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Resident urges housing committee to add tenant representation and address safety, quality issues
Summary
Robert Caldwell told the council the housing committee should develop a rental policy, include tenant members, and address safety and quality‑of‑life problems such as snow removal, railing repairs and enforcement of lease terms; he characterized average rent at about $850 as a context for the local rental market.
Resident Robert Caldwell used his public‑comment time to press the city’s housing committee to complete a rental policy and to include tenant representation on the committee. "I believe when it [the committee] was formed on its agenda was to develop a rental policy and I don't think they got that far," Caldwell said, adding he does not know the exact number of rental units in town but estimated an average rent of about $850.
Caldwell identified two primary areas for the committee to examine: safety and quality of life. He described recurring problems with snow and ice not being cleared from parking lots and sidewalks, which he said has made access difficult for older residents and caused slip injuries. He also described inconsistent enforcement of lease rules on pets, saying a management company allowed a dog in an area the lease prohibited.
Caldwell urged the committee to consult public‑health officials or local veterinarians and to ensure adequate tenant representation in future deliberations. "If the city housing committee is going to look at this issue ... it would be good to have adequate representation," he said, noting that current committee membership includes landlords but he believed no tenants.
No action was taken by the council during the meeting; Caldwell’s remarks were recorded as part of the public‑comment period.
