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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 04/12/06PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: MAY 12, 2006 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the Housing Commission Meeting Minutes of April 12, 2006, approved at the Housing Commission Meeting held May 10, 2006. Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 12, 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 Also Present: Linda Ward Carlos Ortega, Executive Director Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator James Conway, Project Coordinator Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst Bryce White, Senior Construction Contract Administrator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Veronica Tapia, Redevelopment Accountant Missy Wightman, Project Coordinator III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Janet Moore introduced Veronica Tapia and Missy Wightman to the Commission. Jessica Gonzales was introduced to Commissioners not present during her initial introduction. Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of March 8, 2006 With a Motion made by Larry Saindon and seconded by Leo Sullivan the minutes were unanimously approved. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS 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. Leo Sullivan asked if the Commission's concerns discussed at the last meeting were forwarded to the Council. Janet Moore stated that a memo along with the minutes were forwarded to the City Manager. Justin McCarthy also stated that he had met with Carlos Ortega and expressed the Commission's request. C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Monthly Status Report for March was reviewed by the Commission. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT Report # 1 for February was reviewed by the Commission. E. REPORT #2 - MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENT Report #2 for February was reviewed by the Commission. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes1200614-12-06.doc Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) An update on the Housing Authority properties was provided to the Commission. James Conway summarized the update and distributed pictures of the following projects currently in progress at the properties: One Quail Place damaged unit caused by a fire; before and after pictures of the carports at One Quail Place; Neighbors Apartments painting project; and Laguna Palms underground project. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Palm Village Apartments Carports and Photovoltaic Solar Arrays Action: Motion was made by Carrie McLeod and seconded by Larry Saindon to approve and forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize the solicitation of proposals for the design/build of new carport structures and photovoltaic solar arrays in the Palm Village Apartments. Missy Wightman reviewed the staff report, stating that the request is to solicit proposals for a design of the carport structures to include photovoltaic solar arrays in order to reduce energy. Rebates will be available from the California Energy Commission. Mr. Sullivan questioned whether photovoltaic panels are financially feasible to incorporate at the other properties. Janet Moore stated that the overall plan to reduce energy as part of the Estonia Protocol project is to implement either solar panels or other energy efficiency ideas to the properties. Preliminary suggestions have been submitted to the Energy Management Department. Mr. Conway indicated that the Palm Village Apartments will be monitored in terms of the effectiveness of energy savings to determine if it would be appropriate for the other properties. Given the high cost to install the photovoltaic panels, Bryce White stated that only nine units are being considered at this time, however, the infrastructure is designed for future installation to the other units depending on costs. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\4-12-06.doc Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 Janet Moore asked members of the Housing Commission for volunteers interested in participating in the design selection of the solar panels of which both Jane Turner and Larry Saindon volunteered. B. One Quail Place Monument Signs Action: Motion was made by Leo Sullivan and seconded by Larry Saindon to approve and forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize the solicitation of proposals for the design/build of new monument signs at One Quail Place in an amount not -to -exceed $50,000. Ms. Wightman informed the Commission of the need for new signage given that the current signage is inadequate and weather damaged. Janet Moore asked Jane Turner and Larry Saindon if they would like to participate in the design selection of new monument signs as well, to which both said yes. C. RPM Company Fee Increase Action: Motion was made Carrie McLeod and seconded by Leo Sullivan to approve and forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to ratify an adjustment to the management fee pursuant to the agreement for management services by and between the Palm Desert Housing Authority and Ray, Douglas, Ann, and Patrick, Inc. a.ka. RPM Company from $32 to $33 per door. Janet Moore reviewed the staff report stating that as a result of the housing tour, annual tenants' survey and the special audit conducted in March of 2005, RPM Company continues to meet the Agency's goals and maintain the properties in good condition. The ratification of a $1.00 per door will be effective July 1st for the duration of the contract. Upon question of the current market rates per door compared to other properties, Janet Moore stated that they are any where from $35 to $38 a door for similar services. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\4-12-06.doc Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 D. 2006-2007 Housing Authority Budget Action: Motion was made Leo Sullivan and seconded by Carrie McLeod to approve and forward a recommendation to the Financial Director to include the 2006-2007 Palm Desert Housing Authority Operating, Capital, and Replacement Budgets in the City of Palm Desert's Comprehensive Finance Plan for 2006-2007 to be presented to the Housing Authority Board for approval at a future meeting. Janet Moore reviewed the memo and the budget provided to the Commission. Mr. Sullivan questioned the reduction in Contracted Services compared to last year. Janet Moore explained that Contracted Services include renovation preparation such as electrical repairs but is expected to go down since California Villas renovation project is expected to be completed within a year. Clarification was made to Country Village Apartments Total Rental Income. Janet Moore stated that the tenants at Country Village currently pay market rates but through attrition will qualify onto the program. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (APRIL) 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. A request was made by Leo Sullivan to include the approved amounts of each applicant on the report. Janet Moore reported that Rancho Housing Alliance was awarded the contract as the consultants to the Program. Staff will continue to verify income of applicants and then forward the approved files to Rancho in order to facilitate the work needed. G:1RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\200614-12-06.doc Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 Mrs. Moore also mentioned that staff is revising the program's guidelines in terms of increasing the maximum available loan amounts based on the increase of contractor's fees. C. PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS An update on Palm Village Apartments was provided to the Commission for review. D. CATALINA GARDENS COMMUNITY ROOM An update on the Community Room was provided to the Commission for review. 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. Leo Sullivan asked if the laundry facility at Country Village Apartments is leased out to which Janet Moore replied that they are leased to a company in Los Angeles. The lease has an automatic renewal of 10 years that renewed in 2004. F. Estonia Protocol Carlos Ortega reported that the City Council created the office of Energy Management and authorized three personnel through a partnership with the Public Utility Commission. Subsidies will be provided to qualified homeowners who want to retrofit their homes in order to save energy. Funding will be provided by several sources such as the Government's Photovoltaic Initiative and the Public Utility Commission. The goal is to retrofit the Housing Authority properties that have either old air conditioners and/or not enough insulation. G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\4-12-06.doc Housing Commission Minutes APRIL 12, 2006 G. Rent Subsidy Program The preliminary guidelines of the program were provided to the Commission as informational. Janet Moore provided a brief explanation of the programs objective and described the requirements. The program is designed to offer assistance to people interested in living in Palm Desert where the rental rates exceed an affordable housing cost. One question raised was whether these subsidized units would count toward the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals, Justin McCarthy stated that they will not count towards our expected numbers but will in fact meet a requirement under the Stipulation to mitigate existing need. In regard to the appointments made by the Council to Commissions and/or Committees, Janet Moore stated that the City Clerk is aware of Verna Smith's interest in becoming a member of this Commission as well as the urgency communicated by this Commission. Informational purposes: Justin McCarthy reported that staff was looking at a potential for -sale property whose affordability requirement expired. Staff was directed by the Council to complete the due diligence. If acquired, a request for budget will be presented to this Commission. At this point: Carlos Ortega stated that he was amazed with the number of units the Housing Authority manages and how we are able to support them financially and keep them in such great condition. IX. ADJOURNMENT Wi adj9uiped th meeting t 4:29 p.m. The next meeting will be held on May 10, 2006. embers of the Housing Commission concurrence, Chairman Jane Turner PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY G:\RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\1-lousing Commission\Minutes12006\4-12-06.doc