HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 02-15 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA
i
REGULAR SESSION
FEBRUARY 15, 2000
CONFERENCE ROOM B
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Erickson at
7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Ernie Erickson, Commissioners Dennis Snook, Lloyd Deuel, Kathleen Carmody,
Michael VonDeLinde and Mark Yelich. Also in attendance was Community Development
Specialist Tom Bublitz. It was noted that Council Liaison Bob Peppe had another commitment
this evening and was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner ponald Arm was absent and excused from the meeting and Commissioners James
Lano and Muhammed Okoya-Lawal were absent and unexcused.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Community Development Specialist noted that the Community Development Director had
a previous commitment this evening and would be unable to attend the meting.
There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to
approve the agenda with the provision that item 6 be deleted from the agenda. The motion
passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 18, 2000
There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to
approve the minutes of the January 18, 2000 Housing Commission meeting as submitted.
The motion passed.
CHAIRPERSONS REPORT
Chairperson Erickson noted that he is now receiving the City Council minutes and that he has
the November and December 1999 minutes available if any of the commissioners choose to
review them.
I
Chairperson Erickson next introduced Mr. Dennis Snook, the newly appointed Housing
Commission member. Mr. Snook noted that he had served on the Charter Commission for four
years and wanted to serve on the Housing Commission, noting he has owned apartment buildings
for 45 years and has one left to sell. He explained the apartments were all in the Minneapolis
f i
02-15-00 -1-
area and he thought his background in apartment ownership could be of service to the Housing
Commission. Commissioner Snook also noted that he has been a Brooklyn Center resident since
1954.
Commission members introduced themselves to Commissioner Snook and welcomed him to the
Conunission.
I
UPDATE ON HOUSING COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO, CITY COUNCIL I,
REGARDING CHAPTER 12
Chairperson Erickson noted that there will be a meeting in March between the City Council and
the Chairs of the various City Commissions. He noted that he would be presenting the Housing
Commission's memorandum to the City Council at the March meeting. He noted that at last
yeazs meeting between the Council and Commission Chairs he was criticized somewhat for the
Housing Commission going off on projects of their own without any Council directive. He
stated he views the upcoming meeting in March as an opportunity to communicate with the
Council with regard to the Commission's projects.
Commissioner Cannody brought up the issue of the City Prosecutors comments with regard to
collector cars noting that apparently the situation with the individual with 20 some cars in his
backyard is technically permitted under the ordinance. Commissioner Yelich noted that there
is apparently nothing in the ordinance that now prevents people from storing vehicles in their
backyard.
Chairperson Erickson noted that at the meeting with the City Prosecutor, the Commission also
addressed the standards for appearance of privacy fences. He pointed out the City Prosecutors
comments on the problem with creating a standard for appearances in that it may be "void for
vagueness".
Commissioner Snook addressed the issue of the Humboldt Redevelopment project in
Minneapolis. The Commission discussed the Humboldt Greenway Project briefly and noted that
Brooklyn Center was involved initially with the program but the.homes in Brooklyn Center along
Humboldt Avenue were not the same type of housing as is being removed in Minneapolis. It was
noted that on the Minneapolis portion of Humboldt there were a number of slab homes built on
a wetland area and on the Brooklyn Center side the housing was completely different and had
maintained its value and_ integrity.
Commissioner Carmody noted that the redevelopment along Humboldt is limited to Minneapolis
and that the proposed redevelopment will be a mix of housing development including single
family, fourplexes and single family attached housing.
Chairperson Erickson inquired of the Commission if there was anything else they wished to
I �I discuss with regard to the Chapter 12 memorandum. He noted that this item would be carried
over to the next meeting.
�'i
02-15-00 -2-
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Erickson inquired if there was any other business to be considered by commission
members this evening.
Commissioner Yelich noted that the Star Tribune had a list of grants awarded to various cities I
in the metropolitan area. He inquired if Brooklyn Center was a recipient of any of the
Metropolitan Council funding. The Community Development Specialist noted that the City has
received several grant awazds from the Metropolitan Council and the Department of Trade and
Economic Development for redevelopment of the Joslyn site.
Commissioner Carmody commented on Brooklyn Boulevard and the City's Comprehensive Plan
inquiring whether the Housing Commission could look at the issue of integrating housing into
the Brooklyn Boulevard redevelopment plans, especially senior housing.
Commission members continued to discuss the issue of senior housing in Brooklyn Center and
the Community Development Specialist was requested to do an inventory of senior housing
currently in the City.
Commissioner Deuel suggested that when the Housing Commission looks at the issue of senior
housing that they could tour other senior buildings in the area.
Commissioner Yelich suggested that long term planning be considered when the City is
examining senior housing since the baby boom generation, which is now moving into the senior
citizen category, will eventually be gone and the issue of what the senior housing will be used
for after the baby boomer generation leaves will be an issue.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission
adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
uman
02-15-00 -3-