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7-19 - (5 I3.A IRNA Statement on Short Term Rentals July 14, 2015 As you know the Indian River Neighborhood represents people in this county on matters that they, for one reason or another, need help with. The matter of the short-term rental is one of those matters. Or to use the definition provided by the State of Florida, a transient rental is one of those matters, transient meaning for a time period of less than 30 days. We have been here before and spoken about this, hoping you understand how serious a problem this is for people in single family residential neighborhoods. We have provided you with materials, which includes an ordinance enacted in Monroe County which identifies regulations that provide for safe and non-disruptive transient rentals. And- interestingly- next month Ft. Lauderdale will be looking to enact similar protections for their citizens. But instead of acting now to protect your citizens and assure they have safe rental homes in their neighborhoods you are delaying any action by creating another bureaucracy which also is a burden on staff time. And this is to do what? Decide if you need regulations to be sure a place is licensed? To be sure it has complied with Fire Codes and Health Department regulations? To be sure there is adequate sewage disposal? To be sure bed taxes are paid? We all talk about common sense--- well, common sense tells us these rental places need to be safe and not pose any threats to the renter and the surrounding neighborhood and the landlord for any liability. Surely you don't need a committee to tell you that-especially a committee that has to study it for a year or more. Furthermore-to delay any action is to further endanger the people who look to you to provide for their health and safety. Forming a committee serves no purpose. Please do not bring this resolution forward. A second matter regarding this committee is also quite serious. It regards the Open Meetings and Sunshine Laws of our State. Any member serving on this committee will be prohibited from engaging in any conversation with members of the public on this matter. This effectively silences those members when they are not sitting in committee at an open meeting. This is a huge disservice to the community where people talk about their concerns and problems with each other. And, on this matter there is much talk in the community. There is no purpose for an advisory committee for transient rentals. The problem exists. You know it and you also know the solutions. If you want public input, have a workshop and have it now. It serves no purpose to create another bureaucracy. Please do not further this resolution.