Only three of Joseph’s six City Council members attended its Thursday, Sept. 1 meeting, but they nearly resolved a year-long struggle to regulate short-term vacation rentals. The issue centers on short-term (less than 30 days) rentals located in residential zones. Mayor Dennis Sands said the problem had been a city concern since spring of 2015.

The council passed an ordinance at its Feb. 9 meeting forbidding the practice, but left an opportunity for those already operating the rentals to resume if they had paid their motel taxes to both the county and state as of 2016. A $300 registration fee and application before Sept. 1 and proof that a property manager or the landlord could respond to any emergencies on the property within 20 minutes also are required.

Property owners who applied for the short-term rental registration included Kathy Siebe of Enterprise, Stephanie Stroup of Bend, Cindy Brink of rural Joseph and Peter Barry of Joseph, who currently lives in the structure he plans to rent.

On Thursday, the council discussed Siebe’s application. Upon questioning from councilor Sharon Newell, Siebe said she has operated her rental since June 2015. Councilor George Ballard made a motion to approve Siebe’s application, and Tyler Evans seconded. The motion passed with only Newell voting against.

The council next considered Stroup’s application, which came under more scrutiny because she had filed late taxes with the county. Stroup said the delay was caused by mailing documents back and forth with the county. The council approved Stroup’s application, with Newell again voting against.

Brink’s application was a rubber-stamp affair as she had a conditional-use permit issued by the city some dozen years ago. Her $300 application fee also was refunded.

Barry’s application proved the most contentious affair of the evening. Although Barry owns the property, he said his parents initially bought the property as a fixer-upper. Sands pointed out that Barry had paid his state hotel taxes late, but Barry laid the blame at his mother’s door, saying it was an error on her part.

As per application requirements, Barry said he planned to act temporarily as property manager in the case of neighbor complaints. He also said he had contacted property managers from Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals to eventually take over those duties. Cindy Aschenbrenner of WLVR said that although they had played phone tag, she had never spoken with Barry.

Another application requirement included the approval of neighbors. Barry said he had good relationships with his neighbors, although one neighbor at the meeting complained that Barry had debris blocking an alley that he did not move at her request. She added that she strongly opposed his application. Barry denied that she had made such a request and several times during the discussion said that money from vacation rentals would help him make improvements to the property.

Parking space also proved an obstacle as both Ballard and Sands questioned whether Barry could provide the parking he outlined on his application. Barry responded that his measurements indicated he had parking space for six to 10 cars without infringing on the city’s right-of-way, adding he thought he only needed space for three to four cars. Sands reminded him he had outlined eight spaces on his application.

“If you approved three (spaces), I’d be happy,” Barry said. “I don’t see why you wouldn’t allow me this opportunity.”

Ballard then made a motion to reject the application. Newell seconded Ballard’s motion.

Councilor Evans suggested tabling the matter until the council’s October meeting, which would give them time to visit Barry’s property at 801 Engleside St. and examine the parking space issue as well as Barry’s interactions with his neighbors. Ballard’s motion failed on a 2-2 tie.

Councilors Pearl Sturm, Rod Clark and Teresa Sajonia did not attend the meeting.