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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 01-21 HCP AGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION January 21, 2014 7:00 p.m. Council Commission Room Brooklyn Center City Hall 1. Welcome New Member and Introductions 2. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. 3. Roll Call 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Approval of Minutes —December 17, 2013 6. Council Liaison Report 7. Chairperson's Report 8. Brookdale Square Discussion— Gary Eitel 9. Other Business 10. 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 DECEMBER 17, 2013 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Thorbus at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson- Judy Thorbus, Kathie Amdahl, Ephraim Olani, Peggy Lynn, and Zachary Marko. Also present were Councilmember Lin Myszkowski and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. David Johnson was absent and excused. Leroy Houston was absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Lynn to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—OCTOBER 15, 2013 There was a motion by Commissioner Olani, seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on October 15, 2013. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lin Myszkowski reported the City Council has approved a balanced budget for 2014. The budget includes a.36%increase in property taxes. The total budget is$14.6 million with an increase of$52,869. Councilmember Myskowski stated the company Sign Zone is relocating to the Palmer Lake Plaza. The company manufactures sign displays and they have approximately 250 employees. She added there have been discussions that Kohl's is closing. She continued by stating the City Council has been approached to consider a City provided garbage hauler. She explained there has been a change in the State Statutes to allow a new process which includes a research committee being formed. Councilmember Myskowski also stated the MPCA gave a presentation at a City Council work session regarding issues with multiple waste haulers. Commissioner Amdahl stated being from a townhome association,they are able to get a very good rate. She added with city provided service, she would have concerns about getting the best price. Chairperson Thorbus stated she feels the residents should have the right to choose their own garbage hauler. Councilmember Myszkowski replied Brooklyn Center would be the first city to go through this process and the City of Maplewood switched to one hauler and residents are saving hundreds of dollars per year due to a large contract. Page 1 12-17-2013 Commissioner Olani asked if the city currently has three waste haulers.Councilmember Myszkowski replied the City of Brooklyn Center has six garbage haulers. She added it is still in the early stages and she appreciates the opinions and perspectives. Councilmember Myszkowski explained the City Council is considering a moratorium on establishments that sell a-cigs. This is a new product and there aren't many regulations in place. She stated there are a lot of open places near schools and we want to avoid locating a-cig shops near them. Commissioner Olani asked if there is there going to be an ordinance against it. Councilmember Myszkowski stated The League of Minnesota Cities is reviewing and drafting an ordinance that would restrict them. Commissioner Lynn asked if there are age restrictions? Councilmember Myszkowski replied yes and added there are non-profit organizations that send people to test for age verification. Councilmember Myszkowski also stated the Luther Automotive Group gave a$150,000 donation to complete the amphitheater. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Thorbus reported the CEAP tour scheduled for November didn't happen. Commissioner Lynn suggested touring CEAP in February to see the new choice model. She added the best day to have the tour would be on Wednesday or Thursday. It was agreed by the Commission to schedule a tour on February 19, 2014. HOUSING UPDATE Staff Liaison Anderson provided an update on the foreclosed and vacant properties, housing market,rental program, and other housing programs. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Lynn asked if there are still lower income properties for people who need housing with all the upgrades that have been done on our rental complexes are. Staff Liaison Anderson replied the Crest(6221 Shingle Creek Pkwy) is one property that receives funding for being lower income. Councilmember Myszkowski added the City has a good ordinance that protects our renters. Commissioner Olani asked if the City budget for 2014 showed an increase from 2013. Commissioner Lynn replied there is a 5.3%increase in overall budget,however,the actual property tax levy only increased by .36%. She added this budget includes an increase in Local Government Aid and a new inspector. Commissioner Olani asked why taxes are increasing. Commissioner Lynn replied the cost of things is going up. She added there was a 2%increase in employee wages after there was a wage freeze in previous years. She added the cost associated with local elections increased, the cost to purchase road materials and road salt,and an increase in health insurance cost as a result of new law changes. Page 2 12-17-2013 Commissioner Olani stated he feels the increase in taxes will discourage new home buyers. Councilmember Myszkowski stated the average property taxes will go down approximately$72. Commissioner Olani stated he received a letter that the value on his home was lower. Commissioner Amdahl explained the school levy may not be included in the tax letter but levies passed in all Brooklyn Center School Districts. Commissioner Lynn asked how Brooklyn Center compares to taxes in other cities. Commissioner Olani replied we are lower than Brooklyn Park. Commissioner Amdahl stated it is based on the value of our homes. Chairperson Thorbus stated Brooklyn Center has street improvement costs that are shared with the city and Brooklyn Park charges individual homeowners the full cost. Councilmember Myszkowski explained the City Council is genuinely cautious of cost to residents within the city and added no one attended a truth in taxation hearing. She stated with the 2014 budget, we are continuing to move forward with development and improving image. Chairperson Thorbus stated there was article in Post about Brookdale Square.Staff Liaison Anderson responded it has been purchased by the EDA using TIF funds. Staff Liaison Anderson stated an update on the Community Gardens and Walgreen's was requested at the previous Housing Commission meeting. The Community Gardens was successful with all but one plot being planted. Walgreen's made offers to homeowner to buy their land,however,they have not contacted the City. Chairperson Thorbus asked if they need to increase the number of gardens or the cost. Councilmember Myszkowski stated they would like to see one at Willow Lane Park and CEAP could participate in the gardening. Commissioner Amdahl replied it is a well-used park. Chairperson Thorbus stated there are also three churches in area that may be interested. Commissioner Amdahl provided an update on new neighborhoods and stated 185 houses from September to April, 85 from May to August. The first list of new owners was delivered Wednesday nights two times per month and with those deliveries,contact with 56%of homeowners was made. She added the second list was done Saturday mornings and the face to face was 51.8 percent. She added 55 percent of homeowners had face to face contact and overall 269 houses received the new neighbor packets. Commissioner Marko asked if people are concerned the Housing Commission is a solicitor. He also asked if the Commission considered sending a post card that they are coming. Commissioner Amdahl responded they have considered it but they can't spend money on the program. Commissioner Lynn stated the houses visited seems to be mostly young families. Commissioner Marko asked if there is a report that can be reviewed for the concerns about the e-cig. Council Member Myszkowski replied it was brought to the attention by a resident. Page 3 12-17-2013 Chairperson Thorbus stated the election of officers will take place at the next meeting and she would like to discuss more about Brookdale Square. 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 8:30 p.m. Chairman Page 4 12-17-2013