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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Commission Minutes 10.6.21 PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2021 — 3:30 P.M. (VIRTUAL MEETING) CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Buller called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Jann Buller, Chair X 2 Dennis Guinaw, Vice Chair X 2 Donna Ault X 2 Greg Ballard X 1 1 Juan Mireles X 2 Melody Morrison X 2 Carol Marcuse X 2 Also Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director Public Works Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Heather Horning, Assistant to the City Manager Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Vice President Kevin Collins, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, advised the Commission no comments or inquiries were received by email, nor were any requests for public participation received for the meeting. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2021 A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of July 7, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Mireles, seconded by Commissioner Morrison, and a 6-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, Morrison, and Marcuse; NOES: None; ABSENT: Ballard). V. ACTION ITEMS A. None VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks. None B. Commission Reports Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, opened a brief discussion regarding in-person options for the November 3, 2021 meeting and affirmed for now it would be virtual. She further mentioned there had been some recent policy and procedural changes implemented by the City Clerk's office. Councilmember Kelly shared with commissioners there are equipment improvements in progress which has limited the availability of conference rooms which can accommodate the commission. Ms. Gonzales advised she would provide further updates on future meetings as needed. Ms. Gonzales provided a formal introduction of Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services. Ms. Gonzales advised the Commission of Mr. Alvarez's role and attendance at future meetings. Mr. Alvarez was welcomed by the commission and gave brief remarks. Ms. Gonzales introduced Heather Horning, Assistant to the City Manager, who provided a presentation on the Homelessness Taskforce. Upon completion, Ms. Horning answered questions related to composition, selection information for participation, time commitments, and resources available to the homeless within the City. Ms. Horning informed the Commission that City Council had established the Homelessness Taskforce and the Housing Commission Chair has been designated as a member of the taskforce. Chair Buller stated she had been apprised and would report to the commission as necessary. Ms. Gonzales provided an oral summary of City Council and Housing Authority Actions. Ms. Gonzales advised the Commission an extension to the HVAC mechanical service maintenance contract was presented to the Authority Board at 2 VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2021 the July 8, 2021, meeting and was approved. In addition, there were various approvals provided during the August 26, 2021, meeting for the affordable housing project, "Vitalia Apartments," proposed by Pacific West Communities. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports for May, June and July 2021 • Monthly Occupancy Status Report • Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Summary • Report#1 — Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement • Report#2 — Monthly Net Operating Income Statement • Palm Desert Housing Authority Project Report for June, July and August 2021 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM reports provided to commissioners for the months of May, June, and July 2021. She indicated a formula error had occurred in the June report and a correction would be made with a revised copy provided at the next meeting. Ms. Vakili reported currently the average occupancy rate is at 98% and that 249 recertifi cations were completed between the three months. Ms. Vakili further reported RPM staff completed 1,146 service requests, five total unit renovations and replaced four AC units using the Southern California Gas Co. program. Commissioners reviewed pictures provided with the agenda packet, which included before and after photos of the completed roof rehabilitation projects for Candlewood and One Quail Place. Commissioner Mireles said it appeared the company did a good job and Ms. Vakili agreed. Chair Buller asked if the new roofing materials were energy conserving or reflective. Ms. Gonzales confirmed they are and noted this would be a consideration on future renovations. D. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY June, July, and August 2021 Inquiries (Calls, Walk-Ins, Emails): 4 Applications Provided: 2 Applications Received 0 Applications being processed: 0 Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0 Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 0 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 3 (JHC Construction — SCE/Gas Co) Ms. Gonzales provided a summary of the Home Improvement Program activity and reported there were three inquiries referred to the Energy Savings Program. Commissioner Mireles asked about a vacant apartment building located at Panorama and El Camino, stating youth were using the empty pool as a 3 VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 6, 2021 skateboard park and asked if the property could be acquired for additional housing. Ms. Gonzales noted this was a non-agenda item and could not be fully discussed. However, she would follow-up with Commissioner Mireles to ascertain the address and gather more information on the property. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Buller adjourned the meeting at 4:09 p.m. Kby kv Co-� Kevin Collins, Recording Secretary 4