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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-11MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER 73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M. Chairman Hamik convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Vice Chairman Jean M. Benson Member Robert A. Spiegel arrived at 3:12 p.m. Member Van G. Tanner Member Susan Marie Weber arrived at 3:04 p.m. Chairman Jan C. Hamik Also Present: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director David J. Erwin, City Attorney Rachelle D. Klassen, Secretary Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance/City Treasurer Janet M. Moore, Director of Housing Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager Casey Hartman, Batt. Chief, Palm Desert Fire/Riverside Co. Fire Dept/Cal Fire Michael Bianco, Admin. Sgt., Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Dept. Grace L. Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Requegt for Closed Session: None With Authority Board concurrence, Chairman Hamik adjourned the meeting to Closed Session of the City Council at 3:05 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:04 p.m. MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 11, 2013 IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M. A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION. None V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Housing Authority Meeting of March 14, 2013. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AUTHORITY TREASURY - Warrant Nos. 183-Housing, 185-Housing, 190-Housing, 181 HA, 186HA, 191HA, and 196HA. Rec: Approve as presented. C. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES for the Meetings of January 9 and February 13, 2013. Rec: Receive and file. Upon a motion by Spiegel, second by Weber, and 5-0 vote of the Authority Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. RESOLUTIONS None .ui 2 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 11, 2013 VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE SOLICITATION OF PROPOSALS FOR THE REMOVAL, DEMOUTION, AND BACKFILL OF NINE (9) OF THE TEN (10) WATER FEATURE PONDS AT ONE QUAIL PLACE. Ms. Moore stated that at one time there were twelve water feature ponds, but two were removed. One was removed because it was too close to the Head Start Program at One Quail Place, and the other was in a constant state of repair. Both ponds were removed at the same time, but there are ten ponds remaining. Staff received a proposal from the current service provider that indicated, that because of the deteriorating condition of the ponds, it will cost significantly more annually, about $10,000 a year to keep them at a condition that will stop the breed of mosquitos and algae growth that has taken over. Staff was preparing a report with respect to the elimination of at least half of the ponds, and in doing so, it was taken to the Housing Commission for review. At the Housing Commission there was discussion where, based on the fact that these ponds are costing more, along with other issues, including staffs concem with conservation of water, they made the recommendation to remove all but the front pond. It was felt that the front pond was a design feature to the entrance of One Quail Place. Therefore, the request is to solicit proposals to remove nine ponds. Included in the proposal for the elimination of the ponds, is the creation of pedestrian -friendly areas with respect to making benches along the way through the community. The landscape will be minimal to avoid adding to the landscaping and water costs. Councilman Spiegel asked how the tenants felt about this matter. Ms. Moore responded that this matter had not been discussed with the tenants, but it was mentioned at the Housing Commission meeting. She pointed out there are only four members on the Commission at this time, with only two of them being residents, but not residents at One Quail Place. The Commission's position was that necessary cuts were being made, and over time the tenants will understand and get used to it. Councilman Spiegel asked if it was a good idea to send a letter to the tenants about what the plans are and why. Ms. Moore stated that if the Council directed staff to do so, they will, but in the event the tenants are unanimously not in favor, over time, other adjustments may have to be made. A couple of concerns brought up at the Housing Commission meeting was that One Quail is a family community and a multi -family housing project. One Commissioner is a retired insurance 3 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 11, 2013 gentleman, and has voiced twice that he felt the ponds were a liability becuase of the children in the community. She said staff would be happy to send out a letter and ask input from the tenants. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that since the item on the agenda was authorization to solicit the bids, ultimately what will be needed is a design of what will replace the ponds, as well as the cost of the removal and development of the pedestrian -friendly areas with drought tolerant landscaping. He said when staff reaches that point, it will be an appropriate time to notify the tenants so they have something to look forward to and not just the elimination of ponds, but the availability of benches. Councilman Tanner noted staff already had preliminary estimates from Southwest Aquatics to eliminate the ponds. He asked if staff was soliciting additional bids for the demolition and removal. Ms. Moore explained the request is for Council to approve the solicitation of proposals for whoever is interested in bidding. She said Southwest Aquatics provided some information with respect to the removal, but the main information from their proposal was to bring the ponds up to standard. In the past, when discussing the elimination of one pond, Southwest Aquatics provided a proposal for only one. However, staff obtained three bids, and that's where the estimates in the staff report came from. Councilman Tanner, moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Authorize staff to solicit proposals for the removal, demolition, and backfill of nine (9) ponds at One Quail Place; 2) declare non -working pond equipment as surplus and authorize disposal thereof, with staff requested to communicate the changes to be made at the appropriate point in the process. Motion was seconded by Spiegel. Mayor Hamik noted water features are being eliminated in other places in the City, because of cost, conservation, and green thinking. She agreed staff needs to find out what the cost savings is to fix and maintain, or replace them with public areas where people can sit and gather within the One Quail Place, which she thought was smart. Additionally, inform the tenants they will have additional community areas instead. She said everyone needed to understand that if water features like these will be maintained, the costs would have to be absorbed somehow, and the City was not looking to raise rents or anything like that. Mayor Pro Tem Benson asked that the letter not ask the tenants opinion, but instead explain the City was addressing safety issues, being more green, etc., as to why it was making the changes to avoid getting into a contest. Mayor Hamik called for the vote, and the motion carried by a 5-0 vote. 4 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 11, 2013 IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS None X. OLD BUSINESS None XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 43840 BLUEBERRY LANE (APN 634-061-038) AND 75455 WILDFLOWER LANE (APN 634-062-028), PALM DESERT, PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 33433(c) (JOINT CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL). Ms. Moore explained a public hearing is required anytime property is sold that is owned by the former Redevelopment Agency, which is now owned by the Housing Authority. Therefore, this public hearing is required for the purpose of the sale of the subject homes. She said there was potentially a qualified participant for one of the homes, and staff would like to get it sold as quickly as possible. Mayor/Chairman Hamik declared the public hearing open and invited public testimony FAVORING or OPPOSING this matter. With no public testimony offered, she declared the public hearing closed. Councilman/Member Tanner moved to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. HA - 52 approving sale of the subject properties pursuant to the attached draft Purchase and Sale Agreements at the calculated resale prices of $131,960 for 43840 Blueberry Lane and $107,587 for 75455 Wildflower Lane or the fair market value of the properties, whichever is Tess. Motion was seconded by Spiegel and carried by a 5-0 vote. Councilman/Member Tanner moved to by Minute Motion of the City Council and Authority Board: 1) Approve silent homebuyer assistance loans not to exceed 40% of the sales price for each home to ensure an affordable housing cost for a qualified low- or moderate -income household from any available funding source restricted for such purpose (BEGIN, Housing Mitigation, Agency/Housing Authority program income). 2) authorize payment of transaction costs from the sale proceeds for the purpose of repairs required for closing, fees customary to real estate transactions in Riverside County, including escrow, title, FHA fees, inspections, vermin eradication, commissions, and disclosures; 3) authorize use of the Desert Rose Sales Program and documents, including the restrictive covenant and loan documents for the applicable funding source, in their substantial form as attached to the staff report; 4) authorize the Authority Chairman and/or Authority Executive Director or his designee to finalize and execute the Purchase and Sales 5 MINUTES PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING APRIL 11, 2013 Agreements and any ancillary documents necessary to effectuate the sale and actions taken herewith. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by a 5-0 vote. XII . REPORTS, REMARKS, AND AUTHORITY BOARD ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AUTHORITY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY None XIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - C None XIV. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Spiegel, second by Weber, and unanimous vote of the Authority Board, Chairman Hamik adjoumed the meeting at 7:12 p.m. ATTEST: HELLE D. Kt SE , SECRETARY PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY AN C. HAR IK, CHAIRMAN 6