HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06 - Repealing Ord. 2020-11 (Temporary Moratorium on Evicting Tenants)ORDINANCE NO. 2021-06
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COSTA
MESA REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 2020-11 RELATING
TO A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON EVICTING
TENANTS, AND DECLARING THE ORDINANCE TO BE AN
EMERGENCY MEASURE TO TAKE EFFECT
IMMEDIATELY UPON ADOPTION
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, the Governor declared a State of Emergency in
California due to the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19"). On February
26, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Department of Public Health
declared a public health emergency in Orange County due to COVID-19.On March 12,
2020, pursuant to Proclamation No. 2020-01, the City Manager did proclaim the
existence of a local emergency pursuant to Title 6 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code,
and on March 13, 2020 the City Council pursuant to Resolution No. 2020- 9 did ratify
Emergency Proclamation No. 2020-01. Due to directives from federal, state, and local
health officials, residents have been ordered to avoid public gatherings and stay at
home to prevent the spread of this disease.
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-28-
20 (the "Original Order"), which suspends any state law that would preempt or
otherwise restrict the city's exercise of its police power to impose substantive
limitations on evictions based on nonpayment of rent resulting from the impacts of
COVID-19.
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2020, the City Council did adopt Ordinance No. 2020-
11 that established a temporary moratorium on the eviction of residential or
commercial tenants who are unable to pay rent due to the impacts of COVID-19.
WHEREAS, on May 29, 2020 the Governor issued Executive Order N-66-20
which, among other things, extended the term of the Original Order through July 28,
2020.
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-71-20
which, among other things, further extended the term of the Original Order through
September 30, 2020.
WHEREAS, on August 31, 2020, the legislature adopted the Tenant,
Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 (A.B. 3088),
which, among other things, preempts cities from enacting new residential tenant
protections until January 31, 2021.
WHEREAS, September 24, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-80-
20 which, among other things, further extended the term of the Original Order through
March 31, 2021, but with respect to commercial evictions only.
Ordinance No. 2021- 06 Page 1 of 3
WHEREAS, effective January 30, 2021, the legislature adopted Senate Bill 91
to extend A.B. 3088 through June 30, 2021, and to establish a state rental assistance
program. The extension of A.B. 3088, among other things, continues the preemption
against cities from enacting residential tenant protections until June 30, 2021.
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2021, the Governor issued Executive Order N-03-21
which, among other things, further extended the term of the Original Order through
June 30, 2021, with respect to commercial evictions only.
WHEREAS, in adopting this Ordinance, it is the intent of the City Council that
the commencement of the 120-day period for commercial tenants to repay rent set
forth in Ordinance No. 2020-11 shall be counted from effective date of this Ordinance
and not the expiration of the Executive Order N-28-20, as extended.
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority to adopt this ordinance under
Government Code Section 8630, and also its authority under California Constitution
Art XI, section 7, and pursuant to the Governor's Orders N-28-20, N-66-20, N-71-20,
N-80-20 and N-03-21.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Repeal of an ordinance relating to a temporary moratorium on evicting
tenants. Ordinance No. 2020-11 is hereby repealed in its entirety, provided, however
that the repayment provisions of Section 1.G. relating to the time for repayment of rent
shall remain in force for the period of 120 days after the effective date of this
ordinance.
SECTION 2. Emergency Declaration/Effective Date. The City Council declares this
ordinance to be an emergency measure, to take effect immediately upon adoption
pursuant to California Government Code section 36934. The facts constituting the
emergency are as follows: The economic impact to commercial landlords from the
COVID-19 state of emergency has been devastating. However, as re -opening of the
economy expands, commercial tenants are now in a better position to repay past due
rent, as well as to apply for available federal, state, and local aid to help defray the
cost thereof. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the City desires to
repeal the Ordinances now to enable commercial landlords to begin receiving past
due rent within 120 days from the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. Repayment of Rent Required. Nothing in this Ordinance shall relieve a
tenant of liability for any unpaid rent.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any portion of this ordinance is found to be unenforceable,
each such provision shall be severed, and all remaining portions of this ordinance
shall be enforced to the maximum extent legally permissible.
SECTION 5. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of
this ordinance as required by law.
Ordinance No. 2021- 06 Page 2 of 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of April, 2021.
ATTEST:
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Brenda Gree , City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF ORANGE)
CITY OF COSTA MESA)
ss
Stephens, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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K mberly all arlow, City Attorney
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing Urgency Ordinance No. 2021-06 was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa held on the 6th day of
April, 2020, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: CHAVEZ, HARLAN, HARPER, REYNOLDS,
MARK, AND STEPHENS
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GAMEROS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City
of Costa Mesa this 7th day of April, 2020.
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Brenda Green, ity Clerk
Ordinance No. 2021- 06 Page 3 of 3