Agenda Packets - 2026/03/02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Mounds View Vision A Thriving Desirable Community Page | 1 Item No: 03 Meeting Date: March 3, 2026 Type of Business: WK City Administrator Review: _____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jeremiah Anderson, Housing/Code Enforcement Inspector Item Title/Subject: Vacant Building Registration Draft Ordinance Introduction: The attached draft vacant building registration ordinance has been modified based on policy direction of the City Council at the February 2, 2026, work session and necessary best practices for implementation by the Community Development Department. Discussion: Enacting this vacant building registration ordinance will create a registry of locations with property owner and responsible parties. This ordinance also requires creditors to file a registration for properties in foreclosure as a means to identify potential vacant properties. The identification and registration of vacant and foreclosure properties will increase efficiency of code enforcement pertaining to property maintenance and City utility billing and thus minimize hazards to persons and property as a result of the vacancy. This draft ordinance requires owners of Residential dwellings vacant for more than 30 days to register as vacant whereas owners of commercial building locations vacant more than 180 days are required to register as vacant. Owners who leave their residential dwelling on a temporary basis for vacation purposes or to reside elsewhere during the winter season in excess of 30 consecutive calendar days and have the intent to return are exempt from the registration requirement. The draft ordinance provides owners a seasonal vacancy “Snow- Bird” exemption and an ability to voluntarily register with no fee for vacant building registration with applicable contact information provided to the Community Development Department and a Trespass Authorization affidavit to authorize the Police Department to act as an agent to serve trespass notice to unauthorized persons occupying their dwelling during the vacancy and provide peace of mind. Staff have been in communication with MuniReg, a private company that specializes in tracking foreclosure properties and maintaining vacant building data for 36 Municipalities in 9 States. MuniReg’s online registration system supports municipal officials, homeowners, and organizations. The draft ordinance includes language to allow the City to enter into an agreement with a third party such as MuniReg to assist with identification, recordkeping and administration of the vacant building registration and foreclosure program and all relevant information would be tracked and submitted to them and available securely to the City. This would create an environment where minimal staff time is required to maintain and operate the vacant building registration program and a third party such as MuniReg would receive compensation from the portion of the registration fees generated with the remainder paid to