WINONA, Minn. – A new ordinance has been drafted by the city staff to allow rental licenses to beyanked for properties that have a pattern as neighborhood annoyances. It’s called the Disorderly Use Ordinance. When police are called to too many times or neighbors complain repeatedly, the city would be empowered to revoke the landlord’s city-issued rental license. Among the progenitors:
> Lucy McMartin, the city director of community development, who says the city needs a tool to encourage landlords to insist on civil decency from tenants.
> Steve Young, a City Council member, who calls the ordinance a prod to landlords to be responsible.
> Tom Williams, police chief, who calls the problem chronic, pointing to 100-plus emergency calls to rental properties since 2017, many of them repeat calls.
> Chad Sommer, city building inspector, who enforces structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and health standards.