pf_03708 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

1 privacy of the tenonts Knowing the numbers of individuols within a rentol 2 unit is impo�tant to enforce /imits an overcrowding and occurotely address 3 the numerous complaints we get concerning overcrowding. Also, having the 4 head-of-household identified helps save staff time researching these 5 individuals and their phone numbers and therefore keeps costs down for the 6 city by enobling stoff to address ond resolve complaints more quickly. 7 8 6. 907.28: second sentence: Requirement that utility services be maintained in 9 the nnme of the property owner? Stoffresponse - Without thisprovision 10 property owners sometimes moke city bil/ing staff the defacto landlord in 11 trying to reso/ve bi/ling disputes Under the City Code, the property owner is 12 responsible for water and sewer charges to the property. The proposed 13 provision in the renta/ ordinance is consistent with the City Code. 14 15 7. 907.15: What happens under state law or this ordinance if the rental 16 property owner fnils to designate a local agent, fails to mnintain the locnl 17 agent, or fails to updnte the city with information about the local agent? 18 Incrense to the 13-county area. Staff Response - They could be in violatian 19 af the ordinance and, after warnings, cou/d be justificotion for revocation af 20 the license - this vio/ation could be a misdemeanor. The locol ogent range 21 could increase to the 13-county metro areQ. 22 23 8. 907.13: Three violations based upon tenant nctions would leave the owner in 24 an economic disadvantage while they try to evict. Property could be vacant 25 for some time due to these issues. Staff Response - The City (Council or 26 HRA) cauld provide a woiver on penalty if the owner is making a good faith 27 effort to resolve the issues and evict the prob/em tenants who have broken 28 the law. Also, the city couldprovide owners with better tenantscreening 29 methods so the issue does not reoccur. 30 31 9. 907.12: Violation is subject to fine & imprisonment. This is too harsh. Staff 32 Response - This is standord comp/ionce longuage used by cities to encourage 33 consistent violators and only always used as a last resort method. The act of 34 writing a citation is not a fine or imprisonment. Court citations are written 35 when there is an impasse between the city and a property owner over an 36 issue; the property owner disagrees with the city's position or action. A court 37 citotion means the issue in dispute is then taken before on impartialparty (a 38 judge) for an impartial determination Judges are typica/ly interested in 39 resolving issues, not handing autpunishment. The threot o{a fine and/or 40 imprisonment is used by a judge as an incentive but usually an/y results when 5