HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05-24-1993 SpecialMINUTES
STUDY SESSION
MAY 249 1993
A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by
Mayor Bergman at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400
Plymouth Boulevard, on May 23, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Helliwell, Tierney, and Vasiliou..
Councilmember Edson joined the meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Ddlerud,
Chief Building Official Joe Ryan, Housing Inspector Warren Kulesa, Park and Recreation
Director Eric Blank, and Public Works Director Fred Moore.
Community Development Director Dillerud outlined the staff report relating to Building
Code inspections for existing housing. The City Attorney has previously supplied an
opinion that the City should respond to any situations which are believed to be violations
of the Code. Mr. Dillerud suggested that a program could be established in which a $30
fee per hour could be charged to pay for the cost of inspections. Inspections would be
made only for situations where a credible, written complaint is received. Discussion
followed as to who should be billed for such fees. The consensus of the discussion was
that property owners should pay if they asked for the inspection. Also, the owner should
pay if a code violation is found when the complaint comes from a third party. Situations
where no definite code violation is alleged, such as inspection for sale of property, would
be referred to private inspection services.
Community Development Director Dillerud also presented information about a rental
licensing program proposal. He indicated that there are only an estimated 175 rental
single family detached housing units. This means that the fee schedule previously
recommended by staff to the Council will leave a shortfall. It was suggested that since the
landlords, tenants, and the City as a whole all benefit from a rental licensing program, the
City could consider picking up one-third of the cost. Community Development Block
Grant Funds might be available for some of these costs. A revised fee schedule of $60 for
a 1 family home, $100 for a 2 family home, $125 for a 3-4 family home, and $125 + $5 for
five or more unit buildings would generate fees covering two-thirds of the cost, according
to Dillerud. Under the program, inspections could be made of each rental unit once every
three years.
Park and Recreation Director Eric Blank discussed information he had developed
regarding programs and services for teens in the Plymouth area. Many of the associations
as well as the City offer scholarships for those who cannot afford a fee. It was noted that
Teen Centers in Mound and in Minnetonka have closed recently. Councilmembers agreed
Study Session
May 24, 1993
Page 2
that Eric's information was valuable and should be shared with churches, social service
groups, schools, and similar organizations. Other comments included the need to focus on
teen services and programs that would be available in major apartment complexes and the
possible creation of a youth task force. It was also suggested that the City's focus should
continue to be recreation programs, not social service programs which can be provided by
other agencies. No action was taken on any of the suggestions, but there was a consensus
that the information developed should be shared with other agencies. There was also a
consensus that the City should not employ Ms. Suggs or Mr. Kroc as per their proposal at
the Plymouth Forum on May 17, 1993. A letter will be sent to them.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.