Editorial Editorial (March 25, 2005)

Why is mediation a bad word?

With nearly 60 percent of the city's 71,000-plus residents paying rent, it was disconcerting last week when the Mountain View City Council voted down a move to consider mandatory mediation between landlords and tenants.

The vote was close, 4-3, with the surprise being Greg Perry's decision to vote with the detractors. So unless the measure is somehow put back on the agenda, the city will not even investigate a service that could benefit more than half of the city's residents.

The mediation idea was submitted by city staff, and the thinking was that it would be patterned after Palo Alto's program, which simply brings the two parties together if there is a dispute. Neither side is forced to listen to the other -- although they must hear the mediator make an opening statement -- and even if a recommendation is made, it is not binding.

Some critics of the 4-3 vote noted that the Tri-County Apartment Association, a powerful group that represents landlords in the area, and the Mountain View Housing Council had contributed campaign funds to three of the four council members who voted against the mediation proposal. But while that connection could have changed someone's mind, we doubt that it swayed anyone. In fact, the three members who voted for mediation, Mike Kasperzak, Nick Galiotto and Mayor Matt Neely, also received donations from Tri-County during their council campaigns.

But even if the council approved a mediation plan similar to Palo Alto's, it would hardly level the playing field. Tri-County is one of the strongest interest groups involved in local city council campaigns. And while Peninsula Interfaith Action speaks up for tenants, it in no way has even a fraction of the clout wielded by Tri-County.

The council had the right idea but just lacked one vote. We urge Perry or another of those voting no (Laura Macias, Matt Pear, Tom Means) to think again on this one, and at least authorize a study of mediation that would give renters a forum to be heard, even if a decision would not be binding.

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