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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 03/04/2020X q CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020 — 3:30 P.M. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CONFERENCE ROOM 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Juan Mireles called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Commissioner Donna Ault Vice -Chair Gregory Ballard Commissioner Jann Buller Commissioner Dennis Guinaw Commissioner Melody Morrison Chair Juan Mireles Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Executive Director Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Veronica Tapia, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary 111. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS K IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of February 5, 2020. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Commissioner Ault, and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved as MINUTES REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 4, 2020 presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: Ballard). V. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to recommend approval of the Palm Desert Housing Authority Proposed Budget for FY 2020-2021. Rec: By Minute Motion, the Housing Commission forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve the Finance Director's inclusion of the 2020-2021 Palm Desert Housing Authority Operating, Capital, and Replacement Budget in the City of Palm Desert's Comprehensive Finance Plan for 2020-2021, to be presented to the Housing Authority Board for approval at a future meeting. Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, acknowledged the Palm Desert Housing Authority (PDHA) proposed budget for FY 2020-2021 before the Commissioners. Mrs. Gonzales advised the Director of Finance prepares the City's Financial Plan which includes the proposed Palm Desert Housing Authority budget that identifies the anticipated revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. Mrs. Gonzales addressed the additional memo which was provided to attendees before the meeting. She explained it was supplementary to the budget worksheet which was provided in the agenda packet. She further explained the memo contained a summary of the current overall budget numbers reflected on the budget worksheet as well as a summary for prior years. Mrs. Gonzales invited questions or comments regarding the proposed budget. Chair Mireles inquired about money that was used from set aside funds and asked if these funds would be replaced in the future. In response, Mrs. Gonzales stated until other funding sources or opportunities are identified and secured, revenue from the properties will be utilized to cover costs to maintain PDHA properties andother housing programs that are offered. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Morrison as to what falls under miscellaneous expenses included on the budget, Senior Management Analyst, Veronica Tapia stated miscellaneous expenses are anything other than administrative management costs including items such as office supplies, travel reimbursements, lease expenses and other varied costs. In response to inquiry by Chair Mireles, Mrs. Gonzales stated the budget will go through a process of review jointly with the City's budget by the City Council before it is presented for consideration to the Authority Board for approval, tentatively in June 2020. Mrs. Gonzales advised Commissioners they will be informed at a future meeting when the budget will go before the Authority Board for approval so those who would like to attend the meeting can do so. Upon a motion by Commissioner Guinaw, second by Commissioner Buller, and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission the request to recommend approval for the 2 MINUTES REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 4, 2020 inclusion of the Palm Desert Housing Authority Proposed Budget for FY 2020-2021 was approved as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: Ballard). VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks Commissioner Buller stated at the City Council meeting there was a presentation regarding the Housing Overlay District which noted that Palm Desert was the employment center of the Coachella Valley. She inquired as to whether there was a link between employment and the preference criteria to qualify for the affordable rental program for applicants employed in Palm Desert. Ms. Gonzales stated employment in Palm Desert is not a criteria on the application for the Authority's affordable rental program. However, there is link with other projects like Self -Help which does contain a criteria that requires one of the members in the household to work in the community. Additionally, there are other assistance loans offered through the Housing Mitigation Fund which also contain the criteria that requires one household member to work in the Palm Desert. In response to inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Gonzales advised that this criteria is verified at the time a prospective applicant is qualified. The applicant is required to provide verification from their employer to confirm employment within the jurisdiction of the City. Commissioner Buller stated the subject of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) was also discussed and asked if there was any anticipated impact for the demand of affordable housing. Ms. Gonzales stated ADU's might help alleviate some of the individuals on the wait list for the properties. Ms. Buller commented that would be a positive impact. Community Development Director, Ryan Stendell, advised there were not a lot of applications for ADU's, noting approximately four in the last year. Ms. Gonzales added it has been noted many ADU's are commonly built to house extended family. Commissioner Guinaw asked if the property located across from City Hall was allocated for housing units. Ms. Gonzales clarified the property located further east of City Hall on San Pascual is allocated for affordable housing. Upon inquiry, Ms. Gonzales stated the property is approximately 1.4 acres and the hope is for a minimum of 32 units to be built. She noted the property used to have 14 units, 3 MINUTES REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 4, 2020 however, the size is comparable to the Housing Authority property, Palm Village, which has 36 units. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Mr. Stendell stated apart from the opportunities mentioned the City owns approximately 36 acres near Portola Avenue and Gerald Ford, just east of the Genesis community which are designated for a regional park and 10 acres for an affordable housing community. Commissioner Morrison asked if these units will be designated for senior housing. In response, Ms. Gonzales stated these units will be designated for multi -family. She added that currently, Palm Desert has met and exceeded the required allocation amount for senior housing. Commissioner Morrison expressed she felt there were a lot of seniors that were looking for an affordable home and the addition of senior housing would assist with decreasing the wait list. Ms. Gonzales advised, multi -family communities, which includes all ages, are available to seniors as well. B. Commission Reports Mrs. Gonzales acknowledge the Administrative Plan, Section 8 Grievance Process Policy before the Commission. Mrs. Gonzales stated as a follow up on previous discussion from the Housing Commission meeting in February 2020 she wanted to provide clarification regarding the provision addressing the selection of the presiding arbitrator for arbitration services. Mrs. Gonzales informed the selection of the arbitration services is limited to the Management Company, not the City Manager, in order to expedite the grievance process. A pre -selected list will be established based on criteria which would provide for a neutral third -party with relevant knowledge and experience needed to resolve disputes that may arise. The Management Company would use this list to make a selection which would also consider availability and verification that arbitration services had not been used for a minimum of three years. Mrs. Gonzales invited comments or questions, to which there were none. Mrs. Gonzales proceeded to the next item of discussion. She provided a reminder to Commissioners that their Statement of Economic Interest Form 700 was due by no later than April 1, 2020 and should be turned into Rachelle Klassen, City Clerk. She noted Ms. Klassen sent out emails to all Commissioners containing information regarding Form 700 and instructions on how to complete the form. Mrs. Gonzales also reminded Commissioners to complete and turn in their member update form by email or hard copy to the recording secretary, Ms. Gonzalez. She added these forms will be turned into the City Clerk's office to provide them with the most current contact information. C. Summary of City Council and Housing Authority Actions A memo provided by Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales summarizing the approved action item from City Council and the Housing Authority Board meeting was provided to commission members for review, Mrs, Gonzales 4 MINUTES REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 4, 2020 commented that the item listed requesting an extension to the contract for Exclusive Pest Control was approved at the meeting held on February 13, 2020. D. RPM Company Monthly Reports for December 2019 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM Reports provided to the Commissioners for the month of December 2019. Ms. Vakili reported the properties are currently at 98% occupancy, with 24 move -ins and 21 move -outs over the last two month period. She further reported that RPM staff contacted 209 prospective clients from the wait list and completed 65 re - certifications during the reporting period. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Vakili stated there is still a long waitlist for all of the properties. She noted while several prospective clients are taken off the list each month, numerous others are added, so the number of applicants remains roughly the same. Commissioner Morrison asked how long the average wait is for prospective clients at this time. Ms. Vakili informed the goal is to reach a wait that is no longer than two years. However, at this time the wait is approximately five years with the extremely low income level being the longest list. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Vakili stated currently there are 1,114 affordable units at the properties. Mrs. Gonzales added in addition there are affordable units that have been set aside through private development. Commissioner Morrison inquired about reasons for movement at the properties. Ms. Vakili stated movement and placement are based on a stipulation guided by income levels. Certain number of units are allocated to specific income levels and vary to each property. Income level dictates placement for prospective clients as units become available and with movement for re -certifications. Commissioner Morrison inquired about the process for a resident to transfer from one property to another. Ms. Vakili stated transfers are available for specific circumstances including ADA needs, family size, extenuating circumstances and so forth. To request a transfer a resident would complete an accommodation form and may be transferred based on appropriateness of the request and availability. Ms. Gonzales added that there is a waitlist for transfers and income level is also considered when these requests are fulfilled. In response to inquire by Commissioner Ault, Ms. Gonzales stated should a resident exceed the income limit, staff would review if they qualify for a unit available in other Housing Authority properties which allow for a higher income level. If a property is identified, the resident would be placed on the transfer waitlist to be moved to a unit designated to their income level. Ms. Vakili invited additional questions or comments regarding the reports, to which there were none. 19 MINUTES REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 4, 2020 E. Update on Housing Authority Properties Ms. Vakili acknowledged the Palm Desert Housing Authority Project report for January 2020. She reported staff completed 395 service requests during the reporting period. She further reported fire alarm inspections were completed as well as the turf conversions at all four pool areas located at One Quail Place Apartments. Mrs. Gonzales added that a rebate request was submitted to the Coachella Valley Water District for the turf conversions and the rebate was approved. Ms. Vakili stated many of the properties have had the trees trimmed. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Vakili reported the vendor, West Coast, has been remarkable about the tree trimming and have been very professional and responsive. F. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY (January 2020) Inquiries (Calls, Walk -Ins, Emails): 2 Applications Provided: 1 Applications Received: 0 Applications being processed: 0 Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0 Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 0 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 1 (JHC Construction — SCE/Gas Co) A summary of the Home Improvement Program activity for the month of January 2020 was provided to commission members for review on the Agenda. Mrs. Gonzales acknowledged the program numbers with no discussion commencing on this item. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Mireles adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. f Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secret C�