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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 03/12/08/_/ PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: APRIL 10, 2008 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held April 9, 2008: ➢ March 12, 2008 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director ILBY HOUSG AUTH ON Lt VERIFIED BY:►'-C� Original on file with City Clerk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES March 12, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Leo Sullivan, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Donna Lewis Natalie Russo Verna Smith Leo Sullivan Jane Turner Also Present: Linda Ward Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Liaison Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing Janet Moore, Director of Housing Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager James Conway, Project Coordinator Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst Patty Leon, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A correction was noted on the Agenda, Item VI New Business, Laguna Palms' recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority. Newly appointed Housing Commissioner Donna Lewis was introduced. She provided a brief summary of her background. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of February 13, 2008. With a Motion made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Turner the minutes of February 13, 2008 were unanimously approved. Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 A correction was made to the last page of the minutes; Housing Commissioner Chair Leo Sullivan adjourned the meeting of February 13th as opposed to Commissioner Smith. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported that the Housing Adhoc Sub -committee has not met so there is no update at this time. She expects there will be a meeting in April. B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA ITEMS RELATED TO HOUSING, AND SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACTIONS The summary was reviewed by the Commission. C. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Status Report for January. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for January. Jane Turner inquired as to why there seemed to be a high number of moderate units shown on the report. Janet Moore stated that the moderate rents shown on the report are from existing tenants with higher incomes which consequently move to a higher category. She noted that in the event those units are re -rented, we make sure to fill the categories in the lower levels. Councilmember Kelly commented that people are succeeding and we should be pleased. Mrs. Moore stated that tenants should notify the leasing office of any changes to their income; however, most tenants wait until their annual recertification. 2 Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 Leo Sullivan commented that the moderate numbers seemed like they are going up rather than going down and asked if it should be the other way around. Mrs. Moore stated that those numbers are not from new leases but from existing tenants who are actually making more money. Mr. Kelly stated that we do not want to ask tenants to leave if they are industrious and making more money. Mrs. Moore stated that several tenants that were in the moderate categories qualified to buy a home at Falcon Crest, which is the general idea. A report on the total number of families that moved to Falcon Crest from the Housing Authority properties will be provided to the Commission. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for January.. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE (JAMES) The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. Janet Moore thanked those commissioners who attended the grand re -opening of Laguna Palms. Councilmember Kelly commented on the Laguna Palms finished product and noted that everyone did a great job. NEW BUSINESS A. 14-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX- SAGECREST Janet Moore stated that the Agency is continuously looking at several different properties within Palm Desert to potentially acquire, as previously mentioned by Justin McCarthy. A 14-unit Apartment complex closed escrow at the end of February. The property is located on the corner of Santa Rosa and San Pascual. It is a deteriorated property with 12 of the 14 units occupied. The property will be stabilized in the next 6 to 12 months and in the meantime health and safety issues will be addressed. 3 Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 Jane Turner inquired on the recent property acquired with a house in the front and 3 units in the back. Mrs. Moore stated that that property is located adjacent to Pueblos Apartments and will become part of Pueblos. Monies were transferred from Country Village's budget, which will not be used, to Pueblos' budget during the mid -year to accommodate for those units. The 3 units located in the back are said to be identical to the one bedroom units at Laguna Palms, although they have not been upgraded. Leo Sullivan commented that he assumed that the budget for Sagecrest is an interim budget and suggested we stop at the health and safety issues without any further renovations to the units as previously done. Mrs. Moore stated that the idea is to address only those health and safety issues and stabilize the property as previously done at Country Village. The Architect's findings during a study at Country Village determined that the property has drainage issues and grading problems which was taken into consideration when we were doing improvements at the site. She noted that Sagecrest has some very creative paneling on the patios that might require replacement in the meantime. Mr. Sullivan addressed Janet Moore and Dave Yrigoyen and asked if they felt comfortable with the budget. Dave Yrigoyen replied yes considering what we want to do with the property at this time. Mrs. Moore stated that if an issue comes up that was not anticipated then staff will come back to this Commission for further review. Mr. Sullivan expressed concern with the work done in the past of how we start the work and then almost rubber-stamp these things. He stated that rather than opening walls and finding that the wiring was done years ago which ultimately means the whole building has to be re -built and how we should try to avoid this process. He stated that the reason he was bringing this concern to staff was because it has happened in the past and would like to be assured that as a Commission they are made aware upfront rather than after the fact. Mr. Yrigoyen assured Mr. Sullivan that the process he mentioned will be avoided. He provided a brief explanation of how staff is being considerably careful with Country Village to ensure this process does not happen. 4 Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 Natalie Russo asked about the tenants' responses when a property is acquired by the Agency. Mrs. Moore stated that initially there is a mixed response. She noted that generally within the first 60 days of acquisition health and safety issues are addressed such as lighting, pool covering and/or issues tenants have been complaining about. Tenants will then notice a difference and comment on the changes but also worry about getting asked to move. Mrs. Moore also noted that Sagecrest has two addresses known as San Pascual and Santa Rosa Way. The legal address of Santa Rosa Way is correct however everyone knows the property by San Pascual such as the post office and utility companies. Welcome letters were sent to the tenants of Sagecrest to express appreciation for their tenancy as well as a list of the Housing Authority properties to show them who we are and what we do. Mrs. Moore noted that tenants are not asked to move out. She further stated that for the most part we do get quite a few move -outs when we acquire a property. Tenants tend to be more vocal with respect to other tenants since they feel we have better control of the property. She noted that within the first 90 days tenants are provided with information with respect to the affordable program as well as an explanation of background checks which includes criminal, credit, etc. Upon question, Mrs. Moore reported that the tenants at Sagecrest are on a month to month basis with the exception of two tenants. Tenants will be required to enter into a lease upon certification. Rec: By Minute Motion: Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Smith to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to authorize the approval of the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget for the 14-unit apartment complex known as Sagecrest Apartments. 5 Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 B. LAGUNA PALMS — CHANGE ORDER NO. 6 Martin Alvarez reviewed the staff report highlighting the close out items. Leo Sullivan asked about the 60 days to complete the items listed on the report. Mr. Alvarez stated that the 60 days is what was negotiated for the 6 month delay, but he anticipated that it would take several weeks to completely close out the punch list. Mr. Sullivan commended Mr. Alvarez on the staff report. He stated that the report was very thorough yet concise and thanked Mr. Alvarez. 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. 6 to Contract No. HA-25760 (Portrait Homes, Inc.) in the amount not to exceed $115,072.27 for site modifications and extended general conditions for the housing authority property known as Laguna Palms. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VII1. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER (March) Newsletters were reviewed by the Commission. B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway referenced the report and reported 3 projects are in the process of nearing completion, and 4 notices to proceed have been issued. Upon question, Mr. Conway stated that the shaded properties on the report have been completed and will be removed from the list at fiscal year end. Leo Sullivan inquired on the activity from mobilehome parks such as Palm Desert Greens due to the HIP article on the Brightside. 6 Housing Commission Minutes March 12, 2008 Mr. Conway stated that 9 new applications were received from different mobilehome parks. Verna Smith mentioned that the HP was published in the news bulletin at Palm Desert Greens. C. PHASE II 20-ACRE SITE UPDATE: Falcon Crest La Rocca Villas Martin Alvarez reported that Falcon Crest has one property pending the close of escrow; all site work has been completed. La Rocca Villas is complete and fully occupied with the exception of one unit that has a minor interior issue. Janet Moore reiterated that the Agency is continually looking at existing properties that may be available in the City as additional housing for our program. She noted that the Agency is currently looking at two properties. Leo Sullivan stated that he attended a meeting last week with regard to the objectives and plans for the City of Palm Desert, as discussed at the last Housing Commission meeting. Mrs. Moore stated that there were two different meetings last week with regard to the Housing Element (Stakeholders and a Workshop for the general public), of which Leo Sullivan attended one and Natalie Russo attended the other. The outcome of both meetings was the same with respect to moving forward with the objectives presented. She noted that most of the attendees agreed on the items that are considered for housing in terms of location and how it best serves near transportation, shopping, etc. Janet Moore asked the Commission if they would like to schedule a date for the tour of certain properties, as previously mentioned, or postpone to a later date. The Commission agreed to postpone the tour to the fall. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — APRIL 9, 2008 ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Leo Sullivan, Housing mission Chair, ad' urned the meeting at 4:04 p.m. —e(fk. J Leon, Rcordin Patty 9 Secretary 7