pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2021-05-04 | 12 | yield the desired result; expressed appreciation for the information provided by Mr. Katz; questioned whether the applicants completed the improvement work or whether the applications were merely submitted without work; stated that she would like to know the status of the repairs; she is concerned the formula not achieving the goal of maintaining the property; one of the not well-liked criteria is that repairs may be amortized beyond 15 years in order to keep the rent increase less than 5%; she would like to know some examples with real numbers of what the amortization looks like; 50% of the City's population lives in rentals; expressed support for staff returning with permit data for non-rentals; if non-rental repairs are low, then the issue is not rental property related; the CIP might be working and rental properties might have a similar repair rate; the goal is to maintain and to keep tenants in properties; Council is trying to move forward to find the right spot. In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry, Mr. Katz stated of the nine submissions, one has been conditionally approved, one has been closed by the owner, one is still pending, and six have been denied. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired the reason for denial. Mr. Katz responded that he would need to go back and review the individual cases to determine the reason for denial; stated it is most likely due to the various eligibility thresholds for CIP applications. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the response is instructive; part of the challenge is that Council will soon be engaged in budget hearings to discuss the City's use for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; some of the funding will be directed to helping tenants and landlords to ensure the City is avoiding displacement; the City is also mindful of landlords suffering hardships due to COVID-19; Council will know more when there has been a chance to discuss and provide direction; Council is mindful of renter's concerns; expressed support for more detail being provided; questioned whether there is a way to incentivize landlords to perform necessary repairs; stated the program is elaborate and has many details; expressed support for a one-page executive summary document at the beginning of the CIP document; stated the information will go a long way to help people understand the process; expressed support for the document beinguser-friendly;stated the program is very complicated, which is one of the reasons the program is so infrequently used ; questioned whether enough information and direction from Council has been given for a motion to be made. Councilmember Knox White moved approval of giving direction to staff to come back by the end of the calendar year in working to address the varied comments from Council to allow for enough time before a program goes into effect. Councilmember Knox White stated a question has come up that some buildings have long and short term rentals; language should be clear that money spent on units being used for short-term rentals, similar to AirBNB, does not count towards the CIP; expressed support for any substantive maintenance cost benefitting one or a small section of a building and leeway being given by the Program Administrator to assign and assess the pass-through to ensure tenants not receiving the benefit of the improvements are not paying for the improvement. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 10 May 4, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf |