pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf, 14
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2021-05-04 | 14 | On the call for the question the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. *** Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft called a recess at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. *** (21-307) Resolution No. 15771, "Adopting a Tier-Structured Annual Rent Program Fee for the City's Rent Control Ordinance and Implementing Regulations, which Establishes the Proposed Annual Rent Program Fee for Fiscal Year 2021-22 of $148 for Fully Regulated Units and $100 for Partially Regulated Units; Allocates General Fund Money to Pay the Rent Program Fee for Fiscal Year 2021-22 on Behalf of Landlords Participating in the Section 8 Program; and Extends the Due Date for Rent Program Fees for Fiscal Year 2021- 22 from July 31, 2021 to September 30, 2021, with Penalties and Interest on Any Late Fees Not Accruing Until September 30, 2021.' Adopted. The Community Development Program Manager gave Power Point presentation. In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's inquiry regarding what rent fees are used for, the Community Development Program Manager stated the rent fees pay a number of things; the program is administered by the Housing Authority; the fees pay for staff time, materials, labor, salaries, and City staff salaries primarily from the City Attorney's office; staff anticipates an increase in the requested number of hearings post-pandemic; next year's budget has additional costs allocated to a Hearing Officer. Urged Council consider a moratorium on the rent registry fee for Fiscal Year 2021-2022; stated that she would like to see the expenses of the rent program be paid out of the ARPA funds; the payment will benefit both landlords and tenants as they recover from the pandemic and might incentivize the 18% of landlords that have not registered to do so: Toni Grimm, Alameda Renters Coalition. Councilmember Knox White moved adoption of the staff recommendation [including adoption of related resolution]. Councilmember Knox White stated Council should keep the increase down; however, the program should not go into the red; if the City uses ARPA funds, it should be used to pay back rent and associated costs. Vice Mayor Vella seconded the motion. Under discussion, Vice Mayor Vella stated that she would like to add the question about the rent registry to the upcoming ARPA budget discussion. Councilmember Daysog stated that he has been reluctant to support rent control in Alameda; the ordinance prior to the original ordinance had been a compromise; the new rent control regime from 2019 is too onerous, especially on smaller mom and pop landlords; outlined rental homes being lost in the Fernside District; stated the rental housing stock has Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 12 May 4, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf |