HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-RHAC-2013-03-27Rental Housing Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2013
Present: Denise Thompson, Nikki Sayward, Larry Beck, Mitch Paine, Rob Flaherty, Graham
Kerslick, Carol Fisher, Steve Smith
1. LB: Not confident we have a quorum. MP: 6 members current; Council is different than a
commission.
2. Pressure to sign early leases: MP move, RF second. GK: Multiple inputs from city
committees. Bottom line: 60 days notice to tenants. Landlords and tenants can agree in writing
to waive agreements. (In Ann Arbor, MI: Can't waive; must wait.) Landlords could put in lease
as a condition ( "You must sign agreeing to this in order to move in... ") Will not solve problem:
public education to tenants is best solution to ease mounting pressure to sign early lease. MP:
Does encapsulate discussion and concerns. LB: What if landlord waits 6 months into lease? If
needs to be written, may as well put into lease. Perhaps place responsibility on both parties
instead of just landlords? If tenants are pushing landlord to rent early, they could be fined.
Bottom line= breathing room for everyone. Most of pressure is due to lack of housing
development. LB: Groups in multi -BR houses are greatly favored over individuals. (More
individual tenants =more hassles, more papers). GK: Landlords can report harassing would -be
tenants to Building Commission. LB: What would that even do to tenants? SS: Make them
subject to enforced penalty (ie. fine). DT: 60 days starts from "effective start date of lease ". MP
vote, RF second. Vote: recommendation for move. GK: Will be brought to committee for further
discussion. Prob will be on April 10 meeting of Planning committee.
RF leaves, LB takes over.
3. Tax abatements: GK: Unlikely that assessments will change much on exterior alone. LB: How
much money does it cost to run building and what is expected profit? Abatement is
approximately equal to increase in assessment value.
4. Quick detour discussing status of commission spots: Danielle Harrington showed interest but
no recent interest. Carol is submitting app. Still non - profit, tenant and wild -card spots available.
GK leaves.
5. Forums: LB: Landlord's Assc. meeting, a 15- minute presentation. Tenants concerns from
Southside Community Center -open to city officials. DT: If public, would people really feel free to
present concerns? (w press available) [Could we possibly make such an event open to public
but closed to press? If people are that concerned abt being quoted in the media, they may not
speak up no matter what the forum set -up.] MP: Tapping into existing venues, such as
Landlord's Association and Collegetown Student Council. When Attorney General, ask people
for feedback. Turnout for this tends to vary. LB: Reach out to various civic association. (ex.
South Hill) MP: Will get students' feedback. May 9, Tenant - Landlord Meeting at Cornell Coop.
Ext. If we want to do a presentation, before is no problem (room is reserved all morning).
Approx. 6 -12 people usually come, as of late. Certainly have more at times. LB: Do 15 minutes
for public input. NS: Concern that may not be enough time. LB: Possibly fit into current, on-
going meetings. Primarily outreach to various groups /audiences. Discuss structure ideas at next
meeting.
EDITED SUMMARY: (see full notes above)
The main discussion point were about the pressure to sign early leases, tax abatements and
holding forums for outreach /public education.
Pressure to sign up early leases: The bottom line is passing 60 days notice to tenants in order
to give both parties breathing room. If pressure comes from either side, either /or both parties
could be subject to fines. (Harassing parties could be reported to Building Commission.) This
could be waived as a written condition in a lease that both parties sign. The 60 days starts from
the "effective start date of lease ". Voted on move to Planning Committee for further discussion.
Tax abatements: Abatement is approx. equal to increase value (how much money it takes to run
building and expected profit are considered).
Holding forums for outreach /public education: Could hold independent meeting or do a
presentation at existing meetings (such as when Attorney General comes to Cornell Coop. Ext.)
Concern about how freely people may speak up if attended by press. Suggestion to reach out to
various audiences and civic associations, such as Landlord's Association, students,
Collegetown Student Council, etc.
- -done by Secretary Nikki Sayward