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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2007 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2007 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Pearson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Rita Andreoli Commissioner Jeffrey James Chairperson Gary Pearson Commissioner Joy Tkachuck Vice-Chairperson Beth Ulrich Absent Present Present Present Present Staff Present: Michael Samuelson, Code Enforcement Officer III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Tkachuck moved to approve the agenda as amended, adding under 5. - Communications "Website Update for Code Enforcement Division", and adding under 7. - New Business "Letter to the City Council". Commissioner Ulrich seconded. The motion carried. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. September 12,2007 Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the September 12, 2007 minutes as presented. Commissioner Tkachuck seconded Ayes - Pearson, Tkachuck, James Abstentions - Ulrich The motion passed. b. October 10, 2007 Commissioner Ulrich moved approval of the October 10,2007 minutes as presented. Commissioner Pearson seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all V. COMMUNICATIONS . Report on Code Enforcement Michael Samuelson presented the staff report. Mr. Samuelson updated the commission on code enforcement statistics of service for September and October of 2007. Housing and Redevelopment Authority -2- Minutes of 11-14-07 . Website Updates for Code Enforcement Division Mr. Samuelson updated the commission on the city's website page on code enforcement information and website requests for service. Commissioner Tkachuck asked Mr. Samuelson if the numbers for code enforcement website contacts are reflected in his monthly statistics. Mr. Samuelson responded that those numbers are included in the number of new cases opened, but that they were not included in requests for service. Commissioner Tkachuck also asked staff what constitutes a case as being officially closed. Mr. Samuelson said it is considered closed ideally when one of three levels of compliance is reached. Mr. Samuelson further explained the three levels of code compliance. Commissioner Pearson asked if it would be possible for Mr. Samuelson to categorize the code enforcement statistics by neighborhoods, similar to the report system used by the police department. Mr. Samuelson responded that should be possible by the first of next year when the new computer database system is completed. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS . Continue Review and Discussion on the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and Chapter 12 of City Code. Mr. Samuelson presented the staff report explaining the review of Chapter 12 of the Maplewood housing maintenance code. Mr. Samuelson said that the review of Chapter 12 of city code is completed and recommended adoption by the commission. Mr. Samuelson reviewed the code requirements and conditions of Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7 with the commissioners and explained the proposed changes. Mr. Samuelson reviewed Chapter 4 with the commission. He said the inspection department is reviewing the light, ventilation and occupancy limitations chapter, but that both he and the building official are recommending adoption of this chapter with possibly some minor changes. Commissioner Pearson suggested the adoption of occupancy limits may increase the inspection load of building inspectors and questioned whether this is a better process than having a stated density. Mr. Samuelson responded that the housing code is more detailed as to the amount of space required per person. He said the housing code along with the IMPC, which provides a formula of per-foot "healthy" space for a specific number of persons to reside, will both be used. Mr. Samuelson said the building inspection department is also reviewing Chapter 5 on plumbing facilities and fixture requirements and Chapter 6 on mechanical and safety requirements. He said that both he and the building official are recommending that the basics of these chapters of the code be adopted as they exist with possibly some minor changes. Mr. Samuelson noted the temperature requirement for hot water will be changed to require a lower temperature. Mr. Samuelson noted that the Fire Marshal has reviewed and recommended adoption of Chapter 7 on fire codes. Mr. Samuelson said he and the building official have also Housing and Redevelopment Authority -3- Minutes of 11-14-07 recommended approval of Chapter 7. Commissioner Pearson suggested that a code relating to carbon monoxide might be added to the fire code at this time. The commissioners asked Mr. Samuelson questions on code issues and also requested further information regarding the requirements of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors. Mr. Samuelson explained that when all of the code review is completed, it will be submitted to the commission with changes proposed in ordinance form for approval and recommendation to the city council. VII. NEW BUSINESS . Review of Draft Excessive Consumption of City Services Fee Ordinance Mr. Samuelson presented the report explaining the proposed ordinance amendment to allow re-inspection fees to attempt to recapture some of the expenses from those using excessive city services. Commissioner Pearson said that in talking with city staff, it appears that the name of this ordinance amendment may change. Staff concurred. The commissioners compared similar ordinances from the cities of Eagan, Minneapolis and St. Paul. Commissioner Ulrich moved the housing and redevelopment authority recommend to the city council approval of the code amendment adding language to the city code about excessive consumption of city services. Commissioner James seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all . Letter to City Council to Provide and Maintain Staffing Budget The commission reviewed their draft letter to the city council requesting the replacement of clerical staff support for Mr. Samuelson in order to continue the tempo of his work load. Commissioner Tkachuck moved the housing and redevelopment authority approve the letter to city council requesting they provide clerical staff support for the code enforcement division to maintain the current work load of the code enforcement officer. Commissioner Ulrich seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all Housing and Redevelopment Authority -4- Minutes of 11-14-07 VIII. DATE OF NEXT MEETING . Commissioner Pearson reported the building official, David Fisher, has requested that the December meeting date be cancelled to allow him additional time to complete research on information he will be presenting to the commission and to reschedule that meeting to January 9, 2008. The commission agreed to the January 9, 2008 meeting date. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.