Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 03-20 HCM Amended 5-16-12 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 unexcused 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 14th 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. 3-20-12 Page 1 Amended 5-16-12 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 jointly 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: Park and Recreation Commissioners Muriel Lee, John Russell, Thomas Shinnick, and Dan Startling; City Council Member Carol Kleven, commission liaison; and Jim Glasoe, Director of C.A.R.S., staff liaison were present for the joint meeting. After a brief introduction of the all of the members and a staff update on the following: - the search for candidate sites for community gardening opportunities; - the previous recommendation by the Park&Rec Commission which identified the Crystal Airport garden sites as their 1 sc priority and Happy Hollow Neighborhood Park as a 2nd priority; 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. 3-20-12 Page 2 Amended 5-16 712 - 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 17th (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 1 lth. 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. 3-20-12 Page 3 Amended 5-16-12 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. There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl, seconded by Commissioner Omani to recommend that the City Council accept the neighborhood identifications as presented with the revisions identified by the Park&Recreation Commission. Voting in favor: Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, and Ephraim Omani Voting against: Commissioners Judy Thorbus and Peggy Lynn The 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 25h 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 April 11"` City 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 seco Commissioner Amdahl to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Hous' g Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Chairperson 3-20-12 Page 4