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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 09/02/2020CITY OF PALM DESERT PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 — 3:30 P.M. (VIRTUAL MEETING) CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Buller called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Donna Ault Commissioner Jann Buller Commissioner Dennis Guinaw Commissioner Melody Morrison Vice -Chair Gregory Ballard Chair Juan Mireles joined the meeting at 3:44 p.m. Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, Executive Director Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Christopher Gerry, Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, Vice President RPM Company Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Absent: A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of March 4, 2020. MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Commissioner Ault, and a 6-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Ballard, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). V. NEW BUSINESS Chair Mireles recommended to Commissioners that a presentation of items A through F be made by Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales consecutively, and then one motion for approval to receive and file will be taken after all items have been discussed. Commissioner Guinaw concurred with this statement and felt items A through F could be considered with one motion to approve. Mrs. Gonzales advised Commissioners items A through F memorialize the actions taken by the Authority Board and provided a summary of each item. Mrs. Gonzales invited questions and/or comments regarding items A through F, to which there were none. A. REQUEST TO RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of August 27, 2020; Adoption of Resolutions by the City Council and the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board rescinding Resolution Nos. 2020-46 and HA-94, respectively, to end the temporary suspension of the Housing Commission meetings. B. REQUEST TO RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of August 27, 2020; Award of Contract No. HA40360 to Southwest Protective Services, Inc. dba Southwest Security for Courtesy Patrol Services at the Palm Desert Housing Authority Properties in a total annual amount not to exceed $139,280. C. RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of June 11, 2020; Approve a Second Extension to Contract No. HA37270 with John Harrison Contracting, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for HVAC Mechanical Systems Maintenance Services at the Palm Desert Housing Authority Properties (Contract No. HA37272). D. RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of May 28, 2020; Approve authorization for the use of Lowes Home Centers, Inc., Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., and HD Supply Facilities Maintenance for Purchase of Materials, Supplies and Appliances for Palm Desert Housing Authority Properties ("Authority") for FY 2020/2021. E. RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of May 28, 2020; Approve authorization for the use of The Sherwin- 2 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 Williams Company for Purchase of Paint and Paint Related Materials and Supplies for the Palm Desert Housing Authority Properties for FY 2020/2021. F. RECEIVE AND FILE the Approved staff report from Housing Authority Board meeting of May 28, 2020; Adoption of Resolution HA-94 and 2020-46 by the City of Palm Desert and Housing Authority, Authorizing the Temporary Suspension of the Housing Commission Meetings with the addition that staff will consult with the Chair of the Housing Commission who could request a virtual Housing Commission meeting if he felt the topic warranted one. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Ault, second by Vice Chair Ballard, and a 6-0 vote of the Housing Commission, items A through F, were approved as presented to receive and file. (AYES: Ault, Buller, Ballard, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks B. Commission Reports Ms. Gonzales provided introduction to City staff member, Management Analyst, Christopher Gerry and advised the Commission Mr. Gerry would be providing an informational presentation on the City's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Mr. Gerry reported that under the CARES Act, the City received a special allocation of approximately $241,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, known as CDBG-CV funds. According to the Act, the purpose of this funding source is to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Gerry advised these funds must fit within the framework of the CDBG Program, which includes meeting the national objective of benefiting low and moderate income people. There are other statutory requirements as well, however, being income qualified and directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic are the most important criteria under the CARES Act for CDBG-CV funds. 3 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 Mr. Gerry informed the Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps offset previously missed rent payments up to $5,000 for income qualified households that are directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Gerry explained following City Council and HUD's approval of the program, a nonprofit organization, Jewish Family Service of the Desert, was selected utilizing the competitive Request For Proposal (RFP) process. Jewish Family Service of the Desert is responsible for qualifying households for the program and to provide case management. He further explained the City conducted outreach efforts to rental property owners informing them of the limited time opportunity to "opt -in" to the Program for consideration of the allocation of CDBG-CV funds. Currently, the City completed an initial application process for rental property owners, which included 19 applications representing over 1,540 rental units. Thirteen (13) of the rental properties qualified and entered into agreements, representing approximately 1,500 rental units. Of the remaining six (6) applicants, four (4) were deemed ineligible and two rental property owners withdrew applications since their respective households were able to catch up on previously missed payments. Following the qualification and subsequent agreement with the rental properties, 130 households of the approximately 1,500 rental units were identified as missing rental payments since April 2020. The missing payments represent a total of approximately $248,000. To ensure equitable service delivery, a notification letter was sent to all 130 households advising of this opportunity. The identified households were advised they have until September 16, 2020 to complete an application for initial consideration of rental assistance. Depending on the number of households that apply and qualify, there may be an opportunity to pay rental arrears for all eligible households within the program. Mr. Gerry stated the final step for this process is for Jewish Family Service of the Desert to qualify each household applying for rental assistance, which would include obtaining and reviewing various types of supporting documentation from each member of the household who is over 18 years of age. Following funding recommendations by Jewish Family Service of the Desert and approval by the City, rental arrears payments would be made directly to the rental property owners on behalf of the qualified households. Mr. Gerry stated if the Commission was interested, he would be happy to provide a verbal update throughout the duration of the program. He noted unless the federal government or HUD increases CDBG-CV funding levels, this would be a limited time program that would likely end in the next three months. Mr. Gerry 4 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 concluded his presentation and invited questions and/or comments regarding the presentation. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Mr. Gerry advised this is a one-time infusion of funds provided under the federal CARES ACT. Chair Mireles asked what the distribution of funds were for seniors and family households. Mr. Gerry informed there was no differentiation between senior and family households, the program was based on market rate housing. Mr. Gerry observed once applications from the households are processed there will be a better understanding of household composition and distribution for the program. Chair Mireles commended the City for providing this program to help its residents. With the conclusion of Mr. Gerry presentation, Chair Mireles moved to the next item. Mrs. Gonzales informed the Commission that former Housing Commissioner Mr. Wade Tucker, who actively served on the Housing Commission for 10 years, unfortunately passed away in June 2020. She stated in memory of his service the Authority.wili be providing a memorial tile at the Civic Center Park rose garden. C. Summary of City Council and Housing Authority Actions A memo provided by Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales summarizing approved action items from City Council and the Housing Authority Board meetings was provided to commission members for review. Mrs. Gonzales commented that all items listed on the summary which went before City Council and the Housing Authority Board at their meetings held February 27, 2020 through June 25, 2020 were approved. Mrs. Gonzales noted a contract was awarded for the Self -Help Project and currently they are working through the Development and Disposition Agreement to get the project off the ground so they can start building the fourteen (14) affordable single family homes. Mrs. Gonzales invited questions and/or comments to which there were none. D. RPM Company Monthly Reports for January, February, March, April, May and June 2020 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM Reports provided to the Commissioners including the months of January 2020 through June 2020. Chair Mireles commented RPM staff has been busy, which Ms. Vakili confirmed, adding that they are doing business a little differently, primarily through email, telephone and appointment only, due to the current circumstances. Upon inquiry, Ms. Vakili reported over the last several months properties are averaging 98% occupancy. She further reported that delinquency due to COVID is very minimal and currently sits at approximately 2.5%. RPM continues to work with residents who are having difficulty paying for rent due to COVID which includes referring them to organizations that may be able to offer rental assistance. She 5 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 noted presently One Quail Place has fourteen (14) delinquent units, however, nine (9) of these units were approved to receive rental assistance. Commissioner Guinaw observed the number of units categorized as extremely low units had increased by twenty-five (25) units and inquired if this is a normal occurrence. She noted the numbers he observed are most likely representative of recertification's which resulted in a change to their income level. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Morrison, Ms. Vakili stated recertification's are not taking longer to process due to COVID, noting the average recertification takes approximately two to three weeks depending on how quickly documentation is provided to staff for processing. She stated it can take a bit longer if the resident does not have access to resources such as a scanner or email, however, this is a minimal issue because most residents have a cellphone which allows them to take pictures and email. Upon inquiry by Commissioner Morrison, Ms. Vakili stated there has been no change to the process of notification to a resident whose rent has changed. RPM still provides a recertification packet 90 days prior to the expiration of the one year lease. Residents are required to provide documentation by a certain date for the recertification to allow staff the opportunity to process the recertification documents and provide a 60 day notice, if necessary, for any rental increase of 10% or higher. Commissioner Buller inquired as to whether RPM has experienced any interruption in vendor maintenance, repairs or replacement due to the pandemic. Ms. Vakili stated initially there was some trouble obtaining items like toilet paper and sanitizer because of the shortage for these items but currently these items are plentiful and stocked. She noted recently, there has been some issues with obtaining appliances because the vendors were short on stock, however, since there are additional options for vendors, this issue has been minimal. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Gonzales advised the allocation of regular CDBG funds has already been approved by City Council and are unable to be redistributed for other purposes. She added residents who are having difficulty paying their rent and other items such as utilities are being offered assistance by various organizations including Jewish Family Service of the Desert, Catholic Charities and United Lift. Ms. Vakili invited additional questions or comments regarding the reports, to which there were none. E. Update on Housing Authority Properties for February, March, April, May, June and July 2020 Ms. Vakili acknowledged the Palm Desert Housing Authority Project reports for the months of February 2020 through July 2020 and invited questions or comments, to which there were none. MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 F. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY February/March/April/May/June/July/August 2020 Inquiries (Calls, Walk -Ins, Emails): 3 Applications Provided: 3 Applications Received: 2 Applications being processed: 2 Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0 Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 0 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 0 (JHC Construction — SCEIGas Co) A summary of the Home Improvement Program activity for the months of February 2020 through August 2020 were provided to commission members for review on the Agenda. Mrs. Gonzales acknowledged the program numbers and invited questions and/or comments, to which there were none. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Mireles adjourned the meeting at 4:17 p.m. 0 t' �_- "� 7, Melinda Gonzalez, C-1 UACU21 Recording Secr ary 7