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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-20 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 DECEMBER 20, 2011 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence- Anderson at 7:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Peggy Lynn, Chereen Norstrud, Ephraim Olani, and Judy Thorbus. Also present were Council Liaison Carol Kleven and Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel. Commissioner Tracy Groves was absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Norstud to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—November 15, 2011 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the November 15, 2011 Housing Commission minutes as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson reported on the following: - The December 1St Domestic Violence Forum, - The December 4th Holly Sunday activities, and - The December 6th Primary Election, noting that the two candidates that received the most votes were Lin Myszkowski with 266 votes and Mark Yelich with 113 votes. The Special Election for the vacant City Council seat will be held on January 24, 2012. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Kleven informed Commission members of recent Council items, including: - Preliminary Plat Approval for Evans Norby Funeral Home, which includes changes to the access driveway closest to the Brooklyn Boulevard intersection for safety reasons. - The 2012 City Council - Commission liason appointments. The Commission expressed their most sincere appreciation to Councilmember Kleven for her active role in the New Resident Welcome/Outreach Program and participation in the Commission's 2011 Meetings. 12-20-11 Page 1 Continued Review & Discussion on Candidate Garden Sites and Establishing a Community Garden Program for 2012. Business & Development Director Gary Eitel provided a slide presentation and commented on the following information: Update on a Cooperative Agreement for Gardening Opportunities at the Brooklyn Park/CEystal Community Garden Site at the Crystal Airport: - The City of Brooklyn Park has discovered that they cannot expand their garden plot area at the Crystal Airport and consequently, they are not in a position to consider a cooperative agreement with the City of Brooklyn Center to offer any garden plots at this location. Possible Alternative Site within the MAC airport property - An inquiry has been made to the Metropolitan Airport Commission(MAC) on the potential use of a vacant parcel in the Northeast corner of the Crystal Airport which adjoins the City of Brooklyn Center. This site has a security fence along the residential properties to the east and along 63 d Ave. N. with approximately two acres of lawn area before the tree line, wetlands, and Twin Creek. MAC indicated that they have leased land for gardening, referencing both the Crystal and Flying Cloud airports, and would consider a proposal by the City. The typical agreement is for a 3 year period at a cost of $1004125 per acre. A call to the City of Brooklyn Park indicated that they were not interested in expanding their community gardening program at this time, but would not object to the City pursuing the potential lease with MAC for community garden plots at this location. The Commission discussed this alternative site, noting concerns with on-street parking on this major collector street and potential issues with the deer population in this immediate area. The consensus of the Commission was not to pursue this alternative site. Happy Hollow Neighborhood Park Site An aerial photo graph with a conceptual layout for 18 garden plots (20'x20') in the Northwest corner of the park/adjacent to Malmborg's Greenhouse &Nursery was prepared for the Commission's consideration. The consensus of the Commission was that this park site be pursued as the best location to begin a community garden program for the City and discussed the following items: 12-20-11 Page 2 - Investigating a potential partnership (gardening expertise and cooperation) with Malmborg's Greenhouse &Nursery in developing a community gardening program at this location. - Meeting with the adjoining neighbor and a future meeting with the neighborhood, - The providing of water service line to the sites from either the City's line that serves a park drinking fountain or from an adjoining property owner(Malmborg's), Providing perimeter fencing that would provide a unified look and establish parameters for interior fencing of the individual plots, - Preparing a program budget for 18 garden plots and limiting initial capital expenditures and operational costs within that budget framework. The refinement of gardening policies and guidelines, including annual time lines for planting, garden care, interior fencing, harvesting, and year end clean-up. The consensus of the Commission was that an annual fee of$50 for a 20'x20' garden plot, consistent with the Brooklyn Park/Crystal fees and necessary to proceed with this initial garden program. The consensus of the Commission was to continue to prioritize its efforts towards developing its first community garden site at the Happy Hollow Neighborhood Park. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Norstrud and seconded by Commissioner Lynn to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:21 p.m. C hairperson 12-20-11 Page 3