Del Mar City Council Meeting Agenda
Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California and via Teleconference 1317 Irving Ave, Colonial Beach, Virginia
March 6, 2023 City Council Meeting
INFORMATION RECEIVED
AFTER THE COUNCIL AGENDA
WAS DISTRIBUTED
(“Red Dots”)
March 6, 2023
Ken & Linda Olson
404 Torrey Point Road
Del Mar CA 92014
Re: City Council MeeDng
March 6, 2023
Agenda Item No. 1
To the City Council:
On February 13, 2023, I appeared at the City Council’s Goals & PrioriDes Workshop to address the issue of a long overdue review of the Carmel Valley Precise Plan (“CVPP”). Approval of the minutes of that meeDng are listed as Agenda Item No. 1 for today’s City Council meeDng. The minutes as proposed do not accurately reflect my comments at the February 13 workshop. I am wriDng to ask that the minutes be revised to accurately reflect those comments.
In the published version under Proposed Work Plan - Tier 3 on page 3, the dra[ minutes state that I requested the City to “consider updaDng the Carmel Valley Precise Plan” and expressed a “desire to clarify the City’s legal obligaDons related to a CVPP update”. These representaDons of my comments are not correct:
1. I did not request review and modificaDon of the Plan. I reminded the Council of the City’s legal obligaDon to do so pursuant to the terms of the CVPP.
2. I did not express a “desire to clarify the City’s legal obligaDons.” I reminded the Council that the 1982 City Council established that legal obligaDon in SecDon I of the CVPP.
In addiDon to those correcDons, I also ask that the minutes be revised to idenDfy me as the person speaking to the Council on this maaer. For the convenience of the Council, the following is how I believe the minutes should be revised to accurately reflect my comments:
“. . . ; ciDzen request for the City to consider updaDng the Carmel Valley Precise Plan (CVPP) and desire to clarify the City’s legal obligaDons related to a CVPP update Ken Olson appeared and reminded the City Council of the City’s legal obligaDon according to the terms and condiDons of SecDon I of the CVPP that a thorough review be undertaken every three years, and that not once in the nearly 43 years since it was adopted has any review been undertaken ; . . .”
Thank you for your aaenDon to this maaer.
Very truly yours,
Ken Olson
1 March 6, 2023 Item 01
1 Melinda Gould
From: kim cook <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 7:23 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: City Council Item #7 Replanting City Trees
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Dear Council Members,
The precipitation this winter has been remarkable and challenging (particularly in certain regions of California); yet I am very pleased to see that the State government is utilizing real time information in order to inform decisions vis-a-vis the ability to plant and preserve trees.
As a property owner along the edge of the Pine Bluff Preserve I want to thank you in advance for your work to replace the trees that were removed due to bark beetles.
We are all anxious to begin to remediate the loss. The trees were quite beautiful in and of themselves, plus provided a welcoming environment for our wild birds: from my windows I would see hawks, owls and others perch there, and/or land for a moment and move along.
I implore you to authorize the procurement of the biggest trees you can find, in an attempt to recreate the natural state of the Preserve, as the donors and City intended.
Thank you for your efforts,
Kimberly Cook
Hoska Dr
1 March 6, 2023 Item 07
1 Melinda Gould
From: victoria bradshaw <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 12:33 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: (Red Dot) Item 7 - Replanting City Trees and Ornamental Landscaping Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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To the Mayor and Del Mar City Council Members;
Please procure and have two Torrey Pine trees planted in the Pine Bluff Preserve as recommended by Del Mar City staff.
Victoria Bradshaw
786 Hoska Drive
Del Mar, CA 92014
858-775-5999
1 March 6, 2023 Item 07
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Item 7: Shores Master Plan must be completed before tree planting From: Laura DeMarco <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 5:39 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 7: Shores Master Plan must be completed before tree planting CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Sarah,
Attach is my revised red dot which corrects wind direction.
Thanks,
Laura
Dear Council Members and Staff,
It is premature to plant the two Torrey Pine trees proposed in the staff report at Del Mar Shores Park until the master plan is completed.
It is critical to consider in the planting of any vegetation, or the creation of other potential obstructions, that the upper level of Shores Park is used by first responders for emergency medical evacuation flights to Scripps Hospital. Helicopters must have at least 100 ft of ground clearance plus even more above to the east as the aircraft descends at an angle into the wind, which often blows west to east.
1 March 6, 2023 Item 07
2 Survivors of train strikes, such as the teenager who lived on 9th Street, owe their lives to the medevac landing zone at Shores Park.
Thanks for your consideration,
Laura DeMarco
President
Friends of Del Mar Parks
2 March 6, 2023 Item 07
1 Melinda Gould
From: Joan Jacobs <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:12 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: “March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
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thank you for your consideration.
Joan & Brent Jacobs
Joan Luber Jacobs
Educational Consultant
[email protected]
www.joanjacobs.com
cel::858-735-8848
Facebook page @
College Search LD Specialist
WACAC, NACAC and HECA
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Deborah Lyons <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 11:01 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: ⬤ March 6 City Council Agenda Item #8, Recommendation for Continuation of DM Rental Assistance Program
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Dear Mayor Martinez and City Council Members:
The DMCC plan (unanimously backed by its board) is an excellent compromise proposal. Please vote to pass this plan and take eviction off the table for these neighbors.
Sincerely,
Deborah Lyons
9th St.
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: midge <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 11:29 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: ⬤ March 6th Council Agenda item #8 Rental Assistance continuation CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To: Mayor Martinez and members of the City Council
Please vote to accept this proposal. This is a responsible way to bring this program to an end without causing great harm to four members of our community.
Midge Zarling
410 9th Street
Midge
iPad
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Sheila Sharpe <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 12:42 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program.
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Dear City Council,
This is a Red Dot.
On Friday, February 6, the Board of Del Mar Community Connections unanimously endorsed a proposal that would provide for an orderly wind-down of the City’s Rental Assistance Program through a public-private partnership, and eliminate the risk of the four remaining participants in the program being evicted from their homes when the program is currently set to expire on June 30, 2023.
My husband, Michael, and I strongly support this proposal along with Mayor Tracy Martinez and Councilmember Dwight Worden who have both pledged to support the proposal. The proposal will ensure that long-time neighbors will not become homeless; Diligent efforts to find alternative housing for the remaining participants over the past 2 years have been unsuccessful;
Given that the program is currently set to expire on June 30, it is critical that the City Council act now and not delay action;
Another short-term extension of the program will not alleviate the stress on the current participants, and will also likely increase the likelihood that landlords will react negatively to the continuing uncertainty by withdrawing from the program;
The City’s continuing participation in the program will be critical to community fundraising efforts. Many Del Mar residents who support the program have expressed their unwillingness to contribute if the City fails to make an equal contribution.
We hope you will see the importance and rightness of the Del Mar City Council helping these long-time neighbors to keep their homes.
Thank you,
Sheila & Michael Sharpe
442 15th St.
Del Mar
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
To: The City Clerk
Re: Red Dot for March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program.
I regret that I cannot attend the City Council meeting on March 6. So, I am writing this red dot to add my voice in support of the DMCC proposal to gradually wind down the City’s rental assistance program without inflicting undo harm (homelessness) on the remaining four participants in the program.
This is not a debate about whether the Rental Assistance program was a good program or even appropriate for our city to sponsor. The City Council has decided to terminate the program and the issue now is how we can accomplish this while supporting the remaining four residents.
Rather than an “and/or” situation, the DMCC proposal offers an “and/and” solution. We can end the program and support our remaining participants.
In order to assist in the wind down process, DMCC is willing to eliminate their fee for administering the program, a program that has required extensive staff time. This fee waiver is essentially a donation in kind to the city. DMCC is also willing to spearhead a fundraising campaign and to even use their own funds to help these four residents age in place in their homes, in our community, in their community with a sense of security and dignity.
The result is that the City’s financial obligation to the program would be significantly reduced, representing an estimated cost of $40,000 per year. It is also important to note that the City’s financial participation would also represent a cornerstone of fundraising efforts in the community. This model of shared responsibility is not just an ideal, it is an achievable outcome.
Del Mar Community Connections mission is our community’s safety net. Their proposal offers a collaborative partnership with City Council and community donors to provide this safety net for the remaining four participants in the Rental Assistance program as the program terminates. I believe this is what the “Del Mar way” looks like.
I urge all Council members to vote Yes on item number 8.
Thank you,
Felise Levine,
1535 Forest way
Past President of Del Mar Community Connections
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
tanya young art
919 Klish way
del mar, ca 92014
18 February, 2023
Dear Members of the City Council:
I am writing to express support for the Rental Assistance Program proposal which will come before the Council at the March 6 meeting. This program will offer rent support for four resident families so that they may stay in their homes. It is right that the community have this as a humanitarian means to help our neighbors.
I appreciate the role DMCC has taken in administering the program and managing the myriad landlord and manintenance issues. This fine community service organization surely deserves our thanks. I fully agree with DMCC’s position:
...an orderly wind-down through attrition, which would avoid an inhumane situation whereby the existing participants, most of whom have been our neighbors for years (or even decades), would be forced to leave our community with no good living alternatives.
The decision to maintain the program and let it phase out due to attrition is the next best action to funding it outright. If more “in-lieu” funds become available, these funds will be applied in full to the Rental Asistance Program.
It is clear that the current uncertainty has produced several negative effects—uncertainly and emotional distress for residents, and landlords who may withdraw from the program.
There is a need for urgent action.
The details of the plan appear as follows:
• DMCC will generously waive the annual administrative fee which they have received in past years.
• The City will fund 50% (in-lieu funds can increase this percentage as all avavilable inlieu funds will be applied to the program) in perpetuity or until the four residents exit the program.
• DMCC will fundraise the remaining 50% or less, depending on the amount of in-lieu funds available.
I applaud the DMCC for achieving this agreement which will save the dislocation of these friends and neighbors. I hope you will agree and vote to support. It is the right thing to do.
All the best,
Tanya Young
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Ken Olson <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 8:17 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Letter
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Red Dot Letter for Rental Assistance Program
March 6, 2023, Agenda item 8
As members of the Del Mar community we should all feel a sense of obligation to the few +neighbors who continue to rely on our help with their rent. I will contribute financially to make this happen but would prefer to do so as part of a program endorsed by the City Council.
The public’s perception of the City government will be enhanced by this low-dollar sponsorship.
Ken Olson
[email protected]
2 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Alice McNally <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2023 12:36 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Re: Protect the Rental Assistant Program and keep our neighbors in their homes! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please mark as “RED DOT"
> On Mar 4, 2023, at 12:00 PM, Alice McNally <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Mayor and City Council,
>
> I am so please to hear from 3 of you that you will support keeping our neighbors in their homes. As this is not a perfect solution, it is a positive move. Our neighbors deserve certainty that they will not be uprooted.
>
> As a long time resident I feel it is unconscionable not to support the Rental Assistant Program and the well being those we call neighbors. We are Del Mar. Who are we, if we don’t take care of our own?
>
> What we need now is kindness, consideration and political will. >
> Thank you,
> Alice McNally
> 1332 Stratford CT 92014
> 858-342-3244
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
3 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Buck <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2023 12:59 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
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I heartily recommend the approval of this item.
We must not allow the four recipients of assistance from this program to become homeless.
Julian L Abell
351 Serpentine Dr
Del Mar
858-775-3581
[email protected]
4 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: judith schuckit <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2023 5:15 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6, City Council Agenda Item #8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
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To Mayor Martinez and City Council Members,
I feel that we, as a City, have come to a point where a decision to be made by our City Council will define us as either a community of neighbors or as the selfish elitist enclave that we are so often portrayed. We have four neighbors who have lived in Del Mar for decades and who currently need our help. These neighbors face a very real possibility of eviction from their homes in the coming weeks. The City naively thought that new affordable housing could be found for these few individuals, but even with all their resources they learned that in this housing market that was magical thinking.
Let’s be clear. We’re talking about approximately $86,000 per year to house all four individuals. That’s about a HALF OF ONE PERCENT of the City’s operating budget… AND Del Mar Community Connections is offering to fund a half of that through a community fundraising effort... AND Del Mar Community Connections had offered to manage the program as it’s done for over 10 years… AND this will not be an indefinite commitment but only until these four neighbors no longer need our help.
I support the DMCC proposal which would provide a safety net for those neighbors now counting on our
Rental Assistance Program to continue to live in their homes with dignity as the program winds down. This collaboration of government and non-profit is a well thought out solution to this program.
I encourage the Council Members to vote “yes” on Item 8.
Judy Schuckit
785 Kalamath Drive
5 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Linda Chisari <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2023 7:47 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Dwight Worden; Tracy Martinez; Dan Quirk; Terry Gaasterland; David Druker Subject: Re Dot: March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program.
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Dear Del Mar City Council Members,
We, who have lived in Del Mar for 50 years, see homeless people in our village who are struggling to survive. We talk to them, learn of the plight that led them to homelessness, and give them a few dollars to try to fill their bellies. For these folks, already homeless, we feel unable to truly make a difference in their lives.
Now we have four individuals, residents, who by caring, compassionate action by our City Council and DMCC, might be kept from becoming homeless. Four individuals who, like all of us, called Del Mar home. We have a chance to ‘make a dent’ in the terrible crisis that homelessness has become in California.
The Board of Del Mar Community Connections has voted unanimously to approve the proposal before you and to carry half of the financial obligation for this program, as well as waiving its administrative fee.
We are willing to double our annual DMCC contribution to help this program succeed. Please, Council members, vote to have the City of Del Mar share its part of the financial load.
Thank you.
Linda and Frank Chisari
(Linda is a DMCC Board Member)
6 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Jan McMillan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2023 9:47 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Recommendation for the continuation of Del Mar's Rental Assistance Program. March 6 City Council Meeting Item 8
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Dear City Councilmembers,
I support the proposed compromise that would continue Del Mar’s Rental Assistance Program, as described in Item 8.
Jan McMillan
203 12th Street
Del Mar
7 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 6:07 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
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Good afternoon! I’m writing in strong support of March 6 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8, Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program, that will ensure that 4 long-time neighbors will not become homeless. There have been efforts to find alternative housing for our neighbors but it has proved unsuccessful, and we already have landlords willing to continue with the program if they have assurances it’s not always on the brink. I'd also like to take a moment to address a rumor circulating that the program will be unfair to the long waiting list.
There is no waiting list. This impacts 4 people who have lived in the community a long time. The program and all the hard work put into it is set to expire on June
30. Another short-term extension will not alleviate the stress on landlords or the renters.
We need this cost effective solution put forth by Del Mar Community Connections. The proposal as set forth is business friendly by working with landlords and keeping Del Mar a kind and welcoming place to vacation and visit, life-saving for our neighbors, and just the right thing to do.
Del Mar Community Connections is a trustworthy organization that has served the most vulnerable in our Community for 22 years. They have offered to raise half the money through fundraising efforts. The remainder would be paid for by the City, representing .15% of the budget.
That decimal point is not an error.The impact on the budget is only a tiny fraction of 1%. To me it’s a no brainer, landlords, renters, and the community at large have everything to gain while Del Mar Community Connections, a volunteer organization, does a lot of the work. Those who want to have a larger impact can donate directly to Community Connections. How often do we have such an opportunity to do the right thing while bringing our community together? Andrea
8 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
2 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Virginia Frankum <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 10:40 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6, 2023 City Council Agenda, Item No. 8
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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City Clerk of Del Mar,
Tonight, the City Council will consider continuing the Rental Assistance program. Item No. 8.
I am writing to express my support for renewing this program until the properties of concern are vacated by attrition.
This is not a political agenda item about which electric lines should be buried or what pothole to fill first. This item concerns the future housing for identified citizens of Del Mar.
It is not a financial issue. It is a humanitarian issue.
Del Mar is not just a small city to most of us. It is a community! Let’s keep it that way.
Virginia Frankum
259 Sea Forest Court
Del Mar, CA 92014
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Gale Darling <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 10:51 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Item #8 on council meeting.
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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I am writing in to voice my support for the proposed continuation of the Del Mar rental assistance program.
Respectfully
Gale Darling
217 24th St
Sent from my iPhone
2 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Gloria Sandvik <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 10:54 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: March 6th CC Agenda Item #8
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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To: Del Mar City Council Members
From: Gloria Sandvik
Re: Item #8
Submitted: March
I recommend the approval of the the DMCC proposal submitted by Dwight Worden and Tracy Martinez in support of the rental assistance program.
Thank you for your consideration.
Gloria Sandvik
1406 Crest Road
Del Mar, C 92014
Sent from my iPhone
3 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: jeanne Ross Waite <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 11:15 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot: Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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To: Del Mar City Council Members
From: Jeanne Waite
Re: Item #8
Submitted: March 6, 2023
I fully support Del Mar Community Connections' proposal for an orderly wind down of the City's rental assistance program.
I encourage you to vote in favor of this proposal.
Vewry sincerely yours,
Jeanne Waite
721 Nob Ave
Del Mar, CA 92014
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: Ashley Jones
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2023 11:59 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: ⬤ OUR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MUST CONTINUE From: lisa uhrhammer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 11:41 AM
To: Tracy Martinez <[email protected]>; Dwight Worden <[email protected]>; David Druker <[email protected]>; Dan Quirk <[email protected]>; Terry Gaasterland <[email protected]> Cc: Ashley Jones <[email protected]>
Subject: OUR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MUST CONTINUE
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The City of Del Mar's Rental Assistance Program must continue for the remaining residents that rely on this program to fund their respective homes.
We are quite amazed that this issue is even debatable in our village -- considering we voted for four of the current councilmembers. We're scratching our heads because we
thought we had a supermajority of councilmembers who share our values and place residents and community first.
This program should be as important and as fundamental as our water, sewer, and law enforcement operations that the City funds and maintains for residents.
What could possibly be more important to fund? Make the Rental Assistance Program a budget priority and do what is necessary to keep OUR RECIPIENTS in their homes.
The Council's feeble attempt to offer soft landings for these long-time residents is quite out-of-touch with the current rental 1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
2 market in San Diego County -- and, especially in Del Mar.
Pulling the rug out from under these residents is not an acceptable solution and certainly not a soft landing.
We find it quite curious that an entire City is looking to lean on a hardworking, local nonprofit, Community Connections, to support a commitment that belongs 100% with our City. Each of our Councilmembers has done nothing but talk, talk, talk about affordable housing -- including during this last election cycle -- and here we have affordable housing for decades and our City Councilmembers wants to cut the legs out from under it.
This program must remain funded and serving our current four recipients. This program should only sunset when the last remaining recipient no longer needs Del Mar housing under our current program.
MAKE OUR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A BUDGET PRIORITY -- DO THE RIGHT THING.
Lisa and Michael Uhrhammer
1322 Stratford Court
FULL-TIME RESIDENTS FOR 24 YEARS
2 March 6, 2023 Item 08
1 Melinda Gould
From: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Red Dot - Item 8
From: james emerson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 12:05 PM
To: Ashley Jones <[email protected]>
Subject: Red Dot
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Council,
Very reluctantly, I support the proposed "compromise" on rental subsidies, but it is a half-ass solution.
Our city should be ashamed of ourselves that we are treating these families in such a dreadful way.
I know we made a moral and legal commitment to this program--I was on the Housing Corp board when the program was started and I helped draft language in each of our Housing Elements articulating a binding commitment to continue this program. I was also among the board members asking you to dedicate a percentage of increased TOT to feed the housing fund that was no longer getting federal funding. In a budget of $20 million, surely we can find this along with other programs we support for business and civic groups.
Please examine your consciences when you make a decision which in reality is an eviction notice. Our community values dictate that we honor our commitments.
Bud Emerson
1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA QUESTIONS
March 6, 2023
Item 8 – Recommendation for Continuation of Del Mar Rental Assistance Program
1. What is the criteria for qualifying for the Del Mar rent subsidy? Staff Response: In the past, no one has been permitted to apply for the program unless their income falls below 50% of area median income (“AMI”). In reality, the demand was so great that a waitlist was created that ranked applicants according to income, age, disability, and time living or working in del mar. No one has ever been placed in the program with an income of greater than 30% of AMI (rather than 50%) due to the demand. This ceased to be an issue once the city canceled the program, however, as the waitlist was eliminated, and no new participants have been permitted to enter.
We are only talking about the current 4 participants now.
2. What is the process for checking annually that a person receiving the Del Mar rental subsidy continues to be qualified? For example, if their financial circumstances change, is there a mechanism to check? (E.g., submitting copies of bank statements or income tax forms.). Who does the checking and who audits the process?
Staff Response: This is currently handled by Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) and will continue to be done moving forward. DMCC conducts an annual certification process, which includes both financial verification and physical inspections. We are currently in the process of conducting this review for 2023.
Documentation is maintained by DMCC.
3. Did the current four individuals receiving Del Mar rental subsidies apply for or qualify for county housing vouchers during the past two years? Are they now on waiting lists for county vouchers?
Staff Response: We are not able to release any information about the participants specifically other than to say that they have gone through a process of evaluating what they may be eligible for through the County, and to-date, no other subsidies have been made available to them.
4. If they do eventually receive county vouchers, can the vouchers be used for their current apartments in Del Mar?
Staff Response: We would need to obtain this information from the County, which may not be possible prior to the Council meeting. At this time, none of the program participants are receiving vouchers through the County. 1 March 6, 2023 Item 08
5. Are there written contracts in place with the four recipients? Are there written contracts in place with the landlords of the four apartments? Who signs the contracts?
Staff Response: Yes, there are contracts in place with the four recipients. Yes, there are rental agreements in place between the tenants/landlords. The City doesn’t sign the agreements.
6. Do dependent children factor into the qualification criteria? If so, is there a process to reevaluate qualification when the dependent child becomes an adult? At what point does the adult child’s income factor into the qualification criteria?
Staff Response: Dependent children have not played a direct role in whether a family qualifies for a subsidy, but they do play a role after qualification in that they impact the size of the subsidy provided. Again, this should not be an issue with DMCC’s proposal since no new applications are being accepted.
7. Some of the red dots have referred to “families”. The four recipients of the Del Mar rental subsidies are currently single individuals, yes? Staff Response: There is one participant who lives with her teenage son, and who intends to speak at the city council meeting tonight. Their landlord is an elderly resident in his 90s who lives on the property, giving rise to a mutually beneficial relationship that further supports DMCC’s mission.
8. What is the process for monitoring whether a person is living in their subsidized apartment? For example, if the individual enters long term nursing home care, how long does the subsidy continue to be paid for their unused apartment?
Staff Response: This situation has not arisen in the years that DMCC has administered the program, although we have encountered situations where we have determined during the annual certification process that participants no longer qualify, and they have exited the program. In the situation posited, it is highly likely that a determination would be made that it is no longer appropriate for the participant to remain in the program, since their ability to live independently would be in doubt.
Nevertheless, we would expect to address this situation should it arise among any of the four remaining participants on a case-by-case basis.
9. Can the program be adjusted so that DMCC pays the rent check rather than the individual rent checks appearing on the City’s monthly List of Demands? Or is it better for the city to be paying the rent directly? Staff Response: Yes, that is what will happen as of July 1, if the continuation of the program is approved by the Council. No, that practice will be discontinued. 2 March 6, 2023 Item 08