HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.C.1. Proposed Rental Housing OrdinanceCITY OF SHAKOPEE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
INTRODUCTION:
Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
Jeff Tate, Chief of Police/Emergency Management Director
Michael Leek, Community Development Director
Proposed Rental Housing Ordinance
August 11, 2010
/3. C. L
Staff has begun exploring whether providing for public health, safety and welfare to its
citizens suggests that the City should consider implementing a rental dwelling
registration/licensing program and a possible rental dwelling maintenance program. The
Council is asked to discuss and provide staff with direction on whether to take further
steps toward the development and implementation of a rental dwelling
registration/licensing program and/or a rental dwelling maintenance program
BACKGROUND:
For many years now the police department has operated the crime free multi-housing
program. The program has proven to be beneficial in those participating multi-housing
complexes by reducing calls for service and enhancing community oriented policing
efforts. The program has many benefits to property owners, managers, and tenants as
well. Not every multi-housing complex in the city participates in this program.
Over the past several years, staff has had discussions with the Council about whether to
implement a rental dwelling registration licensing program. The most recent discussions
occurred in 2008. Recently, staff in both the Police and Community Development
Department have surveyed other communities in the Metro Region, and have noted that
there seems to be an increase in these types of programs for cities in the Region. These
programs range from annual registration to extensive programs that required the annual
issuance of a rental dwelling license and compliance with adopted maintenance
standards. It should be noted that in a recent case involving the City of Red Wing the
courts have determined that maintenance codes for rental dwellings cannot exceed
building code standards where the building code already regulates an item.
Under the programs that staff has reviewed it appears that they tend to apply to all rental
dwellings including single-family rentals. The Council would, however, have discretion
to direct development of a program that applied to only a certain subset of rental
dwellings.
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From a police department perspective, if the Council believes it would be desirable to
implement a rental housing registrationJlicensing program it would be desirable and
suggested that the crime free multi-housing program be incorporated into the program.
Specifically, a program could be designed which includes incentives for participation in
the crime free multi-housing program. For example, and assuming that
registration licensing would be required on an annual basis, the program might include a
reduction in the fees for registration licensing.
VISIONING RELATIONSHIP:
This item relates to Goal 1. Keep Shakopee a safe and healthy community where
residents can pursue active and quality lifestyles, as well as Goal D. Maintain, improve
and create strong partnerships with other public and private sector entities.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the following;
1. Whether the Council desires to have staff further develop a rental dwelling
registration licensing program and ordinance and or a rental dwelling
maintenance program and ordinance.
2. If the answer to item 1 above is yes, provide direction regarding whether the
Council would want a program that includes all rental dwelling units from single-
family to multi-family apartment complex or some subset of rental dwellings.
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