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Scott Carter, Suburban Management and Brokerage, 2678 N. Main Street ~v22, Walnut <br />Creek, indicated Mr. Wagner has been trying to raise his rents since he bought the park. He <br />believed the rents were artificially depressed and way below market. Mr. Carter acknowledged <br />that rent control ordinances were legal. He reviewed the three elements of the Pleasanton <br />ordinance regarding calculation of rents and went through various calculation exercises using <br />Formulas A and B. He objected to removal of the distinction between government regulated <br />fees and operating expenses. He also stated that the base year rents for 1992 were found by the <br />judge in the fair rate of return hearing to be below market and objected to the continued use of <br />those rents. Instead, the base rent of $335 should be used. He urged further review of the <br />figures before adoption of an ordinance. <br /> <br /> Jerry Wagner, 4043 Nevis Street, owner of the Pleasanton Mobilehome Park, indicated <br />that five years ago he wanted to buy a "passive investment". He claimed he spoke to the City <br />Attorney and was told that he could raise rents over the next three years to bring them up to <br />what other parks were charging. Mr. Wagner told him that if he could not raise rents, he would <br />not buy the park and would have found another investment. After several meetings and an <br />appraisal, the City Attorney said rents could be $325, but the raises had to be spread over four <br />years. That means it would be 1997 before he would have a positive cash flow. When the <br />original ordinance was written, it did not include the rents as set forth in the appraisal. Mr. <br />Wagner believed he would never receive a fair return on his investment, which led him to file <br />a lawsuit. The final ruling verified the appraisal. He contended the City and the residents <br />gained nothing from the ordinance and alleged the taxpayers have had to pay enormous expenses <br />for the litigation. Mr. Wagner claimed the real losers were the park residents, who suffered <br />through dissension and vandalism to the park, as well as having to pay back rents pursuant to <br />the judgment. It has cost him $80,000 to fight the ordinance and all because the City Attorney <br />would not allow him to raise rents pursuant to the appraisal. If Mr. Wagner had been allowed <br />to charge $335 in rent, he would have signed the agreement and the ordinance would not have <br />been necessary. He claimed his tenants were happy, liked the park owner and management, and <br />did not want the ordinance. He read letters from tenants in support of his position. <br /> <br /> Jack Dove, 3263 Vineyard Avenue, indicated that the ordinance applied to any of the <br />mobilehome parks if the agreement was not adhered to. He clarified that Michael Roush was <br />not part of the original agreement or drafting of the ordinance, Peter MacDonald was City <br />Attorney at that time. There was also a lot of discussion about allowing Mr. Wagner to phase <br />in rent increases, but no agreement was reached. Since July, the Mobilehome Committee and <br />the City Attorney have been trying to obtain from Mr. Wagner the justification for charging <br />$600 per month for the space rents. Mr. Wagner has not provided any of the requested <br />information. Mr. Dove felt the ordinance was very important and the City has always dealt in <br />good faith. He urged the Council to allow the Pleasanton Mobilehome Committee members to <br />talk to the residents of the Pleasanton Mobilehome Park to find out how they really feel. He <br />believed those residents are afraid they will be evicted if they speak against Mr. Wagner. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti indicated she has spent many hours trying to work with Mr. Wagner and <br />City staff and she is convinced there is an impasse. <br /> <br /> 21 12/03/96 <br /> <br /> <br />