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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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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 6 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 7