Mesquite officials used the goal‑setting workshop to review the city’s approach to rental‑housing enforcement and describe the data and inspection practices staff is using to target problem properties.

Councilmember Martin asked for details about the city’s rental‑inspection program and how the Star Now mobility launch was performing. In response, City Manager Cliff Kaheeli described enforcement operations and inspection frequency: “We do about 300 inspections a month on units, so any unit that changes over with renters gets inspected every time,” Kaheeli said, adding that the city focuses on safety issues in long‑term rentals and that multi‑family properties are inspected more intensively when inspectors find repeated code violations.

Kaheeli told council that if inspectors see problems outside the immediate rental unit — dilapidated exteriors or other code issues — staff expects employees to report those conditions so they can be routed to code enforcement or building inspections. “We do try to segment and not overload the rental inspectors because they have a full load,” Kaheeli said, but added that employees should report other neighborhood issues through the My Mesquite system or to a supervisor.

Council members praised the rental unit division for recent improvements. Councilman Smith said he has “nothing but high praise” for the unit’s work in recent months, noting complaints he submitted were investigated and that follow‑up occurred. Councilmember Greig urged streamlining My Mesquite reporting so field staff — officers and firefighters who are in neighborhoods often — can quickly report observed violations.

Kaheeli said staff is compiling data on rental properties and will focus the May town hall on the rental program; council will receive a briefing packet before that meeting. The manager also said the city is trying to minimize disruption for occupied units by emphasizing safety items during routine three‑year inspections rather than forcing occupied units into large vacancy‑style repairs.

The council did not take formal action during the workshop; direction to staff was limited to continuing program data collection, preparing the May town hall briefing materials and considering improvements to the My Mesquite reporting workflow.