pages: CityCouncil/2015-05-05.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2015-05-05 | 10 | The Community Development Director stated the City cannot do anything without a just cause eviction ordinance; the occurrence of the 60-day notices is a relatively new phenomenon with the discussion of putting more teeth in the rent review process, which could be a strategy for those less interested in the RRAC process. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested the propositions do not have to be mutually exclusive. The Community Development Director stated staff has only heard about a few instances of the 60-day notices. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like some attempt to quantify the number of Alameda tenants having a problem. Councilmember Daysog stated the RRAC makes a determination in the current process whether or not the property owner is involved; the new process would provide the tenant the ability to cite the ordinance and void the rent increase; the property owner could choose to disagree with the RRAC determination; the process is just a mechanism to get the property owner to attend the meeting. The Community Development Director concurred with Councilmember Daysog; stated the proposed ordinance mandates participation; any outcome or mediated solution is voluntary. The City Attorney stated that she found Civil Code citation; the law says "in an action brought by or against the lessee, the lessee should bear the burden of producing evidence that the lessor's conduct was in fact retaliatory of retaliatory;" suggested changing the language in the notice to reflect that efforts to evict a tenant within six months of requesting a hearing: "may be used as evidence in a retaliatory eviction". Councilmember Oddie concurred with the City Attorney; stated changing the language would work. Stated that she is excited about the RRAC's added strength; encouraged renters to use the ordinance as a tool to deal with rent increase issues; urged Council to find ways to address 60-day notices: Angela Hockabout, Alameda Renters Coalition (ARC) Read a letter from Tony Berg in support of the proposed ordinance Option A: Anne DeBardeleben, Alameda Association of Realtors. Urged Council to do something about rent increases: Ute, Alameda. Presented a rental increase notice she received; stated her landlord increased her rent by $170: Barbara Duncan, Alameda. Stated that he applied to the RRAC with 30 other tenants last year and was able to Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 May 5, 2015 | CityCouncil/2015-05-05.pdf |