Re: Realignment of City Budget due to COVID-19 Shutdown and Losses in Revenue
In light of the pandemic and its devastating impacts at all levels of society, the Culver City Coalition for Fiscal Responsibility (CCCFR), on behalf of local residents, tenants, business operators and housing providers, call upon our city leaders to expeditiously reevaluate funding priorities.
With the city’s recent declaration of a Fiscal Emergency, which has been further exacerbated by a shutdown-induced declining revenue stream, the city must take action to suspend and/or pare back non-essential programs and services, redirect resources toward programs that will best address and serve our community’s greatest needs and expand the safety net offered to those who have been most harmed.
Given the California state renter protections put in place this past year, one program that merits immediate consideration for termination is the Interim rent control Ordinance (IRCO). Variations between the protections offered under IRCO and statewide rent control do not justify this continued investment.
The high cost of continuing to fund IRCO is not in the best financial interest of the city or its residents, especially when compounded with the potential million-dollar plus annual cost of establishing and maintaining a permanent local rent control ordinance. Furthermore, circumstances have changed, and today’s rental market is markedly different from when IRCO was initially conceived and placed into service.
Recommendations:
• Fast track the budget review and realignment process: Identify programs and services to suspend and/or pare back. Redirect a significant portion of those funds for COVID-19 related assistance programs for affected residents and businesses.
• Terminate IRCO: When the local ordinance was enacted there was a desire to limit rent increases due to some previous large rent hikes. This was prior to passage of the statewide renter protections and cap on rent increases law (AB1482). Both these measures provide for strong tenant protections and prevent excessive rent increases. Additionally, as a result of the shutdown and according to CoStar data, local rents are falling at an annualized rate of 5%.
• Suspend Rental Registry efforts: Creating a Rent Registry prior to determining if the City will even have a permanent rent control Ordinance in light of AB1482 and AB2406 is wasteful. Until such time as all voices can be heard regarding the future of IRCO and possibly until the state legislature acts on AB2406 regarding a statewide rental registry, pause this costly initiative.
• Defer to AB1482: Allow statewide rent control to self-regulate as is being done in every other city in the state that doesn’t have a local rent control ordinance. No evidence exists to support the notion that the city needs to establish its own staffing and infrastructure to oversee and enforce AB1482. Numerous tenant advocacy groups are available to support tenants should a perceived enforcement issue or any other landlord/tenant issue arise. Penalties are substantial for owners who fail to comply with AB1482. Additionally, the city’s existing Landlord Tenant Mediation Board could have its duties expanded to assist in any related matters.
• Redirect previously allocated IRCO funding: Identify, expand and/or develop programs that help tenants based upon need, thus ensuring that benefits specifically target those who need assistance.
On behalf of the Culver City Coalition for Fiscal Responsibility (CCCFR), we look forward to supporting our city’s efforts to develop fiscally responsible pathways in which to aid those most affected by this pandemic.
Respectfully,
Gary E. Duboff
Signatory List Below (120):
Culver City Chamber of Commerce Organization Crystal Alexander Resident
Erik Alexander Housing Provider
Ken Alexander Resident
Richard Anderson Resident
Samantha Baldwin Resident (HP)
Joshua Berg Resident
Norman Berg Resident (HP)
Irina Berg Resident (HP)
Joe Bitew Resident (HP)
Dena Bouskos Housing Provider
Andrea Bowen Housing Provider
David Bowen Housing Provider
Dannie Cavanaugh Resident, Business Operator
Jerry Chabola Resident (HP), Business Operator
Janet Chabola Resident (HP)
Scott Chesnut Housing Provider
Jeff Cooper Resident
Rafia Cooper Resident
Veronique Cotia Resident (HP)
Vicki Daly Redholtz Resident
Richard David Resident (HP)
Robert David Resident (HP)
Dennis David Resident (HP)
Gary Duboff Housing Provider
Paul Ehrlich Resident
Alan Elmont Resident
E & S Ring Mgmt. Business Operator (Meadows)
Kelli Estes Resident (HP)
Billy Flick Resident
Dorie Fullerton Resident (Tenant)
Philip Garraway Resident (HP)
Dan Garde Resident (HP)
Kate Garde Resident (HP)
Scott Garland Resident
Antonia Garland Resident
Garland Realty Co. Business
Emelie Gerard Resident
Glynis Gerber Housing Provider
Selwyn Gerber Housing Provider
Natalie Gerber Housing Provider
Jon Gerber Housing Provider
Cara Giallanza Resident
Jerome Glaser Housing Provider
Nancy Glaser Housing Provider
Clinton Goldsmith Resident (HP)
Martine Goldsmith Resident (HP)
Howard Gollnek Resident
Lucia Gurrola Resident
Roy Gurrola Resident
Khin Khin Gyi Resident (HP)
Bernardo Herzer Resident (HP)
Jennifer Herzer Resident (HP)
Rich Hibbs Resident, Business Operator
Myra Horowitz Resident
Jennifer Hubenthal Housing Provider
Tom Johnson Housing Provider
Colleen Jones Resident
Patt Kaye Housing Provider
Rich Kissel Resident
Fran Kissel Resident
Beata Kmiec Resident (Tenant)
Gretchen Kubacky Resident (HP)
Kevin Lachoff Resident
Tasha Lowiitz Resident
Jonathan Mann Housing Provider
Marny Maslon Housing Provider
Javier Miglin Resident (HP)
Joan Moon Housing Provider
Dan O’Brien Resident
Paddy O’Brien Resident (HP)
Ronald Ostrin Resident
Murray Ostrin Housing Provider
Dennis Page Housing Provider
Joe Palazzolo Housing Provider
Jason Perrault Housing Provider
Greg Proctor Resident (Tenant)
Steve Refling Resident (Tenant)
Steve Reitzfeld Resident
Don Reitzfeld Resident (HP)
John Riordan Resident (HP), Business Operator
Jorge Rodas Resident (HP)
Martha Rodas Resident (HP)
Steve Roe Housing Provider
Monika Rogash Resident (HP)
Richard Rothstein Resident (HP)
Theresa Russell Resident (HP)
Elizabeth Saul Resident (Tenant)
Eric Sayer Housing Provider
Aj Saxon Resident (HP)
Judy Scott Resident (HP)
Todd Shays Resident, Business Operator
First Name Last Name Classification
Bruce Silverman Resident (HP)
Louis Skirtich Housing Provider
Nancy Smeets Housing Provider
Jozelle Smith Resident
Greg Spinrad Business Operator
Bryan Stevens Housing Provider
Laura Stuart Resident
Meg Sullivan Housing Provider
Donna Thayer Resident
Leslie Thompson Resident (HP)
Jessica Tiegs Resident (Tenant)
Olga Vaysberg Resident
David Voncannon Resident, Business Operator
Bob Wallace Resident
Jamie Wallace Resident
Sidney Wallace Resident
Cathy Walton Housing Provider
Howard Walton Housing Provider
Joy Weisner Resident (HP)
Pablo Weiser Resident (HP)
Leonardo Wilborn Resident
John Wileman Resident (HP)
JC Wileman Resident (HP)
Kyle Williams Resident (HP)
Michael Winn Housing Provider
Karen Winn Housing Provider
Heather Wollin Resident
Roderick Wollin Resident
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