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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 12-11 HCP AGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION December 11, 2012 7:00 p.m. Council Commission Room Brooklyn Center City Hall 1. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes —November 20, 2012 5. Chairperson's Report 6. Council Liaison Report 7. Certificate of Appreciation for Minnesota School of Business 8. Other Business 9. Adjournment: 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 NOVEMBER 20, 2012 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, David Johnson, Judy Thorbus,and Peggy Lynn. Also present was Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. Commissioner Chereen Norstrud and Ephraim Olani were absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Lynn and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the agenda with the removal of the council report. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—SEPTEMBER 18„ 2012 AND OCTOBER 16, 2012 There was a motion by Commissioner Lynn and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting from September 18, 2012 and October 16,2012. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Kris Lawrence-Anderson reported that she will be leaving the Housing Commission in January to be on the City Council and The Housing Commission will have to discuss the election of a new chairperson. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson has enjoyed her experience since 2001. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT There was no council person in attendance. Therefore, no report was given. GUEST SPEAKER AEON'S CRIS NIMER AND JAMES LEHNHOFF LEHNHOFF James Lehnhoff introduced himself and Chris Nimer. James Lehnhoff stated their vision is for every person to have a home and be interconnected within the community. Currently Aeon has 2,100 apartment homes. The company started 26 years ago with the convention center construction taking out occupied properties.They have now expanded to St.Paul,Chaska,Roseville,Columbia Heights, and now Brooklyn Center. Aeon's goal is to do this better than everyone and always strive to do the best. Aeon's Mission is to build, connect, forever. An apartment is not just a structure or just housing. They are trying to create a home and the building as a long term asset. Aeon will always choose Page 1 11-20-12 good materials that will last because they need the building to last longer for slightly higher upfront cost. They provide resident connections that help connect people to resources, host events, barbeque, resident council, NNO, make the property a place they respect, help the homeless,job training, education, and provide counseling resources. Aeon has an operating model that starts with three expectations. Communicate with residents and continue to talk, ask them to respect each other, respect the building, and pay rent. Aeon has a screening process and develops criteria based on funding source and location. The Crest apartments are seen as an asset to the community with some negative history. Aeon felt it needed to be rebranded and they want to be recognized as an asset. The name reflects community/property and will have new signs in about two weeks. The rent for a one bedroom is $631 and$796 for two bedrooms. They have seen some turn over and have security at night. They brought in a volunteer group to improve the landscaping,installed new laundry equipment and have done extensive cleaning. There are 122 unit with 78 one bedroom 44 two bedroom. James Lehnhoff summarized the history of The Crest which was built in the 1970s and at the time was geared towards seniors. It recently went into HUD foreclosure and vacancies had been at 25%. HUD rejected an offer from a group called Gangas Kong LLC,and worked with MHFA to increase bidding criteria. Aeon bid on the property and purchased it property for one dollar. They found a high level of internal rehab was required. Aeon worked with the County on a new mortgage to cover the cost of repairs including the ventilation system,the boiler issues,elevators and other internal and exterior improvements. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson asked if the pricing will change. Chris Nimer replied the current tenants will stay the same. One-third of the units will be 40 percent affordable. Commissioner Johnson asked about police calls. Chris Nimer stated it has decreased since July. Commissioner Johnson asked about the policy relating to police calls. Chris Nimer stated they take criminal activity very seriously. He added they think about the effect on the neighborhood and the residents. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson asked about Section 8. Chris Nimer stated some residents do have Section 8 vouchers. Commissioner Johnson asked if they will be keeping security. Chris Nimer replied they met with Sargent Pastor and discussed issues. Long term the need may taper off based on need. James Lehnhoff stated they have a proven background in reducing crime issues and concerns at a property. Chris Nimer added they always add security cameras to properties. Commissioner Thorbus asked about the demographics of the complex. Chris Nimer stated there is a wide demographic including young couples with kids and seniors. Page 2 11-20-12 Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson asked if the manager lives on-site. Chris Nimer stated the manager and assistant manager are on-site but do not live there. Also,there are two non-resident caretakers and they have 24 hour response with on call managers and maintenance. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson asked if tenants will be encouraged to use the community gardens. James Lehnhoff stated other complexes started a community garden and has been successful. Commissioner Thorbus asked if green improvements been considered. James Lehnhoff stated the boiler will be 95% efficient, they will remove some asbestos, install energy efficient fans, use florescent light bulbs and low flow faucets. James Lehnhoff stated they plan to move away from carpet and install wood tile which is easy to clean and replace and can improve indoor air quality. Commissioner Johnson asked if there will there be an open house. James Lehnhoff replied they will have an open house. Commissioner Johnson stated he would like to see one year progress. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson stated she toured Gateway Commons and the property is beautiful. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson suggested they work with Becky Boie to coordinate with Neighborhood Watch program. Commissioner Thorbus asked how they advertise vacancies. Chris Nimer replied they use Craig's List and Housing Link primarily. Commissioner Thorbus asked if they work with CEAP or churches. Chris Nimer stated they contact them to reach out and distribute flyers. It was the general consensus of the Housing Commission that the efforts of Aeon to improve the property are appreciated. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson stated they have 15 to 20 bags from last year and could be given to new tenants. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson will work with Jesse and Vickie for next spring. She added she is inviting MN school of business the 2nd week in December. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson asked if there was any interest in Chair of the Commission? Commissioner Thorbus stated she wants the Housing Commission to focus on community gardens and the new neighbor welcome program. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson stated she has used maps provided by staff. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson updated Commissioner Johnson with an overview of the New Neighbor Welcome program. Commissioner Amdahl stated she would put work into the new neighborhood program but doesn't want to be chair. Chairperson Lawrence-Anderson stated MN School of business was very helpful and looking to inviting them to the December meetings. Also, could use Globe College. Page 3 11-20-12 There was a motion by Commissioner Lynn, seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to nominate Commissioner Thorbus as Chair of the 2013 Housing Commission. There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus,seconded by Commissioner Johnson to nominate Commissioner Amdahl as Vice Chair of the 2013 Housing Commission. Voting in favor: Commissioners Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Kathie Amdahl, David Johnson, Judy Thorbus, and Peggy Lynn. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Lynn to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at p.m. Chairman Page 4 11-20-12