08-08-07 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 8, 2007 levied any fines as of yet. The Administrator suggested that the Burnsville City Council may be giving the apartment complex ownership a period of time to get their act together before implementing fines. Molly Grove indicated that the intent of these ordinances is to go after the people who are problems while keeping fees to a minimum or nothing. If a complex loses its exemption, then it would be required to pay a license fee for the year. Grove suggested that license fees have been kept low or not implemented unless there is the loss of an exemption, since the intent would be to not take money from the ownership that could be put toward the maintenance of the complex. Keis noted the STAR Program outlined in the ordinance, and asked how many violations a complex could have before this designation is withdrawn. The City Administrator reviewed the STAR Program requirements as well as the "Three Strikes and You're Out" clause which requires that tenants be removed from the property for three violations within a twelve (12) month period. The City Administrator reviewed Chapter 3200.050. EXCEPTION, noting that rented rooms in owner-occupied dwelling units are exempted from the ordinance. He also asked about the rental of condominium units. It was the consensus of the Council to exempt rented rooms in owner-occupied dwelling units, but not exempt rented condominium units. McGraw pointed out that including rented condominium units in the ordinance would help owners get rid of problem tenants. Keis asked about the 3 violations within a 12 month period, asking if this was a calendar year. The Administrator clarified that it was a running 12 month period. Keis questioned 3200.060.D. that code violations must be remedied in a timely fashion. The Administrator indicated that the time frame for correcting a code violation would be dependent on the violation. The Deputy Fire Marshal indicated that a life safety violation would have to be corrected immediately. Other work may be eligible fora 30 to 90 day correction period. The Deputy Fire Marshal indicated that in the case where a property owner is making progress on a correction and calls and asks for an extension, that extension may be granted depending on the circumstances. The Administrator noted that 3200.060.B. would allow for a waiver of a City inspection if the property owner provides copies of HUD inspection reports. The Administrator also pointed out that from time-to-time the City gets calls from tenants that management is not addressing a code problem, and suggested that the ordinance include language to address this