[HISTORY:[1] Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Oneonta 4-6-2021 by Ord. No. 1-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 158, Housing Code, derived from
Ch. 27 of the 1975 Compilation, as amended, was repealed 7-2-2019
by Ord. No. 2-2019.
The Common Council finds that the City of Oneonta faces unique
housing challenges that make it difficult for prospective residents
to find affordable, quality housing within the City. Nonstudent renters
often find very little quality, amenable rental housing options in
a market dominated by expensive student rentals, thus making it difficult
for nonstudent individuals or families to find suitable rental housing.
Prospective homebuyers looking to buy in the City face the challenge
of finding suitable properties among an aging housing stock. Many
are in need of costly repairs and renovations, and many are in disrepair
after serving as rental properties. Some available larger houses come
with high heating costs, and there are generally high prices due to
a small supply of residential properties, especially in neighborhoods
that are becoming increasingly populated by student rentals. At the
same time, aging residents find their large homes difficult to maintain
and heat and are in need of more manageable smaller homes or apartments.
In order to best address the housing challenges associated with shifting
demographics, an aging housing stock, and an increase in rentals that
are changing the character of neighborhoods, the establishment of
a City of Oneonta Housing Commission is necessary. The purpose of
the Housing Commission will be to evaluate and address these issues
in a manner that is consistent with the comprehensive plan in order
to benefit the community as a whole.
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the
"Housing Commission," consisting of seven City of Oneonta residents
to be appointed by the Mayor. Members appointed or reappointed shall
hold office for a term of three years. In making appointments to the
Commission, with the concurrence of the Common Council, the Mayor
shall take community diversity into consideration. At the discretion
of the Mayor, a councilmember may be appointed as a nonvoting liaison.
The commission shall not appoint any other nonvoting members as liaisons,
ad-hoc members, representatives or any other such similar positions
without the express authorization from the Mayor. During the initial
establishment of the Commission, the appointments for the Commissioners
shall be, two for three years, two for two years, and three for one
year, with all successive appointments being for three years.
The members of the Commission shall not receive compensation
for their service on the board.
All Commission members shall reside within the City of Oneonta.
The Commission shall meet from time to time as a majority of
the members shall agree, by advance notification to the City Clerk
as to time, location and date of such meetings. The City Clerk shall
serve as the Secretary of the Commission and shall keep all records
in relation thereto.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to:
A.Â
Study and research City housing problems.
B.Â
Review housing stock that could be removed from the yearly auction
list for City purchase and renovation.
C.Â
Research current trends in housing to assist with improving the City's
housing stock.
D.Â
Provide Common Council and City employees with actionable recommendations
and plans when the Commission deems it appropriate that are consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan.
E.Â
Provide Common Council and City employees with actionable recommendations
and plans for a fair housing program.
F.Â
Carry out such other duties as the Mayor and Common Council may assign
from time to time.
The Commission shall from time-to-time report activities to
the Mayor's office, but shall prepare at least one annual report
of its activities and actions to the Mayor and Council.
