At the end of every agenda, are items introduced for discussion by committees that are supposed to come back every 45 days, but many take much longer, some miraculously are pushed through more quickly. Now is the time to start paying attention, while these items wind their way through committees and changes are more likely to be made . . . instead of the craziness that happens on the council floor. This agenda had several interesting items, that I thought you might be mildly interested in.
Increasing penalties for violations of Landmarks Ordinance
The committee was working on increasing the penalties for people who demolished landmarks or otherwise failed to follow the law. Looks like they are finally moving forward increasing fines from $200 for each violation to:
1st violation – $250 – 500
2nd violation in 3 years – $500 minimum
3rd violation in 3 years – $1000 minimum
These are daily fines for each day of the violation. The ordinance also makes it clear that property owners cannot hide behind LLCs or other legal entities to avoid the increased penalties.
Repealing Car Door/Biker Ordinance
Since the state also passed a law, ours is no longer necessary. Apparently the police are ticketing people with the city ordinance instead of state law and this is an attempt to remedy this.
Revising Landlord Entry Ordinance
Currently, landlords must give a 24 hour notice to enter an apartment unless the tenant gives permission to enter on a case by case basis or there is an emergency. For showing an apartment, those notices can’t be more than 3 days and 3 hours per day. This is an attempt to clarify that the landlord has to give the specific date and time or window of time they are going to enter . . . but it also widens the window to 4 hours per day. I’m not sure this helps tenants as written and ultimately just allows the landlord an extra hour in each three day period to show the apartment. But, I know that members of the tenant/landlord subcommittee of the housing committee have been working on this for a few months.
FIXING THE MAJESTIC MARQUEE ISSUE
This ordinance allows the city to not charge for encroachments on properties where the property that is encroaching is a landmark and the item that encroaches contributes to the property being a landmark.
These always make me nervous
This is an exercise in trust. Would you approve this?
Increasing late fees for alcohol licenses
Basically, it raises the fees by no more than about $100 or so. You’d have to read it to see the specifics, but it looks pretty minor.
Fixing the Issuance of Liquor Licenses to “Dirt”
This ordinance allows the revocation or suspension of liquor licenses if there is no premises or the license is not in use for 15 days or more. This should fix the issue on Monroe Street with Bob Seeger.
More pay raises for the Mayor’s Office
These reclassifications may not cost money at the time they are approved, but slowly, over time, increase the city’s obligations for payroll. While there is a freeze on filling positions, apparently, people can still get these raises. Worse yet, the materials are confusing and you need to search for the information on the amount of the increased obligation (about $1,000 in salary in this case, and more in benefits etc.).
Allowing Supervisors to Live outside of the City or even Dane County without a Pay Penalty
That about explains it. Details as to why an the impact it will have are here. Currently, there is a 1% longevity penalty.
Another exercise in trust
Would you approve this? A better explanation about the unspent money and which projects went over costs here.
Giving Away the City’s Equity
I’m torn on this one. If the city invests in property, shouldn’t it get a cut in the profits? Which is then put make into more projects? Or should it just be given away to the non-profits (who will put it to good use – but perhaps different uses?)
Urging state to allow on-line voter registration.
There must be a press release on this somewhere.
Funny what they will use the contingent reserve for
Don’t get me wrong, I support text messaging, as does likely most of the council members, which is why this is kinda “funny”. Typically, departments are told to “find money” in their budgets, but then there are these exceptions. Hopefully some extra attention will get more than 2,200 people to sign up for the service.
Well, there you have it, more items of interest than usual.
