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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 02/07/07PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: MARCH 8, 2007 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission Meeting held March 7, 2007: ► February 7, 2007 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director BY HOUSG AUTH ON 3 - O 7 VERIFIED BY: ieljiv/l'a Original on file with City Clerk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES February 7, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jane Turner convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Jane Turner Leo Sullivan Linda Ward Verna Smith Also Present: Carlos Ortega, Executive Director/City Manager Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing Janet Moore, Housing Authority Administrator Bryce White, Project Administrator James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Tony Byone, Potential Housing Commissioner Natalie Russo, Potential Housing Commissioner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Turner introduced Tony Byone and Natalie Russo who were present as potential housing commissioners. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of December 13, 2006. With a Motion made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Smith the minutes were unanimously approved. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of January 10, 2007. With a Motion made by Commissioner Ward and seconded by Commissioner Sullivan the minutes were approved; Commissioner Smith abstained from voting since she was not present at that meeting. 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. C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Monthly Status Report for December was reviewed by the Commission. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT Report #1 for December was reviewed by the Commission. Leo Sullivan inquired on the tenants' audit. Janet Moore responded that the audit is done annually and a date has not been scheduled. The Housing Authority sent out the annual tenant's surveys. Once the 2 G:\rda\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Minutcs\2007\2-7-07.doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 report is completed, staff will provide a copy to this Commission for review. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS Report #2 for December was reviewed by the Commission. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) An update on the Housing Authority properties was provided to the Commission. Leo Sullivan thanked James Conway for modifying the update as requested at the last meeting. Linda Ward asked if the river rock at One Quail Place was replaced with the existing rock; Mr. Conway responded yes. Janet Moore reported that an update on frost to the plants was provided by the Landscape Department. She stated that the properties, as well as the Coachella Valley, suffered severe damage to the plants due to the extreme cold temperatures. All measures are being considered to save the plants with the assistance of our Landscape Inspectors who have been inspecting the properties on various times during the last two months. Ms. Ward commented that the information was very informative and requested to include a revised simpler memo in the Housing Authority newsletters. Ms. Moore stated that the update will be modified and approved by the Landscape Department prior to sending it to the tenants. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. California Villas — Phase A Exterior Renovation Project James Conway reviewed the staff report G:\rda\Patty Icon\Housing Commission\Minutes\2007\2-7-07.doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Sullivan and seconded by Commissioner Smith to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $33,390 to Contract HA 23650A with Harris & Associates for additional construction management services for Phase A Exterior Renovation Project at California Villas. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (January) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. Linda Ward commented that she has seen an improvement with residents abiding with the properties' rules and regulations. She has noticed patios well - maintained and less activity with tenants fixing vehicles in the driveways. Teresa Vakili stated that tenants are notified individually with regard to the regulations as part of their lease agreement. B. Schedules for California Villas and Laguna Palms Time -line schedules for both California Villas and Laguna Palms were provided to the Commission for review. Leo Sullivan commended staff for the time lines provided. Janet Moore stated that the time -lines are subject to change. C. HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program. James Conway reviewed the update and stated that the majority of the applicants are currently in the process of completing the approved work. D. 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 reviewed the update. G:\rda\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Minutes\2007\2-7-07.doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 Leo Sullivan inquired on the completion date of the units selected for photovoltaic panels. Mr. White stated that the company contracted to install the photovoltaic system is in the midst of changing ownership. A staff report approving the new ownership will be forwarded to the Housing Authority Board contingent upon approval and recommendation from the Housing Commission. The design plans of the carport are being finalized as part of the contract. E. CATALINA GARDENS COMMUNITY ROOM An update on the Community Room was provided to the Commission. Bryce White reviewed the update, stating the landscape is 60% complete. Regarding the furnishings of the community room, Janet Moore stated that the nature of the layout resulted in contracting three different vendors, and anticipates some of the furniture in the room by the tour date. Linda Ward expressed a concern with privacy between the Community Room and the Josyln Senior Center. Bryce White stated that privet edges were planted to create a barrier for privacy, as requested by the Housing Commission during the preliminary discussions of the design. The walkway areas lead directly to Catalina and Pueblos Apartments only. Janet Moore stated that the Community Room was not built specifically and solely for the use of the two properties and can be used by outside guests and organizations based on the guidelines reviewed by this Commission last year. E. Phase II 20 Acre Site Update: 1) Falcon Crest 2) La Rocca Villas Dave Yrigoyen reported that the models are 95% complete. The first phase of homes is 50% complete along Merle Street. Janet Moore stated that the Commission as well as members of the Council are invited to pre -view the models on Friday, February 9th anytime between 10 to noon. There will be several staff members available for assistance if needed. She noted that there will be no shuttle service from City Hall to Falcon Crest since there was no interest shown. A ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for March 5, 2007, which will be open to the public; invitations will be provided. G:\rda\Patty Lcon\l lousing Commission\Minutes\2007\2-7-07.doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 Mrs. Moore reported that approximately 1,000 applications were provided to interested applicants and approximately 178 were received back. She noted that out of 178, 126 have been pre -qualified with no problem filling up the first phase of the project. She further noted that during the 60-day qualifying period, applications were ranked based on certain criteria. Points were provided to those applicants that either lived and/or worked in Palm Desert, resided in one of our Housing Authority properties, as well as overcrowded in their current housing unit. Several applications were received from tenants of the Housing Authority properties. Upon question on the number of applicants that applied from the Housing Authority properties, Janet Moore replied that Community Dynamics maintains the statistics of that information since they are responsible for selling and pre - qualifying those applicants, but will provide a report at the next meeting. Mr. Yrigoyen commented that the model homes are impressive. Mrs. Moore agreed and noted that the finished backyards of those homes are not included in the sale. The interiors of the homes are standard features with the exception of the paint and furniture. Leo Sullivan asked about the financing available to purchasers. Mrs. Moore stated that it is a very comprehensive program. Three loans will be available to buyers. The first trust deed will be provided by a CaIFHA lender, a financing entity who allocates money to certain qualified banks in order to provide loans to low-income families. A commitment was secured for the first phase of the project at a rate of 5.75% to moderate incomes and 5.25% to low-income families. Secondly, the Agency will assist buyers with a deferred second trust deed loan. Additionally, the State's grant provided by Building Equity in Growth and Neighborhoods "BEGIN" program will provide a deferred third trust deed in the amount up to $30,000. The Agency will require an affordable restriction as part of the sale. In the event the terms in the affordability agreement are violated, those loans will be due and payable. Otherwise, no payments are due until the first trust deed is paid off. Upon question of the resale restrictions, Mrs. Moore advised that the Falcon Crest homes are not intended for financial investments. The properties will gain value at the rate increase in Riverside County's area median income. She noted that Desert Rose has sold 50% of their units over a ten-year period for reasons that homeowners were able to purchase larger homes after being able to save money under the affordable program. Several homeowners that have sold their Desert Rose home expressed appreciation for the opportunity and felt this was a stepping stone. She commented that the resales at Falcon Crest will probably be less because the homes are free standing which makes a difference. G:\rda\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Minutes\2007\2-7-07.doc Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 7, 2007 Linda Ward stated that during the preliminary discussions of Falcon Crest with the Adhoc Sub -Committee it was mentioned that the City would maintain the front yards and asked if that was still the case. Mrs. Moore stated that a Homeowners Association has been established, similar to Desert Rose and will maintain a drought tolerant landscape throughout the development; turf will only be allowed in the back yards. Additionally, the homes will have awnings that will be maintain by the Association, as part of the HOA fees, and replaced during certain periods of time to keep continuity throughout the development. F Estonia Protocol Carlos Ortega reported that the program is up and running and accepting applications. He noted that once the homeowners are ready to receive reimbursement, they are responsible to submit an application. Applications are available on Southern California Edison's web -site as well as the benefits available. He further mentioned several of the benefits listed such as replacement of dated air conditioners, duct testing, etc. A list of contractors will be available to homeowners, if needed. Residents will be notified of the program in the City's Brightside. G. Copy of thank you letter to Larry Saindon from Housing Commission A copy of the thank you letter to Mr. Saindon from the Housing Commission was provided to the Commission for review. Jane Turner mentioned that Mr. Saindon will be honored at the City Council meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2007. At this point, Chairman Turner thanked both potential commissioners for their presence. Janet Moore reminded the Commission to save the date of March 23, 2007 for the annual housing tour. IX. ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Chairman Jane Turner journed the mee, ing at 4:15 p.m. to March 7, 2007. M,L) PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY G:\rda\Patty Lcon\I lousing Commission\Minutes\2007\2-7-07.doc