A Tale of Two Cities Vacation Rentals in Trinidad, California

Published: June 29, 2018 7 pages

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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

Trinidad’s complaint and appeal process has been slow and inconsistent which has led to confusion and frustration among residents.

Related Recommendations (2)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the city of Trinidad and the citizens of Trinidad follow the steps outlined in Ordinance 2016-03 to solve complaints in reference to Short Term Rentals. This should take place upon receipt of this report. (F1, F2, F6)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the city of Trinidad consistently and strictly adhere to Ordinance 2016-03 to manage the short-term rental application and renewal process. This should take place upon receipt of this report. (F1, F2)

Lack of compliance to Trinidad’s Short Term Rental Ordinance by some Short Term Rental owners and property managers create frustration and animosity in the community.

Related Recommendations (2)

Trinidad would benefit in having law enforcement assistance during tourist season to handle immediate violations of the STR ordinance.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the City of Trinidad allocate a portion of Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to hire seasonal enforcement staff to deal specifically with Short Term Rental issues by December 31, 2018. (F3)

It is unclear what criteria is used for city council recusal of those members who own or manage an STR which leads to a perception of conflict of interest within the community.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends Trinidad city council members who own or manage Short Term Rentals always recuse themselves when STRs are considered, discussed, or voted upon. Said recusals should be recorded in the meeting’s minutes. This should begin immediately upon receipt of this report. (F4)

Because there is often no written notification of the result of an appeal, complainants sometimes are unaware if a resolution has been reached.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Trinidad city manager notify complainants in writing within seven working days of all city decisions on Short Term Rental complaints and appeals. This should begin no later than October 1, 2018. (F5) 6

When properly utilized, Trinidad’s Short Term Rental Ordinance provides workable methods for solving problems associated with Short Term Rentals.

Related Recommendations (1)

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

A Tale of Two Cities - Response - Save Trinidad Neighborhoods

August 03, 2018 • 5 pages • 8 responses • Score: +6 (+6, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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8 responses to findings and recommendations

Trinidad’s complaint and appeal process has been slow and inconsistent which has led to confusion and frustration among residents.

Response: Agree Score: +1

STN agrees with the Grand Jury's finding: STN would like to make a point of clarification regarding the complaint and appeal process. It is not only that the appellant is "not informed of the final decision," but also that complaints and appeals go entirely unresolved and/or are not addressed in any way by the City despite repeated inquiries by residents about the status of their complaints. In the future, STN requests that all STR complaints and appeals be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council in staff report updates at their regular monthly public meetings. STN requests that t...

Lack of compliance to Trinidad’s Short Term Rental Ordinance by some Short Term Rental owners and property managers create frustration and animosity in the community.

Response: Agree Score: +1

STN agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. A lack of attention to STR problems and ignoring residents' complaints has resulted in undue duress and hardship on the part of residents and has also created a divided and toxic community environment. STN would like to build a relationship with the City and asks that there be regular, publicly-noticed open forums, such as Brown Bag Workshops, to share concerns, suggestions and progress on City STR issues. These less formal and more open meetings would allow increased dialog between City officials and residents and help restore public trust in City gov...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

STN agrees that this recommendation should be implemented. To assure enforcement of the STR Ordinance, it appears there must be an agreement between the City and HCSO to ensure that any Sheriffs Deputy patrolling Trinidad has been properly trained to enforce the regulations of the STR Ordinance (e.g., off-leash dogs, occupancy overages, noise problems, unauthorized events and parking issues). An administrative assistant who works for the City is not a code enforcement officer. This may be a proposal from the City Council and City Manager, however, we feel that with past problems, if there is n...

Trinidad would benefit in having law enforcement assistance during tourist season to handle immediate violations of the STR ordinance.

Response: Agree Score: +1

STN agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. At this time, even when the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) is on duty and notified of STR problems by residents, there is no real-time (at the time the violation is occuring) enforcement of the STR Ordinance. Per the HCSO Deputy, STN was informed that, at this time, the Trinidad Deputy is not trained in these matters and cannot enforce the Trinidad STR Ordinance. (Please see Attachment #2.) STN would like the HCSO Deputy to become trained 2 so that he can conduct real-time enforcement of Trinidad's STR Ordinance (i.e., off-leash dogs, occupanc...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

It is unclear what criteria is used for city council recusal of those members who own or manage an STR which leads to a perception of conflict of interest within the community.

Response: Agree Score: +1

STN agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. STN would like all \.ity \.ouncilmembers and Planning Commissionerr. thnt own and oporato STRs in Trinidad to recuse themselves whenever STR discussion/decision items are listed on City agendas, including StR Ordinance updates, violations or other issues. The perception of conflicts of interest was also mentioned in the Grand Jury Report, as it pertains to City staff. For example, while the Trinidad City Clerk is assigned with the review of STR complaints, appeals and renewals, he is also a property manager for multiple STRs in Trinidad. In addition, t...

Because there is often no written notification of the result of an appeal, complainants sometimes are unaware if a resolution has been reached.

Response: Agree Score: +1

STN agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. Due to ongoing Jack of public process and response by the City regarding STR complaints and appeals, it has become common place for a resident who files a complaint, or appeal, about an STR to receive a Jetter of litigation from the STR owner long before a response or determination has been made by the City Manager on the merits of the complaint. In addition to threats of lawsuits, residents continue to suffer verbal abuse and harassment and have been wrongly accused of lying and creating false reports by STR owners/managers, City officials and City st...

When properly utilized, Trinidad’s Short Term Rental Ordinance provides workable methods for solving problems associated with Short Term Rentals.

Response: Agree Score: +1