02-26-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 12, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. Walsh stated what the Council is talking about is requiring the property owner obtain a license, which will give the City a better idea of how many properties are being rented out. Walsh stated if there is a problem, the City will send a letter to the property owner asking them to take care of the problem, and then if the problem is not resolved, then it will be necessary to follow a process to deal with it. Walsh stated the ordinance may not solve everything right away, but that they have to start somewhere. Carter asked how that will be communicated to the people who are doing the Vrbos. Carter stated there are a number of people who run under the Vrbo model versus someone renting a room out. Walsh stated the sites can be searched and those will be the easy ones to notify. Mattick stated the City Council should also decide on a starting date. Carter stated a number of the Vrbo folks are probably already booked up for the summer so that group of people will be greatly impacted. Carter stated those rentals could be a significant source of income and that she is concerned for those folks because that is a legitimate business for them. Carter stated those people may have purchased the property for that intent and that the City is infringing on people's property rights. Crosby stated they will need to go into the commercial rental business then. Crosby moved to approve Option A and direct Staff to draft an ordinance amending the Orono Municipal Code regarding rental licensing and short-term rentals and to allow residents to rent up to two rooms of their owner -occupied homesteaded property to no more than two people, with the ordinance going into effect in 30 days. Rief stated Staff would not be able to meet the 30 days. 19. #17-384 CITY OF ORONO: TEXT AMENDMENT: RENTAL LICENSING, VACATION RENTAL PROHIBITION — Continued Crosby stated the City can give them 30 days after it is approved. City Attorney Mattick suggested the ordinance go into effect April 1. Seals questioned if that is enough time realistically and that summertime is likely the problematic time. Mattick stated 30 days is better than none and that people who run Vrbos likely would want more time. Crosby stated the sooner the ordinance goes into effect the better because it gives people more time to make arrangements. Printup seconded the motion. Walsh suggested looking at the ordinance in six months and then again in 12 months. Page 21 of 22