pages: CityCouncil/2018-06-05.pdf, 13
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CityCouncil | 2018-06-05 | 13 | Councilmember Oddie inquired what is being done to collect the 19% that did not pay the fee. The Community Development Director responded since this was the first year, staff is proposing writing off non-payment since only two notices were done; stated there will be more time to do three notices and address delinquency this year. In response to Councilmember Oddie's inquiry regarding the remedy for non-payment going forward, the Community Development Director stated a higher compliance rate is expected; when the ordinance comes back after the election, late fee and penalties can be added, which is not allowed under the current ordinance. Councilmember Oddie inquired whether staff knows if anyone who has not paid has gone through the Rent Review Advisory Committee (RRAC) process or done an eviction, to which the Community Development Director responded in the negative. Councilmember Oddie stated that he would like said information gathered if possible. The Community Development Director stated the requirement was in the ordinance that was rescinded and could go on the list of items to revisit. In response to Councilmember Oddie's inquiry regarding allocating $500,000 in attorney's fees to help tenants, the Community Development Director stated regarding the ability to use the fee to pay for legal services for low income tenants, she is reaching out to other jurisdictions who fund legal services; the majority of jurisdictions use Community Development Block Grant or General Fund money, not the rent program fee; the legal conclusion was that the fee can be collected to administer the program; there is a question about whether it is legal to use fees to serve one class of low income tenants; from staff's perspective, using surplus funds paid is the proper way to fund the legal services. Councilmember Oddie inquired about the need and funding for a database, to which the Community Development Director stated Housing Authority is creating a database to track program activities, which is a different database than general information about the City's rental market; some cities require an annual rent registration, which is very labor intensive; perhaps money could be used to do a scientifically valid survey of rents and unit composition, which could be used to determine how well the program is working and whether the ordinance achieves the Council's goals; the approach could be more cost effective; the information would be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the ordinance, which could be included in the required annual report. Councilmember Oddie stated a rent registry could be a nexus to the fee. The Community Development Director stated the ordinance does not require a rent registration process; the ordinance would have to be amended to allow a rent registration process. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 13 June 5, 2018 | CityCouncil/2018-06-05.pdf |