SCAAR Monthly Committee Updates

Government Affairs Committee

The Sauk Rapids City Council recently passed a new ordinance that limits rental properties to 15% per block. The decision was met with resistance from the Government Affairs Committee and other SCAAR members, who raised concerns about the potential negative impact on homeowners and the local economy.

Approximately 20 SCAAR members showed up to voice their opinions at the December 9th council meeting. A handful spoke to the facts that the ordinance would take away personal property rights, that it could create financial hardships for homeowners looking to rent out their properties, and it would restrict opportunities for residents to build personal wealth through real estate investments. These concerns were echoed during the council meeting where SCAAR members urged the council to reconsider the proposal.

The council ultimately approved the cap despite our opposition.

The Sauk Rapids City Council passed the rental ordinance to end the ongoing rental moratorium, which had left some homeowners and potential renters in limbo. Acknowledging the community's concerns, the council also agreed to form a task force to review the approved plan and assess its long-term impact. In a step toward collaboration, they promised to include members of the local Realtor community in the task force, ensuring a more comprehensive evaluation of the ordinance and its effects on property owners and renters alike.

Here is a local news report recapping the meeting as well: Sauk Rapids approves housing rental density limit in some areas

It is important that we stay ahead of these issues when they arise in our local communities. If you hear or know of an issue that could affect homeowners personal property rights, please bring it to our attention immediately. 

Melissa Koubsky, Chair

Government Affairs 

Humanitarian Committee

In December we adopted a family of four. A mom and dad with two kids, a boy 4 and a girl 6 months. Since we did not have any members apply for our Adopt a Family program, we adopted a family from Hope for the Holidays.

I took my two daughers with me shopping and we purchased items for each family member. We also gave them $100 Coborns gift card.

Trina Lavigne, Susanne Barkalow, Nicole Moore and I got together Friday, Dec. 13, to wrap all the presents. A shout out to Mark Lenaghan for delivering for me on Saturday, December 14. Thank you!

I hope our gifts allowed this family to have a better Christmas.

Our committee is looking for more members. If you are interested, please reach out. We'd love to have you join us!

Kelly Travis

320-253-7149

kelly@stcloudrealtors.com

Public Relations Committee

We last met December 10th and plan to meet at 3:30PM for our next meeting on January 14th, directly prior to Social Hour. This month on December 11^th a few of our committee members (Amber Laudenbach, Jan Cook & Sander Anderson) volunteered at the Dream Center providing and serving dinner along with giving each of the residents a holiday gift bag filled with socks, candy and hot chocolate which were put together by our PR Committee.

December Billboard: We hope you had a chance to catch our December billboard which ran from 12/23/2024 to 12/29/2024 located near Best Buy, and featuring a ‘Home for the Holidays’ theme. (see above.)

December Social: Our December Social took place on the 10^th and was sponsored by Bremer Bank Mortgage. Scott from HouseMaster won a charcuterie box of goodies from Bremer. We also had our annual ugly sweater contest with Jan Cook from REMAX taking home first prize, followed by Jake Mueller from Homeowners Financial placing second and the three matching elves (Lisa Schreifels, Trina LaVigne, & Jason Groth) from St Cloud Financial Credit Union taking third place. Thank you Bremer Bank Mortgage, for sponsoring this month’s Social Hour!

January Social: Will be January 14^th starting at 4PM at House of Pizza in St Cloud. This month’s Social will be sponsored by Bank Vista, we hope you join us for Social Hour!

Ugly Sweater Contest winners!