While the meeting room of the Columbus Municipal Complex was all but filled, only a small handful of people spoke about the City Council”s proposed “slum lord” ordinance at a Tuesday public hearing.
Before the start of the hearing, Columbus Mayor Robert Smith said he did not want this to be a debate with the council.
“This is a chance for you the people to speak in favor of it or against it,” he said.
All spoke in opposition to the measure, including Rick McGill of Crye-Leike Properties Unlimited.
“I, myself, am against the ordinance that is proposed. This new proposal will force the city to hire extra inspectors, and the cost of the licensing fees would not pay for extra inspectors,” he said.
As proposed, the ordinance, which is based on Tupelo”s rental ordinance, stipulates a license is required to maintain or operate a rental housing unit and the license fee will be $10 for owners of one to three rental units, $30 for owners of four to 10 rental units and $100 for owners of 11 or more rental units.
Randolph Lipscomb, another rental property owner, said he was also opposed to the proposed ordinance.
“There are many things already in the prior ordinance, so why not leave it as it is. Any additional fees would be a great cost to the city and landowners as well as tenants. This would be unreasonable, so I am opposed to the ordinance,” he said.
Dennis Coleman, owner of Coleman Real Estate, said before power is cut on for a new renter, the property owner has to make sure it meets the proper electrical code in order to pass inspection.
“I am totally against this proposed ordinance,” he said.
Hilbert Williams, who is also associated with Crye-Leike Properties Unlimited, said the proposed ordinance, would put more burdens on the property owners that could eventually force them to give up their properties in the city.
“I have tried to comply with every ordinance you have passed, If this passes, you are going to lose tax revenues. Please, do not pass this ordinance” he said.
Additionally, an inspection of the rental property, by the Columbus Building Department, is required before any license is issued and an inspection may be performed before a license renewal is issued.
All rental housing also should have heating, under the tenant”s control, and unvented combustion heaters or the use of cooking appliances as heaters is prohibited.
The ordinance also stipulates space and occupancy requirements, required safety and security measures, landscaping restrictions and other things.
Frank Webb said the city, “already has a wonderful code in place,” and adding another statute to the books would not make things easier.
“We”ve got plenty of regulations already,” he said.
Wade Wilson said it would be best to put some money into a program that would help poor people have the chance to afford good housing in Columbus.
“There are people living in houses who do not have lights because they cannot afford them, something should be done about that,” he said.
Smith asked if there was anyone who wished to speak in favor of the ordinance. No one volunteered to speak.
When the public comments concluded, each councilman was asked by Smith if they wanted to comment, none wished to make a statement regarding the proposed ordinance.
The council will vote Feb. 16 on the proposed ordinance.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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