HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.02.2002 (3)COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 2, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Mayor Pro Tem Harold Getty called the meeting to order at 4:59 p.m.
Members present: Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Berry, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Ned DeBerg, Fire Chief, reviewed the proposed ordinance to change the rental inspection
program to a self -inspection program. Over the past eight months, the Fire Department has met
with members of the Landlords Association to come up with a program that is acceptable to
everyone. The Fire Department has upgraded the recording and billing system and all property is
up to date and accurate. Chief DeBerg explained that revenues need to equal expenses and be
consistent over a five year period. Chief DeBerg reviewed housing inspection revenues and
expenses since 1994.
The advantages to the proposed self -inspection program are as follows: Owners will have the
opportunity to make needed repairs before doing the self -inspection and can complete the
inspection at their own convenience. If the owner is not comfortable doing the inspection, the
Fire Depaitment will do the inspection at no charge. The new program's fines focus on the non-
compliant landlords. Multi -unit apartment buildings pay commercial tax rates and one and two
apartment units pay residential tax rates, and the new fees take this into consideration. The Fire
Department will build a better program using the Black Hawk County AS400 program. The new
self -inspection program ensures that all rental properties are inspected every five years. Rental
housing fees have not increased since 1994. During this time frame, the consumer price index
has increased 20.7 percent.
Chief DeBerg reviewed the Registration Form. The form must be filled out and certified that the
rental units are in compliance with requirements of the City's Housing Code or in compliance
with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program. Along with the Registration Form, the owner must
submit a fee of $45.00 for a single unit or first unit of a multi -unit facility. Each additional unit
of a multi -unit facility must pay a fee of $15.00. When the owner signs the Registration Form,
he is certifying under penalty of perjury that the listed rental property was self -inspected.
Chief DeBerg reviewed the Rental Housing Property Inspection Checklist, which includes light
and ventilation, minimum dwelling space requirements, heating facilities, exterior -interior
structure requirements, plumbing facilities and fixture requirements, responsibility of owners and
occupants.
Chief DeBerg reviewed the Notice of Failure to Schedule Re -Inspections. A property owner who
does not schedule a re -inspection upon notice from the city is fined $200.00 per unit and $20.00
for each additional unit. Each month the owner continues to be in non-compliance results in an
additional $200.00 per month penalty per unit. If the infractions are not corrected the property
will be put on an annual inspection schedule.
Chief DeBerg reviewed the Rental Property Housing Complaint Form. The form can be
submitted to the Fire Department by a tenant when a landlord fails to correct a violation. Prior to
filing the form, the tenant must furnish proof that a 7-day written notice was served to the
landlord of the alleged non-compliance.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk