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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 04-30 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 30, 1992 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 were Jody Brandvold, Everett Lindh, Dolores Hastings, Dennis Morrow and June Scofield. Also present were Council Liaison Phil Cohen and Assistant EDA Coordinator Tom Bublitz. Committee members absent and excused from the meeting were Pamela Frantum and Bob Torres. DISCUSSION OF METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S REPORT ON REGIONAL VITALITY The Assistant EDA Coordinator introduced the Metropolitan Council report and explained the report was the summary of a series of meetings and discussions held by an advisory group appointed by the Metropolitan Council. The Committee members discussed the report and generally indicated a very favorable impression of the report and how it described various aspects of neighborhoods and what makes them vital. With regard to a specific portion of the report dealing with the perception of the neighborhood by realtors, Councilmember Cohen cited the example of the Humboldt Square area which had been turned around by an expressed effort on the part of a neighborhood task force and the City's police department. He also pointed out an example in the southeast neighborhood where one builder sold his existing home for over $100,000.00, which indicates a strong selling market in the Earle Brown neighborhood. One of the things he pointed out was the fact that the Brooklyn Center School District is a strong school district which has an important affect on home purchases. Councilmember Cohen continued his discussion of neighborhoods and stated he would like to see the Committee generate some type of award for outstanding remodeling or housing maintenance projects, including landscaping, as recommended in the City's Maxfield Study. UPDATE ON HOMEOWNER REMODELING /REDESIGN AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PROJECTS The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained he had been meeting with the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee and Mr. Bill 04 -30 -92 -1- Schatzlein to develop the projects. He explained the Chamber's Economic Development Committee and the full Chamber Board had endorsed the projects and the plan would be to work with the Chamber's Economic Development Committee in conjunction with the Earle Brown Housing Committee to develop the projects. Additionally, the Chamber's Economic Development Committee and the full Chamber has endorsed the idea of pursuing funding for the projects through local banks and the Chamber has also agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the projects. As fiscal agent, the Chamber would receive any contributions for the project, and any payment to Mr. Schatz lein' s nonprofit for the project would be made through the Chamber of Commerce. Committee member Hastings stressed the need for remodeling assistance for elderly persons, and cited an example of the need expressed by many older residents for the laundry area in homes to be relocated from the basement to the first floor. Also, she pointed out there is a growing need for ramps for elderly persons who can no longer negotiate stairs into their homes. INFORMATION REPORTS: First Time Home Buyer Loan Program The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained the City will be participating in the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's Minnesota City Participation Program (MCPP). He explained the MCPP will provide low interest loans to first time home buyers who meet income criteria and can qualify for a mortgage loan. He explained the maximum house price under the program will be $85,000.00, which will include the majority of homes in Brooklyn Center. He pointed out the program is funded through a bond sale held by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency on behalf of the cities participating in the program. The interest rate is dependent on the bond sale, but the previous MCPP provided an interest rate of approximately 7.5 Cities participating in the program receive a specified allocation of mortgage loan funds made available to their cities, and the loans are originated through lenders who choose to participate in the program. REPORT ON APRIL 11, 1992 LANDLORDS WORKSHOP The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained the landlords workshop, held jointly by the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale, was held on Saturday, April 11, with over 180 landlords attending the Saturday morning workshop. He noted the attendance indicated there was a distinct interest on the part of landlords in learning about issues related to rental property. The keynote speaker for the seminar was Mr. Kenneth Corey Edstrom, an attorney who represents a number of rental property owners and specializes in law related to rental property. Additional portions of the seminar included property management and the police, 04 -30 -92 -2- mediation services, Section 8 /public housing programs and code compliance and licensing. MULTI- JURISDICTIONAL HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES GROUP Councilmember Cohen explained the idea for this group came out of a Metropolitan Council study done in 1988 which recommended that housing be addressed on a regional level. In reviewing housing issues it became apparent housing is linked to other needs such as education, skills building, social services, etc. He explained the Multi Jurisdictional Group represents the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale, along with all the area school districts, the technical college and North Hennepin Community College, Hennepin County representatives, and Metropolitan Council representatives. He explained the Multi Jurisdictional Group is an effort to bring together the various agencies involved in housing and housing related support services to develop a regional approach to addressing housing issues and to develop specific pilot projects for the northwest area. He explained joint resolutions had been passed by all jurisdictions participating in the program. He also pointed out the group will serve as a focal point for things such as grants and future policy formulation related to housing and related services. Specifically, the group is intending to develop a pilot program which addresses the issue of housing and its relationship to human services. Also, the group's goal is to work together to eliminate any possible duplications of effort in the area of housing and human services and to ultimately create more efficient programs. EARLE BROWN NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING NEWSLETTER The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained the spring newsletter had just gone out to homes in the southeast neighborhood and that he would like to get some input from the group regarding articles for the next newsletter. Committee Member Dennis Morrow stated he would write an article on the Brooklyn Center School District for the next newsletter. Committee Member Dolores Hastings suggested an article on the history of Brooklyn Center and particularly the southeast neighborhood and also an article on the need for improved bus service, particularly with regard to east -west circulation in the suburban area. ADJOURNMENT The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tom Bublitz Recording Secretary 04 -30 -92 -3-