Rent Control Administrator to retire
Thank you Mary Ann Yurkonis — Good Work!
After overseeing the Rent Control Agency for almost 20 years, Mary Ann Yurkonis will be retiring from her post as Administrator by the end of this year.
A graduate of People’s College of Law, Mary Ann began at Rent Control in 1979 as Assistant Administrator, while awaiting her bar exam results. Mary Ann stayed on after passing the bar, serving as Acting Administrator by year’s end. She joined the Agency’s legal arm in 1980, handling writs, staff reports and some appellate litigation. She argued before the California Supreme Court in the Santa Monica Pines case regarding condominium conversions. In 1984, she went to the City Attorneys office before being rehired by the Rent Board in 1988 as Administrator.
Mary Ann has effectively applied a wealth of experience and knowledge to create one of the most advanced Rent Control systems in the country. She is admired for her ability to fairly balance the needs of tenants and landlords while expertly navigating the challenges brought by changes in state law. As a result, the Agency has succeeded in maintaining the consistency and trustworthiness that property owners and tenants have come to rely upon. While reflecting on her career, Mary Ann recalled remarks from attorneys and property owners over the years, “They know what the rules are and they know the rules will be followed. They know they receive due process and a fair opportunity to present their cases.”
Some of Mary Ann’s most memorable moments as Administrator exemplify her ability to shepherd the Agency through difficult, sometimes unforeseen, situations. After the Northridge Earthquake, the Agency was inundated with requests for assistance. Recognizing the need to facilitate the quick repair of the many damaged buildings, she worked with the staff and Board to find ways for owners and tenants to split costs, enabling many people to return to their buildings quickly or remain in their buildings while repairs took place.
The implementation of Costa-Hawkins was another major challenge. Mary Ann recalled the realization that the Agency would have to downsize, even after having added people to handle the workload following the earthquake. With Mary Ann’s guidance, the staff was able to go from 50 employees to it’s current 30, without layoffs. “It was a remarkable achievement,” Mary Ann said, praising the staff and managers.
Mary Ann, guided by her innate ability to identify solutions and make well-informed decisions, is heralded as a talented problem-solver. Implementing mediation services at the Agency allowing for informal resolutions to conflicts between owners and tenants is one of her many achievements. With Mary Ann’s encouragement, it wasn’t long before all decrease and excess rent cases began going before a mediator. Such services have greatly benefited the community over the years. “There was a thought that everything had to be done by hearing, but I think that when you’re talking about long term relationships between tenants and owners, the use of mediation can better help preserve those relationships.”
Mary Ann admires the Santa Monica community she has served. She feels there is a real commitment to the principals of rent control and providing affordable housing. “Renters are involved in all aspects of community life. They sit on all commissions and boards in the city and influence the direction of the city. One of the greatest achievements of the Rent Control Law has been the longevity of renters in this community,” she declared.
Recognizing Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights as a political and guiding force in this city’s policies since 1979, Mary Ann acknowledged, “All of the Rent Control Board commissioners that have served during the time I’ve been here have been people that were supported by SMRR.” Looking toward the future of Rent Control, Mary Ann expressed her concern about the affordability of the housing stock in light of vacancy decontrols, but as always, sees various choices and solutions available to policy makers, such as deed-restricted housing. “I think there’s a real commitment to economic diversity in this community. And I think many people realize that if economic diversity is lost, then the community loses. The right to affordable housing is a right that everyone should have.”
Mary Ann will continue to be involved with the Agency, keeping an eye on operations in a consulting capacity as needed. “I have a real commitment to rent control and affordable housing in Santa Monica,” she declared. “I’m happy to provide any input or advice that I can. I’ve worked in this community for 28 years. I never thought when I was in law school that this is where my career would end up, but it’s been a satisfying one.”
Warmly remembering her colleagues, Mary Ann has nothing but praise for the people around her who have essentially become family, “One of the bright points for me in working with this agency has been the level of concern and caring of the staff. They really are very compassionate people who care about what they do and the people they serve. The thing that I’ll miss the most is the day-to-day interaction with the staff. They are a wonderful group of people.”
The Rent Control Board has initiated a search for her replacement and hopes to have her successor in place by the end of the year. On behalf of past and present commissioners on the Board, I want to express our great appreciation to Mary Ann for her many significant and admirable contributions to rent control and to our community.