Pacifica council approves HomeAway voluntary collection agreement and HDL contract amid public questions about auditing and STR enforcement

The Pacifica City Council unanimously approved its consent calendar Aug. 11, including a voluntary collection agreement (VCA) with HomeAway/VRBO to collect transient occupancy tax and an expanded contract with HDL to support short-term rental identification, monitoring and enforcement.

The vote completed a consent calendar that included nine items. Councilmember Beier moved to approve the consent agenda and Councilmember Wright seconded; the council vote was unanimous.

City staff and several members of the public discussed two items on the consent calendar at length during the meeting: the VCA with HomeAway/VRBO and the amended agreement with HDL, the city’s contractor for STR compliance work. Cindy Abbott, a Pacifica resident who spoke during public comment on consent items, urged the council to reconsider the VCA and the HDL contract and asked for clearer auditing and enforcement procedures.

“Item 6 of this agreement prevents the city from fully auditing the tax reporting of HomeAway stating that, quote, ‘HomeAway will not be required to disclose the homeowner or guest name, and the city shall not directly or indirectly audit any individual guest…