Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989 01-10 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 10, 1989 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center housing commission met in regular session and was called to order by Vice Chairman Phil Cohen at 7:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Phil Cohen, Reynold Johnson, and Robert Torres. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and EDA Coordinator Brad Hoffman. Chairman Eoloff was excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 1988 There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Torres to approve the minutes of the September 20, 1988, housing commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM Vice Chairman Cohen introduced the first discussion item, that being the Brooklyn Center rehabilitation grant program, and requested Hoffman review several points of the program with the commission. The first item of discussion relative to the grant program was the income limits. Hoffman noted the program started in 1978 and at that time income limits were established at the maximum of Section 8 standards. He stated since that time, income limits have not been adjusted and the original income limits are still being used today. He noted we are currently getting fewer grant applications, and the ability of the City to use the money in the City's housing stock is becoming more difficult. He indicated to the commission the original intent or philosophy of the program was to put money in the City's housing stock to maintain the City's housing stock as opposed to a social program oriented towards individuals. He indicated to the commission it was thought by putting money into the City's housing stock it would tend to help maintain neighborhoods and protect a valuable asset of the City as well as its primary source of tax revenue to provide services within the City. Following the discussion of the income limits Hoffman recommended the commission request the Economic Development Authority to increase the new limits halfway between the existing limits and the,.current HUD regulations. As proposed, the new income limits would be as follows: a one person household at $18,975; two person household at $21,650; three person household at $24,350; four person household at $27,075; five person household at $28,775 six- person household at $30,450; seven person household at $32,175; and eight or more in a household at $33,850. 1 -10 -89 -1- There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Torres to recommend the new income limits to the Economic Development Authority. The motion passed unanimously. The next item discussed by the housing commission relative to the rehabilitation grant program was a residency requirement for eligibility for a rehabilitation grant. It was noted currently there is no residency requirement. Hoffman indicated there had been some discussion and some concern at the council level relative to the ability of individuals to acquire a home and immediately apply for a rehabilitation grant. A discussion then ensued relative again to the philosophy of the program being one to put money into the City's housing stock as opposed to a social benefit program. As the discussion ensued, the topic of second grants came up. Hoffman indicated second grants were done in very few circumstances and then only when the health safety items were involved. Commissioner Torres inquired if the philosophy of the program is to maintain the City's housing stock and doing things other than health safety have a positive impact on neighborhoods, the question seemed to be why not do second grants. He indicated he felt second grants may be appropriate, but they should be given a lower priority. He felt second grants could be done to the extent there are monies available and other grants had been satisfied. Following the discussion of residency requirements and second grants, there was a motion by Commissioner Torres and seconded by Commissioner Johnson that the housing commission restates its desire and philosophy that the rehabilitation grant program be used to improve the City's housing stock and it is not intended as a social program. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the housing commission that there be no residency requirement for rehabilitation grant programs and second grants be considered after a waiting period through each funding cycle. Hoffman brought up the final subject of discussion, that being an equity position for rehabilitation grant recipients. He noted over the ten -year life of the program on two occasions two homes have been repossessed and the City's position being second to a senior mortgage was vulnerable. He indicated in the two instances the City lost its rehabilitation grant money to the extent that it was unable to recoup such monies. He indicated losses were approximately $12,000 near the program. He indicated the housing commission might want to consider an equity position as a term of eligibility for the grant program. He did note the maximum grant being $10,000 would require an equity position in the area of $14,000 to $15,000 in order to protect the entire investment. Again the commission discussed its philosophy relative to the program and indicated the loss of only two grants over a period of ten years was insignificant relative to the intent of the program. It is its recommendation the program stay as is and no equity position be required. 1 -10 -89 -2- OTHER BUSINESS Hoffman distributed, a copy of a proposed plan unit development ordinance known as a PUD for general discussion. He indicated to the housing commiss sion the PUD would be before the planning commission in February, and he would like to discuss the proposal with the housing commission so that it can pass on any recommendations it has to the planning commission for its consideration. He also noted he would like to discuss the PUD ordinance in detail at the February meeting. A brief discussion then ensued relative to the PUD with Commissioner Cohen noting that such an ordi nce is going to be a tool necessary for the redevelopment of t e community in the future. He indicated if the council is goi g to be able to deal with problems, it is going to have to have the tools available to it. There was a request from Commissioner Cohen that Hoffman provide some photos and maps of variou areas of the City that might be considered eligible for the PU9. The next item disc ssed by the housing commission was the solar demonstration project. Hoffman gave a brief history of the solar demonstration project noting that it originated with the conservation commission which has since disbanded. He stated five homes had been selected for the project and construction of different types of passive solar retrofitting had been completed on each of the ho es. He indicated it was the intent of the conservation commis ion to follow up on the solar demonstration project by providin a study relative to the economic valuability of such retrofitti He indicated it is the intent to try to demonstrate that mi imum remodeling of homes could significantly increase the ener efficiency of the existing homes within a typical suburban s tting. He stated while the work has been completed, the fol ow -up study, which was to be performed by volunteers from t e conservation commission, has not been completed. A discussion then ensued and Commissioner Torres and Commissioner Johnson indicated their interest to participate in this project to help bring it to a conclusion. There was a request that Hoffman provide the commissioners an outline of the things necessary to be done to complete the project for the next meeting. Hoffman indicated he would do that and provide the commissioners with the necessary background information to assess the current status of the project. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Torres and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously, and the housing commission adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Chairman 1 -10 -89 -3-