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Commissioner floats STR accessibility grant idea; colleagues weigh funding responsibility
Summary
Commissioner Hess proposed a program to help short-term-rental owners make units ADA accessible using TLT funds; other commissioners urged caution about using City funds for private property upgrades and suggested alternatives.
Commissioner Hess raised the idea of creating a targeted grant program to help licensed short-term-rental (STR) owners modify units for ADA accessibility, funded potentially through Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) or similar sources. Hess framed the proposal as a way to increase accessible visitor accommodations and tie funding back to visitor-generated revenue.
Other commissioners acknowledged the value of improving accessibility but cautioned about funding private property upgrades. "I don't think the city should fund it," Commissioner Maxfield said, noting STR owners collect revenue and should invest in their properties. Commissioners discussed non-grant alternatives such as setting standards for licensed STRs, offering a public listing of already-accessible units for marketing, or requiring accessibility improvements through licensing conditions. Planner Tapia said staff had been directed to explore options and the City manager has been engaged in preliminary conversations.
