HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspAgen_08Jun4Falcon Heights City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave Falcon Heights MN 55113 Workshop Agenda June 4, 2008 6:30 p.m. 1. City Slogan Contest 2. Rental Licensing Introduction
3. 2008/09 City Council Goals ??????????
WKSP 1 6/4/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: City Slogan Contest Explanation: Unofficially,
the City of Falcon Heights slogan is “The Fair City.” The tie-in, of course, is that the Minnesota State Fairgrounds is located in our city. However, there have been proposals to craft
a new slogan that more accurately identifies and differentiates our city. Earlier this spring, Mayor Lindstrom and I met with Falcon Heights Elementary Principal Paul Charest about the
idea of having another joint city council-student meeting. One possible agenda item for this meeting would be to adopt the new city slogan. A tentative schedule for the process could
include: June-July Solicit ideas from the community August City Council selects 3-5 finalists for joint meeting discussion September Students vote on their favorite October City Council
formally approves final slogan (the city council would always retain the right to make the final decision) Requested Action: Once a process is agreed upon, staff can begin to publicize
the contest and solicit slogan ideas. We will also work with school officials throughout the summer to finalize details of the joint city council-student meeting.
WKSP 2 6/4/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator ITEM: Rental Licensing Introduction Explanation: One
of the city council goals for this year is to investigate the possibility of implementing a rental licensing program. The reasons expressed for looking into such a program include: •
Proactively addressing the impacts of single-family homes being converted into rental properties. • Maintaining our high quality housing stock (as highlighted during comprehensive plan
neighborhood meetings). • Preserving life-safety mechanisms in rental properties, such as adequate egress windows, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, etc. Numerous cities across the
metropolitan area have already implemented such plans. With the recent downturn in the housing market, many others are going through the process anticipating that more single-family
homes may be converted into rental properties. Attached to this report are programs from Roseville, St. St. Louis Park, Burnsville, Chanhassen, and Plymouth. If the City of Falcon Heights
wishes to pursue a program such as this, the first need would be to discuss what issues are important to address. Thoughts to consider include: • Should only single-family homes be regulated?
What about duplexes, tri-plexes, or quads? • Shall the city implement a “conversion” fee if a single family house is turned to rental? • What about apartment buildings? Do we want to
license all of them or only those of a certain age or number of units? • What kind of inspections should be conducted? Fire, property maintenance, others? • How frequent should the inspections
occur, or how long should a license be good for? • Should the number of police calls to a specific unit be taken into account? (similar to a “three strikes” rule) • What type of fees
should be considered? If larger apartment buildings are licensed, should they be charged on a per-unit fee or per building? • How would inspections be conducted (use our current inspection
contract or find another outside agency)? • How proactive should staff be in identifying which properties are rental? All of these questions are merely conversation starters, and the
extent to which the council wishes the program to exist will drive factors such as staff time required and ongoing budget amounts. Requested Action: No formal action is requested at
this time. Staff is seeking guidance from the city council, which will allow staff to work with legal counsel to draft a program for council consideration at a later date.
ORDINANCE #___________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9 BY ADDING CHAPTER 907 TO THE CITY OF ROSEVILLE CITY CODE REGARDING REGISTRATION OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY OF 1 TO 4 UNITS THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEVILLE ORDAINS: Section 1. Chapter 907, hereby titled RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION is hereby created as follows: 907.01. Purpose. The City
recognizes a need for an organized registration program of residential rental property with 1 to 4 units within the City in order to identify and quantify small rental units in the City
and provide information and a method to enforce minimum standards to meet City and State safety, health, fire and zoning codes within the City and to provide a more efficient system
to ensure that the stock of rental property within the City is properly maintained. The City recognizes that the most efficient system to provide information on the rental status of
certain residential properties is through the creation of a program requiring the registration of all residential rental property with 1 to 4 units within the City. 907.02. Definitions.
1. The term “residential rental property” means any building, structure, room, enclosure, or mobile home with 1 to 4 units including the real property upon which it is located and which
surrounds it, which is rented or offered for rent as living quarters. Residential rental property does not mean on-campus college housing, hospital units, nursing home units, multiple
rental property over 4 units or hotels or motels with daily rental units, all of which shall be specifically exempt from registration under this Chapter. 2. The term “unit” means all
or a portion of a residential rental property that is arranged, designed, used, or intended to be used as separate living quarters and which is leased to an individual or group. 3. The
term “person” includes natural persons as well as business entities, whether one or more. 4. The term “City” means the City of Roseville, or the person or entity designated by the City
to administer and enforce this Chapter. 907.03. Registration Requirements. Except as provided in Sections 907.05(1) and 907.06, it is unlawful for any person to hereafter occupy, allow
to be occupied, advertise for occupancy, solicit occupants of, or let to another person for occupancy any residential rental property of 1 to 4 units within the City for which an application
for registration has not been properly made and filed with the City or after the time that a registration is suspended or revoked. Initial registration shall be made upon forms furnished
for such purpose and shall specifically require the following minimum information:
1. Name, address and phone number of the property owner and, if owner is not a natural person, the name, address and phone number of a designated agent for the owner. 2. The name, phone
number, and address of any person authorized to make or order made repairs or services for the property, if in violation of City or State Codes, if the person is different than the owner.
3. The street address of the rental property. 4. The number and types of units within the rental property (single family, duplex, triplex or fourplex). 5. If the rental unit is occupied
by the property owner and rooms are rented to boarders, the number of boarders and bedrooms. 6. Number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the rental dwelling unit. 907.04. Fees. There shall
be a registration fee. All fees shall be established annually by the City Council. All fees and fines shall be charged to and payable by the property owner. 907.05. Manner of Registration.
1. An owner of an existing rental property as defined by this Chapter must apply for registration pursuant to this Chapter no later than 60 days following the effective date of this
Chapter. 2. An owner of a non-rental property that after the effective date of this Chapter wishes to convert the property into a rental property, shall apply for and register the property
prior to its conversion. 3. If there is a change in the type of occupancy from the type stated on the registration statement, a new registration statement shall be filed within 30 days
of the change. 4. When property is sold, the new owner shall register within 30 days of the sale. 907.06. Registration Exemptions. 1. The owner of a rental dwelling unit is exempted
from the registration requirement of this Chapter if all renters residing in the rental property are related to the owner as a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, step-parent,
step-child, step-grandparent, or step-grandchild and the owner files an affidavit with the City stating that each of the renters are one of these relations. The owner must notify the
City in writing within 30 days if the exemption described in this Chapter is lost because the renters are not related to the owner as one of the above-referenced relations.
907.07. Registration Suspensions and Revocation. Property registration may be revoked or suspended at any time during the life of said registration for grounds including, but not limited
to, the following: 1. False or misleading information given or provided in connection with a registration application. 2. Failure to maintain the rental property in a manner that meets
pertinent provisions of City Code including, but not limited to, Code Chapters 407 and 906. 3. Violations committed or permitted by the owner or the owner’s agent, or committed or permitted
by the tenant or the tenant’s guests or agents, of any rules, codes, statutes and ordinances relating to, pertaining to, or governing the premises including, but not limited to, the
following: A. Minn. Stat. 609.75 through 609.76, which prohibit gambling; B. Minn. Stat. 609.321 through 609.324, which prohibit prostitution and acts relating thereto; C. Minn. Stat.
152.01 through 152.025 and 152.027, subds. 1 and 2, which prohibit the unlawful sale or possession of controlled substances; D. Minn. Stat. 340A.401, which regulates the unlawful sale
of alcoholic beverages; E. Minn. Stat. 609.33, which prohibits owning, leasing, operating, managing, maintaining, or conducting a disorderly house, or inviting or attempting to invite
others to visit or remain in a disorderly house; F. Minn. Stat. 97B.021, 97B.045, 609.66 through 609.67 and 624.712 through 624.716 and Chapter 103 of the City Code, which prohibit the
unlawful possession, transportation, sale or use of weapon; G. Minn. Stat. 609.72, which prohibits disorderly conduct; H. Roseville City Code Section 407, prohibiting public nuisances,
Section 405, noise control, Section 906, property maintenance, Sections 1004 and 1005, land use and Section 1018, parking; and I. Minn. Stat. 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.2231 and
609.224, regarding assaults in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth degree. A suspended or revoked rental registration may be reinstated when the circumstances leading to the suspension
or revocation have been remedied. 907.08. Violation. Except as provided in Sections 907.05(1) and 907.06, any person that maintains a rental dwelling unit without having the property
registered, or after the registration
for the property has been revoked or suspended, or who permits new occupancy in violation of Section 907 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine and imprisonment
as prescribed by state law. In addition to, or in lieu of, charging a misdemeanor, the City may impose administrative fees in an amount set in the City Fee Schedule. Upon the failure
to pay an administrative fee, the City may post the dwelling unit as illegal for habitation. Thereafter, the dwelling unit may not be occupied by anyone other than the primary homestead
owner and that person’s immediate family until (a) the administrative fee has been paid; (b) a rental registration is obtained or the City is satisfied that the dwelling unit will not
be used as a rental dwelling unit, and (c) completion of any abatement, written compliance order, legal action from a citation or action per City Code Sections 407.06, 407.07 and 407.08.
Each day of each violation constitutes a separate offense. 907.09. Maintenance of Records. Records. All records, files and documents pertaining to the Rental Registration Program shall
be maintained in the office of the City and made available to the public as allowed or required by applicable laws, rules, codes, statutes or ordinances. 907.10. Authority. Nothing in
this Chapter shall prevent the City from taking action under any applicable rule, standard, statute or ordinance for violations thereof and to seek either injunctive relief or criminal
prosecution for such violations as therein provided. Nothing contained in this Chapter shall prevent the City from seeking injunctive relief against a property owner or designated agent
who fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this Chapter on registration including an order prohibiting the occupancy of such rental units until violations of this Chapter have
been remedied by the property owner or designated agent. 907.11. Applicable Laws. Residential Rental Property shall be subject to all applicable rules, standards, statutes and ordinances
governing use, maintenance and occupancy of the dwelling or dwelling unit; and this Chapter shall not be construed or interpreted to supersede any other such applicable rules, standards,
statutes or ordinances. 907.12. Notice to Tenant. The owner, or its agent, must provide each tenant with a Resident Maintenance Handbook provided by the City and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
Handbook provided by the Attorney General’s office. 907.13. Rules, Policies and Procedures. The City Council may adopt from time to time, by resolution, rules, policies and procedures
for the implementation of this Chapter. Violation of any such rule, policy or procedure by a property owner shall be considered a violation of this Ordinance. 907.14. No Warranty by
the City. By enacting and undertaking to enforce this Ordinance, neither the City, its designees, the City Council, or its officers, agents or employees warrant or guarantee the safety,
fitness or suitability of any dwelling in the City. Owners or occupants should take whatever steps they deem appropriate to protect their interests, health, safety and welfare. A warning
in substantially the foregoing language shall be printed on the face of the rental registration. 907.15. Severability. If any provision of this Chapter or amendment thereto, or the application
thereof to any person, entity or circumstance, is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Chapter shall remain in full force and effect and the application thereof to other persons, entities or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby. Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance amendment to the City Code shall take effect on _____________________, 2008, after passage and publication. Passed this _______ day
of ____________________, 2008. CITY OF ROSEVILLE By: Mayor ATTEST: City Manager RRM: #116095/cg
WKSP 3 6/4/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: 2008/09 City Council Goals Explanation: Each year
the city council takes time before the budget process begins to establish goals for the upcoming year. Attached to this report is a copy of the goals established in the summer of 2007,
and then amended in February 2008. Staff will use the goals set by the city council as key determinants in preparing the 2009 operating and capital budgets. They will also be formally
approved by the city council at a future regular meeting, and they will be advertised in city newsletters and on our website.
City of Falcon Heights 2008 Goals Purpose: To sustain this community as a good place to live, work and visit. Goal 1: To protect the public health and safety. Strategy 1: Provide public
safety services to citizens. Action Items: ?? Provide a responsive, visible, police service utilizing community oriented policing model ?? Provide a responsive, well-trained fire service
?? Practice the emergency management plan ?? Participate in Metro-wide emergency management planning, activities and exercises ?? Continue to offer training to prepare volunteers to
assist with disaster response ?? Maintain Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) throughout the city ?? Work with other cities, agencies and institutions in Ramsey County to develop
a county-wide emergency management inventory and plan ?? Continue to use St. Paul for ambulance service ?? Participate in the North Suburban Haz Mat Team ?? Explore options for a bicycle
safety program and bicycle patrols ?? Promote 55 Alive programs ?? Conduct proactive neighborhood crime prevention meetings as needed ?? Promote services provided by SAPD such as premise
checks, vacation checks and carseat safety Strategy 2: Participate in initiatives designed to prevent crime and the need for emergency responses. Action Items: ?? Promptly remove graffiti
from public buildings and provide removal materials for city businesses ?? Expand opportunities for using technology to improve crime watch notification ?? Communicate regularly with
residents about Homeland Security and the emergency management plan ?? Support the work of the Neighborhood Commission and Neighborhood Liaisons ?? Use traffic-calming tools including
the speed monitoring trailer and warning signs ?? Take steps to prevent hate crimes through the activities of the Human Rights Commission
Strategy 3: Participate in early intervention programs with juveniles. Action Items: ?? Support Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS) ?? Continue referrals to NYFS through facilitating
connections between NYFS and SAPD Strategy 4: Protect the public health. Action Item: ?? Participate in Ramsey County public health emergency exercises ?? Publicize mosquito control
measures, including free tire pick-up by Metropolitan Mosquito Patrol, utilizing city council meetings, newsletters and flyers ?? Continue education about preparing for pandemic flu
in this community ?? Explore opportunities to distribute free gun locks Goal 2: To sustain and promote the assets of the city’s unique neighborhoods and tax base including commercial,
residential and open space uses for present and future generations. Strategy 1: Maintain and enhance the neighborhood and community parks with updated facilities, recreation and community
services. Action Items: ?? Maintain community landscaping and investigate additional options ?? Maintain a sound maintenance program for public facilities ?? Focus on the quality, appearance,
and longevity of public improvements ?? Research opportunities for enhancing recreational resources at Falcon Heights Elementary School ?? Support and continue to promote an Adopt-A-Park
program ?? Implement the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Strategy 2: Work with businesses and homeowners to maintain a functional and desirable business and residential environment.
Action Items: ?? Continue to review and communicate city code requirements to business and commercial property owners ?? Maintain the desirability of neighborhoods through education
and code enforcement ?? Use non-profit organizations such as NYFS ?? Communicate community standards through photos and code information on the website ?? Publicize Falcon Heights businesses
including the Farmer’s Market Strategy 3: Maintain the City’s infrastructure.
Action Items: ?? Maintain and increase the pathways ?? Complete development of a system for rating pathways throughout the City ?? Maintain the sanitary sewers and storm sewers ?? Continue
with a boulevard tree program for replacement, maintenance and expansion ?? Publicize the resources available through the Housing Resource Center ?? Maintain streets and alleys in accordance
with the Pavement Management Plan ?? Pursue residential streetlighting study Strategy 4: Protect and enhance the physical land use characteristics of the community. Action Items: ??
Regularly review and update zoning code as necessary ?? Participate in planning discussions, and get the required planning expertise if needed to assure that University of Minnesota
and State Fair land uses and future inter-government decisions do not negatively impact the City’s neighborhoods ?? Expand the use of the GIS system for land use planning and maintaining
information on the city’s land use and facilities ?? Support environmental education programs and activities ?? Complete and submit plan for 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Strategy 5:
Pursue community and economic development opportunities and business retention activities. Action Items: ?? Be well informed with the necessary planning, engineering, financial and legal
expertise when making land use decisions ?? Offer local businesses opportunities to be included in new resident welcome packets and community activities Strategy 6: Expand pedestrian
and bicycle opportunities. Action Items: ?? Be an active partner in the Active Living Ramsey County! (ALRC) initiative ?? Work with ALRC to conduct a GIS inventory of pathways and bicycle
lanes ?? Explore opportunities for trolley path in conjunction with new Bell Museum Strategy 7: Promote the unique assets of Falcon Heights. Action Items: • Publicize the new Bell Museum
of Natural History • Distribute the “Fun Facts About Falcon Heights Flyer”
Goal 3: To expand opportunities for the interaction and involvement of citizens of all ages in their neighborhoods and community. Strategy 1: Promote and participate in youth development.
Action Items: ?? Continue the Junior Leaders program ?? Include youth as commission members ?? Include youth in city meetings, trainings and courses ?? Informally interact with youth
when the opportunity arises ?? Speak about local government at schools or youth related functions ?? Recognize youth achievement at City Council meetings, in the newsletter, and through
the Neil Kwong Youth Citizenship Awards, and the North Suburban Gavel Association ?? Promote awareness of the Cable Commission scholarships and internships ?? Encourage student participation
in City Council Meetings ?? Participate in the Kids Voting Program at precincts one and two through the Roseville Rotary Club ?? Conduct a council meeting with students ?? Contact RAMS
or RAHS to solicit youth commission members Strategy 2: Host community/neighborhood events and activities. Action Items: ?? Sponsor Annual Ice Cream Social ?? Sponsor Winterfest ?? Encourage
neighborhood gatherings ?? Support the Neighborhood Block Parties and National Night Out activities ?? Support the Fire Department/Public Safety Open House ?? Encourage volunteers to
be involved in community planning activities ?? Hold an annual food drive in conjunction with Falcon Heights Elementary School and other community partners ?? Review and explore existing
and additional city sponsored events Strategy 3: Explore, create and provide an array of recreation programming. Action Item: ?? Provide recreation programming for all age groups ??
Provide referrals for alternate programming ?? Manage recreation programming on a seasonal basis ?? Provide space for and promote the Falconeers Senior program Strategy 4: Encourage
citizens to participate in city government. Action Items: ?? Promote resident participation ?? Continue to web-stream televised council and planning commission meetings
?? Promote, recruit, and publicize citizen participation in city commissions and task forces Strategy 5: Build stronger community and neighborhood connections. Action Items: ?? Distribute
the “Welcome to Falcon Heights” booklet ?? Support and promote the Neighborhood Liaison Program ?? Use conflict resolution resources for neighbors to use in resolving neighborhood conflicts
?? Send out three newsletters per year ?? Distribute monthly Falcon Flyer and post to city website ?? Support and expand the city’s website ?? Promote and support the AARP Tax Assistance
Program ?? Research “Aging-In-Place” in the City Strategy 6: Maintain and promote our commitment to human rights and diversity. Action Items: ?? Promote diversity on our commissions
?? Support the work of the Falcon Heights Human Rights Commission Goal 4: To provide a responsive and effective city government. Strategy 1: Communicate promptly and clearly with citizens,
business owners and institutional representatives by anticipating information needs and quickly responding to questions. Action Items: ?? Provide a photo of new staff members and a description
of jobs in the newsletter ?? Publish a summary of the goals in the City’s newsletter and on the website ?? Educate residents about the property tax ?? Hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing
annually Strategy 2: Maintain collaborative relationships with other entities. Action Items: ?? Participate in the U of M Campus/Community Advisory Committee and on the Stadium Area
Advisory Group ?? Maintain regular communication with the University of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey County, the Minnesota State Fair, the Capital Region Watershed District,
the cities surrounding Falcon Heights, and the State of Minnesota ?? Convey city goals to the City’s representatives at the legislature, the Metropolitan Council and the County, as well
as to neighboring communities ?? Met Council representive presentation at future council meeting
?? Participate in Northwest Youth and Family Service, North Suburban Communications Commission and CTV15, and the Ramsey County League of Local Governments ?? Encourage Councilmembers
and Staff to participate in service and professional organizations Strategy 3: Effectively manage the City’s consulting and personnel resources. Action Items: ?? Evaluate the performance
and work assignments of City employees through annual performance reviews ?? Provide employees with affordable resources they require to efficiently and effectively do their jobs, including
a training plan and technology resources ?? Provide adequate funds for personnel, equipment and contractors to maintain the City’s infrastructure, facilities, public spaces and public
improvements ?? Evaluate and review consultants’ performances and fees ?? Retain highly skilled and high-functioning employees ?? Provide salaries and benefits that are competitive with
cities of a similar size, scale, and scope Strategy 4: Effectively manage the city’s financial resources. Action Items: ?? Update and provide a well-researched five year capital improvement
program ?? Review and adjust fees and policies as part of the annual budgeting process ?? Research and pursue new revenue sources, including grants ?? Pursue conduit bonding opportunities
?? Review and evaluate the City’s long term financial needs and the City’s current and future financial resources to meet these needs ?? Continue to research and pursue new opportunities
for reducing expenses by using more contracts and joint powers agreements to share equipment, personnel, and technology with other levels of government ?? Maintain a contingency fund
to be prepared for unexpected, but necessary, expenditures ?? Retain highly skilled and high functioning employees ?? Continue to meet the standards for the GFOA Award for Excellence
in Financial Reporting Strategy 5: Develop and expand an e-mail capability to communicate with residents Action Items: ?? Solicit e-mail addresses through the Falcon Flyer and newsletter,
at the front desk, on the City website, and at community events ?? Solicit new resident e-mail addresses ?? Provide critical information in a timely manner utilizing city’s list serv
Strategy 6: Expand the capability to conduct any city-to-resident transaction online Goal 5: Provide for a clean, healthy, sustainable environment. Strategy 1: Undertake efforts to maximize
recycling. Action Items: ?? Explore moving to a single-sort recycling system ?? Research an incentive program to encourage recycling ?? Investigate collecting recycling on a weekly basis
Strategy 2: Consider environmental benefits in city purchasing. Action Items: ?? Consider environmentally-friendly options in city vehicles and public works ?? Change to energy-efficient,
compact light bulbs Strategy 3: Continue support of Community Garden. Action Items: ?? Investigate placement of dedicated water line to garden ?? Continue publicity in newsletter, on
website, and in the Falcon Flyer