El Monte : Relocation Benefits OKd

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved two relocation benefits to be paid to Redwood Trailer Park tenants, allowing higher amounts for those whose trailers are too old or broken down to be moved.

Redwood Trailer Partnership, the corporation that owns the park, plans to close it and redevelop the land, although no specific plans have yet been outlined.

Acting on a staff recommendation, the council approved a $5,000 relocation payment to park tenants who move their trailers to another park within a 20-mile radius and $6,900 for those whose trailers cannot be moved. The higher figure was based on the greater cost of renting an apartment, plus $1,500 to buy appliances.

The council also stipulated that the park’s owner must actively help the tenants--who will be allowed 12 months to move--to find new housing. The owner was ordered not to pressure tenants into accepting a particular vacancy, however.

Tenants testified at Tuesday’s meeting that they were willing to accept the decision. Resident Janet Bobadilla, who translated testimony and council responses into Spanish for other tenants, estimated that about nine of the 26 remaining trailers could not be moved.

Richard Yuen, the attorney for Redwood Trailer Partnership, said he did not know whether the owner would go along with the ruling. The corporation had agreed earlier this year to pay $5,000 per trailer, after initially offering $1,280 more than a year ago.