Minneapolis council alters apartment heat rule

Minneapolis will use the calendar, rather than outdoor temperatures, to determine when apartment heat must reach minimums.

By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune

Last update: May 20, 2008 - 10:37 PM

The calendar, not outdoor temperatures, will govern when apartments must maintain minimum temperatures, under a change approved by the Minneapolis City Council.

The heating provision, passed Friday, requires apartment heat to hit specified levels according to calendar date.

Previously, the ordinance triggered indoor temperature minimums when the outdoor temperature dipped to 60 degrees or below for 24 hours.

Council Member Ralph Remington said the change was an attempt to catch "a few bad actors" who took advantage of temperature fluctuations. That forced some renters to use ovens for heat, he said.

Now heating systems must be able to keep rental quarters at 68 degrees between Oct. 1 and April 30, and 65 degrees for two weeks either side of that period. The fine was raised to $500 per building for a first violation, $1,000 for the second violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation.

In other action, the council:

• Extended the deadline for completion of single-family and multiple-family housing at the Heritage Park redevelopment by 18 months to mid-2010 in recognition of a worsened housing market.

• Agreed to allow its development staff to negotiate to buy back 98 lots in the Humboldt Greenway development on the far north edge of Minneapolis.

The city is acting to keep the undeveloped lots from going forfeit for unpaid taxes by the developer or being foreclosed on by the developer's lender. It expects to hold them for three to five years.

• Approved the issuing of a request for proposals from private haulers to serve the half of the city served by Minneapolis Refuse, a consortium of haulers, since 1971. City crews serve the other half. The city previously moved to do so, but a legal challenge from the consortium held that up. A Hennepin County District Court ruling gives the city permission to move ahead, barring an appeal.

The council also told its staff to negotiate a contract extension with the consortium through Feb. 1 while it seeks and evaluates proposals from haulers. Those favoring the move say they want to test the market for pricing and services.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438

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