The Rent Stabilization Commission is hereby created and established.
(Prior code § 6404(a); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 03-663 § 29, 2003)
The Rent Stabilization Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be residents of the city. Commission members shall not be officers or employees of the city. Commission members are subject to a background check as set forth in Section 2.30.050 of this code. Each member of the City Council shall appoint one member of the Commission. The Council as a whole will appoint the remaining two members. Appointments shall be made at a regular Council meeting.
(Prior code § 6404(b); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 03-663 § 30, 2003; Ord. 15-964 § 1, 2015; Ord. 23-09 § 23, 2023)
a. 
Each member of the Rent Stabilization Commission shall serve a two-year term commencing on March 1st following a general municipal election. Upon expiration of the term of office, each such Commission member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Each such member of the Commission serves at the pleasure of the appointing councilmember and may be removed by that councilmember at any time. In the event the office of a councilmember becomes vacant during the term thereof, and until the office is filled, the Commission member appointed by such councilmember may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council.
b. 
The two Commission members appointed by the Council as a whole shall serve two-year terms commencing on March 1st following a general municipal election. Upon expiration of the term of office, each such Commission member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Such members may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council; provided, however, that no member of the Commission may be removed prior to March 1st following any municipal election.
c. 
Commission members are subject to term limits as set forth in Section 2.30.040 of this code.
(Prior code § 6404(c); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 00-589U § 6, 2000; Ord. 00-590 § 6, 2000; Ord. 03-663 § 31, 2003; Ord. 15-964 § 2, 2015; Ord. 19-1067 § 8, 2019; Ord. 23-09 § 24, 2023)
For the five individually appointed positions, vacancies on the Rent Stabilization Commission shall be filled by appointment of the individual councilmember or his or her successor who made the appointment which is vacated. Vacancies in the two remaining at-large seats shall be filled by appointment by the City Council.
(Prior code § 6404(d); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 15-964 § 3, 2015)
If a member of the Rent Stabilization Commission is absent for more than three regular meetings in any twelve-month period, the office of such member shall be vacated. In such event, the City Clerk shall notify the City Council of the vacancy and shall advertise for a replacement. A successor may be appointed for the remainder of the term as provided in Section 2.64.040. Notwithstanding the foregoing, up to three additional absences in a twelve-month period will be permitted for the purpose of bonding with a new baby, adopted child, or foster child and will not be counted against the allowable number of excused absences.
(Prior code § 6404(e); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 03-663 § 32, 2003; Ord. 23-09 § 25, 2023)
The Rent Stabilization Commission shall organize and operate in accordance with uniform by-laws for city commissions adopted by the City Council.
(Prior code § 6404(f); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 02-627 § 8, 2002)
Regular meetings of the Rent Stabilization Commission shall be as provided in the Commission by-laws, provided that the Commission shall meet at least once monthly.
(Prior code § 6404(g); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 03-663 § 33, 2003)
The members of the Commission shall receive compensation for their services on the Commission in an amount determined by resolution of the City Council as well as reimbursement of expenses incurred while performing their duties hereunder as determined by the City Council.
(Prior code § 6404(h); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992)
The duties and responsibilities of the Commission shall include the following:
1. 
The Commission shall be responsible for recommending policies, rules, forms or regulations found necessary to effectuate, implement and enforce the provision of Title 17 Rent Stabilization. Regulations, policies and rules recommended by the Commission shall become final upon approval of the Council. Fees shall be established by resolution of the City Council.
2. 
The Commission shall hear all appeals of decisions by a hearing examiner.
3. 
The Commission shall submit an annual written report to the City Council describing its activities taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
4. 
The Commission shall evaluate and make recommendations to the City Council relative to the city's rent stabilization policies.
(Prior code § 6404(i); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-105 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-135 § 4, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 88-192 § 1, 1988; Ord. 90-262 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-306 § 2, 1991; Ord. 92-330 § 2, 1992; Ord. 05-726 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-1093 § 1, 2019; Ord. 24-28, 10/21/2024)