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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 01/14/09PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: FEBRUARY 12, 2009 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held February 11, 2009: ➢ JANUARY 14, 2009 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. W BY HOUSG AUTH ON .. 43 . 7,&'- 69 VERIFIED BY: t / inp,le Cricinal on file �Nith City rk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 14, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Verna Smith, Housing Commission Vice -Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Donna Lewis Natalie Russo Leo Sullivan Verna Smith Wade Tucker Jane Turner Also Present: Members Absent: Richard S. Kelly, Councilmember Liaison Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment/Interm Executive Director Dave Yrigoyen, Director of RDA/Housing Janet Moore, Director of Housing Martin Alvarez, Redevelopment Manager James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of December 10, 2008. Housing Commission Minutes January 14, 2009 With a Motion made by Commissioner Russo and seconded by Commissioner Wade the minutes of December 10, 2008 were unanimously approved. Pending was Commissioner Verna Smith's acceptance to the office to which she was elected; Verna Smith accepted the position as Chair for 2009. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Martin Alvarez reported on Country Village. He stated that a Notice to Proceed was recently issued for the deconstruction of 66 units. Subsequent to a 10-day period to notify the Air Quality Control Board, the removal of lead and asbestos will begin followed by the deconstruction. He noted that 75% of the materials created by the deconstruction will be diverted from the landfills. Upon question of an ADHOC subcommittee meeting, Janet Moore stated that an architect is currently being sought, noting that it may be the same architect that provided the conceptual design. Once an architect has been awarded a contract, the ADHOC subcommittee will meet again. 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. MONTLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Weekly Activity Statistics for November. Natalie Russo referenced the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and questioned the number of wait list contactees for Neighbors and Palm Village. Teresa Vakili stated that Neighbors Apartments had four units that became available the prior month and therefore the property manager contacted and reviewed 38 wait list applicants to prequalify for those units. Wait list applicants were also contacted to fill the remaining ADA units at Palm Village Apartments. 2 Housing Commission Minutes January 14, 2009 Wade Tucker commented that Las Serenas recently had a high number of move -outs. Teresa Vakili stating that several tenants either passed away or requested to be transferred to assisted living facilities. Ms. Vakili noted that once those units became vacant, RPM took the opportunity to upgrade before preleasing. Jane Turner asked on the vacant units at Palm Village, Teresa Vakili responded that those units are ADA accessible and are not desirable to most applicants, for that reason, the property manager has a hard time preleasing. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for November. Verna Smith asked if the rents would have to be adjusted due to the economy crisis. Teresa Vakili stated that the economy has affected a lot of people in terms of employment. The Administrative Plan states that a household's income has to drop 25% for three consecutive months in order to determine any rental rate adjustment. She noted that it would be difficult to recertify every month; tenants are asked to recertify their eligibility on an annual basis. She noted that this is a concern and is being addressed. Wade Tucker asked if the income levels have been adjusted. Mrs. Vakili responded that those are adjusted by the County of Riverside annually during the month of April. Janet Moore stated that the rent setting policy allow procedures to set and implement rental rates annually, according to the area median income (AMI) for Riverside County. She stated that a rent survey study is conducted by an appraiser once every other year. The appraiser will identify the Housing Authority properties and establish where the rent structure should be compared to the market environment. On the alternating year, the rents are increased based on the AMI increase for that year of approximately 2% or 3%. Mrs. Moore noted that this increase should not be an issue with the tenants that are not making more money. She noted that over the last ten years the consistent increase has been an average of 3%. She further noted that a rent survey study is being conducted this year. 3 Housing Commission Minutes January 14, 2009 Mr. Tucker asked if the other cities work the same way as Palm Desert in terms of their rental structure. Mrs. Moore replied that Palm Desert is unique in that Palm Desert own and operate their affordable housing properties. In a lot of cases, such as other cities, the developers that built apartment complexes own and operate them such as Hovley Gardens Apartments. Their rents are established by the parameters within their funding sources i.e. federal dollars. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for November. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. Leo Sullivan questioned the materials that might be salvageable during the deconstruction of Country Village. Martin Alvarez stated that the asphalt and concrete are items being considered reusable for future parking lot areas and driveways. With regard to the removal of boilers and water heaters at Country Village, Mr. Alvarez stated that those items exist as mechanical equipment that can be used at other apartment complexes. Other products mentioned as green waste are wood and metal. Mr. Sullivan inquired on the existing boilers at Country Village. James Conway stated that the boilers are used for the heating equipment on certain buildings. He noted that they are ray packs that can be utilized for pool heaters at other properties. Jane Turner questioned the roof conditions of the properties. Mr. Conway stated that the roofs are in good condition. There is money in this year's budget in the event repairs are needed. Roof contractors were contacted to evaluate several of the rooftops in order to prioritize over the next five years. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS 4 Housing Commission Minutes January 14, 2009 VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER Newsletters were provided to the Commission for January. B. 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 he would bring photos of before and after projects at the next meeting. Leo Sullivan inquired on the HIP sign placed in front of homes during the construction period, and how at one point there was a sizable sign, 4 x 4, placed in front of a home located on Catalina Way. Janet Moore stated that during a Make a Difference Day which involved several homes, a larger sign was placed in front of a home. Mr. Sullivan stated that a sizeable HIP sign would give the program more visibility especially at Palm Desert Greens. Mr. Conway commented that a larger size would be a burden to some homeowners. Upon further discussion of modifying the HIP sign to a larger size, Janet Moore stated that there are restrictions with regard to the maximum allowed size to post signs in residential areas, but would address this request with the Planning Department. Verna Smith stated that there were several inquiries with regard to the Set to Save Energy Program at her residential complex. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — February 11, 2009 A. SCHEDULE OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATES FOR 2009 A memo was provided to the Commission listing the Housing Commission corrected meetings scheduled for 2009. 5 Housing Commission Minutes ADJOURNMENT January 14, 2009 With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Verna Smith, Housing Commi ion Chair, adjourned the meeting at 3:55 p.m. A icnio Patty Leon Recording Secretary 6