Work Session Debate Over International Property Maintaince Code Heats Up

Discussion came fast and furious at a work session held at the Oskaloosa Public Library on Wednesday evening

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The work session, asked for by the landlords, was held Wednesday evening starting at 6:30 in the 3rd floor meeting room at the Oskaloosa Public Library. They, the landlords, have become increasingly concerned about a new set of codes that is being talked about for the City of Oskaloosa.

Tensions started off on a high note when a local landlord stepped up and expressed his thoughts about this possible new set of code. “This is not a landlord issue, this is a homeowner issue for the City of Oskaloosa. I think the homeowners aren’t getting involved in this, and I think they would have a lot to say about it.” “I don’t think the average homeowner here in Oskaloosa realizes what your trying to do here; that this is even going on.”

Mayor Krutzfeldt stated, “The council was under the impression that this is a work session and they are here to listen, so it’s yours to run.”

“We need to let the residents and the businesses owners in Oskaloosa know that this will effect all the businesses on the square.” said Dave Polkowske. “This code gives you or the next city council, or anybody down the road, the authority to go in and make somebody do repairs for very minor stuff.”

The landlords of Oskaloosa argued that the International Property Maintenance Code is far too strict, cumbersome and vague. This would allow for too much interpretation and power to be placed with one person. “One thing that does concern me about the code, a little bit, is that the interpretation of the code is left up to the code official alone.” said Dave Polkowske.

Discussion was brought forward to the council by landlords about Urbandale’s code that is a total of 9 pages versus the over 40 pages that makes up the International Property Maintenance Code. They stated that it contains most everything needed for safe and clean living.

Personally, as both a landlord and as a property owner here in Oskaloosa, I don’t think we need the burden of more codes.” says Polkowske.

Polkowske was talking about the code and if he needed to replace a tub or did renovations to the plumbing and a bathroom, he would then need to add GFI’s  (ground fault interrupter). “A GFI requires the extra ground wire. In an older house, most of them have just 2 wire Romex – white and black.” Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock disagrees before Polkowske finishes by saying, “It’s Not true. And besides that, I think that when you do those renovations anyway, there are new codes that exist in plumbing; you have to bring it up to code anyways.”

Polkowske responds to Schrock’s statement by saying, “I assume the plumber has taken care of the codes that are here.” The next sentence is inaudible as both parties attempt to be heard over the other, each trying to make their point.

Schrock says that, “Any new codes that is in place would have to be adhered to.”

“We are a small representation of the houses in this town, and the people of this town. The homeowners themselves don’t know about this, and look what they’re going to be charged with to do.” was the word spoken from a person in the back of the room. “It’s all the other stuff in here. You take the average homeowner, this is going to be nothing but a nightmare. And we got one person controlling ten thousand people.”

The question was tossed back to the city council about what their main goal was and what they hoped to accomplish with the adoption of the code.

A couple of the council members spoke about their reason for looking at adopting the code. A member of the audience of landlords said, “But, I guess, you know what? We have so much ‘Big Brother’ anymore. You do get to the point where government just takes over everything, and I know that’s the day and age that that’s coming to but…,”

Another member of the audience spoke up and said, “What with our last election, what’s the people telling our government? And, it seems like our smaller governments, like our city and county, are trying to get more involved in our lives and the people are saying, ‘Would I really want the government that involved in my life?’; ‘Do I really want them?’; NO, of course I don’t. Who would?”

City Manager Schrock responded to them by saying, “I hope to see you all at the next meeting, when we talk about privatization of the golf course.”

The council and those in attendance did discuss back and forth how they could provide for the safety of the renters and home owners and keeping properties aesthetically pleasing to look at. But concerns were talked about making it difficult to find homes with this type of code. The argument was that with the International Property Maintenance Code people that make little income will not be able to afford to own a home.

Those in attendance spoke about how they had bought a fixer-upper for cheap, and now have a home that is valued much higher. If the homes can’t be bought and fixed up at a reasonable price, then the rental properties would be to expensive for people to live in them. If that ends up being the case, it will drive people out of town to find affordable housing.

This issue will become even more of a hot button if this progresses further in the process for the city to adopt. This meeting proved productive, but it was suggested that more people need to become aware and involved in having their thoughts on the issue heard. If you’re interested in taking the time to read the code the link is above. Please let your council member know if you do or do not support this code by calling them or e-mailing them your thoughts.