CC Minutes - 06/09/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Torrey suggested a demonstration project, or a "before and after" example, be done for an alley in the neighborhood. Mayor Torrey solicited a second round of comments. Ms. Nathanson requested more information about how the City could change its nuisance complaint system generally and who in the City organization was initially empowered to respond to complaints. She asked if it was possible for staff to hand-deliver a first-notice nuisance complaint letter. She thought putting a face behind a complaint might help. Ms. Nathanson asked if the City was doing enough in terms of its initial first steps in enforcement. Ms. Nathanson asked about the potential of licensing those who owned rental property as an alternative to a housing code. She asked staff to investigate the approach. Mr. Pap8 shared Ms. Nathanson's interest into an investigation of licensing. Responding to a question from Mr. PapS, task force member John Brown said that he believed it would be difficult for the market to make owner-occupied condominiums in the neighborhood financially feasible at this time. The land vacant must be worth more than the land improved, which was the reason there had been little redevelopment in the area. There would have to be substantial changes in the neighborhood's economic development patterns for that to happen. Mr. Pap8 suggested that the disturbances in the neighborhood could be stopped by strict enforcement of the law and by prosecuting offenders to the full extent of the law, as had been done in Seaside in response to student disturbances. He questioned why that was not mentioned in the task force's report as he thought it should be one of the short-term strategies. Ms. Bettman thought that to a degree, the student disturbances should be separated from the issue of neighborhood livability. She said that many rental units were deteriorating and she heard complaints from students that there was nothing they could do about it. She questioned prioritizing alley improvements over such livability improvements, and emphasized her support for a housing code. Regarding the potential of licensing, Ms. Bettman questioned what leverage the City would have over landlords in the absence of housing standards. She suggested a combination of licensing and a housing code could be appropriate. Mr. Kelly was also interested in an exploration of licensing but did not presuppose it would lower the City's costs. He was willing to review any models. Speaking to the potential of using the existing State housing code, Mr. Kelly noted that code required a tenant with a complaint to go to court. Ms. Nathanson requested a staff analysis of the approach of adopting the State housing code by reference. She thought the City lacked the staff resources needed to implement its own housing code. Ms. Nathanson wanted to know if the University of Oregon would be willing to be proactively identify demonstration projects that could be implemented in the neighborhood using different University schools and areas of expertise. Ms. Taylor thought some of what happened in the neighborhood was a result of human nature. She agreed with Ms. Bettman about the relative priority of a housing code as compared to the MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 9, 2003 Page 10 Work Session