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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 08-17 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 AUGUST 17, 2010 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kris Lawrence- Anderson, Commissioners Kathy Amdahl, Tracy Groves, Chereen Norstrud, Ephraim Olani, James Richards, and Judy Thorbus Also present were Council Liaison Tim Roche and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Mr. Robert Marvin was also in attendance at the meeting. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — JUL Y 20, 2010 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2010 Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT The Chair's only information report was that the National Night Out kick off meeting went very well but that the numbers did not appear to be as high as last year. Commissioners Richards arrived at 7:07 p.m. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Roche reported on the following items from Council actions: • The street improvements along Bass Lake Road (County Road 10) have been extended to Logan Avenue and are proposed to be completed yet this year. • The annual Hennepin County Sheriff's Department report was received by the City Council. • The Council is currently working on the 2011 budget which, at the present time, shows a shortfall of $500,000 in revenue. The goal is for a zero percent increase across the board. • The Council received a report from the Centennial Committee. • Kevin Benner has been appointed the City's new Chief of Police. REPORT ON HOUSING COMMISSION NATIONAL NIGHT ACTIVITIES Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson inquired of Commission members how their particular National Page 1 8 -17 -2010 Night Out events went and received the following comments: g g • Commissioner Amdahl reported that she lives in a townhouse community with 130 units and that 30 people attended their National Night Out. • Commissioner Groves reported that her National Night Out event is new in her block and that all but three households attended. • Commissioner Richards noted that the National Night Out event in his neighborhood was well attended with a potluck supper, prizes for kids and an exchange of telephone numbers and emails. • Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson stated that this is the tenth year of National Night Out activities in her neighborhood and that it is shared with another block. She pointed out approximately 40 people attended the activities in her area. She noted Chief Benner commented that it was the largest parry he had attended that evening. • Councilmember Roche stated he drove to several parties in the city and noted that Brookside Apartments put together an event for all their tenants. • Commissioner Thorbus commented that her neighborhood had a good turnout given the heat and did many traditional kinds of events including hot dogs and door prizes. The staff liaison was requested to talk to Chief Benner and Becky Boie regarding the National Night Out turn out compared to previous years and report back to the Commission. NEW NEIGHRBOR WELCOME /OUTREACH IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson stated she met recently with the Assistant City Manager to review the welcome bag packets and noted that a number of the items were redone or revised with current corrected information and improved appearances. She also noted that Channel 12 did an interview with her and the Assistant City Manager at the National Night Out kick off activity. The Chair explained she had committed to a September 1" start up date for the distribution of the bags. She anticipated the delivery would be approximately once per month and that Commission members would distribute the bags in pairs. She also noted that later in the year when the days become significantly shorter, the Commission may have to distribute bags on Saturdays. A number of administrative details were discussed including the conveyance of the distribution list to the Chair electronically and that the ID badges should have the word `volunteer' on them somewhere so people do not think that staff is distributing the information. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson concluded her comments stating that by the end of August there needs to be a firm commitment for volunteers from the Commission. Commissioner Olani brought up the issue of distributing the welcome bags to apartments and it was discussed and suggested that perhaps Gateway Commons could be one apartment complex the Commission could look at for distribution of material. Commission members continued to discuss the welcome bags and the enclosed material. Commissioner Groves indicated she would like the list of items that are to be included in the bag. Page 2 8 -17 -2010 It was decided that the Commission would meet on September 1, 2010 at 6:30 at City Hall to do the first bag distribution. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson suggested that the Commission invite Police Chief Benner to the September meeting to meet with the Commission and discuss the police department's vision and strategy and have an open question and answer period. It was agreed that Chief Benner be invited to the September meeting to be held on September 21, 2010. With regard to the status of the staff's investigation into the Housing Improvement Area statute, the staff liaison reported that the staff is looking at trying to find some examples of cities that have used the revised statute and to also review the current statute language. He indicated that he hoped to have some information available on this item within 30 to 60 days. There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Norstrud and seconded by Commissioner Groves to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:14 p.m. ,,- X - o C an Page 3 8 -17 -2010