City officials held a “public” meeting with South Euclid landlords/property owners on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. The meeting was called due to the highly contested change in fees and requirements for the issuance of a “Certificate of Occupancy” for rental unit dwellings. It is unclear as to how and when this meeting was advertised. The city did not contact all landlords/property owners to inform them of this meeting.
The meeting was inconveniently held at 10:00 A.M. on a Wednesday. According to one eyewitness account, the attendees of the meeting were irate. Sources reported that some individuals were prepared to face jail sentencing in defiance of the unreasonable rate hike and intrusive new processing procedures imposed by the city.
There was further discussion on the matter at a Committee Meeting and City Council Meeting on December 08, 2008.
In the video below, Housing Manager, Sally Martin reads a prepared statement at the Committee Meeting.
- time: 7 min. 12 sec.
Below:
Mayor Welo cites the "Good Neighbor Committee" as being the impetus for Ordinance 55-08, increasing the fees and requirements for "Certificates of Occupancy."
Welo speaks as if the “Good Neighbor Committee” is an arm of the city government. This group is not sanctioned by voter approval, nor do they have any legal power. Is it possible that people were selected and appointed based on their willingness to promote this administration’s policies?
1. Who exactly comprises the “Good Neighbor Committee?”
2. How does one go about being “appointed” to the Committee?
Also on the video, Councilwoman Ruth Gray gives her opinion.
If Mayor Welo would have attended the Committee Meeting, she would have realized that no one from either her Administration or City Council raised the issue of the “Good Neighbor Committee” playing any role in the decision to enact Ordinance 55-08. Both the Administration and Council members present at this meeting laid blame on increased costs of running the program, including manpower for inspections.
Welo gives the impression that the legislation was hatched from a movement of residents fed up with run-down rental properties. If this scenario is to be believed, the new policy would basically be the imposition of punishment.
Is it possible that a third explanation exists? Could this simply be one more revenue generating scheme aimed at already overburdened taxpayers?
- time: 6 min. 28 sec.
Below:
Disgruntled landlords/property owners voice their concerns to city officials:
- time: 6 min. 24 sec.
4 comments:
RE: Sally Martin video reading statement.- She holds up a stack of notice to landlord postcards that were returned because the address didn't match. Blames landlords for not updating their information. Uh Uh It's because the City is using a totally outdated database. That stack of cards signifies the city's failure to purge database.
Here we go again. First we had the point-of-sale fiasco where the City wanted to make money off of everyone selling a home, forgetting that mandatory exterior inspections are already the law. Now we have another ill-conceived plan to extort from ALL landlords who rent, a fee to inspect their properties, when there already is a fee in place and again mandatory inspections are required. It just seems to me that the issue of poorly maintained housing, whether it be from owner occupied homes or rental units can be addressed using the tools already in effect. I don't see how charging an additional fee for doing what is already in place accomplishes anything, unless the existing program truly is not being funded properly, which no one is saying. Does Council really believe that an extra $100 or $200 per year will somehow instantly clean up properties? How about the housing department does its job by inspecting, following up, and taking to court any home owner who is irresponsible? Can we please stop nickel and diming every person who lives and works in the City?
I couldn't agree more.How is it that it seems every politician,and even public employees,have forgotten that their jobs exist to "serve" the people."Serve" is not a derogatory term.To offer,and accept a career of service,to dedicate yourself to the needs of others,country,state,city,community,is of the highest calling.
Misspending,misappropiation of funds,inability to operate a budget,and worst of all,more taxation of citizens, business',and entrepreneurs in order to mask your failures.
to wit,P.O.S. "TAX",inreased landlord permits "TAX".
Tax him when he's born,tax him when he dies,.. we all know the taxes in between.
The only statement of the previous writer that I really find fault with concerns "nickel and diming" us to death.
If it was only "nickels and dimes" I would be much happier.
You may agree with me,it's more like $5's and $10's.Possibly even $100's and $100's.
We are doomed my fellow citizen.
Yeah,vote em' out...RIGHT.I guess we just gotta' keep trying that.Unless,...a tax revolt....another tea party....naw...we have no cajones left.We can't reign these people in.We have sold our souls.We have no recourse except to vote.And I feel that right and privilege is pretty much insignificant with todays political machines.Even at our city level.
Oh,sorry,forgot one other thing I wanted to say...while I may not sound like it from my writing(blogging),I am the biggest optimist."Biggest",optimistic,right?
I still have faith.Yes,I really do.Things can,and will get better.No pain,no gain,right?
I want to wish everyone responsible for this website,and all who read and comment on this site,a very blessed,safe,thankfull,and merry,merry Christmas,Hannuka,Kwanza Holiday!
May all of us share in the true meaning of these holi/holydays.
Believe and things will get better...and beinformed.
This site and the Sun Messenger are great reads.Just wish there was more good news.
God bless y'all.Have a happy Kwanzahanamas.
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