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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 17, 2018 Page 21 Mr. Englund reviewed the topic with the Council. He suggested adding into the Rental Registration Ordinance a requirement for when a building is vacant that it is registered so the City has a contact. Mr. Englund reviewed several cities programs and the fees charged. Councilmember Willmus asked if the vacant property would need to have some sort of structure on it. Mr. Englund stated it would not. Councilmember Willmus asked if a resident had a property without a structure next to their residence would the person need to register that. Mr. Englund stated the person would if it was a separate address. Councilmember Willmus thought that the City needed to be careful. This is something he would be willing to look at but thought this may be something not needed and overboard. He stated the City needs to be aware and cognizant of that. Frankly, he felt a vacant lot without a structure next to a home is an asset and not something that the City needs to go so far as to attempt to monitor that. Mayor Roe asked in 2013-2014 when there were a lot of vacant properties in the City, how long did the City need to deal with the vacancy and did the City not get all the property contacts in order to be notified of violations. Mr. Englund stated on several properties, the City did abatements after notifying posting the house without response. The contact back to the City was three to six months and by that time, the City addressed the nuisance condition. Mayor Roe asked if the City solved the problem by doing the abatement. Mr. En- glund stated that was correct. Mayor Roe stated that may be the way for the City to resolve the issue. Councilmember Etten stated he was in favor of this and he was okay if the City wants to exempt vacant lots that that do not have a structure on it. Ideally, he hoped the City did not have a situation like the City had in 2008-2010 where the City had so many vacant properties. The City certainly has vacant properties and it allows the City to keep track of owners. He thought $35 should be a minimum fee. He thought it makes it easier to enforce any code violations or problems the City has. He stated this works for the City rental properties, so he did not see why this would be a big deal for a vacant property. The process clarifies who the City communicates with about that process and ownership. Councilmember Laliberte asked what the penalty would be if the owner did not register the vacant house.