Item 4: Ordinance on Rental Housing Code

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Extending the Rental Housing Code Meeting Date: June 11, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Planning & Development Staff Contact: Stuart Ramsing www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-6801 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is scheduled to take action on an ordinance that would extend the Rental Housing Code. Two options exist: one to remove the current sunset and replace it with a required work session every four years, and a second option that was prepared in response to comments at the public hearing and that retains the sunset provision and extends it four years to September 30, 2016. BACKGROUND The Rental Housing Code went into effect in 2005, with a three-year sunset. It has been extended twice, both times for three-year periods. In fall 2011, the code was extended for an additional nine months, during which time staff worked with the Housing Policy Board (HPB) developing recommendations for the future. Recommendations were presented at the council’s April 18, 2012, work session. At the work session, the council directed staff to: a.Proceed with a public hearing on a draft ordinance that continues the program by eliminating the sunset provision and instead requires a mandatory discussion every four years; and b.Continue discussion with the HPB committee and bring back recommendations to the council in fall 2012. An ordinance was prepared for a May 21, 2012, public hearing where a majority of those speaking requested that the sunset be retained in line with the Housing Policy Board and City Manager recommendation. A desire to reinstate the sunset provision was also expressed by four of the councilors present, but no formal direction was provided at the hearing. In anticipation that the sunset provision may again be considered as part of the council’s final action, an additional ordinance was drafted and attached to this summary. Ordinance option 1 removes the sunset and instead requires a work session every four years. Option 2 extends the sunset date to September 30, 2016. Both options include the same changes that will allow multi-year billing if it is determined to be fiscally prudent. RELATED CITY POLICIES The Rental Housing Program connects with four of the five council goals, including: Safe Community, Sustainable Development, Effective, Accountable Municipal Government and Fair, Stable and Adequate S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120611\S1206114.doc