Summer 2022 Hometown Messenger

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

City adopts propertymaintenance code, rental inspections

In an effort to protect renters in Shakopee from property mainte nance issues, the Shakopee City Council adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and created a Rental Housing Inspection Program to ensure rental units in the city limits are up to code, habitable and safe “As our community grows, more investments are made in apartment complexes and single-family homes, meaning there may be regula tions to rental business like any other small business,”Mayor Bill Mars said “It’s our responsibility to look out for our residents and renters if we are thinking long-term city policies” Since April 2021, City Council and city staff have provided input and received direction regarding the IPMC and Rental Housing Inspection Pro gram These regulations establishminimummaintenance requirements for basicequipment suchas lights, HVAC, sanitationandfire safety The respon sibility is on the property owner and operator tomaintain compliance The IPMC code applies to all properties in the city including industrial and commercial

"It’s our responsibility to look out for our residents and renters if we are thinking long term city policies." Bill Mars Mayor The new rental ordinance establishes a complaint process for rental tenants, a process for revocation of rental licenses and a landlord relocation cost provision to incentivize landlords tomake repairs Every rental property in the city, includ ing rental single family homes, will be inspected at least every three years, and properties identified as having ongoing issues will be inspected on a more regular basis A fee schedule is still being finalized and awaits City Coun cil approval Fees will vary by building size, condition andwhen a certificate of occupancy was granted The IPMC and Rental Housing Inspection Program ordinances will be effective Aug 1, 2022

Flavored vaping restrictions effective in 2023 Effective Jan 1, 2023, a newly adopted city ordinance will restrict the sale of flavored vaping products within the Shakopee city limits The restrictions pertain to all licensed vaping products that contain a taste or smell other than the taste or smell of tobacco or menthol The ordinance is the City Council’s response to an increase in reports of vaping among minors According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institute on Drug Abuse, a study showed that students who used e-cigarettes by the time they started ninth grade were more likely than their peers to start smoking combustible cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year

Twenty-two cities in Minnesota have enacted flavored tobacco regu lations, including neighboring Prior Lake Based on feedback from stores that will be impacted by this ordi nance, the council approved an effective date of Jan 1, 2023, so stores can dispose of existing inventory

Another study quoted by the NIH showed that high schoolers who used e-cigarettes in the last month were seven times more likely to report having smoked cigarettes when asked six months later Research suggests some of these users don’t realize that vaping car tridges contain nicotine, which is highly addictive “City Council has refined the tobacco ordinance over the past few decades, and I feel that it’s been generally effective in reducing non compliance, but we’ve seen a spike lately that is not unique to Shako pee,”Mayor Bill Mars said

What’s that traffic demo by Sweeney Elementary? A Safe Routes to School demonstration has been set up at the intersection of 10th AvenueW near Clay and Pierce Streets This active transportation demonstration project will remain in place through fall of 2022 The project provides an opportunity for students, families, and members of the public to try potential changes to the street that are designed to improve safety for children walking and biking to school across 10th Avenue W The demonstration includes temporary curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalk markings, and pedestrian crossing signs This project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and is being completed in partnership with the City of Shakopee and Sweeney Elementary

Drivers, bikers and pedestrians alike are encouraged to complete a survey after traveling through the demonstration. To complete the survey, visit bit.ly/shakopeesrts.

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