pages: CityCouncil/2016-01-05.pdf, 4
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CityCouncil | 2016-01-05 | 4 | and the Payment of Relocation Assistance for all Rental Units and (C) Amendments to Sections of Article XIV of Chapter VI of the Alameda Municipal Code; and (16-009A) Urgency Ordinance No. 3144, "Extending within the City of Alameda a Temporary (An Additional 60 Day) Moratorium on Rent Increases for Certain Residential Rental Properties and on Evictions from all Residential Rental Properties Except for Just Cause." [Requires Four Votes]. Adopted; and (16-009B) Recommendation to Appropriate $300,000 From the General Fund to Fund a Rent Program Fee Study and to Cover the Cost of City and Housing Authority Staff to Administer the Rent Program Through June 30, 2016. Prior to the item being called, Mayor Spencer gave an overview of how the meeting would be conducted; the speakers were allowed two minutes to speak. The Community Development Director gave a Power Point presentation. Councilmember Daysog inquired, on behalf of renters, whether 8% takes into account the cumulative percent; whether staff has considered alternatives to prevent the cumulative effect if rents are raised 8% every year; whether relocation assistance only comes into play with no cause or no fault evictions; and whether a tenant not able to pay a rent increase and having to relocate would not receive relocation assistance. The Community Development Director responded Councilmember Daysog is correct; stated a landlord could raise the rent by 8% every year; a number of jurisdictions with rent stabilization have caps; if a tenant cannot afford to pay a rent increase agreed upon by the Rental Review Advisory Committee (RRAC), the tenant would not receive relocation assistance. Councilmember Daysog stated small landlords have expressed how disadvantaged they are when it comes to absorbing costs; large landlords can absorb costs. The Community Development Director stated landlords operating within the guidelines of the ordinance could continue to run their business without any penalty. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired what option the tenant would have if they do not want a full year lease. The Community Development Director responded the tenant is not compelled to agree to the offer. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the relocation assistance benefits include the security deposit, to which the Community Development Director responded the security deposit is required to be refunded under State law and is not included in the relocation benefits. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the program fee being passed to Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 January 5, 2016 | CityCouncil/2016-01-05.pdf |