Rental Housing Commission

Meeting Minutes

January 31, 2008

Otter Tail Conference Room

4:00 p.m.

Present: John Amundson, Cheryl Brevig, Noah Clark, David Fluegel, Blaine Hill, Dan Johnson, Alex Murphy, Hilda Parks, Steve Rudney, Melissa Sherod, Bill Storck, Greg Thorson, Carol Wilcox.

Absent: Henry Fulda

Call to order

The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Introductions

Each person present introduced themselves.

Presentation on the COPC Grant

David Fluegel talked about the Community Outreach Partnership Centers grant and the portion of it that supported the establishment of a Rental Housing Commission in Morris.

The COPC grant was applied for by the Center for Small Towns in 2004 and contains a variety of projects that have been implemented over the past few years and should be coming to completion as the grant expires in July of 2008.

Given the high levels of rental housing in Morris and tensions between landlords and tenants, a Rental Housing Commission was a potentially effective means to supplement rental housing unit inspection toward the end of improving both the quality of rental housing in Morris and dealing with the tensions that have flared up in the past.

Greg Thorson noted that the Commission intentionally has equally representations of tenants and landlords as it is intended to be a place where commonly acceptable solutions are determined. The Commission is intended to set its own agenda, not simply follow the direction of the COPC grant’s explicitly references to rental housing issues. It shouldn’t be an advocacy group, but a group that comes up with commonsense solutions that facilitate the effective transfer of shared community values.

Discussion of the City Ordinance that established the Rental Housing Commission

The Commission went through the ordinance to become familiar with how the City Council intended it to function. Terms of office and the possibility of replacements for tenant representatives who leave for summer break or study abroad was brought up as a possible future issue that would need to be dealt with.

Carol Wilcox asked if the City Council or government would direct rental housing issues to the Commission. Blaine Hill said that he would depending on the circumstances, but would help them if policy is already in place to do so. Carol requested that the Commission be notified in such cases.

Brainstorming and Determination of Future Agenda Items

The Commission discussed issues concerning the return of security deposits. Cheryl Brevig suggested that move in and move out checklists are essential for tenants. Dan Johnson noted that he offers to do a walkthrough before tenants move out so they can make sure they don’t have to pay a cleaning charge. Dan mentioned that it’s better to give a move-in checklist to a tenant and get it back at a later point so that they have time to notice any damage.

Cheryl Brevig advocated that knowledge is essential for resolving rental housing issues, since it’s possible to educate but not to force compliance. Cheryl also brought up the issue of housing deemed unsuitable for rental usage being effectively rented using contract-to-deed deals.

Blaine Hill brought up the issue of party houses and the effect on neighbors. John Amundson referred to a three strike policy against the tenants that causes the landlord to be fined for nuisance calls. A nuisance call policy was also referenced that could trigger eviction after five calls to the police for disturbances. Greg Thorson noted that if policies were in place, then they needed to be enforced, but not by the Rental Housing Commission. Greg also noted that the Commission could, however, be active in ensuring that people are aware of policies and insisting that they be enforced if they are on the books. Melissa Sherod mentioned that it’s difficult for student tenants especially to know all the laws on the books and that materials would be helpful for tenants to know what’s expected of them.

The Commission mentioned several possible future agenda items: party houses, security deposits, tenants rights and responsibilities document, Rental Housing Commission website, the Morris police department as a resource for information, contract-for-deed issues with housing that is unacceptable for renting, education of Commission on policies. It was also discussed that Melanie Fohl and Norah Jost might be invited to future meetings as Ex Officio members.

It was also requested that contact information for the Commission be distributed and that a listserv might be created.

Future Meeting Time

The Commission determined that the standard meeting time would be at 4:00 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month. Dates for future meetings: 2/28, 3/27, 4/24.

Leadership and Elections

For Chair, Carol Wilcox nominated John Amundson. He accepted and was approved.

For Vice-Chair, Cheryl Brevig nominated Melissa Sherod. She accepted and was approved.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 p.m.