pages: CityCouncil/2022-03-01.pdf, 18
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CityCouncil | 2022-03-01 | 18 | Urged Council to vote no on the matter; stated the pandemic has destabilized the community; the Bay Area needs time to recoup; the matter is antithetical; expressed concern over not receiving 60 days advance notice of rent increases; stated the 60 days are vital for renters to get their finances in order; there is no reason for the grace period to be halved; urged Council to reject allowing banked rent increases; stated the current rent relief options remain precarious for renters: Austin Tam, Filipino Advocates for Justice and Alameda Renters Coalition. Discussed Measure K; stated escalating rents and evictions are decimating the community; 55% of the Alameda community are tenants; the percentage could be higher with rentals at Alameda Point; discussed Ordinance 3275; stated Ordinance 3275 reflects the values of a compassionate community in Alameda; urged Council to listen to the softer voices of compassion, vote no on the amendment and not lift the moratorium: Cheri Johansen, Alameda Progressives. Stated that she is taken aback by the sudden proposal to lift the moratorium; the matter affects half of Alameda residents; questioned where the documentation exists in order to understand the problem; renters have previously been asked to provide hard evidence of rising rents and evictions; landlords making such a request for aid is unsettling; the matter feels like a slap in the face; Council must make a distinction between small landlords and investment groups; proof needs to be provided: Laura Thomas, Renewed Hope Housing Advocates. Questioned whether there is awareness that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is at 7% and when landlords can use the banking option; stated most small landlords rental properties and income are lifelines; Council has cut off income; landlords must keep up with repairs to provide units in good condition; housing inventory is old and needs a lot of maintenance; questioned when landlords can use banked rent; expressed concern about the calculations: BeBe Cheng. Discussed the Council rent cap action of 2019; stated the previous ordinance was in effect six months prior to the pandemic hitting; the amount of time was not enough for renters to recover the inequities of past years; the rent moratorium provided some measure of security; the local emergency has not ended; however, Council is considering taking away the 60 day notice to renters; questioned whether Council believes the financial state for renters has improved over the pandemic; stated all costs are rising, including cost of living; urged Council to vote no: Toni Grimm, Alameda. (22-146) Councilmember Knox White moved approval of hearing the Park Street Wine Lease [paragraph no. 22-147] and budget resolution [paragraph no. 22-149 under Continued Agenda Items on March 15, 2022. Vice Mayor Vella seconded the motion, which 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. Stated the current rent ordinance was created and agreed upon by both landlords and tenants after many community meetings; discussed the current unemployment rate in Alameda County; expressed concern about the proposed 2.7% limitation on rent increases; stated inflation will create higher conditions than 2.7%; landlords should have a choice of whether or not to go with the 2.7% increase or the current years' increase; the current ordinance does not allow banking Regular Meeting Alameda City Council March 1, 2022 16 | CityCouncil/2022-03-01.pdf |