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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousg Cmsn Minutes - 02/11/09PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: MARCH 12, 2009 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held March 11, 2009: ➢ FEBRUARY 11, 2009 Gtc1(Y HOUSG AUTH SIC Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. ON frktr l flu, (-"qC69 Thank you. VERIFIED BY: 'ea` -- Original on file with City C erk's Office cc: John Wohlmuth, Executive Director CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Verna Smith, Housing Commission 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/Interm Executive Director 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): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Dori Burnside, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of January 14, 2009. With a Motion made by Commissioner Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Lewis the minutes of January 14, 2009 were unanimously approved. Housing Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported on the budget considerations, stating that both the City and Agency staff have been tasked to carefully review the budget for 2008/2009 as well as 2009/2010. The mid -year adjustments approved by the Housing Commission have been forwarded to the Housing Authority for review. Those adjustments were further reviewed to ensure there were no items that could be adjusted. With regard to the budget for 2009/2010, staff reviewed each line item to ensure that the budget will be expended. Staff also looked at items that could potentially be delayed another year. She noted that staff is in the process of doing a reserve study. Once a reserve study analyst is selected, staff will bring that item to the Housing Commission for review. The analyst will identify the capital assets of the properties that are included in the study and assist in planning for future maintenance requirements as well as annual reserve deposit requirements. She stated that the reserve study may have an impact on the budget process, given that staff is taking a very comprehensive approach. Staff will bring a preliminary 2009-2010 budget next month for the Commission's review. Verna Smith asked if the Agency is in the process of purchasing properties. Mrs. Moore replied that staff is in the process of looking at a property adjacent to a Housing Authority property. In the event the Agency acquires the property, a budget will be brought forward for the Commission's review. This particular property is a newly constructed senior complex consisting of 14 units, and might require capital improvements to the interior of the units. 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 December. Verna Smith requested an overview of the Weekly Activity Statistics Report. 2 Housing Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 Teresa Vakili stated that the Weekly Activity Statistics Report shows the properties occupancy status. The report includes units in the categories of vacant, occupied, pending as well as occupied units on notice to vacate. Mrs. Smith referenced the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and asked as to the process of filling up vacancies with applicants from the wait list. Ms. Vakili responded that based on the Stipulation requirement a certain amount of units have been allocated in the very low, low and moderate income levels, which means that an applicant is selected from the wait list based on the income level assigned for that unit. Applicants are contacted by telephone (limit of two calls) and mail with a respond timeframe of ten days. At that time, the applicant is required to provide updated income information in the event there are any changes since their original placement on the list. Ms. Vakili further noted that this process takes some time to accumulate all the documentation needed to qualify. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for December. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for December. Wade Tucker asked if the economy has affected any of the properties in terms of rent payments. Teresa Vakili stated that the affordable rental properties are not affected as much as the market properties. She mentioned that during the last month there were a couple of tenants who gave notices to vacate due to loss of employment. Janet Moore stated that there has been an increase in "emergency recertifications" which means that when a household's income changes and remains consistent for over 90 days a second recertification may be requested to determine whether the rental rates need to be adjusted. Natalie Russo referenced the report and asked if a column may be added to include the monthly totals for the prior month for comparison. 3 Housing Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 Mrs. Moore stated that she would review the report to include those figures on a going forward basis. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. Pictures of Country Village demolition and Fire Department training session were distributed to the Commission. Martin Alvarez stated that two of the pictures show the removal of lead and asbestos prior to commencing the demo. Jane Turner inquired on a date the demolition would be completed. Martin Alvarez anticipated completion of the demolition early March. Verna Smith inquired on the inspection of the roofs as previously discussed at the last meeting. James Conway stated that staff is currently working with two contractors that will provide an evaluation of the conditions of the roofs of all the properties. He reiterated that there is money in this year's budget to address priority items. Mrs. Smith asked if all the units at Taos Palms will be upgraded. Mr. Conway replied that the plan is to renovate all units. The renovation will take place in two stages to allow the existing tenants to transfer to a renovated unit. He noted that he anticipated going out to bid by mid March. Ms. Turner inquired on the landscaping and water conservation at the properties. Janet Moore replied that the landscape at the properties is consistently being reviewed to conserve natural resources. Climate activated sensors were installed at both Laguna Palms and California Villas that measure moisture and provides water to plants according to temperature. Mr. Conway added that the sensors are self adjusted which means they are able to shut down on rainy days. Most of the properties have drought tolerant landscape with the exception of California Villas which had 100% turf and was reduced to approximately 30% on usable areas. The landscape department is very considerate to water conservation and have been mindful of keeping turf out of projects unless the area is justified as usable space. 4 Housing Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 Mrs. Smith commented that there has been a lot of talk with regard to water expense and/or lack of water and asked if the City has any plans for our water supply. Mrs. Moore stated that Landscape Manager Spencer Knight would be the appropriate staff member to ask and stated he will be in attendance at the next Housing Commission meeting. Councilmember Liaison Richard Kelly stated that the City is a leader with regard to water conservation. The City was the first City to include drought tolerant landscape and climate activated controllers, a collaboration with Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). Also mentioned was the usage of recycled water at golf courses. Mr. Conway stated that staff is always looking at ways to conserve water at the properties. One idea mentioned was to implement meters to reclaim and recycle water specifically for landscaping. He noted that he had attended a municipal water conference last year. Mr. Kelly stated that reclaimed water uses a certain amount of regular water due to its high level of chemicals, and therefore CVWD recently installed piping to allow water from the Colorado River to Palm Desert and mix with the reclaimed water. VI. NEW BUSINESS VI1. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. HOUSING AUTHORITY NEWSLETTER Newsletters were provided to the Commission for February. Janet Moore reminded the Housing Commission that the newsletters are available at the meetings and not mailed as part of the agenda packet. Mrs. Moore also mentioned that it is not very cost effective to mail the agenda packets with the sorters and asked the Commission if they would be willing to keep the sorters and staff will mail the agenda items denoting the sorter section. Commission agreed to keep their sorters and to have the agenda items mailed. At this time, Verna Smith informed the Commission of the "State of the City" meeting at Desert Willow on Thursday, February 19, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. 5 Housing Commission Minutes February 11, 2009 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 there are 16 in the application process. Jane Turner asked on the time frame to process applications. Mr. Conway stated that applicants take time to accumulate all the documentation needed to qualify. Staff does encourage all interested applicants to submit the documentation all at once to expedite the process. He noted that there is a lot of documentation required with the application. Janet Moore stated that once all the documentation is submitted it is a very realistic turn -around as well as responses back to the homeowner. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — March 11, 2009 Councilmember Liaison Richard Kelly addressed the Commission and stated as a member of this Commission there may be times that they might think the meetings are quick and feel they are not doing as much as they ought to be doing. He reminded the Commission that they are in charge of 14 multi -family and senior properties including projects in renovation. He noted that Housing is doing well thanks to the Housing Commission and staff who are doing an outstanding job. He mentioned that this Commission is doing what they are supposed to do even though a meeting might not last more than half an hour. He noted that indicates everything is under control. He reiterated that they don't have to have a longer meeting to prove they are doing a good job and in fact the shorter the meeting the better job they are doing. On behalf of the City Council, Mr. Kelly thanked the Commission for doing a great job and expressed how valuable this Commission is for having one of the biggest operations in the City. On behalf of the Commission, Verna Smith thanked staff and stated that the Commission depends on them. ADJOURNMENT With members of the Housing Commission concurrence Verna Smith, Housing Commissig Chair, adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. ulo Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6