DeKalb City Council discussed the potential changes to landlord-tenant regulations at a meeting Tuesday.

The council met to review possible changes to the city ordinances regarding landlord regulations, as well as a possible property tax levy for DeKalb residents.

The changes to the landlord regulations have been under review for several months, and include a possible addition of a annual registration fee for rental units, as well as a possible code enforcement staff to monitor “sidewalk inspections.” These inspections would allow enforcement officials to regulate any illegal or code violating activities within rental units that can be seen from the public sidewalks. Funding for these officials could potentially come from the money raised with registration costs.

Members of the DeKalb Area Rental Association (DARA) spoke at the meeting to defend their views on the issue, especially the registration fees and the money earned by the city from such fees.

“We feel the fees would be a disproportionate cost to the those who are not in owner occupied properties,” said DARA President Jim Morel. “Seventy percent of properties are owner occupied. We have already paid our taxes.”

Jim Mason, DARA board member and DeKalb area landlord, said the fees could be unconstitutional in practice.

“Fees and costs have to be directly related to the payer,” Mason said. “We shouldn’t be asked to pay for services we aren’t getting.”

City Attorney Dean Frieders said the changes to the ordinances are less drastic than in other communities.

“This ordinance, as presented, is much more conservative than those in other similar communities,” Frieders said.

The council moved to bring back discussion of the ordinances at the next City Council meeting.

The council also voted on a tax ceiling for the property tax levy which may occur in fiscal year 2014.

According to the passed tax ceiling, the levy could not raise property taxes higher than the agreed .7 percent, and only will effect new development in the city. Current city property taxes will not be effected by this vote.

The Gamma Lamba chapter of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity was also presented a certificate of recognition from the council for its volunteer work installing new carpeting in the office of the City Clerk.

A letter of intent has been authorized by the Council for the Mayor to open discussions with NIU regarding the Art Annex property, 2211 Sycamore Road. The letter is the first step involved in the city agreeing to pay for small improvements to the facade and property of the annex, in exchange for NIU opening the property up for traffic easements to allow for the development of the future Olive Garden.