Check in with new council member, Patrick Mehler

Since his appointment as council member on Oct. 6, Patrick Mehler, a junior at Cornell University, dived straight into tackling the city’s key issues. One issue that Mehler is working on and has been wanting to work on since his interview with the selection committee, is housing.

Mehler has been talking with the 1st ward alderperson Cynthia Brock on the “Prohibition of Eviction without Good Cause” legislation. Mehler was tapped to see what details of the bill could be amended or improved.

“Prohibition of Eviction without Good Cause” is a legislation that came from the city of Albany that is aimed to give support to both tenants and landlords. Coming from both Brock and Mehler, legislation that supports both tenants and landlords is needed as they are both important to Ithaca.

One detail that Mehler is working on is the timing of a lease renewal request, which is laid out in the bill. As of right now the bill states that landlords must wait 60 days to request a lease renewal from the tenants, and tenants have 45 days after that request to make their decision. Under the bill, the option to waive the waiting period is eliminated.

“I don’t understand the purpose of a law that says below, ‘you can waive it if you want to,’” Mehler said in regards to the current system. Right now, landlords can waive the waiting period, which the bill does not allow.

“The current system is; if you’re renting somewhere … you are asked to make a decision that will last for a year, a year in advance,” Mehler said. “For people who are mostly 18 to 25, that’s not the most realistic thing to ask for.”

When it came to working on the time allowed for a lease renewal request and the actual renewal, Mehler noted that he is looking at many lease cycles in the area to determine a number that will fairly most residents.

Mehler also noted that a fair number needs to be reasonable for landlords too, citing that it is not fair for a landlord to begin asking the sixth month of the lease. “That’s not a sustainable business model for just about anybody,” Mehler said.

Aside from working on housing, Mehler states that his transition into the common council was a good experience. While Mehler was appointed as the 4th ward council member on Oct. 6, he began working in the role a week later.

Looking forward, Mehler encourages the residents of the 4th ward to reach out and tell the council what they are concerned about. Mehler also hopes for residents to know that the council is not trying to hurt anyone. The council is working towards creating a fairer and understanding city.

Published on Oct. 31, 2021 by Forth.