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Residents urge council to preserve rent-stabilization board; city presents Donate Life proclamation
Summary
During public comment residents urged the council not to abolish the rent-stabilization board and raised concerns about park owners and potential tenant displacement; the council also presented a Donate Life proclamation to a speaker who described organ donations that saved five lives.
Several members of the public addressed the Calimesa City Council on April 7 about local housing and city communications, and the council presented a proclamation recognizing Donate Life.
Elizabeth Bishop, a resident who spoke during public comment, urged the council not to abolish the rent-stabilization board (referred to in the discussion as the "rent stabilization board"), saying the board provides protections for mobile-home residents and that seniors make up a large share of the city's population. Bishop said she applied to fill an open seat on the board but never received confirmation that her application was received. "Are you really going to consider a move that could have the potential of 25% of your constituents facing homelessness?" she asked, referencing an earlier council report about vulnerable residents.
Bishop expressed concern that mobile-home park owners were attempting to overturn rent-control protections and urged council members to "stand up and have your seniors' backs."
Steve Negrete, representing a local culture and performing arts association, asked the council to maintain prior funding levels for Concerts on the Green to support the volunteer-run series and help the nonprofit recover attendance after COVID-related declines.
Joyce McIntyre asked the council to investigate an apparent internal city business-chat message she said criticized her after she asked about a Facebook road-closure notice for the Bryant County Line Road intersection. McIntyre said the city's reply had been shared with her by a third party and requested that the council determine how the message was generated and who wrote it.
In a separate ceremonial item, the council presented a Donate Life proclamation to Kat (surname not specified in the record), who said her 11-year-old son Christopher died accidentally and became an organ donor. "Because of organ and tissue donation, Christopher is not only remembered by his family and friends ... he helped save lives," Kat told the council. The proclamation recognized Donate Life month in April 2025.
Council response: Mayor Molina thanked speakers and invited staff to follow up on the inquiries. Items raised during public comment were not listed as formal agenda actions at this meeting; the council did not take immediate formal action on the rent-stabilization board or on the Facebook inquiry during this session.
