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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 11-20 HCMPage 1 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, 2018 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Goodell at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson – Mark Goodell - Present David Johnson - Present Tamika Baskin – Present Kathie Amdahl - Present Joan Schonning – Present Michael Stokes – Present Paul Oman - Present Also present was Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson and Council Liaison Marquita Butler. Sara Capers, Brooklyn Center Resident Gary Reuter, University of Minnesota Bee Lab APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning and seconded by Commissioner Baskin to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on October 16, 2018 as amended. The motion passed. BEE KEEPING DRAFT ORDINANCE Staff Liaison Anderson provided an overview. Commissioner Baskin: I would support a license for bees. Do any cities have density requirements? Staff Liaison Anderson: Yes, some cities have lot size requirement. However, no cities have restriction on how many properties can have bees in an area. Commissioner Stokes: Are bees territorial? Page 2 Mr. Reuter: They are not territorial, but in most cities there are a small number of people that have a colony. Commissioner Johnson: Is there training for bee keeping? Mr. Reuter: Yes, it is a 2 day class. Commissioner Johnson: Are honey bees being lost in large numbers? Mr. Reuter: There has been a 45% loss. Commissioner Johnson: Will allowing more hives have an impact? Mr. Reuter: Hobby bee keeping wouldn’t necessarily improve numbers overall, but would see advantages in pollination for the neighborhood. Another benefit would be by spreading out bees it may help decrease the likely hood of bees being wiped out. Commissioner Baskin: What is the process to get a license and a certificate? Mr. Reuter: The licenses are to make sure they are meeting the requirements and the education is important because bee keeping isn’t easy. There is work and care needed. There could be an impact if not properly handled. There are other classes out there as well. Ms. Capers: Multiple places offer classes with a similar message. What are the concerns and why does the Commission want a license since chickens, cats and dogs are not licensed? Commissioner Baskins: What is the impact to neighbors if they are not being cared for? Mr. Reuter: They could get a mean colony and it would have to be re-queened. If they are more than 10 feet from the property line a neighbor wouldn’t really notice that there are bees. Commissioner Johnson: Who would do the inspection and are staff qualified? Staff Liaison Anderson: We would need training, but it wouldn’t be too much work. Commissioner Goodell: There are concerns about bee allergies. Mr. Reuter: This issue has come up, I have had bees and my wife, who has allergies, has never been stung. If my neighbor was allergic, I maybe wouldn’t keep bees. Some cities say that if it is verified they could deny. About 1-2% of people are allergic. Ms. Capers: There is a lot of misinformation or perceived information about city regulation. There was misinformation that the city was allowing bees. Many of her neighbors have bees. It is important that the ordinance doesn’t create an added fear. For the most, honey bees are a docile, nurturing species. Page 3 Commissioner Baskin: 14 days. What if they can’t get documentation of allergies within 14 days. Staff Liaison Anderson: The city would give time to provide documentation. Ms. Capers: I have 2 hives and they typically fly up. Commissioner Johnson: Would a curious child be an issue? Ms. Capers: It could be. Commissioner Johnson: Would they swarm? Ms. Capers and Mr. Reuter: No. Mr. Reuter: If the hive is tipped over they may sting a few times. Ms. Capers: A bee can’t sting like a wasp. It is difficult for them to sting. Commissioner Baskin: We would have licenses to be transparent and the neighbors have a right to know. It is important to notify neighbors. Mr. Reuters: The education requirement can be an opportunity for education. Commissioner Johnson: If the council passes and it is in paper, how many people will go do it? Ms. Capers: Not too many because it is expensive, starting out can cost $1,000. Commissioner Schonning: This is an investment. Ms. Capers: It is an expensive and time consuming hobby; there would be less people who are interested. Commissioner Johnson: What happens if the bees aren’t cared for? Ms. Capers: The bees could die off. Commissioner Johnson: How much time is needed? Mr. Reuters: Need to check on them at least every 10 days. It is a considerable commitment. If not taken care of, in the first year they will die. U of M wants to get them to survive on own. Commissioner Johnson: How do they survive the winter? Mr. Reuter: Can survive any kind of winter with some loss. Commissioner Schonning: Training would help the bee keeper prevent mites or diseases that could affect them. Commissioner Johnson: Are there different breeds? Page 4 Mr. Reuters: There are two types that are popular in this area. They are much like a dog breed. Either one does well in this area with their own differences. You wouldn’t have a heard of killer bees, they are not here and it is thought they can’t survive here. Chairperson Goodell: Any other questions? Commissioner Johnson: Would you be ok with a site visit? It might be interesting. Ms. Capers: Yes. Ms. Capers: A few things that don’t make sense. Why would you require mapping of the hive location? What would happen if you move them? Chairperson Goodell: Is the purpose to check the site for proper location? Ms. Capers: Are you going to replicate Brooklyn Park’s program? Chairperson Goodell: We are using theirs as a template just to start the process. Ms. Capers: Why are we considering licenses? Commissioner Oman: The site plan would help to prevent them from putting it in the wrong place. Commissioner Baskin: What would happen with a neighbor complaint? Commissioner Johnson: We would recommend a permit rather than a license. Ms. Caper: It went to council because a person was told to remove their hive. It is not in the ordinance. I reached out to the Council and some friends. Four people were told they can have it. Commissioner Johnson: Do bees attract other animals? Ms. Capers: Possibly mice, but there are devices that can keep them out. Chairperson Goodell: Fees? Brooklyn Park charges a $75 reservation. Would there be a cost to renew? Commissioner Baskin: It could impact neighbors and there should be some procedure to review. Every 2-3 years. Staff Liaison Anderson: Closest is a rental license. Commissioner Schonning: I am in favor of the training. Would like to have an only one-time fee, but still renew. Commissioner Amdahl: Would it be a one-time fee. Commissioner Oman: Inform new neighbors. What if they move, can they find out first? Commissioner Amdahl: If they are registered, they could. Page 5 Commissioners Baskin, Stokes and Amdahl: Are in support of renewals without annual fees. Chairperson Goodell: I could go either way with renewals. You previously had to get a fire permit and get permission for each fire. Commissioner Baskin: Bees are less common than fires. There will be some concerns overall people are not as concerned. Chairperson Goodell: Add registration and education; try to not have too many hoops. There is busy work from the city for renewal. Could see some value in keeping it similar to chickens. Commissioner Schonning: Annual renewal is a way to take responsibility for the bee hive. Commissioner Johnson: City is aware when there is a registration, and can explain that it is permitted. Commissioner Goodell: What are next steps? As it is almost 8. Should we summarize recommendations? The commission agreed that no site plan should be required. They should renew every 2 years and not be required to pay for renewals. Also, an inspection should only be required for the initial license. Commissioner Amdahl: Complaints should result in an inspection. Commissioner Schonning: It would help the neighbors to know that the city has inspected it. Commissioner Schonning: Recommend going to council after attorney reviews ordinance. Commissioner Amdahl and Commissioner and Schonning: Moves to recommend bringing ordinance to council after reviewed by city attorney. Motion carries. There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Schonning to approve a recommendation that an ordinance to allow for bee keeping be modified with the Housing Commissions comments, reviewed by the City Attorney, then brought to City Council for approval. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. TENANT PROTECTION: Staff Liaison Anderson provided a summary of the tenant protection ordinance. Council Liaison Butler: Why won’t Earle Brown Terrace been affected by this ordinance. Staff Liaison Anderson: The property was sold as vacant. The tenants that were asked to move were asked to move out by the original owns and the property was sold as vacant. Page 6 Mr. Hamza: The lease can be modified after the 90 days. Chairperson Goodell: All focused on change of ownership. When a person purchases a property they have to give a 90 day notice. Mr. Hamza: This helps people who have a month to month lease stay in the property. Chairperson Goodell: If a landlord comes in and wants to change application requirements with higher standers they would have to wait the 90 day period. Staff Liaison Anderson: Other cities have only experienced requiring the 90 days. No city has experienced a tenant receiving relocation benefits or not complying with the 90 day notice. Mr. Hamza: The landlord can make the decision to pay relocation or give the 90 days. Commissioner Amdahl: What happens if there are shorter months with the requirement in 36a. Staff Liaison Anderson: I will have the attorney review that section for clarification. Commissioner Amdahl: The word provide needs a D added to be provided. Commissioner Oman: Should require notice if changes are accruing within 30 days after the 90 day tenant protection period. Also, the city should provide the translation. Chairperson Goodell: I like the change to 80% that was recommended by Homeline. Commissioner Oman: Page 4 c. Affidavit. How do they provide the notice? Change requirement to not require city notice at the same time. Same day it too restrictive and wouldn’t allow them to notify the tenants by hand delivery and then mail the notice to the city. Staff Liaison Anderson: Next steps, have attorney make updates, send to Homeline. Chairperson Goodell: Entertain a motion. Commissioner Amdahl: Housing Commission recommends that the council approve the ordinance with modification. 2nd by Commissioner Baskin. Unanimous vote. There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Baskin to approve the motion recommending the Council adopt the Tenant Protection Ordinance with the recommended changes. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Butler:  New banners are being installed in phases with a focus on hope, children, seniors, and Page 7 multiple people on banners.  There is a new snow emergency parking ordinance. Signs with flags and announced at meetings.  T21 was passed last week.  Eastbrook estates development in the area of 252 and 69th Avenue area was reviewed with 3 proposed developers. The council selected Centra homes. 35 3-4 bedrooms homes depending on market. The plan to start with 3 bedrooms and will be custom built. The thought was there is a need for step up housing in Brooklyn Center. Starting around $332,000.  The Chicken ordinance passed.  Minnesota housing finance agency approved a matching funds for the low interest fix up funds. The city is offering a home buyer workshop for free. It will be a 90 minute workshop.  Lux apartment renovation is underway, 91 units and they have had a lot of interest.  HOM Furniture will open mid-December.  Bank of America opening up in late November.  The city has tried to convince Target to stay; jobs are the biggest loss. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Goodell reported: Thanks everyone for attending. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Goodell: Should we meet in December? All commissioners agreed to cancel December meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Baskins to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:35 p.m. __________________________________ Chairman