City Council Workshop

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop *While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. Thursday, February 5, 2015 6:30 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:37 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Services Manager Bob Therres; Finance Director Joe Huss; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Chris Olson; Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Bob Fiske; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; City Clerk Catherine Sorensen; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember King, and Councilmember Hovland 3 New Business City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final February 5, 2015 3-1 WS 15-07 RENTAL LICENSING PROGRAM Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske stated staff updated the Council on the status of rental license inspection program activities at two prior Workshops. He stated Council requested further information on fees and the cost of adding an inspector to conduct annual exterior inspections on all rental properties. He gave an overview of revised calculations from the Finance Department. He noted the last fee increase was in 2010. He stated staff is recommending per building fee increase of $20.00. He stated a $20.00 fee increase would cover the cost of the current program. He stated with an enhanced program with an additional staff member to include exterior inspections of all rental properties annually would require a fee increase of $80.00. He gave an overview of a map showing violations over a five-year period in the area of 109th to University Avenue to Quincy Boulevard to 113th Avenue. Councilmember Herbst asked about passive violations and wanted to know how many staff members do regular inspections. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied the department has two residential staff members and four staff members total. Councilmember Herbst requested a report on the number of violators who have come into compliance. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied corrections are made or the owner has to go to court. He noted that the City does not go to court often. Councilmember Hovland asked if staff take notes while driving through neighborhoods. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied staff drive through neighborhoods and also inspect complaint requests. He stated when a violation is noted, the inspector logs the violation and creates a report, and sends a letter to the owner that includes the number of days to repair the violation and the inspector returns to the property. He noted the best time for passive sweeps is in the fall and the City has two inspectors for this work. Councilmember Swanson asked about disorderly properties/police calls. City Attorney Sweeney replied the City has a disorderly house ordinance. Councilmember Bourke asked for then number of staff for rental inspections. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied there are two staff members to inspect all rental properties. Councilmember Bourke stated he agrees that costs need to be covered and he does not want to add an additional staff member. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final February 5, 2015 Mayor Ryan commented the City needs to address blighted areas. Councilmember Herbst stated he agrees with raising the building inspection fees. Councilmember Hovland stated the City has rental homes that are not licensed. He asked if the City could work with Anoka County on any non-homestead properties. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied staff did check with Anoka County two years ago. He commented when a complaint is filed, the inspector asks the occupant if they are the owner. Councilmember Bourke stated he agrees with adding a staff member for rental enforcement. Councilmember King stated he agrees with adding a staff member for rental enforcement and asked if the revenue is from fees charged. Finance Director Huss replied the revenue is from fees and licenses. Councilmember Swanson stated he agrees with adding a staff member for rental enforcement and with raising the fees. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske stated the City will be in line with neighboring cities. Councilmember King requested hiring a new staff member and raising the fees as soon as possible. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied the licensing fiscal year is June 1 to May 31. He noted the staff plan is to have a fee schedule adjustment and hire a new staff member prior to June 1. Councilmember Hovland stated rental properties are required to have a license. He stated if a property is found that is not licensed, does the City fine the owner. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied no fine for non-compliance, but the owner does have to get a license or go to court. City Attorney Sweeney noted the City has not prosecuted any violators. Councilmember Hovland commented he is sure there are property owners that are renting. Councilmember Clark suggested hiring college students to do passive inspections. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske stated the department’s biggest shortfall is with data entry. Councilmember Clark suggested not City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final February 5, 2015 making notes on non-violators. Community Standards Director/Fire Marshal Fiske replied staff make notes on all properties in order to track the number of inspections. Discussed 4 Other Business - Council Photos - Council Chambers None. ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 7:15 p.m. City of Blaine Page 4