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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 06-21 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 JUNE 21, 2011 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, Chereen Norstrud, and Judy Thorbus Also present were Council Member Dan Ryan and Staff Liaison Tom Bublitz. Council Liaison Carol Kleven was absent from the meeting due to another commitment and Commissioners Tracy Groves and Ephraim Olani were also absent from the meeting. Also in attendance were Park and Recreation Commission members including Chair Bud Sorenson, Commissioners Gail Ebert, Muriel Lee, John Russell, Thomas Shinnick and Dan Starling. Also in attendance was Park and Recreation Commission Staff Liaison Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. MEET WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY GARDENS Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson welcomed the Park and Recreation Commission and opened the discussion on Community Gardens noting that she believed location is the key element in making a successful Community Garden. She pointed out that the schools are perhaps not the best choice due to a number of reasons and that with 500 acres of City parks there appears to be room for a pilot program for Community Gardens. Park and Recreation Commission Chair Bud Sorenson inquired about the target date and Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson responded that it would be Spring of 2012. Mr. Sorenson stated he believed Park and Recreation Commission could provide information on potential sites especially as they relate to the availability of water and other services necessary for the creation of a successful Community Garden. Commissioner Norstrud pointed out that there would be other requirements including portable toilets, garbage collection, soil testing for the initial plots, etc. Commission members discussed the Brooklyn Park program including their rules set up to Page 1 6 -21 -11 administer the program and the first year costs for setting up a Community Garden. They also discussed a potential Community Garden at the EDA owned property along Brooklyn Boulevard at 61" Avenue North. The general consensus was that traffic safety would be a concern at this site. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson inquired if the Park and Recreation Commission could suggest any locations. Mr. Sorenson replied that Northport, Evergreen and Happy Hollow would be potential locations for a Community Garden. Commission members then discussed the number of plots that would be included in an initial Community Garden location. Between 20 and 30 plots appeared to be a reasonable number for an initial Community Garden. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson also noted that it would be good to have a couple of locations in the City for better access for residents, the thought being that two locations would be the best alternative to start the program next year. Mr. Sorenson also pointed out that Bellvue Park may also be a possible location but that parking may be a problem at this park. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted that the Housing Commission would also like to look at a site currently being used by Brooklyn Park and Crystal located at 63 and Douglas Drive North. Park and Recreation Commission Staff Liaison Jim Glasoe also added East and West Palmer Lake Parks to potential locations and stated that he believes the Park and Recreation Commission could recommend between three to five parks for potential Community Gardens. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson concluded that there is no absolute number for the first year but that two parks would be the best option for access of residents. Councilmember Ryan stated that he appreciated both the Housing Commission and Park and Recreation Commission taking the time to review this issue and that he believed the Commissions will do a great job in siting a workable location for Community Gardens. Park and Recreation Commission members left the meeting at 7:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — APRIL 19, 2011 There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Norstrud to approve the April 19, 2011 Housing Commission minutes as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson reported on a May 12 Task Force between Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center regarding a collaborative addressing domestic violence. She noted that due to a conflict with Senator Schied's service, the next meeting of this group is likely to take place on June 29"'. She explained she will keep the Commission members informed of this project especially if there is a brochure or written information that can be placed in the New Neighbor Welcome Bags. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson also pointed out a seminar called "Stop It Now" which addressed Page 2 6 -21 -11 child sexual abuse and was held on June 7 th . Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson noted she has an email in to Fire Chief Gatlin regarding the potential for some written material to be included in the New Neighbor Welcome Bags. She noted she learned of this potential at the Orchard Lane Park neighborhood meeting. Chairperson Lawrence - Anderson discussed whether it would be useful to include absentee voter applications in the Welcome Bags and the staff liaison indicated he would talk to the City Clerk regarding this. Commission members discussed several other items including the next distribution date for Welcome Bags which was June 29 and a discussion of a time frame for distributing the bags in terms of how long a resident has been occupying their new residence. Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson stated that next year she would like to find some way to get feedback regarding what people think of the information in the Welcome Bags noting that it could be done through direct mail to those who have received a bag or, at the suggestion of Commissioner Thorbus, some type of drop- off card included in the bag that would make the individual eligible for some type of drawing, thereby incentivizing them to return the card. With regard to a list for new resident locations, the staff liaison stated he would revisit the issue of homesteads. Commission members discussed doing a home tour of the NSP homes. The first choice for a tour date was July 21 at 6 p.m. and the second choice July 19 at 5 p.m. The staff liaison indicated he would talk to a representative from GMHC and get back to Commission members regarding a date. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business to be addressed by the Commission. 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 8:17 p.m. *Ch Page 3 6 -21 -11