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Tenant advocates beefing up services ahead of anticipated wave of evictions. Mountain Mediation Center is ready to meet the needs of Summit and Wasatch County residents and educate landlords and tenants before issues arise in order to avoid eviction filings.

Article by Annie Knox for the Deseret News (August 2, 2020)

SALT LAKE CITY — Jasmine Stanley checks her bank account several times a day to see if an unexpected payment has shown up. Any extra cash will help.

She and her boyfriend are short on August rent after they got the coronavirus last week and couldn’t work.

If the Midvale couple had fallen sick earlier, moratoriums on pandemic-related evictions would have bought them more time to catch up. But a statewide freeze ended in May, and protection for Stanley and other renters in buildings with federally backed mortgages ran out last week.

“It’s pretty overwhelming. It causes a lot of anxiety,” said Stanley, 22, who estimates she will fall hundreds of dollars short of her roughly $900 rent. “We had one of my friends take our coins to Coinstar to see how much money we could get. She got about $50, so that was cool, but still not enough.”

After an initial dip in evictions in recent months, tenant advocates expect the number to swell. Many are ramping up services in English and Spanish to handle the anticipated surge, although a rental owner industry group says the fears are overblown.

The evictions threaten to amplify a longtime trend. Most Utahns who face eviction lawsuits — 95% as of last year — have no legal representation, while the vast majority of property owners — 91% — are equipped with attorneys, show Utah courts system data on the 6,300 cases adjudicated last year.

Unemployment benefits and an additional $600 a week in federal relief have helped other Utahns weather the pandemic, but the extra payments have now ceased. As of June, 85,700 in the state were out of work, according to the Department of Workforce Services.

And while many have found jobs as the state has gradually reopened, rising numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases make for an uncertain economy.

Stanley said her boyfriend, Vaitupu Collins, developed a fever and body aches after an infected co-worker at his manufacturing job came to work with symptoms. Soon Stanley struggled to breathe even while lying on the couch and could not muster the energy to work from home for her call center job. Within a few days, Stanley began to feel better, but Collins was too drained to speak with a reporter. Both tested positive for the virus.

The state has set aside $20 million and the US. government $4 million in rent help for Utahns like Stanley, although restrictions apply.

Stanley learned she may not qualify for a grant because Collins, staying with her to avoid infecting eight family members he usually lives with, is not on her lease. She got in touch with a property agent at her building, who said she would qualify for a break only if within $99 of the full payment.

She doesn’t plan to seek help from her family. Her father, a construction worker who remodels hotels, was laid off in July.

“I think it’s just important for people to see that just because the state isn’t shut down anymore doesn’t mean that people aren’t struggling,” Stanley said.

Marty Blaustein, an attorney with Utah Legal Services, agreed.

“This is not going to be pretty,” said Blaustein, whose firm is hiring three new advocates to work on eviction and debt collection cases.

The main industry group for Utah rental property owners sees it differently.

Paul Smith, the executive director of the Utah Apartment Association, noted June’s number of eviction court cases filed statewide — 332 — is down by about half. It did not rebound to normal levels after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s six-week hold on evictions lifted in May, a dip he attributes to landlords willing to work with tenants, government assistance, and financial contributions from churches, family members and charities.

Smith estimates that 30,000 to 50,000 apartments — about 10-16% of the state stock — have federally backed loans.

“The reality is it’s not a crisis,” he said. “So far, we’re doing just fine.”

Many of the state’s roughly 100,000 rental owners are senior citizens who rely on the income for retirement or to help support their families, Smith said.

As of late last week, no flood of calls had hit Park City’s Mountain Mediation Center. But a handful of mediators were already training in the nitty-gritty of state housing law, in part so they can inform renters of their rights, said executive director Gretchen Lee.

“In my mind, education is such a key component for tenants since the laws are not stacked in their favor,” Lee said.

Jeffrey Daybell, the executive director of the new nonprofit People’s Legal Aid, predicts several waves of evictions in coming months. His organization is Utah’s first to focus solely on representing tenants throughout the state, supplementing his job helping low-income clients at the Utah State Bar.

Daybell said landlords have largely allowed Utahns to defer rent and stay in their homes, “but if tenants haven’t returned to work in a way that allows them to make those payments in the future, we have essentially postponed a very large debt.”

Some landlords are seeking to oust those who can’t pay for other reasons.

One of Daybell’s clients recently fought and won a nonpayment eviction case after pointing out the home had a federally backed loan. The next day, the landlord served the man an eviction notice for nuisance, which is not blocked by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The landlord alleged he was talking, laughing and playing music too loud, in addition to leaving on porch and kitchen lights.

It’s not clear how many laid-off, furloughed or reduced-hour renters are facing similar nuisance claims but simply leave instead of trying to disprove them, Daybell said.

“I’m nervous that it’s happening outside of court and we don’t have an ability to catch it,” he said.

Click here to read this article on the Deseret News website

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Sue Banerjee

Sue is the Executive Director of PC Tots, a non-profit early education and childcare provider serving the residents and workforce of Summit County. She provides strategic and operational leadership for the execution and expansion of PC Tots’s mission of providing equitable access to high-quality care. She holds a juris doctorate from George Washington University and has worked for large law firms on employment, civil rights and corporate matters. She has served as Vice President of Client Development at eBrevia, in which role she assisted in raising funds from venture capitalist and angel investors, as well as interfacing with clients on their contract review needs.

After moving to Park City, Sue became involved in organizations that allowed her to do good work in the community. She has been an active volunteer for the Park City Education Foundation, serving as the Parleys Park ambassador, and as a Grant’s Committee member of the Women’s Giving Fund. Most recently, Sue worked in the community as a substitute teacher in the Park City School District, where she saw firsthand the benefits of quality early education.

Moe Hickey - Treasurer

Moe Hickey is the Executive Director of Voices for Utah Children. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Managing Director of the Park City Institute. From 2008-2015 he served as the president of the Park City Board of Education, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Park City Education Foundation.

A native New Yorker, he began his professional life in the global financial markets. He worked both domestically and internationally for twenty years. He completed his career as a partner at Cantor Fitzgerald, where he was the Managing Director of Global Emerging Markets. 

He is a graduate of Wagner College, where he received a BS in Economics. He currently resides in Park City, Utah with his wife and two children. He enjoys outdoor activities, cooking and travelling.

Kris Campbell – Program Director

Kris is the Program Director for Mountain Mediation Center, overseeing MMC’s programs, fundraiser, and rapidly expanding training program, and coordinating our dedicated volunteers. He is passionate about bringing people together to work through conflicts productively. Kris began his work with MMC as a volunteer in 2020, facilitating Community Conversations and leading training sessions to build understanding, connection, and community along the Wasatch Back. In 2023, Kris served as MMC’s Board Chair. 

When he’s not at work, Kris often spends time with his kids, serving the community through Rotary, Braver Angels, and the Park City LGBTQ+ Taskforce, or exploring area trails.

Joanna Salvador – Case Manager & Outreach Coordinator

Joanna is the Outreach Coordinator and Case Manager for Mountain Mediation Center, administering the landlord-tenant eviction diversion program in partnership with local organizations to help prevent and resolve landlord-tenant disputes. She specializes in public outreach, collaborating with agencies and community partners, and connecting communities to resources.

Joanna has a degree from BYU in Family Science with an emphasis in Latin American Studies. She has worked with other nonprofits including Gear Up Utah, which connects low income high schoolers to post-secondary education opportunities. Joanna is passionate about helping the communities around her. She and her husband have lived in Utah for 2 years and have loved every moment.

Nicole Wozniak – Communications Coordinator

Nicole is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She has both worked for and volunteered with a multitude of nonprofits in Park City including KPCW, the Christian Center, and now Mountain Mediation Center.

Nicole coordinates MMC’s Community Conversations series – organizing volunteers, sourcing local partners & venues, and creating/implementing the marketing for the events. She also designs MMC’s marketing and outreach materials.

Beth Holzman - Board Co-Chair

Beth is a consultant to corporations, nonprofits, and governments on the topics of corporate responsibility, human rights & supply chain management, and social impact. Over the last 20 years, Beth has worked with over 50 organizations creating strategic plans; devising data-driven analysis for sustainability initiatives; and facilitating multi-stakeholder engagements to create improved transparency, trust and communication.

In Park City, Beth has served on the Advisory Committee of the first Mountain Towns 2030 Summit, supported grantees of the Park City Community Foundation during COVID-19, volunteered with Voterise and the League of Women Voters, and is a ski instructor for the Local Women’s Program at PCMR/ Canyons. She holds degrees in Sociology and Peace & Justice Studies from Tufts University.

Dr. Claustina Mahon-Reynolds - Board Co-Chair

Claustina Reynolds serves as Principal in the Murray School District. Claustina came from the Salt Lake City School District, where she served as Educational Equity Supervisor. Reynolds also has experience as a teacher, coach, middle school administrator, higher education instructor, and staff developer. She has completed a doctorate degree from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah.

Joana Acevedo

Joana graduated from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah in 2020 with a degree in marketing. After graduating, she worked as a college access advisor for the Utah College Advising Corps, helping first generation college students at Granger High School navigate the college admission and financial aid process. In 2021, she became the Outreach/Program Coordinator for Mountain Mediation Center. Joana is currently employed by the Park City School District as the College Program Manager for the Bright Futures Program.

Maddy Shear

Maddy retired in 2023 after 15 years of doing work she was passionate about. Maddy was a nonprofit consultant, facilitating strategic planning, board/staff retreats, and acting as a strategic thinking partner for many nonprofit organizations in our community. 

Earlier in her career, Maddy worked for twelve years for Hasbro Inc., the largest toy company in the world. Retiring as Vice President of Marketing for the Parker Brothers Board Games division, she had fun times with new games and classics Monopoly, Clue, Sorry and Boggle!

More recently, Maddy has enjoyed serving as board chair for two local organizations, including the Summit County Library. She is an avid reader and library lover. With Maddy and Jon’s 2023 double retirement, they are enjoying road-tripping and hiking all over the country and spending time with family. Maddy and Jon have two adult daughters, one living in SLC the other in Tucson.

Anne Cameron

Anne has practiced family law in Park City and the surrounding communities since 2007 and is a member of the Utah Court’s Domestic Mediation roster. Anne’s practice is now limited to mediation. Anne was first trained in Collaborative Family Law and Mediation in 2008 and has continued her education and commitment to alternative dispute resolution as a student and speaker in conferences in Utah and around the Country. In her mediation practice, Anne has devoted her energy to facilitating sustainable solutions for families in conflict. Anne is excited to make domestic mediation accessible to underrepresented groups and populations to provide access to justice and mediation through Utah Dispute Resolution and the Mountain Mediation Center.

Anne is the past Chairperson for the Utah Association of Collaborative Professionals, is a former board member of the Park City Bar Association, she currently belongs to the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, and is a member of the Utah Judicial Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.

Jill Sheinberg

Jill is an attorney, mediator and lifelong advocate of equality, peace and justice. She is a founding member of the Park City Women’s Giving Fund and the Utah Women’s Giving Circle and a member, of the Utah Women’s Forum. A native New Yorker, Jill graduated from the University of Michigan (BA) and the New School for Social Research (MA in Sociology). After receiving her law degree, she worked in the fields of employment law and not-for-profit representation. She also facilitated community mediations for several years in Brooklyn before moving to Park City in 1995.

In Utah, Jill has worked at KUED television station and various film companies as a community connections organizer, taught at Westminster College (Masters Leadership program) and is currently a Master Mediator on the state court roster, specializing in family and employment issues.

Jill is currently a board member of the Haitian Orchestra Institute and Park City Film. She has previously served on the boards of Adopt-a-Native-Elder, Planned Parenthood of Utah, ACLU of Utah, National ACLU, Salt Lake Acting Company, and is a founding member of HEAL Utah.

Evie Brinkerhoff

Evie Brinkerhoff is a trained attorney and mediator. She currently works for the Utah Courts as a child welfare mediator. She previously worked at Utah Dispute Resolution as a mediator and office director for northern Utah. She has worked extensively in schools, developing and implementing restorative justice and mediation programs for schools. She has also conducted numerous high conflict divorce cases and has worked extensively with the immigrant and refugee population of Utah.

Miriam Nieto

Miriam is the Director of Education with Holy Cross Ministries. She started working for Holy Cross Ministries in 2007 as part of the After School Program team and has a passion for working in early childhood education. She was instrumental in developing the preschool project now known as the School Readiness Program and the Parents as Teachers Program. 

She was born and raised in Mexico City and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Early Childhood Education from the National University of Mexico.

Deborah McGraw

Deborah is a court-qualified rostered mediator with the Utah Courts. She is currently an Advisor to the Board for Mountain Mediation Center. Her mediation experience includes private and group mediation, divorce and domestic mediation, and facilitated conversations and conferencing. She is a Master Facilitator and an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University, Center for Professional and Continuing Education. She has an extensive restorative background, which also includes work and practice in Circles, meditation and self-empowerment techniques for the past 30 years. She graduated from University of Denver.

Sam Mekrut

Sam Mekrut (she/her) is a Master Mediator, Certified Eldercaring Coordinator and experienced facilitator. After working as a Child Welfare Mediator for Utah’s Administrative Office of the Courts for 8 years, Sam founded TalkWorks, a private conflict resolution practice offering mediation, facilitation, restorative conferencing, training and conflict coaching. She takes a compassionate and practical approach to resolving conflicts and strongly believes in the transformative power that comes from ensuring individuals’ perspectives are heard, and their needs acknowledged.

Prior to becoming a mediator, Sam worked for many years in social justice nonprofits, building coalitions and developing strategic grassroots campaigns to advance state/national public policy on a host of issues including access to affordable health care, environmental quality, education, and campaign finance reform.

Christine Coleman

Christine Coleman (she/her) is a senior marketing professional with 20+ years of experience working with nonprofit organizations and foundations. As Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Park City Community Foundation, she focuses on all areas of the marketing mix including, branding, content management, digital marketing, and public relations. Prior to Park City Community Foundation, she was Director of Marketing for Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco where she led campaigns to increase donor engagement and program marketing targeted to 80,000 clients annually.

Christine grew up in Park City, and after living in the Bay Area for many years, moved back to her beloved hometown in 2018. She holds a B.A. from University of California, Santa Cruz and an M.A. in Organizational Development from California Institute of Integral Studies. Christine is passionate about developing teams and talent and advancing equity and belonging. She enjoys skiing, camping, scuba diving, and hiking with her family and dog.

Gretchen Lee – Executive Director

Gretchen is an attorney and a court-qualified mediator with the Utah Courts. She has an extensive government relations background- having worked as an attorney for the Utah State Legislature as well as the private and nonprofit sectors drafting resolutions, initiatives and other policy documents. Gretchen serves on the Board of Trustees for the Utah Council of Conflict Resolution and is a member of the Restorative Justice Collaborative of Utah. She graduated from Colgate University and Emory School of Law.