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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-02 HC Regular Meeting Minutes PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING PRELIMINARY MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022 – 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 Fiscal Year to Date Present Absent Present Absent Jann Buller, Chair X 5 Dennis Guinaw, Vice Chair X 5 Carol Marcuse X 4 Greg Ballard X 3 3 (1 Excused) Melody Morrison X 3 1 Also Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Councilmember Liaison Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Vice President Kevin Collins, Recording Secretary Martin Alvarez, Director of Development Andy Ramirez, Director of Public Works Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Veronica Chavez, Finance Manager Mathew Lohr, Participant III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales, advised the Commission no comments or inquiries were received by email. One request for participation was received from Mr. Mathew Lohr, present on the call. PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 2022 2 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of January 5, 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, Guinaw, Ballard, Marcuse; NOES: None; ABSENT: Morrison). V. ACTION ITEMS NONE VI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Commissioners Reports and Remarks NONE B. Commission Reports Senior Management Analyst, Jessica Gonzales opened the discussion advising the Commission that City Council discussed and advised meetings would continue to be held in virtual format until further notice. Ms. Gonzales moved on to advise Commissioner Donna Ault provided her resignation from the Housing Commission effective January 25, 2022. It had been forwarded to the Housing Authority Board for acceptance. Further, Mr. Mireles’ resignation, from the prior January 5th meeting, had been formally accepted by the Authority Board. Commissioners expressed gratitude for their service and the insights provided. Ms. Gonzalez confirmed to the Commission both Mr. Mireles and Ms. Ault would be provided a formal thank you for their service. Commissioner Marcuse asked a question regarding meeting a quorum and Ms. Gonzales confirmed four Commissioners are necessary for a quorum. Chair Buller then asked how the Commissioner replacement process worked and Council member liaison Kelly said the goal was to have replacements in place by July 1, 2022. Interviews would be conducted in May and appointments made at the June City Council meeting. PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 2022 3 Ms. Gonzales moved on to advise a brief update on the Housing Element Inventory and further updates would be provided as necessary. Ms. Gonzales introduced Ms. Veronica Chavez, Finance Manager for the City, who provided a brief slide presentation and overview of the Home Buyer Assistance Program. This included information on properties, program utilization, property turnover information, and general statistical information. Chair Buller asked a question related to the solar contract review, and Ms. Chavez provided brief information on the solar program with respect to avoidance of any liens placed upon these properties related to solar improvements. Ms. Chavez then acknowledged the recent “Brightside” newsletter generated interest in the program. Chair Buller inquired if any applicant inquiries were residents from our rental properties and Ms. Chavez said about 25% are from our complexes. There were no additional questions. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports for November 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 December 2021 RPM Company Vice President, Teresa Vakili acknowledged the RPM reports before the Commission, stating the occupancy rate was 98.2%. Further those 897 individuals were contacted from the property wait list, 154 were added, and 80 recertifications were conducted. Chair Buller asked approximately how many people are on the wait list, and Ms. Vakili said approximately 8,000, and stated further information on the wait list could be provided at a future meeting. She then noted RPM staff completed 365 service requests for the month. Ms. Vakili advised the group that the Desert Pointe roofing project started as scheduled on January 10, 2022. Further updates would be provided at future meetings. There were no follow-up questions. D. Update on the Home Improvement Program ACTIVITY December 2021 Inquiries (Calls, Walk-Ins, Emails): 0 Applications Provided: 0 Applications Received 0 Applications being processed: 0 PRELIMINARY MINUTES VIRTUAL HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 2022 4 Eligible (Possibly meets criteria): 0 Ineligible (Does not meet criteria): 0 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 0 (JHC Construction – SCE/Gas Co) Ms. Gonzales provided a summary of the Home Improvement Program activity, noting no inquiries were made for the month. VII. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Buller adjourned the meeting at 3:54 p.m. Kevin Collins, Recording Secretary