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8.A. - Page 6 of 24 <br />established ordinances. These activities are described further below and can be accomplished within <br />existing resources. <br />Staff also prepared an Urgency Ordinance with two interim measures for the Council's consideration. One <br />(provided in Exhibit A of the Urgency Ordinance) would implement in Redwood City a "just cause" eviction <br />requirement similar to the requirement established in AB 1482. <br />The second interim measure (provided in Exhibit B of the Urgency Ordinance) would implement in <br />Redwood City rent stabilization provisions similar to those rent caps established in AB 1482. <br />Implementation of one or both of these interim measures could provide new protections to Redwood City <br />tenants two months ahead of the effective date of AB 1482. They also would require immediate <br />reprioritization of staff time, could require additional short term staff resources, and could subject the <br />City to legal challenge which would need to be defended. These are discussed further below. <br />Informing Redwood City Tenants and Property Owners/Landlords of Resources and Obligations Related <br />to AB 1482 <br />The City's communications team is already planning communications to inform the community about the <br />new state renter provisions in AB 1482 beginning on January 1, 2020. As many tenants and property <br />owners/landlords may not be aware of the provisions of AB 1482, and given the level of complaints of <br />excessive rent increases and evictions of Redwood City tenants, City staff recommend an immediate <br />communication, outreach and education initiative to tenants and landlords. This would include mailed <br />letters to all apartment owners in Redwood City notifying property owners/landlords of the provisions of <br />1482, and communicating to all residents in the upcoming fall print newsletter mailed to all households. <br />Staff would also convey information through the City's social media platforms, the City's 17 Neighborhood <br />Associations and connect with regional and local landlord and tenant stakeholder groups and <br />organizations and ask them to share information. Communication materials will be translated into <br />Spanish. City staff will also establish a dedicated City email address for landlords and tenants to submit <br />questions that can be answered by City staff or directed to appropriate resources. <br />Should the City Council adopt one or both of the proposed interim measures by the Urgency Ordinance, <br />this information would be communicated as well. <br />City Urgency Ordinance to Provide for Just Cause Eviction <br />The City Council may consider the introduction and adoption of the Urgency Ordinance to provide that <br />residential landlords within the City of Redwood City may only terminate a tenancy for just cause, unless <br />the property is otherwise exempted from this requirement. Examples of "just cause" under the ordinance <br />would include breach of the lease including failure to pay rent, engaging in criminal activity or other <br />nuisances on the property, a decision by the landlord to take the unit off the rental market or rent the <br />unit to a family member, and other similar circumstances. <br />Typically, just cause eviction is implemented alongside some form of rent stabilization or rent control. AB <br />1482 provides just cause eviction protection to all units except those excluded from the bill (examples are <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore <br />126 <br />