Salisbury Council Delays Action on Housing Board

It was another long night in the Salisbury City Council chambers.  The council tackled numerous issues last evening, with a few surprises along the way.

The consent agenda was passed without a hitch.  (That’s why it’s called the “consent agenda”).  The award of bids was passed without any questions (which may be a first).  Councilwoman Laura Mitchell held up consideration of a lease of property to SU with some valid liability questions.

The first surprise of the evening came with Resolution 2082 – a bill to grant an exemption for domestic fire sprinklers on properties which met certain criteria.  The administration bill died without a second.

Ordinance 2162 – an amendment to the Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals (HBAA) – was expected to be somewhat controversial.  Many were surprised that no one spoke to the bill at its public hearing.  However, because the bill was tied to two other ordinances which moderated the city’s fees / fines for landlord licensing and registration it was thought that the bill would quickly pass on second reading.

Two citizens spoke to the bill last night.  Former council candidate Muir Boda spoke in opposition to the measure.  Citing concerns that the HBAA might be eliminated, Boda stated that such a step would increase costs and place an additional burden on the courts.  Boda stated that even curtailing the HBAA’s current authority (as the bill does) takes due process rights away from property owners.

Attorney and landlord T. J. Maloney also spoke in opposition of the bill.  Maloney also addressed the rumor that the  board may be abolished, reiterating many of Boda’s concerns.  He also spoke against the legislation’s taking of discretion from the HBAA.

Maloney admitted that about 90% of the cases heard by the HBAA were regarding fines due to licensing / registration delinquencies.  Since the council was prepared to change those fines / fees that those cases would probably go away.  However, cases of hardship could not be addressed under the currently proposed legislation.

While this legislation was supposed to be ready for passage, several council members received contradictory answers to their questions regarding the amount of discretion left to the HBAA.  Because of these contradictions, the council unanimously agreed to hold the bill over one meeting for a work session.

The council also passed its “Tenants’ Bill of Rights” legislation on first reading.  The council also passed a change to PAC-14’s funding formula on first reading.