City Council members and members of the Austin Area Landlord Association (AALA) formed a task force Monday night to begin drafting potential rental ordinances.

Two council members, community development staff and members of AALA will make up the task force, although the details have not been worked out yet.

An hour-long discussion at a City Council work session brought out several perspectives on the rental ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance would be to perform inspections on rental property to ensure dwellings are up to code; council members are hoping an ordinance may help decrease crime in rental properties, too.

Although Peter Grover of AALA said a rental ordinance could benefit Austin, rental property owner Charlie Fawver seemed more skeptical.

“What percentage of the rentals really need inspection?” Fawver asked council members. “What are you accomplishing with your licensing? I really think very, very little.”

Grover said the ordinance should differentiate between the responsible and irresponsible landlords, so responsible property owners are not penalized as harshly as others.

Fawver agreed, saying, “Don’t create a problem for every landlord. It’s an expensive thing; it’s a cumbersome thing.”

Mayor Tom Stiehm and Community Development Director Craig Hoium spoke about a rental ordinance in the City of Red Wing that has landed in the Minnesota Supreme Court because inspectors were reportedly sifting through tenants’ medicine cabinets and reporting things to police. Hoium advised council members not to take official action on an ordinance until the court has issued its ruling in the Red Wing case, so Austin can use that as a gauge.

Council member Brian McAlister said he doesn’t want to push the issue because there are many groups who want to give their input, and the Red Wing ruling will not be available for many weeks.

“I think we have a long journey here — there’s no point in rushing it,” McAlister said.

The task force is expected to begin work and report back at a work session in the coming months.