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File #: Ord 22-15    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
In control: City Council
Final action: 4/6/2022
Title: Amending Section 13.02 of the Administrative Code establishing duties in the Department of Safety and Inspections related to rent stabilization.
Sponsors: Mitra Jalali, Nelsie Yang
Attachments: 1. Ord 22-15 - Tony Aarts, 2. Ord 22-15 - Robert Stolpestad-Exeter Management, 3. 22-16 Emails recived by Ward 7, 4. ORD 22-15 CT Email, 5. Ord 22-15 - Diane J. Peterson, 6. C. BUSKIRK COMMENTS TO COUNCIL
Title
Amending Section 13.02 of the Administrative Code establishing duties in the Department of Safety and Inspections related to rent stabilization.

Body

SECTION 1
WHEREAS, a ballot initiative was placed on the ballot for the City General Election held November 2, 2021, creating a rent stabilization ordinance to be codified at Chapter 193A of the Legislative Code (“the ordinance”); and

WHEREAS, after the City General Election, the Council of the City of Saint Paul determined that a majority of those voting on the ballot question voted in its favor; and

WHEREAS, given the City General Election results, and pursuant to Section 8.04 of the City Charter, the rent stabilization ordinance became law; and

WHEREAS, a stated public purpose of the ordinance is to protect the welfare of all persons who live, work, or own property in the City of Saint Paul by ensuring that Saint Paul residents have access to affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, another stated public purpose of the ordinance is to address a present shortage of residential rental units in the City of Saint Paul; and

WHEREAS, the ordinance aims to achieve these public policy goals by prohibiting landlords from demanding, charging, or accepting from a tenant a rent increase within a 12 month period that exceeds 3% of the tenant’s existing monthly rent; and

WHEREAS, the 3% limitation on rent increases is subject to a landlord’s ability to request an exception by demonstrating the exception is necessary to provide the landlord with a fair return on investment; and

WHEREAS, the ordinance directs the City to establish a process by which landlords can request the exception; and

WHEREAS, because of this duty to create a process, and various other administrative duties placed on the City by the ordinance, the Council finds it reasonable and necessary to amend the Administrative Code to authorize the hiring and staff, promulgation of rules, and administration of process; and

WHEREAS, the Council fi...

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Date NameDistrictOpinionCommentAction
4/6/2022 2:15 PMMeg Daly For My name is Meg and I'm a renter in Ward 1. In November, St. Paulites came together across race, income, and ward to vote overwhelmingly in favor of rent stabilization because we believe everyone in our city should have a home they can count on. Now it is the responsibility of City Council to make sure this policy is implemented and enforced according to the will of the voters. That’s why I strongly urge you to vote YES for Ordinance 22-15. This legislation will allow the Department of Safety and Inspections to ***ume necessary duties in order to implement rent stabilization by May 1. We know you might have questions about how this policy will work. We must give DSI the authority to answer those questions. This ordinance is an essential first step to the answers that you — along with renters, property owners and everyone in St. Paul — are looking for. That’s why there is no time for delay. +1
4/2/2022 9:40 PMAdrianna Jereb For My name is Adrianna Jereb and I live in Ward 3 of St. Paul. Last November people across St. Paul, including me, voted in support of rent stabilization. We need this strong policy to stop exploitative rental practices perpetuated by corporations just out to make a buck. In my personal experience, the high cost of rent has significantly delayed my dream of owning a home. Saving up for a down payment is taking a much longer time than I imagined as so much of my income goes to rent. Without putting the rent stabilization policy into effect this May, and making sure the DSI has the means and authority to enforce the policy, there is nothing to stop corporations from raising rent to obscene prices and forcing many people like me to perpetually rent even though we’re ready to make St. Paul our forever home. That’s why I ask you to vote in favor of Ordinance 22-15. We can’t waste any time enacting the important changes that St. Paulites voted for. +1
4/1/2022 10:31 PMTina Cassler For My name is Tina and I live in St. Paul. In November, St. Paulites came together across race, income, and ward to vote overwhelmingly in favor of rent stabilization because we believe everyone in our city should have a home they can count on. I strongly urge you to vote YES for Ordinance 22-15. This legislation will allow the Department of Safety and Inspections to ***ume necessary duties in order to implement rent stabilization by May 1. We know you might have questions about how this policy will work. We must give DSI the authority to answer those questions. This ordinance is an essential first step to the answers that you — along with renters, property owners and everyone in St. Paul — are looking for. That’s why there is no time for delay. Ordinance 22-15 can’t wait. Voters demand action. Renters need protections. And everyone in our city — from renters to property owners — need the clarity these ordinances provide NOW. Don’t be on the record as holding up this process. +1
4/1/2022 4:05 PMAllan Malkis For Please p*** this important enabling ordinance to allow implementation of voter approved rent control ordinance as soon as possible. +2
3/21/2022 5:52 AMSt.Paul Against Mita former Aide to Keith Ellison V ChairDNC ChairTom Perez re USSC 10-1032 TITLED MagnervsGallagherQuidProQuo,Mita Renter cannot ursurp Jurisdiction/Authority to McCarthy,Weise DSI to bloat Gov http://sharons-psychic-whispers.blogspot.com FOIAnoDSI inspectors/Salarys etc.
3/18/2022 3:34 PMJames Wilkinson   This is a heads up and suggestion. CH. 193A calls for criminal or civil penalty enforcement according to Section 105 of the Legis. Code. There is no civil penalty provision in that section - as I recall that change failed or stalled. I suggest that the City have a mandatory mediation process using an established mediation nonprofit to try to resolve conflicts on these issues rather than depend on criminal complaint processes.
3/15/2022 5:43 PMMike and Connie Buskirk    It's our understanding that the first technical amendment for St. Paul's rent control would authorize the Department of Safety and Inspections to write up rules prescribing a uniform process for landlords to request hardship exceptions to the new rent limits. DSI would define what constitutes a “reasonable return on investment,” What metrics will be used in their evaluation and where will the data for this important evaluation will be sourced. It's not clear to us which of the eight divisions in the Department of Safety and Inspections is qualified to define and calculate investment returns: Is it, Animal Control, Communication Customer Service, Fire Safety Licensing and Skyway system management, Property Code Enforcement or Zoning and Site Plan Review? Hopefully it's Fire and Safety since they have a front row seat and know what owners, do, don't do; and the costs affiliated with providing outstanding apartment homes in St. Paul.