HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 10-19 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
OCTOBER 19, 2010
COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson
at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Kris Lawrence - Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Chereen Norstrud, and Judy
Thorbus Also present were Council Liaison Tim Roche and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz.
Commission members Tracy Groves, Ephraim Olani and James Richards were absent from the
meeting.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Neighborhood Watch Group representatives Penny Kreutter,
Deb Lester, Carol Kleven, Jean Beales, Diane Sannes, and Robert Marvin.
APPROVAL OFAGENDA
There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to
approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
The Chair offered several clarifications of her comments relative to the New Neighbor
Welcome Program update and other business from the September 21, 2010 meeting.
There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to
approve the minutes of the September 21, 2010 Housing Commission meeting as amended.
The motion passed.
CHAIRPERSONS REPORT
Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted she had attended the most recent Watch Captain's training
meeting and noted that the meeting contained good information and was well presented. The Chair
also noted she had met recently with Jill Johnson of the North Hennepin Chamber and is doing a
piece in the Chamber newsletter on the New Neighbor Welcome Program.
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COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Roche discussed recent Council activities including action to improve water quality
in Twin Lake, the Random Act of Kindness Awards scheduled for October 25, 2010, the recent
activities surrounding the potential Brookdale redevelopment and a plan to hold a City Open House
as part of the City's Centennial Celebration next year.
NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME PROGRAM DISCUSSION
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The Chair briefly reviewed the history of the New Neighbor Welcome Program pointing out the
Commission had discussed the program earlier this year, announced the program at the April 2010
joint City Council and Commission meeting and started the delivery in September. She explained
the program addresses one of the City's ongoing strategic goals, that of creating a positive image of
the City.
Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson explained that Welcome Bag deliveries were made on September
1, and October 2, 2010 and that she would like to limit the amount of time for the deliveries to 1 ' / 2
hours per event.
Ideally, the Chair pointed out, it would be helpful to have two participants from each neighborhood
area in the City for a total of 14. She added that the New Neighbor Program would also serve the
purpose of recruiting Watch Groups where none exist now.
Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted that since June there have been approximately 250 new
residents in the City. It was noted that this number did not include residents in rental properties other
than single family homes. The discussion of distributing information to apartments was discussed
and that this would be an effort that would develop with the evolution of the program. Currently the
focus is on single family homes to start up the program.
The Chair reviewed the contents of the bag for Commission members and guests. A discussion
ensued regarding the possible addition of new information to the bag including the H.O.M.E.
brochure and resources for churches and places of worship.
It was also suggested the Commission could look at linking information on the availability of
delivering the Welcome Bags through school registration at the time when parents bring their
children in to register them in school as a new resident. Additional discussion pointed out that the
Commission would like to have a record of all people receiving a welcome bag so that there is no
duplication.
It was noted the next bag delivery would be November 13, 2010 from 11:00 to 1:00. Staff would try
to get a space for Commission members to meet in the Community Center prior to the delivery.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business addressed by the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned
at 8:15 p.m.
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