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Temporary Family HealthCare Dwellings <br />June 27, 2016 <br />Page 6 <br />However,unless otherwise provided, setbacks and other local ordinances, charter provisions, and <br />applicable state laws still apply. Because conflicts may arise between the statute and one or more <br />of thecity’s other local ordinances, cities should confer with their city attorneys to analyze their <br />current ordinances in light of the new law. <br />What permit process should cities follow for these permits? <br />The law creates a new type of expeditedpermit process. The permit approval process found in <br />Minn. Stat. §15.99generally applies;however, the new law shortens the time frame within which <br />thelocal governmentalunit canmake a decision on the permit. Due to the time sensitive nature of <br />issuing a temporary dwelling permit, the city does not have to hold a public hearing on the <br />application and has only 15 days(rather than 60 days)to either issue or deny a permit. For those <br />councils that regularly meet only once a month, the law provides for a30-day decision. The law <br />specifically prohibits cities from extending the time for making a decision on the permit <br />application. The new lawallows the clock to restartif a city deems anapplication incomplete,but <br />the city must provide the applicant written notice within five business days of receipt of the <br />application identifying the missinginformation. <br />Can cities collect fees for these permits? <br />Cities have flexibility as to amounts of the permitfee. The lawsets the fee at $100 for the initial <br />permit with a $50 renewal fee, unless acity provides otherwise by ordinance <br />Can cities inspect, enforce and ultimately revoke these permits? <br />Yes, <br />but only if the permit holder violates the requirements ofthe law. The statute allows for the <br />city to require the permit holder to provide evidence of compliance and also authorizes the city to <br />inspect the temporary dwelling at times convenient to the caregiver to determine compliance. The <br />permit holder then has sixty (60) days from the date of revocation to remove the temporary family <br />health care dwelling. The law does not address appeals of a revocation. <br />How should cities handle data it acquires from these permits? <br />The application data may result in the city possessing and maintaining nonpublicdata governed by <br />the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. To minimize collection of protected heath data or <br />other nonpublic data, the city could, for example, request that the requiredcertification of need <br />simply state “that the person who will reside in the temporary family health care dwelling needs <br />assistance with two or more instrumental activities of daily living”, without including in that <br />certification data or information about the specific reasons for the assistance, the types of <br />assistance, the medical conditions orthetreatment plans of the person with the mental illness or <br />physical disability. Because of the complexities surrounding nonpublic data, cities should consult <br />their city attorneys when drafting a permit application. <br />Should the city consult its city attorney? <br />Yes. <br />As with any new law, to determine the potential impact on cities, the League recommends <br />consulting with your city attorney. <br />