Council sends proposed homelessness emergency ordinance to meet‑and‑confer with labor; approves 6–2

The City Council voted Dec. 9 to direct city management to begin Myers‑Milias‑Brown Act meet‑and‑confer discussions on a draft ordinance to authorize the mayor to declare local housing or homelessness emergencies and to exercise narrowly defined authorities during such a declaration.

Deputy Chief of Staff Maya Rosas said the draft would permit emergency declarations when housing supply is projected 40% below RHNA goals or when the unhoused population exceeds twice the number of shelter beds or increases by more than 20% in a single year. During a declared emergency the mayor would be able to issue orders, procure certain contracts and suspend some competitive‑bidding rules for limited terms (examples in the draft: contracting authority up to $5 million and suspension of competitive bidding up to two years); the draft preserves the council’s budgetary authority, requires quarterly reporting and sunsets declarations unless renewed every 90 days.

Deputy City Attorney Joan Dawson explained the item affects mandatory subjects of bargaining, so the city must involve recognized employee organizations before final ordinance adoption. Councilmembers voiced differing views: some supported exploring the option to speed life‑saving responses, while others warned against ceding council oversight on contracts and urged strong transparency safeguards.

The council voted 6–2 to authorize meet‑and‑confer; Councilmembers Campillo and Moreno voted no. The action sends the draft to bargaining units and returns any negotiated revisions to council for final determination.