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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 10-15 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 OCTOBER 15, 2018 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Acting Chair Schonning at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Acting Chair Joan Schonning - Present Tamika Baskin – Present Kathie Amdahl - Present Michael Stokes – Present Paul Oman - Present Also present was Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Oman and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Stokes and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on September 17, 2019. The motion passed. PRESENTATION ON MINNEAPOLIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS BY HAMZA HASSAN, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH ACER Community Development Director/HRA Specialist Jesse Anderson welcomed Hamza Hassan, representing ACER (African Career, Education and Resource), and invited him to give a presentation to the Housing Commission. Hamza Hassan, representing ACER, reviewed housing issues and tenant protection measures in the Northwest Suburbs, including Brooklyn Center. He added Brooklyn Center passed a 90-day tenant protection Ordinance, and a similar Ordinance is being reviewed in Brooklyn Park. He noted the City of Minneapolis has introduced tenant screening restrictions, which protect tenants from certain types of discrimination, including past non- violent felonies. Mr. Hassan stated Brooklyn Center could offer similar tenant screening protections by adopting an Ordinance similar to that which was recently passed in Minneapolis. Mr. Hassan stated the City of Brooklyn Park recently held their first tenant-centered information meeting, and he hopes the Housing Commission will partner with ACER to provide similar tenant meetings in Brooklyn Center. He added the meetings in Brooklyn Center do not include a tenant question-and-answer segment, so Page 2 tenants do not have an opportunity to speak. He stressed the importance of giving tenants a chance to ask questions and make comments. Commissioner Baskin asked whether ACER partners with Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC), an organization that holds monthly landlord/tenant sessions. Mr. Hassan stated ACER obtains training materials and has worked with them in the past. He added they have a great curriculum that ACER has used to build their own program. Commissioner Baskin stated she attended a recent CAP-HC session, and many tenants are not aware of their rights as a resident. She added she would support a partnership between ACER and the Housing Commission, to reach out to tenants and provide landlord/tenant informational sessions. She stressed the importance of knowing about the types of questions and issues tenants have. Mr. Hassan stated the tenant information meetings would take about an hour, incorporating a 30-minute presentation followed by tenant questions. Acting Chair Schonning asked whether Brooklyn Center has held tenant information meetings in the past. Mr. Anderson stated new homeowner information sessions and ARM meetings for landlords are scheduled, but no tenant training. Mr. Anderson stated a meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2019 to set priority for Federal Housing Funds for Brooklyn Center. He added the meeting will be held from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Hennepin County library. He noted Hennepin County creates a 5-year plan to guide Federal funding and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programming. Mr. Anderson asked when and where ACER tenant education sessions would be held. Mr. Hassan stated the meetings are usually held after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. He added sessions have been held near residential areas, at churches like St. Alphonsus. Mr. Anderson stated it would be helpful to hold the meetings in neighborhood locations, as more tenants may be able to attend. Acting Chair Schonning asked whether ACER would issue invitations and host the sessions. Mr. Hassan stated ACER does the initial door-knocking to begin engagement with tenants, and there are a few tenant representatives who help with this initiative. He added a Commissioner or City Councilmember would be welcome as well, so tenants know they are being heard. Commissioner Amdahl asked how many tenants usually show up. Mr. Hassan stated there are usually between 30-50 residents, depending upon many factors, including outreach. He added the tenant education sessions cover topics such as tenant’s rights and responsibilities and available resources, as well as current laws and ordinances. He noted presentations could be planned that would provide information on local ordinances, tenant violations, inspections, and local development projects. Mr. Anderson stated Brooklyn Center hopes to roll out a down payment assistance program in association with Hennepin County, specifically focused on providing funding assistance to current Brooklyn Center rental tenants who wish to purchase a home in Brooklyn Center. He added the program will be rolled out when the City receives the Hennepin County CDBG funding contract. Page 3 Commissioner Baskin asked whether there are new tenant “welcome” bags, similar to the new resident bags that the Housing Commission distributes, that would have resources for tenants. Mr. Anderson City Staff can add the Tenant Rights Handbook to welcome bags. Mr. Hassan stated a “renter’s resources” information booklet is distributed to new tenants in Brooklyn Park. He agreed to forward a copy to Mr. Anderson. Mr. Hassan asked whether Brooklyn Center participates in the CAP-HC Energy Assistance Program. Mr. Anderson stated Brooklyn Center coordinates with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) who performs home audits. Acting Chair Schonning asked when Mr. Hassan would like to begin the education sessions. Mr. Hassan stated he would like to hold the first tenant information session in late November, perhaps the week of the Housing Commission’s next meeting. Commissioner Amdahl stated the sessions could be held for 3-4 neighborhoods at a time, instead of doing the whole City. She added the sessions can be held in locations that are convenient for residents. Acting Chair Schonning agreed, adding this would also help new tenants get to know their neighborhood. Mr. Oman asked whether this could be publicized in the City newsletter. Mr. Anderson stated it is problematic due to publication timelines. He added he sees it as a challenge to have a tenant education session within a month. He noted planning and scheduling will take staff time and effort. Commissioner Amdahl agreed, adding the Commissioners will be better prepared if they have more information before the education sessions. She added she agreed with Mr. Anderson that it should not happen too fast. Mr. Hassan thanked the Housing Commission for their time. He added he is looking forward to working with the Housing Commission to provide information for renters. Mr. Anderson asked whether ACER would plan and promote the education sessions, and City Staff/Commissioners could attend as a guest. Mr. Hassan stated it is one of the responsibilities of the Housing Commission, to provide education and information to tenants. He added, however, ACER has the capacity to organize tenant education sessions with additional information from City Staff. He noted he hopes that Brooklyn Center will collaborate with ACER. Commissioner Baskin stated she would support having ACER initially host the education sessions, and the Housing Commission would attend as guests. She added the Commissioners could get an idea of what happens at the meetings, what issues are discussed and questions that tenants ask. She noted this will prepare the Commissioners for potentially hosting additional meetings in partnership with ACER. Mr. Hassan agreed that ACER could take the lead and do the groundwork, having conducted these meetings in the past, with support from City Staff for scheduling a time and location. He stated he would consult with ACER’s Executive Director and get back to the Housing Commissioners within the week. Page 4 Mr. Anderson requested that Mr. Hassan provide an email update that he can pass along to the Housing Commission. Mr. Hassan agreed. Acting Chair Schonning stated this could be added as an agenda item for the Commission’s next meeting. Commissioner Amdahl expressed agreement with Commissioner Baskin that it would be helpful for the Commissioners to have a list of questions that tenants usually ask. She added this will give Commissioners an idea of the kinds of issues faced by Brooklyn Center’s tenants. Mr. Hassan stated, if appropriate, he would like to invite local tenant advocates to attend the Housing Commission’s next meeting, who can ask questions and provide feedback. Mr. Anderson agreed, adding Mr. Hassan can contact him if he has something planned, and he will get it on the agenda. Mr. Hassan thanked commissioners for their consideration of collaborating with ACER on this issue. NEW NEIGHBOR DELIVERY DATES Commissioner Amdahl stated there are 121 names on the list, and 70 bags have been delivered with 51 bags left to be delivered. She added Commissioners Schonning, Oman, Chair Goodell, and Planning Commissioner Steve Schonning delivered bags on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, and she delivered bags with Chair Goodell on Saturday, October 12, 2019. She noted weekends do not work at this time of year as it gets dark early. Commissioner Amdahl requested that the Housing Commission come up with a Saturday in November for delivering bags. She suggested Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. She added two groups will be able to get all 51 bags delivered. She noted she would contact Chair Goodell. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON’S REPORT In the absence of the City Council Liaison, Mr. Anderson provided an update on the City Council’s October 14, 2019 meeting. Mr. Anderson stated, at their October 14, 2019 meeting, the City Council reviewed a proposed (Sewer Availability Charge) SAC credit policy. He added this type of policy channels unused SAC credits into a business revolving loan program, with funds dedicated to City-wide development. Mr. Anderson stated a Special Assessment hearing was held, and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) 2nd reading was approved and will go into effect in 30 days. He added the City Council expressed their appreciation of the Housing Commission’s review and comments. Mr. Anderson stated work is ongoing on the Opportunity Site Master Plan. He added a recent Open House was successful and well-attended. He added attendees included a large group of students. He noted an Advisory Committee made up of residents and community partners reviews related issues and explores feasibility such as Target site interim use. Mr. Anderson stated the City Council discussed the 2020 budget and approved a final levy amount of approximately 6%. He added City Staff were required to bring back new proposals to offset increases. Page 5 OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Baskin to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 7:43 p.m. __________________________________ Acting Chair