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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 05-20 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 May 20, 2014 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Marko at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Zachary Marko, Judy Thorbus, Kathie Amdahl, David Johnson, and Leroy Houston were present. Ephraim Olani was absent. Also present were Council Liaison Lin Myszkowski and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson, APPROVAL OFAGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES— There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting from March 18,2014. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISONREPORT Councilmember Carol Kleven was not present as she was attending the Neighborhood meeting. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Marko stated he appreciates the language translation on the cover of the Welcome letter. Chairperson Marko reported that Housing Commissioner Peggy Lynn has resigned for health reason. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Amdahl stated there are 131 bags ready to deliver and we should plan to deliver on Thursday from 6:30 to 8. She added starting in June we will do deliveries June 5th and June 17th at 7:00 pm instead of the meeting, and July 10th at 6:30 pm. Commissioner Johnson asked if we can we add business information. Commissioner Amdahl replied we can't solicit businesses. Commissioner Johnson asked if the list can be given out and are we able to send a letter to all businesses asking to participate. Commissioner Amdahl stated if we did a calendar, advertisers could be solicited for the calendar. Chairperson Marko stated he would like to see the social media used to communicate city activities. Page 1 5-20-14 He added they could tweet when they are plowing,during council meetings,etc.and it could be used to increase positive information. He suggested adding a communications person to the member of the housing commission. Commissioner Amdahl responded the New Neighbor delivery can be overwhelming task on its own and we may not have time to add more communications. Staff Liaison Anderson stated we can add news items to the city website and people who sign up will receive a notification. He added if anyone wants something posted, they can email to him and Ms. Schleuning will have it posted. Commissioner Johnson asked if they could tour other city's housing commission's to see other opportunities since it would be helpful to the Housing Commission. Commissioner Johnson asked if Code Enforcement staffing been reduced for enforcement. Staff Liaison Anderson replied, no however, programs have added and workloads have increased. Commissioner Amdahl suggested putting an article asking people to call to report code violations. She also see's a generational shift with the idea that people can do what they want with their property and people have a different idea about what looks good at a property. She added there are also people who owned homes that couldn't take care of them. Commissioner Thorbus stated we should provide the `How to be a good neighbor ' brochure to the crime watch captains for the National Night Out. She added she would like the City allocate funds for the city clean-up day. She asked Mr.Anderson to check on when the last curbside clean-up was. Commissioner Johnson stated it looks bad when people leave a sofa outside. Commissioner Thorbus agreed since animals can get in them. Commissioner Johnson added Humboldt Avenue looks nice past the strip mall. Commissioner Amdahl stated residents should be encouraged to report violations and if we have a code, it should be enforced. Chair Marko stated there should be educational outreach that encourages people to be good neighbors. Commissioner Johnson asked if the Commission has a mission statement. Commissioner Thorbus replied in the past we have asked the City Council for direction and added the Commission could sponsor training on identity theft and free document shredding. She further stated instead of clean- up day we could have a dumpster in the neighborhoods to be filled. She added possible CEAP and other community partners could be contacted to help, however, they would have to monitor their dumpster because people dump there. Commissioner Amdahl suggested the Commission could sponsor a shredding day as was done in Maple Grove. Commissioner Thorbus suggested doing it as part of Earth Fest. Commissioner Thorbus stated the Commission should ask City Council now for the clean-up day so they can plan for next year's budget. She added she would go to open forum to address the council at their next meeting. Chairperson Marko suggested the Housing Commission designate a meeting to list priorities for the Page 2 5-20-14 Commission. Commissioner Johnson agreed with the idea of a planning session/brainstorming session for an entire meeting. Commissioner Thorbus suggested after summer the Commission could tour Maranatha and Lake Pointe. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Thorbus to adjourn the meeting at 8:30. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Chairman Page 3 5-20-14