HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-09MINUTES
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019
CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER
73510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260
I. CALL TO ORDER - 3:00 P.M.
Chairman Weber convened the meeting at 3:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Member Jan C. Harnik
Member Sabby Jonathan
Member Kathleen Kelly
Vice Chairman Gina Nestande
Chairman Susan Marie Weber
Also Present:
Lauri Aylaian, Executive Director
Robert W. Hargreaves, City Attorney
Rachelle D. Klassen, Secretary
Lori Carney, Director of Administrative Services
Russell Grance, Director of Building & Safety
Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development
Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development
Janet M. Moore, Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Tom Garcia, Director of Public Works
Ty Davis, Division Chief, Palm Desert Fire/Riverside Co. Fire Dept./Cal Fire
Bryan White, Battalion Chief, Palm Desert Fire/Riverside Co. Fire Dept./Cal Fire
Matt Martello, Asst. Chief, Palm Desert Police/Riverside Co. Sheriffs Department
M. Gloria Sanchez, Management Specialist II
III. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Request for Closed Session:
A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8:
MINUTES
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
MAY 9, 2019
1) Property: Merle Street - 14 Self -Help Lots (APNs 624-441-014
through 624-441-022, and 624-440-032 through
624-440-036), Palm Desert
Negotiating Parties:
Agency: Lauri Aylaian/Janet Moore/City of Palm Desert/
Palm Desert Housing Authority
Property Owner: City of Palm Desert
Under Negotiation: x Price x Terms of Payment
With Authority Board concurrence, Chairman Weber adjourned the meeting to
Closed Session at 3:02 p.m. She reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
IV. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 P.M.
A. REPORT ON ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION.
Mr. Hargreaves reported that direction was given but no reportable actions
were taken.
V. CONSENT CALENDAR
For clarification, Housing Authority Consent Calendar is combined into the
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, Section XII - CONSENT CALENDAR and considered
jointly. It appears here only for record -keeping purposes.
A. MINUTES of the Housing Authority Meeting of April 25, 2019 (Item L on City
Council Agenda Section XII - Consent Calendar).
Rec: Approve as presented.
Upon a motion by Kelly, second by Harnik, and 5-0 vote of the City Council,
Successor Agency Board, and Housing Authority Board (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Kelly,
Nestande, and Weber; NOES: None), the Consent Calendar was approved as presented.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VII. RESOLUTIONS
None
2
MINUTES
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING MAY 9, 2019
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
None
IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST BY ALLIED AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
LLC, TO EXTEND ENTITLEMENTS AND CONTRACT FOR PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARC VILLAGE PROJECT AT THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY VACANT PROPERTY KNOWN AS APN 622-020-096 (JOINT
CONSIDERATION WITH THE PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL).
Senior Management Analyst Jessica Gonzales stated that approval of staffs
recommendation will allow an extension to entitlements and ground lease for
the Arc Village Project. She recalled that in August 2018 the City
Council/Authority Board approved an extension that aligned both the
entitlements and ground lease for the project, which are soon to expire on
May 17, 2019. Developer Allied Affordable Housing, LLC, requested an
additional one-year extension to May 17, 2020, so that they can seek and
secure the financing gap necessary to develop the project, having identified
new and existing funding sources coming available within the next month to
assist with that gap. She said staff recommends approval and offered to
answer questions, noting that Allied Affordable Housing's representative,
Ms. Yvonne Delgadillo, was also present today for that purpose.
MS. YVONNE DELGADILLO, Allied Affordable Housing, LLC, Santa Monica,
CA, expressed appreciation for the City's/Housing Authority's support over
the past two years. She acknowledged that it's been a frustrating process
for all in trying to secure funds. However, the subject extension request was
being made because they're seeing some new resources opening up within
the next few months to help bridge the financing gap. Originally, she said
they were considering a 9% Low -Income Housing Tax Credit Project through
the State of California. Whereas, now they're exploring using a combination
of 4% Low -Income Housing Tax Credits, which are non-competitive, with a
combination of other Housing and Community Development grants and
resources from the State of California. One of those was the Multi -Family
Housing Program, which was due to come out any time now. Additionally,
she said another round of Home Funds was expected, which Allied applied
for in August 2018, and theirs would have been the next project funded if
more resources had been available. Although in the interim, she noted that
Allied secured six vouchers from Riverside County Housing Authority,
shortening the gap they face in order to secure all needed financing. She
3
MINUTES
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING MAY 9, 2019
said the past year for Allied will be the last opportunity for them to go out and
bring the subject project to fruition. She stated that Allied continues
communicating with Desert Arc, neighbors of the site, and the City/Housing
Authority, because they're committed to this important project, reiterating
great appreciation for all the City's/Authority's support throughout the
process.
Councilmember/Member Harnik thanked Ms. Delgadillo for the time she took
the other day to provide a lot of valuable information. She went on to say
that many know she's quite passionate about this project, because it is one
that will serve not only Palm Desert but is very important to the entire region.
With all the effort that's been put into it so far, along with a shift in thinking
at the State Capitol, she hoped perhaps now there will be more support for
the project and again thanked Ms. Delgadillo for all the work she was doing.
Councilman/Member Jonathan commented that he was in favor of the
extension. However, when it terminates, it will have been five years that the
two parties have been dancing together on this project, this being the third
or fourth extension. Personally, he believed that Allied has the same
concerns, that there are only so many resources they can expend on this
project, especially after three denials. He clarified that he's also passionately
in favor of the project for all the benefit that it will provide Palm Desert and
Valley residents. But after five years, he expects at this point if it's not
successful, all parties need to take another direction - barring any other
compelling reasons for continuing - which will be at the end of this extension.
Mayor/Chairman Weber noted that she, Councilmembers/Members
Kelly and Jonathan, and Mr. Stendell attended a meeting earlier today where
related information was presented. Mr. Stendell went on to say it was an
update from Daniel Carrigg, Deputy Executive Director/Legislative Director
for the League of California Cities. Mr. Carrigg echoed many of the
comments made by Allied today that there are different sources of funding
out there, and the landscape for funding of affordable projects is different
still. Mr. Stendell observed he didn't recall in the recent past as much money
being available for these projects as there was currently and hoped it would
help get this project completed.
Mayor/Chairman Weber remarked the information from that meeting was
what provided optimism for the subject project and request before the
City Council/Authority Board today.
Mayor Pro TemNice Chairman Nestande noted she was very supportive of
this project and the Allied Affordable Housing group, and was impressed by
Ms. Delgadillo when she had opportunity to meet with her approximately one
month ago. Further, she was very optimistic about the project's future.
4
MINUTES
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING MAY 9, 2019
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairman Nestande moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve
the request by Allied Affordable Housing, LLC, Santa Monica, California, to extend Case
No. PP/CUP 16-102 and Contract No. HA34970 through May 17, 2020, for the proposed
development of the Arc Village Project at the Authority's vacant property known as
APN 622-020-096; 2) authorize legal counsel to prepare and finalize an extension contract;
3) authorize the Chairman and/or Executive Director, or her designee, to execute any
necessary actions, including the negotiated extension contract and any documents
necessary to facilitate the contract and the Arc Village Project. Motion was seconded by
Councilmember/Member Kelly and carried by 5-0 vote (AYES: Harnik, Jonathan, Kelly,
Nestande, and Weber; NOES: None).
XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
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
With Authority Board concurrence, Chairman Weber adjourned the meeting at
5:07 p.m.
ATTEST:
RACHELLE D. KLASSENE,JSECRETAR
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORI
SUSAN MARIE WEBER, CHAIRMAN
5