The City Council is set to begin the process of appointing a new at-large member to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board to fill a vacancy left by a recent resignation.
The vacancy was created Jan. 1 following the departure of board member Arnold Siegel. City officials opened the application process shortly afterward, soliciting interest from Pasadena residents. Over a two-month period, 11 applicants were certified as meeting eligibility requirements to serve on the board.
The candidates are Desolina Avila, David Coher, Elizabeth Crespin, Elisia M. Farmer, Simon Gibbons, Dan Huynh, Brandon Lamar, Brenda Lyon, Erica Munoz, Richard W. Starratt and Simon Ybarra.
At-large member Lourdes Gonzalez also resigned from the board as of April 2, according to the City Council agenda.
The Pasadena Rental Housing Board was established by voters in November 2022 through Measure H, a city charter amendment that created a rent stabilization system and expanded tenant protections. The measure gave the board authority to implement and enforce rent control policies, oversee compliance and serve as an independent body responsible for administering the city’s rental housing regulations.
The Pasadena Rental Housing Board oversees and enforces the city’s voter-approved rent control and tenant protection laws. It administers rent stabilization rules, including limits on rent increases, and enforces “just cause” eviction protections. The board also handles petitions and disputes between landlords and tenants, such as requests for rent adjustments or exemptions, and adopts policies and regulations to implement the law.
In addition, the board monitors compliance with registration and legal requirements and conducts public outreach to educate tenants and property owners about their rights and responsibilities. It operates as both a regulatory and quasi-judicial body, with authority that can directly shape housing affordability, tenant stability and landlord practices across Pasadena.
The City Council will use a consensus-based selection process outlined in Resolution No. 10120 to identify a preferred candidate. Under that process, each Councilmember will review applications and rank up to five candidates based on qualifications, background and ability to serve.
During the council meeting, members will publicly share their rankings, which will be tallied by the City Clerk to help determine which applicants have the most support. The rankings are intended to guide discussion and do not constitute a formal vote.
Applicants receiving the most support may be invited to address the council and answer questions before a final decision is made. Any appointment requires at least five affirmative votes from the council.
The selected candidate will serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which runs through May 24, 2027.
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