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CityCouncil,2019-05-15,1,"MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY- MAY 15, 2019- -6:30 P.M.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Councilmember Vella led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL -
Present:
Councilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella,
and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 5.
Absent:
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
(19-288) Ruth Abbe, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), stated the
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan is not in the budget because it has not been
adopted; Council should ask staff to fund the Plan and not wait for next fiscal year,
including creation of a Sustainability Coordinator position; things need to be done in the
budget now.
(19-289) Pat Potter, Alameda, expressed concern over reducing the urban forest budget
since the climate action emergency declaration calls for an increase to the urban forest;
urged funding converting street lights to LEDs.
(19-290) Kayoung Lee, Alameda High Student, discussed environmental proposals in
the Climate Action Plan, such as urban forest, LED street lights, and electric vehicles.
(19-291) Christy Cannon, Alameda, stated the climate emergency declaration needs to
be part of everything.
(19-292) Kevin Jensen, Fernside Homeowners Association, urged street lights be
converted to LED and service conduit be replaced.
(19-293) Debi Ryan, CASA, stated the Climate Plan needs to be considered and
incorporated into budget decisions; expressed support for having a sustainability
position.
AGENDA ITEM
(19-294) Budget Workshop for Fiscal Years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to Provide Direction
on Funding Requests.
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft provided an overview of how the meeting would run.
The City Manager and Finance Director started the Power Point presentation and
responded to Council questions.
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
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May 15, 2019",CityCouncil/2019-05-15.pdf
CityCouncil,2019-05-15,2,"The Public Information Officer began tracking Council follow-up requests and continued
to do so throughout the workshop.
Expressed support for the park maintenance improvement fund, including the
improvements to Jackson Park: Jose Navarro, Alameda.
****
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 7:17 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:32
p.m.
***
The Alameda Municipal Power General Manager continued the Power Point
presentation and responded to Council questions.
The Human Resources Director also responded to questions.
The Police Chief continued the Power Point presentation and responded to Council
questions.
The City Manager made brief comments and also responded to questions.
The Fire Chief continued the Power Point presentation and responded to Council
questions.
The City Manager made brief comments and also responded to questions.
****
Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 8:33 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:44
p.m.
***
The Library Director continued the Power Point presentation and responded to Council
questions.
The Information Technology Director continued the Power Point presentation and
responded to Council questions.
The City Manager and Human Resources Director responded to questions.
The Human Resources Director continued the Power Point presentation and responded
to Council questions.
The City Manager and Interim Assistant City Manager continued the Power Point
presentation and responded to Council questions.
***
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council
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CityCouncil,2019-05-15,3,"Councilmember Vella left the dais at 9:35 p.m. and returned at 9:37 p.m.
The Public Works Director continued the Power Point presentation and responded to
Council questions.
The Community Development Director continued the Power Point presentation and
responded to Council questions.
The City Manager responded to Council questions and made brief comments.
The Public Works Director continued the Power Point presentation and responded to
Council questions.
The City Engineer continued the Power Point presentation.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 10:52
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.
Special Meeting
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RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,1,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
Minutes of a Special Meeting of the
Rent Review Advisory Committee
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m.
Present:
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah; Members Chiu and Sidelnikov
Absent:
Chair Murray, Member Johnson
Program staff:
Gregory Kats, Grant Eshoo, Bill Chapin
City Attorney staff:
Michael Roush
2. AGENDA CHANGES
Staff informed the Committee that Agenda Item 7-D would not be heard as the
tenants had given the landlord notice to vacate.
3. STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Staff reminded the Committee that their next training was scheduled at 6:30 p.m.
on Friday, June 21, 2019. Staff said we were still waiting on final confirmation from the
trainer, but so far he had indicated that the date and time would work.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT, NON-AGENDA ITEMS, NO.1
None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
5-A. Approval of the minutes of the March 4, 2019 regular meeting
Motion and second to table approval of the minutes (Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah and
Member Chiu). Motion passed 3-0.
5-B. Approval of the minutes of the April 1, 2019 regular meeting
Motion and second to approve the minutes (Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah and Member
Chiu). Motion passed 3-0.
5-C. Approval of the minutes of the April 17, 2019 special meeting
Motion and second to approve the minutes (Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah and Member
Chiu). Motion passed 3-0.",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,2,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7-A. Case RI1236 - 1845 Poggi St., Apt. D214
Tenant: Bashir Ahmed Rumy
Landlords: Andy King and Shahzad Raufi
Proposed rent increase: $198.00 (10.0%), to a total rent of $2,182.00,
effective March 1, 2019
Mr. King said that the current owner purchased the property in 2017 and inherited
deferred maintenance issues that they have addressed and will continue addressing. He
said they have spent $3.5 million on improvements to the common areas and upgrades
to the property, including seismic retrofitting, and repairing or replacing rotting
balconies. He said they have also added amenities at the property and were looking for
earning a reasonable return. He said there were currently no two bedroom units
available, and the last one they rented was at a rate of over $2,700.00 per month. He
added that review for the increase at this unit was postponed at a prior RRAC meeting
so that it could be determined if a prior rent increase was valid and it was valid.
Mr. Rumy said he had no complaints about the landlords or the property, but was
requesting the RRAC decide on a lower increase or no increase as the four current
residents were all students with tight financial situations. He said that he was working
20 hours per week while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. He said he and his roommates would
probably not be able to continue living at the unit if the increase was imposed. He said
that as students they could not work a lot because they had to study, and the school
prevented them from working more than 20 hours per week, which he was currently
doing. He shared that they were already finding it hard to make ends meet, and had
financial aid (scholarships and loans) in addition to working and sometimes having to
ask their parents for help.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked if all the occupants worked and Mr. Rumy replied that
two of the four currently worked, and the others did not currently as they were
approaching finals and were spending all their time studying.
As no agreement was reached, the parties took their seats and the Committee began
deliberations.
Member Sidelnikov asked staff to confirm that the issue raised in the last meeting
regarding the prior rent amount had been resolved and staff confirmed it was resolved.
Member Sidelnikov noted that two of the four tenants were not currently working but it
seemed like they could possibly work if they needed to in order to pay an increase.",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,3,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
Member Chiu commented that he could appreciate the pressures the tenants were
facing, and added that he was not sure if their situation was in the realm of extreme
hardship the Committee had seen in other cases. He said that he thought an increase of
10% was significant and was inclined to support an increase between five and 10
percent.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah said he did not doubt the tenants' hardship, and
acknowledged Mr. Rumy's ability to work and maintain a 3.9 GPA. He noted that the
requested increase would amount to an extra $50.00 per person per month, and said
that he himself would struggle to pay that much of an increase. He also noted that the
request to bring the rent to $2,182.00 was still below the market rate the landlord had
indicated they obtained for similar two-bedroom units.
Member Chiu said he would support an increase of about $140.00, which would amount
to $35.00 per tenant per month.
Motion and second for an increase of $140.00 to a total rent of $2,124.00, effective
June 1, 2019, with a $0.00 increase for March, April, and May 2019 (Member Chiu and
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah). Motion passed 3-0.
7-B. Case RI1252.1 - 1825 Poggi St., Apt. A109
Tenant: Rienzie Espana
Landlords: Andy King and Shahzad Raufi
Proposed rent increase: $139.00 (11.1%), to a total rent of $1,386.00,
effective June 1, 2019
Staff clarified that the current, valid base rent was $1,247.00.
Mr. King said this was the first rent increase the current landlord was requesting at this
one-bedroom unit. He said that the current owner cured deficiencies in increases
imposed by the prior owner and refunded increase amounts collected under those
increases. He said the last three comparable units rented for around $2,300.00 to
$2,400.00.
Mr. Espana said he worked at an airport and made $13.00 per hour. He said his wife
works part-time and they have a baby. He said they could not afford increases of 10%
per year, but he thought 5% per year or 10% every two or three years would be
reasonable.
Mr. King responded that he thought it was unreasonable for an employer to expect an
employee to be able to live on $13.00 per hour.
Member Chiu asked Mr. Espana how long he had been at his current job and he said he
has had the job for seven years. Member Chiu asked if he received any increase in",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,4,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
wages and Mr. Espana replied that increases were minimal and the last one was two or
three years ago.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah clarified that the Committee had the ability to look at cases
individually, and could make decisions for an increase only over a one year period. He
reminded the participants that documents submitted to the Rent Stabilization Program
and things discussed at RRAC meetings were a matter of public record that the RRAC
could use when considering future increases.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked Mr. King if most other tenants also received no rent
increases since the current ownership acquired the property and Mr. King replied that
the new ownership had faced challenges in the management of the property because of
inadequate record-keeping by the prior owner.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked if the owners planned on continuing to ask for 10%
annual increases going forward and Mr. King replied that the owner had not established
a policy for increases in future years.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked Mr. Espana how much his wife worked and how much
she made and Mr. Espana replied that she worked six hours on the weekend and
earned $12 per hour.
Member Sidelnikov asked and Mr. King confirmed that the total rent amount being
requested was unaltered by the change in base rent.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted that if the tenants' jobs were their only source of
income they would be paying over 50% of their income toward rent. Mr. Espana
confirmed that was correct.
As no agreement was reached, the parties took their seats and the Committee began
deliberations.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted that the tenants seemed like they would be considered
rent burdened. He said he had heard the tenant say he would be able to pay the
requested increase this year, and understood the tenant's fear of large future increases.
Motion and second for an increase of $139.00, effective June 1, 2019 (Members
Sidelnikov and Chiu). Motion passed 3-0.
7-C. Case RI1254.1 - 1825 Poggi St., Apt. A117
Tenant: Mohammed Eqbal Khan
Landlords: Andy King and Shahzad Raufi
Proposed rent increase: $184.00 (15.6%), to a total rent of $1,369.00,
effective June 1, 2019",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,5,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
Mr. King noted that this was the first rent increase the current ownership group was
requesting for this unit, which is a one-bedroom unit with a patio.
Mr. Khan said he was still paying $1,245.00 instead of the reduced base rent of
$1,185.00 after staff had found prior increases invalid. Mr. Raufi replied that
management had informed Mr. Khan that his rent would be reduced to the last valid
base rent of $1,185.00, and Mr. King said if Mr. Khan had overpaid, a credit would be
applied to his account for the overpaid balance.
Mr. Khan said the landlord's construction had caused inconveniences, there were issues
with parking at the property, including having cars towed, he had security concerns
about the gate, his carpet had not been changed since his tenancy began in 2005, and
his screen door was old and allowed a lot of mosquitoes to enter the unit. He requested
the screen door be fixed and said he was okay with a rent increase that was 10%
above the base rent of $1,185.00.
Member Sidelnikov asked about how repayment of overpaid rent worked and Mr. Raufi
said management usually deducted the overpaid amount from the next month's rent.
Member Sidelnikov asked how parking was offered and Mr. Raufi said there was one
space assigned per unit. Member Sidelnikov noted there should be no reason to tow a
car unless the tenant complained about it.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah ascertained with the landlords that they had a contract with a
towing service. Mr. Raufi explained that a resident may contact the towing service
directly if they needed a car towed from their assigned spot.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked Mr. Khan what impact the requested increase would
have on him and his family and Mr. Khan replied that it would be hard for them, stating
he and his wife had three children and his wife was not working.
As no agreement was reached, the parties took their seats and the Committee began
deliberations.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted the landlord seemed to be instituting 10% increases
across the board to recoup the costs for the investments they made. He noted the
tenant indicated he would not be able to pay the total amount requested and said he
would not be comfortable giving an increase of more than a $118.50, the amount the
tenant indicated he could pay.
Members Chiu and Sidelnikov concurred that was a reasonable amount.
Motion and second for an increase of $118.50, to a total rent to $1,303.50, effective
June 1, 2019 (Member Chiu and Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah). Motion passed 3-0.",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,6,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
7-D. Case RI1245.1 - 1861 Poggi St., Apt. B115
No Committee review. The tenants provided notice they would be vacating the unit.
7-E. Case RI1255.1 - 1861 Poggi St., Apt. B308
Tenant: Mohamad Manea
Landlords: Andy King and Shahzad Raufi
Proposed rent increase: $189.60 (10.0%), to a total rent of $2,088.00,
effective June 1, 2019
Mr. Manea said he was the only working member of his family, which consisted of his
wife and four children, ages 3-14 years old. He said they found it difficult to make ends
meet and the requested 10% increase would be too much for them.
Member Chiu asked where he worked and how much he made and Mr. Manea replied
that he worked at restaurant and made $3,200 per month after taxes and he did not
receive regular raises.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked if Mr. Manea had any concerns about his apartment
and Mr. Manea replied he thought the requested rent was fair but it would still pose a
burden. Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah asked what financial impact the requested increase
would have and Mr. Manea replied that business was slow, and paying more rent would
make it harder to pay other bills.
As no agreement was reached, the parties took their seats and the Committee began
deliberations.
Member Chiu noted that the tenant was already paying about 60% of his take home
pay in rent and the requested increase would increase that burden.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted that many Bay Area residents are rent-burdened and
clarified that he thought that ""rent burdened"" meant paying more than 30% of take
home pay toward rent.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted there was a history of rent increases at this unit over
the previous two years and said he thought an increase of less than 10% was
warranted to ensure the tenants would not be displaced.
Member Chiu said he agreed and was thinking of an increase between $130 and $140,
which would amount to 6.8% to 7.4 percent.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah opined that he was more comfortable with an increase of
$100 at this unit given its increase history and the tenants' situation.",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,7,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
Member Sidelnikov said he was thinking of an increase between $80 and $100,
considering prior increases.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted the rent for the unit, a 2-bedroom, seemed below
average for units of comparable size, further noting that improvements had been made
to the property, which was behavior the Committee wanted to encourage by allowing
increases to compensate landlords for making investments.
Motion and second for an increase of $100.00, effective June 1, 2019 (Vice Chair
Sullivan-Cheah and Member Sidelnikov). Motion passed 3-0.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT, NON-AGENDA ITEMS, NO.2
None.
9. MATTERS INTIATED
Program staff informed the Committee that there was an open house that evening
at City Hall West to obtain feedback on a number of possible amendments to the Rent
Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance 3148), including matters related to just cause
terminations, a maximum rent cap, and changes in the capital improvement plan
process. Staff said the feedback would be presented to City Council on May 21st and
also in June. Staff mentioned that in the past when the Council was considering
changes, members of the Committee had written letters to Council to make their
thoughts known, and they were welcome to do that now as well.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah said that previous RRAC Chairs had proposed submitting a
single letter on behalf of all members, and said he did not recommend they do that, so
it did not seem like the Committee was seen as taking a public position. He said he
thought if they wrote individually, that perception might be avoided.
Member Sidelnikov said he thought a single letter on behalf of all members might be
more effective.
City Attorney staff clarified that there was nothing on the Council's agenda dealing with
the RRAC, and they were currently looking at elimination of ""no cause"" as an allowable
ground for termination of tenancy.
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah noted that his term was scheduled to be up in June. City
Attorney staff clarified that members would serve until they were replaced or resigned,
rather than their term automatically ceasing if no replacement had been found. Vice
Chair Sullivan-Cheah said he thought that was asking a lot of a volunteer member of
the public, especially once they saw how much work the Committee had to do.",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf
RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee,2019-05-15,8,"Approved Minutes
May 15, 2019
Vice Chair Sullivan-Cheah stated he was concerned about attendance, as the Committee
was supposed to represent a cross-section of the community that included tenants,
landlords, and a homeowner, and requested staff place a discussion item on the next
agenda regarding member attendance.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
RRAC Secretary
Grant Eshoo
Approved by the Rent Review Advisory Committee on July 1, 2019",RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2019-05-15.pdf