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2018-07-10 Special 701pm CC MinutesSpecial Meeting Alameda City Council July 10, 2018 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY- -JULY 10, 2018- -7:01 P.M. Mayor Spencer convened the meeting at 8:55 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and Mayor/Chair Spencer – 5. [Note: Vice Mayor Vella was present via teleconference from the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 ] Absent: None. AGENDA ITEM (18-414) Recommendation to Review Ballot Argument Against the Initiative Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter, Ordinance 3148 Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions, with Certain Modifications, on the November 6, 2018 Ballot. The City Clerk gave a brief presentation. In response to Councilmember Oddie’s inquiry regarding the word count, the City Clerk stated the limit is 300 words. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated Councilmember Matarrese and Vice Mayor Vella did a very nice job; suggested changing the word “fixes” to “modifications” in the fourth paragraph. Stated the Alameda Just Alliance (AJA) is comprised of the Alameda Progressives, Alamedans for Black Lives, the Buena Vista United Methodist Church, Filipino Advocates for Justice, the Alameda County Central Labor Council, the Alameda Firefighters Local 689 and Renewed Hope Housing Advocates; the groups have recently joined forces to work for a just and livable community for all Alamedans, especially those who have struggled the hardest; AJA is prepared to defend the town against real estate speculation that is set to banish more people and threatens the sovereignty of the City government; the initiative to put Ordinance 3148 into the Charter is a powerful weapon against local control over housing affordability; it attempt s to smash the ability of the elected Council to pass the laws necessary to maintain affordability; the law benefits and protects landlords, limited liability corporations, hedge funds, private equity funds and financial predators in the Charter; discussed the Blackstone Group’s purchase of the Summer House Apartments; urged the Council to fight back with bold language: Laura Thomas, AJA. Expressed his support for the argument; stated that he is appalled at the assault on local control; first, an ordinance was overturned by paid signature gatherers and then, Special Meeting Alameda City Council July 10, 2018 2 the Charter amendment came shortly after: Eric Strimling, Alameda Renters Coalition. Councilmember Oddie stated the authors did a great job. In response to Councilmember Ezzy Aschraft’s inquiry regard ing changing the word, Councilmember Matarrese stated the word “fixes” is easily understood and was chosen because it is universally understood; the ordinance needs administrative changes, which is a fix; he thinks the word should stand. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she was trying to limit the number of syllables per word and keep sentences short and concise. Councilmember Oddie moved approval [of the argument language]. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor Spencer stated that she should not vote on the argument since she is not going to be one of the signatories. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye; Councilmember Matarrese: Aye; Councilmember Oddie: Aye; Vice Mayor Vella: Aye; and Mayor Spencer: Abstain. Ayes: 4. Abstention: 1. The City Clerk stated the next decision is who is going to sign the argument. Vice Mayor Vella inquired why Mayor Spencer is not going to sign the argument. Mayor Spencer responded at this point, she does not plan to oppose it; she does not support this part, so she is abstaining. Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether Mayor Spencer wants the ordinance in the Charter, to which Mayor Spencer responded that she has not de cided; stated at this point, she does not plan to take a position; she may end up supporting putting the ordinance in the Charter; she continues to support the Rent Review Advisory Committee (RRAC); she believes the Council did very good work on the ordinance; her concern is three Councilmembers could seriously change the work that was done. Vice Mayor Vella stated putting the ordinance in the Charter makes it harder to make minor changes; the Council has spent a tremendous amount of time trying to address the needs of the community. Mayor Spencer stated that she would be happy to consider minor changes; unfortunately, she thinks changes that are not minor will occur; there was a very long process with concessions on both sides; she thinks the City ended u p with something really good; her concern is major changes could be made by three members of the Special Meeting Alameda City Council July 10, 2018 3 Council. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated signatures must be gathered by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow; inquired whether the subcommittee thought of any community sign ers or assumed it would be the Councilmembers. Councilmember Matarrese responded since the issue is about good government, he was hoping to have the entire Council sign the argument; stated it does not matter which side of the question you are on; Ordinance 3148 has things that are impossibly wrong to put in the Charter and require an election to fix; as State law changes, the City has to adapt. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested Laura Thomas be the fifth signer. Councilmember Matarrese suggested the argument be left in the Clerk’s office for anyone to sign. The Clerk stated there is a limit of five signers. *** Mayor Spencer called a recess at 9:11 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:22 p.m. *** The City Clerk outlined the options to determine who will sign: defer the decision to the subcommittee; have only four Councilmembers sign; have four Councilmembers sign and one other person sign, which would require Council to decide how to select the other person. Councilmember Oddie stated that he is happy to let the subcommittee decide who they want as the fifth person or if they even want a fifth person. Councilmember Matarrese stated said suggestion is fine with him. Vice Mayor Vella stated the subcommittee’s preference was to have the Council sign ; she is open to hearing other Councilmember’s preferences. Mayor Spencer stated Councilmember Oddie suggested having the subcommittee discuss whether or not to have a fifth person sign. Councilmember Oddie stated four Councilmembers will sign and the su bcommittee can decide whether or not a fifth person would sign and who that would be. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese and Vella expressed support. Councilmember Oddie moved approval [of having the four Councilmembers sign and the subcommittee decide about a fifth signature]. Special Meeting Alameda City Council July 10, 2018 4 Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye; Councilmember Matarrese: Aye; Councilmember Oddie: Aye; Vice Mayor Vella: Aye; and Mayor Spencer: Ab stain. Ayes: 4. Abstention: 1. The City Clerk stated the subcommittee will draft the rebuttal; inquired whether the Council wants the subcommittee to decide who will sign the rebuttal argument, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft moved approval of having the subcommittee , which has agreed to draft the rebuttal, decide who would sign the rebuttal argument. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor Spencer inquired whether the Council decided who would draft the rebuttal, to which the City Clerk responded in the affirmative; noted the argument in favor would be transmitted to the subcommittee after the deadline tomorrow. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye; Councilmember Matarrese: Aye; Councilmember Oddie: Aye; Vice Mayor Vella: Aye; and Mayor Spencer: Abstain. Ayes: 4. Abstention: 1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.