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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-04 CITY OF PALM DESERT • M '�1•-� PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES A WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 — 3:30 P.M. (VIRTUAL MEETING) 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 Commissioner Jann Buller Commissioner Dennis Guinaw Commissioner Melody Morrison Vice-Chair Gregory Ballard Chair Juan Mireles Also Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Christopher Gerry, Management Analyst Randy Bowman, Senior Project Manager 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 Regular Housing Commission meeting of October 7, 2020. MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2020 Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Vice Chair Ballard, 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. ACTION ITEMS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to accept the work as complete for Contract No. HA39210 with Ojeda Pool and Spa, for repairs and resurfacing of four(4) existing pools and spas, located at Candlewood Apartments and One Quail Place Apartments (Project No. 832-19). Senior Project Manager, Randy Bowman, acknowledged the staff report and Notice of Completion before the commission. Mr. Bowman explained when a capital improvement project is completed the Authority needs to file a Notice of Completion which is part of closing out the contract with the vendor and also serves to reduce the Authority's liability from potential claims. Mr. Bowman stated the project was completed to the satisfaction of city staff. He noted during the project one change order was made which resulted in an increase in the total amount of just under $8,000 and added five contract days. Mr. Bowman invited questions regarding this project. Upon inquiry by Vice Chair Ballard, Mr. Bowman stated the change order was to apply additional coating material to the deck to ensure longer durability of the product. Chair Mireles inquired about viewing photos which show the before and after of this project. Mrs. Gonzales stated she would be happy to share photos of the project at the next commission meeting. Upon a motion by Commissioner Guinaw, second by Vice Chair Ballard, and a 6-0 vote of the Housing Commission the recommendation to accept the work as complete for Contract No. HA39210 with Ojeda Pool and Spa was approved as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Ballard, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION for a recommendation to Adopt Resolution No. HA- amending the Administrative Plan for the Housing Authority's affordable residential communities and authorizing the Executive Director to take appropriate actions for implementation. Mrs. Gonzales acknowledged the staff report before Commissioners requesting a recommendation to adopt the resolution amending the Administrative Plan for the Housing Authority properties. The amended Administrative Plan is the final version 2 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2020 resulting from review and comments on Section 8 and the remaining Exhibits which were received over approximately the last eighteen months by the Commission during its regular meetings. Mrs. Gonzales invited comments or questions regarding the staff report. Commissioner Guinaw thanked Mrs. Gonzales for her time and effort to update the Administrative Plan. He commented that he was very appreciative that the Administrative Plan clearly defined what is acceptable for a service animal and that clear definitions were provided to identify the difference between a service animal and an assistance animal. He felt this was vital information for management and residents to understand the policy. Chair Mireles remarked he was impressed with the Administrative Plan as a whole and felt it was very comprehensive and could see a lot of work was put into it. Upon a motion by Commissioner Buller, second by Commissioner Ault, and a 6-0 vote of the Housing Commission, the recommendation to Adopt Resolution No. HA amending the Administrative Plan for the Housing Authority Properties was approved as presented (AYES: Ault, Buller, Ballard, Guinaw, Mireles, and Morrison; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks None B. Commission Reports Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, advised Commissioners that minor changes had been made to the Agenda to make it more efficient and easier to follow and provided a brief summary of the changes made. She invited comments regarding the agenda, to which there was none. Ms. Gonzales provided introduction to City staff member, Management Analyst, Christopher Gerry and advised the Commission Mr. Gerry would be providing an informational update on the City's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Mr. Gerry provided a brief recap of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program including the program steps, funding amount received through the CARES Act and the appointment of Jewish Family Service of the Desert to help process applications received by potential recipients for the funding. Out of the 130 households identified as potential applicants, 66 households provided an application for rental assistance; the total requested amount by applicants being just over the program budget. Mr. Gerry noted the average rental assistance amount requested is approximately$2,800 and the average household income for applicants is slightly over$29,000. Mr. Gerry stated the City recently learned it will receive an increase of approximately $600,000 in additional CDBG CV funds in 3 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2020 the future. At their next meeting City Council members will consider the allocation of $250,000 of these additional funds to be dedicated to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If approved it is anticipated these additional funds will assist approximately 65 to 70 additional households. Mr. Gerry shared this item has been reviewed by the City's Outside Agencies Funding Committee which supports the recommendations. Mr. Gerry invited questions regarding the presentation. Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Council Member Kelly explained they are not able to allocate all of the $600,000 toward the Emergency Rental Assistance Program because there are several other programs that are equally as important which are needed to provide other services to our residents such as food distribution. Chair Mireles stated he just wanted to ensure the entire amount of funds was used to provide services to the residents of Palm Desert and not to outside agencies. Commissioner Buller inquired about whether the additional funding would be available to the initial applicants or only new applicants. In response, Mr. Gerry advised the additional funding would be discussed and reviewed by the Outside Agencies Funding Committee to determine what options are available to be considered for eligibility. Ms. Gonzales commented she had spoken to Mr. Gerry and advised him of the request made by Chair Mireles for a recommendation to be considered by the Outside Agencies Funding Committee to provide a letter of appreciation to Jewish Family Service of the Desert. Commissioner Buller requested Mr. Gerry provide updates on the Emergency Rental Assistance program to the Commission when available. No additional comments were offered on this presentation. Mr. Gerry advised the Commission that the City has collaborated with community partners to offer four COVID-19 testing opportunities in the month of November. He stated two of the events are through a continuation of an existing partnership with Borrego Community Health Foundation and the Desert Recreation District. The other two events are through a new partnership with the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce, County of Riverside and the Desert Recreation District. Mr. Gerry provided the dates, time and location for the testing opportunities. He invited questions or comments regarding the testing events. Commission Morrison inquired if the informational flyer would be available on the City's website. Mrs. Gonzales advised an email with the event flyer and information would be emailed to Commissioners. Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales provided an oral summary to the Commission advising of the upcoming agenda items for the City Council and Housing Authority Board meeting scheduled for November 19, 2020 and the 4 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2020 approved action item from the City Council and Housing Authority Board meeting held October 15, 2020. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM reports provided to Commissioners for the month of August 2020. Ms. Vakili reported currently the occupancy rate is at 98% for Authority properties. She stated RPM staff has completed 100 re-certifications in the reporting month. Additionally, RPM staff contacted 555 names on the waitlist. Ms. Vakili acknowledged the Housing Authority Properties Projects report for the month of September 2020. She reported 398 service requests were completed in the reporting month. Ms. Vakili noted the completed pool projects at One Quail Place and Candlewood properties, adding that residents are very happy with the completed project. Ms. Vakili stated annual tree pruning and scalping and reseeding of the grass areas at the Authority properties has been completed. In response to inquiry by Chair Mireles, Ms. Vakili confirmed staff offices remain closed, however, in-person appointments are being accepted and are conducted in an open-air environment in a common area on Authority properties following CDC guidelines. Additionally, staff is still communicating and conducting business through email, fax, and telephone. Ms. Vakili advised some of the common areas are open noting the laundry facilities have remained open since the beginning of the pandemic and the pools have reopened at limited capacity and with maintenance cleaning the pool areas several times a day. Mrs. Gonzales added that resident buildings still remain closed at this time. No additional comments and questions were made. D. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY September 2020 Inquiries (Calls, Walk-Ins, Emails): 0 Applications Provided: 0 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) Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, acknowledged the program numbers to Commissioners. She informed Commissioners that the program numbers for August reflected no activity but should have reflected the same as this month's with two applications being processed. 5 MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2020 Upon inquiry by Chair Mireles, Mrs. Gonzales advised the finance department oversees the Home Improvement Program. The program provides a forgivable loan for emergency needs only. She noted approved applications have a lien recorded against their property which can be a deterrent for interested applicants. Mrs. Gonzales stated many of the interested residents are eligible for no cost or low cost assistance through other programs so often staff will provide information for these other resource options for the applicant to consider. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Mireles adjourned the meeting at 4:17 p.m. Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary 6