HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/07/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CTY
ffT.I.
LOUISOFFICIAL MINUTESRK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 24, 2006
The meeting convened at 8:40 p.m.
Councilmembers present: John Basill, C Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan
Sanger, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Councilmember Loran Paprocki was absent.
Staff present. City Manager (Mr. Harmening); Police Chief (Mr. Luse); Police Lieutenant (Ms.
Drier); Director of Inspections (Mr Hoffinan); Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon);
Finance Director(Mr DeJong); and Recording Secretary (Ms Samson).
1. Crime-Free Rental Licensing
Director of Inspections Brian Hoffinan and Police Chief John Luse presented a staff report
discussing concerns with some rental properties when the owner may not be aware or utilizing
Crime-Free provisions. Repeated Police calls for tenant nuisance actions creates a need for
resources and can negatively affect the community Some options include ordinance
amendments to the rental licensing program for license fee incentives and added service fees.
Councilmember Basil! said the higher the licensing fee, the more incentive the owner has to
come into compliance. Councilmember Basil is in full agreement with staff's creme-free rental
licensing report.
Councilmember Sanger said it doesn't go far enough if we expect a small fee incentive to be
effective. Councilmember Omodt agrees with Councilmembers Basil] and Sanger.
Mayor Jacobs said landlords need to be held responsible for the behavior of their tenants, and he
likes the idea of offering an incentive to comply but he doesn't want fees transferred to tenants
from the landlords Councilmember Finkelstein agrees with the concept of a service fee.
Councilmember Carver said there may be due process hearings required in order to impose fines
on people
Councilmember Omodt suggested strengthening neighborhood associations. Mayor Jacobs
asked if bad behaviors are seen more in rentals than non-rentals.
Mr Hoffman said, like the property maintenance code, having the program apply equally to all
rental properties would be more beneficial. Mr. Hoffman said following the many cnme free
program initiatives are currently only promoted by the Police and are voluntary. He suggested it
may be possible to require certain provisions for background checks and lease agreement
provisions be mandatory, but City Attorney Tom Scott would need to,investigate what would be
possible
iq
Councilmember Basil said a came-free lease is needed as a tool Councilmember Sanger said a
larger incentive might be to offer free cnminal history checks with a short turn around time.
Councilmember Finkelstein said the problem needs to be identified first.
Study Session Minutes -2- July 24, 2006
Councilmember Carver would like more data before proceeding.
City Manager Tom Harmening summarized that the Council is interested in some kind of
program to tag onto the rental licensing inspection program that has an element of dealing with
behavioral issues on a piece of property; Council wants more information and help from Tom
Scott in terms of legal standing in doing some of these things; Council is looking for examples
from other cities; and it will require a public process. Mr. Harmening said staff will research and
return with information.
2. Problem Properties
Environmental Housing Inspector Manny Camilon presented a staff report about the various
reasons some properties become long-term or repeating problems A more significant problem
typically exists with these properties that is not always obvious. The solutions are often varied,
not always effective, and time consuming. Councilmember Sanger and Mayor Jacobs asked
what resources would make your job easier. Mr. Camilon said, in part, it would be funding.
Councilmember Finkelstein said that the problem needs to be identified first andthat they need to
research not just problem rentals, but also problem owners.
Police Chief Luse agreed to come up with a "Top 20" list and there was general agreement that a
large number of calls come from certain problem properties, whether they are rental or
homeowners.
Councilmember Sanger thinks the pressure could be stepped up on problem properties.
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested a social worker approach.
Mr Hoffman said property owners can be issued citations but formal complaints and a court
order to correct the problems have been most effective. Mr. Hoffman said staff will return with
some possible enhancements to our property maintenance program.
3. Preliminary Budget Discussion
Finance Director Bruce DeJong briefly presented the staff report Council discussed fees and
levies. Mr. Harmening asked questions and listed options for Council's consideration.
Councilmember Sanger requested actual dollar amounts corresponding to percentages.
4. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and the Council discussed study s ion agenda planning.
The meeting ended at 10:50 p.m.
--)4C.tiA Cv, 9 )ef_lbz,›L
M ts
City Clerk y