Discussion regarding the Creation of the Community Mediation Board City of Culver City California City Council Agenda Item Report Meeting Date: 06/20/05 AGENDA ITEM: Discussion Regarding the Creation of the Community Mediation Board and Possible Dissolution of the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board. Item Number: A 2 X No Action Item: X Phone Number: (310) 253 5780 and (310) 253 5660 General Fund: Yes X No Attachments: X Contact Person/Dept.: Lillian Ikeda CDD Heather Iker City Attorney Fiscal Impact: Yes Public Hearing: Public Notification: Landlord Tenant Mediation Board Members on June 1 2005. Master Notification List on June 15 2005. Department Approval: Susan Evans 06/09/05 City Controller Approval: Jim Lavery 6/15/05 CAO Approval: RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council not approve the creation of the Community Mediation Board because it is not financially feasible at this time and alternative mediation sources exist. BACKGROUND: The Landlord Tenant Mediation Board ( Board ) was established by the City Council in 1981 to offer voluntary mediation services to the tenant landlord community. Those services were extended on May 20 1987 by Chapter 32 of the Culver City Municipal Code to provide mandatory good faith mediation to rental disputes relating to residential rent increases in Culver City. The purpose and objectives of the Board are: 1) to build and strengthen communications between tenants and landlords; 2) to reduce tensions in the residential rental housing market by providing a means for tenants and landlords to resolve disputes related to rent increases; 3) and to educate the rental community about tenant and landlord relationships and the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. Since its creation in 1981 the Board has scheduled five hundred fifty nine (559) mediation sessions. The Board consists of nine (9) members who each serve three (3) year terms. There are three (3) categories of membership. These categories include...
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