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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.11.18 Minutes 4h Car Oshkosh RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MINTUES APRIL 11, 2018 PRESENT: Matt Mugerauer, Margy Davey, Timothy Ernst, Linda Jevaltas, Lori Palmeri, EXCUSED: Cheryl Hentz UNEXCUSED: Matthew Stenerson, Sherri Devereau STAFF: Allen Davis, Community Development Director, John Zarate, Chief Building Official, Andrew Prickett, Building Systems Inspector, Casey Koelbl, Housing Inspector, Kathy Fredrick, Weights and Measures/Code Enforcement Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mr. Mugerauer called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. The minutes of the March 14, 2018 meeting were approved as presented. (Davey/Ernst) SOCIAL MEDIA Mr.Allen stated Emily Springstroh reported Cheryl Hentz was doing an excellent job of keeping the RHAB Facebook page up to date with postings. NOTE: Lori Palmeri joined the meeting at 3:36 p.m. STATE OF THE CITY The Board discussed having their own table at future State of the City events with a greater variety of resources to share with the public. STATE LEGISLATION UPDATE- SB 639/AB 771 Mr. Davis reported AB 771 had not yet been signed by the Governor, however he received a copy of the version of the bill expected to be signed by Governor Walker that would emailed to RHAB members. INSPECTIONS UPDATE Mr. Koelbl reported one interior rental housing inspection was completed in the past month. He stated any further inspections were on hold until it was determined how AB 771 would affect the rental housing inspection program. /0�� J Car Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Two Mr. Ernst asked if there were code violations found during the most recent rental housing inspection. Mr. Koelbl stated during the recent interior rental housing inspection there was standing water in the basement of the property, electrical issues, missing smoke detectors and CO detectors, and screen issues. Mr.Allen clarified only complaint based inspections would be completed for the foreseeable future. 2018 ACTION PLAN With the upcoming common council member changes and RHAB member term expirations, the Board opted to defer the 2018 Action Plan. Ms. Davey suggested the Board start planning a 2019 Action Plan. Mr. Ernst stated even though the rental registry program made up the bulk of the action plan, there were other things the Board could focus on besides the rental housing inspection program. Mr. Mugerauer noted if the City initiated a new rental registry program, it would take precedence over other tasks. MISSION STATEMENT The Board decided they were satisfied with the mission statement put forward at the January 101h RHAB meeting: The purpose of the Rental Housing Advisory Board is to advise staff on the creation of rental housing educational materials and residential rental training programs for landlords and tenants, to review and make recommendations regarding City policy or changes to the municipal code pertaining to rental housing. This includes all matters related to health, safety, and general welfare of the renting public. LANDLORD RETALIATION FOR COMPLAINTS MADE BY TENANTS Ms. Palmeri asked the Board for suggestions on how to mitigate retaliation for formal complaints made by tenants. Mr. Ernst suggested the Board put together educational material describing the types of landlord retaliation with a link to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Ms. Palmeri stated she felt it would be beneficial to educate tenants on rent abatement. /0"Nk � Car Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Three Mr. Mugerauer agreed it would be beneficial to educate tenants about landlord retaliation and rent abatement, however once the information was created, the Board needed to determine how to use the information effectively. Ms. Davey stated the Board needed to create ways to share online and printed materials. Mr. Davis suggested the Board research the topics of rent abatement and ways to share educational materials with the public and bring the information to the next RHAB meeting for discussion. Ms.Jevaltas requested the Board track where brochures were being distributed. Mr. Davis asked Board members who had distributed educational brochures to email Ms. Fredrick where the brochures were delivered and she would report back at the next RHAB meeting. Ms. Palmeri asked if RHAB members would be consulted regarding new procedures of the rental registry program. Mr. Davis replied once City staff had completed its assessment of AB 771 and how it would affect the rental registry program, they would submit their findings and recommendations to the Council, who would most likely consult the RHAB for input. He encouraged the Board to read the section of bill AB 771 pertaining to the rental registry program. Ms. Jevaltas asked if the Board should submit a resolution to the Council asking for the RHAB to remain if the rental registry program was eliminated. Mr. Mugerauer noted the RHAB was created separately from the rental registry program; it was adopted as an advisory board for rental housing in general. FARMERS MARKET Ms. Davey reported she had applied for space at the Saturday Farmers Market, however she had not received the assigned dates. She added the Board needed to create a visual aid to draw people in. The Board discussed providing educational materials and displaying posters with pictures of code violations at the Saturday Farmers Market. Ms.Palmeri asked if there was a benefit to a tenant for receiving a completion certificate for the Rent Smart class. /0�� J Car Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Four Mr. Ernst stated a having a Rent Smart completion certificate provided the recipient with one year of good renting credit. Ms. Palmeri asked if having a Rent Smart completion certificate would eliminate an eviction from a tenant record. Mr. Ernst replied having a Rent Smart completion certificate would not eliminate an eviction from a tenant record. Mr. Davis asked the Board to review pictures of code violations and choose which ones they wanted printed for their posters. POLICY FOR BOARD MEMBER ATTENDANCE The Board discussed the importance of member participation and attendance and decided as Mr. Mugerauer was chairman of the RHAB, he would discuss with Mayor Cummings the appointment of a member to replace the seat held by Sherri Devereau. Mr. Mugerauer clarified his status on the RHAB since he had recently been elected to the Oshkosh Common Council. He stated per City Attorney Lorenson, since he was appointed as a citizen member to the RHAB that is what his status would continue to be until his term expired. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Rent Abatement New 'Blight" Zones Neighbor Report Card Shoulder Neighborhood Map Kathy Propp—Refugee Housing Advocate RHAB Relationship with Winnebago Apartment Association Add Citizen Statements to Agenda ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m. (Davey/Ernst) Respectfully submitted, Allen Davis Community Development Director