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Property owners try to police their tenants or get the city police to regulate the behavior of drunken rowdy Winona State University students.
The two groups are trying to find solutions to drunken scholars urinating on neighbors' rose bushes and passing out on the street.
About 120 people attended a discussion Tuesday night at City Hall, where Mayor Jerry Miller, Councilman James Kahl and Director of Economic Development Judy Bodway headed a town hall meeting.
Judy Gordon, who lives in the 600 block of West Third Street, told the mayor that one home's five tenants take up too many parking spaces.
"I would really like to support the concept of parking permits," she said. "WSU needs to consider expanding its (parking spaces)."
One student spoke during the meeting, and said the city should allow gravel off-street parking areas since these are cheaper to build than concrete.
WSU occupies the center of town, flanked on all sides by older homes occupied by homeowners and student tenants. It has created what a resident called a "war zone."
Many residents said disturbances decreased in the past two or three years with extra police crackdowns but complained some problems continue.
Dan Gibbs and his wife moved to West Fourth Street three years ago and nearly turned around and moved out, he said. Harsh language was too offensive for children's ears, he said. One landlord said police are reluctant to issue disorderly conduct tickets for language because it's hard to prosecute in court.
Landlords can evict tenants, and can write leases that require responsible behavior.
Landlord Bill Baker said it costs a him about $250 to pursue an eviction notice.
Alcohol abuse is the prime driver for much of the conflict, people agreed. Landlord Baker said that when the city passed ordinances limiting beer kegs at residences, "the liquor industry came back with the party ball."
Party balls typically are 2.5 gallons, smaller than kegs and clear of any burden under the law, Baker said. He suggested the city modify its ordinance to include small containers.
The city approved a new ordinance in 2000 that empowers the City Council to suspend or revoke property owners' rental licenses after three violations within a 12-month period at their properties. One such "three strikes and you're out" violation will be on the table at Monday's council meeting, Bodway said.
Landlord Dave Volkman said WSU should "instruct students to conduct themselves in a civilized neighborhood."
"Their education may be a little more important than running rampant and causing problems for us," he said.
WSU spokespersons did not attend the meeting. One person suggested they be required to attend the next tenant-landlord-resident meeting in November, as well as Winona Police Chief Frank Pomeroy, a Winona County District Court judge and a city attorney.
Reporter Jeff Dankert can be reached at (507) 453-3513, or e-mail: jdankert@winonadailynews.com.
