HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/09/1996 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time:
Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, July 9, 1996
50 South Emerson Street 7:30 P.M.
i. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 1996
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. REVIEW OF DRAFT INTERIOR APARTMENT INSPECTION PROGRAM
On February 13, 1996, staff presented a white paper to the Committee of the Whole
with recommendations to address the severity and number of service requests in the
interiors of multi-family housing units. As a result of that meeting, Village Staff has
prepared an ordinance for the Village Board to consider which allows for the routine
and systematic inspection of 20% of all apartment units in Mount Prospect on an
annual basis.
A great deal of time and research was spent to develop an ordinance that would
meet the following objectives:
1. To address the severity and number of violations occurring in the interior of
apartments.
2. To ensure that inspections would not unnecessarily impose on an individuals
rights.
3. To create an inspection process that was manageable by all parties involved
such as owners, management, and Village Staff.
4. To direct Village resources to the most serious problems.
In summary the ordinance provides the following:
1. The lease must inform the tenants that the Village conducts inspections of
apartment units and investigates complaints for compliance with Village
Codes to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and the
public. A sample lease rider developed by the Village Attorney is enclosed
with this packet.
2. Twenty percent (20%) of the interior of the apartments in a building will be
inspected, these inspections shall begin in June of 1997. This time line will
give owners the opportunity to provide notice in their leases and provide the
Village with sufficient time to educate owners and managers about the
program.
NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT
BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO
PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE
AT 100 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056,
847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064.
3. As an incentive to assure compliance and to direct resources to problem
areas, the number of units inspected can be reduced. This can occur if no or
only minor violations are found the previous year during the annual
inspection or during the investigation of complaints of code violations. The
number of units will be reduced as listed below:
... The dwelling unit inspection will be waived for one year if a person
owns 12 or fewer units in a complex.
... One dwelling unit will be inspected if a person owns 13-19 units in a
complex.
... Five percent (5%) of the dwelling units will be inspected if a person
owns 20 or more units in a complex.
The number of units inspected will remain reduced as long as there are no
or only minor violations found the previous year during the annual
inspection or during investigation of service requests.
4. If at anytime the owner or tenant refuses access to inspect the interior of a
unit after proper notice, the Village may seek an administrative warrant to
gain access.
In developing this ordinance, a working draft was presented to owners and
managers of multi-family housing and members of the Visions Housing Committee
on June 6, 1996. Minutes of the meeting are enclosed. The invitation to this
meeting was sent to 400 persons with 34 persons attending. Staff presented
operational flow charts of the inspection procedures, an overview of the annual
inspection program, and a short videotape describing a typical inspection to give
persons in attendance an understanding of the ordinance and its expected impact.
Village staff including the Village Attorney, were able to address many of the
concerns raised at the meeting. At the close of the meeting, staff requested written
comments and suggestions regarding the ordinance. Pre-addressed envelopes
were provided to assist in the return of comments. Six persons returned comments
and suggestions on the ordinance. The comments and suggestions were positive
and helpful. Many of the suggestions have been incorporated into the draft of the
ordinance.
To minimize any problems implementing this ordinance, Village Staff is
recommending the formation of an ad-hoc committee. This committee would permit
staff to draw upon the experience of persons directly impacted by these inspections.
We are recommending that this committee be comprised of five members. The
committee would be active for eighteen months after adoption of the ordinance, and
would provide status reports to the Village Board at six, twelve, and eighteen months
after the formation of the committee.
Prior to this ordinance taking effect in June of 1997, the Environmental Health
Division will take a more active role in working with owners, managers, associations,
tenants, and the ad-hoc committee to assist, educate and develop solutions to
resolve the problems that are occurring in multi-family areas. We anticipate a great
deal of time will be spent on education, development of this program, and voluntary
inspections of the interior of apartment units. In addition this time will provide an
opportunity for training new and existing staff.
Appropriate staff and Village Attorney Everette Hill will be in attendance to answer
questions and facilitate discussion. Notice of this meeting has been given to all
landlords, property managers and residents who have previously indicated an
interest in the subject.
V. MANAGER'S REPORT
VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
VII. ADJOURNMENT