HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a - Consideration of Removal of Tenant Commissioner of the Housing Authority BoardStaff Report: Consideration of Removal of Tenant Commissioner Nancy Welsh
Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo (HASLO)
Background
HASLO is requesting the removal of Tenant Commissioner Nancy Welsh pursuant to California
Health & Safety Code § 34282, which provides in relevant part as follows: For inefficiency, neglect
of duty, or misconduct in office, a commissioner may be removed by the governing body (in this
case, the City Council). A commissioner shall be removed only after s/he has been given a copy of
the charges at least 10 days prior to the hearing on them and has had an opportunity to be heard in
person or by counsel. If a commissioner is removed, a record of the proceedings and the charges
and findings on them shall be filed in the office of the clerk.
Ms. Welsh was notified of the hearing and the charges on December 4, 2025.
Ms. Welsh was appointed by the full City Council on April 1, 2025, to serve as a tenant
commissioner for a two-year term expiring March 31, 2027.
Over the past several months, staff have documented a pattern of conduct inconsistent with the
expectations of a HASLO commissioner. Despite repeated clarification of the commissioner role
and several counseling efforts, concerning behaviors have continued.
1.Boundary and Conduct Concerns at Property (September 2025)
Multiple residents reported incidents in which Commissioner Welsh attempted to act in a staff-
like or supervisory capacity at her housing site. Following an investigation, staff issued a written
notice advising her of appropriate boundaries.
Commissioner Welsh disputed the findings and asked that the notice be removed from her file in
its entirety. HASLO staff maintain that the notice was appropriate, based on multiple tenant
complaints, and followed proper procedures; however, her disagreement has been formally
retained in her file. Commissioner Welsh has repeatedly demanded that the notice be removed
despite repeated explanations from staff that doing so would be inappropriate.
2.Allegation of Racially Discriminatory Remarks (October 2025)
HASLO received a report from a resident regarding racially discriminatory comments allegedly
made by Commissioner Welsh toward the resident’s visitors at the property on at least two
occasions. Staff investigated the reported incidents and determined that Commissioner Welsh’s
behavior raised serious concerns regarding her ability to represent HASLO in any public or official
capacity.
No similar remarks have been made during HASLO board meetings; however, the reported
conduct is inconsistent with HASLO’s values and expectations for commissioners.
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3. Incident Prior to Commissioner Meeting (October 16, 2025)
Before the October 16, 2025 commissioner meeting, held at the HASLO offices, Commissioner
Welsh attempted to enter an employee-only area despite being asked to wait in the lobby. During
the encounter, physical contact occurred between Commissioner Welsh and a staff member
attempting to prevent unauthorized access. The staff member was understandably alarmed by
the incident.
HASLO considers any physical contact with an employee to be a very serious matter.
4. Additional Resident Complaints and Safety Concerns (October 2025)
HASLO has received additional complaints from residents regarding interactions with
Commissioner Welsh. In one incident, an altercation occurred involving a visitor, during which
Commissioner Welsh used pepper spray. Accounts of the event differ; however, witness
statements indicate that Commissioner Welsh approached a neighbor’s door following an earlier
interaction and pepper-sprayed the neighbor’s guest immediately upon the door being opened at
a time when there was no apparent threat warranting the use of pepper spray. The incident
caused significant fear and distress among nearby residents.
Several residents also reported feeling intimidated by statements allegedly made by
Commissioner Welsh suggesting her role on the board could affect their housing status, causing
additional concern for resident well-being and community stability.
5. Ongoing Boundary and Conduct Concerns at Property (November 2025)
HASLO staff responded to a maintenance work order at a unit and discovered that an
unauthorized individual was living in a unit that should have been vacant. The individual stated
that Commissioner Welsh had allowed him to move into the unit and had identified herself as the
property manager.
There were immediate safety concerns with the unauthorized individual. When approached by
staff, he was holding a knife and was agitated. Police were ultimately called to remove the
individual. When officers arrived, Commissioner Welsh identified herself as a HASLO employee
and attempted to authorize the individual to remain in the unit. HASLO staff had to clarify for law
enforcement that Commissioner Welsh is not an employee and did not have authority to permit
occupancy.
Staff later learned that the individual had an active arrest warrant. Commissioner Welsh’s misuse
of her commissioner status and interference with day-to-day property management operations
created a significant safety concern for HASLO staff and other residents by enabling someone
who had not undergone any background check or screening to remain on the property.
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Summary
Commissioner Welsh’s conduct has raised persistent concerns about boundary violations,
intimidation of residents, and actions perceived as misuse of her commissioner role.
Additionally, the reported racially discriminatory comments are at odds with HASLO’s mission
and values and could reflect negatively on both HASLO and the City should they occur in a public
or representative context.
Based on the totality of incidents and the lack of behavioral improvement despite multiple
interventions, staff recommend action under California Health & Safety Code § 34282 to remove
Commissioner Welsh from the HASLO Board of Commissioners.
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