Agenda - Council - 09/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City fi/ RAMSEY 7550 Sunwood Drive NW • Ramsey, MN 55303 City Hall: 763.427.1410 • Fax: 763.427.5543 www.cityoframsey.com RENTAL LICENSING PROGRAM PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON FEBRUARY 18 The City of Ramsey is seeking resident input on how it can improve its residential rental licensing program. The City is exploring ways to improve our process for protecting and maintaining its housing stock without creating additional barriers or unnecessary processes and procedures. The City has not directed any changes to the program at this time, but simply wants to analyze the effectiveness of the program. Before the City Council makes any policy decision or develops any alternatives, we first want to hear from you as to what opportunities, barriers, or issues exist pertaining to rental properties. The City currently licenses all multi -family residential buildings such as apartments. The City is evaluating whether it should license or otherwise require registration of townhome rentals and detached single-family home rentals. The City currently addresses issues with all housing through its existing complaint -based code enforcement program. However, the City is evaluating feedback that some renters are hesitant to make complaints to the City since they do not want to jeopardize their housing situation. 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 detached single-family 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 a greater distance from the community and there is no property management on site. The survey also discovered 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 (6) years. You are receiving this invitation because tax records indicate you may own or rent a residential, non -homestead property in Ramsey. If you feel you have received this notification in error, please simply disregard the message. Please join us on February 18, 2016, at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the Ramsey Municipal Center — Council Chambers, 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 olannineacitvoframsev.com. Sincerely, CITY OF RAMSEY Tim Gladhill Community Development Director City of RAMSEY ewe, Sekjede Carey Schiferli Fire Marshal Jeff Katers Police Chief It is our mission to work together to responsibly grow our community, and to provide quality, cost-effective and efficient government services.