Council repeals Sunnyside’s crime-free rental housing ordinance

The Sunnyside City Council on July 28 approved an ordinance repealing Chapter 5.02 of the Sunnyside Municipal Code, removing the city’s crime-free rental housing program from the municipal code. City Manager Mike Gonzales told council, “The crime free rental housing ordinance … was adopted back in 2012, 2013. The city of Sunnyside did use it. However, at this time, we have not used that ordinance since 2019.” Council members asked no substantive questions before voting. The motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with the council recorded as voting yes: Councilor Vasquez, Councilor Hart, Deputy Mayor, Councilor Fausto, Councilor Ripley, Councilor Hancock and the Mayor. The repeal removes the program from the municipal code; staff did not describe any immediate regulatory replacements at the meeting. No litigation or enforcement action was reported in connection with the repeal during the session.