Politics & Government

Jaws Drop as City Council Motions to Postpone Rent Control

The Capitola City Council voted Thursday to postpone the issue of rent control until its Sept. 8 meeting.

What was a packed City Council chambers with wall-to-wall community members Thursday night quickly became bare after the council voted to postpone until Sept. 8 the longstanding issue of repealing rent control.

Vice Mayor Michael Termini moved to  discussion, because of the absence of Councilwoman Stephanie Harlan, the only member who voted against the repeal at the city's.

“Although I’m inclined to vote, I feel that the full council should be here,” Termini said.

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The postponement wasn't preferable, but Termini said it was the only procedural way of handling the issue, because items can't easily be removed from the agenda once in place.

The last-minute postponement was an upset for many mobile home residents, including those from Surf and Sand Mobile Home Park, who had prepared for the meeting in a vain effort. 

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“I hope that you guys have really taken a look at all angles, of what can really happen if you prevent rent control,” said Surf and Sand resident Lauri Beamish. “Yesterday, we watched the first mobile home get demolished on Surf and Sand; she demolished it herself so she wouldn’t give Rod Reed the satisfaction in doing that. I’m really begging you, whether it's on the agenda tonight or next week, please search your hearts and reconsider.”

Despite the rent control postponement, the council meeting wasn't a total loss. Several other measures were approved. Here's a breakdown of some highlights from Thursday's meeting.

  • Kyle Jack of was awarded with the mayor's proclamation for Citizen of the Year, after he read a letter to the council detailing the steps he took to save his grandfather's life, who was hospitalized after a potentially fatal choking incident in .
  • Most items on the consent agenda were approved, including a new skateboarding ordinance that redefines the lines of legal skateboarding in Capitola. The ordinance will take effect in 30 days on Sept. 24 and includes new geographic boundaries that prohibit skateboarding in the areas around Monterey Avenue, Wharf Road, Cliff Drive, the Rispin/Perry park trail and the Pacific Cove parking lot. "No skateboarding" signs are also required.
  •  A measure that would have given the city manager the right to handle recruitment for the city clerk position was pulled from the consent agenda, after a resident requested that a Capitola or Santa Cruz resident fulfill the position.
  • Redevelopment Agency staff recommended the adoption of an Enforceable Obligation Payment Schedule that would help ensure that the RDA doesn't default on its enforceable obligation payments. The consent agenda measure was seconded by Councilman Sam Storey and approved by the council.

For more specifics on agenda measures from Thursday's meeting, refer to the city's complete agenda packet.


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