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Home My WebLink AboutHOUSG CMSN - 03/09/06uLe PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: MARCH 9, 2006 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the Housing Commission Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2006, approved at the Housing Commission Meeting held March 8, 2006. Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jane Turner convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Carrie McLeod Larry Saindon Leo Sullivan Jane Turner Linda Ward Also Present: Carlos Ortega, Executive Director Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Dave Yrigoyen, Director for Redevelopment and Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Dave Erwin, City Attorney Verna Smith, Potential Housing Commissioner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Dave Erwin was present to clarify a concern raised by the Commission at the last meeting with regard to property acquisitions and closed session. He advised that the Council reconfirmed that they consider property acquisitions to be a confidential matter until the property is acquired. Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2006 He offered to answer any questions before excusing himself from the meeting. Janet Moore introduced Verna Smith to the Commission. Ms. Smith provided a brief background and stated she has filed her application with the City Clerk and is interested in serving as a Housing Commissioner. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of December 7, 2005 With a Motion made by Larry Saindon and seconded by Leo Sullivan the minutes were unanimously approved with Commissioner Carrie McLeod abstaining since she was not present at that meeting. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS No items to report B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA ITEMS RELATED TO HOUSING, AND SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACTIONS An update was provided to the Housing Commission for review. Janet Moore reviewed the memo and stated that the Agency held a public hearing to convey two single-family lots to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat will be constructing a four -bedroom two -bath home on each lot. A blitz build is tentatively scheduled; however, times frames for the construction have not been determined. Staff will notify the Commission once the schedule is confirmed. C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Monthly Status Report for January was reviewed by the Commission. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2006 D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT Report # 1 for December was reviewed by the Commission. Jane Turner questioned the occupancy at Country Village. Teresa Vakili stated that there has been 25 move outs since the acquisition of the property for reasons of non-payment and/or tenants' choice. Janet Moore commented that the architect conducting the study at Country Village Apartments will not be able to start until mid -March. E. REPORT #2 - MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENT Report #2 for December was reviewed by the Commission. Teresa Vakili clarified the offsets shown on the report under "Other" of the Total Operating Income. She stated that it consists of legal fees, employee units, credit income, and non -sufficient funds. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) An update on the Housing Authority properties was provided to the Commission. James Conway summarized the update. The Commission was asked if they would like to review the colors selected for both Neighbors and Taos Palms prior to submitting them to the Planning Department. Given the time span between the Commission's meetings and the fact that the Planning Department must approve the final selections, there was a general agreement to refer this to the Planning Department for approval. He furthered noted that the pool demo at Laguna Palms has been completed and the underground utilities are proceeding according to schedule. In regards to the boiler replacement at Country Village, Janet Moore stated that the boiler was replaced with a refurbished boiler for the meantime until an assessment of the property is complete. Further stating that ultimately energy savings will be incorporated in the rehabilitation phase as part of the Estonia Protocol project. 3 Gf RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2006 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Award of Contract to Color Concepts Action: Motion was made by Carrie McLeod and seconded by Linda Ward to approve and forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize RPM Company to award contract to Color Concepts in the amount of $47,900 for repainting exterior stucco and trim at the Housing Authority properties known as Neighbors and Taos Palms. James Conway reviewed the staff report and asked for the Commission's recommendation. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Rental Rate Increase Action: Motion was made by Larry Saindon and seconded by Carrie McLeod to continue this item to the next Housing Commission meeting of March 8, 2006 for further review. Janet Moore stated that Legal Counsel made changes to the report subsequent to mailing the agenda packets and asked the Commission to continue this item to the next meeting. She noted that modifications were primarily made to the language in the Resolutions only. Also included with the staff report was a copy of a news article published in the Desert Sun with respect to valley rents rising at a slower pace than the rest of Southern California. Linda Ward agreed and praised the Authority for the affordability provided compared to the rental rates listed in the "Rental Guide" for this area published on Saturdays in the Desert Sun. Ms. Ward asked for a list of adjustments to income and if they are still being considered during the renewal of leases. Janet Moore stated Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations is followed with respect to income and what is included when determining affordable housing cost. A copy will be provided at the next meeting for informational purposes. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc Housing Commission Minutes VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (FEBRUARY) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE FEBRUARY 8, 2006 An update on the Home Improvement Program was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway reported that six properties are in the final completion stage, four were denied based on non -qualification for the program, and quite a backlog of new applicants that are waiting to be have work write ups done. In an effort to expedite this process, a consultant is being recommended to the Council to oversee the work write ups, the construction, and preparation of the necessary paperwork. Larry Saindon questioned whether the Commission had approved expenditures made in the Home Improvement Program in the past and asked if so, did the law change. Carlos Ortega clarified that he did not recall any formal review from this body in terms of approving expenditures. Bryce White explained the approval process to request Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds used for the Program. C. PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS Bryce White distributed construction pictures of the Palm Village Apartments and provided an update. He stated that a request to solicit bids to install photovoltaic panels to supply power to nine units will be presented to the City Council. Only nine units are being considered at this time due to cost and space limitations. However, the property will provide for future installation of solar panels to all units depending on the effectiveness of the nine units. D. CATALINA GARDENS Bryce White distributed current construction pictures of the community room and provided an update. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2006 E. Phase II 20 Acre Site Update: 1) Falcon Crest 2) La Rocca Villas An update of the 20 Acre Site projects was provided in a memo by Cathy Walker to which Dave Yrigoyen reviewed. As previously mentioned at the last meeting, Janet Moore stated that the developer submitted an application to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requesting BEGIN Program funding. On February 3, 2006, HCD granted the request and awarded the City with a $2.79 million check towards the Agency's down payment assistance program. Staff will be working directly with HCD on the information required to appropriately disburse the funds for down -payment assistance loans. Justin McCarthy added that this is the largest award of this type of funds. He noted that these funds are a component of Proposition 46 approved three years ago. In addition, staff is working on establishing a strategic plan with respect to the development and the administration of a wait list and how applications will be accepted for Falcon Crest. The Housing Sub -Committee have met to discuss a plan. Janet Moore asked the Commission if anyone would be interested in participating in the meetings to which Leo Sullivan volunteered. It was explained that the sub -committee meet on an as needed basis only. Staff is hoping to establish these guidelines prior to scheduling a date for the groundbreaking ceremony. The proposed guidelines for Falcon Crest will include loans to moderate -income first time homebuyers. The properties will have restrictions on resale prices similar to Desert Rose. Janet Moore also noted that there are other affordable housing opportunities in Palm Desert that are not provided by the City or the Agency. Currently staff is working with The Enclave who is required to provide 4 units that will be affordable to moderate incomes. The units range from one, two and three bedrooms. F. Estonia Protocol Janet Moore reiterated the project that the City recently has undertaken to reduce energy consumption by 30%, and provided a brief update from the Housing Division. She stated that the city's liaison has requested a five-year or ten—year plan on how staff will incorporate energy savings within the Authority properties, such as changing air conditioners, windows to dual pane, etc. 6 G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2006 Justin McCarthy also noted that the City will be submitting a proposal to request financial participation to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in order to implement this energy reduction program citywide. G. Copy of Roger Dash Resignation Letter A copy of Roger Dash's resignation letter and letter of gratitude from Jean Benson was provided to the Commission for review. IX. ADJOURNMENT A. Schedule of Housing Commission meeting dates for 2006 (Update) A revised schedule of meeting dates was provided to the Commission for review. The Housing Tour is scheduled for March 17, 2006. A motion was made by Carrie McLeod and seconded by Larry Saindon to invite prospective Housing Commissioners on the tour. As information, Janet Moore stated that the Agency as well as the City Council is always looking to acquire or assist units or properties whether its owned by a developer or individually, where units are at risk of being converted from affordable to market rents. With members of the Housing Commission concurrence, Chairman Jane Turner adjourned the meeting at 4:28 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 8, 2006. (t. PATTY LEON, ECORDING SECRETARY G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\2-8-06 .doc