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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 02-18 HCM Amended 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 FEBRUARY 18, 2003 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Yelich at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Mark Yelich, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Mary Barrus, David Johnson, Lloyd Deuel, Stan Leino and Judy Thorbus. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Yelich welcomed new Commissioners Dave Johnson and Stan Leino to the Housing Commission and invited them to share some information about themselves with the Housing Commission. Commissioner Johnson stated that he has had a strong interest in seeing the housing in Brooklyn Center staying strong and pointed out that he went to high school in Brooklyn Center and is a long time resident. At the request of Chairperson Yelich, Commission members introduced themselves and discussed the reasons they are serving on the Housing Commission. Commissioner Leino introduced himself and stated he has lived in Brooklyn Center for over 14 years, was on the Charter Commission six years, on the City's Financial Commission for one year and has worked in the real estate field and indicated that hopefully this will be helpful in his work on the Housing Commission. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 21, 2003 Commission Kris Lawrence-Anderson pointed out an error in the January 21, 2003 minutes, pointing out that the minutes show she was present at the meeting when she was absent from the entire meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2003 Housing Commission meeting as amended. The motion passed. -1- CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Commissioner Yelich informed Commission members that the recognition gathering for volunteers and the various city commissions will be held April 21, 2003, and he invited all Housing Commission members to attend. With regard to items from the City Council, Chairperson Yelich noted that Councilmember Carmody indicated that she would like to discuss code enforcement in the city before the summer sweeps begin this year. Chairperson Yelich also noted that at the last Association of Rental Managers (ARM) meeting, Officer Steve Karris made a presentation to the group on gang activity in Brooklyn Center. Chairperson Yelich shared his personal experience with regard to a police department ride along he participated in on Saturday, February 15, 2003. He explained he rode with a police officer for four hours on that day. He explained he learned a lot about the city on his ride along pointing out that most ofthe officers on the night shift are younger due to the process for shift selection based on seniority. He also stated that it became apparent during his ride along that the use of alcohol is related to many crimes and complimented the city on controlling the dispensing of alcohol through limiting liquor establishments. Councilmember Cannody arrived at 7:20 p.m. REVIEW REVISED DRAFT OF RENTAL LICENSING ORDINANCE Chairperson Yelich briefly reviewed the history of the Commission's consideration of this ordinance pointing out that the Commission has been working on this ordinance for approximately one year. He requested the Community Development Specialist to review the changes to the current draft of the ordinance. The Community Development Specialist briefly reviewed his memorandum to the Housing Commission pointing out that the revised draft establishes over one call for service per unit per year as the trigger for requiring a provisional license and calls for service would be counted for a one year period prior to license renewal rather than the six months in the initial draft. Further he pointed out the specific statute and ordinance references to be used to establish calls for service counts are included in the draft ordinance and tenant background check language has been added which was not included in the original draft. Additionally he pointed out language relative to the license period remains at two years in this draft ordinance since staff is still reviewing the feasibility of reducing this to a one year license renewal as recommended by the Housing Commission. The Commission discussed the one year versus two year license period and questioned how the calls for service would coincide with the rental renewal process. One of the suggestions was that the calls for service could be monitored for two years to coincide with the rental licensing period. Commissioner Barrus questioned whether tying the rental inspection to the provisional license ordinance is appropriate. -2- Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated that one reason the Commission wanted to go to a one year renewal for licenses was that we wanted to be pro-active with the ordinance and make the time period for counting calls for service consistent with the license renewal period. The Commission continued to discuss the annual versus two year licensing period and how it would work with the provisional license period. Chairperson Yelich stated that perhaps the rental inspection schedule can continue on the same schedule but that renewal of licenses could be done annually to coincide with the calls for service I counts. I The Community Development Specialist pointed out that it was his understanding that the renewal of I the rental license should be tied in some fashion to an actual physical inspection of the apartment complex and that renewing licenses on an annual basis without some physical inspection of at least part of the complex would not be permitted under the current provisions of Chapter 12. Commissioner Johnson suggested that perhaps most owners would see that keeping a two year license period is desirable and that maintaining good performance in their apartment complex is important to keeping the license for a two year period. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated that although there is merit to that theory, the Commission wanted to be pro-active and have enough substance in the ordinance to avoid the potential for serious problems. Chairperson Yelich then conducted a consensus poll of the Housing Commission on whether the license period for rental property should be changed from two years to one year. The Housing Commission consensus was that the licensing period for rental properties should be changed to one year. Chairperson Yelich observed that it appears the Brooklyn Park ordinance establishes a provisional license at a lower level than the Brooklyn Center draft ordinance and that he does not want to be out of balance with the Brooklyn Park ordinance. Commissioner Erickson stated that he believes these ordinances are all relatively new for the cities that are using them and that this is somewhat of a shakedown period for both Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park and that it is difficult to establish an absolute number without some type of track record. Chairperson Yelich stated that he would like to see language in the ordinance regarding fees related to a provisional license such as some type of multiplier factor for those complexes requiring a provisional license. He added that he would like to see this language in the ordinance as opposed to having it in a separate resolution. The Community Development Specialist pointed out that traditionally, ordinance fees are not listed in ordinances but are done through a separate resolution. -3- Commissioner Leino agreed that some type of multiplier would be helpful and used the analogy of building inspection fees when a contractor does not obtain a permit, they can be charged a double fee for failing to get a permit. Chairperson Yelich stated that he would feel strongly that language relative to fees for provisional license should be expressed in the ordinance. Commissioner Barrus stated that she does not think the fee should be addressed in the ordinance but should be handled through a resolution. She added that putting the multiplier in the ordinance could I be construed as somewhat arbitrary. Councilmember Carmody stated that she would be speaking with the City Manager to establish a �I date for a joint meeting between the Housing Commission and the City Council as a work session. The purpose of the meeting would be to discuss the rental ordinance along with the other ordinance revisions the Commission has considered including recommendations on driveways and other code items. She pointed out that the joint meeting would have to be held on other than a Tuesday since Councilmember Niesen cannot make Tuesday meetings. She stated that she would suggest Wednesday, Apri12, as a date for a meeting. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:45p.m. %y�a�.� ���C Chair�an -4-