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MINUTPS <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 9, 2009 <br />Keis appreciated the comments made, but again stated that the City does <br />not know its costs at this time. He pointed out that the license fee <br />proposed is at or below those of the other cities surveyed. Keis stated that <br />the Council will be willing to work with the property owners in the future <br />on the license fee issue. <br />Peilen thanked the Council for including the property owners in this <br />process. She noted that for some of the cities surveyed, the license fee <br />also includes the cost of inspections. The City Administrator indicated <br />that the West St. Paul fee does not cover inspections, but that city does not <br />even come close to covering its costs. South St. Paul does not include <br />inspections either. <br />Montour pointed out that it is difficult for the Council to impose new fees <br />or to assess for improvements in these tough economic times. He pointed <br />out that the City is not trying to make money on these license fees, but <br />rather to protect public safety and health. McGraw noted that he lives in a <br />multi-family housing complex and can appreciate the costs from mandated <br />pool and elevator improvements. He pointed out that the City does not <br />know what its costs will be under this program and has to start somewhere <br />with the license fee. Once the costs are locked down, the license fee can <br />be adjusted accordingly. <br />Keis noted that the purpose of enacting the rental housing licensing <br />ordinance is to improve and maintain good housing stock in the City as <br />well as to address the issue of problem tenants. McGraw noted that the <br />rental property owners have asked for the City's assistance in evicting <br />problem tenants. He noted that if rental property improves in the City, the <br />City as a whole improves. <br />The Council indicated that the license fee issue will be discussed again at <br />the hearing to adopt the rental housing licensing ordinance. <br />The City Administrator indicated that he will begin drafting the licensing <br />forms and inspection checklists in preparation of the ordinance adoption. <br />There being no further business, the workshop was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. <br />~il~am B~lese4rer, Mayor <br />r <br />Attest ~~ ,~ % ~---....______~ <br />~o anson, City Administrator <br />6 <br />