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Mr. Pryor wanted to continue the Rental Housing Program but he was concerned about maintaining <br />community trust. He cited the size of the program surplus as an example of something that could strain <br />that trust. He advocated for a code was that was thoughtful, smart, and implemented fairly and equitably. <br />He felt many of the recommendations reflected sensitivity to the concerns that had been expressed and <br />wanted to continue to restore and build confidence that the code would be used in a way to fulfill its <br />stated purpose. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor determined from Mr. Ramsing that renters were surveyed in regard to the program but did not <br />serve on the advisory committee. She questioned how the program captured revenues from short-term <br />landlords. Ms. Taylor endorsed Mr. Zelenka’s suggestions and was also interested in mandating energy <br />efficiency through the Rental Housing code. She called for an increase in the late fee and the annual fee. <br />Ms. Taylor did not think the ordinance should sunset so its original proponents did not have to worry <br />about the possibility and said the council could repeal it if it needed to. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr recalled the code was intended to provide minimal habitability criteria and he believed the <br />council needed to keep that in mind when considering additions. He agreed with Mr. Pryor’s remarks <br />about building trust. <br /> <br />City Manager Jon Ruiz arrived. <br /> <br />Mr. Brown questioned why the City would reduce the fee when it was expected the reserves would be <br />drawn down in the next fiscal year. He believed the Rental Housing Program was very important and the <br />fee involved was trivial. He believed that valid tenant concerns led to the formation of the program. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz supported a sunset because it provided an opportunity for council review and program <br />adjustments. She supported moving forward with provisions that addressed the health and safety of <br />tenants, such as working toilets, hot and cold running water, operable smoke detectors, and heat. Ms. <br />Ortiz agreed with Mr. Zelenka that a landlord response should not take so much time. She expressed <br />concern about including appliances in the habitability standards because she did not want to discourage <br />landlords from providing appliances. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Ortiz, Assistant City Manager Medary confirmed the City had a <br />program surplus and if nothing changed and the program was operated as it currently was, the fee would <br />have to be raised. Staff was working to reduce the program costs and maintain the existing fee. Staff was <br />also considering the potential of a rebate as a way to build trust. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling opposed the inclusion of appliances or any other provision to the code at this time. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka also wanted to add minimum health and safety provisions to the Rental Housing Code as <br />suggested by Ms. Ortiz. He liked the sunset provision because it required the council to review the code, <br />although he believed the council could establish a mandatory review without a sunset provision. <br /> <br />Mr. Brown questioned how other cities used their fee revenues and if the revenues were placed in reserve <br />or used for other programs. He wanted to eliminate the sunset provision because he envisioned there <br />would always be tension between landlords and their tenants, who were frequently disadvantaged. He <br />endorsed the additions suggested by Mr. Zelenka and Ms. Ortiz. He also supported a shorter response <br />time. Mr. Brown believed that the City should require landlords to present their tenants with a brochure <br />regarding the program when the lease was signed. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 18, 2012 Page 2 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />