Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHOUSG CMSN - 07/09/08PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: AUGUST 14, 2008 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutesapproved at the Housing Commission meeting held August 13, 2008: ➢ July 9, 2008 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director tied 4 La-4 BY HOUSG AUTH -� ONST E VERIFIED BY: rri Ion file with CityClem Office Origina CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 9, 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 Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Dave Yrigoyen, Director of Redevelopment/Housing Janet Moore, Director of Housing Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager James Conway, Project Coordinator 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 June 11, 2008. With a Motion made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Turner the minutes of June 11, 2008 were unanimously approved. Housing Commission Minutes July 9, 2008 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported on the 2008 Coachella Valley Workforce Housing Summit meeting that took place at the new Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage. In attendance were Verna Smith, Leo Sullivan and several City staff members. The purpose of the summit was to bring together local cities, agencies and developers and address the needs for the affordable housing market in the Coachella Valley. The idea is to create a regional housing trust to assist these entities with the development of affordable housing. Members of the community are being sought to form a Blue Ribbon Committee that will put together that frame work and initiate a 501 nonprofit as well as the funding mechanism. Elected officials and city managers requested that this committee be a private entity. Leo Sullivan stated that the Tribe has been discussing this issue for almost a year. Given that gas prices are high, employees who live in Yucca Valley, Beaumont, and Desert Hot Springs are finding it difficult to get to work at the Rancho Mirage Casino. Verna Smith stated that she was impressed with the conversations from different entities requiring housing such as the hotel industries and sheriff's department. Mrs. Moore also mentioned a presentation from Sheriff Sniff with regard to the new correctional facilities and how those employees will require housing. Mr. Sullivan addressed councilmember Richard Kelly and asked on the number of employees currently employed at the City of Palm Desert. Councilmember Kelly stated that there are 150 employees and did not expect the number to grow. He stated that the philosophy is to contract as much as possible. He felt that it would be easier to manage in hard times with fewer employees. He commented that the City of Palm Desert has a good reputation for the best operating City. Mr. Sullivan stated that there might be other cities that will need housing for their employees. Mr. Kelly stated that, from his opinion, he felt that the other cities of the Coachella Valley have not stepped up to provide affordable housing as they should compared to what the City of Palm Desert has done. He reiterated that 2 Housing Commission Minutes July 9, 2008 the City of Palm Desert has the best maintained affordable housing than anywhere in the world; stating that this was his humble opinion. Mr. Sullivan agreed and expressed that for that reason most of the members of the Housing Commission are on this commission. Jane Turner asked if the meeting covered any information with regard to public transportation. Mr. Sullivan stated that the meeting primarily focused on the joint powers authority to address the housing needs. He expressed that he had walked out of the meeting with a positive feeling. Justin McCarthy stated that one thing to keep in mind was that there is nothing stopping the members of the Tribes from developing housing for their workforce on their property and/or reservations. Mrs. Moore thanked Jane Turner for attending the study session held as a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and the City Council with regard to the Housing Element and planning the City's purposes. Ms. Turner stated it was a very informative meeting since she was not familiar with that part of the process. B. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Status Report for May. C. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for May. D. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for May. E. 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 July 9, 2008 Leo Sullivan asked on the trash enclosure replacement at Candlewood Apartments. Mr. Conway stated that the trash enclosure is not ADA accessible nor do they provide for recycle bins and therefore will be replaced. F City of Palm Desert City Council, Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority Six Month Strategic Objectives. The Commission was provided with an update on the Strategic Objectives for the City of Palm Desert. Janet Moore stated that City Council had recently met to identify objectives for the next six months (June 19, 2008 - December 1, 2008) as well as the three year strategic goal. Leo Sullivan asked if the Housing Commission may assist the Agency and/or Housing Authority with the goal. Justin McCarthy stated that this information was a continuation of the strategic objectives that where identified in the initial strategic planning session. He noted that there is one item that relates to housing which is the issue of coming up with a long term maintenance plan for the Housing Authority properties of which staff is currently working on. A question raised by the City Council was do we have a formalized reserve study in terms of maintaining our housing assets for the long term. Upon question of a reserve study, Mrs. Moore stated that a reserve study was conducted a few years ago. She stated that when the Agency took over the properties there had not been a lot of capital maintenance done at that time. The reserve study did identify those items but the study itself was significantly high in cost, and would require conducting a study every year to be accurate. In addition, the study required setting aside a significant amount of money of which the Director of Finance reviewed in detail and recommended reserving our fund balance for replacement expenses and deferred maintenance. The fund has been used to renovate units and replace appliances, as called for in the reserve study. She noted that it would be a good time to do a new reserve study to see what the suggestions are. Janet Moore stated that a Replacement Reserve Plan was brought forward to this Commission as well as the Housing Authority Board. Both parties questioned the amount set aside of $250 per unit and how it seemed low. Staff was tasked with doing a new reserve study to see what a per -door cost would be now. Staff is in the process of addressing this issue. 4 Housing Commission Minutes July 9, 2008 Mr. McCarthy provided a brief overview of the projects that are moving forward such as the Westfield project and continuing discussions on whether or not to move forward with the Desert Willow hotel. He also noted that the City Council had approved the land disposition for the sheriffs facility that will be located on Gerald Ford. Councilmember Kelly also stated that the indoor recreation center with a pool will be moving forward. Dave Yrigoyen stated that Agency is working with the County to issue bonds to fund the sheriffs facility project. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Laguna Palms — Notice of Completion 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 the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the project known as Laguna Palms interior, exterior, and site renovation (Contract No. HA-25760). James Conway reviewed the staff report and asked for a recommendation to move forward and release the retention of this project. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER Newsletters were provided to the Commission for July. B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HP) was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway provided a brief summary of the update. He stated that six are in the process of construction with two nearing completion. 5 Housing Commission Minutes July 9, 2008 Janet Moore stated that the HIP program is currently very active with applications. She stated that there were two applications of emergency nature concerning air conditioning issues and water issues. At this time, Mrs. Moore reported on the Agency's continuous efforts to acquire properties within the City of Palm Desert. She stated that currently there is a property under negotiations that will not be part of the affordable housing portfolio. The Agency will maintain it as a market property. Upon question on the number of rental properties owned by the Agency, Mrs. Moore replied one as well as several homes that are part of projects such as the Alessandro Alley project. Justin McCarthy commented that the Agency does not buy homes for the purpose of providing housing but are bought as part of a public works or infrastructure project. With regard to the property currently owned by the Agency, it has not been determined as to its long term use. There was a formal introduction made by City staff members to Mr. Wade Tucker who was in attendance as a potential Housing Commission member. Councilmember Kelly commented how Commissioners have name plates for identification purposes and suggested staff should have them too. Wade Tucker provided a brief background of himself and stated that he was interested in the position currently open in the Housing Commission. Councilmember Kelly asked Mr. Tucker to submit his application since the process might take some time. The Commission agreed. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — August 13, 2008 ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Leo Sullivan, Housing Commission Chair, adjourned the meeting at 4:05 p.m. +Th±u 6 ent_ Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6