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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 10/13/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice -Chair Roger Dash convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Roger Dash Carrie McLeod Jane Turner Linda Ward Also Present: Members Absent: Larry Saindon Leo Sullivan Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment James Conway, Construction Maintenance Inspector Bryce White, Senior Construction Contract Administrator Ezell James, Housing Programs Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Regional Supervisor Edward Tavill, Resident of Palm Desert III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Roger Dash introduced Mr. Edward Tavill, a resident of Palm Desert, who expressed interest in serving as a member of the Housing Commission. Staff explained to Mr. Tavill that the current vacancy requires re -appointment of a tenant from our Palm Desert Housing Authority properties. 1 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2004 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of September 8, 2004. Motion: The minutes of the September 1, 2004 meeting will be held for approval until the next meeting due to lack of quorum of those members in attendance at the September 1, 2004 meeting. Linda Ward was asked to abstain from the motion due to her absence of that. meeting. Linda Ward called attention to Page 6, Item No. VIII, Section E, clarifying a statement made by a member with regard to the Adhoc Subcommittee meeting. She stated that she was very pleased with the single-family project but was not happy with the senior villas project. Staff was directed to remove the following statement by Mr. Dash from the minutes: "It was pointed out that Linda Ward's concerns were addressed and she seemed pleased with the outcome". Justin McCarthy commented for the record that a significant effort was made by staff and the architect to address numerous issues raised at the Adhoc Subcommittee meeting. V. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. COMMISSION REPORTS No reports B. SUMMARY OF COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA ITEMS AND ACTIONS Janet Moore reviewed the memo provided to the Commission of agenda items and actions. She added that although the summary reported no agenda items, a staff report to acquire a Desert Rose home was forwarded to the Council to be considered at their October 14t" meeting. This item does not require action from the Housing Commission as it pertains to the Redevelopment Agency. 2 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2004 C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORT (SEPTEMBER) The Monthly Status Report for September was reviewed bythe Commission. Carre McLeod asked for clarification on the percentage for Available to Rent category. Teresa Vakili stated it was based on the availability of units to prospective tenants as well as current tenants transferring to a new unit. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT (SEPTEMBER) Report # 1 for September were reviewed by the Commission. E. REPORT #2 - MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENT (AUGUST) Report #2 for August was distributed to the Commission for review. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) James Conway reviewed the update on the Housing Authority properties provided to the Commission. Color pictures of the hallway and staircase rehabilitation at Desert Pointe were distributed. James Conway stated the rehab was moving forward. Linda Ward raised a concern with Seville Apartments maintenance staff storing their trash and old appliances against the chain link fence adjacent to Las Serenas, in direct view of tenants, and asked if staff had addressed this issue with the owner. James Conway reported that appropriate staff will be notified. G. 2004 HUD Income Guidelines for Riverside County The 2004 Income Eligibility Limits for Riverside County was provided to the Commission for review. The information is based on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual income limits for the Riverside -San Bernardino metropolitan area. Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2004 Janet Moore reviewed the income guidelines and explained how income levels are determined based on total household income and family size. She stated that this year the HUD income had gone up considerably from last year. H. Resignation Letter from Manny Reyes Roger Dash reviewed the resignation letter received by Manny Reyes, and asked that staff write him a letter of appreciation for his service on behalf of the Housing Commission. Staff has asked for direction from the City Clerk on the proper process to re- appointment a member from our Housing Authority properties. A notice will be sent to every tenant from our properties via the newsletters. Interested tenants are encouraged to attend several meetings before they are appointed by the Council. Linda Ward commented that she had not received a notice from the City Clerk regarding re -appointment of her term which expired in December of 2003. Staff will notify the City Clerk. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (OCTOBER) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. Jane Turner referenced a notice inserted in the newsletters for Las Serenas and inquired if there was a problem with rodents. Teresa Vakili stated for health and safety reasons, tenants are being notified of certain conditions to avoid attracting rodents. B. HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program was provided to the Commission for review. 111 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2004 B. White reported 20 participants in the program at this time. Upon questioned on the status of a property located on Cabrillo with regard to obtaining the necessary insurance documents, Bryce White stated that all paperwork was received and is proceeding with the construction. Discussion ensued with properties of code violations and how Code Compliance will provide information on the HIP to homeowners. B. White stated that 40% of the applicants have a code issue. For informational purposes, he also provided an update on the Facade Enhancement Program. C. PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS Bryce White updated the Commission on the progress of the Palm Village Apartments. He stated that the retaining wall is finished and was accepted by the surrounding neighbors whose walls had to be demolished due to height limitations. Public notices requesting bids from interested parties for the construction of the apartments have been advertised in several newspapers. Bryce stated he contacted Desert Contractors Association, as well as, contractors that picked up bid documents for our proposed Visitor Center project. A bid opening has been scheduled for Monday, October 18, 2004. D. CATALINA GARDENS/PUEBLOS COMMUNITY ROOM The design plans for the proposed community room have been forwarded to Plan Check for review. Jane Turner referenced a copy of the Senior Scene, a newsletter provided by the Joslyn Senior Center, in which it advertised the construction of the community room and the availability to members of the Senior Center. Ezell James stated he contacted Mr. Michael Bernard, Executive Director of the Joslyn Senior Center, regarding this matter. Given that the community room will be shared by both Catalina Gardens and Pueblos tenants, use of the facility will be allowed as the facility is available, however, our tentative calendar of events is quite extensive. Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2004 E. FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS PROGRAM Ezell James reported that the First Time Homebuyers Program is back in revisions. Once the program has been reviewed by the Agency's consultant and staff, a copy will be provided to the subcommittee appointed to review the program. F. PHASE II 18-ACRE SITE UPDATE Ezell James reviewed the update provided to the Commission. The single-family and senior villas projects are expected to go to the Architectural Review Commission on October 26, 2004, and then to the Planning Commission. G. DESERT ROSE UPDATE J. Moore reported four homes are the process of being resold. General discussion followed relative to the re -sale transactions. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE: A memo was provided to the Commission requesting permission to move the November meeting to the third Wednesday in order to ensure staff reports will be submitted to the Housing Commission in a timely manner. It was noted that the Council meetings for November have been rescheduled to meet once on November 18, 2004. A motion was made by Carrie McLeod and seconded by Jane Turner to move the meeting to the third Wednesday of November as opposed to the second Wednesday. X. ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence, Vice -Chairman Roger Dash adjourned the meeting at 4:26 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November 17, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. E'.PATTEON, RECORDING SECRETARY G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2004\10-13-04 Draft 6