HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 07/11/07CITY OF PALM DESERT
HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
JULY 11, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chairman Leo Sullivan convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Leo Sullivan
Verna Smith
Natalie Russo
Also Present:
Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment
Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing
Janet Moore, Director of Housing
Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst - Housing
James Conway, Project Coordinator
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
Guest(s):
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company
Bob Such, Potential Commissioner
Donna Lewis, Potential Commissioner
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members Absent:
Jane Turner
Linda Ward
Bob Such and Donna Lewis were introduced as potential Housing Commission
members. City staff member Beth Longman was also introduced as the
recording secretary for the month of August.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of June 13, 2007.
Housing Commission
Minutes JULY 11, 2007
With a Motion made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by
Commissioner Russo the minutes were unanimously approved.
V. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMISSION REPORTS
Janet Moore referenced a letter addressed to all City Committee and
Commission members that was received from the Office of the District
Attorney in Riverside. Mrs. Moore indicated that the City Attorney
explained that the training being offered with regard to the Brown Act is
not mandatory and will not affect the requirement of ethics training as an
elected official.
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 May was reviewed by the Commission.
D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT
STATEMENT
Report #1 for May was reviewed by the Commission.
E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS
Report #2 for May was reviewed by the Commission.
F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES)
An update on the Housing Authority properties was provided to the
Commission.
Verna Smith inquired if the new NC window units installed at Country
Village included occupied units only.
James Conway stated that the existing tenants were offered the window
units, given that the main cooling chiller system is inoperable.
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VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Laguna Palms - Verizon
Rec: By Minute Motion:
Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Russo and seconded by
Commissioner Smith to forward a recommendation to the
Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve Verizon
Work Order No. 0547-8POAOAK in an amount not -to -exceed
$35,014.86 to remove overhead lines and pull and install new
telephone service at Laguna Palms Apartments.
James Conway reviewed the staff report, stating that approving the
recommendation will allow the removal of the overhead utility lines and
install new service lines. Southern Edison Company will remove the
overhead poles at no charge courtesy of a rebate.
Natalie Russo asked if this expense was included as part of the
underground conduit installation.
Mr. Conway stated that a deposit was required at that time but not for the
cost to pull and install new services.
B. California Villas — Change Order No. 4 (Portrait Homes)
Rec: By Minute Motion:
Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by
Commissioner Russo to forward a recommendation to the
Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to authorize Change
Order No. 4 to Portrait Homes, Inc. (Contract No. HA-23650) in
the deductive amount of $1550.70 for exterior renovations at
the Housing Authority property known as California Villas.
Leo Sullivan asked if it was necessary to bring a routine
recommendation with a minimal amount such as $1,500 and asked
if there was a certain allowance in these transactions.
Janet Moore stated the City Manager has also addressed this issue
with respect to the Purchase Ordinance policy and procedures.
However, the recommendation of the change order is a deductive
amount and not an addition. There is a possibility that in the future
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there will be a revision to the authorization of the City Manager so
he is allowed, up to certain dollar amount, to authorize these
change orders including deductive amounts.
James Conway stated that this change order concludes Phase A. A
Notice of Completion will be forwarded to this Commission once
completed.
C. Laguna Palms — Change Order No. 2 (Portrait Homes)
Rec: By Minute Motion:
Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by
Commissioner Russo to forward a recommendation to the
Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve Change
Order No. 2 in the amount of $289,124.84 for Portrait Homes,
Inc. (Contract No. HA 25760) for structural upgrades as
required by California Building Code at the Laguna Palms
Apartments.
James Conway distributed pictures of the ongoing rehabilitation
project at Laguna Palms. He stated that the majority of the
changes are due to structural upgrades in order to meet current
building codes.
Leo Sullivan expressed that he has brought this issue up in the past
and felt that this project would have been better off taking it down to
the ground and starting from scratch. He requested a total
expenditure of Laguna Palms rehabilitation, exclusive of the
purchase of the property. He stated that he was concerned with
the rehabilitation process especially how the structures are being
torn down to the studs.
Mr. McCarthy replied that an expenditure analysis will be prepared
and brought to this Commission for review.
Verna Smith agreed with Mr. Sullivan, stating that closer
consideration should be given to older properties especially those
that would not meet current building codes.
Mr. McCarthy stated that there were institutional issues that were
considered when this particular project was being scoped. He
provided a brief explanation on the housing production requirements
as part of the Stipulation. He stated that the deadline to meet our
goal was met through the assistance of our Acquisition
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Rehabilitation Program that was used to rehab Laguna Palms.
Upon question as to who establishes these deadlines, Mr. McCarthy
explained the legal settlement between the Redevelopment Agency
and the Western Center for Law and Poverty. As a result of that
litigation, there was a resolution settlement whereby the Agency
would agree by a certain date to create a certain amount of units. He
noted how some of these older properties were purchased with the
intent to rehabilitate them in order to meet our objectives. He stated
that the deadline was met through these exercises as well as the
new developments such as Palm Village Apartments and La Rocca
Villas.
Mr. Sullivan stated he felt uncomfortable with the recommendation
since the Commission was taking staffs word to move forward. He
mentioned that he was not going to be rubber-stamping as much as
he has in the past.
At this time, Janet Moore reported on the study session of the City
Council of which both Verna Smith and Jane Turner attended with
regard to Country Village. The City Council was apprised of the
Commission and sub -committee's discussions. The consensus of
the members present stated that senior housing would be most
appropriate for that site. Some changes in the dynamics of the area
may have an impact on the recommendation; however, members of
the Council asked that the sub -committee meet to discuss those
issues in more detail with respect to the layout and the appropriate
amenities for that site. She noted that it is anticipated that this
project is approximately a five-year project.
Mrs. Smith stated that three of the council members were opposed
to the assisted living services discussed.
Mr. McCarthy stated that one of the dynamics being discussed is a
new concept to consider retail at the frontage area of the site,
brought forth from a developer. This concept has not been evaluated
or discussed.
Mrs. Moore stated that the existing residents at County Village have
expressed that the do not want to move because of its location and
close proximity to the services and amenities available.
At this time, Mr. Sullivan asked for the number of children that reside
at One Quail Place who are attending the head start program.
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Mrs. Moore stated that last year there were nine of the seventeen
students who reside at One Quail Place. Parents requesting the
part-time program are accomodated at the Early Childcare
Education Center (ECEC) formerly known as the Wallaroo Center
located on Cabrillo and Alessandro. A discussion was made by
Desert Sands to consolidate their facilities and actually move all
students to the the ECEC for the full-time program. The difference
between both facilities is the separation between rooms used for
either nap times or different activities. She mentioned that four of
the nine applicants on the waitlist are residents from One Quail
Place.
Mr. Sullivan asked if priority was given to residents of One Quail
Place.
Mrs. Moore replied that One Quail residents that show interest in the
program are placed on the wait list due to proximity.
VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (July)
Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission.
B. HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
An update on the Home Improvement Program was provided to the Commission
for review.
James Conway reviewed the report stating that five projects are nearing
completion, four in process, and six are new applicants.
A proposed Home Improvement Program Guidelines and Changes At -A -Glance
were provided to the Commission for review.
Janet Moore reviewed the summary and stated that the information provided is
the same version that is being presented to the City Council for approval at their
meeting of July 12th. She stated that the revisions have been ongoing and
expressed appreciation towards those commissioners who assisted in certain
aspects of the changes.
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Leo Sullivan inquired on an item in the City Council agenda with respect to
several properties being acquired and asked if the property behind Country
Village was part of the acquisitions.
Justin McCarthy replied no and stated that those properties being acquired are
part of a Redevelopment project known as the Alessandro Alleyway Project.
In regard to the property behind Country Village, it was explained that the
property was acquired and the existing home has been demolished.
C. 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 stated that most of the work on the pictures has been completed.
An inspection with the Fire Marshall is scheduled for July 12th. If approved, a
final inspection will be scheduled with City inspectors.
D. Phase II 20 Acre Site Update:
1) Falcon Crest
2) La Rocca Villas
Dave Yrigoyen reviewed the update provided by Cathy Walker. He stated that
La Rocca Villas is scheduled for completion in approximately one month. Phase
one of Falcon Crest is complete. Twenty-one of the 29 families have closed
escrow.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Vice -Chairman Leo Sullivan
a rned the meeting at .26 p.m. to August 8, 2007.
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PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY
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