10/10/1997 - Minutes COMMUNITY HOUSING TASK FORCE MEETING
Minutes of
Friday, October 10, 1997
Tigard City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dedi Streich, Sheila Greenlaw-Fink, Susan Wilson, Sally Parks
and Councilor Ken Scheckla.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon Fleming-Barret, Emily Cedarleaf, Cecilia Maciel and
Andy Miller.
ALSO PRESENT: David Scott, Building Official, City of Tigard; Jim Hendryx,
Community Development Director, City of Tigard; Ron Goodpaster, Police Chief, City of
Tigard and Eric McMullen, Deputy Fire Marshal, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
The meeting was convened at approximately 9:15 a.m.
I. SELF INTRODUCTIONS:
All present introduced themselves. Councilor Scheckla welcomed the members and
reported on recent events regarding the Tiffany Court Apartment complex. The report
indicated that there was a recent drug arrest including many occupants of this complex.
The arrests and subsequent issues have been the focus of significant coverage by the
media. As a result of the law enforcement activities leading to the arrests, conditions at
the complex were reported to the City and the media. The conditions reported indicate
that there are serious issues of sub-standard housing at the complex.
In response to this, the Tigard Mayor and Council have directed staff to pursue an
emergency housing ordinance and to commence enforcement at the complex.
Enforcement may also be pursued at other properties with similar conditions.
Councilor Scheckla emphasized that this emergency action by the City is in no way
intended to undermine or by-pass the work of the Task Force. The council felt that
immediate action needs to be taken to address immediate safety and sanitation issues.
The work of the Task Force regarding a long term housing program in Tigard has not
changed and the Council is still anticipating the thorough review and report of the Task
Force.
II. SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
It was the consensus of members present that David Scott, Building Official for the City
and lead staff support, would facilitate the work and meetings for the Task Force. This
arrangement is in lieu of Task Force members serving as Chair and Vice-Chair.
Community Housing Task Force Meeting
Minutes of October 10, 1997
Page 2
I11. COMMENTS FROM RON GOODPASTER, POLICE CHIEF, CITY OF TIGARD
Chief Ron Goodpaster addressed the Task Force regarding the impact of sub-standard
housing on the Police Department and the neighborhoods and communities
surrounding sub-standard properties. Chief Goodpaster indicated that they have
experienced the "broken window" syndrome, where an individual property will have a
broken window and deteriorate, which spreads to the immediate neighborhood where
additional properties will deteriorate and finally, the deterioration can spread to the
surrounding community. The Chief reported that the biggest impact of deteriorating
housing on the Police Department is the number of calls to which they must respond.
For example, 300-400 calls were handled at Tiffany Court alone during the last year.
Chief Goodpaster also indicated that he is encouraged by the work of the Task Force
and made himself and the resources of his department available to assist the Task
Force.
IV. COMMENTS FROM ERIC McMULLEN DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL TVF&R
Deputy Fire Marshal Eric McMullen addressed the Task Force regarding the impact of
sub-standard housing on the Fire District and upon fire safety in general. McMullen
reported that deteriorating housing usually exhibits a general lack of upkeep, which is a
predominant cause of fire, whereas neatly kept property is less likely to experience a
fire event. Deteriorating property may also exhibit a lack or poor maintenance of smoke
detectors, fire alarms and exits. Further, the Fire Chief has directed the Fire Marshal's
Office to address the issue of apartment fires, so the work of the Task Force is timely.
The Task Force had several questions for McMullen, including: how does Tigard
compare with other areas in number and type of deficiencies noted upon fire
inspections and what authority and programs does TVF&R have in place. McMullen
indicated that TVF&R's authority is limited to alarms, access and exits. Issues of
overcrowding are not within their authority. McMullen will provide a reporting of the
number and type of deficiencies noted in Tigard. McMullen discussed new legislation
which by 2002 will prohibit the sale of smoke detectors which do not have a 10-year
battery. McMullen also reported that TVF&R is supporting his continuing participation in
the work of the Task Force and will attempt to attend future meetings.
V.1VI. DAVID SCOTT, BUILDING OFFICIAL CITY OF TIGARD/WORK SESSION
Building Official David Scott presented the staff report which was included in the
meeting packet. A revised timeline was distributed.
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Minutes of October 10, 1997
Page 3
Several issues were discussed by the Task Force:
a. qualifications of managers and potential for mandating training and/or
licensing for managers;
b. the balance between landlord and tenant responsibilities/expectations
regarding housing maintenance:
1. tenants often cause the deterioration;
2. tenants may not have control over certain maintenance items like
alarms, etc.
3. landlords should have check-list for tenants;
4. managers should evict those tenants who do not follow the rules;
5. social aspects of the housing issue are important;
6. funding options:
• those listed in staff report;
• tax credits or other incentive programs for owners in
general to provide well maintained housing or to
additionally provide low income housing;
• can tenants be fined in addition to or instead of
owners if the housing program includes fines for
failure to correct noted deficiencies within units;
• assess tenants a fee upon renting a unit in Tigard in
addition to or instead of owners if the housing
program includes some kind of licensing fee.
I was agreed that the issues would be pursued at the appropriate time during the work
of the Task Force.
The Task Force agreed that the strategy/process for meeting the Council's charge will
be to address the following issues in order and then present the Council with a report of
the analysis, conclusions and recommendations of the Task Force.
a. Should there be a codified minimum standard of habitability, safety and
sanitation for existing housing in Tigard? (Should Tigard adapt a housing
ordinance?);
b. If yes, what is the minimum standard of habitability, safety and sanitation?
(What should the housing ordinance require?);
C. What types of properties should be subject to the provisions of the
ordinance?;
Community Housing Task Force Meeting
Minutes of October 10, 1997
Page 4
d. How should the ordinance be enforced. (Should inspections be proactive,
reactive or some combination?);
e. What resources need to be applied? (How many inspectors, support
staff, vehicles and other equipment/supplies are needed?);
f. What is the cost of this Housing Program?
g. How should the Housing Program be funded?
h. What implementation and program policies should be adopted?
The Task Force also requested that copies of revent articles on Tiffany Court and a
breakdown of which agencies have what responsibilities and/or authority in housing
maintenance issues. Staff will provide this information for the next meeting.
VII. MEETING SCHEDULE
The following tentative meeting schedule was decided:
Thursday, October 30 1-4 p.m.
Thursday, November 6 1-4 p.m.
Thursday, November 20 1-4 p.m.
Thursday, December 4 1-4 p.m.
Thursday, December 18 1-4 p.m.
(NOTE: A member present at the meeting subsequently noted a conflict and requested
that the meetings be held from 12-noon to 3 p.m. This time is what was sent out
previously.)
VIII. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 12-noon.
Respe tfully submitted,
avid Scott
Building Official
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