YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES AT WORK

DALLAS FIREWATCH CODE REVISION

ISSUE: The Dallas Fire Department implemented changes to the fire code that required apartment properties to utilize Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) personnel to conduct fire watches at the hourly rate of $150/hour or $3,600/day.

SOLUTION: Leveraging our strong relationships with city staff, city council members, the fire marshal and the fire chief, we advocated for the removal of the personnel requirement and a reduction in the hourly rate in the proposed changes. To draw attention to the unintended consequences of the revisions, we brought together AAGD members to share their expertise and impact on their properties with city officials. 

IMPACT: The Dallas City Council voted unanimously to approve changes to the fire code with all of AAGD’s proposed amendments. Because of AAGD’s advocacy, apartment communities in Dallas can utilize an accredited company of their choosing, onsite staff, or DFR Personnel. Additionally, the cost for Fire Watch was reduced; Industry Standard Cost $25/hour at $600/day or DFR Personnel at $111/hour at $2,664/day.

IRVING MANDATORY RECYCLING

ISSUE: The Irving City Council considered an ordinance requiring apartment operators to provide recycling at their properties in Irving..

SOLUTION: AAGD staff mobilized a group of members with properties in Irving to lobby city staff and the mayor against the recycling mandate that would lead to significant increases in operation costs for Irving members.

IMPACT: The AAGD-led grassroots initiative resulted in the defeat of the city’s proposed recycling mandate, preventing undue regulations and cost increases for AAGD members with properties in the city.

GARLAND WATER/
WASTEWATER RATES

ISSUE: The Garland City Council passed an ordinance changing the city’s water and wastewater billing rate for multifamily properties from a per meter charge to a per-unit charge. The change resulted in a significant cost increase for all apartment properties in the city.

SOLUTION: AAGD staff met with city staff, city council members, and the mayor to advocate against the change. Through a grassroots initiative involving property managers and residents, AAGD staff mobilized members with properties in the city to contact their city council members and oppose the change. AAGD staff also testified against the change at a city council meeting.

IMPACT: Following AAGD’s advocacy efforts, the city council delayed the rate increase. The delay led to over $700,000 in cost savings for AAGD members and residents in Garland.

MESQUITE ACCESS GATE ORDINANCE

ISSUE: The Mesquite Fire Department proposed amendments to the fire code that required apartment operators to update all gates on their properties within two years. The change required operators to purchase expensive equipment to comply with the ordinance.

SOLUTION: AAGD staff engaged owner/manager members and product service partners and proposed an alternative ordinance to allow for less expensive equipment and delayed implementation of the new requirements. Mesquite City Council adopted all AAGD’s proposed changes.

IMPACT: The approved amendments resulted in the installation of less expensive equipment for apartment communities, an extension of four years for compliance, and a reduction in the required number of affected gates per property. Altogether, these changes saved AAGD members a total of over $150,000 in new equipment and installation costs.

IRVING SINGLE-
FAMILY RENTAL REGISTRATION/
INSPECTION

ISSUE: The Irving City Council proposed a rental registration and inspection mandate for single-family rental homes that would have impacted AAGD’s Independent Rental Owner members with properties in the city.

SOLUTION: AAGD staff advocated against the proposed rental registration and inspection requirement in the early stages of the city council’s consideration of the program. AAGD staff joined a coalition of real estate stakeholders to advocate against pushing an overreaching and expensive program on single-family rental operators and in the city.

IMPACT: AAGD’s efforts were successful in blocking the rental registration and inspection program from reaching the city council for a vote. The city council declined to consider a rental registration and inspection program in the future.