Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 01-18 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 JANUARY 18, 2011 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson at 7:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kris Lawrence - Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Ephraim Olani , and Judy Thorbus. Also present were Council Liaison Carol Kleven and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Chereen Norstrud was absent and excused from the meeting. Commissioner Tracy Groves was also absent. Also in attendance were Diane Sannes and Jill Dalton to discuss Earth Fest. PRESENTATION BY MNE SANNES REPRESENTING EARTH FEST COMMITTEE Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson introduced Diane Sannes representing the Earth Fest Committee. Ms. Sannes introduced Jill Dalton, owner of Curves in Brooklyn Center, who is assisting her with the Earth Fest program. Ms. Sannes pointed out that Earth Fest will be held on Saturday, April 16` this year. She explained the 2010 Earth Fest had 60 booths on environmental and other green topics and noted that the Housing Commission did have a booth last year. She also pointed out the Friends of Brookdale Library received a $5,000 grant from Hennepin County Environmental Services for environmental education activities. Ms. Sannes reviewed the 2011 Earth Fest event, explaining that this year there will be environmental workshops in addition to the booths. She added that she wanted to seek input from Housing Commission and determine if there is any interest in participation by the Commission in this years Earth Fest. Ms. Sannes noted she had to leave for another meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission and Housing Commission members indicated they would discuss the Earth Fest event later in 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 — NOVEMBER 16, 2010 A clarification was requested in the November 16` minutes that would add the words "from the Council "after the word "direction" in the last sentence of the second paragraph under Other Business. There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2010 Housing Commission meeting as amended. The motion Page 1 1 -18 -11 passed. COUNCIL LL4ISONREPORT Councilmember Kleven briefly reviewed Council activities including a special City Council meeting to discuss the Brookdale redevelopment issue with regard to Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which was scheduled for Thursday but will need to be rescheduled. Housing Commission members entered into a general discussion of TIF, how it works and what might be some of the issues relative to Brookdale. DISCUSSION OF 2011 HOUSING COMMISSION GOALS Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson invited input from the Commission members regarding goals for 2011. Commissioner Amdahl stated she believes the Welcome Bag delivery program should continue as a priority, noting that this winter has effectively stopped the program temporarily. Commission members discussed the Welcome Bag program and there was a general consensus that April would be the target date to restart the program. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson addressed some options for expanding the delivery of the Welcome Bags including the possibility of using high school students who may want to provide some volunteer time to the activity, noting that they could be teamed with Watch Captains and/or other Commission Members. Commission members briefly discussed the option of using high schools students to assist in delivering the Welcome Bags and estimated that between 12 to 20 students could be used to assist. Based on the discussion, Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson indicated she could talk to some of the high school counselors regarding how the volunteers could be recruited. In addition to continuing the Welcome Bag program, Commission members discussed the issue of succession planning for the program if future Housing Commissions choose not to continue the Welcome Bag program. Options included distribution of bags at the spring and summer neighborhood park meetings targeting new residents in those neighborhoods. Commission members also discussed engaging the assistance of other service and volunteer organizations in the city. The issue of using some type of intern to help with the program was also discussed. Commissioner Olani brought up the issue of community gardens as a possible project for the Commission. Commission members discussed the issue of community gardens and Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson stated that she believes the main issue is finding an appropriate location. Page 2 1 -18 -11 Commissioner Thorbus suggested visiting Brooklyn Park's community gardens and also sending a letter to churches, schools, etc., to find possible locations. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson suggested that the Commission might want to get someone from Brooklyn Park's program at the next Commission meeting. Commission members agreed to look into community gardens and asked the staff liaison to invite someone from Brooklyn Park to the February meeting. ANNUAL ELECTION OF CHAIR AND APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson turned the meeting over to Vice Chair Amdahl to conduct the annual election of Chair. Commissioner Amdahl invited nominations for Chair from the floor. Commissioner Amdahl nominated Kris Lawrence - Anderson to continue as Chair for 2011. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Thorbus. No further nominations were offered from the floor and Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson was elected unanimously by voice vote to continue as Chair for 2011.. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson appointed Commissioner Amdahl as Vice Chair. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson invited suggestions for this year's Earth Fest. Commissioner Amdahl suggested that the Commission might look at the possibility of having a drop -off to recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs known as CFL's. CFL's contain mercury and do require special disposal. The Staff Liaison indicated he would look into the possibility of a drop -off program and indicated he would start by contacting Hennepin County Environmental Services. Commission members discussed upcoming meetings and suggested that the March agenda include a discussion of the Welcome Bag program and a review of items to be included in the bags. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8: L'1� 1 airman Page 3 1 -18 -I1