Housing Commission

1/19/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Anna Wageling, Robert Millar, Jessica Bridge, Jack Commo, Leslie Black-- Plummeau, Katherine ‘Deac’ Decarreau City Staff Present: Jim Duncan, Elaine Wang, Chief Audy Guests Present: Margaret Bass, Wes (public) Call to Order by: 18:05 Meeting Start Time: 18:05 Minutes Recorded by: Anna Wageling II. Agenda Review III. Public Comment Concern around short-term rentals and Airbnbs taking over Winooski IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approve with corrections Motion by: Jess Second: Leslie In Burlington, established you don’t have to be a resident to sit on the Housing Board of Review Leslie and Jess’s names conflated- clerical error V. City Council Liaison Updates l Working on budget for last two months l Housing position back up to 40 hours per week, approved by council l Planning Commission looked at parking minimums VI. City Staff Liaison Updates l School Board position up- due date to submit petition is Jan 30 l If you need COVID 19 test kits, available at City Hall VII. Finalize Review of Staff-Recommended Changes to Chapter 17 of Municipal Code (Public Building Registry, Housing Quality Ordinance) l Registry portion: collecting more information than we normally do? l Can we require any additions/renovations and year built? Chief Audy: we keep files on all properties and that ends up being a lot of date l What is the flip side of requiring rental amount to be disclosed? Chief Audy: hoping the  (Public Building Registry, Housing Quality Ordinance) l Registry portion: collecting more information than we normally do? l Can we require any additions/renovations and year built? Chief Audy: we keep files on all properties and that ends up being a lot of date l What is the flip side of requiring rental amount to be disclosed? Chief Audy: hoping the housing position can help bridge that gap to help gather that information. Data that is collected is in a platform called Firehouse. l Jessica: software available for rental tracking: “Rentometer”- can select geographical area and get rental information and bedroom number. Annual fee. VIII. Begin Review of Municipal Code Chapter 9 (Housing) l trying to get a definition of “skilled manor” l security deposits: never language about this before, some legal pieces we could not overcome. What is our internal ability to control that if it becomes a debate between a landlord and tenant l EMP is changing to IRC (Inspection, Repair, and Cleaning) but it has not happened yet, so they cannot write it in yet l minimum housing standards: helps folks advocate for themselves l trash: what about dumpsters? No need for discussion, just flagging it l recycling/compost: can we require a covering? Different in Burlington because they provide recycling services l responsibilities: violation leads to a civil ticket l if we only enforce violations with the owner, that is not solving the entire issue. Lack of accountability and understanding further complicates the problem l only punitive punishment for owners is eviction l potentially putting staff in the mediator role they want to avoid l If a ticket is written and then there is compliance, the ticket can be voided l fine amount: $150, then $250 for second offense l judicial bureau takes action if the fee is not paid l second offense: multiple contacts in between first and second, efforts to remedy l someone dumping in another dumpster: theft of service (unlawful) l Minimum space, use, and location l International, Burlington says 70 sq feet rule and 50 for each additional person after 2 people (standard numbers) l right now, only used in life safety issues l currently a large percentage of sleeping areas that exceed this l if there was an event, liability would be on agency knowingly putting a family in a unit, on the city with “neglect” l HUD says 2 people per bedroom, no sq footage requirement l maybe making it clear that it is a serious health and safety concern and needing to make that a priority l two additional sleeping areas: typically a living room, basement (where there is no egress) l weighing homelessness v. potential serious event l City typically does not know unless it is brought to attention l Can we write discretion into an ordinance? l modular homes v. trailer IX. Review Voter-Backed Just Cause Eviction Petition and Draft Info Sheet l Need to educate public and to maintain objectivity l legislature needs to pass, signed by gov, then can be in the Winooski charter l Should we state in the document that the intent is for the city to remain neutral l Good to state a neutral point early l On first read, looks like negative view on our policies  l Need to educate public and to maintain objectivity l legislature needs to pass, signed by gov, then can be in the Winooski charter l Should we state in the document that the intent is for the city to remain neutral l Good to state a neutral point early l On first read, looks like negative view on our policies l If we are going to provide facts, what facts in support of charter change should be listed here l Might not be possible to have a reasonable debate on this during election l Maybe turn second page into talking points internally l two public hearings on this coming up X. Discuss Timeline for Review of Other Possible Renter Protection Options No minutes provided XI. Adjourn Motion by: Robert: Second: Deac Meeting end time: 21:12