HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-02 PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY
. ; REGULAR PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
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(VIRTUAL MEETING)
3:30 P.M.
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mireles called the meeting to order at 3:31 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:
Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison
Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Vice President
Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales advised the commission no comments
or inquiries were received by email or voicemail, nor were any requests for public
participation received for the meeting.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Virtual Regular Housing Commission meeting of November 4,
2020.
MINUTES
REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING — VIRTUAL DECEMBER 2, 2020
Rec: Approve as presented.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Commissioner Buller,
and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved
as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None;
ABSENT: Ballard).
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. SELECTION of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Chair Mireles invited commissioners to nominate a new chairperson for 2021.
Chair Mireles moved to, by minute motion, appoint Commissioner Buller to
Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ault, and carried by a 5-0 vote
(AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Ballard).
Upon inquiry by Commissioner Buller, Councilmember Kelly advised City Council
is currently evaluating the procedures for the City's commissions and committees
and have extended committee members and commissioner terms through June
2021.
Chair Mireles invited commissioners to nominate a new vice chairperson for 2021.
Commissioner Buller moved to, by minute motion, appoint Commissioner
Guinaw to Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ault and
carried by a 5-0 vote (AYES: Ault, Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES:
None; ABSENT: Ballard).
B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION for a recommendation to Adopt Resolution
No. HA- establishing dates for regular meetings of the Palm Desert Housing
Commission during calendar year 2021.
Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales explained the commission's
bylaws establish meeting dates as the first Wednesday of the month and in an
effort to ensure timely noticing to the public and memorialize the Housing
Commission regularly scheduled meetings for 2021 to the Housing Authority Board
a resolution identifying the meeting dates for the following calendar year is being
provided to the Housing Authority Board for approval. This action will be completed
annually and will allow the public advanced noticing for the August meeting which
is typically dark, as well as the meeting dates for the calendar year. This will also
advise the Housing Authority Board of the meeting dates should they need to take
action and/or request an adjourned meeting date. Mrs. Gonzales acknowledged
the exhibit which provided the proposed meeting dates for calendar year 2021 and
invited questions regarding the recommendation, to which there were none.
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MINUTES
REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING — VIRTUAL DECEMBER 2, 2020
Upon a motion by Commissioner Guinaw, second by Commissioner Morrison,
and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission the request for a recommendation to
Adopt Resolution No. HA- establishing dates for regular meetings of the
Palm Desert Housing Commission was approved as presented (AYES: Ault,
Buller, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: Ballard).
VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks
None
B. Commission Reports
Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, reiterated that the terms for
commissioners has been extended through June 2021, adding that an update
regarding this matter is anticipated in the upcoming months as Council conducts
their review.
Mrs. Gonzales reported to the Commission the agenda items which went before
the Housing Authority Board meeting scheduled for November 19, 2020 were
approved.
C. RPM Company Monthly Reports
RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM reports
provided to commissioners for the month of September 2020. Ms. Vakili reported
currently the occupancy rate is at 97.6% for Authority properties. She stated RPM
staff has completed 101 re-certifications and contacted 638 individuals on the
interest waitlist in the reporting month. From September 2020 to the current date
there have been 34 move-ins and 30 move-outs for the Authority properties
collectively.
Ms. Vakili acknowledged the Housing Authority Properties Projects report for the
month of October 2020. She reported 424 service requests were completed in the
reporting month. Ms. Vakili acknowledged the before and after photos provided to
the commission which show the completed pool projects and renovated units from
the previous fire incident in building 9 of One Quail Place.
Chair Mireles observed One Quail Place expense report reflected a negative value.
Ms. Vakili explained the negative amount reflects the cost of the completed pool
projects. Ms. Gonzales further explained the cost for completed capital
improvement projects are posted in the month of completion which can create a
deficit. She stated monies have been set aside to cover these costs which will
balance the negative amount and does not affect the subsidies provided for the
affordable housing program.
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MINUTES
REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING — VIRTUAL DECEMBER 2, 2020
Upon inquiry by Commissioner Buller, Ms. Vakili shared they have received
positive commentary from residents regarding the renovated pools. She stated as
a result of the pandemic the pools currently have limited capacity which the
residents have been adhering to. In response to further inquiry by Commissioner
Buller, Ms. Vakili confirmed each property has a pool which is heated during the
winter months with the exception of The Pueblos which residents have access to
the heated pool at Catalina Gardens located next to The Pueblos.
In response to inquire by Chair Mireles, Councilmember Kelly shared the City of
Palm Desert was able to secure additional CARES ACT funding which nearly
doubled the total amount allocated to provide rental assistance to Palm Desert
residents. Councilmember Kelly remarked she is pleased with the City's efforts
because their rental assistance program provides rental relief for Palm Desert
residents instead of rental deferment which would delay the rental crisis rather than
solve it.
D. Update on the Home Improvement Program
ACTIVITY October 2020
Inquiries (Calls, Walk-Ins, Emails): 1
Applications Provided: 1
Applications Received: 0
Applications being processed: 2
Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0
Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 0
Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 0
(JHC Construction— SCE/Gas Co)
Mrs. Gonzales provided a summary of the Home Improvement Program activity for
October 2020. She reported the two applications which are being processed are
the same noted in the previous month. Mrs. Gonzales further stated there was one
inquiry and one application provided. She added that often times when residents
inquire about the program they are also provided with information on programs
offered by utility companies which provide a direct grant to the resident. She invited
questions and/or comments, to which there were none.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With Commission concurrence, Chair Mireles adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Me2%4dwCaon cv e '
Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary
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