02-08-00 CC Minutes Special Meeting Special Meet�ing
of the
City Counc�l
February 8, 2000
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota was held at 7800 Golden Valley Road in said
City on February 8, 2000 at 7:35 p.m.
The following members were present: Anderson, Bakken, Johnson, LeSuer and Micks.
Housing Task Force members present: Kevin 'McAleese and Paula Pentel (Planning
Commission); Housing Task Force members absent: Giles Kobilka and Barbara Meyers
(Human Rights Commissioners). Staff Present: William Joynes, City Manager; Mark
Grimes, Director of Planning and Development; annd Jeanne Andre, Assistant to the City
Manager.
Housinp Task Force Report• Presentation of the Report by Mayor and Task Force
Mayor Anderson reviewed key elements of the Task Force activities including the Housing
Program Table, a survey of apartment units and a memorandum from Mark Grimes
regarding housing values. Staff discussed the cormments in the report regarding impact of
recent housing developments on the City's perforrnance under the Metropolitan CounciPs
Livable Communities Program.
Discussion of Priorities by Council and Task Force
The group then moved on to discuss the priorities suggested by the Task Force including
whether the Council agreed with the main points and how they could be accomplished.
The group chose to group some of the priorities and suggested follow up.
♦ The City should meet with owners of subsidized developments that could leave the
subsidy program, to learn about any plans they may have and to discuss any options
available for encouraging owners to remain in the program.
The Counci! is already pursuing this approach and wants to make it a
continued priority.
♦ The City should discuss subsidy vouch�ers with market-rate rental property
managers, to learn what might be done to increase voucher system participation.
The Council discussed some approaches such as conducting a survey to ask
why apartment owners are or are nof involved in the program, or educating
them about the program. This is not as much of a priority and Council
decided to defer proceeding with this goal, depending on other priorities.
Special Meeting of the City Council
February 8, 2000
Page 2
Discussion of Priorities by Council and Task Force - Continued
♦ The City should develop a computerized housing database that includes information
on measures of housing quality.
The City is in the process of developing its geographica/ information system
(GIS) including information regarding the housing stock. It is realistical/y 1-2
years until the system could provide useful information. Council determined
that they need to consider how they �rish to use the database in order to help
staff identify key aspects to include �s they build the database. This should
be done in the nexf year.
♦ The City should establish a program for early citizen involvement in any siting
process.
A process was not discussed, but the Council determined that the Hennepin
County sheriff's site could serve as an example of this approach.
♦ The City should consider "focus group" sessions to identify exactly what
neighborhood qualities are most important and what concerns residents have about
the future, for guidance on policies or objectives to protect and maintain
neighborhoods.
Identifying neighborhood qualities wa� identified as a good approach to use in
the proposed neighborhood meetings Jeading up to a town meeting.
♦ The City should consider establishing a specific structure for citizen participation
within various approval processes; at minimum, this structure should identify the
most appropriate point within the process where augmented input can be provided.
♦ The City should establish an ongoing program of public education and awareness of
housing needs and of housing goals, objectives and policies, perhaps using the
Human Rights Commission.
♦ The City, perhaps through its Human Rights Commission, should identify and meet
with such groups, to promote awareness of housing goals, objectives, and policies
as well as support for specific housing efforts.
♦ The City Council should re-evaluate the roles of each of the identified bodies and
take steps as necessary to ensure that duties are adequately delineated within city
code or other applicable policy statements such as those contained in the
comprehensive plan.
Special Meeting of the City Council
February 8, 2000
Page 3
Discussion of Priorities by Council and Task Force - Continued
♦ The City Council should direct each body fio evaluate its role and recommend any
tools that may be necessary or desirable in order to adequately perform assigned
duties.
The group brainstormed on some possible approaches to accomplish these
goals. The Mayor suggested that she meet with staff to refocus these ideas
into a more understandable request to the commissions. She will bring the
revised directive back for Council cansideration, with a goal of involving the
commissions in a review process.
♦ Each year the City Council should do an annual report of activities and
accomplishments related to housing and reprioritize efforts for the upcoming year.
The Mayor requested staff to bring back a proposed format for an annual
report for Council consideration.
The Council thanked the Task Force and complimented the staff on their good work.
Adjournment
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
� � ������
Mary E. A erson, Mayor
ATTEST:
- ��,.1���
eanne Andre, Assistant to the Manager