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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 05-16 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 MAY 16, 2006 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, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Robert Paulson, Joshua Xiong and Mark Yelich. Also present were Council Liaison Kay Lasman and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Jean Schuster was absent and excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPRDYAL OF MINUTES APRIL 18, 2006 There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence- Anderson to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2006 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Thorbus noted that the legislature had made significant changes to the eminent domain law in Minnesota and that it would now be much more difficult to acquire property for redevelopment purposes. Chairperson Thorbus then requested Councilmember Lasman to update the Commission on Council activities. CO UNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lasman noted that City Manager Michael McCauley had resigned to take a new position in Oregon and his last day would be June 16, 2006. She explained Curt Boganey would be Interim City Manager and that a recruitment firm will be used to recruit a new City Manager. In other Council activities, Councilmember Lasman pointed out the City passed a resolution supporting Crystal's independent review of the airport property, addressed the issue of side yard setbacks to accommodate larger eaves on roofs and she also pointed out that the court of appeals had ruled in favor of the EDA regarding the eminent domain taking of the 57 and Logan site. HOUSING COMMISSIONNEIGHBORHOOD REYIEW PROJECT Chairperson Thorbus summarized the discussion at the last meeting and requested input from -1- Commission members on how to proceed with the City Council directive regarding the review of neighborhoods in Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Lasman pointed out the City Council discussed this item at the last work session and the Council did not think the Housing Commission should duplicate code enforcement activities already being done by CSO's. Additionally, she pointed out that the Council would like the Housing Cormnission to look at a small segment of the southeast neighborhood from 53 to 57` with regard to improvements that emphasize positive aspects in that neighborhood, the end result being a compilation of the Commission's observations that could possibly be used in the City's newsletter. The Housing Commission discussed the City Council's directive regarding a neighborhood review and considered the following issues: How to collect data including photographs of properties. Discussion encouraging residents to send in or recommend projects in their neighborhoods such as decks, additions, etc., vs. a survey. Developing a list of types of projects to include in the neighborhood review. Contractor licensing requirements including how to inform people of city permit requirements. The possibility of putting information from projects on the city website so other residents could benefit including architectural recommendations for remodeling. Streamlining city ordinances and information so they are more accessible such as ordinances regarding parking of vehicles in numerous places in the city code. Putting information from the neighborhood review into the City Watch newsletter. Commission members next discussed how to proceed with the neighborhood review this summer. There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and Seconded by Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson to set aside two meetings this summer to canvas the 53� Avenue to 57` Avenue area of the city with eastern and western boundaries of the area set at Logan Avenue North and the Mississippi River respectively, and to make observations on the positive improvements to homes in the area including the possibility of photos. The motion passed. OTHER B USINESS As follow-up from the April meeting, the Community Development Specialist briefly reviewed the status of the Section 8 program at the national and local level pointing out that the major concern at the Congressional level was that the Section 8 program was consuming a large amount of the HUD budget and that attempts were being made to reduce the overall allocation for Section 8 rental assistance. He pointed out the City of Brooklyn Center does not manage the Section 8 program, but it is managed by the Metropolitan Council Housing Authority. Commissioner Yelich noted that he had spoken with the City of Bloomington and had obtained a copy of their Section 8 administrative plan and pointed out that currently under the Brooklyn Center city ordinance, single family homes that are rented are not required to do background checks. He noted the City of Bloomington's plan does provide for screening of tenants and offered it for Commission review. -2- t� Commission members briefly discussed the city's rental housing and licensing program. There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJO URNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Paulson and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m. �--�1���, ti�_....��........a Chairi�ian 1 -3-