Council debates provisional license for landlord Eddie Flores as inspections proceed

Council members introduced a motion to reconsider and grant a provisional license to landlord Eddie Flores for his occupied rental properties and to require progress reports at each council meeting; the motion was seconded and lengthy discussion followed, but the meeting transcript does not record a final vote.

Council member Miss Brown summarized recent changes in Mr. Flores' portfolio: "He has 58 properties now, 38 of which are occupied," she said, noting that Flores had previously sought a provisional license for a much larger set of properties. Brown asked the council to reconsider the city's six-month wait provision so that Flores could move forward with repairs on occupied units.

Victor of the code enforcement office told the council staff had "opened up every property for inspection on our schedule," and said inspections would proceed as quickly as practical. Staff warned the council that some properties likely will not pass inspection and, if they present safety hazards that cannot be corrected in a timely manner, those units would have to be vacated.

Council discussion emphasized tenant safety and preventing displacement. One council member said the motion was motivated by concern for tenants who might otherwise be left without housing; others stressed that landlords who had failed to act earlier should now meet conditions and demonstrate progress. The motion as introduced would tie provisional licensure to regular reporting at council meetings and to compliance with inspection results.

The record shows the motion was made and seconded and then discussed; the transcript ends before a recorded outcome for the Flores motion. City staff said code enforcement will proceed with inspections and that rental units that cannot be repaired promptly will be vacated for safety reasons.