HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 04-17 HCP AGENDA
BROOKLYN CENTER
HOUSING COMMISSION
April 17, 2012
7:00 p.m.
Happy Hollow Neighorhood Park
(in case of rain, arrangements have been made for the use Malmborg's or
Brookdale Covenant Church pending on the number of people.)
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Neighborhood Meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission on the
conceptual layout and use of Happy Hollow Park as a site for community
gardening.
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of Minutes- March 20, 2012
6. Chairperson's Report
7. Council Liaison Report
8. 2012 New Welcome Program (April 25th 1 st Delivery Date)
9. Other Business
10. Adjournment: 8:30
MEMORANDUM
TO: Chairperson Kris Lawrence—Anderson and Commission Members
From: Gary Eitel, Director of Business & Development
Date: April 13, 2012
Subject: April 17th Neighborhood Meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission on
the conceptual layout and use of Happy Hollow Park as a site for community
gardening Housing Commission Agenda Items
I have met with Van Cooley, Malmborg's Nursery/Greenhouse and he continues to be very
committed in partnering with the City on this gardening opportunity at Happy Hollow Park.
He has volunteered the use of his parking lot for the Commissioners and City Officials to use
which will enable us to reserve the Happy Hollow parking lot for residents and park users.
I will have the proposed garden site identified and plan to have copies of the gardening policies
and map available.
In the event of rain we have two options, pending on the size of the group:
Malmborg's office area or lunch room or the Brookdale Covenant Church.
I am sending you an agenda and minutes, but pending on the neighborhood turn out and time
devoted to the neighborhood meeting, I am not sure we will be able to conduct a formal meeting
or specifically address the approval of minutes or reports.
I would like to have a consensus from both Commissions on the direction/recommendation to
forward to the City Council, if the meeting goes well and we remain on target for the April 23rd
City Council meeting.
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1 1 11 :'II
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 20,2012
COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lawrence-
Anderson at 7:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Peggy Lynn, Judy
Thorbus and Ephraim Olani were present. Also present City Council Member Lin Myszkowski
and Business & Development Director Gary Eitel. Commissioners Chereen Norstrud and Tracy
Groves were absent from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to
approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES—February 22,2012
There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to
approve the February 22, 2012 Housing Commission minutes. The motion passed.
CHAIRPERSONS REPORT
Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson reported that Police Chief Kevin Benner will be speaking at the
March 22nd Brooklyn Center Business Association Luncheon on the efforts and initiatives
undertaken by the Police Department to reduce crime in the Brooklyn Center Community.
Also, this year's Earth Fest is scheduled for April 14`h at the Brooklyn Center High School and
will feature Will Steger, Polar Explorer, as the noon speaker. This year's expo will be from 1:00
to 4:00 and has been advertised as having over 70 exhibits.
There was a brief discussion regarding the display of the New Welcome Bags/Program and
possibly information regarding community gardening.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
City Council Member Lin Myszkowski commented on the following items recently discussed by the
City Council:
- Discussion on potential zoning ordinance amendments relating to residential performance
standards relating to the parking of vehicles, driveway widths & locations, screening of waste
containers,and snow removal.
- Discussion on the City endorsing a Utility Service Line Warranty Program being offered by the
National League of Cities that would provide a homeowner insurance to cover unforeseen repair
or replacement costs of private sanitary sewer and water service lines and connections to the
City's Municipal lateral lines.
Discussion with the Charter Commission on proposed changes to the eminent domain provisions
of the City's Charter.
- Costs associated with the recent Special Election were under $20,000. Special Primary of 461
voters @$22.36 per voter and Special Election of 886 voters @$10.41
JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO
DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL SITING OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN AT HAPPY
HOLLOW NEIGHORHOOD PARK AND ITEMS RELATING TO ESTABLISHING A
COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM FOR 2012.
The following members of the Park and Recreation Commission were present to jointing discuss
proceeding with a request to the City Council for direction on the conceptual plans for the placement of
community garden plots within a portion of the Happy Hollow Neighborhood Park:
Commissioner Gail Ebert,Muriel Lee,Roger Peterson, John Russell, Thomas Shinnick,and Dan
Startling. Also present were City Council Carol Kleven, commission liaison and Jim Glasoe, Director of
C.A.R.S., staff liaison.
After a brief introduction of the all of the members and a staff update on the search for candidate sites for
community gardening opportunities and the discovery that the Crystal Airport gardening area could not be
expanded because of the airway and flight pattern restrictions,the Commissioners discussed the
following:
- The initial garden plots identified in the Northwest corner of the park and neighbor opposition
which resulted in the alternate site(45' x140')in the northern and central portion of the park.
- The layout and recreational use of the ball field does not appear conflict with the proposed garden
layout.
- Acknowledgement that there are no utilities located in the proposed garden layout.
- Discussion about reconsidering the initial site in the Northwest corner with some revisions or
other mitigating actions to address the resident's issues, and the option of expanding the 14
garden plots.
- The 8 stall parking lot and indications from Brooklyn Park that parking has not been an issue with
their garden program.
- The budget necessary to cover the costs of a satellite/portable rest room,waste pick up,with the
remaining funds to cover material costs for a perimeter fence.
- Recognition that the partnership with Malmborg's Nursery/Greenhouse in providing water
service is why the siting of 14 garden plots with a rental fee of$50 per season is feasible.
- A tentative schedule that would establish a community garden program for this year's growing
season:
March 26th City Council work session for direction and authorization to schedule a neighborhood
meeting on April 17t1'(the next regular meeting of both the Housing Commission and Park&
Recreation Commission);
Neighborhood Meeting on April 17th with the Commission's recommendation to follow the
meeting,
City Council Meeting on April 23rd to approve the use of the Park and authorize the Community
Garden Program to commence,
Two weeks for site preparation,marketing, applications,etc.
May 9th City Council sets the rental at$50 per season.
The weekend of May 18th the plots would be ready for the gardeners.
- Confirmation that the community gardening program would be a function of the C.A.R.S. and the
Park&Recreation Commission with the Housing Commission being available to assist as
necessary. The primary role and focus of the Housing Commission is to pursue additional
gardening opportunities throughout the community.
The consensus of both Commissions was to proceed with the conceptual Happy Hollow Community
Garden Site as the best option and to request City Council direction on proceeding with a Community
Gardening Program for 2012.
REQUEST BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE COMMISSIONS'S REVIEW AND
COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICIAL NEIGHBORHOOD
DESIGNATIONS.
The Commission was informed of the continued use of these Neighborhood Identifications with this
year's Neighborhood Meetings sponsored by the Police Department:
- Evergreen Neighborhood on May 17th
- Northport Neighborhood on June 12th
- Willow Lane Neighborhood on July 10th
- Firehouse Neighborhood on September 11th
There was a brief discussion regarding the identification of neighborhoods by their respective parks and
elementary schools; noting that these are the positive and distinguishing features are a significant factor in
the quality of life in Brooklyn Center.
Commissioner Thorbus expressed her concerns relating to labeling or branding,noting that there can be a
negative connotation that can inadvertently follow a geographic area with the labeling of neighborhood.
Commissioner Amdahl moved and Commissioner Omani seconded a motion to recommend that the City
Council accept the neighborhood identifications as presented with the revisions identified by the Park&
Recreation Commission.
On the vote, Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Peggy Lynn, and
Ephraim Omani voted aye.
Commissioner Judy Thrombus voted nay.
Motion passed.
2012 NEW WELCOME PROGRAM
Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson commented on the scheduling of this year's delivery of Welcome
Bags, an inventory of last year's materials,the assembling of information for this year's bags,the printing
of 4 large city maps to aid in preparing delivery routes,and the process of engaging other volunteers,
schools,businesses,and neighborhood watch groups within the community to assist in these deliveries.
The consensus of the Commission was to set a target date for Wednesday,April 25th from 6:00 to 7:30 to
begin this year's deliveries. The Commission discussed the scheduling of 1 or 2 delivery dates per month
this summer(May—September),weather permitting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
The Commission was reminded of the City April 1 Ph Council and Commissions Joint Meeting which will
be held at Constitution Hall in the Community Center 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Lynn and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to adjourn
the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:40
p.m.
Chairperson