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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Commission Min. Oct. 12, 2205111..6 PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, HOUSING TECHNICIAN DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2005 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the Housing Commission Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2005, approved at the Housing Commission Meeting held November 9, 2005. Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Roger Dash convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Roger Dash Carrie McLeod Larry Saindon Leo Sullivan Linda Ward Also Present: Jane Turner Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Dave Yrigoyen, Director for Redevelopment and Housing James Conway, Construction Maintenance Inspector Bryce White, Senior Construction Contract Administrator Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Janet Moore introduced Jessica Gonzalez as the Management Analyst to the Redevelopment Agency. 1 Housing Commission Minutes October 12, 2005 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of July 13, 2005 With a Motion made by Leo Sullivan and seconded by Larry Saindon the minutes were unanimously approved with Commissioner Jane Turner absent. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS 1) Discussion regarding disaster evacuees (Hurricane Katrina) Roger Dash shared his concerns with regard to victims affected by Hurricane Katrina especially students who were attending local universities in New Orleans. He distributed an article published in the LA Times, which detailed how several universities were either closed or unable to fully function, as a result of the hurricane. He indicated that this matter is being presented to the Housing Commission for consideration in establishing a sub -committee to determine whether or not the Housing Authority can provide assistance to those students affected by Hurricane Katrina. Therefore, the idea is to transport these students to Palm Desert and provide affordable housing as well as establishing some type of agreement with our local college and/or university in order for them to finish their education. Upon Roger Dash's request to add this item for discussion, Janet Moore stated that she had the opportunity to gather some information with respect to the City's involvement in the continuing efforts of providing assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina. She indicated that the City Council may already be considering some sort of assistance and would like to forward Roger Dash's request to the City Manager for direction. She also noted that the Marriott Shadow Ridge housed approximately 15 families and that in the event they wanted to relocate to Palm Desert permanently we would send them information on what programs may be available to them. The Commission agreed there are two separate needs: education and affordable housing, and further discussed availability within the properties and the provisions and requirements to comply with the 20% set -aside for housing. Staff indicated there was no availability at our properties however, staff will contact legal counsel regarding the feasibility of using 20% for this purpose. 2 Housing Commission Minutes October 12, 2005 From a policy standpoint, Justin McCarthy recommended that it be conveyed to the two council members that review housing matters for their input and direction. As well as contacting representatives from College of the Desert and Cal State University on whether or not an outreach has been made to these students on their behalf. It was the consensus of the Commission to allow staff to review this matter. B. MONTHLY STATUS REPORT (September) Leo Sullivan inquired as to the high percentage of vacancies at Desert Pointe and One Quail Place. Teresa Vakili explained that there are more vacancies currently due to move -outs and upgrades made to the interior of units previously occupied by long-term residents. These upgrades include new countertops, cabinets, re -carpeting, and accessibility reconfigurations when feasible. Leo Sullivan expressed concern with the vacancy figures in September's Monthly Status Report and asked why the August report was not provided. He expressed that he was also dismayed with the cancellation of two consecutive meetings and felt that the cancellation of one month was sufficient. He noted that the members of this Commission are volunteers and are here to assist in the decisions that are being made. Linda Ward concurred with his remarks. Carrie McLeod requested that those monthly reports and/or updates be provided at the following meeting upon the cancellation of a meeting. Janet Moore reassured the Commission that there were no action items during the last two months and nothing has been done differently over the last two monthes then what has been done in the past. She also reported that the August monthly reports and updates were mailed along with the notice of cancellation in September. A request was made to explain the Monthly Status Report for better understanding by the Commissioners. Janet Moore suggested that Ms. Vakili could prepare that for the next meeting. C. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT Report # 1 for August was reviewed by the Commission. 3 Housing Commission Minutes October 12, 2005 D. REPORT #2 - MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENT Report #2 for August was reviewed by the Commission. E. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) James Conway reviewed the update on the Housing Authority properties provided to the Commission. He provided a detail overview of California Villas renovation project with regard to Phase I and II. Upon question if Franco Polo was the architect for this project, James Conway stated that there were some legality issues with respect to submittals of documents to the Public Works Department and therefore, his contract was terminated. Larry Saindon asked that the Commission be informed of any changes with regard to contractors since he felt a great deal of consideration was made with respect to the selection process. Justin McCarthy made not of the fact that the termination was a legal issue but that staff would keep the Commission informed when possible. Linda Ward inquired on the timeline for the curb cut outs at Las Serenas. James Conway replied that staff was in process of reviewing the assessment report provided by National Access Consultants. He noted that we would accelerate the construction of handicap curbs as noted in the report. F. RESIGNATION LETTER FROM CHARLES HELSPER A resignation letter from Charles Helsper was provided to the Commission for review. It was noted that a request for a commissioner would be provided in November's newsletter to tenants of the Housing Authority. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS — BUDGET Action: Motion was made by Carrie McLeod and seconded by Leo Sullivan to approve and forward recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 operating budget for the 66 unit apartment complex currently known as Country Village Apartments and located at 42455 Washington Street. Housing Commission Minutes October 12, 2005 Janet Moore stated that staff of the Redevelopment Agency has been actively seeking properties with respect to available housing that could be purchased and then rehabilitated. Country Village Apartments was identified by Redevelopment Agency staff and was acquired on September 30, 2005. In order to operate the property a budget must be established. A number of issues with respect to the property's condition were discussed. Upon question regarding the confidentiality of acquisitions of real estate, it was explained that acquisitions are solely negotiated and authorized by the City Council. Larry Saindon commented that in the past acquisitions of properties were discussed with the Commission by Terre La Rocca. Dave Yrigoyen explained that because this is an open meeting, its a matter of public record and acquisitions of real property are not public until finalized. Several members of the Commission asked if they could go into closed session to discuss future acquisitions. Mr. McCarthy confirmed that this is not discussed in open, public meetings but he will discuss with legal counsel and report back to the Commission. Mr. McCarthy also noted that he thought the Commission's authority for closed session was for relocation appeals. B. ONE QUAIL PLACE - CARPORTS A Motion was made by Leo Sullivan and seconded by Carrie McLeod to add the amended staff report to the Agenda. James Conway distributed a revised staff report and briefed the Commission on the bid opening of October 10, 2005. He stated that out of three interested firms only one bid was received. However, certain required documents were incomplete resulting in rejection of the bid. Staff is asking to reject the bid and negotiate with the sole bidder Petronella Roofing. Action: Motion was made by Larry Saindon and seconded by Linda Ward to approve and forward recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to reject sole bid for non -responsive and authorize staff to negotiate with Petronella Roofing to provide contractual requirements for the re -roofing of all carports located at One Quail Place VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 5 Housing Commission Minutes October 12, 2005 A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (OCTOBER) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program was provided to the Commission for review. C. PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS Bryce White distributed pictures of the construction site of Palm Village Apartments and provided an update. D. CATALINA GARDENS/PUEBLOS COMMUNITY ROOM/ PHASE II 20 ACRE SITE UPDATE: Bryce White distributed pictures of the proposed Catalina Gardens/Pueblos community room. An update of the 20 Acre Site projects was provided in a memo by Cathy Walker. Janet Moore reported that a couple of members of the City Council and staff are in the process of selecting a name for the single-family homes and the senior complex and would report it to the Commission at the next meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence, Chair Roger Dash adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on November 9, 2005. PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY