From
Katherine Garcia-Thomson
Title
An ordinance of the City of Grand Prairie Texas, amending Sec. 28-27 (a) (b) amending multi-family housing inspection fees and authorizing the addition of two (2) positions (Housing Enforcement Supervisor and Housing Enforcement Officer) to the HNS Housing Services staff
Presenter
William A. Hills, Director, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
In 2012, the City Council passed ordinance #9452 amending Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances. This revised and more stringent Multi-family ordinance was designed to improve the quality and maintenance of these facilities within the city. The Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, in cooperation with the Police Department, and other City Departments has been diligent in enforcing the provisions of this ordinance.
The fee structure for Multi-family has been reviewed annually to insure sufficient revenue is being generated to support the inspection program. By virtue of this, we are requesting a nominal increase in Multi-family inspection fees (Exhibit A). This increase is comparable with the fees established for these services in our survey cities, and will also allow us to increase staffing to keep pace with the significant growth being experienced in Multi-family development.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of Multi-family inspections required as our existing properties age. These properties require additional inspections to insure the improved conditions are sustained and are also a major contributor to the need for the addition of two positions to continue to support our diligence in enforcement activities, one (1) Housing Enforcement Supervisor and one (1) Housing Enforcement Officer.
Approval of this item has been recommended by the CCDC.
Financial Consideration
Funding is available through savings in the HCV Fund to support the additional $20,265 in funding for the staffing of these positions through FY17. The increase in fees will support the $81,058 in cost for PY18, and support the Multi-family portion of the 60/40 split in cost associated with the Multi-family and Section 8 Housing Quality Standards programs, respectively.
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AMENDING SEC. 28-27 (a) (b), MULTIFAMILY HOUSING INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE, AND AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF TWO (2) POSITIONS (HOUSING ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR AND HOUSING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER) TO THE HNS HOUSING SERVICES STAFF; PROVIDING THIS ORDINANCE BE CUMULATIVE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the fee structure for multi-family properties is reviewed annually to insure sufficient revenue is being generated to support the inspection program; and
WHEREAS, amending Section 28-27 (a) (b) establishes fees based on the previous year's tier rating at the same time annually; and
WHEREAS, an increase in staffing is necessary to keep pace with the significant growth being experienced in the multi-family development;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. that Section 28-27(a) and (b) Multifamily housing inspection fee schedule shall be amended as follows:
(a) A fee shall be authorized to be charged to the responsible party to provide for inspections to insure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The fee shall be thirteen dollars ($13.00) per unit per year for Tier 1, and shall be charged to the ownership of each apartment community.
(b) Fees for Tier II shall be nineteen dollars and fifty cents ($19.50) per unit per year and Tier III shall be twenty-six dollars ($26.00) per unit per year; the fees for these apartment communities are higher due to the required number of mandatory inspections. Inspection fees paid more than sixty (60) days after the due date will incur a one-time five (5%) percent late fee.
SECTION 2. the City Council hereby authorizes the addition of two positions (housing enforcement supervisor and housing enforcement officer) to the HNS housing services staff.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be and is hereby declared to be cumulative of all other ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie, and this ordinance shall not operate to repeal or affect any other ordinance except insofar as the provisions thereof might be inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, in which event such conflicting provisions, if any, in such other ordinance(s) are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. If any portion of this ordinance is declared to be invalid or unconstitutional, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance, and all of provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage as provided by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 6th DAY OF JUNE, 2017.