pages: CityCouncil/2016-01-05.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2016-01-05 | 10 | Vice Mayor Matarrese moved approval [of continuing the meeting]. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. *** Landlord: Robert Schrader urged Council to take their time and think things through; stated Berkeley and Oakland have rent control and rents are 25 to 27% higher than Alameda; Council must provide a method for people to apply for relief from the moratorium. Rosalinda Fortuna, Alameda, stated small mom and pop landlords should not be treated the same as 20 or more unit buildings; mom and pop landlords do not have large capital reserves. Katie Braun, Alameda, urged Council to consider the burden to landlords, to exempt owner occupied mom and pops units, and to reconsider Ordinance 3, which does not allow a relative to move into a rental unit; stated her disabled sister needs to move into her rental unit. Maria Love, Alameda, stated that she owns a historic property in Alameda, which is very expensive to maintain; the ordinance should be based on property size. Renters: Helen Gilliland, Alameda, stated as a renter, she does not get tax deductions property owners receive; 8% is too high; rent increases need to be tied to the CPI; urged Council to review just cause evictions. Joanna Davis, Alameda, stated her rent increased today from $1,530 to $1,878; she is fortunate that her landlord is ignorant of Alameda politics and sent notice at the wrong time; teachers are being priced out of the region; an 8% annual increase is much higher than peoples' annual salary increase. Evan Angus, Alameda Renters Coalition (ARC), stated there needs to be a platform in place to protect tenants; landlords can write off a lot of their expenses; there needs to be a middle ground for landlords and tenants. Leah Simon-Weisberg, Tenants Together, stated tenants who live in rent control jurisdictions with just cause are not afraid to ask landlords to make repairs; the first two ordinances do not address ways to protect tenants; third ordinance allows protection for tenants; when families cannot afford rents, there is stress on the children; request there not be a sunset; stated if the ordinance is not working, it can be changed. Catherine Pauling, ARC, stated 8% rent increases quickly escalate rent from $2,000 to $2,900 in only five years; there is a financial impact to schools if the children go to Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 January 5, 2016 | CityCouncil/2016-01-05.pdf |