Rent control initiative

She said she would not support the rent control ordinance, calling it a 'catch-22' with million-dollar implementation costs, warning it doesn't balance tenants' and landlords' needs, and asking how the program would be funded.

She urged opposition, warning the ordinance would put the city in the middle of individual landlord-tenant disputes, require housing providers to fund attorneys used against them, and cited Richmond's experience driving owners to sell.

Representing the California Apartment Association, she called it the most restrictive rent control system, warned it covers single-family homes, ADUs and even deed-restricted affordable housing without exemption, and urged the council to make sure voters know the cost.

A housing provider representative, he cited the report's research on rent control reducing rental supply and housing quality, noted tenants already have AB 1482 protections, and drew on his experience in Concord and Antioch.

A San Pablo resident and mobilehome owner, she emotionally criticized the $32,000 consultant report, said rising costs are hurting residents, and asked the council to help residents find a better way of living rather than take away.

A local property manager, she urged opposition, citing research on rent control shrinking rental supply, describing an owner who decided to sell rather than keep a legacy rental, and warning about burdens on small 'mom and pop' owners.

Speaking from her seat with a brought microphone, she thanked council members who donated toward her rent when she needed it, but said not once have they voted in residents' favor.

A member of Rising Juntas, she said housing is a human right, described families fearing unexpected rent increases, criticized corporate landlords, and asked the council to either adopt the initiative or place it on the ballot.

The Rising Juntos executive director and initiative co-sponsor celebrated thousands of resident signatures, asked the council to adopt the protections immediately, and urged a yes vote on November 3.

A 20-year resident said his rent has risen year after year and that after losing his job he must share housing with family; he demanded the council approve the initiative.

A senior and ACE member said her fixed income only covers a shared room, and urged the council to pass the rent control measure that night.

A longtime resident asked the council to accept and adopt the ordinance, saying renters need stabilization and criticizing delays and staff studies.

A residential property manager urged the council to order the 9212 fiscal impact report first, arguing the initiative's mandates could shrink the rental supply.

Speaking for the California Apartment Association, she said the initiative would impose the most restrictive rent control in California and urged a fiscal impact report before any ballot action.

A member of Rising Juntos said immigrant families, workers and seniors suffer most from unchecked rent increases and asked the council to pass the initiative that night.

Chair of Rising Juntos called another study an insult and said voting for a study denies the community's voice; he demanded a definitive yes that night.

A property manager argued the measure would hurt small landlords, noted existing state protections and city inspection programs, and asked the council to choose option C and collaborate with property managers.

Representing rental property owners, she urged only the 9212 report, citing Redwood City's analysis of a nearly identical initiative that found costs up to $10 million and no affordable-housing exemption.

With Rising Juntos, she urged the council to adopt the ordinance without delay, calling a 30-day study postponement of justice and saying residents will remember who stood with them.