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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—APRIL 16, 2012 11 <br /> County on enforcement issues. The Sheriff's Department was working with staff to enforce the <br /> limit on driveway parking to four vehicles. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher was pleased with the progress made in the <br /> rental registration program. Improved processes allow staff to track and address habitual violators <br /> of the driveway parking ordinance, without penalizing households who unknowingly violate the <br /> ordinance, due to family gatherings or for other events. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated staff s next steps were to research <br /> legal constraints and opportunities for enforcement, in addition to researching rental registration <br /> and licensing programs in other cities. Staff has been focusing efforts on excessive occupancy, <br /> unregistered rental homes and rental licensing programs and requirements. Further comments <br /> were provided regarding excessive occupancy and inspections. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher stated if the City is able to prove excessive <br /> occupancy through written statements, the City may issue a citation to the landlord. The City <br /> Attorney may also prepare a formal complaint. In cases where the City is able to prove excessive <br /> occupancy through written statements from neighbors and occupants, it may be most <br /> straightforward to hold a Council hearing to revoke the rental registration and request a court <br /> order to prevent the landlord from renting the property. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher explained the rental registration program was <br /> developed in 2009. The purpose of the program is to track rental properties and provide <br /> information about rental ordinances. She indicated the overall number of rental complaints had <br /> been reduced. She stated a review of code enforcement tracking reports over the last six months <br /> has shown that most violations are resolved after one inspection and notification to the property <br /> owner. Many violations occur at owner-occupied properties. Staff believes that enhanced <br /> tracking, education, and cooperation with Ramsey County have been successful. <br /> Councilmember Holden questioned if the rental registration information was public information. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher stated this information was available to the <br /> public. <br /> Councilmember Tamble indicated the concerns with rental properties were typically with the <br /> renters and not the property owners. He encouraged staff to continue to seek additional <br /> registrations from the rental properties in the City. <br /> Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that staff has been working with the <br /> County to determine the properties that are non-homesteaded within Arden Hills. She discussed <br /> the properties exempted from the program and estimated the City had another 80 rental properties <br /> in need of registration. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated she has seen a decrease in the number of complaints she receives <br /> regarding rental properties. <br />