07-24-2002 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES Cl'CY COUNCIL JL1LY 24, 2002 The property owners acknowledged past City efforts to address some of these issues as well as their contact with the Department of Public Safety on the issue of numerous auto sales. It was noted that Lt. Jim Daly of the Ramsey County Sheriffls Department had been working closely on this matter. However, it seems to have been dropped by the Sheriffs Department since Lt. Daly retired. Fahey pointed out that the conversion of garage space and porch space into living quarters would be permissible, provided that the proper building permits were applied for an inspections were done. It was noted the property owner had indicated that the porch enclosure was temporary to protect the porch during the winter months. However, the enclosure is still iu place, and the property owners contended that it is a permanent enclosure with the space converted to year-round living space. No building permit was taken out for this work. Fahey also indicated that he does not believe the City has any limitation on the number of family members that can reside at a property. One of the property owners indicated that he had heard second-hand that the upper level of the house was being rented for $1,000 per month. The property owner suggested that perhaps the City could review the code and tighten it with regard to the definition of asingle-family residence as well as occupancy ofsingle-family houses. Fahey agreed that conversion of asingle-family home into multiple-family housing was a violation of the City Code. The City Administrator indicated that there have been on going code issues at this property for the past three to four years. The City has cited the property owner for illegal paii<ing, and the Sheriffs Department was investigating the selling of cars from this property- The Administrator repotted that he and the Building Inspector had gained access to part of the house and it was not obvious that it was being used as multiple-family housing. I-Iowever, they were not allowed into the garage area. With regard to the porch, the Administ'ator indicated that he has discussed this issue with the Building lnspector, and the [nspector was going to check out the situation. The Code Enforcement Officer reported that the property owner was cited and fined for one parking violation, and another citation is pending at this time. Another property owner indicated that sand is building up in the culverts and sodded areas near the lift station on County Road B-2, and asked whose responsibility it was to clean these areas. The City Administrator indicated that it would be the City's responsibility, and he would discuss the matter with the Public Works Director and develop a plan for addressing the problem. It may be necessary to bring the Watershed into the solution to this problem. 2