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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 01-17 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 17, 1995 CONFERENCE ROOM B BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Robert Torres at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Robert Torres, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Todd Cannon, Keith Tuttle, Vince Opat and Jack Kelly. Also present was Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Maria Olek was absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Cannon to approve the agenda, as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER 20, 1994 There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Kelly to approve the minutes of the December 20, 1994, Housing Co meeting, as submitted. The motion passed. MEETING ATTENDANCE OF COMMISSIONERS There was a brief discussion regarding commission attendance at meetings. Commissioner Cannon noted that he was initially under the impression that he was appointed to the commission for only a year, and that in addition to this understanding he had not been receiving agenda packets for some time. The Community Development Specialist noted that his appointment was from February 22, 1993 through December 31, 1995. He also noted he would try and determine why the packets were not reaching his home through the mail and he confirmed the mailing address with Commissioner Cannon. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON Commissioner Erickson conducted the meeting for the purpose of accepting nominations for the Chair of the Housing Commission and entertained nominations from the floor. 1 -17 -95 -1- Commissioner Erickson offered the nomination of Chairperson Robert Torres to continue as Chair of the Housing Commission, and Commissioner Cannon seconded the nomination. Commissioner Erickson inquired if there were an further nominations from the floor. There q y being none, he entertained a motion to close nominations. There was a motion by Commissioner Kelly and seconded by Commissioner Opat to close the nominations for Chair of the Housing Commission. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Opat and seconded by Co Kelly for a unanimous ballot to reelect Robert Torres as Chair of the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission. The motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Robert Torres appointed Commissioner Ernie Erickson as vice -Chair of the Housing Commission. UPDATE ON HENNEPIN COMMUNITY WORKS PROGRAM The Community Development Specialist noted he had been speaking with Mr. Larry Blackstad, the staff project manager for the Hennepin Community Works Program, and Mr. Blackstad indicated to him that he is working on a process (evaluation tool) with which to rank projects submitted for the Hennepin Community Works Program. At this point it appears there will likely be five areas of questions that must be addressed for each project submitted, but at this point we do not know what those areas will be. He explained further that Hennepin County staff will evaluate the projects, divide them into geographic areas (north, south and suburban) and forward them to the policy board made up of ten representatives from the County Board, Minneapolis Park Board, Minneapolis School District and the Minneapolis City Council. He pointed out these jurisdictions have each contributed $25,000 to set up the Community Works Program. He pointed out that the application deadline will likely be sometime at the beginning of March for projects and /or concepts for the Hennepin Community Works Program. Upon submission, they will likely be grouped into projects that are ready to be undertaken now and those that have a longer time frame. The Community Development Specialist reviewed some maps with the commission, including one that showed property values in the City of Brooklyn Center and an adjoining portion of Minneapolis, and also the percent change in property value in the same area between 1987 and 1994. It was noted that the property values in the area of Minneapolis adjoining Brooklyn Center were significantly lower than the average value of properties in Brooklyn Center. Also, the change in property value in the Minneapolis area between 1987 and 1994 was significantly depressed. The map suggested that the property values in this area of Minneapolis are stagnant and /or declining. 1 -17 -95 -2- The commission discussed the general project area proposed for the Community Works Program which included the area around Humboldt Avenue and also the potential for the area along 57th Avenue west of Humboldt to Highway 100 and east of Humboldt to the river. He pointed out a memorandum from Commissioner Opat's office had noted that the 57th portion of the project could be a possibility, but a full-blown parkway along 57th Avenue would be unlikely because the alignment of the houses, which are side yards instead of front yards, would not result in the greatest economic benefit. The commission discussed the Hennepin Community Works Program as it affects Brooklyn Center, and expressed concern over the potential loss of tax base in the short-term with regard to this project. Commissioner Cannon suggested that the area along 53rd Avenue North in Brooklyn Center be considered since the homes along this area tend to be lower value properties, many of which are in need of significant rehabilitation. The commission continued to discuss the scope of the project, which could include several options, the most extreme of which would be removal of homes on both sides of Humboldt and one row on either side of Humboldt on Irving and Girard. Of additional concern to the commission was the displacement of residents in this area, particularly those individuals who did not want to leave the area and who may not be able to find replacement housing in the immediate vicinity. Staff noted that the City ouncil will likely be discussing this item sometime in Y Y g February, and, because of the uncertainty of the deadline for applications under the Hennepin Community Works Program, it was agreed that the next Housing Commission meeting date would be kept flexible so that the commission could take any necessary action that may be required for this project. The Community Development Specialist indicated that he would continue to update the commission on the progress of the application process and the project and that he would call a meeting of the Housing Commission if there was some necessary action to be taken prior to the end of February. POINT OF SALE /TRUTH IN HOUSING ORDINANCE The Community Development Specialist noted that Commissioner Kelly had informed him of the Bloomington Point of Sale ordinance and that he had obtained a copy of the Point of Sale ordinance from the City of Bloomington. He briefly reviewed the ordinance with commission members, noting that the major thrust of the ordinance was aimed at the correction of certain hazardous conditions in residential properties. Commissioner Kelly pointed out that the evaluator under the Bloomington ordinance charges $115 to evaluate the property. He pointed out the City then comes in for an additional $95 charge for an inspection after the corrective work is done. He also pointed out that the City requires permits for things such as batteries in smoke detectors and backflow preventers. In 1 -17 -95 -3- other words, the City is charging a permit fee for these corrective measures. Commissioner Kelly also pointed out that in Minneapolis and St. Paul, when properties are listed, a Truth in Housing report must be done and hazardous items must be corrected at that time, but additional fees are not charged for permits for the corrective work. Commissioner Tuttle stated that in his opinion one of the key questions is whether or not these types of ordinances are a means to improve the housing stock in a City without creating an undue burden on the homeowner. Commissioner Tuttle also asked the commission if it wants t o consider this matter further. Commissioner Erickson stated that it sounds like the commission wants to bring this item back up for consideration, but pointed out that the commission is already on record against any consideration of Point of Sale or Truth in Housing ordinances. He added that he believes if the commission would like to bring this back up for consideration, it should be voted on formally by the commission. It was noted by Commissioner Tuttle that the previous rejection of consideration of Point of. Sale and Truth in Housing ordinances passed by a small margin and that presently the commission is comprised of almost entirely new membership. There was a motion by Commissioner Kelly and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to continue discussion by the Housing Commission on consideration of Truth in Housing and Point of Sale ordinances. The motion passed. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Tuttle and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Chairperson 1 -17 -95 -4-