Rent Control_June to July 1979RENT CONTROL 91
(continued) Date
measure, inasmuch as a 5/7 vote is required.
City Atty. Shevin advised that Atty. John Ritter
has indicated he could prepare an ord. establish-
ing rental ceilings, which would meet a consti-
tutional test. He advised that he was going to
retain Mr. Ritter at a fee of $100.00 per hour,
to render an opinion and prepare an appropriate
ord. and further advised that such opinion and
recommendation would be returned to Commission.
Commissioner Weisburd rendered an oral report of
those actions taken, and pending, as a result of
her June 6, 1979 appointment as Commission liaison
to work with a committee of representatives of
various landlord/tenant groups in an attempt to 6/20/79
RENT CONTROL 92
(continued) Date
achieve voluntary compliance with President's
guidelines by major high-rise owners. Shepard
Davis appeared and advised that another tenant
of Victorian Plaza had been notified that his
lease would not be renewed, which refusal was
apparently retaliation for the tenant's activi-
ties. City Atty. advised that the law provides
criminal penalties for such retaliation, and
that complaints must be directed to State Atty.
for prosecution. He advised that he would as-
sist in bringing this to the State Atty's atten-
tion, if documentation is furnished. City Atty.
reiterated his suggestion that one of Victorian
Plaza tenants, through private counsel or counsel 6/20/79
RENT CONTROL 93
(continued) Date
provided by Tenant's Assoc., challenge their rent
increase in Federal or State court on the basis of
unconscionability, with City joining in and sup-
porting the lawsuit since, in his opinion, City
would have no standing in court were it to file
the suit on its own. (See Condominiums) 6/20/79
Commissioner Weisburd rendered an oral report 7/18/79
of actions taken to create a list of compara-
ble available rental apartments. She also
advised that attorney for owner of Victorian
Plaza Apartments had stated that certain leases
were not being renewed because owner wanted
apartments available for seasonal rentals.
Commissioner Wikler requested that Commission