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<br />JOINT CITY COUNCIL/ May 18, 2015 <br />SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD/ <br />PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 8 <br /> <br />community based on fire history, age of building, and density. He stated that there will <br />be some outreach to determine where priorities will begin. Council Member Aguirre <br />asked if, when the loan is forgiven, there's a way to prevent, for example, evictions. Dr. <br />Bell stated that during the 5-year repayment period there is a nexus between a loan with <br />the City and rent stabilization. Once that period is over, there are not any tools that the <br />City can use to stabilize rents. He stated that with larger buildings that have a greater <br />cost of retrofitting the sprinklers, they could have a 10-year repayment period, and the <br />rent stabilization can be controlled for that much longer. <br /> <br />Council Member Howard asked if in the 560 buildings that were mentioned are any built <br />before July 1989 and Chief Skinner confirmed there are some. He added that as of <br />2011, all new single-family dwellings, and remodeled dwellings over 3,000 square feet, <br />must have sprinklers. Council Member Howard asked if most buildings have not <br />already installed the automatic sprinklers. Mr. Skinner stated that one building, Casa de <br />Redwood, was retrofitted sprinklers after a major fire in 1987. Council Member Howard <br />noted that it is important to prioritize buildings. She noted that when there are automatic <br />sprinklers there is a huge water saving, and sprinklers directly over the fire turn on <br />without necessarily turning all the other sprinklers on. She stated that she is supportive <br />of making the repayment period longer. <br /> <br />Council Member Seybert asked if the cost includes the total cost. Dr. Bell replied that is <br />correct. Mr. Skinner stated that he will be working with Public Works to help incentivize <br />property owners by waiving certain fees. Council Member Seybert stated that some of <br />the smaller projects potentially could have a residential fire sprinklers system which is <br />less costly. Mr. Skinner noted that the sprinklers are intended to help residents more <br />than the buildings. <br /> <br />Council Member Pierce asked where the sprinklers are located. Mr. Skinner stated that <br />it depends, but they are primarily in exit ways and in each unit. Council Member Pierce <br />asked if there has been any discussion with building owners. Mr. Skinner replied that <br />he has unofficially spoken with some and they are interested. Council Member Pierce <br />asked what difficulties would be in having a shorter than 5 years implementation period. <br />Mr. Skinner replied that it would be a difficult due to the amount of work to do that <br />quickly. He noted that with a pilot program here will be some changes as <br />implementation begins. Dr. Bell noted that the Fire Marshal will review and approve <br />each project, and each project is fairly unique. If the implementation period is <br />shortened, then there may not be enough resources to do it. <br /> <br />Council Member Seybert asked if this will be a mandatory retrofit ordinance. Mr. <br />Skinner replied that is correct, it will be mandatory at five years. Council Member <br />Seybert stated that this will be an incentive. <br /> <br />Public Comment <br />Diana Reddy spoke about protecting residents against evictions and rising rent costs. <br />She recommended that the City consider just-cause eviction and source of income <br />ordinances to protect residents. She noted that the landlords who are rapidly raising <br />rents seem to be those who have owned their properties for a long time. She asked the <br />City to identify landlords who are interested in the program as early as possible to start <br />protecting residents. <br />6.1.H. - Page 19