HomeMy WebLinkAboutEliminate Saunas @ One Quail Place (10/08/09) PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/
PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: AUTHORIZATION TO ELIMINATE THE SAUNAS AT ONE QUAIL
PLACE
SUBMITTED BY: JANET MOORE, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
DATE: OCTOBER 8, 2009
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, that the Agency Board and Housing Authority Board:
1. Authorize the elimination of the saunas at One Quail Place; and
2. Authorize RPM to convert the area into file storage space for the
Housing Authority properties. Funds are available in the property's
capital maintenance budget.
Executive Summary:
The saunas at One Quail Place are located inside the public restrooms at the leasing
office. The saunas are rarely used by tenants and have become a target for vandalism
and costly arbitrary operation. The saunas have been closed to tenants for over 90
days and the management office has had only two inquiries as to the status. Staff
recommends the elimination of the saunas in order to minimize costs to the Authority for
an unused amenity. Staff will use the space to increase file storage for all Housing
Authority properties.
Discussion:
The Agency acquired One Quail Place (OQP) in 1998. Since that time the Authority, as
operator, has maintained the saunas for the tenant population. The out of sight location
at the rear of the men's and women's restrooms has lent itself to a children's hiding
place, vandalism and arbitrary operation. Routine inspections often find the saunas in
the "ON" position. With the increased vandalism, the opportunity presented itself to
temporarily close the saunas for a 90 day period. It has long been suspected that the
sauna rooms were rarely used. During the closure only two (2) of 384 tenants inquired
as to the status.
Staff Report
Elimination of Saunas at One Quail Place
Page 2 of 2
October 8, 2009
Given this and the increase in expenses associated with the operation and
maintenance, staff recommends eliminating the saunas and utilizing the space for file
storage for all Housing Authority properties. The property manager agrees with staffs
request. At the Housing Commission meeting of September 9, 2009, the Housing
Commission discussed the concerns over the saunas and recommended that the
request be forwarded to the Agency and Housing Authority Boards to eliminate them.
To the extent possible, materials removed will be recycled, reused or donated to local
non-profit entities. The estimated cost to eliminate the saunas and create file storage
space is between $6,000 and $8,000. Funds are available in the property's capital
maintenance budget.
Submitted by:
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Ja oore
Dire • of Housing
Approval:
•
d sti McCarthy
Assi-,ant City Man. er/Rz•evelopment
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Jo n . ' ohlmuth
Exe utive Director
G:\rda\Patty Leon\JMM\staff report\0QP Saunas 100809.doc