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
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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.
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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
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