|
REGULAR MEETING February 25, 2019
<br /> thank you for answering a lot of the questions when we talked about the ramifications to landlords.
<br /> If I'm not mistaken, there was a proposal to be an eviction defense attorney, so I appreciate that
<br /> piece being in there to help protect. So, I hope that the accountability piece can start today. We've
<br /> heard some testimony of some issues that I trust Code Enforcement will look at as we move
<br /> forward. I will be supporting it as well.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated,Thank you. This really does represent a tremendous amount
<br /> of work over a tremendously long period of time. I think the process has been good. I think the
<br /> collaboration has been outstanding between the industry, feedback from the public, Council
<br /> Members, and staff across many different departments. So, thanks for that process. It leads me to
<br /> say this is probably the, in my opinion, probably the most comprehensive and well-thought out
<br /> piece of legislation. I really do see this as a very, very, very strong piece of legislation. It really
<br /> has gotten better by the day thanks to really good input. The two (2)members to my right are dead
<br /> on with their comments. So, I'm not going to go that direction. But, I am going to suggest two (2)
<br /> minor amendments on page eleven (11) for Council's consideration. This actually captures the
<br /> spirit that we have had while working on this and it being so collaborative. This shows the real
<br /> importance of public engagement. It has been strong, let's keep it strong and I do appreciate the
<br /> working group embedded in this. But, with regard to the members of that group, I would suggest
<br /> that Council colleagues consider expanding it to two (2) Council appointees. Specifically, I think
<br /> when we operate as a Council most effectively, we have district voices and we have people who
<br /> have levels of expertise. Our responsibility is to our districts, but I think we also have to consider
<br /> the folks on the far end of the people and the balance that At-Large members bring in terms of the
<br /> scope and the benefit of that lens for the entire community. So, I would actually suggest that be
<br /> made plural to read two (2) Council Members appointees. I do think it's important to keep that
<br /> Council and not have citizen appointees. This is our work and we need to be all in on this in the
<br /> next couple years as this rolls out and as we look to make any changes or improvements.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden continued, My other point related to this strong public engagement
<br /> that has happened heretofore, well, sorry, let me go on that same sentence. So, two (2) Council
<br /> Members appointees, strike the word and, continue with Mayor's Office leadership, strike the
<br /> parenthesis, and let's get at a staff representative from the Department of Community Investment.
<br /> So,we strike staff members and it reads a staff representative from the Department of Community
<br /> Investment. I think what we've done with some of our smart studies and our working with national
<br /> partners, it has teed us up and put us in a nice location. I want to make sure we have that ability to
<br /> respond with complementary programs as we make changes. I think the best avenue within our
<br /> City's Administration is to actually pull in those representatives that already have been working
<br /> on this and have brought in some really good resources. I want to acknowledge Pam Meyer, who
<br /> is in the audience tonight, a staff member, and there is more of you involved,but your division and
<br /> your ability to capture some grants that are going to really shore up and work in parallel with this
<br /> makes me very comfortable approving this. So, a representative from Community Investment, and
<br /> then the last piece I would like Council Members to consider is, if you continue on that sentence,
<br /> following the first(1St) three (3) months and six (6)months, I would like to include and thereafter
<br /> at regular intervals. Ok? I will leave my suggestions up to us.But,that is not just a report delivered.
<br /> So, strike out make a preliminary to read the Mayor's Office will report to the Common Council
<br /> at a public hearing. I think this gets to some concerns about community voice, landlord
<br /> representation, and tenant representation at least from my standpoint. We have seen the
<br /> effectiveness of public meetings held on this. We've had Committee Meetings at the Health and
<br /> Public Safety level and we have had good hearings here tonight. So, those are just some
<br /> recommendations that I would like Council to consider.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde clarified, Councilmember Broden, are you making those in form of
<br /> a motion?
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden confirmed, I would like to make those in form of a motion if time
<br /> is appropriate.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde opened the floor to discussion on the motion.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, Yes, if we are going to include them, which I have no
<br /> problems with, I think we need to specify having at least two (2) tenants, people who either have
<br /> 40
<br />
|