Landlords fire back

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Feb 28, 2001 | by Kent, Joan

Several La Crosse landlords said Tuesday that they believe the Neighborhood RENEW program is an attack on the owners of rental property and the tenants in the city.

"This suggests that landlords are the root cause of all the city's ills," Dave Olson told the La Crosse Common Council's Judiciary and

Administration Committee. "Over half the housing units -in the city are renter occupied. I believe that rentals are an important part of the housing economy and provide a service. We are trying to provide livable places to live. We are not the enemy."

The landlords spoke as the committee considered a resolution endorsing the RENEW plan, which was introduced by Mayor John Medinger, Council President Bernard Maney and members David Morrison and Charles Clemence. Despite the landlords' concerns, the committee voted to recommend the plan to the Common Council. It will be considered by other council committees tonight and Thursday, the Committee of the Whole Tuesday and the council March 8.

The RENEW plan was created by city department heads to revitalize neighborhoods through measures that include increased property maintenance.

"I believe this is a very negative statement against landloids," said Richard Miletto. "When I read it, I felt that landlords were not wanted anymore."

Several of the groups mentioned in the report were not asked to give input to the RENEW plan, the landlords said. "A lot of good people put together a plan with a lot of good, but I have some concerns," said Danne Hawes. "I haven't had any input. It appears that people were contributors who were not."

If members of the neighborhood groups could bring their ideas, he predicted the end result would be a better plan.

"We agree with it in general ... but it is not without flaws," said Larry Brinkman, president of the Apartment Owners Association.

"We sense a mean spirit toward landlords," said Paul Munson, a past president. "The report creates a second tier of citizens the renters."

Olson added, "If you demand that we put hundreds of dollars into renovation, you may be putting a lot of people who can't afford (to pay more rent) out on the street, because if we have to renovate, we are going to charge more for rent."

On another issue, the committee voted against a proposal to raise fees for parades and festivals after representatives of those events said it would hurt nonprofit organizations and the city's economy.

The council had proposed the increase to compensate for providing city services such as police and the street department. The fee has been $35 for 17 years, said Public Works Director Pat Caffrey. City officials realized the city could not charge actual costs, which would run around $50,000 for Oktoberfest, he said. Instead, he said they requested a graduated fee based on how many streets a parade crosses, with the top rate at $500.

"Oktoberfest and other cities help the city's livelihood," said Brad Quarberg, president of Oktoberfest. "The city receives many services from the festivals, and Oktoberfest has put the city on the map. It brings thousands of tourists who put thousands into the local economy."

The committee did not consider the proposed billboard ordinance before the La Crosse Tribune's deadline.