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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 09-17 HCP AGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION September 17, 2013 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 —August 20, 2013 5. Council Liaison Report 6. Chairperson's Report 7. Other Business 8. Adjournment *New neighborhood bags will be assembled after close of the meeting. 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 AUGUST 20, 2013 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Thorbus at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson -Judy Thorbus, Kathie Amdahl, David Johnson, Peggy Lynn, and Leroy Houston. Also present were Council Liaison Lin Myszkowski and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. Ephraim Olani was absent and excused. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—JULY 16, 2013 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Lynn to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on July 16,2013. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lin Myszkowski reported: The Director of Fiscal and Support Services, Dan Jordet, took a new job in Otsego. The Interim Finance Director is Greg Andrews. Mr.Andrews has extensive finance experience in both the public and private sectors, including service as the director of Finance and Administrative Services as the Deputy City Manager of the City of Brooklyn Park. Chairperson Thorbus asked if he was appointed by the City Manager without a vote from City Council. Councilmember Myszkowski stated the he was appointed on a temporary basis due to the immediate need. Councilmember Myszkowski stated the Council's budget discussions are continuing with discussion on our Capital needs and funding options. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Thorbus reported: The Commission conducted new neighbor visits with Katy Zilmer from the Sun Post. She also stated she would like the city to have a neighborhood cleanup for possibly one neighborhood each year. Since the cost is too high for the entire city, we could pick certain neighborhoods each year. Page 1 8/26/2013 Commissioner Johnson stated there is a tree down in front of Northport School on Brooklyn Boulevard on the properties owned by the city. Jesse Anderson stated staff would have it removed. NEIGHBORHOOD EFFORTS Jesse Anderson provided an updated on the neighborhood efforts occurring in a pilot neighborhood. A newsletter was sent out to the residents and owners of the Lion's neighborhood. The newsletter offered free C.P.T.E.D inspections and advise on how to keep the neighborhood clean and attractive. Chairperson Thorbus asked what the turnout is at the Neighborhood Meetings. Councilmember Myszkowski stated there can be up to 70 in attendance and it is well attended. Chairperson Thorbus asked if people want to attend it again. Councilmember Myszkowski stated after their first meeting, people are more likely to come back again. Commissioner Johnson stated people seem to enjoy the meetings. Chairperson Thorbus asked if we would need an incentive for attending the neighborhood meetings. Commissioner Amdahl stated even with an incentive you would get the same turn out. At a townhome association she previously offered discount on dues and attendance didn't increase. Chairperson Thorbus is concerned that the Garden City neighborhood meeting was the same people that attended the previous meeting and we are not reaching all people. Councilmember Myszkowski agreed it isn't a diverse crowd at the events. She added MAC participates in the outreach and this is a common problem for cities. Commissioner Johnson stated his observation from National Night Out is the same people attend every year,which consists of longtime residents and many times minorities are uncomfortable with the environment, however, we should keep being welcoming to everyone. Chairperson Thorbus stated the new neighbor program is the start of welcoming new residents into our community and we could invite new residents to the neighborhood meetings while delivering bags. Commissioner Lynn asked if the neighborhood meetings are focused on homeowners. Councilmember Myszkowski answered no,each department head talks about different things going on in the city. She added there is also a survey done to get an understanding of the neighborhoods opinions. Commissioner Johnson stated many people show up when they have a personal interest in the topic. However, we still need to keep trying to invite everyone. NEW NEIGHBORHOOD WELCOME BAGS Commissioner Amdahl stated that she appreciated the help from the Code Enforcement Interns assisting in filling the remaining bags. She added we have 80 bags remaining. Commissioner Lynn stated that many people didn't know about the community center and when they are told about the coupon for the community center many of them didn't know there is a pool there. We should advertise better that there is a pool at the community center. Commissioner Johnson asked what the usage for the pool is. Councilmember Myszkowski said it is used by most area kids to learn to swim and many time it is difficult to get a swimming lane for open Page 2 8/26/2013 swim. However, the pool is in need of repair. Commissioner Amdahl suggested we should try and get additional documents for more bags and continue to deliver bags on Wednesdays. The deliveries for September will be on September 11th and 25th OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Lynn provided information on pervious driveway material examples from previous discussions. Commissioner Johnson asked if there was any feedback from National Night Out. Councilmember Myszkowski said there were great parties for National Night Out and great interactions between police and the community. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:00p.m. Chairman Page 3 8/26/2013