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City Council Meeting Monday, November 22, 2010 Page 3 Discussion among staff and Councilmembers included the feedback and recep- tiveness of multi family property owners for promoting smoke -free buildings; with staff reviewing their first reaction that they may lose potential renters, but later finding that vacancies had not increased, but renters were supportive of smoke -free environments; and staff anticipating that the future may prove that all multi family properties would become smoke -free. At the request of Mayor Klausing, staff noted that, to -date, there are no insurance reductions or other in- centives for multi family property owners to promote smoke -free living; however, they were finding that there turnover costs were less due to units not requiring as much cleaning; and that some owners of multiple complexes were utilizing one building for smokers, and the others smoke -free. Staff further noted that findings indicated that a wide range of renters were still being accommodated; and Live Smoke Free had future plans for advocating reduced insurance rates for smoke free multi family buildings. Mr. Trudgeon reviewed the success of the 2010 Free Energy Audits, funded by the HRA at $5,000 annually, noting that all 87 budgeted for had sold out the first day. Of the total participation, 95% indicated that they would be making im- provements to their homes based on the energy audit, with items found needing attention including: 72% having insufficient insulation; 31% with inefficient heat- ing and/or air conditioning systems; 20% having inefficient appliances; 14% with drafty windows; and 10% having humidity issues. Mr. Trudgeon advised that it was the intent of the HRA to continue the free ener- gy audit program in 2011 at the same $5,000 funding allotment. Mr. Trudgeon noted that to -date, staff had received seven building permits as a result of the energy audits, qualifying that information by noting that building permits were not required for insulation improvements. Mr. Trudgeon reviewed the diverse the homeowner makeup of 1 -4 person homes; and noted the favorable rate of 75% responses from program participants in returning their stamped post card surveys. Discussion between staff and Councilmembers included possible follow -up of participants to determine how many proceeded with additional insulation installa- tion following the audits; and a brief review of those tax incentives continuing, as well as those expiring in 2010, for energy- related home improvements; with addi- tional information available on the HRA website, as well as a flyer included with welcome packets sent out to new homeowners in the community. On a less favorable note, Mr. Trudgeon presented a map showing residential fo- reclosures in 2010 to -date; and a compilation of comparison information for 2008 2010. Mr. Trudgeon advised that a new trend indicated that higher valued homes were being foreclosed upon most recently, indicating fall out from job loss. Mr. Trudgeon noted that the percentage of code enforcement issues related to fo- reclosed properties was continuing to increase; and staff was closely monitoring possible affected neighborhoods or clusters in those neighborhoods, with some