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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 01-21 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 21, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Nicholas Eoloff, Commissioners Pamela Frantum, Neal Nelson, Robert Torres, Barbara Jensen and Jon Perkins. Also present were Council Liaison Phil Cohen and Assistant EDA Coordinator Tom Bublitz. Absent and excused from the meeting were Commissioners John Kalligher and Ernie Erickson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Housing Commission approved the agenda as submitted with no additions or changes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 15. 1991 There was a motion by Commissioner Frantum and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve the October 15, 1991 minutes as submitted. The motion passed. INFORMATION ITEM: MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY (MHFA) GRANT PROGRAM BLIGHTED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ACOUISITION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained the MHFA Blighted Property Program provides approximately 1.75 million dollars statewide for the acquisition, demolition, or acquisition and rehabilitation of blighted properties in Minnesota cities. He explained this is somewhat of a unique program since the MHFA typically does not offer outright grant programs. He explained the City was in the process of preparing an application for the program which would provide funds for acquiring and clearing approximately six (6) homes. He also pointed out the program requires a specific neighborhood be designated for neighborhood preservation. For this application, the Brooklyn Center City Council has designated the southeast neighborhood as the designated neighborhood, continuing along with the recommendations contained in the City's housing plan. Ultimately, he pointed out, the blighted property program requires that properties acquired and cleared under the MHFA program be redeveloped with new, single family homes p g Y me and marketed and sold to 1 persons of low and moderate income. For purposes of this program, low and moderate income means median income. If funded, the City's obligation under the grant program would be to redevelop the cleared lots with new, single family homes. Commission members discussed the blighted property program and expressed their support for the program for the designated southeast neighborhood. Commission members also expressed some concern that the City's rehabilitation grant program should be addressed very carefully in the southeast neighborhood so that no funds are expended on homes that will later be possible candidates for acquisition and demolition. DISCUSSION ITEM: HOUSING MAINTENANCE CODE MATRIX The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained the information in the agenda packets regarding the survey of housing codes of various cities was originally prepared in conjunction with the City of Crystal's research for their new Point of Sale Ordinance. He explained the information provides a basic overview of the types of codes in effect in various cities, the fees charged for inspection, frequency of inspections, etc. He explained further that this was a starting point for development of the matrix requested by the Housing Commission, and inquired what kind of additional information the commissioners believed would be useful in exploring options for changes in the City's housing code. Councilmember Cohen stated that, rather than doing additional detail research on each individual housing code from the various cities, it was more important to attempt to discern how effective the various ordinances were for each city. Also, he added that it is important to determine how much staff time is needed to administer the various ordinances and how much follow -up is necessary to successfully enforce the ordinance provisions. An additional question to be asked of the cities would be whether fees cover or defer a significant portion of the salaries for enforcement and administration of the ordinances. Commissioner Jensen pointed out that she would also like to find out what challenges there have been with regard to any court action related to enforcement of the various ordinances. She added that she would like to find out the kinds of issues brought to the court regarding the ordinances and how can ordinances effectively avoid court challenges. The commissioners continued their discussion, and Commissioner Perkins pointed out it is his impression that one of the main goals of the housing maintenance code is to upgrade the condition and maintenance of housing in the City. Commissioners agreed with Commissioner Perkins' assessment of the goal of the housing code. Commissioner Perkins also suggested that rather than adding additional ordinance requirements, such as Point of Sale, perhaps the City needs additional inspection staff simply to pursue 01 -21 -92 -2- existing ordinances, or in other words, perhaps the City needs additional inspection enforcement even without a new ordinance requirement. Councilmember Cohen pointed out that housing maintenance must be addressed on various levels, including a provision of financial assistance to upgrade homes and code enforcement efforts to bring homes into compliance with ordinance requirements. Commissioner Perkins suggested the option of doing a survey of the condition of homes similar to what is done in the assessing department where all homes in the City are reviewed on a particular schedule. Councilmember Cohen indicated there is a problem gaining access to single family homes, however, the City may be able to get some input from City staff, such as the assessing department and meter reading staff. Councilmember Cohen again emphasized the need for the use of all possible tools in housing maintenance, including incentives, grants, code enforcement, etc. He also pointed out the Maxfield study recommends the creation of an award to individuals for outstanding home maintenance. Commissioner Torres brought up the issue of home repair and maintenance from an insurance standpoint, and inquired whether the insurance industry has anything to say about how home repairs may affect insurance rates and what are the insurance risks involved with lack of home maintenance. The Assistant EDA Coordinator stated he would follow up on the Commission's questions with regard to ordinances in the cities in the survey and report back at the next Housing Commission meeting. Commission members indicated they would like to hear from someone on the inspections staff with regard to the kinds of day -to -day problems presented in enforcing the housing maintenance code. The Assistant EDA Coordinator explained that he would try and get Mr. Clay Larson, the City's Building Official, to attend the next Housing Commission meeting to review that issue with the Commission. The Commission also requested two additional agenda items for the next meeting, a continuation of the discussion on the memorandum regarding the presentation by Mr. Joe Errigo, President of Westminster Corporation, and an item of discussion on a possible survey of homeowners in the City as to why they are moving into or leaving the City of Brooklyn Center. 01 -21 -92 -3- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Jensen to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Chairperson O1 -21 -92 -4-