2023-05-24 17:51:10
Urgent request
Vienna (OTS/RK) – GR Wolfgang Kieslich (member of the club) saw “of course there was a need for improvement” in the area of transparency. He mentioned three studies on regional trams. The City of Vienna has “zero information” on these projects. In general, Kieslich questioned the number of external studies commissioned, saying that there are also very good employees in the municipal administration.
GR David Ellensohn (GRÜNE) went into the study on the Volkertviertel. He was surprised at the question about the “inquisition accusation”. The Administrative Court of Vienna made it clear that this study had to be published – contrary to the opinion of the City of Vienna. The basis for the obligation to publish is the information law from 1988 and that has nothing to do with the federal law of January 1, 2023. He criticized the way the magistrate dealt with the journalist who wanted to see the study on the Volkertviertel. Ellensohn wished for further improvements in the area of transparency in the future. The City of Vienna could have “easily” decided to publish internal expert opinions, but decided against it.
GRin Mag. Laura Sachslehner, BA (ÖVP) criticized the transparency efforts of the city government and especially the NEOS as “thimble”, the city is still “a black hole”. According to Sachslehner, it is “impossible” to find out which reports and studies are being carried out and which external consultants and agencies are being worked with. In this context, she criticized the creation of a cultural strategy and surveys by the company WH Media. The city’s communication also contained a few “tidbits” in this regard, such as a campaign on the subject of waste separation that was not included in the annual report.
GRin Ilse Fitzbauer (SPÖ) missed “self-reflection” in the Greens. She mentioned a study on the B232 in Floridsdorf, which had been promised by the then responsible city councilor Maria Vassilakou (GRÜNE). After switching to her successor Birgit Hebein, there was “no more feedback at all”. Finally, in 2020, a note was received that the study was “in a drawer” in the department. The example shows that accusing the SPÖ of hiding study results is “not the best way”. The topic could also have been dealt with in a normal inquiry, an “urgent” one is not necessary.
GR Kilian Stark (GREEN) spoke up again. In the discussion surrounding the study on the Volkertviertel, the arguments of “commercial secrets” and the risk of circulating “misleading information” would not open up to him. The only thing standing in the way of publication is the political will of politicians. In addition, the study on possible tree plantings in the Landstrasse district was commissioned by MA 18, and therefore City Councilor Sima was responsible for the publication and not, as argued, by the district.
Voting: The opposition motions did not find the necessary majority.
After the debate on the Urgent Question, the agenda continued.
Community building bonus package of measures to limit rent charges for tenants in community building and community building new
GRin Barbara Novak, MA (SPÖ) said that municipal housing in Vienna is about affordable housing and a high quality of life, for which the facility is “admired worldwide”. In order to help tenants in communal housing in these difficult times of rising prices, there is now the communal building bonus. It is clear to her that a “puzzle of measures” is needed, the bonus is “not the systemic panacea.” Fighting price and inflation needs new types of calculation that have to be designed together at federal level. Any form of support – including one-off payments – is “important and right”. Nevertheless, measures are needed in tenancy law, such as a rental price brake, Novak demanded.
GR David Ellensohn (GRÜNE) described the municipal building in Vienna as “valuable” and, like the previous speaker Novak (SPÖ), he was of the opinion that one-off payments “should not be badmouthed”. In Graz, for example, one can see with the rental price cap that it is also possible to introduce one in one’s own sphere of activity. Ellensohn then devoted himself to the city audit office report and the subject of rental agreements between political parties and Wiener Wohnen. Due to the lack of documents, among other things, the city audit office could not adequately check here. In an application, Ellensohn demanded that the leases of political parties at Wiener Wohnen be disclosed.
GR dr Kurt Stürzenbecher (SPÖ) described the community building bonus as a “good thing”. Around 220,000 households would be helped with a total of 128 million euros. This is an “important piece of the puzzle” in helping against inflation. In this context, he also mentioned the “step bonus”, which supports tenants depending on the increase in rent and a new regulation for payment in installments. In addition, Stürzenbecher also announced help for tenants outside of municipal buildings. Stürzenbecher also emphasized that tenancy law is a federal matter. He demanded from the federal government, among other things, a general tenancy law for everyone, rent pricing with clear upper limits, the introduction of noticeable fines for violations of upper limits and a restriction of the possibility of limiting rental contracts.
StR Dominik Nepp, MA (FPÖ) describes the argumentation of the SPÖ in the debate as “brutally bold.” The people in Vienna need money because they would be “ripped off” in municipal housing. According to Nepp, the additional burden on a household, for example due to operating and energy costs, is up to 2,500 euros more per year. The city of Vienna does not have to pass on rent increases to the tenants, said Nepp: “Save in the system!”
GRin Barbara Novak, MA (SPÖ) did not want to leave the accusation of “hidden party donations” by the previous speaker Ellensohn uncommented. There are rental properties that are so old that not all documents are available everywhere. Conversely, this does not mean that these are illegal contracts. No money went from the city to the party, Novak said. (cont.) gaa
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