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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Csm Meeting of 06/10/09PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: JULY 9, 2009 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held July 8, 2009: ➢ June 10, 2009 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director bsci BY HOUSE AUTI-�,�.11�5�� ONg r� 09' /26seAo) VERIFIED BY: Orin inal on file with City Clerk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 10, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Verna Smith, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Natalie Russo Verna Smith Wade Tucker Jane Turner Also Present: Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Liaison Dave Yrigoyen, Director of RDA/Housing Janet Moore, Director of Housing Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s) Members Absent: Donna Lewis Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Donnie Garibaldi, RPM Company III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 13, 2009. With a Motion made by Commissioner Russo and seconded by Commissioner Tucker the minutes of May 13, 2009 were unanimously approved. 1 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 Wade Tucker asked for clarification on the comment Janet Moore made with regard to Leo Sullivan and the changes and transitions of the Housing Commission. Janet Moore stated that Mr. Sullivan was a commission member when the Housing Division was very active in construction and acquisition and had seen a lot of changes and transitions such as the number of units from 700 to 1100 units. She noted that Mr. Sullivan's term with the Commission was extremely beneficial to the Agency during the time he served and that he expressed an interest in other city Commission or Committees. Mrs. Moore stated that the Housing Authority properties are in a maintenance operation at this time as opposed to a building operation. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS AND ACTIONS The summary was reviewed by the Commission. Janet Moore reported that staff will forward a request to the City Council to authorize the Agency to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for architectural services for Country Village within the next month. A sub -committee meeting has been put on hold until further notice. Verna Smith asked for the location of the single family self-help units. Jessica Gonzales stated that the site for the self-help units is located off Merle Street next to the Falcon Crest development. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Weekly Activity Statistics for April. Teresa Vakili stated that the properties are stabilized at this time including traffic for leasing due to the difficulties of the economy. 2 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 With regard to the wait list, Ms. Vakili stated that there is a wait list in place for very low income families in order to comply with the stipulation requirement in terms of income categories to fill. Natalie Russo asked for clarification on the difference between qualified and non -qualified traffic. Teresa Vakili stated that non -qualified traffic is defined as transients that are looking for a conventional community as opposed to the affordable program. Verna Smith asked for clarification on the negative numbers shown under the Net Balance category for the properties. Teresa Vakili stated that line 32 "prepaid balance" represents early rent payments from tenants for the following month/day which result in a negative net balance since the report is generated the last day of the month. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for April. Wade Tucker inquired if there was an increase to the rents. Teresa Vakili stated that the rents are based on the county median income HUD guidelines published once a year. She noted that the income limits for 2009 did not change that much. Mr. Tucker commented that there are complaints at Las Serenas with regard to rents due to the increase in Social Security benefits. Mrs. Vakili stated that an increase to the household income may move the tenant to the next higher income category which increases the rental rate. Also considered in rent calculations are assets, savings and/or pensions. Janet Moore stated that the rent structure is calculated differently than other cities. Based on the stipulation requirements, rents are increased only by a 5% increment value that starts at 20%, 25% and then 30% of income as opposed to 30%, 50% and then 70% as described by Redevelopment Law. She stated that the rents at the Housing Authority properties are still lower than market rents. She noted that by maintaining the rent structure in this form it helps to keep the tenancy consistent. 3 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 Mr. Tucker stated that most tenants at Las Serenas that receive Social Security benefits are no longer receiving the medical part B under the medical program (9840). Mrs. Moore stated that medical expenses are taken into consideration when calculating rent and may be addressed further. Natalie Russo inquired if other cities calculate the rents the same as Palm Desert. Mrs. Moore stated that the other cities' affordable program is based on the 30%, 50% and 70% rent structure pursuant to Redevelopment Law. She noted that the City of Palm Desert is unique in that it has a Housing Authority that owns its own properties. A lot of housing authorities are autonomous and most redevelopment agencies and cities do not own their properties. The Riverside County Housing Authority buys properties for cities and manages them which does not compare to the City of Palm Desert. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for April. Wade Tucker questioned why Las Serenas rental income was higher than the other senior properties. Teresa Vakili replied that Las Serenas is stabilized and has not had any capital projects which make a difference in the income. Verna Smith asked if an ADHOC sub -committee meeting would take place after an architect is selected for Country Village. Janet Moore stated that once staff is authorized to issue an RFP for architectural services and review those proposals, a meeting will be scheduled with the ADHOC sub -committee. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. 4 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 James Conway summarized the update, stating that several properties are waiting for approvals from the County Health Department for compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. Laguna Palms had repairs to the main sewer waste line caused by rocks and toys from years back. Mr. Conway noted that this repair had nothing to do with the rehabilitation project. Upon question, Mr. Conway stated that the solar panels at Palm Village are cleaned on a quarterly basis. The solar panels are performing well at both the designated units and carports; Jessica Gonzales is tracking its progression. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. TAOS PALMS — RENOVATION PROJECT Rec: By Minute Motion: Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Tucker to forward the recommendation to the Housing Authority to authorize the request to reject all bids for the Housing Authority project known as Taos Palms interior renovation project. James Conway reviewed the staff report, stating that three out of four bids failed to provide the information that was required by the bid documents and are deemed to be non -responsive. The fourth bid received was significantly higher than the amount budgeted. At this time the request is to reject all bids and authorize the City Clerk to re -advertise a Notice to invite bids; the companies listed on the staff report are welcome to resubmit a bid. Richard Kelly, Councilmember Liaison, asked on the information that was missing from the bids received. Mr. Conway stated that the lowest bidder failed to provide a bidder's qualification requirement that includes a list of apartment renovation projects within the last ten years. The second and third bidders included renovation projects but were not apartment renovations as called for in the qualification requirements. Wade Tucker asked if the Housing Department had any knowledge of the bidders experience and background. 5 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 Janet Moore stated that the formal bid process requires accepting the document provided by the bidder and relying on its information and not so much on personal and/or institutional knowledge; unless the Agency has a provision within the specifications to check references. All bidders provided a written statement declaring they were qualified. However, the bid asked for specific information with regard to apartment renovations and the lowest three bidders failed to comply. Staff asked for legal advice from the city attorney and the direction was to reject all bids including the last bidder since the price exceeded the budget for this project. Mr. Conway mentioned the renovations at Taos Palms to include electrical, plumbing, insulation, new windows, cabinets, doors etc. The last bidder's unit price was $68,000 per unit which exceeded the budget. Mrs. Moore also mentioned that the budget established for this project was based on previous renovation efforts at the Housing Authority properties. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway summarized the report; stating that 10 applications are in review and 14 applicants were either denied or withdrew the application. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — June 10, 2009 Janet Moore announced that the City Council will take an action at their meeting of June 11th to change their meetings for July and August to the last meetings dates of July 23rd and August 27th. If approved, staff is asking that the Housing Commission meeting for July 8th be moved to July 22nd to accommodate any action items in July. She noted that in the event the Housing Commission is adjourned to the July 22nd meeting date, the commissioners would be exempt from the attendance requirement since the meeting is not on its regularly scheduled date. In the event the City Council does not approve the meeting dates for July and August, the July 8th Housing Commission meeting will take place; Mrs. Moore will notify the Housing Commission. Also discussed was the August Housing Commission meeting. 6 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2009 With a Motion made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Russo the August Housing Commission was canceled due to lack of agenda items. At this time, Teresa Vakili referenced the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements and made note to the number of units for the senior properties which makes a difference in the rental income. ADJOURNMENT With a Motion made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Tucker, Verna Smith, Housing Commission Chair adjourned the Housing Commission meeting at 4:07 p.m. to the July 22nd meeting contingent upon the approval of the City Council meetings for July and August. Patty Leon, "ecording Secretary 7