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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 8, 2007 <br />The Council discussed the various complexes, and it was noted that Grand <br />Pre is planning a $2 million building renovation. It was also noted that <br />Grand Pre is one of the better run complexes in the City. The discussion <br />was that while Grand Pre should have to pay a per unit license fee, they <br />should not have to subsidize the poorly run complexes. Blesener <br />suggested that the ordinance could include a provision exempting the <br />better run complexes from the license fee if there are no violations at the <br />property. <br />Grove reported that most cities subsidize their rental housing licensing <br />program; however, some do pass the cost on to the property owner. She <br />noted that the ultimate goal is for these property owners to do a good job <br />in managing their properties. <br />Blesener suggested that staff try to estimate the program costs. He <br />suggested it may be that the City subsidizes half the cost while the <br />property owners pay the other half. Montour stated that he did not feel the <br />City should subsidize any of the cost. The Administrator suggested that <br />the City could provide a subsidy on the front end of the program, with the <br />issue re-evaluated in a year. <br />The Administrator noted that the proposed ordinance calls for the City to <br />develop a property maintenance code. <br />The Council reviewed the penalty grid proposed in the Code that was <br />modeled after the STAR program in the Burnsville ordinance. Grove <br />pointed out that Burnsville that the fines and loss of rent that results from <br />violations is a motivator for property owners to get into compliance. <br />The Administrator suggested that the City could implement the program <br />with a $50 per unit license fee. Property owners could initially be <br />exempted fi•om this fee with the fee being implemented if the complex lost <br />its STAR designation. <br />Keis asked about violations related to common areas. The City <br />Administrator reviewed Chapter 3200.100. Violations by Property <br />Owners. <br />Blesener asked about enforcement of the "Three Strikes and You're Out" <br />provision. Grove indicated that the City of Burnsville tracks tenant <br />violations and notifies management of these violations. Keis noted that <br />this monitoring of offenses by unit will be additional work for City staff. <br />It was noted that offenses may be committed by a guest at an apartment <br />unit and not the tenant. However, the proposed Code holds both tenants <br />and their guest responsible for their conduct. Grove noted that if there are <br />4 <br />