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EDC Minutes <br />March 16, 2018 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br />all of the properties and determined that Multi-Family properties had wall coverings, <br />paint, parking lots, carpet, appliances, and plumbing as common violations while the <br />single-family homes had windows, aesthetics, and landscaping, as the commons themes <br />for violations. <br /> <br />Officer Martin informed the Commission that his focus is safety and code violations. <br />Commissioner Dennis Farmer mentioned that the City should perhaps look into helping <br />single-family home owners who have naturally occurring affordable housing with <br />assistance programs to help them upgrade their buildings and property. Officer Martin <br />said the older properties may simply need a face-lift. Commissioner Ken Breske had met <br />with his tax advisor and provided the EDC with an update on the new tax laws as it <br />relates to landlords and property owners. Breske suggested that Officer Martin could <br />inform landlords of the new tax laws in an attempt to motivate them to make <br />improvements. Commissioner Gary Stevenson suggested that the City change its focus <br />or include a new component to the Code Enforcement’s role to address the outside <br />aesthetic issues in addition to the current safety and code enforcement role. Stevenson <br />brought attention to the age of the current apartment and housing stock. Some <br />apartment buildings may have looked great 30 years ago, but they are in dire need of <br />upgrades and outside appearances. The look of these buidings contributes to the tired <br />and run down look of the hosing stock in the city. Officer Martin informed the <br />Commission that if land lords improve their properties then likely the County Assessors <br />will increase the taxable value of those structures and therefore force the landlords to <br />increase rents to cover the additional property tax. Commissioner Jason Helgemoe <br />stated that with the new apartment buildings being built this could potentially cause <br />existing tenants to leave the old apartment buildings and occupy the new apartment <br />buildings. This may motivate the landlords who own older building to want to improve <br />their building in order to keep their tenants. Officer Martin informed the EDC that the <br />current apartments are 90-95% filled. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jim Freichels suggested that Coordinator Beeman send the EDC the <br />spreadsheet listing the current violations and between now and the next EDC meeting, <br />Commissioners can note their observations of apartment buildings and the housing <br />stock on the spreadsheet while they drive around the city and identify problem areas. <br />Beeman informed the Commission that when Commissioners bring back their comments <br />he will compile the comments into one master list and try to identify trends. Beeman <br />informed the Commission that he is trying to coordinate schedules to get a <br />representative from the Ramsey County Economic Development Department to attend <br />then April ECD meeting to inform the Commission of any existing financial programs that <br />might be able to address some of the identified issues. Chair Freichels thanked Code <br />Enforcement Officer Jacob Martin for this comments and observations and moved to the <br />next agenda item. <br /> <br /> Update from Comprehensive Task Force Members <br />Commissioner Dennis Farmer provided the EDC with an update on the most recent <br />Comprehensive Task Force meeting. The main takeaways from the last meeting is that <br />the City needs to simplify its land use codes, the Task Force also talked about the <br />differences in neighborhood versus regional commercial area. Regional Commercial are <br />areas that outside residents drive to like the Mounds View Boulevard businesses. While <br />neighborhood commercial area are places like the old Snap Market business or smaller