AgdaPkt 2015-06-08 Joint SA and PFA

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When this ordinance was introduced at the May 18, 2015, meeting, the City Council was also presented with a proposed, “Fire Safety First” program intended to provide economic incentives to assist building owners with compliance. The compliance incentives included a low interest loan program and a loan forgiveness program. The loan forgiveness component of the incentive program provides that participants are not required to pay back a City loan offered to offset the cost of a sprinkler retrofit provided participants agreed to the City’s rent stabilization requirements. During the May 18, 2015, meeting, Council members indicated that they were favorably disposed toward an incentive program and asked staff to consider how to encourage greater participation in the rent stabilization portion of the program. Staff will bring back its recommendations on the incentive program at an upcoming City Council meeting. ALTERNATIVES 1. Council may choose not to adopt the ordinance or may make other changes. FISCAL IMPACT The ordinance does not have a fiscal impact to the City. The ordinance contemplates the possibility of an incentive plan to encourage compliance. The fiscal impact of a compliance program will be addressed separately when that plan is presented for further consideration at the June 22, 2015, City Council meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”), as it is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. JAMES F. SKINNER FIRE CHIEF ROBERT B. BELL CITY MANAGER ATTACHMENTS 1. An Ordinance Amending Sections 12.18 and 12.15 of the City Fire Code and Section 9.3 of the City Building Code to Require Automatic Sprinkler Systems in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings of Four Units or More and to Make Violations of this Requirement A Misdemeanor 7.4.A. - Page 2