Political Gumbo: On Rent And That Administrative Review

Interesting discussion on the rent control initiative at last night’s City Council meeting.

Here’s the long and short of it. The Council decided not to take a stance on the initiative after hearing from a couple of consultants during the meeting.

The rent control folks want to amend the city’s Charter to cap annual rent increases at 2 to 3%.  

A rental housing board established under the city’s charter amendment would administer the requirements.

Landlords would only be allowed to evict tenants for just causes, like failure to pay rent.

That said, there is a simple truth that the rent control folks have to accept. 

Everybody cannot afford to live in Pasadena. 

Even at maximum density, some people will be aced out. 

That’s reality.

Rent control does not change that. 

Yes, the initiative will keep some people in their apartments. If you can’t afford to pay $2,500 a month without rent control, you can’t afford to pay $2,500 a month with rent control.

That’s not a reason to vote for it or against it, just a reality. 

All that said, yes rent is skyrocketing. 

There were some questions the consultants couldn’t answer. It’s a difficult topic, but that made me wonder why no one from the rent control side was in the room to answer questions.

Hell every weed man was allowed in council chambers during the cannabis process. 

It would not have hurt to have Ryan Bell in the room to answer questions about the initiative.

Maybe it’s a campaign issue. I don’t know. 

Either way, something has to give on the issue and in November the voters will have their say at the ballot. 

Also last night, several callers chimed in on the city’s administrative review into the fatal shooting of Anthony McClain. 

Let’s get it right folks, the admin review is only looking at the officer’s adherence to department policy. It does not determine criminality. 

That ship has sailed.

I’m pretty sure since it talks about the officer’s job performance. It’s also a personnel file, which means the admin review may not be for public consumption.

That’s how the laws work.  

My favorite call last night, the frequent caller who said she just learned the City Council cannot fire the police officers and went on about how pathetic that was.

It’s sad when you’re the last one to the party, well, unless you’re making an entrance. 

The limited powers of the City Council has only been mentioned … what a dozen or so times since this started at City Council meetings and a gazillion times in Gumbo. 

Again, if you’re only calling to yell and scream and not paying attention to those pesky facts, this is what happens.  

And this is a good thing, due process should be conducted by city employees, particularly the City Manager. Checks and balances are a good thing.