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HRA Meeting Minutes October 18, 2011 Page 5 1 program was necessary for only a minimal percentage of landlords or property owners who 2 refused to follow the laws; and that by initiating this contact and educational opportunity, it 3 could provide City code enforcement, public safety and other personnel to develop interactions 4 and relationships with those landlords to encourage positive behaviors and business ethics. 5 6 Mr. Trudgeon suggested that such a communication effort would hopefully hold all landlords 7 more accountable, and in turn, provide safe units for tenants, and address those multi-family 8 complexes to not become or continue to be a detriment to surrounding neighbors and 9 neighborhoods. Mr. Trudgeon advised that this educational/communication option would have 10 a minimal cost for the City versus the larger cost impacts to pursue rental inspections. Mr. 11 Trudgeon referenced the multiple articles included as attachments to the staff report. Mr. 12 Trudgeon suggested that, if enough pressure from the City and other landlords in the City who 13 maintained their properties and looked out for the welfare and safety of their tenants, problem 14 landlord behavior could perhaps be improved. 15 16 Mr. Trudgeon sought HRA direction to staff on this opportunity. 17 18 Discussion included recognizing that most problem properties were the larger complexes; a 19 possible sliding scale based on the number of units for rental registration fees, except Section 8 20 rentals that are held to a higher standard; anticipated accomplishments or purpose in licensing 21 landlords versus inspections, as well as costs for both options; staff clarification that this is 22 focused on education, not inspections, to incent landlords to be better landlords; the Rochester, 23 MN model for this type of program that originally alerted staff to this type of approach; and 24 whether to limit the program to larger units or if including landlords of smaller units was 25 prudent. 26 27 Member Pust spoke in support of rental licensing without hesitation for all the obvious reasons 28 for those larger multi-family units creating problems for more than just a few units, but the 29 entire complex as well as the city at large. Member Pust opined that pursuing rental licensing 30 31 in initial and follow-up inspections, Member Pust noted that the landlord had come into 32 compliance. Personally, Member Pust spoke in support of staff exploring moving toward 33 rental licensing. Member Pust asked that staff assess the private market place on other cost- 34 effective options for inspectors. 35 36 Regarding this option, Member Pust expressed interest in the concept on paper to provide 37 positive incentives for landlords; however, she questioned if a problem landlord, after sitting 38 through a presentation or workshop, would change behaviors or attitudes to move from a 39 problem landlord to a better landlord. While supporting the ability to pursue this option within 40 current budget confines, Member Pust questioned if it would actually get the results 41 42 good, the 43 44 Member Pust supported staff continuing to work on the proposal, and offered the assistance of 45 individual HRA members to enhance staff resources if necessary; however, she cautioned 46 about bringing on a program that would require more staff; and suggested further review of 47 how else the work could be accomplished. 48 49 Member Pust expressed consternation that the City registered units of four and below; while 50 not addressing multi-family units requiring multiple police calls and having unhealthy 51 conditions. Member Pust advised that she was all for doing something, and that she would go 52 as far as inspections in the most cost-effective way possible. 53 54 ection option was that it 55 quality living environment.