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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 20, 2008 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated he has heard concerns about the increasing <br />number of rental houses. He indicated the legal process for compliance took far <br />too long and that these issues should be handled by administrative fines. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes explained the Ordinance does need to be changed for all <br />items but that enforcement was more the concern. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Lehnhoff agreed stating this was a good <br />point. He indicated the garbage can Ordinance may need to be addressed or <br />amended. Community Development Director Lehnhoff added that frustration <br />grows among the residents during the enforcement process as it is not timely. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated the City needs to be more efficient with <br />enforcement. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung indicated additional tools may need to be added for the <br />City to reach compliance quicker than issuing citations on property owners. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden explained residents may have reached a point beyond <br />frustration and are not calling City Hall anymore due to the slow reaction they are <br />getting from staff to reach compliance. She stated she is approached while <br />walking, at the grocery store, etc. by homeowners with complaints. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung noted the City was on the front end of these issues and <br />stated he would like to see the City be proactive in handling enforcement issues <br />going forward. He explained the rental housing increase was a growing concern as <br />it would continue to affect the surrounding properties. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked if the title of the program could be changed to <br />reduce the confusion with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Grant program. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead stated he does not have the rental housing issues in his <br />neighborhood expressed by the other Councilmembers but that he has heard <br />concerns about excessive partying on Friday nights, along with additional parked <br />cars. He explained the property boundaries and neatness of rental properties need <br />to be in compliance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned if the City was liable if some rental properties <br />have more than four unrelated persons living within a single family home. <br />