HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.09.2001COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 9, 2001
4:20 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor RoofF Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Fire Chief Frank Magsamen reviewed the Waterloo Rental Housing Program. The Waterloo
Rental Housing Program is in need of reorganization to make it more effective and efficient. The
program has a number of problems as it exists, which include: There is no sure way to track what
rental property exists in Waterloo, and renters have no knowledge of when property was last
inspected or if it complied.
Changes will ensure fairness to owners of rental property that are in quick compliance of rental
inspections. The code changes are needed to make the code more clear and enforceable. By
reorganizing the program and changing the code, a program can be developed which is fair,
enforceable, easy to understand, efficient and effective.
Some areas requiring change include: Have owners register rental property annually. Post a
rental permit on the rear of the entry door of all units. Rental permits should include the
occupancy number, inspection and compliance date, owner's name and address and a contact
number and a local contact person if owner resides outside of county and the permit date. All
Inspection Certificates would be dated from the date of the initial inspection. Rental properties
are currently inspected every five years and certified from the date of compliance.
Changes to the Fee Structure will be as follows:
$15.00 annual registration fee for each rental property in the city
No inspection charge for first rental unit inspected
$ 15.00 charge for the second and each additional rental units within a rental property
$10.00 fee charged for each additional unit in a rooming house
$200.00 fee charged for failing to register rental property annually
Based on 4,700 rental properties in Waterloo, it is estimated the $15.00 annual registration fee for
each rental property will bring in $70,000 revenue annually, with an additional $5,000 projected
yearly inspection fees.
If the proposed changes are implemented, the city will still have one of the lowest rates for
inspection in the state. The majority of cities are inspecting on a three-year rotation and charging
higher rates.
The rental permit will inform the renter that the property meets the minimum requirements, lists
contact people to reach in case of an emergency and will help eliminate the confusion when the
next inspection is due. Registration of rental property will give the city an accurate number of
rental properties in the city, which will improve planning and ensure fairness.
Councilperson Jordan stated that the proposed changes put a burden on a lot of people who have
already seen an increase in their property taxes.
Councilperson Getty suggested that council members review the proposed changes and make a
decision as to whether to proceed with the changes to the Rental Housing Program.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Berry that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:36 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk