Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 06/11/08PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: JULY 10, 2008 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held July 9, 2008: ➢ June 11, 2008 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. lItCil/eC11R Y HOUSG AUTH S 0 cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director ON 8'' 9C? VERIFIED BY: COK (O ` n A Original on file with City Cier s Office CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Leo Sullivan, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Donna Lewis Natalie Russo Leo Sullivan Verna Smith Jane Turner Also Present: 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 Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company J. Wade Tucker, Potential Housing Commissioner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 7, 2008. With a Motion made by Commissioner Russo and seconded by Commissioner Lewis the minutes of May 7, 2008 were unanimously approved. Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported on the Housing Adhoc Subcommittee meeting that took place May 28, 2008. She noted that the subcommittee discussed the updated version of the site plan for Country Village. The main focus was the residential portion as well as the configuration of the units. She asked Jane Turner for any comments on the meeting. Jane Turner stated that at this time the site plan is in a preliminary stage and felt that the project is going in the right direction. Mrs. Moore stated that there is another meeting scheduled in June and depending on the information provided and discussion, staff will bring something to the Commission for review. Leo Sullivan commented that he read in the newspaper that the Agency is considering separating Casey's Restaurant from the project in terms of the fees. Mrs. Moore stated that the Redevelopment Agency is considering transferring that portion of the property to the lessee of Casey's Restaurant. 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 April. Teresa Vakili provided a brief update on Country Village and Laguna Palms. She stated that there are currently 11 tenants at Country Village. Laguna Palms has five occupied units and the leasing office is in the process of reviewing 26 applicants. Jane Turner requested a description of the abbreviated codes used under base unit type of the report. 2 Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 Ms. Vakili stated that the base unit refers to the market rent on the property and the letters represent the type of units such as a studio, one- and two -bedroom. She noted that the letters HSE represent the house at Pueblos East. Leo Sullivan inquired on the number of turnovers at the multi -family apartments. Ms. Vakili responded that at One Quail Place the average number of turnovers is 8 to 11 units per month for reasons such as tenants buying homes and/or changing jobs. Mr. Sullivan asked on the percentage of evictions at the properties. Ms. Vakili stated that the number of evictions is low and estimated to be 3 evictions a year at One Quail Place which is the larger property. Janet Moore referenced the informational statistics located on the last page of the report and asked the Commission if this information was helpful. The commission agreed that it is informative and should continue as part of the Monthly Status Report. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for April. Verna Smith asked if there have been any late payments due to the economy. Teresa Vakili stated that there are late payments even though the rental rates are low with the affordable program but it does happen. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for April. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the report. 3 Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 Leo Sullivan asked why the air conditioning condensing units were cleaned at La Rocca Villas being that the property is fairly new. Mr. Conway stated that this service is provided by an energy group that is conducting assessments of all the Housing Authority properties for free. Mr. Sullivan asked about Palm Village's lateral line blockage. Mr. Conway stated that he was not exactly aware of the reason for the blockage but that he would further investigate. Mr. Sullivan commented that this issue did not seem common since it's not reported at the other properties. Mr. Conway stated that it has happened at the other properties but might not have been listed on the update. Given that Palm Village Apartments is a newer property, Mr. Conway felt it was necessary to list this issue since there is not much to report at this time. Mr. Sullivan also commented on the low Freon levels of two A/C systems at Palm Village Apartments and again expressed concern with the property being fairly new. Mr. Conway stated that Teaks do occur with new and old NC units. He noted that staff is currently working with the warranty companies to fix the leaks at both Palm Village and California Villas. Upon question of the contractor for Palm Village, Janet Moore stated that staff is responding to anything that was not done to the level that would normally be required for that property. Mr. Sullivan informed those new to the Commission that Palm Village was a four year project who had a contractor that quit all construction responsibilities. He noted that staff basically constructed this project themselves. As previously requested at the last meeting, Mr. Conway stated that Neighbors Apartments was built in 1988, and therefore the cabinets are in much need of replacement. Mrs. Moore reported that Notices of Eligibility have been sent to those 11 tenants currently at Country Village with regard to payment for relocation. As of this date, those tenants have not been given a 90-day notice to move; staff will update the Commission of its notification. She further noted that Martin Alvarez is working with an architect for the deconstruction plan. 4 Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 Mr. Sullivan inquired as to why an architect was needed to deconstruct the property. Mrs. Moore stated that staff is trying to be environmentally friendly with respect to the deconstruction of the buildings. The architect will be responsible for the specifications as to how the demolition is to be done and how to properly dispose those items. She noted that currently there are specifications in place to demolish small projects but being that Country Village is a larger property staff is considering an environmentally friendlier approach. Martin Alvarez stated that there also needs to be a utility coordination with respect to its identification for future use. Mr. Sullivan asked on the architect's responsibility. Mr. Alvarez stated that the architect will be responsible for providing a plan that will identify items that clearly need to be properly disposed of and determine whether or not we will re -use those items or recycle them. In addition, there are certain LEED certification points that may be achieved through this process. Councilmember Richard Kelly provided an example of the deconstruction of the first condominium complex located where The Gardens on El Paseo are. He explained how the complex was in bad shape as well as there being some historical arguments. He stated that when that project was demolished everything on that site was recycled except the asbestos found or composition shingles. Mr. Sullivan stated that we know what can and cannot be recycled and inquired as to why we are pulling an architect and asked if we were trying to push the responsibility onto somebody else when ultimately we are the ones that have to pay for it. Mr. Alvarez reiterated that a specification plan has to be in place when the project goes out to bid. Staff does not have the expertise to specify materials that need to be disposed or recycled. Councilmember Kelly also added that there are a lot of requirements with respect to identifying asbestos and other environmental hazards and how to properly handle them. Dave Yrigoyen agreed that there are a lot of requirements with respect to deconstructing a large complex. He stated that permits will have to be pulled from the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in order to comply with their air quality requirements. He noted that if for some reason there is a discrepancy with the work, the architect will be liable. 5 Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 Mr. Conway stated that the architect will have a better understanding of the technical specifications with regard to the recycled components and how it can be applied to the new design. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER Newsletters were provided to the Commission for June. B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway provided a brief summary of the update. He stated that nine are in the process of construction with four nearing completion. Eight are in the application process of which seven were received from mobile home parks. Mr. Sullivan asked on the number of homeowners from Palm Desert Greens that have applied for the HIP program. Mr. Conway stated that he did not have a specific number but believed there are two homeowners that have applied for HIP assistance from Palm Desert Greens. Jane Turner referenced the update and asked if the four digit street address listed was incorrect. Mr. Conway stated he would review the file and correct if necessary. Janet Moore stated that there are two manufactured homes that two different types of addresses yet both are located at Silverspur. At this time, Mrs. Moore reminded the Housing Commission of the Housing Summit meeting scheduled on June 19, 2008. 6 Housing Commission Minutes June 11, 2008 Mrs. Moore also announced that a tentative date of Friday, November 7, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. has been scheduled for the housing tour. Councilmember Kelly mentioned that he had a conversation with Fred Bell, Director of Business Industries Association, with regard to housing and Mr. Bell expressed that he was interested in attending the housing tour. Mrs. Moore stated that an invitation will be extended to Mr. Bell. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — July 9, 2008 ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Leo Sullivan, Housing Commission Chair, adjourned the meeting at 3:56 p.m. Patty Leon, ecording Secretary 7