Fortuna posts draft rent-stabilization ordinance for mobile-home parks; public comment open through Jan. 30

Fortuna’s city manager announced a draft rent-stabilization ordinance for mobile-home parks that has been posted on the city website and shared with stakeholders, and said the city will accept public comments on the draft through Jan. 30 before returning it to the council for consideration.

The announcement drew a public comment from Salo of WMA, who said the city’s outreach to park owners and managers has been inadequate and urged the council not to proceed with a rent-control ordinance at this time. “The ordinance on the table today threatens that,” Salo said, arguing that park owners such as Royal Crest and Bridal Press have historically maintained their communities and that voluntary rental-assistance programs (referred to in the hearing as the MHET rental program) have helped families for decades. Salo recommended the parties pursue a negotiated memorandum of understanding, saying “An MOU ... is just an infinitely better option for everybody than a rent control ordinance.”

The city manager told the council the draft ordinance has been shared with mobile-home owners and park owners and is available on the city’s website; the city will review incoming comments and bring a revised draft back to the council after Jan. 30. No formal council action on the ordinance occurred during the meeting.

The council took no vote on the ordinance and did not set a public hearing date during the session. Next procedural steps described by staff are an open comment period through Jan. 30, staff review of comments, and a future council agenda item to consider the ordinance.

For residents who want to review the draft or submit comments, the city manager said the draft is posted on the city’s website and the comment deadline is Jan. 30.