City Council Study Session - November 18, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The City Council of the City of Campbell convened this day in the special meeting place, the Doetsch Conference Room, 70 N. First Street, Campbell, California.
Roll call was taken and quorum was confirmed.
Councilmember Scozzola participated remotely from Banco de Costa Rica Puntarenas Bahia Ballena, 60504, Costa Rica.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Alan Zisser, Campbell resident, stated support for the establishment of a Housing Commission. He supported folding it into the Planning Commission and incorporating responsibilities of supporting the unhoused into the scope of the Housing Commission.
3. Study Session to Consider the Establishment of a Housing Commission
1. Report for Housing Commission Study Session.pdf
Recommended Action:
That the City Council receive the report and provide feedback regarding the potential establishment of a Housing Commission.
Community Development Director Eastwood introduced the item and Housing Program Manager Murillo-Garcia. He stated the purpose of the study session was to consider establishing a Housing Commission to advise the City on implementation of housing programs and policies; and the request for staff to review the reactivation of the City's Rental Increase Fact-Finding Committee (RIFFC).
In response to an inquiry regarding the establishment of a Subcommittee derived from a standing committee, staff noted there are current subcommittees such as SARC. Staff noted potential benefits would be not having to recruit new members, drawbacks could be that Subcommittee recommendations would have to go back through the commission for recommendation and then to Council for final approval.
Staff confirmed that staffing a new commission would take approximately 5 staff hours per meeting, and that does not include staff report writing or recruitments.
The City Council asked about Project Sentinel and staff confirmed they are currently providing consolations and mediation services. In the last five years, they have only had four cases related to rent increases.
Staff confirmed filling vacant positions and commission recruitments have been challenging over the last several years.
Councilmember Bybee supported continuing with Project Sentinel and not reestablishing the RIFFC. Additionally, she supported a housing committee and recommended either forming a subcommittee of the Planning Commission or a subcommittee comprised of Planning Commission and Civic Improvement Commission members, that could meet quarterly or as needed.
Councilmember Scozzola agreed with Councilmember Bybee in combining commissions and suggested filling it with 2 homeowners, 2 renters and 1 landlord commission. He was supportive of establishing it as its own separate commission. Additionally, he thought that Project Sentinel only had four cases because there was not enough information and public awareness. He suggested increasing that via the website, the Recreation Guide etc. He stated support of the City using subpoena orders to mandate participation in a rent mediation meetings.
Councilmember Hines appreciated the review of other cities to help decipher what other cities are doing and what could work well with Campbell. He stated support for adding this to the Civic Improvement Commission duties. He acknowledged the challenges with recruitments.
Vice Mayor Furtado was not supportive of creating a separate housing commission. He recommended including those duties as part of the Planning Commission. He stated support of reactivating the RIFFC and making it a requirement to attend if the other party requests it.
Mayor Lopez stated he was open to a commission subcommittee or a blend of two commissions such as the Civic Improvement Commission or the Planning Commission. He was open to possibly having members that are not residents but do have subject matter experience. He was cautious of having too many restrictions and the budget and staffing limitations. Additionally, he would like more information on the policy advisory component. He was in favor of sunsetting the RIFFC formally, noting that the skill set required is better done by the trained mediators like those at Project Sentinel versus a resident made committee. He requested more information on these processes be brought back for further review.
Councilmember Scozzola was in favor of incorporating unhoused programs as part of the proposed housing commission goals. He was supportive of revitalizing the RIFFC and recruiting people that represent the city.
Councilmember Bybee noted if the City is looking at establishing a new committee, the current ordinances that state Project Sentinel fields these issues and then it moves to the RIFFC would need to be reviewed and amended where appropriate.
Mayor Lopez noted that much of the focus has been on rent increases, and the RIFFC. However, most Project Sentinel cases are not about rent increases but other tenant landlord disputes and they have been effective in resolving those issues.
Following a request by Councilmember Hines, Mayor Lopez allowed for additional public comment.
Anil Babar, with the California Apartment Association (CAA) stated that with the passage of AB 1482 there is a statewide cap on rents. He stated support for a housing commission and noted the CAA is ready to be a resource in helping connect the City with property owners and tenants to help with recruitment efforts.
Community Development Director Eastwood reviewed next steps noting the Council was supportive of a Housing Commission using an existing commission in some form. He would bring back information on duties and policies of the Commission such as the unhoused, funding and budget.
City Manager Loventhal added further discussions will also include staffing costs, including the cost of using subpoena powers; and looking at the process of Project Sentinel.
4. ADJOURN
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.