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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 13, 2008 <br />noted that the landlord would be able to move the tenant to another unit if <br />there was a vacancy and if the license was not lost due to tenant behaviors. <br />Keis asked about enforcement. The Adminishator indicated that <br />administrative fines or court actions may have to be undertaken. The City <br />Attorney noted that issues with administrative fines may be the ability to <br />collect or the cost of collection. Keis asked who would be fined. The <br />Administrator indicated that the property owner would be fined. McGraw <br />noted that property owners will be held responsible for their tenants, and <br />there is a point where a property owner is obligated to step in and take <br />action. McGraw felt there were instances when property owners would <br />like help in evicting problem tenants. This ordinance would provide that <br />assistance. <br />Keis felt that the owners of many multi-family housing complexes would <br />rather have full buildings than evict problem tenants. <br />The Administrator felt a major issue was proper tenant screening as a tool <br />to help ensure rental to good tenants. He agreed with McGraw's comment <br />that many owners are looking for assistance to help them evict tenants. <br />The Administrator reported that most of the multi-family housing <br />complexes in the City are generally supportive of the proposed ordinance. <br />One of the issues that the owners have is with inspections, and their <br />preference would be to utilize the results of HUD inspections rather than <br />the City conducting the inspections. The Administrator felt that might be <br />a good option for the complexes that are well run, but may not be adequate <br />for the problem properties. The Administrator also noted that inspections <br />of individual units would be subject to access. He indicated that the City <br />gets calls from time to time from tenants relative to the condition of their <br />unit. <br />Lisa Peilen, MN Multi Housing Association, reported that the City of St. <br />Paul has a tiered inspection program. That program calls for fewer <br />inspections for well-run properties, and more frequent inspections for <br />problem properties. <br />Keis suggested an inspection program that first called for self-inspection. <br />The City could then do random inspections to ensure accurate self- <br />inspection reporting. Keis felt this would reduce the City's costs in <br />administering the program. McGraw asked if there were certified rental <br />inspectors that could be used. Peilen reported that the City of South St. <br />Paul requires their rental properties to have inspections done by certified <br />inspectors at their own expense. <br />The City Administrator indicated that the intent would be to not force the <br />well-run properties into a lot of extra expense, Grand Pre being an <br />example. Keis suggested that some sort of tiered inspection criteria could <br />2 <br />