08-438CITY
Amended Mav 7. 2008 Council File #
Green Sheet #
ORDINANCE
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Presented
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code
to Set the Vacant Building Registration fee to �599:88 $1.000.00 per yeaz
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
Sectian 1.
Section 43.03 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 43.03. Vacant building registration.
(a)
(b)
08-438
3050633
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The owner shall register with the enforcement officer not later than thirty (30) days after any building in the city
becomes a vacant building, as defined in section 43.02(7).
The registration shall be submitted on forms provided by the enforcement officer and shall include the following
information supplied by the owner:
(1)
(z)
(3)
(4)
(5)
A description of the premises;
The names and addresses of the owner or owners;
The names and addresses of all laiown lienholders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the
building;
The period of time the building is expected to remain vacant; and a plan and timetable for returning the
building to appropriate occupancy or use and/or for demolition of the building.
A copy of any current Truth-in-Sale of Housing Disclosure Report as required by Saint Paul Legislative Code
Chapter 189.
(c) The owner shall submit a plan and timetable which must meet the approval of the enforcement officer. The
enforcement officer shall require completion of the plan within a reasonable period of time, up to three hundred sixty-
five (365) days. The plan submitted shall comply with the provision of Chapter 33 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
Any repaus, improvements or alterations to the property must comply with any applicable housing or building codes.
(d) All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The owner shall notify the enforcement officer of
any changes in information supplied as part of the vacant building registration within thirty (30) days of the change. If
the plan or timetable for the vacant building is revised in any way, the revisions must meet the approval of the
enforcement officer.
(e)
(fl
�a
The owner and the subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and gound properly
maintained until the rehabilitation or demolition has been completed.
Failure of the owner or any subsequent owner to maintain the building and premises that result in a summary
abatement completed by the city shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subject to any
applicable penalties provided by law.
The new owner(s) shall register or re-register the vacant building with the enforcement officer within thirty (30) days
of any uansfer of an ownership interest in a vacant building. The new owner(s) shall comply with the approved plan
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and timetable submitted by the previous owner unril any proposed changes aze submitted and meet the approval of the
enforcement officer.
Vacant building fees:
(h)
(1) The owner of a vacant building shall pay an annual registration fee of ''''�° �-°' °°°- -° �- �°° °'-°"'�°
��.� :..._a_,.a au., a,.n�.� ieocn nm a,�oo t�....a_va ..e. e_« a�.., a,.n.._.. iczac nm «�,e �e..,...a ..............«. ,...e.,�
a_ „ �..�a�,.a a,.n..... iscnn nm one thousand dollazs 1 000.00 eaCh yeaz
the building remains a vacant building. The regis�ration fee is intended to at least partially recoup, and shall be
reasonably related to the aduunistrative costs for registering and processing the vacant building owner
regis4ation form and for the costs of the city in monitoring the vacant buIlding site.
(Z)
(3)
The fust annual fee shall be paid no later than thirty (30) days afrer the building becomes vacant. If the fee is
not paid within thirty (30) days of being due, the owner shall be subject to prosecurion as prescribed in secrion
43.05.
The fee shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of any building permits, with the exception of a demolirion
permit.
(4) All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any 4ansfer of an ownership interest in any vacant
building. If the fees aze not paid prior to any transfer, the new owner shall pay the annual fee no later than
thirry (30) days after the ixansfer of ownership and subsequent annual fees shall be due on the new anniversary
date.
The enforcement officer shall include in the file any property-specific written statements from commuiuty
organizations, other interested parties or citizens regard'mg the history, problems, status or blighring influence of a
vacarn building.
(i)
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Section 2.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publicarion.
�I�BLISHE�
l�N � S T009
Adopted by Council: Date Gj ��yQj � O�j
Adoption Ce ' d Co cil Secretary
�`
By:
Approve D � p�
By:
Requested by Department o£
By:
Approved
Services
By:
Approved by Att ��
B �l'.r�,���;z%.�'���¢ `�-
Appioved Ma i fo ubmiss' ,� Cou
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By:
� Green
Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet
b$ ' ��
- Departmentloffice/council: ', Date Initiated: �
$I - DcptofSafcty&Inspcctions 29-FEB-0B
Green Sheet NO: 3050633
�,
Contact Person 8. Phone: Department Sent To Person . Initial/Date
Bob Kesslel � 0 DeoG ofSafetv & InsDections ^
266-9013 , qssign 1 Dep4ofSafety&InspecHoos . DeoarlmentDirecto
Must e on Coun�iylagenda by (Date): Number ' Z C� Attoroev
� (/ _ -_
�a1 ��� � , For
— r-- - --, Routing 3 Mayor's O�ce MaVOH Assistaot
Doa Type: ORDINANCE '� Ortler ; - ---
4 Councit
E-Document Required: Y �, ,� 5 City Clerk _ ____ C�ry C9erk ___
Document Contact: Robert Humphrey i I
Contad Phone: 266-9723
_ �
� Totai # of Signature Pages _(Clip All Locations for Signature) i
___ _ ____- - ____. _._ _. ._..__ _ _— -',
Action Requested: i
Approval of an Ordinance amending Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to set the vacant buitding registration fees at I
$500.00 per year �,
iaations: Hpprove (N.) or K
Planning Commission
CIB Gommittee
Civil Service Commission
1. Has fhis person/firm ever worked under a contract for this department?
Yes No
2 Has ihis person/firm ever been a city employee?
Yes No
3. Does this person/frm possess a skill not normally possessed by any
current city employee?
Yes No
Explain aIl yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet
i Initiating Problem, Issues, Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
��,' The current gradua[ed fee program is difficult [o interpret for both s[aff and the public.
''� adequate to pay for the program.
I ' -- --
I AdvanWges If Approved: �
� This increase will allow the vacant building program to achieve better self sufficiency.
� — - �-
! Disadvantages If Approved:
' None.
I DisadvanWges If Not Approved:
� Problematic abandoned buildings wi(I not be as secure and adequa[ely monitored.
�
��I ---- ----- .
TotalAmountof ������ � � ��
� Transaction: CosURevenue Budgeted:
� Funding Source: Activity Number:
Financial Information:
. (Explain)
In addition, cucrent fees collected are not
February 29, 2008 2:58 PM Page 1
b�-�t3g
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND INSPECTIONS
Bob Kessler, Director
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
Christopher B. Coleman, Mayor
TO:
Fr:
Subject:
Date:
Mayor Chris Coleman
City Council President Kathy Lantry
City Councilmembers
Matt Smith, Financial Services Director
Bob Kessler, Director of DSI �
Increasing Vacant Building Fees
March 7, 2008
COMMERCEBUILDING Telephone 65I-2669090
8 Fourth St. E, Suite 200 Facsinule 651-266-9124
Saint Paul, Minnesota SSIOF7014 R'eb� ivw�vstpaul.gov/dsr
As you a11 are awaze, tlae number of registered vacant buildings is increasing every month; as of February, 2008,
we have mare than 1700 registered vacant structures within the city. This number is four to five times the
auerage tracked for the last 10 years of the program. Inspectors and support personnel have been struggling to
keep the problem manageable. The focus has been on minimizing the impact of the properties that pose the
greatest number of problems and threat to neighborhood stability. In most cases, these are Category 2 and 3
properties, those that are in the worst physical condition.
There are a nuxnber of enforcement tools available to city officials, the most measurable of which are building
deficiency inspections (BDIs), Orders to Abate Nuisance Conditions (OTAs), and Resolutions. A BDI occurs to
identify those code deficiencies that must be corrected before the building can be reoccupied; these are
undertaken when owners express an interest in rehabilitating a building. An OTA is issued when the building
has been identified as a problem, either as a result of being insecure or as a result of a dangerous lack of
maintenance. Resolutions are City Council decisions on a properiy, often ordering the building to be
demolished. 48 stnxctures were razed in 2007, and 15 were demolished in January, 2008.
So far the Department of Safety and Inspections has been able to manage the tremendous increase in workload
and expense by shifting staff resources to the Vacant Building unit and obtaining an advance in CDBG funding
for demolitions. While these changes have helped us keep pace with the problem, we believe we are at the point
where it is necessary to raise our fees to insure that future revenues will meet our expenses.
The two primary sources of funding for staff are the fees we charge for the Code Compliance Inspections and
the annual Vacant Building fee. Neither of these fees presently charged covers the cost of the services provided
and both need to be revised. The Code Compliance Inspection is currently $138.00 for a single family structure,
and $172.00 for a duplex. These fees should be increased to $475.00 and $595.00, respectively. The cost of
the Vacant Building monitoring fee ranges between $250.00 and $500.00, depending on how many years the
structure has remained vacant. The analysis of our cost is that the fee should be a uniform $500.00 per year.
The increase in the Code Compliance fee represents more than a 300% increase. Therefore we recommend
phasing in the increase in two segments, with half of the increase in 2008 and the remaining half of the increase
AA-ADA£EO Employer
in 2009. On the other hand, the Vacant Building Monitoring fee is within the range currently charged so we are
recommending the $500.00 fee be approved in 2008. �� y 3$
We have attached sevexal spreadsheets which show our calculations and the total amount of funds that we
expect to raise with these increases. In a related vein, we will be seeking an increase in spending authority for
approximately half of the additional funds that we expect to see.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this matter.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED INCREASE
Vacant Building
Fees
Current Fee
Number
2007 Revenue
2008 Budgeted
Interim Proposed Fee
Pronosed Fee
2009 Projected Revenue**�`*
2008Increase
$1
$138
181*
G,392 $
78** $15
161
$1�2 TOTAL
92* REVENLJE
i,834 $233,851
24** $205,802
$298
$595
1,518 $404,321
1,740 $540,715
*For VBs this is 1600, for Code Compliance inspecrions, this is the average of 2006 and 2007 numbers.
**Revenues &om many types of fees aze not broken down to this level of detail in the budget, therefore 2008 Code
Compliance Inspecfion fee revenue is estimated � the average number of inspections for 2006 and 2007 at the
current fee.
***Based on start of second quarter adoption, 50% collection rate for vacant buildings fees and 100% collecrion
for code compliance inspections
****Based on 50% collecrion rate fa� vacant buildings and 100% collection rate for code compliance inspections
NOTE: The difference between expected collection rates for Code Compliance Inspection fees and Vacant
Building fees is substantial, but warranted. Often, vacant properties aze neglected and, as such, iYs difficult to
obtain payment from their owners. Code compliance inspections are initiated by the owner when s/he is prepazed
to invest in the properry; payment is thexefore more forthcoming.
c: Scott Cordes, Budget Analyst
DSI Budget Staff
AA-ADA-EEO Employer
Code Compliance Inspection
Amended Mav 7, 2008
ORDINANCE
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CITY
Presented
Council File # � � � :/'o
Green Sheet # 3050633
PAUL, MINNESOTA
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul Legislarive Code
to Set the Vacant BuIlding Regis4arion fee to $5�0.00 peT year
THE COUNCII. OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1.
Secrion 43.03 of the Saint Paul Legislarive Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 43.03. Vacant building registration.
(a)
(b)
The owner shall zegistez with the enfoLCement officer not later than thirty (30} days after any building in the city
becomes a vacant building, as defined in section 43.02(7).
The registrarion shall be submitted on forms provided by the enforcement officer and shall include the following
informarion supplied by the owner:
(1)
(2)
t3)
(4)
(s)
A description of the premises;
The names and addresses of the owner or owners;
The names and adchesses of all known lienholders and all other parties with an ownership interest in the
building;
The period of time the building is expected to remain vacant; and a plan and timetable for returning the
building to appropriate occupancy or use and/or for demolirion of the building.
A copy of any current Tmth-in-Sale of Housing Disclosiue Report as Tequued by Saint Paul Legislative Code
Chapter 189.
(c) The owner shall subaut a plan and timetable which must meet the approval of the enforcement officei. The
enforcement officer shall require completion of the plan within a reasonable penod of time, up to three hundred sixty-
five (36�) days. The plan submitted shall comply with the provision of Chapter 33 of the Saint Paul Legislarive Code.
Any repaus, improvements or alterarions to the property must comply with any applicable housing or building codes.
(d) All applicable laws and codes shall be complied with by the owner. The ownei shall notify the enfomement officet of
any changes in informarion supplied as part of the vacant building registration wiflun thirty (30) days of the change. lf
the plan or rimeta6le for the vacant buildmg is revised in any way, the revisions must meet the approval of the
enforcement officer.
(e)
(fl
(g)
The owner and the subsequent owners shall keep the building secured and safe and the building and ground properly
maintained until the iehabilitation or demolition has been completed.
Failure of the owner or any subsequent owner to maintain the building and premises that result in a summary
abatement completed by the city shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subj ect to any
applicable penalries provided by law.
The new owner(s) shall tegister oi re-register the vacant building with the enforcement officez within thuty (30) days
of any 7ransfer of an ownership interest in a vacant building. The new owner(s) shall comply with the approved plan
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and timetabie submitted by the pcevious owner unril any pcoposed changes are submitted and meet the approval of the
enforcement officer.
Vacant building fees:
(h)
(I) The owner of a vacant building shall pay an annual registrarion fee of .�° `��°' -°°_ -° �� °°° -A°
�;ta �.....a oa au�, a..n�... �c�cn nm «t,_„e �.....a..e,t ..e.,e.,.., a..., a,.n.,.��c nm «t,o �e,.,..,a ,.,..,�o�...:..o ..e...
five hundred dollazs ($500.00) i§e-f�-asd-each ;�'�°°�°°°' °^�°°°°�°° year the building remains a vacant
building. The registration fee is intended to at least partially recoup, and shall be reasonably related to the
administrarive costs for registering and piocessing the vacant building owner regisharion form and for the
costs of the city in monitoring tUe vacant building site.
�Z)
(3)
The fust annual fee shall be paid no later than thirty (30) days afrer the building becomes vacant. If the fee is
not paid witlun thirty (30) days of being due, the owner shall be subject to prosecurion as prescribed in section
43.05.
The fee shall be paid in full puor to the issuance of any building permits, wiYh the exception of a demolirion
permit.
(4) All delinquent fees shall be paid by the owner prior to any transfer of an ownerskup interest in any vacant
building. If the fees ue not paid prior to any transfer, the new owner shall pay the annual fee no later than
thirty (30) days after the transfer of ownerslup and subsequent annnal fees shall be due on the new anniversary
date.
The enfoicement officex shall include in the file any pxoperty-specific written statements from community
organizarions, other interested parties or cihzens regatding the history, prohlems, status or blighring influence of a
vacant building.
(i)
�� -�t�i�h
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Secrion 2.
Tlris Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publicahon.
Yeas Nays Absent
Bostrom
Carter
Hazris
Helgen
Lantry
Stark
Thune
Adopted by Council: Date
Adoption Certified by Council Secretary
B
Requested by Department oL
�
Approved by
Services
By' � ��Q`�
Appioved bq���A��,
By G� � ��
Approved Ma r fo ubmiss' I�G Cou
By:
Approved by Mayor: Date
By: