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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 03-26 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 MARCH 26, 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, Robert Torres, Pamela Frantum and Doug Rossi. Also present were Council Liaison Phil Cohen and Assistant EDA Coordinator Tom Bublitz. Committee members absent and excused from the meeting were Dolores Hastings, Dennis Morrow and June Scofield. Also absent from the meeting was Committee Member John Kalligher. HOME REMODELING /REDESIGN AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION PROJECT The Assistant EDA Coordinator introduced Mr. Bill Schatzlein, representing the Affordable Suburban Apartment Partnership (ASAP), a nonprofit housing corporation. He explained he had been working on the development of the home remodeling /redesign and homeowners association projects with Mr. Schatzlein. He noted he had reviewed the elements of the projects at previous Committee meetings, and that Mr. Schatzlein was here this evening to explain a bit more in detail as to the status of the projects. Briefly, the Assistant EDA Coordinator explained that both of the proposed projects were recommended in the City's housing plans, that Mr. Schatzlein had been working with City staff in developing the projects and that the projects had been approved by the City Council. Essentially, the housing plans recommended a home redesign /remodeling project which would provide homeowners with some ideas and incentives to reinvest in their property and remodel and rehabilitate single family homes. The homeowners association project would set up a model for a single family homeowners association to provide needed services similar to those provided in a townhouse homeowners association. Mr. Schatzlein explained the City's housing plans recommend the two projects and that the task is to show real impact to the neighborhood in development of these projects. He noted the overall attempt is to develop an investment in the neighborhood and to try to keep the neighborhoods vital. He pointed out the remodeling /redesign program is intended to give people ideas and incentives to remodel and rehabilitate property and thereby remain in the neighborhood. 03 -26 -92 -1- Another important element of the project is to make the remodeling process more user friendly and to introduce people to how to work with contractors, banks and so on. He explained he is working on a similar program in the City of Richfield, and is presently offering workshops for homeowners which allow them to meet with architects, remodeling contractors, bankers, and other individuals involved in the remodeling process. He also pointed out that in Richfield a case study will be done on a typical Richfield house and the project will be carried from start to finish from the idea stages of the remodeling to the final product. Another option is to have a "shirt sleeves" session which would allow people to meet with architects and contractors and to actually bring their own ideas in to get feedback on the feasibility of their ideas. In explanation of the funding needed to do the programs, he explained, essentially it is staff time and materials to assemble the program. He pointed out the cost estimate for completion of the two projects is between $12,000.00 and $15,000.00. Councilmember Cohen commented that, in development of the homeowners association model, he believes we need to look at possible vendors for such a program, including association managers and also to determine a realistic fee for the services. He explained an operating prototype must be developed in order to offer it to residents. He added that we may also have to look at the issue of a subsidy in developing the model. Committee members discussed the two projects and how the project was funded in Richfield. Mr. Schatzlein described the funding approach in the City of Richfield which was to talk to the local banks in the City of Richfield. He explained several of the banks in Richfield each contributed a portion of the funding for the overall project. With regard to the funding issue, Councilmember Cohen stressed the need to be very cautious in seeking funding. He pointed out that direct solicitation by City employees may have some conflict with the City's business ethics policy. He added that if the banks are approached in the funding process, then it would be most advisable to get all the bankers together at one time and make a presentation and get their input on whether or not they believed the project is worthwhile. He also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce could, perhaps, initiate such a meeting and to then have Mr. Schatzlein make the presentation. Additionally, he pointed out, if the banks agree that the projects are worthwhile and will fund them, the banks could channel the money through the Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Schatzlein's nonprofit organization to complete the project. Committee members continued to discuss the projects and the overall concept of the remodeling and homeowners association projects. 03 -26 -92 -2- Overall, the Committee members endorsed the concepts of both projects but expressed some concern over funding them through the nonprofit and that the funding process should be undertaken very cautiously. The Committee members continued their discussion and there was a motion by Committee member Brandvold and seconded by Committee member Rossi to support the concept of the homeowner redesign /remodeling project and homeowners association project as presented by Mr. Schatzlein, and to direct the Assistant EDA Coordinator to contact the Chamber of Commerce to recommend that the Chamber become involved in both the funding of the projects through the banks and the fiscal management of the project whereby the Chamber would be the conduit for the funds going from the contributors to the nonprofit to undertake and complete the projects. The motion passed. 1992 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained that this year's Community Development Block Grant Program would include both a continuation of the City's home rehab grant program and the Scattered Site Redevelopment Program where blighted homes are purchased and the properties are cleared for redevelopment. In addition to these ongoing programs, he explained, one additional program will be added which will provide for minor exterior and other types of household maintenance less than what will be provided under the City's rehab grant program. He explained the purpose of this program is to provide maintenance to houses that may need painting, roof repair, minor electrical and plumbing repair but do not need the full -scale of assistance as defined in the City's rehabilitation grant program. In this way, he pointed out, it is hoped that the CDBG dollars will have more of an impact on a larger area. UPDATE ON 1992 PAINT -A -THON PROGRAM The Assistant EDA Coordinator noted that the Committee had previously wanted to undertake a Paint -A -Thon type program on its own, however, after contacting the Paint -A -Thon organization he suggested that the Committee may want to consider going with this program. He pointed out that because the Paint -A -Thon has access to a greater number of volunteers perhaps more than one house could be painted in the Earle Brown neighborhood this year. He pointed out the Earle Brown Committee could still organize its own team to participate in the Paint -A -Thon but that it would be possible that additional homes could be included if the Committee were to become involved with the Paint -A -Thon program. There was a general consensus among Committee members to pursue the Paint -A -Thon program through the Paint -A -Thon organization for 1992. ADJOURNMENT The Earle Brown Neighborhood Housing Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 03 -26 -92 -3- Respectfully submitted, Tom Bublitz Recording Secretary