pages: CityCouncil/2018-06-05.pdf, 19
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CityCouncil | 2018-06-05 | 19 | so; stated having better data has been discussed before. The Community Development Director stated the Housing Authority will be creating a database that will cover the program administration, which will interface with other departments, including Finance; the database will have information on every action that is a result of the program and ordinance, which is a different database than understanding rents and the composition of the housing stock; said data is broader than the ordinance; staff believes a statistically valid sample survey can be done to establish the average rents and inventory; measuring said information could be used to measure and gage the success of the ordinance. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the survey would fall within the scope of the fee study, to which the Community Development Director responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether staff has a cost estimate, to which the Community Development Director responded in the negative; stated the amount would be less than the $160,000 that staff is recommending be retained; the sample survey would create a baseline that could be compared year after year to measure the success of the rent program; the ordinance requires staff to prepare an annual report on the success of the ordinance. In response to Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, the Community Development Director stated the expense would be captured in the next year fee study if there are not sufficient funds; staff would not recommend using money from the General Fund. Councilmember Oddie stated the City needs to see everything in order to determine if the ordinance is working; the City does not know if off-book evictions are being done; tracking the information in a database would show changes; landlords and tenants agree about the need for a database; he would like to find a way to have comprehensive, full, complete data; a new resolution or ordinance amendment is not needed because the Council has requested staff to report the effectiveness annually, which requires full and complete data. The Assistant City Attorney stated the ordinance would have to be amended because there is not a requirement for landlords to provide the information, which is why staff is recommending a survey; a rent registry would be a new requirement. The Community Development Director stated the cost was not considered in the fee study since staff did not have the authority, but could happen in FY 2019-20 if the ordinance is amended; there is a strong desire to have the information; therefore, staff is recommending a statistically valid survey to gather information about rent increases and the characterization of the City's housing stock; that she is not sure how off-book terminations could be tracked. Councilmember Oddie outlined questions staff should ask about evictions if a landlord Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 19 June 5, 2018 | CityCouncil/2018-06-05.pdf |