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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-09MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2007 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Kelly convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chairman Jean M. Benson Member Cindy Finerty Member Robert A. Spiegel Chairman Richard S. Kelly Excused Absence: Member Jim Ferguson Also Present: Carlos L. Ortega, City Manager/RDA Executive Director Steve Deitsch, Assistant City Attorney Sheila R. Gilligan, ACM for Community Services Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk Bo Chen, City Engineer Dan Kaiser, Acting Director of Building & Safety Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Patrick Conlon, Director of the Office of Energy Management Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing Doug Van'Gelder, Director of Information Systems Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works John Rios, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert/Riverside County Fire Dept./CDF Frank Taylor, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept. Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk On a motion by Spiegel, second by Finerty, and 4-0 vote of the Authority Board, with Ferguson ABSENT, Chairman Kelly adjourned the meeting to Closed Session of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency at 3:05 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 4:02 p.m. MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING AUGUST 9, 2007 III. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Housing Authority Meeting of July 12, 2007. Rec: Approve as presented. B. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES for the Meeting of June 13, 2007. Removed for separate consideration under Section III, Consent Items Held Over. Please see that portion of the Minutes for Council discussion and action. Member Spiegel asked that Item B be removed for separate consideration under Section III, Consent Items Held Over. Upon motion by Finerty, second by Spiegel, and 4-0 vote of the Authority Board, with Ferguson ABSENT, the remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. IV. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER B. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES for the Meeting of June 13, 2007. Member Spiegel noted the Council didn't have a liaison to the Housing Commission. He called attention to page 3 of the June 13 Minutes, under RPM Monthly Status Reports, where Commissioner Leo Sullivan expressed concern with the delay of old projects, California Villas and Palm Village Apartments. Mr. Sullivan noted the issue was brought up in prior meetings and suggested that staff pay close attention to decisions being made because it was doubtful they were the right ones. Member Spiegel thought it was a damaging comment if it was accurate and questioned what Mr. Sullivan meant. Mr. McCarthy responded the Housing Commission had always expressed some sensitivity and concern regarding how long it took projects to get completed, and it was a consistent expression of impatience on the Commission's part. He said staff also shared the impatience, but with respect to the projects mentioned, Palm Village had specific issues to the demise of the contractor. He said staff tried to be responsive and helped move projects along as rapidly as possible; however, there are situations where it's out of staff's control. Responding to Member Spiegel's question about appointing a liaison to the Housing Commission, Mr. McCarthy replied it was at the discretion of the Council. He said there was currently a housing sub -committee that worked on a project -by -project basis with the Housing Commission, but certainly the presence of a City Council member was always welcomed. MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING AUGUST 9, 2007 Member Spiegel wondered if there was a reason for not having a liaison with the Housing Commission, because the Planning and Architectural Review Commission had reasons for not having a liaison. Mr. McCarthy noted the Housing Commission was advisory to the Housing Authority, and he didn't know if there was a conflict for a member of the Housing Authority to sit on the Housing Commission, but from staff's perspective it was not a problem. Chairman Kelly suggested the Agency Attorney could look it up. Mr. Ortega offered to answer the question, because it was an issue that was brought up and looked into by RDA Attorney William Strausz. He said the Redevelopment Agency had a Housing Authority under the Health and Safety Code, and two members from the public could be added to the body, making it seven members. However, staff was recommended to form an independent Housing Commission that then became an advisory to the Council. He said members couldn't sit on both boards, otherwise, they would be making recommendations to themselves. He believed there were provisions under the Health and Safety Code as to how members could participate. Mayor Kelly stated a liaison was not considered a member and would only attend meetings to answer questions; although, he recognized that at times members engaged in the discussion, which they're not supposed to do. Mr. Ortega agreed Council could have a liaison, he misunderstood the intent of the question. Mr. McCarthy stated he believed the Housing Commission would welcome a liaison from the City Council. Member Spiegel appointed Chairman Kelly as Authority Board liaison to the Housing Commission and Vice Chairman Benson as alternate. Motion was seconded by Finerty and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Ferguson ABSENT. Member Spiegel moved to, by Minute Motion, receive and file the Housing Commission Minutes for its meeting of June 13, 2007. Motion was seconded by Finerty and carried by a 4-0 vote, with Ferguson ABSENT. V. RESOLUTIONS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING AUGUST 9, 2007 VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. OLD BUSINESS None IX. PUBLIC HEARINGS None X. REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AGENCY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AUTHORITY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY None XI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - C None XII. ADJOURNMENT With Authority Board concurrence, Chairman Kelly adjourned the meeting at 5:41 p.m. ATTEST: HE D. IZASS E , SECRETrARI PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY D S. KLY, CHAIR 4