Jay Kelekian, Executive Director of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, has announced that the Board is accepting applications from “qualified” Berkeley residents to fill a recently-vacated seat on the Board on an interim basis, until the next general election in November 2018, so it will run through November 30, 2018.

Application Process and Deadlines: The Board press release of Feb. 7, 2017, describes a multi-stage application process. Applications submitted by 5 pm on Feb. 22 will be included in the packet distributed to Board members at a special Feb 28 Board meeting. Applications submitted before 4 pm on Feb 28 will be copied and distributed to Board members at the Feb. 28 meeting. At that meeting, the Board will “nominate” candidates for the four member Ad Hoc Search Committee to review.  The Search Committee plans to make its final recommendations to the Board at the regular meeting on March 20.

Requirements: Applicants must be residents of Berkeley and  registered Berkeley voters. Eligible candidates must submit a letter of 500 or fewer words describing their
background and why they wish to serve on the Board. Applications must include the candidate’s full legal name, current living address (post office boxes will not be accepted), as well as telephone and other contact numbers.

Submissions: Letter applications may be mailed or dropped off at the Rent Board offices at 2125 Milvia Street, Berkeley 94704, to  the attention of Jen Fabish, (or email jfabish@cityofberkeley.info). These applications will be considered public documents. 

Duties of Board: Under the City Charter, the Rent Board is responsible for overseeing the proper administration of programs to regulate residential rent; to protect tenants from
unwarranted rent increases and arbitrary, discriminatory or retaliatory evictions; help
maintain the diversity of the Berkeley community, and ensure compliance with legal
obligations related to the rental of housing.

Board Chair, John Selawsky, stated “The Board wishes to set up an open and transparent selection process that considers all qualified candidates.” The Board has established a four-member Ad hoc Search Committee to review qualified or nominated applications, which could include telephone contact and/or personal interviews.

Contact Jay Kelekian at 981-7368 (981-RENT) with any questions.