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2/16/2021 - City Council - Work Session - Minutes CITY OF SPRING PARK WORK SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 2021 – 6:00 PM SPRING PARK CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Present: Mark Chase, Jeff Hoffman, Pamela Horton, and Gary Hughes Remote: Jerome P. Rockvam Vice Mayor Hughes chaired the meeting. 1. 6:06 – Interim-Use Permit Inspection Discussion a. International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Example b. Modified & Condensed Inspection Checklist Example Tolsma gave an update on the Interim-Use Permit inspection process. At a recent staff meeting Scott Qualle, Mary Tietjen, Al Brixius, and himself brainstormed to come up with options of what type of in- spection should be done. The type of process they envisioned was akin to a property maintenance in- spection. Tolsma brought forward an example of the International Property Maintenance Code and a modified & condensed inspection checklist example for discussion. Thoughts were to make sure the rental has basic health and safety measures in place, not going in to make sure a house in the 1950’s meets today’s standards. The examples were reviewed. Discussion was had on going line by line and have Council decide which items are most important. Horton stated she had gone through the condensed example and is in favor of that type of form. Chase also went through line by line and questioned how specific the inspection is going to be. For example, if it states the exit door should be 6’8” tall, what happens if it is 6’7.5”. Will we require a new door? Tolsma stated that as a council you can make that decision. He envisioned starting with essentials and list what we want to see and not go beyond that. If we are not concerned about a door being 6’8” then do not put that portion in and focus on critical information. Consensus was to condense into a checklist to make sure basic health and safety features are met. Chase questioned where we are at in terms of enforcement with short-term rentals in general. Tolsma stated an enforcement letter was prepared and the first one went out last week to one property that is ad- vertising as a short-term rental. The City is aware of a couple more and letters will be sent out to those properties as well. Further discussion was had on enforcement. Tolsma stated the City will have to mul- titask and work on enforcement and the inspection checklist. Tolsma stated he has been in contact with Anton, he can go forward with his booked rentals until the inspection aspect is figured out. Discussion was had on if it would be appropriate to go to Anton informally to see if the checklist is in line with what the Council is trying to accomplish. Joe ??, assistant City Attorney stated that when developing the standards, it would be appropriate to discuss with Anton and anyone that could acquire the Interim Use Permit. Hoffman commented that items on the checklist are either non construction items or structural. He stated the bigger picture is whether the City wants to enforce the structural elements of the inspection and his opinion is yes, because our focus is health and safety. Rockvam questioned how much money will be spent and discussion was on costs and fees. Tolsma stated he will draft an inspection report checklist in our format as discussed and bring to the next regular Council meeting for approval. Further discussion was had on if the City should do an informal inspection with Anton to see if we are way out of line in the specifications. Hoffman stated he is not against it but does not want to tailor to one property. He stated what we really need to consider is items 1 and 2 because they are structural. Consen- sus was to look at 1 and 2 and what would protect the tenants and the City and not do the informal in- spection. Discussion was had on the concrete planks and improvement to the boat ramp property at Sunset Drive. 2. 6:50 – Fee Schedule Discussion Tolsma handed out previous costs involved in residential variances and conditional use permits. The av- erage cost in the last four years for a residential variance is $1,800 and the current fee is $750. Tolsma questioned how the City wants to approach variances. Are we bettering the community or is this something that is applicant driven and they should pay, or do we want to meet somewhere in the middle? Horton inquired to where other communities fit in. Tolsma stated ours would be different because it is contract staff, and we get invoiced. Rockvam stated we should pass the fees on and discussion was had on establishing an increased base fee and escrow. Tolsma stated a $1,000 base and $1,500 escrow seems typical and would be his recommendation. Consensus was to agree and have Tolsma bring forward in- creasing the fees for variance and conditional use permit to the next Council meeting. Tolsma will also bring forward a fee for the interim use permit for the next council meeting. Hughes reported on the LMCD meeting. The Commission received a multiple dock application from Back Channel Brewing. Currently they have 4 docks and want to add an additional 16 transient docks. The matter will also go to Water Patrol, DNR and other organizations as needed. The LMCD wanted to make sure the City is aware of the application. 7:03 – Adjourn There being no further discussion, Hughes adjourned the meeting.