HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/15/2025 Item 7a, Tway - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Timothea Tway, Community Development Director
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 7A – 2025-27 STRATEGIC BUDGET DIRECTION AND DRAFT CIP
Staff received a question about the timing of several of the work program items in the
“Housing and Neighborhood Livability – Healthy, Safe, and Affordable” Major City Goal
that is outlined in the staff report for Item 7A. The attached memo (Attachment A)
prepared by staff provides additional information about the timing of the work program
items related specifically to renter protections and neighborhood livability.
ATTACHMENT
A - Memo with Information on Timing of Renter Protection and Neighborhood Wellness
Related Work Program Items
City of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
DATE: April 13, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: Timmi Tway, Community Development Director
VIA: Scott Collins, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Information on Timing of Renter Protection and Neighborhood Wellness
Related Work Program Items
The purpose of this memo is to provide timing information related to rental protection and
neighborhood wellness related work program items that are proposed for the FY 2025/27 Budget
and presented in the Strategic Budget Direction Staff report for City Council consideration on
April 15, 2025. The work program items discussed in this memo do not represent all of the housing
related work program items but do represent work program items related to renter protections, safe
housing, and neighborhood wellness, as these are interconnected and will be the result of work
completed by the same staff, primarily in the Community Development Department.
Background
Based on feedback from the public, requirements and regulations, and input from the City Council,
the Community Development Department has included several work program items in the FY
2025/27 Budget, many of which are study sessions related to renter protections, safe housing, and
neighborhood wellness. The study sessions are a critical first step in further refining ongoing work
on the topics discussed, and would include discussing various potential paths forward, including
the resources needed, gathering additional feedback and direction from the City Council and
soliciting public input.
Proposed Timeline for Work Program Items
Within the “Housing and Neighborhood Livability – Healthy, Safe, and Affordable” Major City
Goal, there are a number of work program items related to renter protections, safe housing, and
neighborhood wellness, which are topics that are interconnected. There are also additional work
program items within this Major City Goal, primarily related to addressing barriers to housing
development and addressing needed changes because of fire risks and state laws, that are not
discussed in this memo. The relevant work program items related to renter protections,
neighborhood wellness and safe housing include:
• 3.a. Conduct a study session with the City Council to identify needs and opportunities
regarding renter protections, based on the memo produced in 2024, and receive direction
on items for further consideration and development
• 3.b. Conduct a study session with the City Council on potential rental housing registry.
This study session would discuss parameters of potential registry and discussion of
resources needed for establishment and ongoing maintenance of registry.
Renter Protection and Neighborhood Wellness Work Program Items Page 2
• 3.d. Create a strategic plan for the safe housing program, and conduct outreach and
engagement with a focus on both landlords and tenants
• 4.a. Conduct a study session with Council on Code Enforcement priorities related to
safe/livable neighborhoods and receive feedback on priorities. Discuss potential updates
to property maintenance standards.
• 4.c. Update property maintenance standards to ensure they align with City priorities related
to safe and livable neighborhoods and housing.
• 4.d. Create a project plan and standard operating procedures for Community Development
enforcement of zoning code regulations pertaining to Greek houses. Consider potential
updates to zoning code to facilitate efficient regulation of Greek houses. Project plan will
be provided to City Council via memo.
The timing of these work program items has been carefully considered in order to ensure work is
progressing on the various topics and that staff has the time and ability to produce high-quality
work products given other work program efforts as well as the provision of ongoing core services.
The months presented below are provided as a current best-estimate, however, there may be small
deviations due to unforeseen circumstances, etc. In addition, if study sessions result in direction
to pursue other larger work program efforts, this direction may impact the timing or ability to
complete future work program items. The proposed timing is illustrated in the graphic on the
following page.
If you have any questions about anything in this memo, please contact Timothea Tway,
Community Development Director, at Ttway@slocity.org.
Renter Protection and Neighborhood Wellness Work Program Items Page 3
Sept./Oct.
2025
•3.a. Renter Protection Study Session
•This study session will allow the City Council and public to have a high-level discussion
on renter protection policy options and resources needed to support changes. A
rental registry is a potential tool that will be discussed as part of this effort. This work
program item is scheduled after summer months to ensure maximum participation.
Dec.
2025
•3.b. Rental Housing Registry Study Session
•This study session will focus on a potential rental housing registry. As part of this
work effort staff would be seeking information about parameters of a potential
registry and discuss needed resources and various options for the implementation of
a registry.
Mar.
2026
•4.d. Greek House Enforcement Project Plan
•This project plan will establish clear standard operating procedures and guidelines for
City enforcement of Greek House related code enforcement issues.
May.
2026
•4.a. Code Enforcement Priority Study Session
•This is an opportunity to discuss the workload of Code Enforcement, and trends and
emerging topics like safe housing, renter protections and greek house enforcement.
Staff will seek feedback from Council on priorities and focus areas. This is also an
opportunity to begin to talk about property maintenance standards
Nov.
2026
•4.c. Update Property Maintenance Standards
•This City Council item will include updates to the property maintenance standards
contained in the municipal code. These regulations can be enforced to address
neighborhood livabilitly issues as well as safe housing issues.
Jan.
2027
•3.d. Safe Housing Strategic Plan
•The Strategic Plan will create a roadmap for ongoing implementation of safe housing
outreach and program