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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 12-16 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGLTLAR SESSION DECBMBER 16, 2003 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Yelich at 7:00 pm; ROLL CALL Chairperson Mark Yelich, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Mary Barrus, Uavid Johnson, L1oyd Deue1, Judy Thorbus and Jean Schuster. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioners Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Stan Leino were absent and excused. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Barrus and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL QF MINUTES November 78, 2003 There was a motion by Commissioner Barrus and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to approve the minutes of the November 18,1003 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT hairperson Yelich thanked Commissioners Lloyd Deuel and Ernie Erickson for their service on the Housing Commission and expressed his admiration far their wisdom and opinions shared with Gommission members over the past number of years. He indicated that both Commissioner Deuel and Commissioner Erickson were leaving the Commission to move on to other things and wished them well on their new endeaveors. Chairperson Yelich next discussed a December 7 article in the Minneapolis paper showing a survey of ta�ces in the Metropolitan area: He noted that Brooklyn Center was one of the lowest listed far average values in the seven county Metropolitan area. He also noted that the article indicated that taxes as a percentage of home value in Brooklyn Center was relatively high when compared to other cities. Councilmember Carmody noted that school district taxes have a big impact on the overall tax burden for properties. Mayor Kragness also noted that charts and graphs of this nature showing taxes on an average value home are misleading when comparing city to city tax burdens. Councilmember Carmody added that some cities in the survey receive no local government aid and the various school districts'have a huge impact on taxes city by city so that these surveys do not always reflect an accurate picture of taxes in individual cities. COUNCIL LIAISONREPORT Councilmember Carmody stated that the Council would like to recognize Commissioners Lloyd Deuel and Ernie •Erickson for their service to the Housing Commission and she deferred to 1Vlayor Kragness for a special fhank you to Commissioners Deuel and Erickson. T2-16-03 Page 1 Mayor Kragness thanked both Commissianer Ernie Erickson and Lloyd Deuel for their valuable contribution to the ousing Commission for many years and also for their assistance to the City CounciL She added that she and the ity Council appreciates their contribution and that they had done an outstanding job and both were treasures to the City. Commission members acknowledged their gratitude to Commissioners Erickson and Deuel and presented them with a special cake prepared by Commission member Mary Barrus. 12-911 AND 12-913 ORDINANCE REPORTING SYSTEM The Commission discussed the police department memorandum regarding the reporting system for 12-911 and 12- 913 ordinances. It was noted that the police deparlment has been tracking calls relative to 12-911 for several years and that with the addition of the 12-913 amendment will add the required tracking of calls for this amendment. The memorandum noted that some adjustrnents must be made when tracking calls for both these ordinance provisions noting that for example, a 12-911 call may be listed as disturbing the peace but when the officers arrive the actual offense may be different and that this call must be reconciled in the 12-913 report. Commissioner Thorbus inquired as to the status of the lawsuit in Brooklyn Park challenging that city'sprovisional licensing ordinance. Commissioner Yelich commented that it was his understanding that Mid-Continent Propeties amended their lawsuit against the city after Brooklyn Park made revisions to their ordinance. He noted that a hearing had been scheduled for the lawsuit far January 8, 2004. ommissionerDeuel commented that many of the ARM members felt that apartment owners and managers should oYbe held responsible for tenants behavior and that this was the major objection to the city's ordinance. Commissioner Barrus next brought up the issue of single family rentals in the city noting that in her neighborhood, some neighbors had moved out of their single family home and that after their move, some remodeling began on the property apparently without a permit. She noted that City Inspectors had tagged the property and addressed the issue of work being done without a permit. She cited this as an example of more and more single family properties becoming rental properties in the city. She added that she does not know what the city or commission can do about this but the Housing Commission should keep aware of this issue. Commissioner Erickson recalled that single family rentals were an issue back in the late 1980's and that the issue of single family rentals seems to ebb and flow and that during the 1980's the first time homebuyer program seemed to help promote ownership of more single family properties. Commissioner Thorbus brought up the "We Buy Ugly Houses" people who apparently seem to be active in the city and inquired as to whether the Commission could check on their activities. Commissioner Yelich stated it is his understanding that this company is a national franchise and that essentially they purchase homes in need of repair to fix them up and sell them. SENIOR HO USING DISCUSSION The Community Development Specialist introduced the next item and noted that he had included a number of :`background information articles and data sheets relative to senior housing. He explained much of the information applied to state wide and county wide studies and was intended to provide the Commission with information on 12-16-03 Page 2 senior housing needs and issues. He explained the background material was intended to help the Commission decide what approach they would like to take with regard to recommendations concerning senior housing. �ommissioner Barrus stated that she liked what Bloomington did in listing the prices of the various senior projects and added that she thinks we should have a variety of housing choices from low to high end. She also added that she likes the listing of the,amenities imthe survey ihat Bloomington did and that this is an important feature. Commissioner Thorbus inquired as to the status of the 1VIet Council's revision of their blueprint for 2030. Commissioner Yelich responded by pointing out that the Metropolitan Council provides seed money for proj ects but that the document it is revising does not pertain specifically to Brooklyn Center but is a metro wide document. Commissioner Thorbus added that she believes the discussion of senior housing should include a focus on amenities and accessibility since they are important factors in determining senior housing needs. The Housing Commission proceeded to discuss senior housing issues relative to the City of Brooklyn Center. Commission member Johnson inquired as to what is the specific need for senior housing in Brooklyn Center. The Community Development Specialist explained that it was his hope that the Commission could assemble data to get some idea of the need and direction for various types of senior housing in the city. He added that the Commission may not be able to recommend specific numbers as would be defined in a market siudy but can assemble data to get some idea of the general direction and needs for various types of senior housing in the city. Chairperson Yelich noted that there are numerous ways this could be accomplished. Commissioner Johnson agreed and noted that there have been a variety of strategies reviewed in the discussion of enior housing by St. Al's. Commissioner Erickson commented that the Housing Commission is essentially idea driven and that the City Council works within a budget. He noted that he believes the Commission's role is to recommend general policy directions and that the Council must then refine those and make decisions within those recommendations. The Community Development Specialist commented that he would hope that the information the Housing Commission assembles would help the City Council ma:ke decisions regarding senior housing as redevelopment project opportunities occur within the city. The Commission continued discussion of senior housing and discussed various models for senior housing including aging in place, health care needs, transportation needs, etc. Commissioner Thorbus brought up the issue of tours of various senior buildings and a possible survey of Brooklyn Center senior residents regarding their housing preferences. Commissioner Johnson left the meeting at 8:15 p.m, Commissioner Erickson commented that he believed it was important to review the various stages of senior life including young seniors, older seniors and those requiring assisted living and up to nursing home care. Councilmember Carmody left the meeting at 8:20 p.m. 12-16-03 Page 3 Commissioner Yelich commented that he recalls a housing study that was done by Maxfield Associates relative to senior housing. �he Community Development Specialist noted that this was a specific market study done for a potential proj ect in the city and that he would try to find this and get a copy to the Housing'Commission. Commissioner Barrus inquired whether the Commission could get a chart of what costs and services the citynow has, following the Bloomington model. Commissioner Yelich requested far the next meeting that the Housing Gommission review the list of amenities and existing senior buildings in the city similar to that prepared by the Senior Eederation. He also requested information on the current rents at senior buildings: OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Yelich inquired of Commissioners Deuel and Erickson whether they had anyparting thoughts for the Commission. Commissioner Deuel suggested that Commission members take a ride along with the police department at some point in time and a tour of the city as the Commission has done in the past. He commented that taking a recess in the summer began as a problem with getting a quorum for meetings but he also cited the example of the 53 Avenue proj ect that occurred in the summer without the Housing Commission's involvement. He added that he thinks the Housing Commission even if they recess for the summer, should keep in touch with housing activities during this time. Commissioner Erickson noted his appreciation for serving on the Housing Commission and acknowledged the service of Tom Bublitz and Brad Hoffinan assisting the Commission over the years. He also added that the Housing �Commission provided him with an opportunity to become more laiowledgeable about the entire community, not just �I� ousing related issues, and wished the Housing Commission good luck in its future projects. There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:35 pm. Chairman 12-16-03 Page 4