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Home My WebLink AboutCity Clerk - Rent Review Cmsn �� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION CITY CLERK OPERATIONS INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager From: City Clerk Date: August 28, 2008 Subject: REPORT ON SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR VACANCIES ON THE RENT REVIEW COMMISSION AND REQUEST FOR FURTHER DIRECTION As directed at the City Council Meeting of July 24, 2008 (Minutes attached), staff issued a Press Release(also attached)to solicit applications for service on the City's Rent Review Commission to fill the current vacancies (two [2] regular members, one [1] alternate member). A submission deadline of 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 18, was given. At the writing of this report (August 21), no new applications have been received for the Rent Review Commission. Given the time of year, perhaps re-advertising the need for applicants would be in order after Labor Day, with a submission deadline of Monday, September 15. Once applications were received and processed, they would be provided to the appointed Council subcommittee of Councilman Ferguson and Councilmember Finerty, with Councilman Kelly as Alternate, for review, applicant interviews, and recommendation for appointment. Staff seeks the City Council's further direction on the next steps it would like to take to generate interest for this important Commission. �;ITY CUUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED DENIED RECBIVSD OTHER � RA HELL D. KLAS , CMC rzE TTNG DATE • CITY CLERK ��:��: N�ES• Attachments (as noted) g'�'E�' ABSTAIN: * City Councilmembers VERIFIED BY: _. concurred that staff should Original on File wi h City Clerk' s Of'F1L`�= re-advertise vacancies on the Rent Review Commission. H:IWPdataIWPDOCSIMemosVent review crossn Jul-Aug 08.wpd '�`�- , � � FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sheila Gilligan 760-776-6411 I�� ;`�' , l.-�.- PALM DESERT RESIDENTS INVITED TO APPLY TO SERVE '� ON CITY RENT REVIEW COMMISSION �,� � �� , PALM DESERT, CA— (July 29, 2008) —The City of Palm Desert encourages � residents interested in serving on the City's Mobile Home Park Rent Review � Commission to apply for openings on this important body. J � The Mobile Home Park Rent Review Commission meets on an as needed basis �'� to review proposed rent increases at mobile home parks within Palm Desert. � Using guidelines found in the City's Rent Review Ordinance, Commissioners r consider a variety of factors including utility rates, property taxes, insurance, capital improvements, and repairs and maintenance when considering rent increase petitions from landlords. Other Commission responsibilities include: designating and appointing officers for the conduct of evidentiary hearings; maintaining rent review hearing files and dockets; and adopting administrative rules to assist in the fulfillment of the Commission's duties. Applicants must be Palm Desert residents and cannot reside in a mobile home park subject to the City's Rent Review Ordinance — Indian Springs Mobilehome Park, Palm Desert Mobile Estates, Silver Spur Mobile Manor, or Suncrest Country Club. Expertise or a background in the review and analysis of complex financial and legal documents and proceedings is necessary so that applicants can interpret the City's Rent Review Ordinance and render fair and impartial decisions. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's office before 5 p.m. on Monday, August, 18. For applications and more information, please call 346- 0611 or visit Palm Desert City Hall at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive. # # # PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 24, 2008 Mr. Campbell on the Project Area #4 Committee from its inception; she felt he was a hard worker, resulting in the Committee's success under his leadership. She, too, was very pleased with his work on the Audit, Investment& Finance Committee and agreed that he'd come up through the ranks at the City to earn this appointment. Councilman Ferguson commented that he agreed with everything said about Russ Campbell, whom he also admired and respected, having served with him on the Audit, Investment & Finance Committee. However, he would be voting against the appointment only because of the upcoming November Election—there were people running for City Council who also sought appointment to the Planning Commission and people running for Council who didn't seek appointment to the Planning Commission. Historically, he said whenever the City was this close to an election, it didn't make significant appointments, or at least he was uncomfortable doing so. He would rather defer this appointment until after the next City Council was seated, but he respected his colleagues' opinions and decisions and would abide by them. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel called for the vote, and the motion to appoint Russell Campbell to the Planning Commission carried by a 3-1 vote, with Ferguson voting NO and Benson ABSENT. B. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT TO THE PALM DESERT RENT REVIEW COMMISSION. � In response to question, Mr. Erwin confirmed that currently there were three openings on the Rent Review Commission. He said two openings were regular seats on the Commission, and one was an alternate seat. Further responding, Ms. Klassen affirmed that there was currently only one application on file for service on Rent Review. Responding to comment, Councilman Kelly said he believed the City should specifically re-advertise for Rent Review Commission applications,especially because of its importance presently. Additionally, he felt two Councilmembers should be appointed to review the applications, conduct interviews, and recommend appointments to the vacancies. Councilman Kelly moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Direct that vacancies on the City's Rent Review Commission be specifically advertised to solicit applications; 2) appoint two Councilmembers as a subcommittee to review applications received, conduct interviews, and recommend appointments to the Rent Review Commission. Motion was seconded by Ferguson and carried by 4-0 vote, with Benson ABSENT. 5 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 24, 2008 With City Council concurrence, Councilman Ferguson and Councilmember Finerty were appointed to work on the Rent Review Commission applications and interviews, with Councilman Kelly appointed as an alternate to the subcommittee. X. CONSENT CALENDAR None XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None XII. RESOLUTIONS A. RESOLUTION NO. 08-75 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITYOF PALM DESERT,CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO FINANCE DISTRIBUTED GENERATION RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE USE OF CONTRACTUAL ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 29 OF PART 3 OF DIVISION 7 OF THE CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING THERON. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel commented that this was what Councilman Ferguson had been working on for some time, and he congratulated him on his success in getting Assembly Bill 811 passed and signed by the Governor. He further noted that the public hearing would be conducted at the City Council Meeting of August 28, and the program would go forward from there. Councilman Ferguson moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 08-75. Motion was seconded by Finerty. Councilmember Finerty also extended appreciation to Councilman Ferguson for all his hard work on this matter. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel called for the vote, and the motion carried 4-0,with Benson ABSENT. XIII. ORDINANCES For Introduction: None For Adoption: None 6 , • • • . Re nt revlew co �sslon, nee s some. res o0 ' sitions.The posiuons are a bit Experlenced in Spe�la,�ed,but important,city , ; �� arialzin le�ral o��ia'S S�d. Y g b The city is looking for people Rent Re��W . documents? Join ��e�ertise or background in /� . , a revieW analysis of complex fi- ' L�ommission B Gina Tenorin nancial'and legal documents yyho: Need applicants with y and procee�iings,according to a ex ettise'or back round in gina.#enorio@palmdesertsun.com news release. ; p � � Ttre experience is necessary review analysis of'complex It was manageable when the frnancial and legal city's Mobile Home Park Rent because applicants will be in- doCurnent5 and proceedings: Review Gommissinn lost one teipreting the city's Rent Re- pppliaatlons:Anyone view Ordinance to make fair commissioner. �d�partiai decisions on rent interested can pick up an That commissioner left for a = epplication form at Ciry Hall, sort of retirement.But then an- issues,officials,said. 73-510 Fred Wa(ing Drive. other commissiorier left because They meet with landlords ' Deadllne:5 p.m; Monday, of a work relocaaon. �vho sometimes'approach the Aug.8 Normally,the group includes commission about raising lnformatlon:346-0611 four regular members and one rents,"Klassern.said. , alternate,,said City Clerk Applicants cannot live in a Rachelle Klassen. paz'k that is overseen by the held on an as-needed basis, « 'commiss'ion,officials said. Klassen said. ' ' They are now down to one « Those include Indian Springs There is not full-tune com- na�member�,"Kl s en said Mob�lehor�e Pa�k,Palm Desert mitment,"she added:"What "There had been one vacancy Mobile Estates,Silver Spur the;commissioners do is very for some time." .CVlobile Home Manor,and critical,it's,very,im�ortant to Suncrest Country Club. the people who liv�with the Now the group'is looking to » the communiry to-fill the po- Commission meetings are ' rent-contx'olled increases. I�l ,� � � � � , ::,-W� i � � � �' -�. � �, �� ,:; � ::: y��s ��' �� O�PEI�III�I�S ��AV,�►N�#B,LE � �