Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 22, 2023
LARKSPUR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Larkspur City Council Chambers
400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur CA
May 22, 2023
For full video/audio of the meeting, go to http://www.cityoflarkspur.org (Quick Links – Watch City Council Meetings)
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Paulson called the regular meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL PRESENT: Scot Candell, Kevin Carroll, Kevin Haroff, Catherine Way, and Mayor Gabe Paulson
COUNCIL ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Alison Foulis, City Manager Dan Schwarz, and City Attorney Sky Woodruff
Mayor Paulson led the pledge of allegiance.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council received public comment from:
• Anonymous Speaker
3. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Haroff, and seconded by Councilmember Carroll, the City Council approved the consent calendar in one motion. The vote was unanimously in favor. The approved consent calendar consisted of the following items:
3.1 Approve a proclamation declaring the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
3.2 Adopt Resolution 26/23 amending the spending authority of the City Manager for a consulting services agreement with ClientFirst Consulting Group LLC for land management software implementation.
3.3 Approve a proclamation of the Larkspur City Council approving display of the rainbow flag during the month of June 2023.
The Council received public comment from:
• Anonymous Speaker
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1 PUBLIC HEARING ON RENT STABILIZATION AND EVICTION PROTECTIONS Council to conduct a public hearing and consider the possible format and details of ordinances concerning rent stabilization and eviction protections. (Continued from May 8, 2023)
Mayor Paulson introduced the item. City Manager Schwarz and City Attorney Woodruff presented the staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Paulson opened the public hearing.
The Council received public comment from:
• Matthew Ceasar
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 22, 2023
• Elizabeth and Barrett
• Tristan
• Anonymous Speaker
• Jerome Bernal
• Jacquelin Harris
• Michael Edwards
• Joan Weinberg
• Gail Connolly
• Richard
• Johnson Reynolds
• Eva
• Vivian
• Aaron Reuter
• Mary Beth Pascale
• Kathleen Bayler
• PJ Feffer
• Philip
• Kate Raphael Smith
• Michael Sexton
• Esaia Gonzalez
• Angela Mercado
• Curt Reis
• Romeo Arrieta
• Karen Horstmeyer
• Angelina Soldatos
• Ann Clark
• Njoki
• Will Madison
• Dorothy
• Reide Baxter
• Keith
• Susan Whitney
• Dennis Gilardi
At 7:37 p.m., Mayor Paulson adjourned the meeting for a brief recess. Mayor Paulson reconvened the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
The Council discussed the proposed ordinance and eviction protections and provided direction to staff on changes to incorporate into future drafts.
A motion by Councilmember Carroll, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, to provide direction that the proposed ordinance should include a cap of 5% or two-thirds of CPI, whichever is lower, failed at 2-3 in favor (Carroll and Haroff in favor; Way, Candell, and Paulson opposed).
A motion by Councilmember Carroll, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, to provide direction that the proposed ordinance should include a cap of 7% or two-thirds of CPI, whichever is lower, failed at 2-3 in favor (Carroll and Haroff in favor; Way, Candell, and Paulson opposed).
Upon motion by Mayor Paulson, and seconded by Vice Mayor Candell, the Council provided direction that the proposed ordinance should include a cap of 5% plus CPI or 7%, whichever is lower. The motion passed at 4-1 in favor (Carroll, Way, Candell, and Paulson in favor; Haroff opposed)
Upon motion by Councilmember Way, and seconded by Vice Mayor Candell, the Council provided direction that the proposed ordinance should include an appeals board for disputes regarding rent increases brought forth from a property owner or tenant, with the appeals board including 2 property owners, 2 tenants, and a resident who is neither a landlord or tenant. The motion passed at 4-1 in favor (Carroll, Way, Candell, and Paulson in favor; Haroff opposed)
Upon motion by Councilmember Way, and seconded by Vice Mayor Candell, the Council provided direction that the proposed ordinance should apply to the same properties included in the Tenant Protections Act, as well as exempt ADUs and JADUs. The vote was unanimously in favor.
Upon motion by Vice Mayor Candell, and seconded by Councilmember Haroff, the Council provided direction that the proposed ordinance should include relocation assistance of three
Larkspur City Council
Minutes of May 22, 2023
months and $5000. The motion passed at 4-1 in favor (Carroll, Haroff, Candell, and Paulson in favor; Way opposed)
Mayor Paulson closed the public hearing. Council continued the item to a date uncertain to continue Council deliberations, with additional public comment to be received after Council deliberations but prior to any potential final action.
5. ADJOURN
The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Attested
__________________________
Alison Foulis, City Clerk