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Home My WebLink About2022-06-01 HC Regular Meeting Minutes PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING PRELIMINARY MINUTES WEDNESDAY, June 1, 2022– 3:30 P.M. (VIRTUAL MEETING) CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA I. CALL TO ORDER Honorable Chair Buller called the meeting to order at 3:46 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Fiscal Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Jann Buller, Chair X 10 Dennis Guinaw, Vice Chair X 10 Greg Ballard X X 5 5 (2 excused) Melody Morrison X 9 1 Also Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Vice President Celina Cabrera, Management Analyst Housing Division Stephanie Estrada, 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. Mrs. Gonzales orally introduced Celina Cabrera, the new Management Analyst, and the newest team member in the Housing PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING June 1, 2022 2 Division. Mrs. Gonzales orally provided the commission with news of Commissioner Marcuse, who submitted her letter of resignation the week prior. Mrs. Gonzales confirmed with the commission that Commissioner Marcuse would no longer be participating as a commissioner in the Housing Commission meetings. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 4, 2022. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Guinaw, second by Commissioner Morrison, and a 4-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). V. ACTION ITEMS A. SELECTION of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Chair Buller invited commissioners to nominate a new chairperson for 2023. Upon Chair Buller’s invitation to nominate a new chairperson for 2023 she verbally expressed to the commission and those present in the meeting that it was not her intention to continue to serve as the Chair of the Housing Commission in the coming year. Chair Buller added that she believes in diversity and benefits in having a diverse commission and leadership styles and different points of view. Chair Buller moved, by minute motion, to appoint Commissioner Guinaw to Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Morrison, and carried by a 4-0 vote (AYES: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, and Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) Chair Buller invited commissioners to nominate a new vice chairperson for 2023. Upon Chair Buller nomination of Commissioner Morrison to Vice Chair, Commissioner Morrison thanked Chair Buller for her nomination and confidence in her. However, Commissioner Morrison said she cannot commit herself to the Vice- Chair position because she will be going through health issues in the coming year and does not want these issues to impact the housing commission. Chair Buller invited Commissioner Ballard to the Vice Chair. Commissioner Ballard thanked Chair Buller and accepted her appointment. Chair Buller moved, by minute motion, to appoint Commissioner Ballard to Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Morrison, and carried by a 4- 0 vote (AYES: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, and Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION for recommendation to adopt a Resolution amending and restating the Bylaws for the Palm Desert Housing Commission PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING June 1, 2022 3 (“Bylaws”) which adopts the Second Wednesday of the month as a regular meeting date that is mutually acceptable to the Housing Commission. Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales acknowledged the staff report before the Commission and provided an oral summary on the item. Mrs. Gonzales stated this action item would allow an adoption to a Resolution amending and restating the Bylaws of the Palm Desert Housing Commission. Mrs. Gonzales highlighted the needs for this modification; one, it would allow the Housing Commission liaison, City Council Member, Kathleen Kelly to participate in her new appointment as committee member of the Southern California Regional Association of Governments, also known as SCAG; and second, Housing Commissioners could also participate in other meetings, events, and community organizations that take place the first Wednesdays of the month. Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Commissioner Ballard, and a 4-0 vote of the Housing Commission, the recommendation to adopt a Resolution amending and restating the Bylaws for the Palm Desert Housing Commission (“Bylaws”) which adopts the Second Wednesday of the month as a regular meeting date were approved as presented. (AYES: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION for recommendation to Adopt Resolution No. HA-_____, establishing dates for regular meetings of the Palm Desert Housing Commission during fiscal year 2022-2023. Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales explained the commission’s bylaws establish meeting dates as the first Wednesday of the month. Mrs. Gonzales orally explained to the commission and those present in the meeting that Agenda Item B memorializes the change of the regular meeting date to the Second Wednesday of the month. This consideration would ensure timely noticing to the public and establish the Housing Commission regularly scheduled meetings for fiscal year 2022-2023. This action item will be completed annually. It also allows the public advanced noticing for the August meeting, since August meetings typically are 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 act and/or request an adjourned meeting date. Upon a motion by Commissioner Morrison, second by Commissioner Ballard, and a 4-0 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: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, and Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT). D. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION a recommendation to approve an Amendment to Contract No. HA38940 with Garland/DBS, Inc., for roof repairs and related services at the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties in a total annual amount not to exceed $75,000. PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING June 1, 2022 4 Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales acknowledged the staff report before the Commission and provided an oral summary on the item. Mrs. Gonzales stated this action item is a request to consider amending Contract No. HA38940 with Garland/DBS, Inc. Garland/DBS, Inc., is a contractor that has been servicing the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties on roof repairs. Mrs. Gonzales explained that the Amendment to the Contract would extend the current two one-year term to a two-year term starting July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024. Mrs. Gonzales emphasized to the commissioner that this contract is under a government cooperative agreement which limits increases in rates and wages to only those allowed under the government contract. This Amendment would also acknowledge the increase of Garland/DBS, Inc., rates because wages have increased. Mrs. Gonzales invited questions and comments regarding the item and recommendation. Upon a motion by Commissioner Guinaw, second by Commissioner Ballard, and a 4-0 vote of the Housing Commission recommendation to approve an Amendment to Contract No. HA38940 with Garland/DBS, Inc., for roof repairs and related services at the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties in a total annual amount not to exceed $75,000 was approved as presented (AYES: Morrison, Ballard, Guinaw, and Buller; NOES: None; ABSENT: None). VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks • Vice-Chair Guinaw provided a summary of homelessness taskforce update. The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 3rd, 2022, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. This meeting will be covering the strategic plan effort by the taskforce. Members were asked to take a survey of member information, how they feel about city programs and their effectiveness, etc. B. Commission Reports • Chair Buller asked a procedural question. Chair Buller asked Mrs. Gonzales if the City Clerk was looking at and reviewing application for City Boards, Committees, and Commissions. Mrs. Gonzales confirmed that the City Clerk’s office is going through the process and by July 1st, 2022, the Housing Commission should have new members. The goal is to fill the three current vacancies. • Summary of the agenda items that were presented during the City Council and Housing Authority board on May 24th, 2022. Ms. Gonzales provided the commission an oral summary of the Self-Help project in partnership with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. This receive and file item provided an overview of the 1992 regulatory agreement between the homeowners who PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING June 1, 2022 5 participated in the Self-Help project under the former Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency. This Self-Help program is similar to the current Merle Self-Help project. The homeowners had to live in the residence for 30 years. These family have successfully completed the agreement. The regulatory terms have now changed to 45 years for homeowners to successfully meet the regulatory agreement. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports for March 2022 • 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 April 2022 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili, acknowledged the RPM reports provided to commissioners for the month of March. Ms. Vakili currently reported the occupancy rate is at 99% for Authority properties. She reported in the months of March 2022 RPM staff contacted 423 individuals and added 221 individuals to the interest waitlist. Ms. Vakili further reported RPM staff completed 72 re- certifications for the month of March. From March, April, and May to the current date there have been 42 move-ins and 42 move-outs for the Authority properties collectively. And completed 192 renewals during the months March, April, and May. Ms. Vakili acknowledged the Housing Authority Properties Projects report for the month of April 2022. She reported that this is routine maintenance. Ms. Vakili highlighted the continuous use of the Energy Savings Program for HVAC replacements and that 369 service requests were completed during the month of April. Ms. Vakili also reported that there was a lot of clean up after the sandstorms at different properties. The clean-up has been completed since. D. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY April 2022 Inquiries (Calls, Walk-Ins, Emails): 2 Applications Provided: 0 Applications Received: 0 Applications being processed: 0 Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0 Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 1 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 1 (JHC Construction – SCE/Gas Co) Mrs. Gonzales provided a summary of the Home Improvement Program activity for the month of April 2022. She reported there were two inquiries. One inquiry was referred to JHC Construction – SEC/Gas Co to obtain additional information of their PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING June 1, 2022 6 Energy Savings Assistance Program. The second inquiry related to the program itself and whether it covered retrofitting outdoor patios. It was determined this caller’s needs did not fit the programs requirements making them ineligible. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Honorable Chair Buller adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Stephanie Estrada Stephanie Estrada, Recording Secretary