March 07, 2019
VOL. 34, No. 10
Local and National in Brief
•The California Supreme Court on Monday released a decision that allows California government agencies to alter secondary retirement benefits offered to public workers while sidestepping a bigger question about whether employers can alter “core pension rights” in their contracts. The court held that the retirement perk at issue in the case was different from core pension rights such as how much public workers are paid, and thus not protected by the state constitution. •Queen Latifah Building $14M ‘Affordable’ Housing Project in Newark……Jaden Smith Brings Clean Water to Flint with Mobile Filtration System •Several tornadoes hit the Southeast Sunday afternoon, killing at least 22 people in one Alabama county on the USA’s deadliest day for tornadoes in almost 6 years. •Just across the border from the U.S., drug gangs slaughtered 23 people — hanging nine from a bridge and decapitating 14 more, whose heads were found stashed in coolers near the town hall. The four men and five women discovered dangling from the Colosio Bridge in Nuevo Laredo were handcuffed, blindfolded and bore signs of torture.
INGLEWOOD COUNCIL IMPOSES
FIVE PERCENT MAXIMUM RENT CONTROL MEASURE
Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor
Mayor James T. Butts proposed and his council colleagues unanimously adopted a temporary rent control measure limiting rent increases to five percent for the next 45 days. The measure was presented as a stopgap measure as the council weighs a potential long-term rent control situation. As Inglewood continues to enjoy extraordinary economic growth and development with the pending NFL stadium, the proposed NBA arena, the pending Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and a bevy of other developments, residents packed a City Council meeting Tuesday calling for leaders to put rent control measures in place. While specific details of the measure were not discussed and had not been previously distributed for public review, in addition to the five percent limit on rental rate increases the council amended the measure to include language that will prohibit property owners from evicting tenants while the emergency measure is in place; except for reasons of criminal behavior, drug use or non-payment of rent. The Inglewood City Clerk’s office indicated yesterday that the actual written version of the entire measure will likely be made publicly available tomorrow or Monday, at the latest. The city council heard from a number of persons during the public comment section of the meeting before the matter was discussed and swiftly approved by the council. Dozens of individuals from a local organization who support rent control spoke before the council and many others attended to show their support. An apartment building owner addressed and suggested that the council convene a panel comprised of apartment renters and owners during the stopgap measure to arrive at a plan that is mutually beneficial. The council’s temporary rent control ordinance limits rent increases to no more than 5 percent per year and it would only apply to apartment buildings and other rental units built
before 1995. Single-family homes and condominiums are exempt. Mayor Butts explained how he arrived at a point where he thought his initiative was necessary, citing examples of actual cases of excessive rent increases as well as the information that was gleaned from the online survey where tenants were invited to describe their experiences related to this matter. He explained that he learned of rent increases that ranged from two percent to 138 percent. He also indicated that the City of Inglewood has enjoyed comparatively lower rents than other South Bay communities for years and still has the lowest rates overall, while acknowledging that rents are climbing rapidly throughout the county and the State of California. Mayor Butts explained that the city’s revitalization has contributed to the increase in rents, that the majority of rental properties are owned by ‘Mom and Pop’ owners instead of large corporate real estate conglomerates, and that the ‘social’ cost of property in the city must be addressed to accommodate the majority of Inglewood residents, nearly 65 percent, who reside in apartment dwellings. Mayor Butts closed the discussion by stating, “This is a time out. We must find a solution that is fair.” Painter is a professor of public policy at USC. Unlike many economists, Painter sees rent control laws as a useful tool, as long as they’re accompanied by other methods to boost lowincome housing. “We have to fundamentally figure out ways to increase the amount of workforce housing and in the short run rent control can be a band-aid,” he said. The temporary rent control ordinance goes into effect Tuesday. The council also has an option to extend it past the initial 45 days as a longer-term rent control measure is considered.
SENATOR BRADFORD HONORS
MICHELLE SMITH-BALLARD AS
2019 WOMAN OF THE YEAR SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Senator Bradford honored Ms. Michelle SmithBallard, as the Woman of the Year for the 35th Senate District. Ms. Smith-Ballard currently serves as the Vice President of Community and Citizenship for Turner Construction Company with over 38 years of construction experience. She is responsible for constructing the new, state of the art Los Angeles Rams Stadium in Inglewood and is the only woman and African American overseeing a multi-billion dollar stadium project in the nation. “Each year we recognize the amazing accomplishments of outstanding women
across our state and I could not be more proud of our 2019 woman of the year,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). “Michelle’s experience, leadership and commitment to increasing diversity and ensuring equity in the construction industry has and will continue to have an impact for generations to come. Her work on the Inglewood stadium is unprecedented. ” Joining Turner Construction Company in 1988, Michelle began an almost half century mission to advance procurement and inclusion in the construction industry. Most recently she oversaw the collaboration between 2
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