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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 03-18 HCM 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 18, 2014 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, Leroy Houston, and Zachary Marko were present. Ephraim Olani was absent and excused. Also present were Council Liaison Carol Kleven and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. APPROVAL OFAGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—January 21, 2014 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on January 21, 2014. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council Member Carol Kleven stated the City Council approved CDBG fund allocations and in previous years the funds are divided evenly between the same organizations. She added this year we are adding avenues for homeless youth who focus on ages 13 to 21 and this will be located in Brooklyn Park with a $3,500 allocation. Council Member Kleven explained the City has new interest in the 57th and Logan property but haven't had much interest in the past. She added the City intends to sell the building concept. Commissioner Thorbus asked if this plan includes a subsidy. Council Member replied,No, it does not. Commissioner Johnson asked if there is housing at this location. Council Member Kleven replied, No, it is vacant land. Commissioner Lynn asked if we know who may be going into that location. Council Member Kleven responded not at this time. Council Member Kleven noted the demolition is scheduled to continue at the mall location and there are plans for a TJ Maax and a Michaels. She added she is very excited about all the development and changes in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Ephraim asked if it will that happen this year? Council Member Kleven stated it Page 1 3-18-14 should happen this year and added construction of Discount Tire will be happening soon. She pointed out the City Council and staff toured the Andover water treatment plant. Commissioner Johnson asked where the new water treatment plan would be located. Council Member Kleven replied it would be located near Evergreen Park. Commissioner Thorbus asked if any homes would be removed in order to construct the water treatment plant. Council Member Kleven replied there would not be any homes removed. Commissioner Thorbus asked what the tentative date for construction is. Council Member Kleven stated it should be this year. Council Member Kleven stated the City Council is studying e-cigarettes and at the last meeting the City Council agreed for the strongest options for the new ordinance. This is consistent with what other cities are doing as well. She added as a result of the new e-cigarettes, Hennepin County has had calls from children who have accidently eaten the liquid. Commissioner Johnson stated he feels one problem is that there isn't scientific research on the side effects. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Marko asked if there is an update on the council meeting presentation. Commissioner Thorbus stated it went well and Commissioner Amdahl presented. Commissioner Thorbus added the City Council welcomes us to come anytime. It was also requested that we need more help with the program as well as more coupons from other area businesses. Council Member Kleven stated the High School has health fairs and could provide info for the packets. Commissioner Thorbus stated she can interpret and possibly attend the bag delivery. She could also recommend documents that could use translation. Council Member Kleven stated she can contact Jesse for ways to help. Council Member Kleven stated there was a bicycle safety plan professionally prepared for the City of Brooklyn Center. People were hired to get a plan,this way we can show Hennepin County how we want the trail system to go through. The City got$25,000 from Hennepin County for the plan.And the Park and Recreation Commission has reviewed it and approved it. Chairperson Marko Thanked the Commission for the nomination to be chair and stated he appreciates the opportunity. NEW NEIGHBOR PROGRAM Staff Liaison Anderson provided a brief update on the New Neighbor program and stated there are 109 new owners since bags were last delivered. He asked for feedback on the map. Commissioner Amdahl stated the larger map is easiest to use and it would be helpful if it was sorted by Neighborhood first,then by street,then number. Commissioner Thorbus stated the smaller map is helpful also. Staff Liaison Anderson explained he can make both sizes. There was discussion by the Commission regarding bag deliveries and how it is organized by partnering with two or three per vehicle. There was also discussion regarding the need or availability of an interpreter and what to do with the bags if no one is at home. It was explained that the packet Page 2 3-18-14 had a label last year stated they were there. Commissioner Johnson stated the program sends a message that the city cares about the community and its residents and we make people feel welcome. Commissioner Amdahl stated bag deliveries start at 6:30 at City Hall parking lot and Kathie should be contacted if unable to attend. Council Member Kleven stated she would ask at Monday's City Council meeting if staff can find a grant to fund translation material. COMMUNITY CALENDARS Commissioner Lynn stated she picked up calendars at a credit union. She further stated Town Planners Calendars has everything from the city on the calendar and they are funded by Advertiser. The mail out free calendars to homes in the city and they get sponsors and marketers but they have no plans to do Brooklyn Center. She added Brooklyn Park spends$5,000 on these calendars to print on their own. She asked if we want to do them in 2016 when they are available. Further,in the past the Historical society printed and sold them and the calendars could include Housing Commission Meeting dates. She added if we had our own calendar,then we could put it in the welcome packets and the calendars could include the coupons. She stated this is something to think about for interest in 2016. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Johnson shared"We Buy Ugly Houses' signs are all over the city and asked if can we have the taken care of. Staff Liaison Anderson replied Code Enforcement Inspectors can remove them. Commissioner Johnson provided a quick update to the Bobby Fern development opportunity and stated purchase offers were made from Walgreen to by the houses, two of them did not sell. Chairperson Marko stated he has been asked to support bill changes to the State Statutes that would allow funding for youth homelessness. He asked the Commission to review the information and then it can be discussed at the next meeting to support or not support it. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Houston to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Chairman Page 3 3-18-14