8A Consent 2007 0618 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINUTES Page 9 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-June 4, 2007 developed a draft ordinance for San Leandro. Mr. Jermanis indicated that the Committee attempted to create an ordinance which would be a meaningful policy statement to businesses working with the City, while at the same time would not require burdensome compliance monitoring for Finance staff. Public Comments on Item 1O.B.: Robert Arce, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, presenting the Council with petitions containing over 1,000 signatures of residents in support of a living wage ordinance in San Leandro. Mr. Arce encouraged the Council to approve a decent living wage for San Leandro workers. Dan Martinez, San Leandro resident and member of Congregations Organized for Renewal (COR), addressed the City Council, urging the Council to adopt the strongest living wage ordinance possible. Mr. Martinez commented that the current draft ordinance could be improved to better ensure workers' rights and protections. Darlene Evans, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, commenting on her inability to find employment in San Leandro. Ms. Evans noted that a living wage does not matter to someone who is unemployed. Diana Gentry, CEO of San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, addressed the City Council, commenting that while the Chamber does not support a living wage ordinance, it understands the pressures placed on the City to adopt one. Ms. Gentry stated that, prior to the adoption of a living wage ordinance, the Chamber hopes the City will determine definitively how many people will be impacted and what effect the ordinance will have on the business community and residents. Ms. Gentry commented that the City could risk losing businesses to other cities and states; businesses would pass the costs of the living wage ordinance on to their customers; some vendors may choose not to bid on contracts; and the exemptions need to be equally administered for all businesses to be competitive. Sarah Zimmerman, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, urging the Council to adopt the strongest living wage possible. Ms. Zimmerman commented that strong enforcement mechanisms are necessary in order to make the ordinance effective, and she highlighted four such provisions: 1) worker notification provisions; 2) quarterly payroll notification and reporting; 3) strong anti-retaliation measures; and 4) financial penalties for persistent violations by businesses. Lou Filipovich, San Leandro resident, addressed the City Council, commenting that there is no authority or policing power at the state or federal level for a living wage ordinance. Mr. Filipovich commented that employers will simply pass the costs of the living wage on, and he urged the Council to exercise care in adopting such an ordinance. Howard Greenwich, Director of Research for EBASE, addressed the City Council, commenting on EBASE's involvement in the adoption of living wage ordinances in