Published: May 16, 2008 10:58 am            

Landlords' input sought for new city code

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Landlords within the city are being asked to attend an organizational meeting on May 20 as the first step in a process to work with the city to create occupancy codes for the city.

“We’re trying to make it workable for everybody,” Koletta Clark, a landlord who, along with property owner Brenda Torrez, has been asked to co-chair a committee comprised of landlords. “We know there needs to be a change and we understand that perfectly. We want a change, but we want to make it fair for everyone.”

The city first proposed an occupancy ordinance for non-owner occupied housing units in the city in April. A workshop on the ordinance had property owners asking questions about what the council was trying to attain with an ordinance and voicing their problems and concerns with the proposal.

The committee idea came out of the workshop, with members of the city council stating those who would be affected by the ordinance needed to be involved and supply input on a final draft.

“We want response from landlords so we can organize this and get everyone’s support. We need to start a network with a team of landlords who are willing to do that,” Clark said.

The landlord’s organization will form at the meeting on May 20, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Rolland Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park. Active landlords are asked to attend to discuss the occupancy permit ordinance, their concerns and provide feedback on city ordinances. Copies of the proposed ordinance will be provided to those who haven’t already attained a copy.

“This is only the first meeting,” Clark said. “There will probably be several meetings. The goal is to try and include city officials after we get information from all the landlords and how they feel.”

Education will be a part of the meetings, with information on tools landlords can use to get good tenants and other issues.

Clark said as a landlord, she understands the many concerns when faced with a change in city ordinances.

“They’re scared,” Clark said. “This will better our community and that’s what we’re all trying to do. When this first started I was scared. When I first went into it, I was one of the most negative people. I’m a landlord that fixes what needs to be fixed and does the right things. ... It’s about 5 percent who don’t. ... I’m just starting and want to protect what I’ve got.”

        

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