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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 03-15 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 MARCH 15, 2011 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kris Lawrence- Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Chereen Norstrud, and Judy Thorbus. Also present were Council Liaison Carol Kleven and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Commisssioner Ephraim Olani was absent and excused and Commissioner Groves was also absent. 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 — FEBRUARY 22, 2011 It was noted the February minutes will be presented at the April Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSON REPORT Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted that she had attended a burglary prevention presentation at the Police Department and brought up the issue of the reduction of land lines which may be an issue with regard to 911 calls. She noted not all cell phones have GPS built in and perhaps the police department could address this issue at an upcoming neighborhood meeting the topic being 911 and cell phones. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Kleven discussed the Brookdale redevelopment also known as the Shingle Creek Crossings. Commission members reviewed a rendering of the proposed development. DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL 2011 STRATEGIC GOALS Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted Strategic Goal No. 6 regarding environmental sustainability and noted that unless there is anything in the City Charter regarding a requirement for mailing, she suggested considering trying a pilot to do email delivery of agendas rather than hard copies. Commission members discussed the issue of agendas and concluded that they would like to receive their agendas via email but also have a hard copy available at the meeting. Commissioner Thorbus stated that she would still like to receive a hard copy prior to the meeting. Page 1 3 -15 -11 Commission members continued to discuss Strategic Goals in light of their recent discussion on Community Gardens. Commission members agreed that they could do research on Community Gardens but could not do a project without Council directive and staff resources and support. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson also suggested that the Commission continue to work on and stabilize the city's new neighbor welcome program and move it forward as a goal for 2011. Commission members discussed the addition of high school students to assist with collating material and distributing material. The staff liaison briefly discussed a memo he had prepared for staff consideration regarding ricks and insurance coverages of volunteers and stated he had prepared this just so the specific risks could be outlined and defined. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson stated that, if high school students are involved, they would be supervised and accompanied by Housing Commission members and Neighborhood Watch Captains. She suggested that the group could meet at the high school and that two adults would be assigned with one student. Commission members discussed the use of high school students in the new neighbor welcome program, noting that it would provide the students with a volunteer opportunity. NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME PROGRAM Commissioner Thorbus suggested the Commission distribute welcome bags two week nights a month. Commission members discussed the delivery agreed g dates and a eed that the welcome bags should be delivered on the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesdays of each month. It was estimated that the delivery could include six high school students, six Watch Captains and six Commission members. The Commission agreed to do the first distribution of Welcome Bags on April 13 and would plan to meet at the Brooklyn Center High School. If no high school students are available on that date, the Chair would send an email to Commission members. EARTH FEST EVENT APRIL 16, 2011 Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted that since the Commission could not collect compact fluorescents at the Earth Fest event, they would have to do something else in order to participate. The staff liaison noted he had recently seen a mercury video at a seminar and noted that it was quite impressive showing how mercury volatilizes rapidly in the atmosphere when exposed to air. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted that examples of where mercury is found in residential and every day uses could also be included if this is a possibility for the Earth Fest program. Commission members continued to discuss Earth Fest but no commitment was made to attend the Earth Fest event. Page 2 3 -15 -11 UPDATE ON COMMUNITY GARDENS Commissioner Amdahl reviewed her documents she had prepared based on Brooklyn Park's material including rules and regulations and a general time line for a Community Garden program. Commission members discussed the Community Garden program and agreed that the first year would be the most time intensive in terms of time commitment in establishing a community garden program. Commissioner Norstrud stated she had contacted the City of Bloomington and spoken with Mara Evans. She noted the Bloomington program has small plots, 10 ft. by 15 ft. at a cost of $33 a plot. Gardners can rent up to three plots. She stated Bloomington has no running water but they do have water tanks that city water trucks fill for gardeners. She added that no hoses are allowed in the Bloomington Community Gardens. She further noted that only organic fertilizer is allowed and that a 6 ft. high chicken wire is allowed to keep animals out. The program in Bloomington begins in March of each year. Commissioners discussed the potential Commission role in establishing a Community Garden program. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson stated that the Commission could do the research on establishing a Community Garden and would be prepared to complete what the City Council wants the Commission to do, in terms of establishing a program by this coming fall and winter. Commission members continued to discuss Community Gardens noting that it is linked to a Strategic Goal and that the Commission would like to know if the Council wishes them to pursue researching and developing a model for a Community Gardens program. OTHER B USINESS There was no other business. 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 8:36 p.m. ha' an Page 3 3 -15 -11