HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 10/08/08PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR
DATE: NOVEMBER 13, 2008
SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing
Commission meeting held November 12, 2008:
➢ OCTOBER 8, 2008
Rfeel. 411 o le- BY HOUSG AUTH Cy M Fe welfr-oii
Please submit to the Housing Authority Board.
ON 11-,Pt7-a
Thank you.
cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director
VERIFIED BY:-L}
Original on file with City Clerk's Office
CITY OF PALM DESERT
HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 8, 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
Verna Smith
Leo Sullivan
Wade Tucker
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
Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst — Housing
James Conway, Project Manager
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
Guest(s):
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company
Norman Haines, Las Serenas Tenant
Constance Ackroyd, California Villas Tenant
Jessica Fausto, One Quail Place Tenant
Juan Pablo Fausto, One Quail Place Tenant
(All tenants in attendance indicated they were responding to a flyer in the
property newsletter about an opening for a resident commissioner.)
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Housing Commission and City staff members introduced themselves to guests
that were in attendance from the Housing Authority properties.
Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of September 10,
2008.
With a Motion made by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by
Commissioner Sullivan the minutes of September 10, 2008 were
approved; both Commissioners Jane Turner and Verna Smith abstained
due to their absence at the September meeting.
V. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMISSION REPORTS
Janet Moore reported on the Housing Adhoc Sub -committee meeting that took
place October 2, 2008. A schematic design of Country Village was displayed.
She asked the committee members and commissioners that attended the
meeting for any comments on the meeting.
Jane Turner mentioned that there were a lot of changes made to the original
design concept and felt that this new plan suited the property and area nicely.
Verna Smith agreed, stating that this new design allows for more open space
areas. The new plan will have one and two story buildings with elevators as a
senior apartment complex.
Councilmember Kelly stated that discussion also took place to implement fuel
cells for energy efficiency. The sub -committee was also looking into options for
transportation to the area shopping centers.
Mrs. Turner mentioned that the design concept will be forwarded to the
Architectural Review Committee (ARC).
Mrs. Moore stated that Mr. Rueul Young with Interactive Design, who is also
the architect for this project, is requesting a preliminary review from the ARC
with regard to the aesthetics of the new design. Mr. Young is hoping for a
preliminary guide in the event there is an element of the project that needs to
be changed.
Mrs. Smith commented that she was impressed with the research conducted by
Mr. Young with regard to the flow of traffic for that area.
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Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
Mr. Kelly stated that he likes this location for senior citizens since the property
is centrally located to nearby shopping centers. He anticipates this property to
be a real showpiece just like Laguna Palms.
Wade Tucker asked if there was a completion date for this property. A
completion date has not been determined.
B. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Status Report for August.
Leo Sullivan inquired on a time frame to fully occupy California Villas.
Teresa Vakili stated that of the 25 units currently being rehabilitated, as part of
Phase B project, there are currently 12 units remaining in the leasing process.
Laguna Palms has 7 units in the application and leasing process as well.
C. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent
Statement for August.
Leo Sullivan asked on the date recertification packets are sent to tenants.
Janet Moore stated that recertifications were adjusted throughout the year as
opposed to meeting with each tenant at one time. Palm Village and Laguna
Palms will be an exception since most move -in dates were done at the same
time.
D. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS
The Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for August.
E. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE
The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the
Commission.
James Conway summarized the update.
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Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
He reported that California Villas is 60% complete and anticipates a completion
date of December 2008, stating that the project is on track.
He stated that he is in the process of working with Southern California Edison
Company (SCE) to secure utility costs for both Laguna Palms and California
Villas. This will show what the impact has been on the energy renovation efforts
of both projects. He noted that he requested 2 to 3 years of utility statements
from SCE to calculate exactly what our savings has been.
Leo Sullivan asked if the same is being requested of Coachella Valley Water
District (CVWD).
Mr. Conway replied that those savings were determined during submittals of
the landscape approvals by the Landscape Department.
Mr. Conway reported that the properties are continuing the recycling efforts. As
previously mentioned, a grant was awarded to provide dual recycling
receptacles to 650 units. The installation process has begun. Additionally, staff
is working with Burrtec to track contamination of dumpsters by providing
notifications in the newsletters to residents with regard to disposing items in the
appropriate dumpsters.
Mr. Sullivan addressed Councilmember Kelly and asked where we stand with
regard to recycling in the City of Palm Desert.
Mr. Kelly responded that the City is at 64% of its recycling efforts. He
commented that there are a lot of people who are not recycling their items. He
noted that staff is constantly working to implement and educate people with
regard to the recycling program.
Mr. Sullivan referenced the update and commented on the 457 total number of
service requests for September and asked on the number of maintenance staff
members at One Quail Place.
Teresa Vakili stated that the maintenance staff consists of nine to include
housekeepers, groundskeepers, and a maintenance supervisor.
Mr. Sullivan asked if the smaller properties share the maintenance staff.
Ms. Vakili replied yes, a percentage of the maintenance staff is allocated to
each property.
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Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. California Villas — Rehabilitation Project
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 approve Amendment No. 1 with
Harris and Associates (Contracts No. HA-23650B) in the amount
not -to -exceed $41,137.00 for construction management services at
Phase B (Site Improvements) of the California Villas Rehabilitation
Project
Martin Alvarez summarized the staff report, stating the request is to amend
Harris and Associates contract for construction management services. This
amendment will include the modified scope of work, as part of the change order
approved by the Housing Authority Board, which will include the close out of
the project to ensure all punch list items are completed and all contract
specifications have been met.
VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER
Newsletters were provided to the Commission for October.
A Home Ownership flyer (insert in the Newsletter) was provided to the Housing
Commission for review.
Janet Moore stated that an outreach to promote homeownership from within
our properties is distributed in the newsletters from time to time. She noted that
this flyer is only inserted in the multi -family newsletters and not so much the
seniors since they have indicated that they are not interested in
homeownership.
B. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the
Commission for review.
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Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
James Conway summarized the update, reporting 17 homes in various stages
of construction. He reported that 2 homes recently received emergency grants;
one property had a water heater issue.
Verna Smith asked Mr. Conway to provide a brief summary of the program to
update the new members and guests.
Mr. Conway stated that the Home Improvement Program provides financial
assistance to income eligible families within the City of Palm Desert for the
purpose of improving their homes. The program is designed to address health
and safety items and aesthetic improvements. There are several assistance
amounts for grants and loans with low interest rates as well as emergency
grants to handle such things as an AC unit going out in the middle of the
summer. The program assists an average of 20 to 24 homes a year.
Janet Moore stated that the HIP process takes a while from its application
review to completion. She provided an explanation on the homeowner with the
water heater issue and how staff was able to immediately assess the
emergency nature and coordinate with the consultant to address the situation.
She noted that the repairs were completed within three days.
Mr. Kelly commented on a property with a very large dead tree on the north
side of San Gorgonio; half way between Monterey and San Pablo. He asked if
this type of issue can be handled through the program.
Mr. Conway stated that 30% of our applicants have landscaping and/or code
enforcement issues. He stated that he would locate the tree and have someone
contact the homeowner.
Jane Turner referenced the report and questioned the amount disbursed and
committed on a property located on Indiana .
James Conway stated that the amount shown in the disbursed column only
shows the amount used for this fiscal year; however the total amount
committed was actually used.
Leo Sullivan addressed Justin McCarthy and asked on the new energy program
and how it would fit with the Home Improvement Program.
Justin McCarthy reported that the City of Palm Desert initiated a new bill AB
811 in Sacramento that would permit securing the cost and financing for certain
energy improvements. This program will allow cities to make loans to
homeowners and businesses by securing a tax lien on their property. The
program has been allocated 2.5 million dollars and is currently underway. He
noted that other financial mechanisms are currently being sought. He added
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Housing Commission
Minutes October 8, 2008
that this new energy program is an addition to the Home Improvement
Program.
Janet Moore stated that the Home Improvement Program was substantially
revised to include a component for energy upgrades from varying programs
within the City as well as a Drought Tolerant Landscape Retrofit.
Mr. McCarthy mentioned that the terms under the Home Improvement Program
are more favorable then the terms under the new energy program for families of
low and moderate incomes.
Councilmember Kelly inquired as to the qualifications of the Home
Improvement Program.
Mrs. Moore stated that the Home Improvement Program has different types of
loans depending on the income levels. The HIP program allows up to the 100%
of the County Median.
Donna Lewis asked about the funding source for the Home Improvement
Program.
Mrs. Moore stated that the HIP program was originally funded by Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG). She noted that many homeowners
refinanced their homes and paid back their HIP loans, which has allows those
paybacks to be lent out again. Once those funds are exhausted, the program
will use Housing's 20% set aside to continue this program.
IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — NOVEMBER 12, 2008
ADJOURNMENT
With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Leo Sullivan, Housing
Commission Chair, adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m.
cJ
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
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