HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin_08Jun4Falcon Heights City Council Workshop Minutes
June 4, 2008
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Mayor Lindstrom called the workshop to order at 6:30 p.m.
1. City Slogan Contest
Mayor Lindstrom introduced the item to the council. He said there have been a couple suggestions for a new slogan – “the city that soars” and “more than a fair city.” The contest would
entail taking suggestions and publicizing that we’re looking for a new slogan. Ideas were given for possible prizes for the winners. Once the summer is over, the council will bring
the finalists to the school kids to vote on. The students will be able to attend the meeting when the final slogan is adopted.
Slogans will be solicited at the Ice Cream Social, and at Curtiss Field on National Night Out. The contest will be mentioned at commission meetings as well.
2. Rental Licensing Introduction
Mayor Lindstrom began by stating alot of Falcon Heights’ neighboring cities do have a licensing program, and since it’s a college town it would be an idea to look at.
Administrator Miller began by stating the main drivers include maintaining the high-quality housing stock and keeping rental properties safe for renters. He said once the council outlines
what they want the ordinance to address, then staff and the city attorney can begin to craft language.
Mercer-Taylor said she wanted to be sure any process wouldn’t deter people from registering.
Mayor Lindstrom stated he didn’t think of the bigger apartment buildings as being a concern, and would be okay with eliminating them from discussion. He said he was more interested
in regulating the smaller 1, 2, 3, 4-unit rentals.
The council also wanted to be sure to have contacts for anyone living on-site, as a caretaker.
Mayor Lindstrom asked about the financial implications. Miller replied if it’s based on the inspection contract with Little Canada, they get a percentage of the fee. He said this contract
would be able to be structured the same way if the council wanted.
Mercer-Taylor asked about controversy in other cities. Miller said some cities have charged per-unit, and the cost is passed on to the renter.
Long said he heard mostly about single-family homes while he was on the campaign trail. He said there needs to be some teeth to the ordinance, with enforceable recourse for non-compliance.
Miller replied that once someone has a license it’d be easier to take action.
Lindstrom asked the difference between rental registration and rental license. Miller replied it had to do with inspections – registration does not have inspections included, but it
gathers other information on owners, safety, etc.
Lindstrom asked that if the council moves forward, what sorts of actions would revoke their license. He said he supported revoking a license for drugs and after a certain number of
police calls, and wanted to make sure there are stipulations that don’t count against the tally, that the penalty goes to the landlord and not the renter.
The council agreed that any rental occurring for more than four months should be covered under the provisions of the ordinance.
Mayor Lindstrom asked what the council thought about having the three strikes rule. Kuettel said she agreed with that, but wanted to be sure there were exclusions to the rule – and
Long stated only calls that lead to charges against a tenant, not when the tenant is reporting a crime, should be counted. Miller said nuisance calls could be included in the ordinance
as well – tall weeds, loud noise, etc. if the council wanted, but there would have to be an actual violation not just a police call.
To protect renters, protect homeowners, and protect the character and integrity of the neighborhood.
3. 2008/09 City Council Goals
The Council went through the list of goals and made their recommendations for additions and deletions.
The workshop was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk