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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 07-22 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 CALL TO ORDER The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee was called to order at by Chairperson Jody Brandvold at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Committee members present at the meeting were Chairperson Jody Brandvold, Robert Torres, June Scofield, Doug Rossi, Johanna Mills, Joyce Lindquist, Betty Engdahl and Nancy Carlson. Council member Barbara Kalligher was also in attendance at the meeting. Also present was Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Committee members absent and excused from the meeting were Everett Lindh, Robert Jechorek, Dolores Hastings and Pamela Frantum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JUNE 23, 1993 There was a motion by Committee Member Scofield and seconded by Committee Member Lindquist to approve the minutes of the June 23, 1993 meeting, as submitted. The motion passed. UPDATE ON 1993 PAINT -A -THON The Community Development Specialist explained the Earle Brown Committee had been assigned the single family property located at 5401 Morgan Avenue North for the 1993 Paint -A- Thon. He briefly reviewed the inspection report prepared on the house by the Paint -A -Thon staff which indicated the extent of work needed on the home. He explained that there would be a significant amount of preparation work required on the home, including scraping and sanding prior to painting the property on paint day. After a brief discussion by the committee members, it was decided that a volunteer group would meet on Tuesday, July 27, at 6:00 p.m. to begin prep work on the house. LANDSCAPE DESIGN DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM The Community Development Specialist reviewed the changes and the mailer to be sent to homes in the southeast neighborhood regarding the landscape demonstration program. He 7 -22 -93 JULY 22, 1993 COUNCIL CHAMBERS BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL pointed out the changes were recommended by the committee at the June meeting and included revising the paragraph describing the discount for landscape materials to be purchased under the demonstration program. He explained it would be worded to the effect that the City is working with area nurseries to obtain discounts on plant materials rather than specifying a specific discount. Additionally, the paragraph on the selection of homes for the project would be revised to specify that homes chosen for the program would be selected with the assistance of Hennepin Technical staff and students to meet the landscape project needs for the students. After review of the revisions to the letter, the committee agreed to approve the letter and mail it out to the southeast neighborhood residents. The Community Development Specialist pointed out that he would like to have the Hennepin Technical staff review the letter prior to mail out and that this may take some time since the teachers were off for summer vacation and the lead person on the project was currently in Europe. He explained he would work with the Hennepin Technical staff on approving the text of the letter and mail out the letter after review by the Hennepin Technical College staff. STAFF REPORT AND FOLLOW -UP ON CODE ENFORCEMENT 11EMS DISCUSSED AT JUNE COMMITTEE MEETING The Community Development Specialist noted he had followed up on several issues raised at the June Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee with regard to code enforcement. He reported on the following items: With regard to the shrubbery overgrown on the sidewalk in the area of 59th and Aldrich, a notice will be sent to the homeowners to trim the overgrown shrubs and vines. Regarding the semi trucks parked in the area of 60th and Bryant and 59th and Aldrich, no trucks were noted during daytime hours, but the code enforcement officers are aware of the situation. Two homes on Dupont in the 60th and 61st block were noted as needing paint, but staff could not find any homes in the area that met the criteria for the housing maintenance ordinance which specifies that if over twenty-five percent (25 of the building's surface requires paint, a notice can be sent for correction. A question was raised as to why the park playground equipment was removed at Bellvue Park and other City parks. The Community Development Specialist explained that the playground equipment in City parks is being removed and replaced with playground equipment that meets the requirements of the new Americans With Disabilities Act. He explained this would be an ongoing process at all of the City parks. A problem with trash dumping at River Ridge Park was noted at the June 7 -22 -93 -2- meeting. The Community Development Specialist explained staff visited the area and, at the time of their visit, noted a limited amount of dumping in the area, including a dryer and some miscellaneous debris. The Community Development Specialist explained he had talked with one of the police captains and that he was informed that the police and code enforcement officers do monitor the area and have tagged several people for dumping in the area and have required them to clean it up. Continuing discussion on code enforcement, Chairperson Brandvold suggested an article in a future newsletter to describe potential hazards with regard to code enforcement issues and explain who is responsible for correcting them. She also suggested looking into the possibility of forming a group to help maintain single family properties, especially for senior citizens who are unable to perform maintenance chores. Committee Member Lindquist pointed out that Robbinsdale has a volunteer group established to mow lawns and plow snow for their senior citizens. Committee Member Carlson suggested that the committee might approach the churches to assist in this type of volunteer effort. The Community Development Specialist suggested to committee members that it may be helpful, especially since the addition of new members, to take a tour of the southeast neighborhood for the purpose of reviewing code enforcement issues and housing maintenance issues. He indicated he would like to bring the City's Building Official and the City Prosecutor along on the tour to get their input on code enforcement items. After discussion of arranging a tour, the committee decided that the tour would be held at the first meeting in September, on September 23, and that the bus tour of the southeast neighborhood would begin at 5:00 p.m. The Community Development Specialist explained he would make arrangements for the tour and send out notices of the meeting in September. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Committee Member Scofield and seconded by Committee Member Lindquist to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Bublitz Recording Secretary 7 -22 -93 -3-