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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 05-18 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 MAY 18, 2010 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kris Lawrence - Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Tracy Groves, Chereen Norstrud, Ephraim Olani, and Judy Thorbus Also present were Council Liaison Tim Roche, Mayor Tim Willson and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Commissioner James Richards was absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Olani to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MARCH 16, 2010 AND APRIL 20, 2010 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to approve the March 16, 2010 minutes as submitted. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to approve the April 20, 2010 minutes as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson addressed the April 26, 2010 City Council work session minutes which discussed the Housing Commission's "intention to solicit funds" for a new resident welcoming program. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson indicated that the only contributions ever discussed by her or the Commission was for a donation of bags to distribute the informational material to new residents. The Chair noted that at the April 6 th joint Commission/City Council meeting, the City Council seemed supportive of the new resident welcoming and outreach project that the Commission wished to pursue. She noted that the April 26th work session minutes seemed not to reflect the same level of support expressed at the April 6 th meeting. Councilmember Roche noted that he did bring up the issue of bags as a point of clarification at the Council meeting and that he believed the Housing Commission should not be discouraged from pursuing the project. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson requested Councilmember Roche to address the revision of the April 26 Council work session minutes since she did not state that funds were going to be solicited Page 1 5 -18 -10 for this new resident program. She added she would like an amendment to correct the reference to solicitation of funds and emphasized again that the only contribution was for bags from CUB and/or Target which were offered voluntarily by those companies. Commission members then discussed the reference in the April 26 City Council work session minutes regarding a potential Housing Commission effort to "promote efforts to maintain and improve neighborhoods, which would get to the next level beyond city enforcement and promote what citizens are willing to do on a private basis ". The Commission discussed this and concluded that there was not enough clarification as to what this meant to take specific action. Councilmember Roche addressed the issue of Community Gardens and expressed disappointment that the Community Garden concept did not move forward. He encouraged the Housing Commission to play a role regarding Community Gardens. Mayor Willson arrived at 7:25 p.m. Councilmember Roche suggested a possible partnership with schools such as St. Al's or Odyssey Academy to establish a pilot project for Community Gardens. Commission members discussed the concept of starting a Community Garden pilot project in cooperation with schools and Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson pointed out that this may be an opportunity to link the Community Garden concept to a learning experience for students. Councilmember Roche stated he believes there could be a better likelihood of success with starting this in the schools and believed it could expand from there. Commissioner Groves added that she believes starting this with the schools may be a better idea both in terms of parking and site issues including the potential for vandalism. Commission members continued the discussion of Community Gardens as to whether the Housing Commission should pursue this issue. There was a general consensus to pursue the Community Gardens as a project. Councilmember Roche suggested that contacts for the Community Garden issue, in terms of information, would be Councilmember Lasman and Business and Development Director Gary Eitel. 2010 NEIGHBORHOOD AREA MEETINGS Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson reviewed the dates of the upcoming neighborhood area meetings and requested Commission members to sign up for specific meetings. Commissioner Groves agreed to attend the June 29 meeting, Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson and Commissioner Amdahl are to attend the May 26 meeting, Commissioners Olani and Norstrud are to attend the June 29` meeting and Commissioner Thorbus agreed to attend the July neighborhood meeting. NEW RESIDENT WELCOME /OUTREACH Page 2 5 -18 -10 Commission members reviewed materials assembled by staff for potential inclusion in the new residents welcome /outreach project. In reviewing the materials, Commission members agreed to include, as a start, the following items: • Sun Post information • Bus schedules • School district boundary map • Information on New American's Academy • Police Department information from Becky Boie • Earle Brown Heritage Center information • Church directory information • Brooklyn Center Quick Reference Guide • Guide to Good Neighborhoods brochure • Three Rivers Park District Guide to Parks and Trails • Visit Minneapolis North Destination Guide 2009 — 2010 • "Shop Local" coupon book • Asian and Latino Community Resources Northwest • Foreclosures and Vacant Properties brochure • HRG Recycling Schedule/Reminder card • eCitizen/Neighborhood Watch card • Brooklyn Center Health Resource Center brochure • 81/2" X 11" Parks and Schools Map • Welcome from the Mayor • Water Restrictions information • Council Members contact list • New Neighbor Survey (possible inclusion) • Copy of most recent City Watch COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Roche informed Commission members of recent Council activities including the possible purchase of an 11 unit apartment building along Brooklyn Boulevard adjacent to property already owned by the City. The purpose of this acquisition would be to demolish the building as part of a re- imaging of Brooklyn Boulevard. Council member Roche also informed Commission members of the status of the Embassy Suites pedestrian link and D -Barn lease and also discussed the status of Brookdale and the Bass Lake Road improvement project. STRATEGIC GOALS /SUCCESS TARGETS Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson noted that one of the strategic goals /success targets the Commission agreed to pursue was a senior housing issue. She noted that this apparently is not a priority at this point in time and stressed the Commission's focus on a continued attendance at neighborhood area meetings and development of a welcome /outreach group for new residents. Page 3 5 -18 -10 OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. airman Page 4 5 -18 -10