BARHA actively monitors public policies and laws that concern BARHA members. Two projects currently underway address:
City of Boulder Water Budgets.
BARHA has been actively involved in evaluating the new City of Boulder Water Budgets that were implemented in January, 2007.
Many single family and multi-family property owners/managers saw their water bills increase. BARHA has done in-depth analysis of the situation and has provided information to our members about the methodology used by the City to develop these budgets, the meaning of the various budget categories and the implications of the water budgets for future water costs. BARHA provided the information and procedures needed for members to appeal the budgets and seek adjustments. BARHA has also been helpful in providing members with an understanding of why it is important to be certain their water budgets are set accurtely now in anticipation of more water increases in future years.
BARHA has also served in an advocacy/educational capacity by communicating with the City officials the problems that our members have experienced with the new budgets and the changes that we recommend be made to improve the system. Many of our suggestions will be included in the Council Study Session on this topic on September 25, 2007.
Nuisance Abatement Liability
An additional ordinance was passed May 1, 2007 that significantly expanded the scope of Nuisance Abatement actions in the City of Boulder. This Ordinance makes property owners (both commercial and residential) liable for violations of municipal and state laws by their tenants. When tenants break the law, the property in which they live or where the violation occurred can receive a strike. Two strikes in one year or three strikes in two years can result in that property owner being called into a mandatory “settlement” meeting. This meeting can result in the owner being forced to apply certain conditions and/or actions on his property. If the owner refuses to agree to the conditions or fails to meet the conditions, the City can take the property owner to court and ask a judge to dictate terms as to how the property is to be managed.
This Ordinance has been fought intensely by BARHA. We have spent hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars in legal expenses on this ordinance. We were unable to prevent its passage, but we were able to get terms altered in ways that made the bill less onerous. We are continuing to work to oppose this unreasonable and unfair ordinance. We need the support of ALL property owners in order to have the power in numbers and dollars to meet such challenges.
All owners benefit from the work of BARHA. Please consider joining us and do your part by being a member of this professional organization.