Amador County – The Jackson City Council voted 5-0 Monday to send letters of support for legislation dealing with mobile home parks, but made sure that it would not affect the city.

City Manager Mike Daly said Senate Bill 444 dealt with the subdividing of mobile home parks, an issue the city has been addressing over the past few months with work on an application for subdivision by owners of Rollingwood Estates. The legislation attempts to clarify existing state code that has “been kind of a ping pong ball in the court system,” with conflicting rulings. The crux is whether or not a local agency must consider results of a survey of mobile home park residents when it considers approval, disapproval or conditional approval of a request for subdividing a mobile home park into individual parcels.

Daly said the City Council should “not say anything that can prejudice itself,” in the event its pending decision on the Rollingwood application is later appealed by Rollingwood owners. He said if the council chooses to take action, it would be to help clarify the issue for agencies.

He said Assembly Bill 579 deals with rent control ordinances, and their legal defense by cities, or other jurisdictions. It would allow the city, if it won a challenge, to be able to get relief from the plaintiff for legal fees.

Shirley Dajnowski, president of Chapter 1605 of the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League, and a Rollingwood resident, said SB 444 would restore balance and provide homeowners security. She said it clarifies the original intent of the law, which “requires surveys to show support” for subdivision approval.

Dajnowski said AB 579 would allow local governments to recover attorney fees. She said she was able to talk with a staff member from Assemblywoman Alyson Huber’s office. The staffer gave her 45 minutes, but Dajnowski said the lawmaker was getting pressure from mobile home park owners.

Dajnowski said: “He listened very carefully, which they all do,” but told her park owners are really putting pressure on Huber, and “they want to be able to sue cities to get their money back.”

Dajnowski urged City Council support, and gave some information about the Rollingwood residents, saying 112 are widows or widowers. She said there are 186 homes and 206 people, making up 7 percent of the Jackson electorate.

Councilman Wayne Garibaldi said both bills “seemed to be in the city’s best interest.” Daly said the city attorney advised that the city could support the legislation to clarify the issue. Councilman Keith Sweet motioned to send support letters, as long as they do not prejudice the city’s future actions. The motion carried unanimously.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.