Title
Amending Chapter 43.03 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Vacant Buildings as it relates to the Vacant Building Registration Fee.
Body
SECTION 1
WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Saint Paul finds the Vacant Building Registration fee is intended to recoup all costs incurred by the city for monitoring and regulating vacant buildings, including administrative costs, issuance of abatement orders, and enforcement; and
WHEREAS, based on the last three years of revenue versus expenses, the Vacant Building Registration program has not achieved cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the shortfall was $469,000.00; in 2020 the shortfall was $220,000.00; and in 2021 the shortfall was $356,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul wishes to move closer to a cost-recovery model, and although the proposed increases will not entirely remedy the short fall issue, it will assist in some cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, a review of data by the Department of Safety and Inspections has shown Category II and Category III registered vacant buildings consume more staff resources for monitoring and enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Saint Paul finds it is important to incentivize registered vacant building owners to rehabilitate their properties and make them habitable.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby ordain:
SECTION 2
Section 43.03 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
*****
(k) Vacant building fees:
(1) The owner of a vacant building shall must pay an annual registration fee as established subsection (2) titled Fee Schedule for Registered Vacant Buildings two thousand four hundred fifty-nine dollars ($2,459.00) each year the building remains a vacant building. The registration fee is intended to at least partially recoup costs incurred by the city for monitoring and regulating vacant buildings, including administrative costs,...
Click here for full text