Occupancy rate draws Council’s attention

COLUMBUS -- The City Council is expected to hold a discussion, at the request of the council president, regarding the occupancy rate of single-family homes and the impact new residents are having on zoning issues in Columbus neighborhoods.

The council, meeting as the Committee of the Whole, is scheduled to convene at 6 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave., with the regular meeting of the council to follow at 7 p.m.

Council President Jim Bulkley said he requested the item be placed on the agenda to initiate a dialogue on the occupancy rate in terms of what is legal, what would the council and public consider proper, what is the level of importance for this issue and hear any recommendations or proposals to remedy any potential problems.

“This is an item that needs to be bought to discussion because of comments made by other councilmen and citizens,” Bulkley said. “Probably the biggest concerns that I hear are not so much as the occupancy of the house, but the vehicles in front of the house and on the property.”

He said he would like the city to highlight ordinances currently in place that may address overcrowding in single-family residences as well as on streets and property, as well as how often violations of any such ordinance are enforced.

“What ordinances are in place? Are they being enforced? And should they be refined or amended?” he said. “My point is if we don’t discuss them ... people think you are either ignoring it or condoning it.”

Bulkley said he is aware of a home in his area of town where six people reside with eight vehicles either on or around the property, creating congestion.

He said this is an issue of safety, not only for occupants, but also for drivers who must deal with crowded streets.

“I want to find out what is our legal standing,” Bulkley said, and “get facts, not speculation.”

In a memorandum from City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli, he said the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized a city’s ability to “limit the number of occupants on the basis of available floor space or to control traffic congestion in a neighborhood by prohibiting off street parking.”

However, “these measures cannot be targeted to certain properties or property owners, but must apply and be applied uniformly throughout the community,” Mangiamelli said.

In other news the council is expected to:

n vote on a resolution to approve the agreement between the city and Police Department Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 72, from Oct. 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2012. The agreement includes amending health insurance provisions to provide for an increase in single-coverage premium payment at 7 percent over the current 5 percent and an increase in family coverage premium payment at 16 percent over the current 15 percent. It also includes an increased shift differential from 30 cents per hour to 50 cents per hour and established the wages, based on comparable cities to Columbus, at an increase of slightly more than 2 percent.

n consider a report from City Engineer Merlin Lindahl regarding ownership of streets and alleys south of Fourth Street between 21st and 26th avenues as well as a complaint regarding the sidewalk at 2721 Eighth St., both as part of the Public Property, Safety and Works Committee report.

n vote on two resolutions to amend the access agreement between the city and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide chemical oxidant injections and to take remedial action as part of the 10th Street Superfund project.

n vote on a resolution to approve a grant application to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality regarding the storm water management plan program.