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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 11-23 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 NOVEMBER 23, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Todd Cannon, Kathleen Carmody, Jon Perkins and Robert Torres. Also present was Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commission members Neal Nelson and John Kalligher were absent and excused from the meeting. Councilmember Barb Kalligher was also absent from the meeting due to a previous commitment. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to approve the November 23, 1993 agenda, as submitted. The motion passed. ATTENDANCE AT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETINGS, Commissioner Carmody brought up the issue of attendance at Housing Commission meetings and what constitutes an excused absence from the meeting. The Community Development Specialist stated that any time a commission member calls or if he is aware of a previous commitment, the commission member is marked as absent and excused from the meeting. He pointed out that to date the definition of "excused absences" has been interpreted quite liberally by the staff, but the commission can make a determination as to whether or not they would like to become more rigorous in enforcing excused absences. He also pointed out that under the commission bylaws three unexcused absences is justification for removing the commissioner from the commission. Commissioner Perkins raised the issue of whether the Housing Commission would want to enforce the excused absence provision to remove someone from the commission. Commission member Carmody stated that she did not want to raise the issue to remove someone from the commission, but that she wanted to assure that the commission had the required attendance for quorums. She pointed out that in reviewing previous minutes of the commission there were several relatively long periods of time when the commission did not have quorums to officially conduct business. The Community Development Specialist pointed out that he would try to increase the communication between himself and commission members regarding reminders for meetings and to encourage commission 11-23-93 -1- members to call him well in advance of meetings to let him know if they will not be attending so that he will know whether or not there will be a quorum present. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON FOR HOUSING COMMISSION The Community Development Specialist opened nominations for chairperson of the Housing Commission. Commissioner Erickson nominated and Commissioner Cannon seconded the nomination of Robert Torres for chairperson of the Housing Commission. The Community Development Specialist inquired if there were any other nominations for chair of the commission. Hearing none, he entertained a motion to close nominations for the chair. There was a motion by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to close nominations for chairperson of the Housing Commission. The motion passed. motion b Commissioner Erickson and seconded b There was a m y y Commissioner Perkins to elect Robert Torres as chairperson of the Housing Commission to serve for a period of one year, as stipulated in the commission bylaws. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION: PRIORITIZATION OF HOUSING COMMISSION PROJECTS The Community Development Specialist stated he had compiled a list of potential projects previously discussed by the Housing Commission over the past two years. He also pointed out two new potential projects that he would like to discuss with the commission, one being an issue raised at the November 8, 1993 City Council meeting, and another being participation in a remodeling fair which was being organized by a group of northwest suburban communities. The Community Development Specialist explained that at the November 8, 1993 City Council meeting, the City Council directed the Housing Commission to review the issue of tenant screening. He pointed out that this issue was addressed at a recent forum held by Representative Phil Carruthers, where some individuals in attendance at the forum pointed out that an organization called Community Action for Suburban Hennepin (CASH), a nonprofit agency working on housing advocacy issues, expressed some serious concerns about the use of tenant screening in the northwest suburbs. The issue appears to center around CASH's concern over possible discriminatory practices regarding tenant screening. At the November 8, 1993 City Council meeting, the Council directed the Housing Commission to investigate this issue further. The Community Development Specialist distributed several items related to this issue, including an October 11, 1993 Star Tribune article on Brooklyn Park's efforts on taking a strong stand on its apartment complexes, specifically with regard to tenant screening. 11 -23 -93 -2- In this article, one of the city's housing inspectors described the strong efforts at tenant screening currently underway in Brooklyn Park. Another item distributed by the Community Development Specialist was a letter to the editor in response to the initial newspaper article. The letter was from Sharon Johnson, executive director of Community Action for Suburban Hennepin (CASH). In her letter, Ms. Johnson raised some concerns with regard to Brooklyn Park's efforts at promoting the screening of tenants and referred to some of the activities going on as "wholesale judgments that are remarkably mean spirited." A third item submitted to the commission by the Community Development Specialist was a letter from a property manager in Brooklyn Park to the editor of the Star Tribune, who took issue with Ms. Johnson's letter to the editor and essentially supported the efforts of the property managers group in Brooklyn Park and the efforts at aggressive tenant screening. Commissioner Erickson commented that he recalled at the time of the commission's work on the Housing Implementation Plan, the issue of tenant screening was a high priority item. He further stated that through the advocacy of the City and the property managers group in Brooklyn Center, tenant screening was made a priority. He stated that he supports the efforts of the property managers group at tenant screening and also believes that there are adequate avenues of protection for tenants who believe they have been discriminated against with regard to screening activities. Commissioner Perkins stated that he does believe discriminatory practices may occur with regard to tenant screening, but tenant screening has taken hold, particularly in Brooklyn Park, and that he believes overall it is a positive for the community. He added that he believes the commission should encourage the property managers coalition in their efforts to promote tenant screening. He recommended that the commission pass a motion that they are in support of legal tenant screening efforts undertaken by property managers in Brooklyn Center. There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Perkins that the Housing Commission urges the Brooklyn Center City Council to continue to support the Housing Implementation Plan policy of tenant screening by landlords, and that the issues regarding possible discriminatory practices over tenant screening be referred to appropriate agencies for resolution on an individual basis. The motion passed. The Community Development Specialist discussed the remodeling fair being proposed by the cities of Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale and Brooklyn Center. He explained Crystal and New Hope held a remodeling fair last year which was quite successful, and this 11 -23 -93 -3- year they have invited Robbinsdale and Brooklyn Center to participate in the event. He added that he would like to discuss a possible role for the commission in the event, and noted that there would be a city booth for each city participating in the remodeling fair, and that the Housing Commission may want to participate in some capacity. Commissioner Perkins stated he was unsure as to why the commission would want to have a role in the remodeling fair. Commissioner Cannon pointed out that perhaps building code information would be helpful to citizens attending the remodeling fair, particularly those who are planning projects. The Housing Commission continued to discuss possible participation in the remodeling fair and there was a general consensus that the commission would participate in the City booth, along with representation from City staff and other commissions. Chairperson Torres pointed out it may be helpful to have handouts at the remodeling fair regarding permits and, specifically, information on when permits are needed by homeowners. Also, he pointed out many homeowners may have questions about what improvements may influence their assessed valuation and which improvements would not. Commissioner Perkins also suggested that a pamphlet on each of the commissions be available and also some type of information encouraging people to get involved in City commissions. The commission continued to discuss the list of Housing Commission projects compiled by the Community Development Specialist. Commissioner Perkins suggested some additions to the list. He explained he would like to add some type of discussion regarding a program for Brooklyn Center similar to the "Come Home To The Park" program currently underway in the City of Brooklyn Park. Additionally, he stated he would like to discuss the expansion of the southeast neighborhood group to other neighborhoods and to review the activities of the existing southeast neighborhood group. Also, he pointed out he would like to review the status of the rent to own pilot project conducted in the southeast neighborhood. Commissioner Erickson stated he agrees with Commissioner Perkins' additions and that he would also like to add item number 3 on the list as a priority, which was a review of the home rehabilitation deferred loan program to discuss options for changing it from a loan /grant program to a true loan program. I Commissioner Perkins suggested the Housing Commission establish the following three items as the first three priorities for projects to be undertaken by the commission: 11 -23 -93 -4- 1. Develop a program for the City of Brooklyn Center similar to the "Come Home To The Park" program developed in the City of Brooklyn Park. 2. Review the activities of the existing southeast neighborhood committee and consider whether or not the model should be expanded to other neighborhoods. 3. Review the current home rehabilitation deferred loan (grant) program to discuss options for changing it from a deferred loan /grant program to a loan program. Commissioner Erickson inquired as to the commission's role in the ongoing Brooklyn Boulevard Study. The Community Development Specialist explained the commission's involvement was initially in the review of the screening requirements and land use along Brooklyn Boulevard, which resulted in passage of a resolution regarding these issues by the commission. The Community Development Specialist stated he would report back to the commission on the progress of the Brooklyn Boulevard Study and also as to the commission's role in this ongoing program. Also, at the direction of the commission, he indicated he would report on the status of the Park and Ride facility proposed along Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Carmody stated that she agrees with Commissioner Perkins' list of the top three priorities. There was a consensus of commission members to support the three priorities listed by Commissioner Perkins for commission projects and to address them one at a time at future commission meetings. DISCUSSION: BROOKLYN PARK'S "COME HOME TO THE PARK" PROGRAM The Housing Commission moved to the Council Chambers to view a screening of a video prepared by the City of Brooklyn Park with regard to the "Come Home To The Park" program. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Cannon and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Chairperson 11 -23 -93 -5-