Salinas council pauses decision on referendum over rent ordinances, urges stakeholder talks; sets Sept. 23 follow-up

Salinas City Council on Sept. 9 delayed a final decision on a referendum that could nullify four recently adopted rent-related ordinances, voting to continue consideration until a special council meeting Sept. 23 to give stakeholder groups additional time to negotiate a path forward.

The referendum, filed by Protect Salinas Renters and verified by the county, seeks to put a so-called "repeal ordinance" to voter decision. The council was presented with two options at the meeting: repeal the repeal ordinance (which would keep the rent-protection measures in effect) or submit the repeal ordinance to the voters. After hours of public comment — with hundreds of supporters on both sides of the question — Councilmember Tony Barrera offered a substitute motion to delay a final council decision for two weeks so that the two stakeholder groups that had begun meeting could continue discussions. The substitute passed: Barajas — yes; Barrera — yes; D'Arrigo — yes; Dela Rosa — yes; Salazar — no; Sandoval — yes; Mayor Donohue — yes.

What the council was deciding

The signatures submitted by referendum organizers were certified by the Monterey County Registrar of Voters; the city clerk reported that the petition contained more than the minimum number required to qualify. If the council does not…