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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />October 8, 2019 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Mary Burg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />Renter’s Ordinance Discussion <br />Lotter explained Councilmember Allen had requested the Council discuss a renter’s ordinance. He reviewed <br />the Ordinance the City of Richfield has in place. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen commented on how the rental market was changing in the Twin Cities metro area. He <br />noted more national companies and investment firms are taking over rental properties in the community. He <br />stated the challenge with this was keeping rental rates affordable when these national companies take over. He <br />indicated the rental market was so tight right now and when tenants are displaced it was difficult to find <br />another unit quickly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked if the City knew this was a problem in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen stated there was rumors that this was a concern. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth questioned if an Ordinance were approved it this would apply to all rental <br />establishments going into the future. Lotter stated the triggering event would be the sale of a rental property. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen inquired how the City defined rental property. Lotter commented the City defined a <br />rental property as three or four+ units. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated she could understand putting an Ordinance in place for larger complexes but <br />not so much for private investors working to improve a triplex or fourplex. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg commented through her line of work she understood there was a lack of affordable <br />housing in the community. She indicated it was difficult for investors to build new apartments and keep the <br />rents affordable. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the rental housing market in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated she wanted to fully understand the implications of the proposed Ordinance <br />because she did not want to see a new Ordinance put in place if it was not necessary for New Brighton. She