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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,November 13,2017 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 16. #17-3984—CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT: RENTAL LICENSING, <br /> VACATION RENTAL PROHIBITION—Continued <br /> Anderson stated he understands the City has received some letters regarding short-term rentals and that <br /> some of the letters speak to maintaining control over their renters,maintaining good relationships with the <br /> neighbors,which would be very appreciative but,unfortunately,he is not sure if that will happen with an <br /> absentee owner. Anderson stated he has experienced issues with speeding,strangers in the neighborhood, <br /> lewd comments,parties,and animals off leash. <br /> Katherine Kent stated her rental property is located at 3635 North Shore Drive,and that she submitted a <br /> letter earlier today,along with her actual rental agreement and the rules that go along with the rental. <br /> Kent stated she has been a Vrbo manager for four years and that she has had wonderful guests stay at the <br /> property. Kent indicated she screens all the potential guests at the time of their inquiry as to the purpose <br /> of their visit and the number of guests that they will have at the property. <br /> At that time it is explained to the prospective renter that the property is located in a residential <br /> neighborhood and that there is to be no noise or other disturbances after 9 p.m.that can be heard by a <br /> neighbor and that the property is not rentable for events,parties,receptions,weddings,or <br /> bachelor/bachelorette parties,etc. After the screening,if the prospective renter does not seem to be an <br /> appropriate fit for the property,a reply is sent stating that the property is unavailable for rental. Most of <br /> the guests are couples or a family with one or two children. Kent indicated she also has a rental <br /> agreement stating the rules of the property that is signed by the tenant prior to their arrival. <br /> Kent stated she does not have a problem adding additional rules of conduct or stronger language to the <br /> rental agreement if necessary but that she does have a problem being told what she can and cannot do <br /> responsibly with the property that she pays taxes on. Kent stated she agrees with the previous speaker <br /> and that it is definitely the responsibility of the owner of the property to make sure that issues do not <br /> happen. Kent stated she lives approximately five minutes from the rental property and that she manages <br /> and maintains it. Kent stated she is interested in seeing what the City drafts. <br /> Walsh asked how many properties she has in Orono that she rents out. <br /> Kent indicated it is one. <br /> Walsh asked if it is homesteaded or non-homesteaded. <br /> Kent stated it is non-homesteaded. <br /> Jeff Uklu, 1416 Baldur Park Road,stated he lives two doors down from the rental property and that the <br /> primary issues are noise,dogs defecating in their yard,scaring children,and increased traffic. Baldur <br /> Park Road is a small road,with parking being at a premium,and when cars are packed alongside the road, <br /> it would be difficult to get emergency vehicles in there as well as a great inconvenience for the residents. <br /> Uklu stated the crux of the problem is the owner of the property needs to be held accountable to make it <br /> absolutely clear what the rules of the situation are and that it is located in a quiet residential <br /> neighborhood. Uklu commented common courtesy seems often to be lacking in a lot of the renters and <br /> that a lot could be done to encourage more responsible renting. <br /> Page 3 of 17 <br />