adjourned. 2 Kay top. Can we have the chamber and muted?
Please?
Good afternoon and welcome to the community and
economic develop. Committee
meeting of Tuesday 3/24/2026, the time is now one. 44 pm in
this meeting MAY come to order before taking rival provide
instructions on how to submit
speaker card items on this agenda. If you're here with us in chamber would like to
submit a speaker card. Police
not intend, went into it. 2,
my support clerk, representative before the item
is read into record or no No later than 10 minutes there at
the start of this meeting, this meeting came to order at one. 44 pm and speaker cards
will no longer be accepted
after one. 54 pm. Will now
proceed with taking roll.
Council members by.
Councilmember Houston. We've
got special Larry.
Councilmember Unger. Founder
done present and Chair Brown PRESIDENT. Thank you. We have
4 members present. We need a motion to adjourn into a special meeting due to the presence of councilmember
Houston. So move. Thank you. That's a motion made by Chair
Brown seconded by
Councilmember fight. 2 can
adjourned the cdbg and reconvene into a special meeting due to the presence of
councilmember Houston at one.
45? Pm on role Councilmembers
spy. I I'm a child run. I
chair Brown. I thank you. This meeting is now a can bring in
to a special meeting. Moving on to announcements chaired. You have any announcements at
this time. Yes. Thank you so
much. My first announcement is that in an effort to keep our
committee meetings on time, we
will move to have public comment be just one minute.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Reading in item one approval of the draft minutes from the
committee meeting held on 3/10/2026. There are no speakers on this item move
approval. Thank you. That's a motion made by Councilmember 5
seconded Councilmember Unger to accept the draft minutes from the committee meeting
held on 3/10/2026 on Row
Councilmember by I
ramachandran I Unger I and chair Brown. I think you item
number one passes with 4 eyes to accept the draft minutes
from 3/10/2026. Reading an item to determination of scattered about standing committee items and there are
no speakers on this item. Excellent. Thank you so much. Do we have any changes from
the administration? Colleagues? We just need a
motion on Penniless. Of
pending list. Second. Thank you. That was a motion made by councilmember under seconded
by 100 to accept the determination of scheduled a standing committee items as is
on row Councilmember spy, I promise and on eye and chair
Brown. I thank you, Adam.
Number 2 passes with or eyes to accept the pending list as
is reading in item number 3. Adopt an ordinance authorizing the city administrator to
negotiate and execute a lease agreement with the nonprofit
Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation. But the Tyrone
Kearney Park at 10. Sorry, 1,
0, 5, 0, 1, at drive Oakland for a license, be of $0 for a
term of 2 years with 5, 1, year options to extend for maintenance and workforce
training. 2 making findings that the below market license
be is in the best and is in
the city's best interest and 3 making California Environmental Quality Act
findings. And we have 2 speakers that signed up to
speak. Excellent. Thank you so much. We will hear from staff
on this item. After chair
Brown members of the
committee. My name is Shane Hirschfield gold in the city administrator's office and the
sustainability and resilience division one of the honors
that I have in that role is overseeing the final stages of implementation of the better
neighborhood say neighbors. Program, which is funded
through transformative climate communities. Grant from the
state of California. Total grant amount is 28.2 million
dollars. We received that
grant and 2020 and one of the
projects of the better neighborhood say neighbors
project is the revitalization of tire on Kearney Park, which
has probably most of, you know, has been shuttered for
over 2 decades. The community,
the community coalition that came together and developed a very grassroots plan for Deep
East Oakland and that led to
the better neighborhood say neighbors project led by the East Oakland neighborhoods
Initiative Highlighted the revitalization of Tyron
Kearney Park and not just
revitalization of the park, but the creation of a
community led stewardship program. They highlighted that
has a major community priority
and the Oakland Parks and Rec
Creation Foundation is one of recipients of the transformative climate
communities. Grant through better neighborhood say
neighbors. Oakland Parks, Recreation Foundation has been
working with Eoe knee as well as with the Sovereignty Park
resident Action Coalition or
Spur Ack. To develop a robust
community stewardship. Program that also includes workforce
training. At Tyrone Kearney
Park. And so we have here Mandaloun Coderre Redman who
is the executive director of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation and
she's going to speak a little bit to the work that they are
planning for the park. Good
afternoon, though. Mandaloun Redmond executive director
with the Oakland Parks and Foundation members of the
council and the public. We are
very excited to implement stewardship program at Tire on
Kearney Park, specifically
because of that. Longstanding of that park. This is coming
from a lot of collaborative work with the community as
well as several different departments entities
surrounding the area. In turn, Ali at the city where working
with the real estate city administrators of Krista Oakland, Parks, Recreation
News Development Department
public works altogether to
implement this stewardship program. Often we are
partnering with the city to
bring in dollars for restoration projects around
playground equipment, park spaces, green spaces. We plant
trees. This agreement that's before you or at lease
agreement allows us actually them implement programming once were complete with the
project. And that's this Very profound next step that allows
us to activate that space beyond the building. So that
is what is before you. We are
in partnership every week with
Services Department as well as our community members and
machine ahead mention Spratt
Kenny owning so that we can
get our work plan really in order and engaged community,
right where they are and continued to activate the space beyond that opening of
that. That's going it. Answer
questions. Excellent. Thank
you so much. In. You all have
more to present. Good afternoon Council committee
member some Quincy the capital, the premise Project
coordinator pr, Windy. I'm here today to highlight our
relationship pr f. And park
stakeholders in general collaborated with a from a
variety of items as relates to
a Parrot id. I enjoyed working relationship. I have with
them. And this project will enhance our partnership. How
you might ask. Well, the maintenance of our parks and rec facilities is performed by
Public Works. Pw. This is an
enormous undertaking pr to help other community groups
will perform maintenance tasks as well as open and close and
personal part park. This will allow for Pw focus its limited
resources on other sites. Also puracal provide consistent
stewardship of the space. Sure that any vandalism be
addressed promptly. Renovate a park reopening soon windy City
as a whole needs stakeholder
such parent and others tracking center to school
safer to space, which will encourage communication. Thank
you. Excellent. Thank you so
much for the report
colleagues, any questions or comments Councilmember Houston and I know that this is in
district 7 wanted to go ahead and give you the opportunity
share. Remarks are asking
questions. Thank chair. I just wanted to find out who in that
department is the executive
director whos the board of
directors and what neighborhood outreach did they reach out to? And I want to
know actually who that was its
meddling. Do you not mass
whoever's out here? Do they know What a park was shut
down. That is a complicated
history. I don't if that's something we don't want answer
that you want me to yeah, answer it because I was the
number one. It had shut down their greed because of the homicides and 11, 5 day. But I
want to know if you know, I
knew now. Okay, okay. So my
thing is this is what part of the neighborhood that we speak
to cause this 2 worlds right. And the first time it was
opened up in the last 23 years was when I just opened it up
on 11 5 this year. No homicides, no shootings. No
stab is nothing showing that we can we we we connect up. We
connect right to. Right. So because I'm from from Stone
City, 11, spreading park, all
those areas probably never elect another person like me
on on this seat because from
there right? So I just want to know who reached out to me to
talk to me about this. I have
personally talked with your aydlett that I think pronouncing that correctly. We've been talking with the
previous council member before as we know it's been a long
time and a lot of engagement that's prak really was
instrumental providing
engagement to bring that state dollars to restore the
playground. They They have
very detailed engagement around what the park wants to
do, what it has been doing in
the midst of it being gated, there's activation all around the space at the moment.
There's connectivity with them
and But surrounding park and
left field over at Brookfield. There's been all kinds of connections. A lot of that
we've been building through, then transformative climate
communities, grant in the
better neighborhood. Same neighbors initiative. So it's
been in many different iterations. This is almost the
last step that allows us to
activate. So it's been many
years. Yeah, I got understand chair step, the councilmember
now and I just am was happening and that from that
community right. And I want to know school is going to be a
very touchy situation. If it's not handled the right don't
want to be closed down another
23 years right? So I never suspect never reached out to
me. I'm just trying to figure
out why nobody reached out to
talk to me about what I apologize. If there's a way
that I can reach strictly to
you, we can do walked 3 in Walks you can see some of the activities that we have them.
I'm happy to do that with u n writes, I don't want to move
this until I have these meetings and speak to individuals that's gone.
Manage it. Speak to you and find out who in the community.
Not just one side is 3 parts
to that community. That need to be spoke to so we can be
successful. We want this to be successful. We wanted to be
just like the 11 5 ended up,
opened it up without
permission did that. No shootings, no killings know martyrs. Happiness was states.
Trade happen is like
councilmember Senate's it
Happiness Day. It was a happy
day. So I don't want to move
in until I to. I have had these meetings. Yes, want pass
it to staff. Thank you.
Councilmember Houston, so in a recent meeting, we establish
the fact that with ribbon
cutting ceremony, we have a planning process. It's odd to
see Your office will be involved in process to have
weekly meetings in his weekly
news. One ball. Obviously, you
members of only Spratt also foundation. City staff
members. And so we encourage you to come to those meetings
this week meetings and provide who ever you see that. That needs to be a part of those
meetings. We Kirsten so. I'll have communication with you
and with your office. Also man
so. Thanks, excellent. And so I guess my question at this time to the staff. Can you
briefly walk us through the importance of, I guess, passing this item in this
moment and then I did hear the staff say that they they look
forward to ongoing engagement
with the District 7 office, but just wanted to get a clear
understanding of of the item we have before us today. Yes,
absolutely. Through the chair.
As as we mentioned, this is
one of a host of projects through the better neighborhood say neighbors
project. And that project
serves several disputes specific neighborhoods in Deep
East. So sub running park, Brookfield Village don't hers
on her wrist. And the
community engagement process that went into establishing
the better neighborhood say
neighbors plan that was led by
the East Oakland neighborhoods Initiative, a coalition that was made up of multiple
nonprofits and community
leaders. Identified this pot. This park and several other
sites as neighborhood
priorities. But where we are now, we received the 28.2
million dollar grant from the
state in 2020 appropriated. It
and began work. And the grant
initially and it was a shorter grant. We're the 3rd or so
extension at this point. And establishment of the
stewardship plan is one of the
deliverables of the grant. So
the license agreement is sort
of the the innovative
mechanism that through the state support the city are
real estate division are parks
and youth development Department our community
partners have come up with as
a way of establishing that
kind of shared model. Of
leadership. But again, we are
kind of up against the grant deadlines are implementation
is supposed to and in at at this plant are implementation
supposed to end at the end of APRIL. That doesn't mean that
the stewardship work with end. But it does mean that we
should have Rima it Pra and
Spratt and uni to launch into the stewardship activities. At
that point. And we do as has
been Quincy mental and I think mentioned we do have a number of safeguards built into the
license agreement. So it's 2
year agreement with 5 one-year extensions and annual at
minimum check partnering with certain, you know, having
ongoing communication with our economic workforce development
department around the
workforce, training partnering with Opr Weide around, you
know, programming partnering Pw maintenance. So we're we're
building in a lot of checks and balances. Excellent. Thank
you so much. So guess from
what I'm hearing. Be given the
current deadline. I think I heard there was deadline of
APRIL end of APRIL in order to
get U.S. Agreement rolling,
especially given that the project. I think the report
said that the dollars were funded in 2019 and then the
allocation in 2020. So it's actually taken us some time to
even just get to this point. And so I you know, through to
Councilmember Houston kind of
based on what was articulate it. We would you be
comfortable with this body kind of moving this item, I
believe, is going to go to the a special council meeting,
which is after our recess. In so that then in the meantime,
you can connect with staff to get more of an understanding. And then if at that council
meeting, you still have concerns, then we can address
it as a body. But I I would like this body to move the
item forward so that then we
can and sure that the we are
on track to meet that end of APRIL deadline. That is the ground to the chair. When is
the groundbreaking was up to
late JUNE. We're looking now
JULY, JULY. So on the site is none of these organizations
reached out to me on that and I'm not going going any you
guys districts and tell you
what to do. And it is organizations reached out to me about this because this is
a complicated location. Which which complicated when a complicated, you got 3
different worlds. You gotta do
it over there. So I'm just saying it's a complicated situation and everybody has to
be embraced on that, everybody. So I'm saying no,
because I didn't reach out to
me that I'd ever heard from nobody, 3 organization not
been in office for 13 months. I mean, I know I was there at
the ground me when they opened it up and did the groundbreaking. Reached out to
my office. And thank you. Councilmember his 10, so to
city staff, can we? How can we
how can we ensure that Councilmember Houston's offices engage with all of the
group's? I know I know you weekly meeting. Is that
correct? Yes, all personally
follow up with council member.
Houston's office and ensure
that there's going to be consistent communication. So
that we can move this forward.
And then prior to so that communication would be prior to arc of coming. I think that
that's date. APRIL 14th is our
next council meeting. And so in between that time and we
just go ahead and move, move the item. And in the event
that you haven't received the proper updates that you're
interested in, then as a body, we could then just not move forward with the item. Does
that sound reasonable and then also want to open it up to my
colleagues for any questions as well. Want to hear what my
colleagues have to say about
my district councilmember. I resident resonate with that
sentiment. Councilmember
Houston. I have some very sensitive areas in my district
as well. And I have to say one
of the shootings that happened in downtown Oakland where 7 individuals were shot and 2
lost their lives. When as a body set aside a million
dollars to deal with entertainment zones, I think
should have been used to
secure safety in uptown
downtown area before adding additional services or
programs. And so I am
definitely resonating with your position on what the
sensitivity needs are for your personal district because you
know what's happening on the ground. I'm also concerned
about potentially losing. Losing time with a program
that. Has been in in progress. And I will say my first 2
years in office there, it was very rare that staff reached out to me about what was going
on in my district. And I've I've it's been 6 years and now
my relationship with Park's rec is amazing. And Quincy,
you've been great so I appreciate you over
communicate and I love it. And I want Councilmember Houston
have that opportunity as well. I've worked with only when I
was a director in East Oakland. I do know that they
do good work, but I do think
there needs to be a special. I'm not sure what happened
that or what happened in terms
of communication there. But he does need to be brought into
this conversation as someone who's on the ground and
actually was a part of closing down the park where you 23
years ago. Yeah, it's it's it's tents in some
neighborhoods. And so because
we are going to get blamed for
any thing that goes wrong. And we have to deal with the
repercussions of what happens. I would like to see that
occur. Councilmember under I'll defer to council member Houston in his district, but I
don't want to lose this money. Is there any way we could do a couple of weeks worth of
engagement and bring it back
on the 14th? Don't know what that what what the risks using this money. But I do want to
make sure that Councilmember
Houston's involved in in the
process. Yeah. And it's my understanding what I through
the report. Is it $400,000 is
being allocated yes, so that that therefore, that's why we have that the deadline as
well. Due to chase and
$400,000 be lost. If if we
don't move just today, you
well, today specifically. I think when and where lost of our deadline is in APRIL. Is
that correct? Through the chair? Yes, that that is
correct. And I. The fact that this is an ordinance and
therefore requires 2 readings gives us a little bit more
time to do extensive
coordination. Councilmember to. Can we do that, then? Can
we bring it back on the 14th so that Councilmember Houston
has a chance to consult with stakeholders. Does that work
for you? Connect check here a cast member. Wants to say and
some say, too. Councilmember
100. I think Wisconsin and they just proposed hearing it
at full Council on the 14th
and then. There is a second reading before the end of APRIL. So that's 2 different
opportunities. Before this. This body's forwarding it to
the full council. But we will
also have a vote on the 14th.
Gema take lead of it. When you
say it. Thank Lee. I okay. All right. And so I'll make a
motion to go ahead and move this item to this special city
council meeting on 18th to do
14th at 3.30 need a second.
And want I guys will make
clear that I want I'm not going vote on this on the 14th until we are sure that you're
satisfied. Brown under. I am good. Thanks. I thank you so
much. And then we can hear
from the public speakers calling in the name that signed up to speak on item
number 3, MISTER Derrick Barnes. If you hear in chamber, you can come up to
the podium or if you're on
zoom, please raise your hand.
Names have been called then we have a motion made by Chair
Brown second by Councilmember Unger to approve the recommendations of staff to
board this item to the. 4/14/2026 Special City Council
agenda at 03:30pm, Honorable
Councilmembers by. A shotgun.
I I and chair Brown. Thank
Item number 3 passes with 4
eyes to 40 side into the 4/14/2026 Special City Council
agenda at 03:30pm, on consent. Okay. Now reading and item
number 4. Adopt the following
pieces of legislation and
ordinance amending the Rent Adjustment Ordinance eliminate
tenant to tenant petition
deadlines be require that and owner provide evidence of possession of a current
business tax pick it payment
of or exemption from the rap. Service. The service of written notice to the Rent
Adjustment program to tenants and registration with the Rent Adjustment Program in Order to
file an appeal or a response
to attend appeal and see make various changes to the
remedies. Remedies section, including increasing the
damages remedy in civil actions against residential
rental property owners and making appropriate California
Environmental Quality Act
findings and to a resolution ratifying amendments to the Rent Adjustment Program.
Regulations to permit any
category of member of member
of the housing residential
rent and relocation board to serve as a board officer. And
we have over 32 speakers that
signed up. Excellent. These
thank you so much. I believe that there's an announcement from the administration on
this item. Yes, and threw the chair. We are requesting that
this item to be pulled at this time. We have additional information that we'd like
together before it comes back
to this council. Okay. Thank
you so much. So I guess to the parliamentarian what what are
actions and next steps. According to council to council rules, the committee
has to vote to table item. You
made committee made. Take public comment for sort that
can, Kamau, first, because
this is only a special. This
would schedule boat. So the
committee can can either take public comment first and then
low to rescheduled item or or book reschedule vitamin
intake. Or the committee can also just to put to public
public comment or take action on item just like any other
item. Okay. Thank you so much. So we'll hear from the public
speakers. Calling the names that signed up to speak on
item number, Lauren, no particular order. You can come up to the podium state. Your
name for the record and make your comment as standard
practice. We will take in chamber speakers first and
then zoom speakers. If you're on zoom in here, your name,
please raise your hand to be easily identified again in no particular order. You can line
up. Linda Saint Julia, Karen Shenoy, Stephen Addington
James Van, Stephanie Bond,
Anthony of Bella, Elizabeth Delgado Marin, one condom.
Leona. Chris stepped in
Michelle Way. Jill Joleen Josh
Rupe. John Williams, Patrick
Brady. Steve Williams, Deric
Muhammad. Dennard, Ingram
James Bond. We have twice.
Chris Moore, Adrianna Dot has
Mark General. It's David Hall.
Noel. Justin. How live Borton? Sorry if I'm pronouncing your
name is wrong. Galan Yunnan. Kathleen, since Derrick Barnes
and Emily, Willard, again, he come up to the podium state.
Your name for the record and noting that the time is for
one minute to make a comment. Would probably lead to some
myself. I speak Commissioner Linda Saint Julien. I just
left the board about 3 weeks. 3 months ago, on the board
for. With disabilities and
seniors, but I'm a landlord
and what I'm here for is the condition that you guys put on
landlords is just ridiculous.
We have 10 U.S. Problem. Tenants that have problems and
you guys, can we expect for us you know, get rid of them and
pay $11,000 for them to
relocate. I've had 3 in a row.
3 people that has ruined my
place. You guys say we can't get rid of them. You make. And
right now I'm going to a tenant when $11,000 and she's
a hoarder. She has really, really messed up my place. So
what I'm saying is you guys want to keep on part with fees
on us as landlords. They're
not going have a place to stay because you guys out beating
us and making us pay all these different reason. I just
ridiculous and I'm fed up with
it. So like I said, she has
part of my place. I'm going through it right now. Just 8 or $11,000 to get her out. And
now I have to pay $20,000 to get it back in place to sit to
13 it Thank you for your comments. Your one minute is
up. Good afternoon chair and members of the committee. My name is Karen Shenoy and I'm
here on behalf of the Bridge
Association of Realtors representing more than 2000
members working in and around Oakland, many of whom are also
property managers. Small housing providers and owner
occupants. We appreciate that.
This item has been pulled. These amendments carry
significant consequences and taking additional time for a
review is the right call here. Bree Jail are was not even
reached out to be for this item. Came forward was in the
past former counsel member Kal would reach out or should a
Franklin minor would reach out and and ask us to weigh-in before this thing came even
came committee and perhaps there's a turnover. And we
understand that. But hopefully
that can change moving forward. We also want to raise
a concern about public participation members repeatedly tried to register
to comment by zoom within the required 24 hour type time
frame and did not receive caught confirmation from the
system. Public participation should not be further limited
by these technology issues. Again, we appreciate that. This item has been pulled and
we ask that any next. Thank you for your comments. Your
one minute is up.
Councilmember Fife. Yes, I do want to state I'm I'm also
deeply concerned about
community input. My committee for life enrichment doesn't start until 4 in since this
item was pulled. And we're not
hearing a presentation. I
respectfully request through the parliamentarian to make sure that this legal for people to have their full 2
minutes to speak. Yeah. At the onset of the meeting, I stated
that it would only be one minute for the public comment.
Thank you. Speaking time has
been consistent for all items.
So at this time, we're still moving forward minute. And if
there's any and I welcome any of the public speakers to
engage with any of the council offices on this item city
staff as we continue per the
administration to work on this item. So at this time it is
one minute. Thank you. Good
afternoon. I'm Steve bettering
Did you know that 90% of the landlords in New York City for corporate landlords don't take
my word for it. Google it. New York Times Wall Street Journal
when you pass crazy rules, the
little guys leave the mom and pop and the corporate people
take over because they had taken under take on the risks.
Don't do that. Oakland. It's best to have a small mom and
pop your landlord. They're the best landlords. Secondly, this
ordinance does an interesting thing. You have the city
created illegal scheme. That's
what they call it with the
report with this proposes to do is to bypass the report and
go straight to court. You're
creating lots of lawsuits. It's fine. If you want to help
your friends. Lawyer make their bmw payment, buy a bigger house. But you're
creating more litigation here and this is wrong. That city council to really think long
and hard before they implement this because it just allows up
by a pass over import
altogether. Thank you. Good afternoon. Committee members. My name is Arden grew Miami
commissioner on the report. Arise by the board to present
these items. These recommendations to the
committee. I first want to highlight that these
recommendations are not staff recommendations. These are recommendations that come from
the board. So I raise the
question on whether or not administration can pull these
items. As I understand the rules, the item has been scheduled in belong to this
committee. So it is up to this committee as understand it on whether or not to pull this
item. Secondly. If there are
questions about outreach.
Concerns about the
recommendations, both myself and staff are here prepared to
present on these items. So that both the tenants and the
property owners who are here with questions can get those
answers publicly here today.
Do not pull this item. Because this item has been in the works. Many of these
recommendations for years.
Tonight. A lot taller than me.
Hi, my name is Emily. I'm a volunteer with Oakland tenants
Union. I'm here representing our members who are generally
at work and not people to be here today. We are an all volunteer organization, no
paid staff that we have been aware of this legislation for
months, if not years due to the fantastic work of the
report and map staff. Who went above and beyond their due diligence and reaching out to
all stakeholders and gathering feedbacks ppd back. I see many
landlords here today opposing this item and I'm sure they're
all really great. Landlords never break the law and never harm their tenants. And that
is why this ordinance would
not affect them at all. There's a lot of misinformation, a pain to go around today about this
ordinance. It has nothing to do with evictions or
relocation payments. It does not raise any fees on any
landlords. In fact, all it
does is provide a slightly larger window of opportunity
for tenants to to file to protest illegal rent increase.
Let me highlight that an illegal rent increase this
rent increase would be a legal already. And right now the law
would allow it to intentially become legal if it meant know
their rights and violent time. These are incredibly small changes that only impact
landlords breaking the law. Do not do anything live Syria.
Thank. You can go ahead and
begin. The timer will show up. I'm also a volunteer for tenants union. I want to
second what please state your name. For the record. We luck.
I want to second what time
from just have to say. And
also I want to that like. From the perspective of just law,
generally what the current
regime allows current receive about filing about a legal
rent increases allows is just totally abnormal of someone's picking your pocket for 6
months. You take. Not a legal.
You can't do that. Can't say out life anew in for 6 months.
So. What's your problem? So
just as a matter of like consistency with laws, generally, we oppose this.
It's a totally unreasonable in
position on tenants and as stated it doesn't affect
anyone except landlords illegally increasing their
rent. Again, I want to second everything I'm going to say.
Thanks. Good afternoon.
COUNCILMAN John Williams and currently, I think makes
policies that are equitable
for landlords mom and pop folks because this particular
another only policy that just
weighs on. Small books like myself, put out a business
knowing treats mom and pops
like we're a business. I currently have a real increase
that's been on hold on appeal with the written board year and a half. But the very first
real increase in 15 years. And
lieutenant. I'm still litigation for 3 and a half
back written like tenant and they continue to appeal the
them and prolonged. It's exhausting refunds. And
putting out of business. So no more policies that are laying
heavy on small landlords make the tenants more accountable.
Our make policy with a report. It's more respectable and also
come with own policies. Good afternoon committee. My name is Chris speaking on behalf of
the East Bay Rental Housing Association, representing
housing providers across
Oakland, the broader East Bay. First, I just want to acknowledge the position
you're and I do understand you're being asked to make decisions on very complex
housing in issue. And we understand and we respect that
responsibility. I appreciate
that item has been polled that said the proposed amendments
are not small and insignificant and they raise
fundamental concerns. These policy changes are being considered without clear
comprehensive data to support these changes that they are
necessary or that they will produce the intended
consequence outcomes. Policy
be grounded in more than just anecdotal experiences. Allow
the process to be informed by
data a lot of time and engagement with stakeholders here from court judges who are
actively trying to divert rental cases away from kortz
encouraging resolutions rather than encouraging more
litigation. Eventually, this
is actually happened. Value
was actually happening before. Thank you for your comments
here. One minute is up. Good afternoon committee members.
My name is Julie and ruined with housing provider Resource Center. I'm housing provider
specialist. I also work Price. They rental Housing Association is support
specialist growth and engagement throughout county and resource Center. We work
directly with small housing providers. Many of them who
are first-time or accidental prop providers receiving a
property to pro great who are trying to comply with opens
complex and evolving
regulations. What we're seeing on the ground is not resistance to law. It is
confusion, intimidation and procedural errors process is
that they don't understand that they're being forced to
move through without the
proper support when there is no limit to how far back a
claim can go or penalties can escalate even for small
unintentional mistakes. Many small property owners feel
like they are in one era way from a situation that becomes
financially overwhelming as
they spoke to here. More importantly, this kind of framework increases the
likelihood that issues. Escalate straight into
litigation at Alameda County housing provider Resource centers. That is what we're
there for to prove to provide
support Thank you. My name's of them. A kind a small
housing provider. I'm requesting that you retain the
existing provisions for renters who never receive wrap
notices that protection that protections already in the
ordinance. And it works
eliminate and open-ended combined with trouble damages.
This creates. In indefinite uninsurable, the big Asian exposure for small owners
operating in good faith, limit trouble damages to willful violations for owners who
knowingly buy Litton Act. The reckless disregard for of the
ordinance consistent with San
Francisco. Ensure there is
real rim board parity and require proof a board member designation for proper balance
and rental property expertise. At a guardrail to the chair
and vice chair MAY not be both drawn from the same
stakeholder category. And provide a 30 day cure period
before damages are enacted for properties of 4 units are less
worse. Mall owners. Good
afternoon committee. My name
is Patrick Brady. I am a
member of But more than that, I am a small property owner on
a duplex in West Oakland. I have been trying to remove
squatters from my house in
APRIL will be a full year. From violations and abuses
that they take advantage like
ones that are being proposed right now. I unequivocally
object to the state that would allow renters to challenge
rich creases for property
owners such as myself. My case
has been thrown out at least once because of these minor
administrative things that the Rat Board puts on property
owners such as myself. And I
feel that tenants having more opportunities to delay
evictions. Or small turn. Property owners like myself.
It's at. Thank you your
comments. My name is This is the first time come and speak
to all you Council members
here. I mean, a long time.
Housing provided. I have a lot
of good tenants. But some bed
one day try to turn. Next. Do
attendance? Causing trouble? And when do those tenant don't
like them donate trouble attendant? You have have a hot
time to deal with the But law
you guys created? And I don't
think fair. Follow mom and pop
housing provided. As you know, last the leading cause U.S.
Public crazy. Gobble each water utility. If up like
crazy n. You can only increase
by less than one percent.
Thank you your comments. Good afternoon. My name is Derrick
Resident of West Oakland. In a small mom and pop property
owner. Thank you for pulling
this item. I want to say that. The policy making process should always be guided by
accurate data, accurate information. And it doesn't appear that that is the case
here. Questions. What is the
basis? Of this? Look back on
rent petitions. What is the basis for the introduction of
trouble damages? What is the basis developing are creating
more causes of action? All of
these things serve the creating a hostile work
environment for small
businesses and they dis. They disincentivize investment and
incentivize freeloading and a
kind of give making that allows people to play games
and milk the system. And I
Small housing providers are
leaving about one-third say they plan to exit within the
next 2 years. Housing starts 15 year loan and units are
sitting bake. And yet we continue to see these
proposals that are driven by advocates who have never owned
or managed housing. And they don't understand or have a
full understanding of real-world impact of the policies adopted really over
the last 6 years. Those
policies have not hit everyone
equally. And you can see it right here. They've
disproportionately hurt
Undercapitalized mom and pop housing providers. Many, many
of whom are black homeowners.
Who relied on this income to
stay in Oakland and generational wealth. The
proposal today makes that worse. No deadlines, unlimited
retroactive liability. Trouble damages. It's not balance.
It's pushing the small owners out. So thank you for putting
this aside today, police spent time talking with owners talk
with Evra and make. My name. My name David Hall in with
director of the housing team
at Central a counselor this. This these policies were put
together by the members, the commissioners of the rent for their subject matter experts.
This was unanimously passed by
both the landlord, tenant and unaffiliated representatives. Now today, your landlord
comments have been lot about. These amendments are very short and specificity of what
they don't like about these proposals and long on
complaints about being a landlord. This has nothing to
do with evictions. This
affects evictions in exactly 0. A there are 2 important
things that these these
proposals do. The first is to
give tenants more time to to challenge in a legal rent
increase. That's a good thing. There's no complain about why that would be a bad thing. I'm
sure all of these good landlords are trying to pass a
legal rent increases. So they're not going to be
affected by this. The second thing this doesn't revolve
around penalties disobeying the ordinance, the trouble
damages only is in effect is in effect for willful
fraudulent malicious activity. Again, nothing that probably
in. Thank you for your comments here. One minute is
up. Good afternoon. Council members Mark General, it's a volunteer with the speed
Community Law Center. Thank you very much for the
opportunity. I just want to caution us about misinformation about what the ordinance with the proposals
do, what they don't do. These
proposals are reasonable for the purpose of carrying out
the intent of the ordinance to
protect the renting population of the city. One of the one of
the speakers said we should
hear from judges. Well, in 1989 in a case called Kelly
versus judges address the attorneys fees provision and
said the attorney speak to vision of these ordinances,
similar ordinances are vital to the enforcement of these
ordinances because nobody else does it. Tenants can bring
actions effective actions by
themselves. The city doesn't represent individuals. So it's
left to private attorneys to enforce your the city's
ordinance. And that's why the Court of Appeal said these
attorneys fees provisions are
vital. Now, of course, it doesn't affect anybody who's
following the law, pay your
taxes. What's wrong with that? You don't want to pay your taxes. Of course, everybody
has to bear the burden step.
You know that. Thank you for your comments. Your time is
up. Good Morning Council members. My name is Janet
Halliburton and I stand here is a real tear and a representative people who
would like to own we don't
property in Oakland. Many of
those people are dissuaded
dissuaded by the current laws. And really glad to hear that
the in-form data encouragement
of resolutions are being
looked at. And I do encourage another look at this
ordinance. I like to bring
something that nobody said yet as I was going down part the other day, I saw a sign that
say. Rental housing is a
business. And then I at the Oakland Post where there is a
new look at equity business. And I just like to city
Council to look at. The fact
that it is that this is.
Doesn't have the same. Respect
in the city or with a loss as any other business. I urge you
to look at with that land.
MADAM Secretary, I think I've got I've got some see the time from Steve William and
Michelle away. Either. They
both in here. Okay. Thank you. MR. Finds you'll have 3 minutes for one moment to
Chester Time. Thank you. Good afternoon. Chair Brown and
committee members there are in small property owner and ceo
of Rental Housing Association.
As you know, road represent small owners across Oakland, Alameda County. These are
working class oaklanders retirees, community members of color over 70% small owner
operators. Provide the vast majority below market rate
rent deeply affordable housing in Oakland, Oakland's
community and economic Development Committee focuses
on fostering a vibrant, equitable economy by attracting industries,
supporting local businesses and work workforce pathways, particularly underserved
communities. And that is the
charter of this body. That is
the charter of this body. The
rental housing ecosystem in
Oakland moves about 2.8 billion dollars to Oakland's
economy. That's not insignificant and it
contributes to huge share of the business license tax. At
about 125 million dollars. In addition to property taxes.
And why this matter is that the policies this committee
passes needs to support our
local housing providers who are also small businesses as
the previous speaker said, provide opportunities for them
to start operating grow. But right now we've created
conditions that chase our local owners out of business,
out of Oakland, out of
housing, the most vulnerable people in our community. That
has to stop a submitted a
letter outlining my concerns and a set of recommended
recommended changes. But I want to be clear about where
we stand. We are not here oppose reasonable tenant
protections or compliance. Our business is educating our
members and keeping units on the market. We have been
actively partnering with the city and they see the and ways
to help small owners who are
not members debt and remain compliant. Let me say this for
the record. This these amendments before you should
never have reached your desk without proper stakeholder
discussion and input. Good policy development requires that. And thank you for taking
taking the steps to look at this and and take the ample
time to work out these. Is
body of updates because we
need to minimize the disparate impacts that small businesses
like ours up against and have been reported in other functions of the city. One
size does not fit all. As I
said before. And housing, you all know that I'm here about
solving problems and one make that very clear to recommendations from moving
forward. Operation allies, the
practice of convening regular joint stakeholder meetings
with a 8 c, d and rap to ensure that the lived experience that everyone talks
about is included in these
discussions. And we have to run new policies and
amendments to the Department of recent Equity for assessment and input because
this city operates in silos
and that must change and then see the rent board with qualified individuals
currently run rental housing. That helps because you have
the contacts at the thank you for your comments. MISTER
Barnes, your Time is up. If your name is called and you're still here and chamber and
would still like to speak, please come up to the podium and allies will switch to zoom
users. One c please unmute yourself and begin your one
minute comment. I'm quien
people resident member of contents union support. These
incremental common changes that coming from a pow of
tenants, landlords and
homeowners. I'm disappointed that you're putting items He's
like most who often don't live in Oakland, such as Chris Mall, who now lives in
Piedmont, putting the interests of you've done is above those of your
constituents, especially one of the especially pot is
extending the time tenants
have to file a complaint. It's ridiculous that if you find out you being defrauded for
too long, you just have to
continue accepting the fraught
these on come complex changes almost every is full of idiots
who familiar with what is being proposed for the
existing Law Council shouldn't pull items just because, you
know, Don is refused to read them. Also, it's ridiculous
that council meetings are in the middle of the day, making
it hard for people with jobs to participate and easier for people reach out to working
class of Oakland, businesses, provide services averages by
homes and make more people Kathleen Sims, please unmute
your something big in your one
minute comment. Good after or
senator from years. Kathleen,
I see you are logged on to 2. Please mute one or and one.
There's co coming through.
Wanted be a year Please begin
your comment. I think they're
her. And good it. Know, are a
sorry, Kathleen, I will you You if you're on a phone and
laptop, you might have 2, 1,
or the other. There's an echo coming through. So are now and
we will come back to you.
Okay. No. Well as please unmute yourself begin your
comment. Hi, my name is Noel
and the the tenant of color in
Oakland. I'm calling in the middle of a workday trying to
make time for for I am for the
proposed. It's I am. I support the agenda item for landlords.
One air doesn't mean you lose
your housing landlords coming with the same talking points
for all tenant protections. Have to look at the
incentives. We can't forget that the business people are
referring to is mine and other
tenants, literal livelihoods
at this only affect illegal rent increases and should be allowed to be addressed with
more time. And regulation like this helps address homelessness crisis so we
should take it seriously. Kathleen, you can unmute
yourself and try again.
Kathleen Sims. If you can meet
your cell. You hear Yes, we can hear you without an echo.
You can begin your comment. Ok? My name is Kathleen sends
I'm a small housing provider and I worked closely with many
housing providers throughout the city. I'm concerned about
the provision allowing tenant petitions to be filed at any
time during a tendency removing the current timelines
MAY appear procedural, but in practice, it requires property
owners to maintain extensive documentation for the entire
duration of a tendency to defend against claims years
later. In many rent adjustment
hearings and appeals tenants are represented by legal aid.
Attorneys are advocates well,
small housing providers often represent themselves due to
the legal costs that
frequently exceed $400 an hour. In addition, many
members of the board are represented by the city
attorney. As a result, housing providers find themself in in
a room full of attorneys. This
is not equitable or balanced.
Please consider these issues. James van, you can unmute yourself and begin your
comment. Proposals, fact, come
from tenant advocate. There
were no represent proposals from the tennis themselves. These were the by the board
members in session because
trying to carry out their duty
and the aims of the rental ordinance. So they saw these 2
poles and propose this waste
kill them. We are We're certainly for these unreasonable proposals and
most jurisdictions already have these empowering
proposed. So we think they should be acted on. They would
send out least a month ago to
all representative is widely representatives to consider and make comments that were no
comments received at that time. So we think that there
are many have a chance to see
these to react to that. And to
propose alternatives we think
they make sense. They're reasonable good proposal sent
high thank you. Thank you for your comments chair at this
time. All names have been
called. We just need a motion on Okay. Excellent. Thank you
so much. So just want to thank
everyone who showed up for
public comment on this item.
And of you know, the advocates
support tenants as well as you know, smaller landlords in the
city of Oakland. I guess it's
my understanding from the administration in the
department that there will be more community engagement on
this item. And so look forward
to having it returned prior to you colleagues, any questions
or comments? Council member
favor. Know that there's been one minute given to speak on these items. And I do want to
get a little bit more clarity because I came here to
actually hear a presentation
on this item and engage in active deliberation. I need to
get a better understanding of
why this item was pulled and
And what is happening next. So I'm not sure who to direct
that. Question, too. But I just want I think its
important to to state that for the record to the
administration. And through the chair. Thank you for that
question. Councilmember Fife.
Staff feels that we need to.
Provide more outreach, get
more engagement to understand
this That's very nuanced and the basis for pulling it was
to get more information so that we can understand all the
fiscal impact. From the city.
Obviously for the landlord and
the tenants and do a deeper analysis. And that's
essentially why we're pulling the item and we don't have a
date yet, but we will get back to the group with the date
once that analysis has been conducted and we've done more
additional outreach. Well, I
am the queen of outreach. So I
think having conversations and and having a lot of Carter in
the chamber. It's helpful.
Yes, stop it. And and I think it's important to have have those kind of conversations I
just wanted to if we're going to engage in a certain type of
activity, I want that consistency. We just had an item or councilmember Houston
as the council member of his district was respected in a
way that hasn't been done across the board. So what I'm
asking for all of my
colleagues and for all city
staff is to if we're going to
gauge principled activity, let it be consistent. Not not
because of who's mayor, not
because of who's chair, but because we seriously want to
get to an outcome that benefits all people. Because
the way that I see this body moves, sometimes it's
inequitable and I'm going to call it out when I see it.
Just want to say that for the
record. So we just need a
motion on item. I'd like to move this to the pending list.
Second. Thank you. To the maker of the motion to the
pending list. No date
specific, correct? Thank you. That's a motion made by Councilmember Unger, seconded
by Councilmember Ramachandran to withdraw in place. Item number 4 on the pending list.
No date specific on row council members by know,
Ramachandran I. And Chair Brown. I thank Item number 4
passes with 3 ayes one. No to
place. Item number 4 on the pending. Alright community Economic development pending
list. No date specific. Moving on to item number 4, right?
Moving on open forum. Calling in the name that signed up to
speak. David Boat right? Much
time. Thank you. Bo Wright District 4 after such an
exhaustive anti displacement plan now is an opportune time
to to report on the Housing
Department's efforts to increase housing in Oakland
over the last 10 years. This report should show how many
housing units by single
multiple and family of 3 or more persons have been
completed per year. And the
number of persons house and
each housing group per year
state, the cost per unit for
each of the housing groups of item. One and final show. The
different types of housing and
cost per unit for the housing
groups and of item one with types to find is
refurbishments and new construction with the latter.
Broken down by conventional ground up modular small houses
and other such as 3 d
printing. And with the average completion time start to
occupancy. Ready for each of these types of housing. Thank
you. Thank you comments share at this time. All names have
been called excellent. Thank you so much. Meeting is