DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Development Services
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Project Sentinel for Fiscal Year 2027 in a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $210,000 to Provide Mediation, Arbitration, and Education Services Related to the Residential Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance and Mobilehome Space Rent Stabilization Ordinance
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Project Sentinel to provide mediation and arbitration services, administrative support, and outreach and educational services related to the Residential Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance (RRSO) and Mobilehome Space Rent Stabilization Ordinance (MRSO) in an amount not-to-exceed $210,000 for Fiscal Year 2027.
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SUMMARY
As part of the RRSO, the City provides a mandatory mediation program with binding arbitration to resolve rent increase disputes for tenants of covered rental units. Project Sentinel currently administers the RRSO rent dispute resolution process, including providing mediation and arbitration services, administrative support, and outreach and education support. Project Sentinel has reliably provided these services for many years and their current contract with the City will expire on June 30, 2026.
The Project Sentinel agreement is paid from Rent Review Fund and funded by payments from the annual Residential Rent Stabilization Fee. The fee supports the administration of the RRSO, the MRSO, and the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO). The Operating Budget will cover the cost associated with this contract with Project Sentinel. Staff has accounted for a shift of $30,000 within the proposed Rental Housing Program operating budget to provide Project Sentinel with sufficient funds for translation service requests. The total fiscal impact will be equal to the amount budgeted for FY 2027, and there is no additional impact to the Rental Housing Program Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution