Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />April 8, 2008 <br />Page 7 <br />D. Ordinance 08 -003, Housing Code Ordinance (Second Reading). <br />3 Fire Chief Malenick presented proposed changes to current City ordinances as they pertain to <br />4 property maintenance and stated of particular concern was how the current code addressed rental <br />5 property and inspections. He stated that the ordinance includes the adoption of the International <br />6 Property Maintenance Code as an enforceable document as it pertains to St. Anthony rental <br />7 property. He explained at the March 25, 2008 Council meeting, discussion centered on the <br />8 inclusion of non -owner occupied homes that are not rented into the licensing requirements; the <br />9 City Attorney has provided an opinion on the issue and it was subsequently agreed to modify the <br />10 definition of Rental Unit to describe any dwelling that is not owner occupied. He stated staff is <br />11 recommending the creation of a Division of Property Maintenance under the direction of the Fire <br />12 Department, with the hiring of one additional part time Deputy Code Official to conduct annual <br />13 rental property inspections. He indicated that funding for this new division could be achieved <br />14 through a restructuring of rental property licensing. <br />15 <br />16 City Attorney Lindgren presented proposed language to be added regarding the definition of <br />17 Rental Unit to include property that is occupied by someone other than the owner for a specified <br />18 period of time. He stated if the Council wants to include this type of restriction, it can be <br />19 accomplished by adding Subd. 22 to the Definitions and then make a policy decision as to the <br />20 length of time to include in this subdivision. <br />21 <br />22 Fire Chief Malenick stated the remaining changes to the ordinance stand as at the First Reading. <br />23 <br />24 Councilmember Gray asked if there are other communities that have included this definition in <br />25 their housing codes. <br />26 <br />27 Fire Chief Malenick replied he was not aware of any. <br />28 <br />29 City Attorney Lindgren stated he did not believe this was a common restriction, but would not be <br />30 surprised if the restriction existed. <br />31 <br />32 Councilmember Gray expressed concern with respect to the non -owner occupied restriction and <br />33 stated it appears to be a little too restrictive when there are other means available for dealing with <br />34 problems. <br />35 <br />36 Councilmember Thuesen stated he was in favor of adding this restriction and putting a six month <br />37 time period in the ordinance. He stated he agreed that it is restrictive, but felt with the ever - <br />38 changing environment, the City needs to do its best to keep its properties in compliance and this <br />39 will provide the City with the ability to deal with problem properties. <br />40 <br />41 Councilmember Roth stated he was in agreement with Councilmember Roth's comments and <br />42 added he felt there are other means available for dealing with problem properties. He stated he <br />43 was not sure this accomplishes anything since there is no exchange of money for rent and <br />44 someone could charge a penny for a year's rent. <br />45 <br />