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Home My WebLink About2022-04-06 HC Regular Meeting MinutesI. CALL TO ORDER PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING PRELIMINARY MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022-3:30 P.M. (VIRTUAL MEETING) CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA Chair Buller called the meeting to order at 3:30 p .m . II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Current Meeting Fiscal Year to Date Jann Buller, Chair Dennis Guinaw, Vice Chair Carol Marcuse Greg Ballard Melody Morrison (Joined the meeting at 3:45 p.m.) Also Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Councilmember Liaison Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Vice President Stephanie Lopez, Recording Secretary Present Absent X X X X X Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Services Department Randy Chavez, Community Services Manager Ill. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Present Absent 8 8 7 4 4 (2 Excused) 7 1 Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, advised the Commission no comments or inquiries were received by email for participation. PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING April 6, 2022 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of March 2 , 2022 . Rec : Approve as presented . Upon a motion by Vice Chair Guinaw, seconded by Commissioner Ballard, and a 4-0 vote of the Housing Commission the Consent Calendar was approved as presented (AYES : Buller , Gu inaw , Ballard , Marcuse ; NOES: None ; ABSENT: Morrison). V. ACTION ITEMS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to recommend approval of an Amendment to Contract No. C38850 with West Coast Arborist, Inc. of Grand Terrace, California, for Arboricultural Services in an annual amount not to exceed $975 ,000 and approval of Change Order No. 1 to C38850 for additional services during FY21/22 in the amount of $100 ,000 (Project No . 933-19). Senior Management Analyst , Jessica Gonzales informed the Commission that the item is part of a joint effort with the City of Palm Desert 's Public Works Department. Ms . Gonzales introduced Public Work's Community Services Manager , Randy Chavez . Mr. Chavez acknowledged the staff report before the Commission and provided details on the item . Discussion ensued with Commissioners providing comments and questions . After thorough discussion the item was concluded with no opposition from the Commission . B. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to recommend approval of an increase to Contract No . HA38930 with Curtis Allan Floorcovering, Inc . for procuring floor coverings and related supplies and services under Engineered Floors, LLC (dba J+J Flooring Group and dba EF Contract), at the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties for FY 2021 -2022 . Senior Management Analyst , Jessica Gonzales acknowledged the staff report before the Commission and provided a presentation on the item . She invited questions and comments regarding the item and recommendat ion . Discussion ensued with Commissioners providing comments and concerns . Upon a motion by Commissioner Ballard , seconded by Commissioner Marcuse, and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission , a recommendation to approve an increase to Contract No . HA38930 with Curtis Allan Floorcovering, Inc . for procuring floor coverings and related supplies and services under Engineered Floors , LLC (dba J+J Flooring Group and dba EF Contract), at the Palm Desert Housing Authority propert ies for FY 2021 -2022 was approved as presented . (AYES : Buller , Guinaw, Ballard , Morrison , and Marcuse ; NOES ; None). C. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION to recommend approval of an Amendment to Contract No . HA38930 w ith Curtis Allan Floorcovering, Inc ., for purposes of procuring floor coverings and related supplies and services with Engineered Floor , 2 PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING April 6, 2022 LLC (dba J+J Flooring Group and dba EF Contract), for the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties for a two-year term in a total annual amount not to exceed $250,000. Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales acknowledged the staff report before the Commission and informed the Commission the Amendment is relevant to the contract previously discussed and approved for item B, for an additional two- year term. She invited questions and comments regarding the item and recommendation. No discussion or concerns were raised for this item. Upon a motion by Commissioner Ballard, seconded by Commissioner Marcuse, and a 5-0 vote of the Housing Commission, a recommendation to approve an Amendment to Contract No . HA38930 with Curtis Allan Floorcovering, Inc., for purposes of procuring floor coverings and related supplies and services with Engineered Floor, LLC (dba J+J Flooring Group and dba EF Contract), for the Palm Desert Housing Authority properties for a two-year term in a total annual amount not to exceed $250,000 was approved as presented. (AYES: Buller, Guinaw, Ballard, Morrison, and Marcuse; NOES; None). VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks Chair Buller beckoned the Commission for Reports and Remarks. Commissioner Marcuse inquired about bathroom/shower conversions in the senior apartments, and possibly discussing the matter on a regular basis and working through the legal process with the Commission. Ms. Gonzales advised Commissioner Marcuse the item is not on the agenda ; therefore, the Commission is unable to discuss it at this time. Additionally, the item will be deferred to the following regular Housing Commission meeting in which a response will be provided by staff. No additional Reports and Remarks were provided . 8. Commission Reports Chair Buller prompted Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, to provide any Commission Reports. Ms . Gonzales provided an oral summary of the Housing Authority actions, reporting the Liberty renewal contract that was presented to the Authority board was approved as recommended by the Commission . No additional reports were provided. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports for January 2022 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili acknowledged the RPM reports before the Commission, stating the occupancy rate was at 98%. Furthermore, approximately 500 individuals were contacted from the property wait list, and over 80 recertifications were conducted. Ms. Vakili informed 321 services requests were received for the month of February, primarily for standard maintenance such 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING April 6, 2022 as ADA accommodations . Ms. Vak il i presented the photos of the completion of Taos Palms and Desert Pointe Roofing , noting additional insulation was installed on the Desert Pointe roof to address the numerous complaints from residents on the second floor regarding excessive heat. Commissioner Morrison queried on the estimated warranty/guarantee on the new insulation on these roofs . Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales , informed the Commission that the roof warranty is for about 30 years , and the specific insulation 's warranty is about 15 years . Commissioner Morrison asked whether the Riverside County Income Eligibility Guidelines, which were last updated 7/1/2021 , would be updated this year. Ms . Vakili informed the Commissioner that the California Department of Housing and Community Development ("HCD") publishes the income limits typically in April but with the process of estimating the new rental rates per property , the annual rental rates are implemented on July 1st of every year. Chair Buller inquired with Ms . Vakili if there will be changes expected this year with the lift on COVID-19 rest r ictions . Ms . Vakili informed the Chair there was an eviction rent moratorium enacted in 2020 , in which they were not allowed to evict residents due to non-payment of rent. Additionally , there was also a rental assistance program residents had to apply for, and they have been working diligently with residents who are behind or delinquent on rent to get them through the application process and approval for emergency rental assistance . Ms . Vakili continued by describing the eviction moratorium & rental assistance . Chair Buller reiterated what Ms . Vakili stated and acknowledged the anticipated increase in activity for the month of June with upcoming evictions . Additionally, Ms. Vakili informed the Commission that RPM has opened all amenities, such as pools and restrooms . As of this moment they have decided not to plan for community functions to bring people together, especially in the senior communities . Ms . Vakili explained that for now, they are going to remain as is, without functions that bring groups of people together. Commiss ioner Morrison asked if they expect to have events this year, Ms . Vakili could not confirm that they will , but they are waiting for changes to current state guidelines. Commissioner Morrison then followed up if it will be okay to have outside events , Ms. Vakili responded outside events will need to be evaluated individually to remain caut ious. Ms . Vakili finished her report and Chair Buller expressed her appreciation for the informative report. D . Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY February 2022 Inquiries (Calls , Walk-Ins , Emails): Applications Provided : Applications Received Applications being processed : Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 4 0 0 1 0 0 PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals : (JHC Construction -SCE/Gas Co) 0 1 April 6, 2022 Ms . Gonzales provided a summary of the Home Improvement Program activity , noting a few inquiries were made for the month . They do expect activity in the coming months due to the heat and anticipate an increase in requests for Air Conditioning units . Ms . Gonzales finished by saying they will be trying to aid the eligible residents with those repairs . VII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Buller adjourned the meeting at 4 :11 p .m . Stephanie Lopez, Recording Secretary 5