Agenda Packets - 2011/03/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 28, 2011 Regular Meeting Page 3 He questioned how realtors searched for fees, liens or fines assessed to a property. Mr. Myers 1 explained the process indicating all information was passed along to a potential buyer when the 2 information was readily available. 3 4 Mayor Flaherty asked what recourse a purchaser had if additional fees were outstanding and 5 unknown to the realtor. Mr. Myers explained there was a limit to this scope as not all 6 information was readily available. He noted that State databases were searched for recorded fees. 7 8 John Periard, St. Paul Area Realtors, reviewed a brochure with the Council. He noted sales have 9 been down in the City of Mounds View but home prices were up 2.9%. Mr. Periard stated this 10 was a great reflection as to the things happening in this community. He then cautioned the 11 Council on proceeding with this Ordinance and suggested the Council seek another way to 12 address the vacant building concerns. In addition, the short-term vacancy language should be 13 revisited to allow landlords more than 30 days to find new tenants. Mr. Periard recommended 14 the Council address the problem properties while not hindering those in distress. 15 16 Betty Johnson, Realtor, 7718 Groveland Road, indicated she has been a resident of Mounds View 17 since 1972. Ms. Johnson noted there had been several foreclosures along Groveland Road that 18 the City has managed well. 19 20 Council Member Mueller questioned what percentage of properties became a nuisance to the 21 City in the last year. Community Development Director Roberts indicated he did not have the 22 numbers in front of him, but noted a small portion (10-20%) of the properties created a large 23 percentage of the work. 24 25 Council Member Mueller expressed concern about the timing of the vacant building registration. 26 She asked if it was reasonable for this registration to be completed within 30 days of the vacancy, 27 especially for those homes going on the market for sale. Community Development Director 28 Roberts indicated the City can set whatever timeline the Council feels is necessary. 29 30 Council Member Mueller did not feel it was right for new owners to be forced into costly home 31 repairs undone by a previous owner. Community Development Director Roberts commented 32 Section 1013.06 states that any proposed changes to the property will be brought to the City for 33 further review. 34 35 Council Member Mueller questioned if there would be a standard appeal process for the vacant 36 building registration fees. While the intent of the registration was to address the problem 37 properties, she did not want to see any other properties burdened. 38 39 Mayor Flaherty indicated he would not support the vacant building registration Ordinance. He 40 felt there were too many uncertainties within the process. He suggested the City speak further 41 with the realtors in the area regarding the City’s concerns to revise the Ordinance. In addition, 42 the City had not budgeted the expenses to cover the software and license needed to run the vacant 43 building program. 44 45