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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 02-17 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 17, 1998 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, Vice Chairperson Ernie Erickson, Commissioners Lloyd Deuel and Mark Yelich. Also present were Council Liaison Bob Peppe, Housing Inspector Janine Atchison and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Jonathan Carter was absent from the meeting. Commissioner Don Arm was absent and excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to approve the agenda, as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JANUARY 20, 1998 The Community Development Specialist explained the January minutes had not been completed as yet. There was a motion Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to defer approval of the January 20, 1998, minutes to the March Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. JANINE ATCHISON, CITY HOUSING INSPECTOR, PRESENTATION ON ASSOCIATION OF RENTAL MANAGEMENT OF BROOKLYN CENTER The Community Development Specialist introduced Janine Atchison, the city's Housing Inspector noting that Ms. Atchison has been instrumental in helping to create one of the premier rental management associations in the metropolitan area. Ms. Atchison explained that Brooklyn Center's rental management group, the Association of Rental Management of Brooklyn Center, is one of the oldest coalitions in the area. She noted that at the time of the formation of the Brooklyn Center coalition, the apartment complexes of Timber Ridge and Brookdale Ten and others were significant problems in the City. 2 -17 -98 -1- Initially, the apartment coalition group had been relatively inactive but eventually developed a mission statement and purpose which is to provide quality housing in Brooklyn Center. The group also adopted a formal name, the Association of Rental Management of Brooklyn Center (ARM) Ms. Atchison noted that the ARM group elected officers and began to develop plans on how to achieve their mission statement. Ms. Atchison also pointed out that enforcement of the housing code in Brooklyn Center has also aided in achieving the mission statement of providing quality housing. She added that the code needed to be enforced effectively with the ultimate point of going to court if necessary. The Housing Inspector noted that one of the achievements of ARM has been to aid in the professional development of apartment managers. She noted the most common mistake of many managers is that they do not do tenant screening or provide ineffective tenant screening. When done properly, effective tenant screening is one of the key elements in maintaining quality housing. Ms. Atchison noted that in her inspection of rental property she eventually meets every rental property owner or manager during her inspections and can put them in touch with professional managers to provide information that can improve their management skills and information. Ms. Atchison also pointed out that another main component of the ARM group is an educational component. She noted that smaller apartment property owners are linked with three other professional managers to act as a resource for the smaller owners and managers. By bolstering the larger properties in terms of education and professional development it automatically helps smaller properties as well. With regard to her job as a staff resource to the ARM group she noted that she does a monthly g J g P Y newsletter, arranges for speakers at monthly meetings and generally serves as an information resource to apartment managers as well as the enforcement arm of the City's rental dwelling license ordinance. She noted that the City also supports her membership in the Multi Housing Association. Ms. Atchison noted that the Brooklyn Center coalition is recognized as one of the best coalitions in the entire metropolitan area. Additional programs noted by the housing inspector included the annual seminar which focuses on property management and the annual bus tour of rental properties held in June of each year. She noted the Housing Commission is invited to attend the upcoming tour in June. The tour itinerary includes driving by all the complexes in the City with a walk through of six of them. It is an all day event and property managers have an opportunity to share ideas and the event 2 -17 -98 -2- a generally encourages people to spruce up their property. Additionally, approximately a month before the tour a market survey is distributed among ARM members and assembled in a booklet. Ms. Atchison pointed out that in addition to professional development, the ARM group also holds summer and winter social events to help build relationships between property managers. Also, in December of each year a decorating contest is held and multi family complexes compete for the best decorated property in various size categories. She noted that single family homes located in proximity to the multi family properties are also starting to do more holiday decorating. Ms. Atchison distributed examples of the types of seminars held by the ARM group, passed out copies of last years newsletters and noted that at past meetings, local legislators were invited to listen to input from the managers group. Additionally, she pointed out drug information meetings are held by the police department which provides valuable information to apartment managers on the exact nature and types of drugs they may encounter in their properties. Ms. Atchison reviewed the code enforcement efforts taken at multi family properties and noted that in the two years since the code enforcement effort has been started calls for police service have dropped 30% in the city's multi family housing. She noted it should be kept in mind that 50% of the calls to multi family complexes are calls for assistance such as ambulance service etc. so 30% of the police calls for offenses is a very significant reduction. In conclusion, Ms. Atchison pointed out that the ARM group meets the second Tuesday of every month at City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon and that Housing Commission members were invited to attend any of the upcoming meetings. In response to a question from Chairperson Torres regarding the level of participation in the ARM group, Ms. Atchison pointed out that usually there are 25 -30 ARM members at any given meeting. She also noted that the group is branching out to include joint meetings with Brooklyn Park's managers group two or three times a year. Commissioner Erickson inquired whether the ARM group noticed any affect on apartment vacancies once it got started. Ms. Atchison replied that the entire metropolitan area is in a tight housing market right now and this has resulted in lower vacancy rates and opportunities for more effective screening. She noted the current vacancy rate is approximately 2 Councilmember Peppe stated he is pleased to see Brooklyn Park being included in the ARM meetings and noted that his observation shows that homes are selling much faster in Brooklyn Center than in the recent past and that the improvement in the apartment complexes has tended to improve the entire housing market in the City. Ms. Atchison noted that the four largest apartment complexes in the City have approximately 1,054 units between them. She noted three of these complexes have been remodeled including Twin Lake Manor, Summer Chase and Melrose Gates. She also noted that Brooklyn Center gets 2 -17 -98 -3- f numerous inquiries from other cities and even other states regarding the ARM group and how to set up a similar coalition. Commissioner Yelich inquired whether there were any property owners or managers that were not participating in the ARM group. Ms. Atchison noted that most of the larger complexes are participating but that some of the smaller ones come and go depending on circumstances in their lives since most of them have other jobs and cannot devote a significant amount of time to professional development in the property management area. Commissioner Yelich inquired whether there were any complexes not accepting their responsibilities under the code enforcement efforts. Ms. Atchison replied that two complexes, Hi -Crest and Brookside Manor had not complied with code enforcement requirements and that this ultimately resulted in filing charges in court. Subsequently, she pointed out the owner of Hi -Crest sold the property but did have to fix all the items initially noted in the compliance orders and also pay $5,000 in fines. She noted the issue was settled out of court and that the new owners of Hi -Crest seem to be taking a professional management approach to the property. She added that she is still not happy with the condition of the property but that she has met with the managers to discuss exactly what expectations are and that they are moving in the right direction. She also noted that Summer Chase was another problem property and that charges had been filed against the owners of Summer Chase. The Commission continued to discuss multi family housing in the City and again returned to the issue of screening tenants. Ms. Atchison reviewed the screening process for commission 0 members and explained that proper screening is not discriminatory if done properly and it is important to address it in a professional manner. Commissioner Erickson inquired as to the state of leases and whether or not leases were used or is property rented on a month to month basis. Ms. Atchison explained there are two schools of thought on this and one is that a lease ties the tenants up and assures an income for a given period. On the other hand she pointed out a month to month situation is better if the tenants turn out to be a problem. She also noted that Brooklyn Center participates in the crime free multi- housing association which recommends a month to month rent rather than a lease. Commissioner Erickson inquired if there was any turnover in ownership in the larger properties. Ms. Atchison pointed that there has been significant turnover in owners and managers in the last five to six months. She noted that Hi- Crest, The Crossings, Shingle Creek Towers and Brookhaven have all changed hands in the last year. She explained the rental market is good right now and that properties are commanding higher prices because of it. Councilmember Peppe noted that Brooklyn Center is well above the Metropolitan Council's affordable housing levels in terms of their goals and is predominantly an affordable community both in owner occupied and rental properties. 2 -17 -98 -4- s Chairperson Torres inquired whether any multi family owners made contact with the surround single family neighborhoods. Ms. Atchison replied that Melrose Gates for example went door to door in their surrounding neighborhood and talked to the single family homeowners about what they were planning to do with the complex in terms of remodeling and re- renting the property. Based on Melrose Gates success with this approach she suggested that other multi- family owners might consider this in their complexes. Chairperson Torres stated it seems like the ARM group is doing as much as possible in terms of rental property improvement. Ms. Atchison replied she believes ARM is doing as much as possible and that it is also gratifying to see professional managers provide advice to owners and managers of smaller complexes. In conclusion, Ms. Atchison invited Housing Commission members to attend any upcoming ARM meeting and also to go on the June bus tour of multi family housing. Commission members thanked Ms. Atchison thanked Ms. Atchison for attending the meeting and expressed their gratitude for learning about the ARM group in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Erickson also invited any ARM members who might be interested to attend a Housing Commission meeting. UPDATE ON TIME OF SALE ORDINANCE The Community Development Specialist passed out a copy of the next City Watch Newsletter which will be distributed to homes in Brooklyn Center at the end of February. He noted the front page article is devoted to the joint meeting between the Housing Commission and City Council on April 21, 1998, to discuss a Time of Sale Ordinance. Councilmember Carmody arrived at the Housing Commission meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m. The Community Development Specialist noted that he would be meeting with private housing evaluators to review the proposed Time of Sale ordinance particularly with regard to their involvement in the ordinance. He also noted that he would recommend that the March Housing Commission meeting be devoted exclusively to preparation for the April 21st joint meeting with the City Council. With regard to information for the April 21st meeting, Councilmember Carmody suggested that there be some visual information regarding a "walk through" of a typical housing inspection. The Community Development specialist noted that he would be contacting other cities who have time of sale ordinances to explore whether or not they have slides available of typical homes and typical problems found in time of sale inspections. The Commission continued its discussion of how to communicate the Time of Sale program and what information people need to know with regard to the items to be inspected. 2 -17 -98 -5- Councilmember Carmody suggested that examples of the most common items found defective be included as part of the April 21st meeting. There was a general consensus of commission members to devote the March Housing Commission meeting to preparation for the April 21st joint meeting with the City Council regarding the proposed Time of Sale ordinance. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Peppe brought up the issue of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and noted that the Council is looking at ways to use the funds more affectively particularly in the area of housing rehabilitation. Councilmember Carmody noted that the initial goal was to target the 53rd area and now the effort would be expanded to the rest of the southeast neighborhood in terms of rehabilitation of housing. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Yelich to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 9:35 P.M. Chairperson 2 -17 -98 -6-