Joseph A Raso
. CHULA VISTA, CA 91910
Telephone
Honorable Mayor & City Council 01/09/24
Hope you had a Merry Christmas. I sent an E-mail to
Council Member Jose Preciado on 12-21-23 seeking his
advice. I did not receive a response. I will pose the same questions to you. As you know, for over a year, I have been working with staff attempting to mitigate the devastating financial burden the The “Tenant Protection Ordinance” has placed on our community’s renters. Am I on the right track? If not, what modifications of my position would you suggest? You have been made aware Clauses 9.65.080C2 and
9.65.060E are what is causing the most harm.
Let me start with good news. I believe all parties are getting on the same page regarding the future wording of the “Tenant Protection Ordinance”. Your staff’s presentation at the 12/12/23 City Council meeting is the reason for my
optimism. Staff’s revelation that NO fines were issued
during the first year of the TPO’s enforcement reinforces my fifty year belief in the integrity of our community’s Tenants and Landlords.
Obviously, with so few “Bad Apples”, there is no need
to threaten the Landlords and Tenants of Chula Vista’s
Written Communications - Raso, J. - Rcvd 1.5.2024 - Item 6 - Public Comment *36,033 rental units (*Staff supplied data) with massive $5,000.00 daily fines.
The simple task of modifying the verbiage of the TPO in order to reduce a Landlord’s need to drastically raise rents can easily be accomplished with an addition of the following clause: “Notice to cure must first be given before an
administrative citation or civil penalty may be issued”.
Upon warning, the vast majority of individuals will gladly come into compliance, while the few unscrupulous Tenants and Landlords will attempt to circumvent the law.
An added bonus of such a notification procedure is that
a warning simplifies the process of identifying and levying fines against “Bad Actors”.
I believe our city attorney will confirm that it is possible to warn noncompliant individuals and still be in alignment with California’s new TPO mandates. What is your opinion? Please get back to me as soon as possible. I look forward to your guidance.
Thank you so much for all your diligent work in this
mater. Wishing you a Blessed New Year.
Joseph A Raso