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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - CCC Minutes 07/16/19Minutes CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY COMMISSION Pizza Ranch 1404 Boston Ave, Ames IA Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 12:12 p.m. by Chair Sandeep Stanley. Members present were Eric Abrams, Evelyn Beavers, Martha Broadnax, Pete Englin, Warren Madden, and Tom Lindsley. Karin Chitty was not present. Staff liaisons Brian Phillips and Deb Schildroth were present. Kurt Kruger, CRO, was also present. Public Forum: There was no one present for Public Forum Discussion with landlords regarding tenant/landlord issues: Sandeep explained interest in getting landlord perspective regarding tenant/landlord issues. He asked landlords to describe the current state of landlord/tenant relations. He also asked what the landlords wish tenants know before renting. Responses are as follows: • Common sense. Regular cleaning, paying rent on time without reminders. • Read the lease. We won’t read it to them. It protects both parties. • Understand that the lease is a legal document. • Single-family units are more work. Tenants think they can do whatever they want to the yard. • Understand if one roommate doesn’t want to comply with lease, other tenants can be held responsible. • Life skills are important before signing lease. Landlords indicated that they provide checklists and additional resources to explain expectations. Eric suggested that there may be a need for some kind of document outlining best practices. Lease Gap: • One landlord has an early move-in request list o Can accommodate ½ of requests • Staying within same company minimizes gap • Provide moving truck and storage company lists to tenants o There is a need for the gap so landlords can make repairs Utility Cost Advertising: • Three landlords indicated they provide utility costs at showings • Prospective tenants can call City and get utility history • Alliant can be looked up online, but City utilities cannot be found online. Must call Tenants with Disabilities: • Have to evaluate requests for accommodation at time of application, and determine if it can be reasonably done. Warren asked the landlords if there was incentive from the City for more accessible units, would there be interest. They said there might be. Eric suggested that they may need to study the demand further. Pete informed the group that Student Disabilities Services has data regarding the types/prevalence of disabilities. • Large increase in service animal requests in the past several years Mediation Process: • No one had experience recently with CCJ mediation process Sandeep reviewed potential next steps: • Studying mediation service • Student Legal Services providing seminar at Student Residency Fair in Fall • Creation of aspirational Code of Conduct • Hosting a joint renter/landlord forum in the fall to further discuss issue Kurt Kruger deals with tenant/landlord mediation on a regular basis as a Community Resource Officer. • One landlord commented that mediation would be great. Adjourn: Eric moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.