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Isla Vista CSD approves new rental housing mediation contractors, secures $5,000 county contribution
Summary
The board approved contracts for two bilingual mediators and a legal adviser to expand the district's rental housing mediation program; staff also reported a $5,000 contribution from the county district office to support the effort.
The board approved contracts on Jan. 14 to staff an expanded rental housing mediation program with two mediators and a legal adviser.
Assistant General Manager Sydney Casaneda told the board the district selected two bilingual mediators — Jessica Roberts and Cesar Russo — and a legal adviser, Arno Jaffe, to provide mediation and limited legal advice under the program. The contracts are structured as not‑to‑exceed amounts (the mediators share a program allocation) and staff said the approved contract package includes a flat $10,000 allocation for mediator services; rates for services were clarified in follow‑up as $85 per hour for contract billing purposes.
Staff also reported the county district office had contributed $5,000 to the program following the board’s October briefing; staff said the additional funds increase available program resources.
The board approved the recruitment and contracts by motion and voice vote. Staff said they will track hours and reporting requirements closely and streamline reporting expectations so contractors focus on client services and outreach rather than excessive administrative tasks.
