HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-1986 MHRRB MinutesA 93403
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MINUTES
Mobile Home Rent Review Board
March 26, 1981,
I. WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
The meeting of the Mobile Home Rent Review Board held at
Creekside Mobile Home Park was called to order at 1:'10 p.m. by
Chairperson Barlow with the following in attendance:
MEMBERS: Barlow, Grden, Wheeler, Label, Wright
STAFF: Henderson, Barton, Wohlford
Chairperson Barlow introduced the members of the Board and the
Staff to the audience.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the meeting of March 19 were not available to
the board at this time, so they could not be approved.
III. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS/PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Chairperson Barlow reviewed the history and current problems of
the present ordinance. She stated that tensions between owners
and tenants are still high and conflicts are increasing. The
current ordinance fasters animosity, because it creates an
adversarial situation between the two groups.
The Board and the City Council held a joint meeting in December
to discuss the current problems, and as a result of that meeting,
the Board was charged with the task of making recommendations to
the Council. The Board has developed some final recommendations
to submit to the City Council which are major changes to the
current ordinance. The Council can either adopt, amend, or
reject the Board's recommendations.
Chairperson Barlow stated that the purpose of this meeting was to
share the Board's recommendations with the public and to answer
any questions concerning them.
Chairperson Barlow proceeded to review the current ordinance
clause by clause with visual aids to assist the audience.
Mobile Home Rent Review Board
Minutes- March 26, 1987
Page 2
Chairperson Barlow then outlined the Board's recommendations to
the City Council For the new arbitration ordinance. She
explained the relevant Factors involved in arbitration. She
emphasized the importance of change #8 in the arbitration
criteria: "reasonable rate of return."
In response t❑ a question From Paul Beavais, Chairperson Barlow
explained the costs ❑f arbitration to the audience. The American
Arbitration Association quoted the Board SS00.00 a day for a two
day period.
Chairperson Barlow explained the reasons the Board favors the
Lancaster ordinance. The length and expense ❑f the hearing
process For both sides would be reduced. The arbitrator has more
expertise than the Board in rent matters. It gives a reason for
dialogue between the two parties. Each side receives equal
opportunity, and has equal dignity. There is no doubt about
representation of the majority, and no doubt about who speaks
with authority for the coach owners. No city employees or
volunteers are involved in the process, and the decisions are
made by qualified and experienced professionals.
The Board answered many questions and heard concerns from the
audience about the ordinance and the proposed recommendations.
In response to a question From Paul Beavais, Chairperson Barlow
and the Board agreed that the adoption of a Lancaster type of
ordinance would end the operation of the Board. Again, t❑ answer
Mr. Beavais, Chairperson Barlow told the audience that copies of
the recommendations would be available to them, and she asked
them t❑ keep checking with Steve Henderson, since they were not
yet ready in their final form.
IU. OTHER BUSINESS
Tape #2
Boardmember Wright expressed her concern that not much
information was gathered by the Board on the Lancaster ordinance,
and Few members of the audience were given information. Reading
from a report on the Lancaster trip written by Boardmember Grden,
Boardmember Wright expressed her opinion that the phrase, "The
Council is anti -rent control," indicates that they do not care
about their people. She Further expressed her minority opinion
concerning the Lancaster Ordinance in opposition to the remainder
of the Board.
Boardmember Grden responded to Boardmember Wright's comments. He
stated that adequate information was obtained. He also stated
that an anti -rent control stance For the City Council is
irrelevant to their concern For the people. He attempted to
Further refute her contentions.
Mobile Home Rent Review Board
Minutes- March 26, 1987
Page 3
Chairperson Barlow pointed out that the cost of arbitration
versus the costs of the current ordinance is an important issue
For the people to consider. She is concerned that the people get
the best value for their money, and to their own satisfaction.
Boardmember Wright expressed her concern for the cost of
arbitration. Boardmember Label restated his idea of barring
attorneys from being present at arbitration hearings.
Boardmember Wheeler stated that the existing ordinance sets up an
adversarial situation between the park owners and the coach
owners. He identified two advantages of arbitration. First of
all, it would force the two parties to sit down and settle their
differences together, because they would both fear what might
result from binding arbitration. Secondly, it would take the
politics out of it. No political bodies would be involved.
The Board fielded more questions and concerns from the audience.
Communication was a common topic. The Board's recommendations
are final, but an opportunity exists for further public comment
at the City Council meeting April 1'l.
Boardmember Wheeler discussed his experience as a witness in an
arbitration hearing. He recalled that the issues were quickly
resolved.
U. RECESS
After several more public questions and comments, Chairperson
Barlow recessed the meeting to Colonial Manor Mobile Home Park.
The meeting was recessed at 3:05 p.m.
Tape #3
I. WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
The meeting of the Mobile Home Rent Review Board was reconvened
at 3:30 p.m. at the Colonial Manor Mobile Home Park with the
following in attendance:
MEMBERS: Barlow, Grden, Label, Wheeler
STAFF: Henderson, Wohlford
Chairparson Barlow introduced the members ❑f the Board and the
Staff to the audience.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Thora w o -a no minutoE. to apppove .
Mobile Home Rent Review Board
Minutes- March 26, 1987
Page Lf
III. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATI❑NS/PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Chairperson Barlow again reviewed the history of the current
ordinance and the proposed recommendations.
Steve Henderson explained the "Utilities" clause of the
recommendation to the audience.
Some discussion occurred between the Board and the audience
concerning the San Luis Obispo Housing Authority and the
Section 6 program for rent assistance to mobile home owners.
- There are some "slots" open for mobile home owners only.
- Park owners have offered to contribute to a fund, which would
be administered by the S.L.O. Housing Authority, to assist
some coach owners to pay their rent.
Chairperson Barlow concluded that the Lancaster Ordinance is
doing what the city desired. It is bringing people together, it
is lessening tensions, it provides a reason and timing for
dialogue, each side has equal opportunity and dignity, and the
arbitrator determines fair solutions.
IU. OTHER BUSINESS
Boardmember Wheeler stated that the key to a Lancaster type of
ordinance is that the park owners and the coach owners are forced
to communicate with each other, and this is an important element
in resolving differences. Each side will be forced to meet
because of the uncertainty of what they might lose.
Boardmember Label stated that the Board is unanimous in their
desire to reduce some of the tensions between park owners and
their tenants. The Lancaster Ordinance provides a new approach
to deal with problems. He favors adopting a Lancaster type of
ordinance.
Boardmember 6rden stated that the Board has done a great deal of
research on the issue. In his view, regardless of how enjoyable
the experience of being a Board member has been, he feels that
the arbitration concept is better than the current process. He
feels it is much cheaper and faster.
A member of the audience posed a question wondering what to do if
a homeowner association does not exist. Chairperson Barlow
replied for them to farm one. It was acknowledged that the
residents at Colonial Manor Park have an agreeable situation
compared to other parks. Chairperson Barlow assured the audience
that the proposed ordinance would not alter the situation for the
residents or the park owners. The Board answered several other
questions and heard comments from the audience.
Mobile Home Rent Review Board
Minutes- March 26, 1987
Page 5
Tape #q
One member of the audience was concerned about restrictions on
the sale and purchase of m❑bile homes created by park owners.
Chairperson Barlow told her that it is governed by State Code,
and would not be affected by rent stabilization measures. Steve
Henderson and Boardmember Label pointed out that the Board has
not addressed this issue.
Boardmember Label commented that the proposed Lancaster ordinance
is a concept. He admitted that it may need to be fine tuned by
the City Council and tailored t❑ the needs of San Luis Obispo.
Steve Henderson pointed out one adjustment that can be
recommended to the City Council. As an example he suggested a
limit to the amount of times a park owner can petition the
residents for a rent increase.
Chairperson Barlow announced that the City Council will hear
tL96tif'Oflg regarding these recommendations on Tuesday, April 1'1,
at 12:10 p.m.
Steve Henderson stated that he would make staff reports t❑ the
City Council for that meeting available for viewing by the public
on Friday, April 10. It will contain no changes other than what
the Board has recommended. He will also make a copy available in
the City Library.
ADJOURN
Chairperson Barlow adjourned the meeting at '1:30 p.m.
MHRRB
Minutes - September 4, 1986
Page 3
IV. CONTINUATION OF SILVER CITY APPLICATION
(continued)
The Board assigned numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) to exhibits from
the previous hearings.
The Board questioned Mr. Waters with reference to his preference
concerning professional cost estimate journals and whether or not
the choice of publications would greatly effect the outcome of an
appraisal report. He responded saying that one particular
journal (Marshall & Swift), he felt, was organized in such a way
as to facilitate the task of an appraiser to a greater extent
than other journals. Mr. Waters felt that this preference was
of a personal nature and that this choice would not become an
influential factor in the results of an appraisal report.
The Board briefly questioned Mr Moody, co-owner of Silver City,
in order to clarify earlier testimony.
V. ADJOURN
The meeting adjouned at 3:45 p.m., and the next meeting was
scheduled for September 25, 1986, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.