Santa Ana Municipal Code § 8-3183 Rental housing board policies and procedures

There is hereby created and established a Rental Housing Board to perform the functions designated in this Article. The composition of the Board and selection of Board Members shall be based upon the following:

(a) Membership of Board. The Rental Housing Board shall consist of seven (7) Board Members. Each City Councilmember shall appoint one (1) Board Member, to be approved by the City Council, in an equitable order based upon a random lottery process. The Board Members of the Rental Housing Board shall be comprised of:

1. Three (3) Tenants, including at least one (1) Mobilehome Tenant;

2. Two (2) Landlords; and

3. Two (2) at-large Members with no financial interest in and no ownership of income-generating rental housing.

(b) Chairperson. The Board shall elect annually one of its Members to serve in the capacity as Chairperson.

(c) Eligibility. Residents of the City are eligible to serve as members of the Board.

(d) Full Disclosure of Holdings. Nominees for the position of Board Member shall submit a verified statement listing all of their interests and dealings in real property, including, but not limited to, ownership, sale or management of real property during the previous three (3) years. The Board may promulgate additional regulations.

(e) Conflict of Interest. Board Members shall be subject to the requirements of the California Political Reform Act and other applicable state and local conflict of interest codes. Accordingly, a Board member shall be disqualified from participating in any hearing on an application, petition, or appeal where the Board Member is either the Landlord or a Tenant residing at the subject property, or has any other form of conflict of interest.

(f) Training Required. All Board members shall attend training as designated by the Program Administrator.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3052, § 9, 10-17-23; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)

(a) Term. Board Members shall serve for a term of four (4) years or until their respective successors are appointed or qualified, but in no event shall any persons be eligible for reappointment who has served three (3) consecutive terms of four (4) years each, irrespective of what seat or seats the Board Member is appointed to by the City Council. However, the City Council may remove a Board Member at any time for any reason.

(b) Compensation. Fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting, plus fifty dollars ($50.00) per month automobile allowance.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)

(a) The Rental Housing Board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To hold regular meetings at least once each calendar month, or as needed, as fixed by the by-laws of the Board.

2. Conduct hearings on petitions, applications, and appeals of hearings determined by a Hearing Officer submitted by Landlords or Tenants under this Article. Any fees for such hearings shall be established by City Council resolution in the City's Miscellaneous Fee Schedule.

3. Promulgate and implement policies and procedures for the administration and enforcement of this Article. Make such studies, surveys, and investigations, conduct such hearings, and obtain such information as is necessary to carry out its powers and duties.

4. Review and assess yearly that sufficient number of staff are employed, including a Program Administrator, Hearing Officers, housing counselors and legal staff, as may be necessary to perform its function efficiently in order to fulfill the purpose of this Article.

5. Any other duties as necessary to administer and enforce this Article.

6. Such other duties as are designated by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)

The Board shall issue and follow such policies and procedures, including those which are contained in this Article, as will further the purposes of the Article.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)

(a) The Board shall hold such regularly scheduled meetings as are necessary to ensure the timely performance of its duties under this Article. All regular and special meetings shall be called and conducted in accordance with state law.

(b) Quorum. Four (4) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(c) Voting. The affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Board is required for a decision, including all motions, rules, regulations, and orders of the Board.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)

Any decision of the Rental Housing Board shall be final unless judicial review is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction within thirty (30) days of the date of the Board's decision. The Board decision shall take effect immediately unless provided otherwise in the decision, regardless of whether a party seeks judicial review.

(Ord. No. NS-3027, § 3, 10-18-22; Ord. No. NS-3073, § 1, 11-5-24)