Written and posted by Austin Leedom at 10:00
p.m. Wednesday, August 03,
2005
Mayor tries to push ordinance
to charge annual $50.00 Inspection Fees to Landlords on each unit
they own.
Chief of Police Horner, Fire Chief Storey,
other high-ranking police and fire officers, and Engineering Chief
Juanita Jewett were on hand at the meeting, possibly under orders
from the Mayor.
Council President Howard Baughman who
followed Kalb’s propaganda line about the necessity of registering
all landlords, so the City could know who owned each rental
property, etc opened the meeting. Baughman didn’t have his
high-speed gavel with him that he uses at Council meetings to hammer
down anyone who disagrees with him and quickly lost control of the
meeting shortly before the Mayor came in late.
Health Commissioner Don Walden hosted the
meeting and Peggy Burton led the discussions and delivered a slide
presentation.
Present were landlords who own and rent many
rental properties and landlords who owned only a small number of
rental units; all of them were against any more inspections and
expenses. One lady
presented an inch thick book of Ohio regulations that renters must
comply with. She noted
that there also Federal laws and City Codes that they must
follow. Also, there are
inspections by insurance companies.
The opponents to Kalb’s inspection scheme had
done their homework and came to the meeting well armed with
statistics and comparisons on housing inspection programs in other
cities. None of the citizens were in favor of more rules and
inspectors.
Also, it seemed that some of the speakers had
reason to believe that Kalb’s proposed inspection ordinance is only
an attempt to raise more money for his general fund spending, and is
not an ordinance for the good of the people. It was also noted that
registration of owners was not necessary to know who owns the houses
as this information can be found online in minutes by going to the
County Auditor’s website.
Also pointed up was that rental property
doesn’t bring a big price in Portsmouth because of the low level of
the economy here, and there is little if any profit in renting
residences here.
Others mentioned that it was discriminatory
to charge owners of rental dwellings a $50.00 per year charge and
not charge owners who live in their own homes the same
fee.
Harold Daub said he had experience in renting
properties and felt the proposed charges were unfair and
discriminatory.
After a showing of some excellent photo
slides of unhealthy conditions in local homes by Peggy Burton who
pointed out the many hazards of disease, bad air, lead paint, and
other dangers in residential dwellings, Mr. Daub spoke again. He
said that healthy housing is a real concern to every citizen and
suggested that the City handle this health problem with funding like
the Police and Fire Departments have. He noted that both the Fire
and Police departments have a levy that provides for a minimum
number of personnel for both departments and that money collected
for these departments is earmarked so it cannot be mingled with the
general funds, but must go exclusively for the Police and Fire
Departments.
Mr. Daub suggested a small levy or a small
income tax increase be installed for this new purpose and all money
collected should go only to the Health Department and that the
Health Department should take charge of the housing inspection
program.
Mayor Kalb did not appear pleased by Harold
Daub’s suggestion.
Daub also pointed out that the Mayor had
included in his 2005 City budget a projected income of $200,000 to
be received from charging owners of rental property $50.00 for each
property this year for housing inspection and registration
charges.
Daub noted that the Mayor had also projected
spending this $200,000 this year.
If the Mayor doesn’t get this program enacted
he will have a shortage in funds before the end of the year. Third Ward Councilman Bob
Mollette who refused to vote for the budget because it wasn’t going
to balance pointed out this same fact to Mayor Kalb early this
year.
At that time, during a council meeting, in
answer to Councilman Mollette’s question about spending more money
than they were going to take in, Mayor Kalb said, “Well then, we’ll
just have to lay some people off.”
Mayor Kalb appears to be under great stress
recently; once again he got out of control. At one point, the Mayor
became very excited and began shouting at Mr. Daub and suggested
Daub keep quiet.
.
(Council President Baughman should have brought his gavel
along to back up the Mayor.)
Actually, if this new program is enacted Mr.
Daub’s suggestion has the most common sense. The City Health Department
has performed great work, has excellent personnel, a good reputation
for its services and operates efficiently. The Health Department
obtains many grants each year for their operations and also
furnishes health services to other counties. The Health Department
operates almost completely on grants and the money it receives for
providing services to other health departments in this area. A small earmarked levy going
directly to the Health Department makes good sense and would provide
inspection of homes as needed.
Written and posted by Austin Leedom
at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 03, 2005
