Ramsey Resident - 2016 - January/February

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Rental Licensing Program Public Workshop on February 18 The City of Ramsey is seeking resident input on how it can improve its rental licensing program. The City is explor- ing ways to do a better job of protecting and maintaining rental townhomes and rental single-family homes and is considering adding them to the program. The goal is to cre- ate a program that can effectively address problem proper- ties, proactively maintain the quality of the City's housing stock and not be burdensome to property owners that have a history of code compliance. The City of Ramsey currently requires multi -family rental units to undergo an inspection every two years. Rental townhomes and rental single-family homes are now exempt from Ramsey's licensing and in- spection program. Rental houses are technically subject to complaint -based code enforcement, but many renters are unlikely to make complaints to the City since they do not want to jeopardize their housing. A survey of 40 other metro -area communities larger than 10,000 people revealed that 80% of these communities have some type of rental licensing program and that all programs include houses and townhomes as well as apartments. Many peer communities report that rental houses tend to have more code compliance issues than apartments since landlords often live far away and there is no property management on site. The survey also discovered, however, that many peer communities have adopted non -burdensome performance- based programs where properties with a history of code compliance pay lower licensing fees and have very infrequent inspections, maybe just once every six years. Please join us on February 18, 2016, at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Ramsey City Hall, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW, to give your input on how to best ensure that the rental licensing program is both effective and non -burdensome. Please contact the Community Development Department at 763-433-9824 or planning@cityoframsey.com. 2016 Winter Reading Program Check out Anoka County Library's free Winter Reads program for adults during January and February. For more information regarding the Winter Reading Program or the special March 26, Library Mini Golf event, please contact Rum River Library, 4201 6th Ave. NW, Anoka, at 763-576- 4695, or anokacountylibrary.org. Coffee with a Cop Come join members of the Ramsey Police Department at Coborn's, 7900 Sunwood Dr. NW, for a free cup of coffee on Saturday, February 20 from 9:00 — 11:00 a.m. No agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice con- cerns, and get to know the officers in your commu- nity. Free Dollars Into Sense Class The University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County will present a free Dollars into Sense class on the following Thursday's; February 4, March 10, April 14, and May 12, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, at the Anoka County Human Services Center, 1201 89th Avenue, Blaine, MN. Class will cover track- ing expenses, putting together a spending plan, goal setting, credit, and where to get additional help/ resources. To register, call University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County at 763-755-1280 at least three days prior to the class. Are You an Entrepreneur at Heart? Need a trusted advisor? A business consul- tant? Money to start or expand your business? The Open to Business program offers FREE one-on-one counseling with a business advisor. The program also offers assistance in identifying financial resources. For more information, call 763-438-7315, or email info@opentobusinessmn.org AFTER HOURS EMERGENCYS Anoka County dispatch 763-427-1212 4 Ramsey Resident • January/February 2016