505 S. Garey Ave
City of Pomona Pomona, CA 91766
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council / Housing Authority / Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole
Councilmember Steve Lustro
Councilmember Robert S. Torres
VISION STATEMENT
Pomona will be recognized as a vibrant, safe, beautiful community that is a fun and exciting destination and the home of arts and artists, students and scholars, business and industry.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 6:00 PM Palomares Park Community Center Due to a lack of quorum, the meeting began at 6:12 p.m. as a community meeting.
Director Kirk Pelser introduced Tara Matthews from RSG.
Tara Matthews from RSG began the presentation.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sandoval called the City Council Meeting to order at 6:44 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Sandoval led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tim Sandoval
Vice Mayor Nora Garcia
Councilmember John Nolte
Councilmember Victor Preciado - arrived at 7:52 p.m.
Councilmember Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole - arrived at 6:44 p.m.
Councilmember Robert Torres - arrived at 7:11 p.m.
Absent: Councilmember Steve Lustro
City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes August 7, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
STAFF PRESENT
Anita Gutierrez, City Manager
Diana Robles, Deputy City Clerk
Kirk Pelser, Economic Development Director
Yvonne Morgan contracted by the City, provided translation services.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
City Council Study Session Regarding Options Available in Consideration of the Implementation of a Rent Stabilization Program
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Review and discuss the Long Term Implementation Study and Study Session # 2 - PowerPoint Presentation prepared by the City's consultant, RSG Inc., ("RSG"); 2) Provide for community input; and
3) Provide feedback to City staff and RSG regarding desired next steps for the implementation of a long-term rent stabilization program.
Tara Matthews and Sara Court from RSG continued the presentation.
Mayor Sandoval shared a statement regarding the Tavoli apartments and the actions the City had taken to address the concerns raised by public speakers during the August 5 City Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
At the direction of the City Council Emergency Sub Committee, beginning with the July 18, 2022 Council meeting, emailed comments will no longer be read into the record during Council meetings. However, they will be included as part of the record/meeting minutes.
Live Comments were as follows:
Ziomara Barrera requested stronger tenant protections.
Mark Warren requested the word housing provider be used in lieu of a landlord, and requested more discussion of tenant responsibilities.
Frank Masanec expressed concern for the potential effects on Pomona's rental supply by a rent stabilization ordinance.
Lucia Zepeda requested stronger tenant protections.
City of Pomona Page 2
City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes August 7, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Debra Mendez expressed support for inspection programs and a more robust code compliance division.
Bill Rush discussed the increasing costs faced by property owners and expressed opposition to added fees mentioned to maintain a rental registry.
Beth Brooks discussed increased costs of trash services and business licenses, and expressed opposition to the establishment of a rental stabilization ordinance.
Kelly Warren discussed the tenant protection act established by the state, and suggested the City follow that instead of establish a local ordinance.
Helena Whitney requested safe environments and stable rental rates to provide stability for her family.
Alejandra O. expressed support for stronger tenant protections.
Henry Geronimo recommended certain parameters be established to determine which tenants qualify for rent stabilization instead of taking a blanket approach.
Miranda Sheffield expressed support for the city establishing legal aid for tenants and suggested use of funds to subsidize fees.
Tomas Gaytan discussed his experience as a tenant and the challenges he has faced.
John West expressed criticisms of a permanent rent stabilization ordinance and discussed property maintenance challenges faced by property owners.
Stacey Coponigo discussed the strain a rent stabilization ordinance would place on the supply of rental units.
Yesenia Miranda Meza expressed opposition to alternative approaches and expressed support for a permanent rent stabilization ordinance with strong tenant protections.
Tyna Velasco expressed the challenges she has faced as a tenant.
Xochil Rayo requested stronger tenant protections.
Corina Vazquez discussed rising costs faced by property owners, issues that are causing higher rents, and expressed opposition to a permanent rent stabilization ordinance.
Ezekiel Cruz discussed the challenges he has faced as a tenant living in Pomona.
Vanessa Reynaga expressed support for stronger tenant protections. )
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City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes August 7, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Alexis Teodoro discussed various causes of high rent and expressed support for a permanent rent stabilization ordinance.
Anna Martinez expressed support for a permanent rent stabilization ordinance with strong tenant protections.
Yessica Yang expressed support for property owner protections and discussed the challenges she has faced as a property owner.
Matt Buck requested the City follow the State's tenant protection act instead of establishing a local permanent ordinance.
Diana Natividad requested stronger tenant protections and a permanent rent stabilization ordinance.
Guillermo Gonzalez thanked the City Council for researching the various methods of addressing rent stabilization, and noted that the last US Census indicated 58% of the homes in Pomona are owner occupied.
Ketty Gonzalez requested the City follow the State's tenant protection act and discussed the increased costs faced by homeowners.
Cathy Tessier suggested mixing alternative methods be utilized in the rent stabilization ordinance to find a middle ground between tenants and property owners.
Michael George requested assistance with addressing the increased fees of solid waste services and water services, and expressed opposition for a rent stabilization ordinance.
Beth Simonson discussed the challenges she has faced as a tenant, highlighted some of the holes in the current urgency ordinance, and expressed support for the City providing legal aid and a robust code enforcement division.
Loc Truong discussed the various increasing costs of property maintenance that property owners face.
Evaristo Pineda discussed the challenges he and his family have faced as tenants and requested stronger tenant protections.
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City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes August 7, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
The following people submitted speak cards in support of rental stabilization but did not wish to speak:
Mayaitz Carrie Teasdale Anna Quesada Maria Jaime Rocha
Maria Pampa Javier Topete Rubio Maria Delgado Enrique Altamirano Domingo Rayo Elvia Almaraz Juanita Mesa Aiberta Altamirano _inda Harris Joel Almaraz Johnny Saldana Beatriz Sanchez Jasmine Suarez Eugene Quesada Manny Barrera Esquel Cruz Alexis Nava Veda Scott Lisha Lette Carrie Teasdale
William Baker submitted a speaker card in opposition to rental stabilization but did not wish to speak.
Greg Estel submitted a speaker card but was not present to speak when called, and did not indicate if he supported or opposed rental stabilization.
Mayor Sandoval called a recess at 8:16 p.m.
Mayor Sandoval resumed the meeting at 8:27 p.m.
Councilmember Nolte asked various questions to the consultants and requested more information on the cities studied, and on funding for rent registry programs. Councilmember Nolte also requested the addition of an anti-harassment section for consideration in the rent stabilization ordinance.
Councilmember Preciado invited those in attendance to meet him after the meeting to discuss the matter further. Councilmember Preciado advised he arrived late and would also be speaking with staff after the meeting to catch up on the content that was presented.
Vice Mayor Garcia expressed support for the establishment of a rental-unit inspection ordinance, and for the addition of an anti-harassment policy. Vice Mayor Garcia asked questions to the RSG staff to get clarification on some of the topics presented.
Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole discussed the responsibilities and challenges faced by housing providers, and expressed support for the establishment of an anti-harassment policy for tenants. Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole asked questions to the RSG staff about the options given during the presentation. Lastly, Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole stressed the importance of people coming together to work collaboratively to find a solution.
Councilmember Torres requested a final policy be presented to City Council soon.
Mayor Sandoval discussed the cost to society brought on by families destabilized due to housing instability, and expressed support for rental assistance programs, just-cause eviction protections, and a stronger code compliance program for rental-unit inspections.
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City Council / Housing Authority / Special Meeting Minutes August 7, 2024 Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency
Councilmember Nolte gave further comments to support the establishment of a local rental stabilization ordinance.
Mayor Sandoval gave closing comments, requested more information on the specifics of what costs property owners face, and directed staff to present an anti-harassment ordinance at a future meeting.
THIS ITEM WAS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY, NO MOTION WAS TAKEN.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on August 7, 2024.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
ROSALIA A. BUTLER, MMC TIM SANDOVAL
City Clerk/Secretary of the Pomona Mayor/Chair of the Pomona Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Housing Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Redevelopment Agency
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