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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 08/09/06PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the Housing Commission Meeting Minutes of August 9, 2006, approved at the Housing Commission Meeting held September 13, 2006. Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES August 9, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Larry Saindon convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Larry Saindon Verna Smith Leo Sullivan Linda Ward Also Present: Jane Turner Carrie McLeod Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Carlos Ortega, Executive Director James Conway, Project Coordinator Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst Bryce White, Senior Construction Contract Administrator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Veronica Tapia, Redevelopment Accountant II III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of July 12, 2006 With a Motion made by Leo Sullivan and seconded by Verna Smith the minutes were unanimously approved. A correction was made to Page 17, spelling correction to Linda Ward's last name. Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 Leo Sullivan inquired if Mayor Ferguson would be meeting with the Commission as a follow up from the Housing Commission meeting in June. Justin McCarthy replied that Mayor Ferguson had met with the City Manager, but had no information to report regarding the disposition. He noted that the Mayor is out during this period of time. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Larry Saindon inquired as to the next Housing Sub -Committee Meeting date. It was stated that a date has been tentatively scheduled for September 13, 2006 prior to the Housing Commission meeting. Notifications will be sent out. 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. Linda Ward asked about the Council's action on the Photovoltaic Panels at Falcon Crest and La Rocca Villas. Mr. McCarthy stated that the City Council approved this item at their July 13th Council meeting. C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Monthly Status Report for July was reviewed by the Commission. Linda Ward referenced the service request report for the month of July and asked on the type of service calls at Las Serenas. Teresa Vakili stated that the reasons of service calls to be plumbing issues such as leaky faucets, replacement of thermostats, and/or anything that maintenance staff could repair without actual replacement of appliances. D. NOTICE OF REPORT #1 AND REPORT #2 Due to fiscal year end process, RPM Company will provide both June and July's report at the next regularly scheduled meeting. E. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) G:\RDA\Patty Leon,Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\200618-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 An update on the Housing Authority properties was provided to the Commission. James Conway summarized the update and displayed pictures of California Villas renovation project. In regard to the number of AC units replaced at the properties, Mr. Conway explained that besides experiencing that the existing AC units having a short life span, tenants are setting thermostats to 66 degrees during high temperatures causing the AC units to go out. Linda Ward inquired as to the rehabilitation project at California Villas and how the existing block walls were found to have no rebar and asked if the interior block walls are in the same condition. Mr. Conway stated that the exterior block walls were originally built with decorative blocks in the center that did not allow rebar to fit in those sections, but the remainder of the wall and interior block walls have rebar reinforcement. Ms. Ward also inquired as to the part-time maintenance man and assistant property manager at Las Serenas. Teresa Vakili stated that a maintenance staff member from another property has covered the maintenance needed at Las Serenas and an assistant property manager has been hired. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Palm D esert Authority Resolution No. HA-30 and Rental Rates Justin McCarthy reviewed the staff report stating the redlined sections represent the changes made by our legal counsel. Action: Motion was made by Leo Sullivan and seconded by Linda Ward to approve and forward recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. . a Resolution of the Palm Desert Housing Authority, rescinding Resolution No. HA-30, and amending the procedure and implementations for setting rental rates for Palm Desert Housing Authority operated rental rates. G.\RDATatty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes1200618-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 Vlll. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (August) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. Linda Ward referenced an insert in the newsletter of Desert Pointe and Taos Palms and asked as to the reason for advertising an apartment complex located in Cathedral City. A concern was raised with regard to advertising properties outside the boundaries of Palm Desert. Teresa Vakili stated that the advertisement is for households that do not qualify for the City's program that are over the 120% County Median. Larry Saindon questioned the liability issues. Justin McCarthy responded that there were two issues to consider as to the appropriateness and the legal issue and would further address both. Ms. Ward also inquired on the translation of the newsletters to tenants who do not speak English nor Spanish and/or cannot read, and felt the information in the newsletters were very important. Teresa Vakili stated that it is the tenants' responsibility to inquire on translation of the newsletter and are translated in Spanish as a courtesy but cannot be translated in every language. She noted that she would address this concern further. Upon question of the delivery of the newsletters at Las Serenas, Ms. Vakili stated they should be posted on every tenants' door. B. COPIES OF LETTERS TO JIM ANGLE AND ADDIE ANGLE Copies of the letters to Jim Angle and Addie Angle were available to the Housing Commission for review. C. 2006/2007 BUDGET SUMMARY As a request made by the Commission at the last meeting with regard to the approval of Candlewood's budget, a summary of 2006-2007 budget was provided for review. Justin McCarthy explained the report was a pro -forma budget based on Catalina Gardens. He also reported that Candlewood Apartments had closed escrow. G:'12D.A\Path' Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes12006\8-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 D. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway stated that the consultant is in the process of preparing work write-ups for the properties approved by the Agency. Leo Sullivan questioned how residents are made aware of the program. Mr. Conway stated the program is known from numerous sources such as code enforcement, City's Brightside, signs on current properties in the construction phase, as well as word of mouth. Upon question, Bryce White provided a brief explanation of the City's Facade Enhancement Program in terms of the funding available per the guidelines of the program. E. COUNTRY VILLAGE APARTMENTS A proposed site map of Country Village Apartments and its adjacent properties was displayed. Justin McCarthy explained that subsequent to a site evaluation of Country Village by the consultant, it was determined that the buildings were not a good rehab opportunity. He depicted a nearby property that had recently become available in the market and with proper authorization staff was requested to contact the property owners. The intent is to enhance and expand Country Village utilizing the proposed property's site and integrate a fire station as requested by the City. F PALM VILLAGE APARTMENTS An update on Palm Village Apartments was provided to the Commission as well as updated pictures of the construction phase. Bryce White provided a brief summary with regard to the parking structure and its delay in construction due to the contractor's concerns regarding insurance and completion dates of the carports as well as the photovoltaic, which staff is currently addressing. It was pointed out that the parking structure will be constructed first and integrate the photovoltaic panels at a later date in order to proceed with the project. G. CATALINA GARDENS COMMUNITY ROOM An update on the Community Room was provided to the Commission as well as updated pictures of the construction phase. G \RDA\Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\2006\8-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 Bryce White stated that the City Attorney is addressing the conflicts with the current contractor due to lack of performance and how to proceed utilizing other contractors to complete the exterior of the building. H. Phase II 20 Acre Site Update: 1) Falcon Crest 2) La Rocca Villas Justin McCarthy reported that the models for the single-family homes are currently in construction. Two hundred applications were received for this project and are in the qualifying process. It was explained that Community Dynamics will be administering the direction of applicants to the approved lending institutions. Jessica Gonzales reported that the "60 day registration period" ended on August 8, 2006. Linda Ward inquired if the Photovoltaic solar panels would be incorporated to all the single-family homes as well as all the units at La Rocca Villas. Justin McCarthy responded that the Falcon Crest homes will be on a per unit basis, and with the understanding that La Rocca Villas would integrate the solar panels on the carport only as approved for at Palm Village Apartments, but would further clarify his comment. Estonia Protocol Carlos Ortega reported that the City has requested from the Public Utilities Commission approximately 30 million dollars to add to the existing Edison monies and is anticipating an answer by the end of September. He noted that a program is currently in place but are seeking additional funding sources to be able to provide more incentives than currently allowed for. Leo Sullivan asked Carlos Ortega if there was a response from Mayor Ferguson with regard to the Commission's concern expressed at the meeting of June 14. Mr. Ortega stated he has received a report and would be happy to discuss it with the Commission. Linda Ward addressed Mr. Ortega and expressed how she personally feels that the Housing Commission is very important and how she has learned so much from the group here because they all come from different aspects. She stated that she gets the impression that the Commission is getting edged out and how there are a few of them who have been here for a long time. She stated that at the adhoc subcommittees that she's been involved with regarding design and layouts relating to seniors have been disappointing and feels there is more 6 G `,RDA'Patty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission\Minutes\200618-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 emphasis put on their backgrounds as opposed to what is really needed for seniors. She stated that if the Commission was going to be abolished she hoped somebody will take consideration of the needs of the lower income families and the seniors and felt that it seemed it has been getting slightly pushed under the rug. She commented how she is the only commissioner who lives under senior conditions with a restricted income. She noted that at the last adhoc subcommittee she volunteered for regarding senior structure, the tone was "if they can't afford it let them eat cake", and was displeased with the response. She further noted that she is concerned with La Rocca Villas regarding lower income families. She concluded that she felt that people don't understand the importance of this Commission and why they bring up these questions. Carlos Ortega replied by addressing Mayor Ferguson's response to the concerns of this Commission. He stated that almost everything with the exception of property acquisitions comes before the Housing Commission to review and make recommendations in terms of the design of the projects, rehabs, etc., and just because the Council is not present at these meetings does not mean they are not aware of what the Commission does since all of the recommendations are forwarded to the City Council exactly as they come to the Housing Commission. Regarding the Council's intention to dissolve the Housing Commission, Mr. Ortega stated that a Housing Authority law exists which states that if you have a Housing Authority there must be outside input other than the City Council. The Council decided to create a Housing Commission composed of seven members, which consist of two tenants from the Housing Authority properties as a requirement. He explained how he has served on the County's Housing Commission for 27 years and found that keeping a tenant commissioner was always a challenge. He further stated that there is no city in the county or maybe the state that puts as much effort into providing housing for low and moderate -income families as this Commission. The Council spends a sufficient amount of money on projects particularly in efforts to improve neighborhoods as well as create low and moderate -income housing as opposed to just creating new housing, which is easy to do. He noted how rehabilitating old houses can get very expensive. He stated that if you look at the neighborhoods and projects that the Housing Commission have been involved with it has turned around neighborhoods. He advised that if the Housing Commission had additional concerns that the City Council is always there as well as himself whether the concerns are issues with regard to the business of this Commission or Council's policy. He mentioned one of the conflicts he had in order to attend this meeting given that both the Housing Commission and the Public Safety Commission meet at the same time and how he had to send someone else to the Public Safety 7 G:'•,RDA\Patty Leon .Wpdocs'Housing Commission \ Minutes \2006\8-9-06.DOC Housing Commission Minutes AUGUST 9, 2006 Commission in order for him to hear the Housing Commission's concerns and be able to monitor what is happening. He reiterated that just because the City Council does not appear to be interested does not mean they don't know what is going on. He summarized that all of the other commissions and committees created by the Council with the exception of the Planning Commission are basically advisory. He noted that Housing is responsible for millions of dollars and the Commission is obligated to advise the Council as to the administration of the Housing Authority's monies. He stated that the Council does not second-guess the Housing Commission in terms of the amount of budget and how to operate it when making recommendations as to the operator of the properties being that the Commission is familiar with RPM Company. He concluded that the Council relies on the Housing Commission since they can't be here and sees the Commission as being very important and the outstanding job they are doing, and expressed that if the Council did not think the Commission was doing a good job they would be here, IX. ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Commissioner Larry Saindon adjourned the meeting at 4:36 p.m. The next meeting will be held on September 13, 2 PATTY LEON RECORDING SECRETARY G `,RDA\l'atty Leon\Wpdocs\Housing Commission'Minutes\2006\8-9-06.DOC