Agenda - Council - 11/26/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Riley suggested putting an article in the Ramsey Resident about street lighting and why everyone is charged for it. Councilmember Howell asked if they are crediting rental housing licensees who paid a lot more this year. She asked what the people who have not paid this fee are supposed to do now. Finance Director Lund explained that since it follows how the ordinance was written, the fees collected in 2024 would be for this year and this would change as discussed for 2025. Councilmember Howell asked if they discussed crediting a certain amount back to the rental license holders. City Administrator Hagen said the credit was planned to be discussed this evening. He explained that a credit could have been issued for the license holders who had to go to other cities to take the Crime Free Housing class if they were charged. Councilmember Riley asked about the people who have not paid their renewal license fee. City Administrator Hagen shared that there are some people who have not gotten their 2024 licenses. He asked City Attorney Knaak what they should do about making these people pay and get their license. Councilmember Howell stated that the fee was excessive, and the program was a bit of a flop from the rental license holder's perspective. She asked if there was an appetite to reduce the 2024 fees and credit a portion back to the licensees for the upcoming year. Councilmember Woestehoff said he does not have an appetite for changing the fees for 2024 and he trusts Staff s discretion to figure out what to do about those who have not gotten their rental license for 2024. He noted that if they credit a portion back to single-family property owners,then they should also be asking the apartment buildings to pay the 2025 fees, which would be a huge increase in this year. Councilmember Howell noted that there is a disparity per unit as the apartments bring in more revenue. She reiterated that the fee for 2024 was excessive and crediting $200 back to the property owners would alleviate this. Councilmember Specht agreed that the $400 fee was excessive, and he would like to see the differential amount refunded. He said if this would end up being a huge amount that would negatively affect the budget then he would like to know. Finance Manager Lund explained that when the budget was established for 2024, it was based off of the rates that they put into the 2024 schedule. She said the budget would come in under if they were to credit a portion back. Councilmember Woestehoff said he would be okay with not charging the 3% credit card fee for rental licenses. City Council Work Session / October 22, 2024 Page 7 of 15