of debris on property, etc. Councilmember Carmody explained the idea of a neighborhood review was to have the Housing Commission go through a neighborhood and assess what the City can do in terms of code issues. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she believed the relevant code issues are very basic and include accumulation of junk in yards, garbage, visible house numbers on the property, etc. Councilmember Carmody emphasized the Commission's role would be to determine what is needed with regard enforcement in a particular neighborhood. She added the Housing Commission could also address the issues of education and resources available for residents. She added that the Commission could look for the prevalent problems in neighborhoods and communicate this to code enforcement staff along with assessing the need for tightening up any ordinance provisions. Commissioner Yelich expressed a concern that the Housing Commission may be getting involved in doing code enforcement activities and he would be reluctant to do so as this is a staff function. He added that the Commission could instead look at possible improvements to city ordinance language to address any unclear or vague areas in the ordinance. Commissioner Johnson stated he agrees with Commissioner Yelich and that he does not want to duplicate what is already being done and that the Commission may be able to look at the issue with a fresh approach. Chairperson Thorbus inquired as to what time-line the Council has set for this project. Councilmember Carmody stated she believed the assumption is that it would be done in the summer months of this year. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson suggested that the Commission look at the neighborhood or neighborhoods visually and not necessarily using the ordinance so that the Commission can look at the overall maintenance of the neighborhood. Commissioner Yelich suggested breaking up into pairs and taking pictures of areas of concern. Commission Members continued their discussion of a neighborhood review process. Councilmember Carmody suggested that one element of this proj ect could ultimately be education of residents with regard to city codes such as parking of cars, etc. Commissioner Xiong pointed out the potential differences in cultures noting that in the Hmong culture, children often stay with their parents until they are married resulting in more people living in the house. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson expressed a concern as to how the Commission's work would be valued and noted the Commission's work on the senior housing report, which she believed was not 4-18-06 _2_ r used when the Council evaluated a proposed senior project along 57 Avenue North. Councilmember Carmody and Commission Members briefly discussed the Commission's past work including the senior housing study and how there are many factors the Council must consider when reviewing specific proj ects for development. Commissioner Yelich suggested that the Commission come back in May and decide how they would conduct this project and how to spend the remainder of the summer. There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson to consider at the May Housing Commission meeting how the Commission will approach the neighborhood review project. The motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson commented on the increase in single family rental she has noticed in her neighborhood and inquired whether this issue could be addressed in conjunction with the Housing Commission's neighborhood review. The Commission discussed the issue of single family rental properties including single family properties that are participating in the Section 8 rent subsidy program. The discussion focused on the licensing process used by the city, the tracking of Section 8 properties and screening of tenants in single family rental properties. The Commission also discussed the city's rental licensing inspection program especially as it relates to single family properties. The Community Development Specialist stated he would provide an update on the Section 8 program at the next Housing Commission meeting. There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Paulson and seconded by Commissioner Yelich to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. �V L� Ch an� 4-18-06 _3_