Shreveport considering program to help identify problem rentals, absentee landlords and owners
Several spoke against it and the associated costs when the City Council met Nov. 19
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Before the Shreveport City Council are three ordinances related to establishing a rental dwelling unit registration program.
On the agenda of the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission’s meeting Nov. 3 were amendments to Shreveport’s Unified Development Code, which was implemented in May 2017.
Those changes would allow for a rental dwelling unit registration program that is designed to help identify problem properties and absentee landlords and property owners.
The program is an initiative brought forth by Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and Councilman John Nickelson. In the presentation to the MPC, it was stated that the council members “found that establishing a rental registration and safety inspection program will protect the public health, safety and welfare of tenants by encouraging the proper maintenance of residential rental housing.”
The program would have two components: registration and complaint-driven safety inspections.
If approved:
- any tenant or aggrieved party could report potential violations by contacting the MPC office and requesting an inspection of a unit to ensure compliance with rental housing standards; and,
- no one would be allowed to occupy, rent, sub-rent, lease, sublease, let or sublet property to another person unless they have obtained a rental dwelling unit certificate of registration. Exemptions would include rental dwellings in hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, single-room occupancy or boarding houses, short-term rentals, RV parks, state or federal licensed hospitals, hospice, community care facilities, intermediate-care facilities, nursing homes, government entities, housing authority-owned and -operated properties and other similar accommodations.
- all owners of rental properties in Shreveport would have to pay $35 per unit for the initial registration then a $30 renewal fee each year. Failure to register would result in a $70 fine.
Several landlords spoke against the program and the costs associated with it when the City Council met Friday, Nov. 19.
“We are going to have to pass this on to the tenants,” said Shawn Guilbault, a property owner. “A lot of these tenants are already struggling to pay rent, so they are going to have a harder time now to pay rent.
“So we are trying to see how this will benefit. We already have property standards which, to my understanding, does the same thing.”
Taylor, who represents City Council District A, wants the program for the city and said it’s a matter of accountability.
“I am going to speak specifically to my district. I have a lot of slum lords. I have taken two apartment complexes to court. No running water, sewage, deplorable conditions. What we don’t have is a renter’s code and we need to have one.”
As presented to and approved by the MPC earlier this month, below are the proposed amendments to Shreveport’s Unified Development Code that would help establish a rental dwelling unit registration program:
The MPC’s approval was necessary before Shreveport could proceed.
Now the issue is before the City Council. The program will be up for a vote when the City Council meets Dec. 14.
The program, if approved, would be administered by the MPC.
Below is the agenda for the Shreveport City Council’s meeting Friday, Nov. 19, including the three ordinances and supporting documents for the city’s proposed rental dwelling unit registration program:
ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Call to order
Invocation
Roll call
Approval of Minutes: Administrative Conference and City Council Meeting
Awards and Recognitions of Distinguished Guests, Communications of the Mayor relative to city business, and Required Reports
Awards and recognition of distinguished guests by City Council members, not to exceed fifteen minutes
Awards and recognition of distinguished guests by the Mayor, not to exceed fifteen minutes
Communications of the Mayor relative to city business other than awards and recognition of distinguished guests
Reports:
Revenue Collection Plan & Implementation Report (Resolution 114 of 2009)
Surety Bond Forfeitures Report (Resolution 238 of 2010)
Master Plan Committee Report (Resolution 132 of 2012)
Budget to Actual Financial Report (Resolution 183 of 2017)
Public Hearing: 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET
Adding Items to the Agenda, Public Comments, Confirmations and Appointments
Adding legislation to the agenda (regular meeting only) and public comments on motions to add items to the agenda
Public Comments (In accordance with Section 1.11 of the Rules of Procedure) (Administrative Conference on any matter of public concern regardless of whether the item is on the agenda) (Regular Meeting on matters which are on the agenda)
Confirmation and Appointments
Downtown Development Authority – Drayden Dunn
Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission Authority Board - Patrick Wesley
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourism Board - Alan Jackson
Consent Agenda Legislation
To Introduce Routine Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolutions: None
Ordinances: None
To Adopt Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolutions: None
Ordinances: None
Regular Agenda Legislation
Resolutions on Second Reading and Final Passage or Which will require Only One Reading
RES 132
Authorizing the mayor to execute an Option to Ground Lease between the City of Shreveport and Shreveport HP Allendale, LLC and otherwise providing with respect thereto
RES 135
To amend Resolution no. 87 of 2021 which was adopted to execute a Contract between the City of Shreveport, Louisiana and C. Edwards Concepts, LLC. to provide curbside recycling within the limits of Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (F/Green)
RES 137
To recognize Deputy Marshal Chasen Swan and Deputy Marshal Lance Swan for their lifesaving heroics in saving the life of a gunshot victim, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Boucher)
RES 139
Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Shreveport and Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC for the purpose of an external audit of the city for fiscal year January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (C/Nickelson)
RES 140
Authorizing the Mayor to execute an Acceptance of Act of Donation and Permanent Utility Servitude Agreement between the City of Shreveport and Linwood Development, LLC, hereinafter called “Owner” and acting herein through Sammy A. Mijalis, Member/Manager, for the water mains and related facilities to serve Aegean-Mijalis Subdivision Unit No. 2 and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
RES 141
Suspending the effects of Chapter 102-127 of the Shreveport Municipal Code relative to SporTran fixed route and paratransit fares and to otherwise provide with respect thereto
RES 142
To recognize November 2021 as National Family Caregivers Month in the City of Shreveport, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Taylor)
RES 143
Recognizing November 20, 2021 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Shreveport honoring the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (B/Fuller)
Res 144
To repeal Resolution No. 112 of 2021 which dedicated the 400 block of Herndon Street in honor of Dr. Leonard Rhone, Sr., and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Fuller)
RES 145
To dedicate the 400 block of East Herndon Street in honor of Dr. Leonard Rhone, Sr., for his commitment and contributions to the Stoner Hill Community and the City of Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (B/Fuller)
RES 146
To dedicate the 7700 Block of Babylon Circle in honor of Oletha T. Washington for her commitment and contributions to the Pine Valley Community and the City of Shreveport and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (D/Boucher)
Introduction of Resolutions (Not to be adopted prior to December 14, 2021)
RES 147
Approving the 2022 Downtown Development Authority Program of Work and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
RES 148
Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Prime Government Solution, Inc. for agenda management software, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
RES 149
Amending the pay plan for classified employees based on the administrative thirteen dollar minimum wage increase and current market trends, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
RES 150
Approving Custom Retail Store Fixtures LLC for participation in the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) located at 9401 Slack Road, Shreveport, LA, 71106, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
RES 151
Authorizing the City of Shreveport (The "City") to hire professionals in conjunction with the potential refunding of any eligible Water and Sewer revenue bonds or Water and Sewer revenue refunding bonds of the City, for the purpose of attaining savings for the City and/or its taxpayers through the issuance of taxable or tax-exempt Water and Sewer revenue refunding bonds in an amount not to exceed one hundred ninety million dollars ($190,000,000), in one or more series; and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
RES 152
Authorizing the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana to proceed with the issuance of its not exceeding one hundred ninety million dollars ($190,000,000) taxable or tax-exempt Water and Sewer refunding bonds, in one or more series, for the purpose of refunding certain existing indebtedness of the City; making application to the Louisiana State Bond Commission for approval of such bonds and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
Introduction of Ordinances (Not to be adopted prior to December 14, 2021)
ORD 196
Amending the 2021 Grants Special Revenue Fund Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto
ORD 197
Adopting the 2022 Downtown Development Authority Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 198
Amending the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 199
Amending the 2021 Downtown Entertainment Economic Development Special Revenue Fund Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 200
Amending the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto
ORD 201
Amending the 2021 Budget Funding Contractual Services provided to SporTran by Metro Management Associates, Inc. and otherwise providing with respect thereto
ORD 202
Amending the 2021 Community Development Special Revenue Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto
ORD 203
Amending the 2021 general fund budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 204
Zoning Case No. 21-158-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the southeast corner of Legardy St. & Hawkins St., Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., from R-1-5, Single-Family Residential District To R-A, Rural-Agricultural District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (A/Taylor)
ORD 205
Zoning Case No. 21-164-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the southwest corner of Fairfield Ave & Dashiel St., Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., from C-UC, Urban Corridor District to IC, Institutional Campus District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (B/Fuller)
ORD 206
Zoning Case No. 21-166-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the northwest corner of Baird Rd. & Ferrara Dr., Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., from C-2, Corridor Commercial District to R-3, Multi-Family Residential District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (E/Flurry)
ORD 207
Zoning Case No. 21-167-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the north side of E Boulevard St., approx. 140' east of Alexander Ave., Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., from R-1-5, Single-Family Residential District to R-2, Multi-Family Residential District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto (B/Fuller)
Ordinances on Second Reading and Final Passage (Numbers are assigned Ordinance Numbers)
ORD 149
Amending Section 10-69 of Chapter 10, Article IV, Division 2 of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, Code of Ordinances with respect to the Fee and Term for alcoholic beverage handling employee cards, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 183
To amend Section 66-141 of Chapter 66 Personnel, Article III Health Benefits for the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances relative to contributions by active employees and city and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (Not to be adopted prior to November 19, 2021)
ORD 184
Amending the 2021 Retained Risk Fund Budget and otherwise providing with respect thereto
ORD 185
Amending the 2021 General Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 186
Amending the 2021 General Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 187
Amending the 2021 General Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 188
Amending the 2021 Capital Projects Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized herein and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 189
Amending the 2021 Capital Projects Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized herein and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 190
Amending the 2021 Water and Sewerage Enterprise Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 191
Declaring the City's Interest in certain land as surplus, and our intention to donate certain land acquired by the Department of Community Development to Volunteers of America of North Louisiana and to otherwise provide with respect thereto
ORD 192
To amend Chapter 38 of the Code of Ordinances relative to the Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Program, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 193
To amend various articles and sections in the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, Unified Development Code, relative to rental dwelling units their registration, maintenance and inspection, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 194
To amend the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s fee schedule for the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, Unified Development Code relative to fees for the Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Program, as well as for Garage Sales, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 195
To amend Chapter 58, Article IV, Division 1 and Chapter 78, Article VIII, Division 1 of the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, Code of Ordinances relative to litter and dumping, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (A/Taylor, F/Green)
ORD 124
Zoning Case No. 21-76-C: An Ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City Of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the southwest corner of Milam Street and Arkansas Avenue, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from C-1, Neighborhood Commercial District to C-3, General Commercial District. (G/Bowman)
ORD 179
Zoning Case No. 21-136-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the northwest side of Shreveport Barksdale Hwy. at the intersection of Reily Lane, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., from C-2, Corridor Commercial District to C-3, General Commercial District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (C/Nickelson)
ORD 182
Zoning Case No. 21-148-C: An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the City of Shreveport Unified Development Code, by rezoning property located on the northwest corner of Jewella Ave & Woodrow St, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA., From C-2, Corridor Commercial District to C-3, General Commercial District, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (G/Bowman)
Tabled Legislation
Ordinances/Resolutions:
RES 124
To establish an Intergovernmental committee, and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (D/Boucher) (Tabled on November 9, 2021)
ORD 50
ORD 51
ORD 72
To amend certain portions of Chapter 26 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances relative to the architectural and engineering selection process, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (B/Fuller) Amendment No. 1 (Tabled June 22, 2021)
ORD 85
To amend certain portions of chapter 22 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances relative to demolition delay in the Downtown Development District and otherwise providing with respect thereto (B/Fuller) (Tabled June 22, 2021)
ORD 94
To repeal Section 50-212 (a)(10) and to amend Section 50-212 (b) of Article V of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Shreveport relative to the Smokefree Air Act and to otherwise provide with respect thereto. (E/Flurry) (Tabled July 13, 2021)
2022 Budget Ordinances (To be adopted no later than December 15, 2021) (Introduced and Tabled on Oct 12, 2021)
ORD 152
Adopting the 2022 Capital Projects Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 153
Adopting the 2022 Riverfront Development Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 154
Adopting the 2022 General Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 155
Adopting the 2022 Retained Risk Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 156
Adopting the 2022 Metropolitan Planning Commission Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 157
Adopting the 2022 Community Development Special Revenue Fund Budget and to otherwise provide with respect thereto.
ORD 158
Adopting the 2022 Grants Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 159
Adopting the 2022 Shreveport Redevelopment Agency Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 160
Adopting the 2022 Downtown Entertainment Economic Development Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 161
Adopting the 2022 Golf Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 162
Adopting the 2022 Airports Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 163
Adopting the 2022 Water and Sewerage Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 164
Adopting the 2022 Budget funding Contractual Services provided to SporTran by Metro Management Associates, Inc. and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 165
Adopting the 2022 Downtown Parking Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto
ORD 166
Adopting the 2022 Convention Center Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 167
Adopting the 2022 Convention Center Hotel Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 168
Adopting the 2022 Debt Service Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 169
Adopting the 2022 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 170
Adopting the 2022 Streets Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
ORD 171
Adopting the 2022 Diversion Program Special Revenue Fund Budget, appropriating the funds authorized therein, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
Appeals
Property Standards Appeals: NONE
Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance Appeals
ABO APPEAL - Ms. Amanda Smith, 1717 Stephens Ave, Shreveport, LA 71101 (B/Fuller) (postponed until March 21, 2022, at the council's discretion, this item can be brought up for a vote prior to this date)
Metropolitan Planning Commission and ZBA Appeals:
MPC Case No. 21-101-C, Special Use Permit and Site Plan, Belcher Enterprise Construction and Remodeling, LLC (2901 Milam St.) (G/Bowman) (postponed November 9, 2021)
Other Appeals
SOB Appeals: None
Taxi Appeals: None
Reports from officers, boards, and committees
Clerk's Report: NONE
Additional Communications
Additional Communications from the Mayor
Additional Communications from Council Members
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
November 19, 2021
City of Shreveport v. CenturyTel Solutions, LLC and CenturyLink Communications, LLC, Case No. 591661, First Judicial District Court, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Case No. 54159-CA, Second Circuit Court of Appeal, State of Louisiana
CenturyLink Communications, LLC v. City of Shreveport, Louisiana, Case No. 5:20-cv-00964, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
Adjournment
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