Public Health & Housing Committee

APPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH and HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday February 6th, 2013 Members: Alderman Ken Kinsella – Chairman Alderman Gabby Rujawitz Alderman Jim Musgrove Alderman Dave Martinson Alderman Tim Carpenter Tricia Tialdo Staff: Robert Sabo Roger Barfield Alderman Kinsella called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. On roll call of members all were present.. Alderman Martinson made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 2nd, 2013 meeting second by Alderman Musgrove. All members voted aye. Motion carried. The committee was given a copy of the 2012 Housing Department Annual Building and Development. Chairman Kinsella asked the members to review the report and that any questions could be addressed at the next Health and Housing meeting. A proposal for the sale of the following listed City owned properties was presented: 3512 W A St. 1715 Scheel St 1027 N 5th St. 1313 Orchard St. 613 E A St. 307 Walnut 1808 E Belle St. 8-10 Hillwood Dr. Lot 14 Belle Valley Ind/Park 515 N 6th St. Mayor Eckert commented that the staff examined the City owned properties to develop this list. The properties will be advertised to the public for sealed bids. Alderman Hult asked as to how the properties were to be advertised. Mayor Eckert advised that Eric and Emily will handle the publication in the newspaper. The process of accepting the bids were discussed and it was related that the City Council will have the final approval of any sale. Alderman Carpenter made a motion to proceed with the sale of the listed properties second by member Tricia Tialdo. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Chairman Kinsella presented the amended ordinance of Chapter 33 Belleville Property Maintenance Code by amending the portions of sections 33-2-1, 33-2-2 and 33-2-4 of the occupancy permit. The proposed changes were read by Director Sabo. (Copy attached to minutes.) Mayor Eckert noted that if the city does not identify occupants, the City will never know who is authorized to reside in the dwelling unit and it effectively means that an owner/landlord could constantly move in new tenants without obtaining a new permit of occupancy. The result would be that the City would never inspect for the property safety issues for which the property maintenance code was primarily adopted. The relationship of the individual occupying a dwelling unit is required for at least two reasons. The first is to make sure that the individuals constitute a family as defined by the zoning code. Second is to make sure that children are not residing in a dwelling unit with someone other than their parents for the sole reason to attend Belleville Schools. Belleville Police Lieutenant Matt Eiskant stated that the occupancy ordinance is an investigative tool utilized by the department for names and addresses on the permits. Rick Brown commented that the maximum occupancy table used is unfair in determining the number of people that are allowed to reside in a residence. Victoria Weygandt agreed with the occupancy ordinance in that it would be useful in a national disaster, such as the event in Joplin Missouri. Stewart Lannert complained of the rental properties owned by Lindenword University and wondered if they have to follow the same codes as ordinary residents. Walter Hood voiced his support for a strong occupancy ordinance. Michael Hagberg inquired as to the origin of the amendments to the occupancy ordinance and to the inspection process. Alderman Hult requested that this measure be tabled and returned to the Legal and Ordinance Committee where it belongs. Chairman Kinsella related that he would not be opposed to such a request. Mayor Eckert advised that at the City Council meeting he tabled the ordinance for further review by the staff and the City Attorney. The Health and Housing committee would discuss and bring back to the Council. Lee Griffin expressed his concern over the proposed ordinance and of his numerous housing violation tickets. He also complained about the housing and police departments. Joyce Scriber believes that the occupancy limit on the number of people being able to reside in a residence is wrong. Lester Byrd stated that safety is the reason for inspections and has nothing to do with names or the number of people residing in a house. Alderman Schneider questioned the origin of the occupancy permit forms and the fees. Alderman Hayden supports the change in the dropping of section C, in the case of a birth of a child however this ordinance is mixing home own and rental properties. He questioned the limitations on the number of people being able to reside in a residence by the square footage measurements of the bedrooms and used his own house as an example if he would exceed the number of occupants by having relatives moving in. He is opposed to the fact that families can not live together under this present ordinance. Alderman Hayden concurred that the ordinance needs to go back to the Legal and Ordinance Committee for further review. Mayor Eckert advised that an appeals board will be instituted to review cases where there is an occupancy issue on the number of persons being able to reside in a residence. Alderman Schneider commented that realtors and landlords need to know the occupancy limitations before selling or renting a property and pass that information to the buyer or renter. Alderman Rujawitz related that his constituents expressed concerned of not knowing who is moving in and out of rental units in their neighborhoods and he supports the occupancy ordinance. Alderman Carpenter concurred with Alderman Rujawitz and has had concern from people in his ward about overcrowding. With no further discussion Alderman Kinsella presented the following options; a motion to approve the ordinance amendments, a motion to send the amendments back to Legal and Ordinance Committee or table the amendments. Alderman Rujawitz made a motion to approve the amendments and send them to the City Council. Alderman Martinson second the motion. On roll call: Alderman Rujawitz aye Alderman Musgrove aye Alderman Martinson aye Alderman Carpenter aye Member Tialdo no Chairman Kinsella aye Mayor Eckert aye Motion carried. 8:47P.M. Alderman Martinson made a motion to adjourn second by Member Tialdo.