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summary of the program similarities and differences, as well as a list of the individuals making the visit are included in the staff report. Recommendations In this work session, staff will present the results of the stakeholder outreach and an overview of program recommendations that are under development or could be explored further, if council approves a program extension beyond September 30, 2012. The recommendations below can be addressed administratively with the exception of item “g” which requires an ordinance change to allow anything other than annual billing. Current recommendations are: a)Reduce the annual unit fee to draw down the reserves b)Explore further development of online accounts and billing c)Provide public access to complaints and staff work online d)Develop online resources to answer frequently asked questions for both tenants and owners e)Explore more effective outreach regarding the program’s availability, purpose and process f)Explore other ways of billing, both in-house and outsourcing g)Explore multi-year billing option (requires an ordinance change to implement) h)Work with a committee of the Housing Policy Board for policy-level review and input i)Explore changing the late fee to proportionally relate to size of a past-due payment j)Explore contracting with community organizations for portions of the program RELATED CITY POLICIES The Rental Housing Code connects with four of the five council goals, including: Safe Community, Sustainable Development, Effective, Accountable Municipal Government and Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources. The more general topic of rental housing is also addressed in the ongoing Envision Eugene work and the Climate and Energy Action Plan. COUNCIL OPTIONS Option 1: Take no further action, thereby allowing the ordinance to automatically expire and the program to sunset on September 30, 2012. Option 2: Direct staff to develop an ordinance that will extend the ordinance four years to fall 2016, at which time it will automatically expire (i.e., sunset) and to schedule a public hearing and action for the council on the proposed ordinance. Option 3: Direct staff to develop an ordinance that removes the sunset provision and to schedule a public hearing and action for the council on the proposed ordinance. Option 4: Direct staff to further evaluate the program and report to the council. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends option 2. SUGGESTED MOTIONS Move to approve the City Manager's recommendation to develop an ordinance that extends the sunset provision to fall 2016 and to schedule a public hearing and council action on the proposed ordinance. S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120418\S120418A.doc