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Home My WebLink AboutHousing Cmsn - 11/12/08liLB TO: FROM: DATE: PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DECEMBER 11, 2008 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held December 10, 2008: ➢ NOVEMBER 12, 2008 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: Carlos L. Ortega, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 12, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Verna Smith, Housing Commission Vice -Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Donna Lewis Leo Sullivan Natalie Russo Verna Smith 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 Betty Marinas, One Quail Place Tenant III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Betty Marinas was introduced to the Commission. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of October 8, 2008. Housing Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 With a Motion made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Lewis the minutes of October 8, 2008 were unanimously approved. Verna Smith reported on the Housing Tour that took place November 7, 2008. She thanked the Housing Commission members who attended. She also commented that staff did a wonderful job; Mr. Wade Tucker agreed. Janet Moore noted that the housing tour was a visual driving tour that took approximately two hours. She mentioned that the next housing tour is tentatively scheduled for early 2010. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Martin Alvarez reported that a meeting took place on Saturday, November 8, 2008 with the Palm Desert Country Club Homeowners Association to discuss Country Village's site area. An update was provided of the proposed senior housing project, demolition, and the improvements planned at Casey's Restaurant. Mr. Alvarez stated that the HOA members were in favor of the projects and expressed their thoughts on the plans for the intersections of California Drive, Avenue of the States, and Michigan Drive. Upon question, Mr. Alvarez stated that the Agency is also working with a separate homeowners association in Palm Desert Country Club known as Palm Desert Condominiums Association with regard to a land transfer to accommodate future access points. 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. RPM MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Status Report for September. Jane Turner asked for a review of the recertification process. 2 Housing Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 Teresa Vakili stated that the initial certification process entails verification of income from all members of household over the age of 18 including assets and 6 months of bank statements. In addition, management will also verify rental history, one year of employment, credit and criminal background check. If approved, new tenants are placed on a six-month lease and then re -certified to a one-year lease. Tenants are notified and provided with a new recertification packet 60 days in advance. At that time, the income and household information is verified to ensure there are no changes. Criminal background checks are not repeated during tenancy. Ms. Turner questioned the re -certifications at the newer properties. Ms. Vakili responded that all initial move -ins are placed on a 6-month lease and then re -certified to a one-year lease. The reporting on the Monthly Status Report shows the number of recertification packets sent out based on the 60- day advance notice. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for September. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for September. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the update. Jane Turner asked if the silk plants in the planter boxes at Laguna Palms were a new addition to the property. Mr. Conway stated that those existing planters had live plants that were stolen and therefore replaced and secured with the silk plants. There is a one year commitment from the vendor to maintain the silk plants in proper conditions. 3 Housing Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. California Villas — Rehabilitation Project Rec: By Minute Motion: Action: Motion was made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Lewis to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to approve Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. HA 23650-C (Doug Wall Construction, Inc.) in the amount of $48,857.52 for additional environmental abatement, pool fencing upgrade, and minor site modifications for the Housing Authority property known as California Villas. Martin Alvarez summarized the staff report. Jane Turner commended Martin Alvarez for the informative format of the staff report. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER Newsletters were provided to the Commission for November. 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 update, reporting 16 homes in various stages of construction and 3 homes recently completed. Janet Moore commented that although there is a significant amount of interest in the program, there are several homeowners that are apprehensive when it comes to signing loan documents that are subject to liens on their properties due to the economic crisis. Mrs. Moore provided a brief explanation on the homeowner with the water heater issue and how the Housing Programs Technician was able to immediately assess the situation to re -circulate water back in the mobile home. She commented that homeowners requiring emergency grants are usually 4 Housing Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 more responsive and better prepared with all their documentation as opposed to the other applications that tend to take three to five months to provide all the documentation required. Verna Smith referenced the HIP report and asked if the homeowners are considered low income. Mrs. Moore stated that applicants must be below 100% of the county median. She noted that over two-thirds of the applicants have incomes under $20,000. Wade Tucker asked how people know about the HIP program. Mrs. Moore replied that the HIP program is published in the Brightside at least once a year in different times to address AC and/or heating issues. The program was established in 1997 and has serviced approximately 200 homeowners. Mr. Conway also stated that during rehabilitation to a home, there is a sign posted in the front lawn publicizing the HIP program. Mr. Tucker asked if additional help is needed with the program. Mrs. Moore explained that the program currently assists 20 to 24 applicants a year and has been successful in terms of funding purposes and administration and did not need additional assistance. Verna Smith commented that she provided Palm Desert Greens Mobile Home Park with a HIP brochure, once the program was able to assist mobile home parks. Jane Turner asked on the percentage of properties that are code enforcement. Mr. Conway replied that approximately 25% of applicants are involved in a code violation. The code enforcement officers have HIP application packets with them in the event there is a homeowner who might qualify for the program. Mrs. Smith stated that during the Housing Tour, staff mentioned other properties that have affordable units and ask about this course of action. Janet Moore stated that there are several properties with affordability restrictions. Developers interested in building in Palm Desert will request a density bonus which allows them to increase the maximum allowable development on a property in exchange for affordable housing. There is generally a requirement for 20% of their development to be affordable. This requirement is established during the development of the project. Mrs. Moore 5 Housing Commission Minutes November 12, 2008 provided an example of the affordability restriction of the Regent also known as San Tropez and Sevilla. In order to comply with the affordable restrictions developers are required to submit a compliance report at least once a year. Natalie Russo inquired on the plaque/tile at the Rose Garden previously discussed for former commissioner Linda Ward. The Commission agreed to meet at the Rose Garden before next month's meeting on December 10tt' 2008 to view the tile. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — DECEMBER 10, 2008 ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Verna Smith, Housing Commission Vice -Chair, adjourned the meeting at 3:56 p.m. ttLd Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6