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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24-Community Development - ~IT~ OF SAN BERN<iRDINO - o REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION From: Kenneth J. Henderson, Director Dept: Community Development Da~: June 1, 1988 Subject: APPROVAL OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MOBILEHOMEPARK COMMUNI- CATIONS TASK FORCE ~~ Synopsis of Previous Council action: The Mayor and Common Council has previously discussed the issue of rent stabilization, established a Citizen Mobilehome Park Fact-Finding Committee and adopted Ordinance Number 3805 establishing a moratorium on rents to be charged to mobilehome park tenants residing in the city. On September 7, 1987, the Mayor and Common Council directed staff to prepare a Mobilehome Park Survey RFP and report back to Council on september 21, 1987. On September 21, 1987, the Mayor and Common Council authorized the issuance of a Mobilehome Park Survey RFP and directed staff to expedite the proposal review and evaluation process. (SYNOPSIS CONTINUED TO NEXT PAGE...) Recommended motion: Adopt Resolution. Contact person: Ken HendersonlMaurice Oliva Phone: 5065 Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward: 1-7 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: $10,000.00 DO I c ~ ~ 511 J 5' Source: (Acct. No.! (Acct. DescriPtion) CITY GENERAL FUND Finance: 0~ P- Council Notes: 7<;_0262 Agenda Item No:==2~ o o SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION CONTINUED... On November 2, 1987, the Mayor and Common Council elected Connerly and Associates, Inc., as consultant to conduct the mobilehome park survey and continued approval of the agreement to November 4, 1987. On November 4, 1987, the Mayor and Common Council adopted a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Connerly and Associates, Inc. On December 21, 1987, the Mayor and Common Council received and filed the status report reqarding the mobilehome park survey and directed staff to take appropriate action. On January 19, 1988, the Mayor and Common Council adjourned its regular meeting to January 25, 1988 at 5:00 p.m., to consider the mobilehome park survey and recommendations submitted by Connerly and Associates, Inc. On January 25, 1988, the Mayor and Common Council referred the recommendations outlined in the report from Connerly and Associates to the Mobilehome Ad Hoc Committee for the development of an implementation plan and revised ordinance to be presented to the Mayor and Common Council on March 7, 1988. On February 1, 1988, the Mayor and Common Council adopted Ordinance Number MC-619 with an expiration date of March 21, 1988, that temporarily prohibited rental increases beyond a maximum of four point four percent (4.4%). On March 7, 1988, the proposed ordinance establishing a Rent Review Committee, mandatory Intra-Park Dispute Resolution process and related procedures failed by a four to one (4-1) vote. The Mayor and Common Council directed the Mobilehome Ad Hoc Committee to develop a Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance Program and bring back said program to the Common Council for its consideration. 6-1-88 - 'CIT~ OP SAN BERN'tRDINO - o REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION STAFF REPORT On March 7, 1988, the Mayor and Common Council voted against adopting the proposed ordinance establishing a Rent Review commission, limiting mobilehome park space rent increases, requiring a mandatory Intra-Park dispute Resolution process and related policies and procedures as proposed by the Mobilehome Park Ad Hoc Committee. The Mayor and Common Council, however, instructed staff to research a proposal to provide financial assistance to the nineteen percent (19) of the mobilehome park tenants in need of rental assistance, and to estimate the financial feasibility of same. After working with staff in developing the Rental Assistance Program, the Mobilehome Park Ad Hoc Committee on May 24, 1988, Committee recommended the following for approval by the Mayor and Common Council: 1. Implementation of a "Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance Program" as described in the attached memorandum dated April 13, 1988. 2. Establishment of a "City of San Bernardino Mobilehome Park Communications Task Force" as described in the attached Concept Paper with cost estimates. 3. That the Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance Program be evaluated one (1) year from the date of implementation, and appropriate action taken after said evaluation is completed. The above Rental Assistance Program calls for the park owners to contribute $40,000 which would be added to the City's contribution of $10,000 (for a total of $50,000) to capitalize the fund. The City's $10,000 would come from General Fund revenues since it is the least restrictive revenue source available to accomplish Council-adopted objectives. The City would pay the County of San Bernardino Community Services Department an estimated fee of $150.00 per month to administer the program and serve as fiscal agent. The County Community Services Department's administrative fee would be paid out of this $50,000 fund. Additionally, the cost of the City to establish and operate a Communications Task Force is estimated at $4,824.00 per year. Said Task Force would serve to promote communication between park owners and park residents and strive to be impartial when providing clarification of non-rent related issues affecting either party. It is recommended that the Task Force be chaired by one of the Mayor's key staff. Expens.es incurred for the activities of the proposed Communications Task Force including Mayor's representative, clerical support, fringe benefits, stationary and supplies could be paid out of funds budgeted for existing staff and expenses. 6-1-88 75-0264 . o o staff recommends that the Mayor and Common Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the implementation of a Mobilehome park Rental Assistance Program and establishment of a City of San Bernardino Park Communications Task Force. .l- Kenneth J. Director of y Development KJH/lab/0998 June 1, 1988 6-1-88 . << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 o o RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO APPROVING AND ADOPTING A MOBILEHOME PARK RENTAL ASSiSTANCE PROGRAM. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Recitals: WHEREAS, a significant portion of the city of San Bernardino's very low income households live in mobi1ehome parks; and, WHEREAS, many of these residents are older, on limited, fixed incomes and pay over fifty percent (50%) of their income for housing; and, WHEREAS, due to the limited availability to them of affordable housing and due to other financial circumstances, little or no opportunity exists for such persons to move or otherwise adjust their housing and related expenses; and, WHEREAS, it is determined that an unexpected emergency expense could impact such persons in such a manner as to force them into the ranks of the homeless, NOW, the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino resolve to take the action hereinafter set forth: SECTION 2: Implementation (A) The City of San Bernardino hereby adopts the 24 Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance Program (Program) as 25 26 27 28 recommended by the staff of the Community Development Department, the program being attached hereto marked Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof as though fully set forth herein. The staff is JFW:ss June l, 1988 1 ~ . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 o o authorized and directed to proceed to implement the program. (B) The City of San Bernardino hereby establishes a "City of San Bernardino Mobi1ehome Park communications Task Force" (Task Force) to function in the manner as set forth in Exhibit "B" attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof. (C) The Mobi1ehome Park Ad hoc Committee is hereby specifically authorized to review and approve any agreement with any party necessary for the implementation of the program and the Task Force. Such agreements shall be deemed to be approved by the Mayor and Common Council. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino, at a meeting held on the , 19__, by the following vote, to wit: day of AYES: Council Members NAYS: ABSENT: City Clerk The foregoing resolution is hereby approved this 23 24 25 26 day of , 19 Evlyn Wilcox, Mayor City of San Bernardino Approved as to form and legal content: ~ /' ~ ?,/c'u.-. / y Attorney 28 <./ 27 JFW:ss June l, 1988 2 . - . ~ o o CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO IN~EROFFICE MEMORANDUM 8804-1104 TO: Councilman Jess Flores, Chairman Mobilehome Park Ad Hoc Committee FROM: Kenneth J. Henderson, Director of community Development SUBJECT: MOBILEHOME PARK RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DATE: April 13, 1988 (7409) COPIES: Mayor Wilcox; Councilman Minor; Councilwoman Pope- Ludlam; City Clerk; City Treasurer; City Attorney; Acting city Administrator; Deputy city Admini- strator-Development Services; Director of Finance; Executive Assistant to Council; Deputy city Attorney Wilson; Sally Wilder; Clay Hage; Housing Development Specialist; File ------------------------------------------------------------- Attached please find the above referenced program which has been developed pursuant to the direction of the Mayor and Common Council and the Mobilehome Ad Hoc Committee. The program envisions actual administration of the grant compo- nent of the program by the County of San Bernardino Community Services Department (CSD), and that it be initially cap- italized at a level of $50,000 ($40;000 from owners and $10,000 from City General Fund). The reasons for the 4:1 ratio and the city contribution from its General Fund are as follows: a) The City has previously spent $26,812 to finance a study of the rent control issue within its corporate boundaries. b) A minimum of $10,000 in administrative expenses (salaries/benefits, postage, reproduction, et. al.) has been incurred by city exclusive of time spent by Attorney's office. c) Federal regulations prohibit the use of CDBG funds for rent subsidies. d) The City General Fund is the least restrictive revenue source available to accomplish Council-adopted objectives. It is possible for the block grant program to fund an eligible activity up to $10,000 that is currently financed by the General Fund. In this way the city could accomplish its objectives using different funding sources. The County presently receives $131.00 per month to administer EXHIBIT "A" 6-1-RR ~ o INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM: April 13, 1988 Page 2 o 8804-1104 the Yucaipa community's rental assistance program. While the proposed program differs from Yucaipa's in certain aspects, it is anticipated the City would pay a monthly administrative fee of roughly $150.00 per month. The program fund would actually pay the cost on behalf of the City. Your input and that of any of the individuals receiving a copy of this memorandum is appreciated. Please advise as to when you will be convening a meeting of the Committee to further discuss this matter. I can be reached at 5065. ~. Kenneth J. Henderso Director of Communi Development KJH/lab 1 ... ,.,.... o o CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT "Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance Program" Backqround -A significant portion of the City of San Bernardino's very io~-income households live in mobilehome -parks. ~any of these residents are older, on limited, fixed incomes and some pay over fifty percent (50\) of their income for housing. Due to housing and t1nancia~ circumstances, little or no opportunity exists to move or otherwise reduce housing and related costs. A personal financial reversal, an expensive illness, a rent increase.or some combination of these factors could be financially devastating and perhaps even force certain households into the ranks of the homeless. It is the desire of the city of San Bernardino to establish a rental assistance program for these households. This program will be a joint program of the City and the mobilehome park owners. The program will provide monetary assistance for the most needy cases and an opportunity for rent deferrals for other households in need. Proqram Comoonents The City of San Bernardino Mobilehome Park Rental Assistance program will have two (2) components: (1) grants to the most needy mobtlehome park residents: and (2) rent deferrals" for others who have a temporary need for financial assistance. Each of -these comp~nents is explained further below. 1. Grants -~ Giv~n fund availability, grants will be avail- able for very low income households (defined as households which earn fifty percent (50\) or less of median income) which pay fifty percent (50\) or more of their income for ~ousing (including space rent, rent or mortgage payment on their coach and utilities). After eligibility is determined, these households will receive grants consisting of monthly payments to cover that portion of their housing costs which exceed fifty percent (50\) of their income. The maximum grant will be fifty dollars ($50.00) per month. Eligibility will be reviewed annually. 2. Rent Deferrals -- Rent deferrals will be available to low income households who are paying in excess of thirty percent (30\) of its income for housing and related expenses. In general, rent deferrals will involve deferral of rent increases for these households. Other arrangements may also be possible. 1 u ....... ., ~ o o After eligibility is determined, individual arrangements will be" negotiated by the specific mobilehome park owner or his/her representative and the eligible te~ant. Rent deferrals will represent an oblig<<tion of the resident receiving the deferral to tne owner and will be repaid when the mobilehome is sold or ownership is trans~erred, voluntarily or involuntarily, or sooner if possible. Repayment will be secured through a personal note from the resident to the owner. Eligibility for continuing rent deferrals will be reviewed-annuallY~ Prodram Administration ( The grant component of the rent assistance program will be -'administered by the Community Services Department of the County of San Bernardino. The Community Services Department (CSD) is also administering a similar program for the Yucaipa community. The Community Services Department will be paid an administrative fee for administration of the program. As to the rent deferral component of the rental assistance program, Community Development Department staff will make available to the mobilehome park owners household income information, adjusted for family size, at eighty percent (80t) and fifty percent (50t) of the median income for the RiversidelSan Bernardino Metropolitan Statistical Area. This information is updated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HOD). owners would utilize this information in calculating whether a household was.. spending thirty percent (30t) or more of its gross income on -housing and related expenses, and thus, eligible for rent deferral consideration. Proqram Fundina Based on the experience of the Yucaipa Rental Assistance Program, it is recommended that ~his program be capitalized ini~ially with a $50,000 fund derived from the following sources: 1. A $40,000.00 cash contribution from the mobilehome park owners; and 2. A $10,000 contribution from the City of San Bernardino (from General Fund Revenues). These funds would be transferred to the Community Services Department which would serve as fiscal agent for this pro- gram. The fund balance would be deposited in an interest bearing account with a local financial institution, and interest earned would be added to the fund balance. In addition to grant payments, CSD's administrative fee would be paid out of the fund. The Community Services Department would determine applicant 2 .. -- cc... .'~.' . ". ..... o o eligibility for grant payments (based on information supplied by the mobilehome park resident), prepare and send out monthly Checks, re-determine eligibility annually, and provide the mobilehome park~wners and the City of San Bernardino Community~evelopment Department with a monthly statement of grant payments, interest earne~ and fund balance. When the fund balance is depleted, additional contributions to continue the program will-be necessary from the city and the mobilehome park owners, in the same proportion as the original grant if the City determines continuation of the program is warranted. ~blicitv. Outreach and Referrals The rental assistance program will be publicized by the City through newspaper articles and fliers, the City Community Access Channel and the Community Services Division of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. Local tenant organizations will assist with outreach activities in local mobilehome parks. In addition, announcements and fliers will be posted in senior centers and other facilities where mobilehome park residents are likely to see them. Standardized applications will be made available through CSD and senior organizations. For those applicants who do not qualify for assistance, the rejection notice will include an attachment listing other organizations and pro9ra~s-which might be able to assist the mobilehome park resident. Ilab - 0891 3 ~ - - . o o CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Mobilehome Park Communications Task Force Concept and Cost Estimates Backqround The Yucaipa Plan as implemented by Mobilehome Park Solu- tions, Inc., has established a "Communications Team". The Team is composed of one resident representative, one owner representative, and the board chairman of Mobile Home Park Solutions, Inc., who is a county employee. Whereas the Communications Team has no formal authority for forging agreements (such as mediation or binding arbitration), team members assist in problem solving, aiding ownerlresident communications, organizing for and holding elections, providing education, and conducting park meetings. A Communications Team member may attend local park communica- tions meetings and monitor the program, helping to facilitate improvement for park relationships. prooosal for the citv At the last meeting of the Common Council's Mobilehome Ad Hoc Committee, it was suggested that a similar communi- cations task force be established to complement the pro- posed rental assistance program for income-deficient park tenants. The task force might be called "The City of San Bernardino Mobilehome Park Communications Task Force" and chaired by one of the Mayor's key staff. There would also be a park owner representative and two resident representatives, one from Golden State Mobilehome Owners League (GSMOL) and one from the Mobilehome Organized Residents Enterprises (MORE). The Mayor's appointed representative gives added credibility to the program, which would not be the case if the Task Force were chaired by a departmental representative. Cost Estimates It is envisioned that the Communications Task Force would operate in a similar fashion to the Yucaipa Plan model described above. The members of the task force would serve to promote communication between park owners and park residents. They would also strive to be impartial in providing clarification of non-rent related issues affect- ing either party. In order to estimate the costs to the City of establishing and operating this task force, it is necessary to make some assumptions: 1. It is assumed that the task force would meet as a body once a month, and that meeting notes would be prepared. 1 6-1-88 EXHIBIT "B" --^ "" .. ...c......"..... ~ o o 2. It is assumed that the City would provide ~eeting space for the task force and necessary clerical support for the preparation of agendas and minutes of task force meetings. 3. Based on these assumptions, the following are anticipated for the activities of the communications task force: annual costs proposed Meeting facility Clerical support for twelve (12) monthly meetings (72 hours at $15.00 per hour x 12). Fringe benefits for clerical support -0- $1,080.00* $ 324.00 Mayor's representative to task force (8 hours per month, estimated at at $200.00 in direct salary costs x 12). $2,400.00* Fringe benefits for Mayor's Representative Stationary and supplies Total Estimated Expenses: (*Direct cost. Does not include overhead.) Therefore, it is estimated that the proposed communications task force can be maintained and its activities supported for approximately $4,824.00 per year. $ 720.00 S 300.00 $4,824.00 Ilab 0990 2