Tenant testimony and inspector reports prompt stricter deadlines and higher fines for Cascade Apartments units

Inspector Eric Pham presented a cluster of five enforcement cases at the Cascade Apartments (1221/1222 Algarita Avenue), documenting repeated 311 complaints, rat droppings found behind stoves and in pantries, live rodents observed on glue traps, holes in patios that allow pest access, and deteriorated walkways and handrails across multiple buildings.

During public comment, licensed master social worker Chris Kraff described a tenant’s repeated requests for pest control that, according to the exhibit record, were met with a management message asking the tenant to visually confirm rodent activity before remaining on the pest-control list. Kraff said city inspection corroborated—twice—an active infestation in Unit 274.

Former tenant Heather Reyes told the commission she heard rats in her ceiling days after moving in, reported the problem repeatedly, and lived for months with anxiety, lost sleep and fear of entering her kitchen until she moved to safe housing earlier in May. "Nobody should have to live that way," Reyes told the commission.

Staff recommended repair orders for five structures or units and asked for engineering reports for stairways, decks and balconies where identified. After questioning about whether management had provided proof of mitigation and reviewing the inspection history, commissioners amended the recommended orders for specified units to require compliance within 30 days and increased the civil penalty for noncompliance to $2,000 per week for the affected orders. The motion to adopt staff findings as amended passed by roll call.

Inspector Pham said follow-up inspections had shown ongoing issues since April and that photographs and repeated tenant complaints warranted more aggressive enforcement. Commissioners asked staff to require engineering reports where structural integrity was in question and set short deadlines for infestation remediation and structural repairs.

What the orders require

- For units designated in staff’s orders the commission changed the compliance period to 30 days and set inspections to verify remediation.
- For specified orders the commission raised the civil penalty for noncompliance to $2,000 per week beginning on the first day after the compliance deadline.

Next steps

Staff will require written engineering reports where specified, verify that owners obtain and finalize permits, and perform inspections to confirm remediation. The commission instructed staff to follow up on the 30‑day schedule and present updates as needed.