2022.02.22 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilmember Dunsworth stated she was in favor of moving forward with a rental inspection program for single family homes. She believed this type of program would be in the best interest of both landlords and their tenants. She discussed how the issues at problem single family rental properties was becoming concerning to the surrounding neighborhood. She indicated she did not have a timeframe in mind for this program and suggested that it not apply to 2+, but rather should include single family homes as well. She wanted to make sure New Brighton was in line with neighboring communities. She also recommended the financial implications be studies closely by City staff. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained she supported the City moving in this direction as well but noted she had a lot of questions regarding the proposed program. She questioned how much time staff was currently spending on rental inspections. Massopust reported the Code Enforcement Officer spends 75% of his time devoted to rental issues. He noted the Fire Marshal and Community Engagement Officer also address rental concerns. He estimated the City currently devotes 1.5 FTE’s to current rental issues. Gozola believed this to be an accurate estimate. He reported the cities that have designated staff members to a rental inspection program typically have 1 to 2 FTE’s. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked how many complaints the City received regarding rental properties. Gozola indicated staff did not have this data, but explained the complaint database could be reviewed and tracked in the future. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas indicated approximately 37% of the residents in New Brighton were renting and close to 10% were living in single family homes or duplexes. She supported the City moving forward in the same manner that was followed for the short term rental regulations in order to collect data that was currently unavailable and to assist the City with planning for a future staffing model. Councilmember Allen commented on the potential cost for a new staff member and how the cost could be covered by rental inspection fees. He explained he would like to hear more from the inspectors to learn what they check on properties. He stated he supported the City moving forward with a single family rental inspection program. He anticipated the number of single family rentals within New Brighton was only going to increase as families are finding ways to make ends meet. He discussed how vacancy rates at local hotels could be inspected. He indicated he would like the Council to consider when landlords should be denied the ability to rent in New Brighton and how would the City advertise the new program. Councilmember Axberg stated she has been a landlord for single family homes in Coon Rapids, St. Paul and Nisswa. She believed she was a good landlord and she took great care in screening her tenants. She believed if you had good tenants, it was mutually beneficial to both parties. She commented further on the fee that was charged by Coon Rapids for a rental license. She reported St. Paul and Nisswa did charge rental fees. She believed there were pros and cons to having a rental program and questioned if it was necessary to put a rental program in place at this time. Councilmember Dunsworth thanked Councilmember Axberg for her comments. She indicated she did not support passing regulations for the sake of having more regulations in place. She explained she too was a landlord and had three properties in Minneapolis and two in St. Louis, Missouri. She noted all of her units were affordable. She thought of herself as an exceptional landlord, but noted she was not able to visit her St. Louis property on a daily basis. She believed that an inspection was not too much to ask. She commented further on the tiers that Minneapolis has in place for its rental program and stated she would be inclined to consider a complaint based or tiered program when considering the rates charged for rental license fees. She believed this would encourage landlords to maintain and make investments in their properties.