pages: CityCouncil/2021-12-21.pdf, 4
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2021-12-21 | 4 | Section 8630(c). Adopted. Councilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification from staff about a landlord's ability to increase rent during the pandemic. The City Attorney stated existing local law includes a moratorium on rent increases which remains in effect until 60 days after the City Council declares an end to the local emergency. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired how often the matter comes before Council, to which the City Attorney responded in the matter comes before Council every 60 days. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether Alameda County currently has a rent freeze; noted that she has received correspondence which indicates the City of Alameda is the only one with a moratorium on rent increases. The City Manager responded Alameda County also currently has a moratorium. Councilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification on how the matter works. The City Attorney stated Council took a public position at the beginning of the pandemic that County ordinances do not apply to incorporated cities; the law on the matter is clear that outside of a public emergency, county ordinances do not operate within incorporated cities; the law is less clear during a public emergency; however, the law likely favors the former and county ordinances do not operate within incorporated cities; there is not complete clarity. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether landlords would be able to continue administering annual rent increases after 60 days if Council ends the local emergency. The City Attorney responded when Council ends the moratorium, there will be no further local law in effect precluding landlords from raising rents; stated the argument about the county effect on incorporated cities remains to be decided by a court. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether the matter requires three of four affirmative votes to pass, to which the City Attorney responded three affirmative votes are needed to pass. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would like staff to look into other ways of providing relief to landlords. Councilmember Knox White moved adoption of the resolution. Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated the emergence of the Omicron variant has provided reason to continue the local emergency; the concerns of small landlords are valid and Council must find ways to help out; smaller mom and pop landlords do not have the same means that large landlords and owners have. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 21, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-12-21.pdf |