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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 02-23 EBNHACMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE EARLE BROWN NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA February 23, 1995 Conference Room A Brooklyn Center City Hall CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Committee members present at the meeting were Robert Torres, Dennis Morrow, Robert Jechorek, Johanna Mills, Joyce Lindquist and Karen Youngberg. Also present at the meeting were Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody and Tom Bublitz, Community Development Specialist. Absent and excused from the meeting were Chairperson Jody Brandvold and Committee Member Everett Lindh. Also absent from the meeting were committee members Dolores Hastings, Nancy Carlson and Deborah Iverson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JULY 28, 1994 There was a motion by Committee Member Morrow and seconded by Committee Member Lindquist to approve the July 28, 1994, minutes, as submitted. The motion passed. FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE The Community Development Specialist noted that over the past few months the committee's meeting date had been moved around quite a bit and that he recognized this was a problem for people in planning their schedules. He polled committee members as to the best date for meetings over the next few months, noting that we would stick to a strict schedule upon selection of a date. After brief discussion by the committee, it was decided that the fourth Thursday was the best meeting time for the majority of committee members. The committee agreed that they would meet the fourth Thursday of each month through May 1995, and at that time they would reevaluate the meeting date for the committee. UPDATE ON HENNEPIN COMMUNITY WORKS PROGRAM The Community Development Specialist brought the committee up -to -date on the activities of the Hennepin Community Works Program and noted that the two leading projects in the county for the Hennepin Community Works Program are the Humboldt Avenue corridor and 29th Street 2 -23 -95 -1- corridor projects, both of which are described in the document titled, "Building the Connections: Hennepin Community Works, an Employment, Public Works, and Tax Base Development Program." The Community Development Specialist pointed out the City Council had reviewed the Hennepin Community Works Program at their February 21 work session, and directed the staff to set up a neighborhood meeting in the Humboldt Avenue area to discuss the Hennepin Community Works Program with affected residents in the neighborhood. He explained the City Council directed the Planning Commission to host the meeting and to set it up as a public hearing with participation by the Housing Commission and Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee. With regard to activities at the county level concerning the Hennepin Community Works Program, the Community Development Specialist pointed out that Hennepin County is asking for $500,000 in planning funds from the legislature for additional work on the Hennepin Community Works Program concept. He explained it was his understanding that these funds would be used to more explicitly define the costs and benefits from a project such as the Hennepin Community Works Program. Committee Member Morrow pointed out that the area affected by the Humboldt Avenue project includes almost 200 parcels. He explained the school district is willing to work with the program, but there are some significant impacts that must be addressed. He added he is trying to track the number of students in the affected area, and at this point it appears there are between 50 and students in the proposed Humboldt Avenue corridor project area. The committee discussed several issues relative to the Hennepin Community Works Program, including public information relative to the project, the potential loss of residents and the social and economic impacts of such a project on the Earle Brown neighborhood. Committee Member Torres inquired whether there was any data on senior citizens living in the project area. The Community Development Specialist pointed out census data shows the Earle Brown neighborhood as one of the highest concentrations of seniors in the area, and that perhaps more specific information on the location of seniors could be obtained. Committee Member Torres also suggested that it would be beneficial for both the Housing Commission and Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee to read copies of the minutes from both groups relative to the discussion on the Hennepin Community Works Program. Councilmember Carmody pointed out that the Planning Commission was directed to hold a public hearing on the Hennepin Community Works Program since they have the authority to do so. She pointed out that the Housing Commission and Earle Brown Committee will be involved in the meeting also. 2 -23 -95 -2- 1995 PAINT -A -THON The Community Development Specialist pointed out he had received several responses to the neighborhood newsletter article regarding the request for a Paint -A -Thon house for 1995, and it appears that at least two of the homes are suitable for the Earle Brown Committee's Paint -A- Thon team. NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPE PROJECT The Community Development Specialist explained he had nothing new to report on this item and requested that this item be deferred to the next committee meeting. 1995 NORTHWEST SUBURBAN REMODELING FAIR The Community Development Specialist reminded committee members that the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Robbinsdale, Crystal and New Hope will be sponsoring the second annual Northwest Suburban Remodeling Fair on Saturday, March 25, 1995, at the Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive North. He explained the show hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and as we did last year, the City will have a booth at the fair. Committee Member Torres inquired whether the utility companies are involved in the remodeling fair, such as Minnegasco, NSP and the cable companies. The Community Development Specialist explained that Minnegasco had been involved in the fair last year, and that he would check with the persons responsible for contacting participants to see if the other utilities had been contacted. The Community Development Specialist explained that in addition to the City booth, the police departments, fire departments and building officials of the five cities will have booths at the remodeling fair. Councilmember Carmody suggested that it would be beneficial to include information on water quality at the building officials' booth, since this appears to be an often asked question by Brooklyn Center residents. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE COMMITTEE PROJECTS The Community Development Specialist stated that there were several issues he would like to discuss with the committee regarding the future of the committee and future projects of the committee. He explained that one of the issues related to as specific problem, and because of other time demands and projects, he would have less time in the future to spend on work projects related to the Earle Brown Committee. Additionally, and related to this issue, he inquired of the committee what they saw as the primary needs of the Earle Brown neighborhood. Councilmember Carmody stated that the City Council does not really want to play a role in appointing neighborhood groups and suggested that a more independent role of the committee would be desirable. With regard to specific future projects, the Community Development Specialist pointed out the committee had discussed the possibility of doing a cleanup day and that they had also considered looking at ways of expanding the Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee to other neighborhoods. Committee members discussed the issues relative to the committee becoming more independent from the City, and noted that several items were important to them, 2 -23 -95 -3- including the continuation of the neighborhood newsletter. Committee Member Torres felt that it may be time for the committee to become more independent, and that he thought the group was initially formed to become more of an independent organization. The Community Development Specialist pointed out that it is not only a consideration of the allocation of staff time, but he had a concern that in some ways the projects of the committee may be too influenced by staff. The committee members continued their discussion regarding the future of the committee, including discussion of contacting the Riverwood Association to learn more about how they operate. The Community Development Specialist noted that previously the committee had discussed the City of St. Louis Park's efforts at forming neighborhood organizations, and noted that their organizations were set up from the start to function more independently from the City. He indicated he could contact someone at the City of St. Louis Park to see if they would be willing to meet with the committee and discuss how the St. Louis Park neighborhood organizations were formed. Committee members agreed they would be interested in learning more about the St. Louis Park model and directed the Community Development Specialist to arrange for a presentation at the next committee meeting. Committee Member Jechorek brought up the issue of pursuing a cleanup day for the neighborhood and also inquired as to the status of the County Health Department's involvement in the committee's concerns regarding potential for toxoplasmosis in the area where cats were found in high concentrations. The Community Development Specialist explained that he had contacted the Hennepin County Health Department but did not get a clear direction from them regarding what to do in this situation. In his discussions with County staff, they did not indicate that it was an urgent health concern, but that given the concerns of the committee he would contact the Health Department again and find out what can be done to determine the extent of the problem and if there is a problem, to eliminate it. Committee Member Jechorek suggested that they could take soil samples at the site to determine the extent of the problem. With regard to the future of the Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee, Committee Member Torres suggested that we obtain information regarding the number of Crime Watch block groups and a list of the Crime Watch captains in the Earle Brown neighborhood. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Committee Member Morrow and seconded by Committee Member Lindquist to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 2 -23 -95 -4- Respectfully submitted, 2 -23 -95 Tom Bublitz Recording Secretary -5-