New London ― The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Fair Rent Commission at its May 15 meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Public Act 22-20 requires towns with a population greater than 25,000 to adopt a fair rent commission ordinance by July 1. A fair rent commission is a municipal board of volunteers that can hold hearings and makes decisions in response to tenant complaints.

A fair rent commission can investigate claims, deny an “unconscionable rent” increase and reduce the rent to a fair price, phase-in a rent increase, or delay a rent increase until housing code violations are fixed. It can also deny a tenant’s claim.

The council had its second of three readings on the draft ordinance Monday, making a few changes from the first reading. The proposed ordinance now states the commission will consist of five members and two alternates, all of which will be city residents. Of the five regular members, one will be a landlord and one a tenant.

Two of the regular members and one alternate would be appointed by the the City Council and three regular members, including the commission’s chairperson, and one alternate would be appointed by the mayor. The chairperson would not be a landlord or tenant.

Members of the public will be able to voice their opinions on the proposal at the May 15 meeting as the council reads the draft ordinance for a third and final time.

City Council President Reona Dyess Wednesday said the council has until June 30 to make a motion to enact the ordinance and there will be another opportunity for public comment before then.

j.vazquez@theday.com