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2022-04-12 Continued 04-05 CC Minutes Continued April 5, 2022 Meeting Alameda City Council April 12, 2022 MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED APRIL 5, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY- -APRIL 12, 2022- -8:50 P.M. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 8:51 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Knox White, Vella, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft – 5. [Note: The meeting was conducted via Zoom.] Absent: None. REFERRAL (22-241) Consider Directing Staff to Bring the Rent Program “In-House” to the City Attorney’s Office. (Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Vice Mayor Vella) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Vice Mayor Vella gave a brief presentation. Councilmember Knox White inquired whether staff is being asked to return with information, including cost and location, to which Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Knox White moved approval of the referral to direct staff to return by late summer with a plan for bringing the rent program in house in a smooth and amicable fashion. Vice Mayor Vella seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated either tenants or landlords initiate actions; the range of issues surround housing; legal issues might speak to having the City Attorney’s office administer the program, but the starting point is always some kind of housing issue; keeping the operation as it is currently seems more efficient; he would prefer to have the matter return in a year; he will not support the referral; he is not convinced the status quo is broken. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Council is directing staff to come back with a proposal. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired whether the matter would return in June, to which Councilmember Knox White responded by the end of the summer. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated since Council is dark in August, it would probably be in July; expressed concern about asking staff to respond by the end of summer given the discussion tonight about everything staff is already doing; stated that she does not see the issue as the greatest priority the City is facing; questioned whether staff at City Hall West would be under the City Attorney’s office, which is at City Hall; stated that she will not support the referral and she has concerns; related services are offered through the Housing Authority. In response to Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft’s request, the City Attorney stated that his office would take Council direction and be happy to do the work; the matter can be brought back by the end of summer. Councilmember Knox White stated that he checked with staff prior to the meeting to ensure the direction would not conflict with other work. Continued April 5, 2022 Meeting Alameda City Council April 12, 2022 Vice Mayor Vella stated the motion is clear that staff would come back with recommendations; the City Attorney’s office already works very closely with rent staff. Councilmember Herrera Spencer expressed concerns about staff time and other referr als. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft noted Councilmembers Daysog and Herrera Spencer did not support continuing the other referrals to tonight. Councilmember Knox White stated referrals addressing tradeoffs was raised earlier, but has not been discussed; when the referral returns, the City Attorney can provide an update on how the proposal would be done and Council can decide at that time. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: No; Herrera Spencer: No; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 3. Noes: 2. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.