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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 04-29 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 APRIL 29, 1993 C BARN EARLE BROWN HERITAGE CENTER 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 Jody Brandvold, Everett Lindh, June Scofield, Johanna Mills, Joyce Lindquist, Betty Engdahl and Nancy Carlson. Also present were Council Liaison Barb Kalligher and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Committee members Pamela Frantum, Dolores Hastings, Robert Torres, Douglas Rossi and Robert Jechorek were absent and excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MARCH 18, 1993 There was a motion by Committee Member Everett Lindh and seconded by Committee Member Joyce Lindquist to approve the minutes of the March 18, 1993 meeting, as submitted. The motion passed. REVIEW OF NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING NEWSLETTER ARTICLES The Community Development Specialist distributed copies of draft articles for the spring /summer housing newsletter. Topics covered by the articles included an article on new members appointed to the commission, participation in the first -time home buyer program offered through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the Earle Brown neighborhood's Rental to Owner pilot project program, an article on yard cleanup, home maintenance repair program for seniors and disabled, below market rate loans for home improvements and an article on the City's neighborhood watch program. Committee members briefly discussed the articles and approved them for inclusion in the next Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing newsletter. DISCUSSION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP DAY The Community Development Specialist noted that this was a follow up from the last meeting and that he had some information for the committee regarding potential costs for cleanup projects. He noted that the City of New Hope provides for an annual city -wide cleanup day where residents can bring items for disposal to a central location. He pointed out that New Hope does not take appliances, tires or yard waste at this cleanup site, but does allow most other 4 -29 -93 -1- types of debris. The Community Development Specialist noted he had contacted the City of New Hope and had obtained costs for their program. In 1992, the disposal costs for the cleanup program for the City of New Hope totaled $19,681.47, with an additional $1,480 for heavy equipment rental to load the debris, an additional $1,400 for appliances (note: appliances were taken in 1992 but not in 1993) and, finally, $3,500 in labor costs for municipal employees to work at the disposal site. The total cost for the disposal program for New Hope in 1992 was $26,061. He pointed out that New Hope does require a permit be obtained by anyone dumping material at the disposal site. He pointed out that in 1992 the City sold approximately 500 permits at $5.00 each. This permits one pickup truck or trailer load to dump on one permit. The Community Development Specialist noted he had also contacted Mr. Kevin Tritz, district manager with BFI. He explained Mr. Tritz pointed out two options for a neighborhood cleanup program that BFI could service. One option would be to provide rolloff containers stationed at various locations for people to bring material. He pointed out that one container could be provided for garbage, one for recyclables, one for bulky items and one for yard waste. Another option would be to provide for curbside pickup at each house. Mr. Tritz indicated that it would be difficult to provide an exact cost estimate for this type of service, but calculated that approximately 5 trucks working for 4 hours could service approximately 2,500 households, which is the approximate count in the southeast neighborhood. The cost for the pickup service would be $1,200, which would not include the disposal charges which could be several thousand more dollars, depending upon the type of materials collected. In summary, either the rolloff container option or the curbside pickup option would be relatively costly in the area of between $5,000- $10,000. Additionally, Mr. Tritz pointed out that in virtually all situations where cities have had cleanup days, there has been a problem with outside parties bringing in material for inclusion in the pickup program. He pointed out this is very difficult to regulate, and becomes a factor in the cost of the program. Committee members discussed the potential for a cleanup day in the southeast neighborhood and Committee Member Jody Brandvold stated that she believes the goal of a cleanup program is to clean up the yards and not really worry about the removal of material inside the homes, such as old couches, mattresses, etc. She explained the emphasis is to get rid of the outside trash and to somehow limit the pickup to outdoor materials. Committee Member Everett Lindh suggested that the cleanup program should start out as yard cleanup and that the emphasis should be placed on improving the appearance of people's yards. By starting on the exterior cleanup, he suggested that this might be a better way to approach a cleanup day 4 -29 -93 -2- 4 -29 -93 rather than a more extensive list of materials. Committee Member Brandvold suggested that the Earle Brown Committee might establish a day as Cleanup Day for the southeast neighborhood and simply publicize the effort and use it as a promotional incentive for people to clean up their properties. The Community Development Specialist stated that he would look at some other options for providing a cleanup day and would return to the committee with additional information. LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR EARLE BROWN NEIGHBORHOOD The Community Development Specialist explained he had contacted Mr. Ted Harris, an instructor in landscape with the Hennepin Technical College. He explained Mr. Harris was willing to have his classes work with the Earle Brown Committee to develop some type of landscape project for the southeast neighborhood. Mr. Harris explained that he had essentially three levels of students, and that all three levels could be involved in developing the project. The projects could range from planting plans to actual construction of decks and patios, if that were desired. He explained there was no cost for these types of projects except for materials. The committee's obligation in this project would be to line up the homes for inclusion in the project, provision of any materials needed, and to coordinate the project. Committee members discussed the possibility of working with the Hennepin Technical College on a landscape program and directed the Community Development Specialist to proceed with working out the details with Hennepin Technical College for this program. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Committee Member Everett Lindh and seconded by Committee Member Jody Brandvold to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Bublitz Recording Secretary -3-