REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL February 9, 2017 FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager SUBJECT ..Title Actions related to establishing the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team: 1. ***RESOLUTION - 3rd Amendment of Position Authorization Resolution (PAR) No. 2016-119 adding positions in Development and Resource Management and City Attorney's Office related to the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) and Rental Housing Improvement Act. 2. ***RESOLUTION - 44th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2016-118 appropriating $272,200 to the Development and Resource Management and City Attorney's Office FY 2017 budget for the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) (Requires 5 affirmative votes). ..Body RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Council approve 3rd Amendment of Position Authorization Resolution (PAR) No. 2016-119 and the 44th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2016-118 appropriating $272,200 that will be used to fund additional positions in Development and Resource Management and City Attorney's Office in support of the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the last several years, the Administration and Council has made eliminating substandard housing a priority of Code Enforcement. Several actions have been taken over the last year to mitigate the health and safety impacts associated with substandard housing. Adoption of these two resolutions will be used to fund the Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) as proposed by Councilmembers Brandau and Olivier on November 17, 2016. BACKGROUND Over the last year the Administration and City Council have taken several steps to address the challenges associated with substandard housing, including increased fines, amending various municipal codes, adopting a more aggressive legal strategy; and most recently, the approval of Mayor Brand's Rental Housing Inspection Act. Over this period, and as a result of the conditions found at the Summerset Apartments, the City Manager also created the Strike Team on Problem Properties (STOPP), an ad-hoc committee that has been focused on and pursing known "egregious violators," or rental properties in gross violation of City and State health and safety codes. The adoption of both resolutions is a collective effort by the Administration and Council to address substandard housing in our community by funding an ASET within the Code Enforcement Division that will be responsible for initiating pro-active inspections as outlined in the Rental Housing Inspection Act and re-active inspections as proposed by Councilmembers Brandau and Oliver. The ASET will consist of the following: * Division Manager (1) * Supervisor (1) * Senior Community Revitalization Specialists (7) * Community Revitalization Specialist (2) * City Attorneys (3) * Paralegal (1) * Legal Secretary (1) ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a project for the purpose of CEQA LOCAL PREFERENCE Not applicable FISCAL IMPACT The $272,200 needed to support the recommended Annual Appropriation Resolution will be funded from the sale City property located near Palm and Brawley (Blosser property). ATTACHMENTS: Resolution - 44th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) Resolution -3rd Amendment of Position Authorization Resolution (PAR)