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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 12-21 HCM f 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 DECEMBER 21, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Bob Torres at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Bob Torres, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Todd Cannon, Kathleen Carmody, Jon Perkins, Neal Nelson, Vince Opat and Keith Tuttle. Also present was Councilmember Barb Kalligher and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner John Kalligher was out of town this evening and was excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Carmody and seconded by Co Erickson to approve the agenda, as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES NOVEMBER 23. 1993 There was a motion by Co Carmody and seconded by Co Cannon to approve the minutes of the November 23, 1993 Housing Co meeting, as submitted. The motion passed. The Community Development Specialist noted that the commission had established the priorities for projects to be undertaken by the commission by consensus as the last meeting. He requested the commission to pass a formal motion establishing the three priorities they concurred upon at the November Housing Commission meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to amend the action taken at the November 23, 1993 Housing Co meeting regarding the establishment of priorities for future projects to change the action from a consensus agreement to approval by formal motion. The motion passed. INTRODUCTION OF NEW HOUSING COMMISSION MEMBERS The Community Development Specialist pointed out that the City Council had appointed two new Housing Commission members at the December 6, 1993 City Council meeting and introduced Mr. Vince Opat and Keith Tuttle as the new Housing Commission members. Chairperson Torres, along with the rest of the Housing Commission members, welcomed Mr. 12 -21 -93 1 Opat and Mr. Tuttle to the commission. Councilmember Kalligher expressed a concern over the discussion in the November 23, 1993 minutes over attendance at Housing Commission meetings. She pointed out that she realizes the importance of attendance at meetings, but also thinks commission members and others have other commitments. She also noted that last spring she had been ill for an extended period of time. Commissioner Carmody stated the reason for bringing the issue up was not to bring attention to any individual but to draw attention to the need to have a quorum present to conduct an official meeting. DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY IMAGE AND PROMOTION FOR THE CITY OF, BROOKLYN CENTER The Community Development Specialist explained that this was a continuation of the "Come Home To The Park" discussion from the November meeting, since this was the first priority the commission established for projects. For the new commission members, the Community Development Specialist briefly reviewed the past discussions of the commission regarding the "Come Home To The Park" theme and the consideration of developing some type of similar promotion for the City of Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Kalligher pointed out it was her understanding that over 250 people in Brooklyn Park are involved in the "Come Home To The Park" program and that it is a separate and distinct organization from the City of Brooklyn Park. The commission members continued their discussion of the community image and promotion for the City. It was decided that the City's Communication Coordinator, Terri Swanson, would be invited to a future meeting to discuss the Communications Task Force's efforts in developing a promotional video. The commission decided that a member from the Brooklyn Park "Come Home To The Park" program should be invited to the next commission meeting prior to meeting with Terri Swanson. The commission also directed the Community Development Specialist to research any efforts undertaken in other cities that were similar to the promotional efforts undertaken in Brooklyn Park. The commission continued its discussion, including a discussion as to whether or not developing a promotional campaign or theme for the City was the appropriate role for the Housing Commission. The Community Development Specialist noted that in the past the focus of the commission has traditionally been on "bricks and mortar" types of projects, such as housing rehabilitation and remodeling. He cited the example of a project proposed for the City which would have focused on the southeast neighborhood in an effort to identify several types of homes for remodeling, develop a prototype remodeling design for these homes and to provide information to homeowners regarding remodeling through a series of workshops. He explained this project was an effort to promote remodeling in the City, and initially the project was to be funded by local banks. He pointed out a similar project had been undertaken in 12 -21 -93 2 Richfield and the individual promoting the project had offered the same kind of project for Brooklyn Center, but since the project met with limited success in Richfield the banks did not feel they could fund a similar program in Brooklyn Center given the track record in Richfield. He explained he had pointed this out only to cite an example of a "bricks and mortar" type of project. Commissioner Erickson suggested that, along a similar line, perhaps persons who had done remodeling projects could be sought out as examples of successful remodeling projects. Commissioner Opat also pointed out that perhaps the commission could look at the model used by the Parade of Homes and expand a project to include visits to successful remodeling efforts done in other cities, such as Crystal and New Hope. Councilmember Kalligher inquired of the Community Development Specialist whether or not the Community Development Director had explored the option of North Hennepin Technical College doing home expansions. The Community Development Specialist stated he would follow up on this item, but that he had talked with the North Hennepin Vocational College staff and they had indicated an interest in new construction but not rehabilitation or remodeling. Commissioner Tuttle brought up the issue of determining the amount of remodeling that is done in the community now. The Community Development Specialist pointed out that during the test marketing of the "Purchase Plus" program, which was a purchase rehab or refinance rehab program promoted by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, he determined there was a significant interest in doing value -added improvements to homes, even though the Purchase Plus program did not work as expected. He added that he would research the building permits in the City to determine the level of remodeling activity to date so the commission can get some idea of what the level of remodeling or expansion is now. The commission continued its discussion of the "Come Home To The Park" theme and determined that they would like to explore it further. Commissioner Perkins pointed out that the commission can set up the idea and concept and goals similar to what Brooklyn Park did in initiating their program. Councilmember Kalligher suggested a future joint meeting with the Communications Task Force to discuss joint efforts in promoting the City. Commissioner Perkins agreed, but suggested that the commission should do its research first and develop a concept so people don't lose interest. Commissioner Perkins also suggested that given the fact that we have two new members on the commission, the Housing Commission should revisit the priorities established at the November meeting. He suggested that this be placed on the agenda at a future meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Torres inquired if anyone had any additional business to bring before the commission. There being none, he entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. 12 -21 -93 3 ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Opat to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Chairperson 12 -21 -93 4