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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05072013 - SD.2RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT the recommendation from the Director of Conservation and Development to terminate the Mobilehome Advisory Committee; 1. TERMINATE the Mobilehome Advisory Committee effective immediately; and2. ACKNOWLEDGE that should there be a need for the Mobilehome Advisory Committee in the future, the Board could reconstitute the committee. 3. FISCAL IMPACT: There would be a slight reduction in operating costs for the Department, if MHAC is terminated. BACKGROUND: The Mobilehome Advisory Committee (MHAC) was established by the Board of Supervisors on November 21, 1978. The purpose of the MHAC, as identified in the by-laws is to provide a forum for tenants and managers to discuss perceived issues and concerns in the mobilehome parks, discuss concerns regarding park maintenance, improve resident/owner communications, and to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues with mobile home living in the County. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 05/07/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: (925) 674-7790 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: May 7, 2013 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: SD.2 To:Board of Supervisors From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation and Development Director Date:May 7, 2013 Contra Costa County Subject:Recommendation to terminate the Mobilehome Advisory Committee BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) MEETING CANCELLATIONS: The MHAC meetings were held every 3rd Thursday of the month. Over the years, the MHAC has struggled to maintain membership. There was also lack of items for discussion related to the purpose of the MHAC scheduled on the agenda. In 2008, the MHAC by-laws were changed to reduce the membership from 13 members to 9 members and to re-designate all seats to At-Large seats. Even with the reduction of MHAC members, there have been a number of vacancies on the committee, which resulted in the inability to conduct a meeting due to the lack of a quorum. Sixty-seven percent of the meetings were cancelled in 2011 and no meetings were held in 2012. Further, the MHAC has not made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in several years. ALTERNATIVES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION: The termination of the committee would not deprive homeowners and park owners the opportunity to work out a solution and resolve their concerns. There are other alternative solutions for a park owner and mobilehome owner to resolve their issues and concerns. For example, there is the County’s Mobilehome Space Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Ordinance). The Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 27, 1995, which regulates mobilehome space rent within unincorporated Contra Costa County. A provision in the Ordinance allows mobilehome owners a process for mediation regarding concerns of the rent increase (CCC Section 540-2.804), and subsequently a hearing, if no resolution of the dispute can be reached (CCC Section 540-2.810). Last, the County offers a no-cost and low-cost mediation service under the County's Dispute Resolution Program, which serves landlords and tenants. Furthermore, if there is a need in the future for the committee, the Board has the ability to reconstitute the committee. FISCAL IMPACT: The committee members serve as volunteers and do not receive stipends or reimbursement for mileage. There are, however, other costs associated with the committee that would be eliminated or reduced including: Administrative and professional duties would be reduced for both secretarial and professional staff, since meeting attendance, agenda preparation to posting the agenda, including posting on the County web page would not be required. In staff's opinion, the cost of maintaining MHAC for such extremely low volume of work is not prudent. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If MHAC is not terminated, then the Department would continue to incur the cost of providing services to a Committee. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: This is not applicable.