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Home My WebLink About06.12.19 Agenda Oshkosh RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD June 12, 2019 3:30 PM To Whom It May Concern: Please note the City of Oshkosh Rental Housing Advisory Board will meet on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12,2019 at 3:30 PM in Room 406 (Council Chambers) at Oshkosh City Hall,215 Church Avenue to consider the following agenda: A. CALL TO ORDER (3:30 p.m.) B. ROLL CALL C. 1. ELECT CHAIR 2. ELECT VICE CHAIR D. CITIZEN STATEMENTS (Citizen statements are limited to three (3) minutes, must address items that are not listed on the Rental Housing Advisory Board (RHAB) meeting agenda, are limited to issues that have an impact on the City of Oshkosh and the RHAB may address at a future meeting, and must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering). E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—May 8,2019 F. UW-O STUDENT MOVE-IN INSPECTIONS G. VACANT BUILDING REGISTRY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM—Discussion/Action H. INSPECTION UPDATE I. OSHKOSH SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET J. SOCIAL/TRADITIONAL MEDIA UPDATE K. RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD 2019 ACTION PLAN AND STRATEGIC PLAN L. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS M. ADJOURN City Hall,215 Church Avenue P.O.Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us 4& Oshkosh RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MAY 8, 2019 PRESENT: Lori Palmeri, Matthew Stenerson,Timothy Ernst, Linda Jevaltas, Margy Davey EXCUSED: Cheryl Hentz,Matt Mugerauer 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 Ms. Davey called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. CITIZEN STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements APPROVAL OF MINUTES—April 10,2019 The minutes of the April 10, 2019 meeting were approved with the following amendment: STATE OF THE CITY RECAP Ms.Jevaltas and Mr. Ernst were the board representatives scheduled to staff the table at the State of the City, however neither were in attendance at the meeting to give a recap. (Palmeri/Davey) UWO COMMUNICATIONS CLUB—Move in Inspections Gaby Newman,president of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Communications Club along with Luke Schwan spoke to the Board about collaborating with the City rental housing inspection program to offer students the opportunity to have their rental units inspected when they moved in. She presented a rough draft of an email the Communications Club would send to students living off campus explaining the process. Mr.Davis stated staff would edit the email and bring it back for discussion to the June RHAB meeting and give approval to the UWO Communications Club to distribute to students renting off campus. INSPECTION UPDATE Mr.Koelbl reported he had completed 2 voluntary inspections last month which had a total of fifteen code violations. 4& Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Two Mr. Prickett provided the Board with a copy of letter he received from Erik Forsgren, an attorney who worked with UWO Student Legal Services. Included with the letter was a copy of a "notice" given to tenants who rented from Star Properties that he found to be concerning and felt should be addressed by City staff. The Board felt the content of the notice should be addressed and requested that Attorney Folsgren be invited to the June RHAB meeting along with City Attorney Lorenson to discuss what further action could be taken. NOTE: Matt Stenerson left the meeting at 4:15 VACANT BUILDING REGISTRY AND INSPECTIONS PROGRAM -Update Mr. Prickett provided the Board with a handout which included bullet points he wanted the Board to consider for discussion at the June RHAB meeting to begin drafting the vacant building registry ordinance. SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE The Board decided to defer the social media update until the June meeting. OSHKOSH SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET Ms. Davey stated she had not heard back from the Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market but reported she requested dates to have booths on July 20th,August 17th, September 14th, and October 5th. BOARD MEMBERS WITH EXPIRING TERMSIDISCUSSION OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS Ms. Palmeri announced that Council Member Steve Herman would be the new council member liaison member for the Rental Housing Advisory Board. Ms. Palmeri suggested the Board add alternate members who would attend and participate in meetings but would not have voting privileges unless there was not a quorum. Motion by Ernst to recommend to Council to add two alternate members to the Rental Housing Advisory Board/Seconded by Jevaltas Motion amended by Davey to recommend to Council to add two alternate members to the Rental Housing Advisory Board who will attend and participate in meetings without voting privileges unless there is not a quorum. Alternate board members will have staggered two year terms/Seconded by Palmeri. Motion Carried 4-0 4& Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Three MEETING FREQUENCY/TELEVISED MEETINGS Mr. Davis stated with the Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program in place he did not feel it was necessary for the Rental Housing Advisory Board to meet monthly,however he asked the Board for their thoughts. Ms. Davey suggested the Board meet bi-monthly and if possible, have staff include information such as inspection updates with the agenda to avoid having to pay staff members to attend meetings. Motion by Ernst to change the meeting schedule of the Rental Housing Advisory Board to a bi-monthly schedule on even numbered months AND have an informative staff report included with the agenda in an effort to trim down meeting times/Seconded by Davey Motion Carried 4-0 Motion by Ernst to begin televising Rental Housing Advisory Board Meetings/Seconded by Davey Motion Carried 4-0 ACTION PLAN/STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE Ms.Davey provided the Board with the updated Strategic Plan and Action Plan with the changes discussed at previous meetings and made a few minor amendments. Motion by Jevaltas to approve the Rental Housing Advisory Board 2019 Strategic Plan and Action Plan as amended/Seconded by Palmeri Motion carried by voice vote FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Erik Forsgren/Lynn Lorenson Discussion UWO Student Move-in Inspections Vacant Building Registry and Inspection Program Discussion Inspection Update Social/Traditional Media Update Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market Update Ms. Palmeri introduced Niki Euhardy, Policy Equity Coordinator for the Winnebago County Health Department. 4& Oshkosh RHAB Minutes Page Four Ms. Euhardy explained her position was new to Winnebago County and one of her goals was to make sure health was incorporated into all municipal policies and decisions. She stated she felt health impact assessments were just as important as environmental impact assessments economic impact assessments. Ms. Palmeri invited Ms. Euhardy to give a presentation at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m. (Ernst/Davey) Respectfully submitted, Allen Davis Community Development Director Rental Housing Advisory Board — 2019 Action Plan Advise Topic Action to Take Responsible Party Completion Date RHAB Meetings Attend bi-monthly Board members End of term Policy review Review as pertains to Staff, Board City rental properties members Inspection districts Create and monitor Staff, Board members State legislative Monitor Staff changes Respond as needed Staff, RHAB Report Keep Council Council Liaison informed of progress Educational Materials Topic Action to Take Responsible Party Completion Date Distribute existing Determine Staff, RHAB pertinent materials: distribution points Tenants Bill of Rights Determine Rent Abatement distribution methods Tenant Assn Flyer Create needed Create and/or Staff, RHAB materials: approve content for A Helpful Guide for information not Renting in Oshkosh covered in existing How Our Inspection materials Program Works Upon completion, Information on Short print and distribute Term Rentals Training Programs Topic Action to Take Responsible Party Completion Date Inspection Certification Code Compliance Training for RHAB landlords: research, develop, implement Landlord/Tenant Education on Rights respective rights: research, develop, implement Fair Housing Anti-discrimination Staff, with Fair for tenants/landlords Housing Council Rent Smart 2019 Supply class info Staff, with UW Extension Outreach Topic Action to Take Responsible Party Completion Date Farmer Market Participate RHAB, Margy 2019 Summer:Jul 20, Aug 17, Sept 14, Oct 5 State of the City Create and staff RHAB, Staff exhibit each year Collaboration Reach out to local RHAB, Staff associations sharing same purpose as RHAB Rental Housing Policy/Code Changes Topic Action to Take Responsible Party Completion Date Residency Research, modify or RHAB, Staff requirements write policy or code Mobile homes Research, modify or RHAB, Staff write policy or code Landlord/tenant Research, modify or RHAB, Staff mediation write policy or code Service animals Research, modify or RHAB, Staff write policy or code Protected Class Research, modify or RHAB, Staff write policy or code VPRO Research, modify or RHAB, Staff write policy or code Rental Housing Advisory Board — 2019 Strategic Plan Membership and Terms: The Oshkosh Rental Housing Advisory board shall consist of seven (7) members, with up to two (2) alternates. Each member shall serve for a period of three (3) years. The board's composition should seek to reflect the diverse interest in rental housing conditions, such as, but not limited to nor excluding, landlords, tenants, neighborhood association representatives, health and safety professionals, real estate agents, and contractors. Purpose: 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. Advise • Attend 6 meetings per year. • Review policy pertaining to rental properties. • Create rental inspection districts. • Respond to State rental Inspection changes. • Report to Council on a regular basis. Educational Materials Distribute appropriate materials prepared by other entities that pertain to our purpose. • Tenants Bill of Rights • Rent Abatement • Tenant Association Brochure Create and distribute materials containing information to educate landlords, renters, and the general public on issues pertaining to local rental housing. • A Helpful Guide for Renting in Oshkosh • How Our Inspection Program Works • Information on Short Term Rentals in Oshkosh Training Programs • Inspection Certification • Code Compliance Training: Research, develop and implement a training course on code compliance focused on the needs of landlords. • Landlord/Tenant Rights: Research, develop and implement a program to educate landlords and tenants on their respective rights. • Fair Housing: Schedule anti-discrimination training directed at both landlords and tenants through the Fair Housing Council. • Rent Smart 2019: Direct tenants to these free workshops provide by UW Extension. • Facilitate a workshop supporting tenant associations. Outreach • Farmers Market: Participate in local farmers market as an opportunity for education and outreach to the community. • State of the City: Create and staff an exhibit to make our presence known. • Collaborate with local associations with an interest in rental properties. Examples include the Winnebago County Apartment Association, neighborhood associations, Rent Smart at UW Extension, the Fair Housing Council, World Relief, and Catholic Charities. • Collaborate with the UWO student community. • Through the use of social and traditional media. Rental Housing Policy/Code Changes Research policies and codes from other municipalities. Consider best practices, modify existing or write new policies or code to address local needs. Investigate categories: • Residency requirements for landlords/property managers • Mobile homes • Landlord/tenant mediation • Service animals • Protected Class code update • Vacant Property Registration Ordinance (VPRO) • Inspection Certificate for Excellent Completed Inspection —a gold star