HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2017 - StofieldCOUNCIL MEETING:
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ITEM NO.: HT FEB 15 2017
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From: "Hanah Stofield"<
Date: Wed, Feb 15, 2017 at 12:33 PM -0800
Subject: Rental Inspection Law
To: "E-mail Council Website" <emailcouncil.(a7siocity.org>
Dear City Council,
Your agenda report online for the meeting on the rental inspection ordinance says:
"BACKGROUND
Between 2003 and 2017 various City Councils have identified neighborhood wellness as
a budget priority with a variety of expected outcomes, including improved safety,
improved maintenance and appearance, and improved relationships between
neighbors."
Improved safety
Many women have been attacked and assaulted in the darkness of our neighborhood
near Cal Poly. We've asked the city for more lighting for a long time yet the city hasn't
done anything.
How many tenants in SLO have been hurt by a missing screen, no labeling on the
electrical panel, an uneven floor, dripping faucet? Should it really be up to the
government to pass a law saying these things must be fixed? This law is ridiculous on so
many levels.
In your heart, which issue do you feel is more important: vulnerable residents being
attacked or a house that isn't perfect? Why has the real safety item of lighting been
continually ignored? Hundreds of residents live in constant VERY REAL fear when walking
home from class yet the city hasn't listened to us while more people are attacked.
Here's what I think: Lighting costs the city money while the rental inspection law profits
the city. That's politics. Profit over People. I was hoping our new mayor and new council
people would change that.
Improved maintenance and appearance
Maintenance and appearance is seen from the outside. The Fire Department makes
these observations during the inspections on rental apartments and condos. The city
decided that is an acceptable way to inspection those rentals. Why aren't the same
standards applied to all rentals?
I notice the people who are complaining about superficial things like the appearance of
our house are the older residents who attend the council meetings to speak out against
students and noise. How pretty does our house need to be to pass their standards? Our
house is old and not perfect, our grass was taken out to conserve water, but we are
super happy with our home! Unless it can be condemned, the city should leave us alone.
We're not in Orange County! We enjoy the quirkiness of our neighborhood.
Improved relationshios between neighbors
Don't even get me started. How in the world does the city think that mandatory rental
inspections will help improve the relationship with the long term residents who own their
own homes? The law has the opposite effect! Our rent went up and we have two more
roommates now to pay for that. These permanent residents already get mad if we have
a BBQ in our backyard or park in front of their house. Now we have more people in our
house and that doesn't make things better.
If the city really wants improved relationships between neighbors it would have
neighborhood block parties so we get to know each other. The older people in our
neighborhood are not open to us. If they met us in a block party that includes everyone
they would know we are good people and want to feel welcome in our neighborhood.
The city should spend their money on improving the relationships between neighbors in
a meaningful way. The rental inspection ordinance is NOT the answer!
I voted for people I thought would get rid of this law. I signed a petition to repeal it. So I don't understand
why we're still talking about it.
Please get rid of the rental inspection law now!!!
Sincerely,
Hanah
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