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Oshkosh
RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MINTUES
NOVEMBER 8, 2017
PRESENT: Matt Mugerauer, Margy Davey, Cheryl Hentz, Linda Jevaltas, Lori Palmeri,
EXCUSED: Timothy Ernst, Sherri Devereau, Matt Stenerson
STAFF: Allen Davis, Community Development Director, Casey Koelbl, Housing Inspector,
Kathy Fredrick, Weights and Measures/Code Enforcement Clerk
OTHER: Emily Springstroh, Communications Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Mugerauer called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
The minutes of the October 11, 2017 meeting were approved as presented. (Davey/Rentz)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Ms.Springstroh reported she had met with RHAB Chairman,Matt Mugerauer,to record the public service
announcement video highlighting the Rental Housing Advisory Board. She stated the video would be
broadcast on Oshkosh Community Media beginning in December. She also stated she would be meeting
with Cheryl Hentz to develop a plan for Facebook post content. She encouraged board members to submit
ideas and to share posts on their personal Facebook pages pertaining to the rental inspection program.
DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL BROCHURE
Ms.Fredrick reported the edited tenant brochure was finalized and asked the Board how many brochures
they wanted printed. She stated two hundred brochures had been printed and given to the Oshkosh Fire
Department for staff to distribute during their"Detector Trek". The Board requested one thousand tenant
brochures be printed for distribution by members.
Council Member Palmeri requested that board members email in a group message where they have
distributed brochures so there were no duplicates.
The Board discussed having the brochure printed in other languages including French, Spanish, and
Swahili. Ms. Davey stated she would research the feasibility and cost of printing the brochure in other
languages and report back to the Board.
Mr. Davis added he would reference the brochure in the upcoming City Newsletter.
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INSPECTION SERVICES WEB PAGE
Ms. Fredrick reported the Inspection Services Web Page had been updated and was "live' on the City
website.
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ORDINANCE
Mr. Davis reported the carbon monoxide ordinance would go before Council for the first reading on
November 14th. He asked the Board if they wanted the memo that accompanied the ordinance to reference
that the recommendation for the Carbon Monoxide Ordinance came from the Rental Housing Advisory
Board.
The Board chose to indicate on the memo accompanying the ordinance that the recommendation for the
Carbon Monoxide Ordinance was initiated by the Rental Housing Advisory Board.
INSPECTIONS UPDATE
Mr. Koelbl reported tenant inspection notices were mailed on October 26th to fifty two units. He stated at
present,eight interior inspections and been scheduled and seven interior inspections had been completed.
He noted forty three violations were found during the seven interior inspections.
Note: Council Member Palmeri left the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Mugerauer asked what types of violations were found during the interior inspections.
Mr. Koelbl stated most of the violations pertained to hand rails, guard rails, electrical issues, not having
smoke and CO detectors on each floor, and windows lacking screens.
Ms. Davey asked if all of the bedrooms were inspected.
Mr. Koelbl stated he could only inspect the bedrooms of the tenants who were present during the
inspection.
Ms. Davey asked if long grass or setback parking violations were included in the voluntary rental
inspection.
Mr.Koelbl stated only health and safety related concerns were included on the voluntary rental inspection
checklist, however if he if saw infractions such as long grass and vehicles parked on lawns, he notified
City staff.
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Ms.Jevaltas stated she felt that signs attached to dwellings advertising rental information were an eyesore
and asked if the Board could consider changing the zoning ordinance to not allow them.
Mr. Mugerauer stated zoning issues fell under the purview of the Planning Commission.
Ms. Hentz stated she did not have a problem with rental information signs attached to dwellings;she was
more concerned with the open cabinet signs on properties where businesses had vacated.
Mr. Mugerauer stated rental information signs attached to dwellings were mostly confined to the
university area due to the high turnover rental cycle of college students.
NOTE: Mr. Ernst arrived at the meeting at 4:10 p.m.
Ms.Jevaltas stated she was looking for ideas in which to get more participation from landlords.
Mr. Mugerauer stated participation in inspections was the responsibility of the tenant, noting unless
changes were made to the legislation, landlords were not contacted by the City regarding voluntary
inspections.
Mr. Davis stated he would get an update on what was happening at the State level regarding the rental
registry program and provide feedback at the next meeting.
The Board discussed agenda items for the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m. (Davey/Rentz)
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Davis
Community Development Director