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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 10/13/2010PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2010 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held November 10, 2010 as follows: ➢ October 13, 2010 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director 3 -e - I s zta��, i� HGUSG AUTH j -zerJ y .h �i �� ne��y �.L�st�rt- Originai on file with City Clerk's Offic€' G \rda\Patty LeoA Housing CommissiorkMiscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER Natalie Russo, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Gene Colombini Donna Lewis Natalie Russo Wade Tucker Jane Turner Also Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Robert Nevares, Catalina Gardens resident III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Members Absent: IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of September 8, 2010. A correction was made to the minutes to reflect Commissioner Jane Turner absent for the September 8th meeting. With a Motion made by Commissioner Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Colombini the minutes of September 8, 2010 were unanimously approved with Commissioner Turner abstaining. 1 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported that the Housing Ad Hoc subcommittee meeting is tentatively on hold. Mr. William Kroonen, the City's newest Councilmember, will be part of the subcommittee and therefore staff wanted to give him time to get acquainted with his position. A meeting will be scheduled sometime in November. It was noted that Councilmember Kroonen will serve Mr. Kelly's term. B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS AND ACTIONS The Commission reviewed the memo provided by Jessica Gonzales. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Weekly Activity Statistics for August. Teresa Vakili stated that there are no changes to the reports; most of the senior communities have no vacancies. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for August. Commissioner Tucker referenced the moderate income level category and asked if those rental rates reflect the new rate. Teresa Vakili stated that the rental rates change, depending on income, once the lease expires. She noted that tenants' leases expire at different times throughout the year and therefore the report will not reflect the new rate all at once. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for August. 2 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 Commissioner Russo referenced the report and inquired on the negative figures listed on the Net Operating Income. Teresa Vakili responded that based on availability of replacement reserves, Neighbors and Desert Pointe are undergoing renovations and therefore those negative figures represent projects completed during that month. Janet Moore reported that Desert Pointe and Neighbors are the two properties that have not been completely renovated. Although, both properties are in fairly good condition, the daily maintenance and upkeep will make an impact. Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson asked if the units are renovated on an as needed basis. Mrs. Moore replied that units are renovated as needed, however if a unit becomes vacant staff will determine if it's possible to renovate the interior. Out of 64 units at Desert Pointe, approximately 21 have been renovated to date. Ms. Benson inquired on the long term tenants and how those units are being maintained. Mrs. Moore replied that staff will offer to change out the carpet after a period of time. Ms. Vakili noted that staff is careful entering an occupied unit due to personal belongings, unless there is a need to paint or change out the carpet. James Conway stated that in some cases tenants that have occupied a unit for an extended period of time will be transferred to a renovated unit to allow staff to renovate that unit. Commissioner Turner referenced the Housing Authority Properties update report and asked if the plumbing, insulation, and re -drywall at unit #52 were considered routine upgrades. Mr. Conway replied that those upgrades listed for unit #52 are substantial. Being that Desert Pointe and Neighbors are older properties, once a unit is vacant, staff takes the opportunity to look at any issues that may exist. Ms. Benson inquired if any of the senior complexes have a golf cart that tenants can utilize for errands. Mrs. Moore stated that the properties do not have courtesy golf carts available for tenants due to liability issues. However, there are other services in the area that will assist seniors. Albertson's has allowed tenants at Las Serenas to push a shopping cart home and will send a member to pick up the carts at the 3 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 property. In addition, residents can shop online at Albertsons and have their groceries delivered. Desert Samaritans will also shop and deliver groceries to the elderly. She noted that seniors have indicated that they like living at One Quail Place for its close vicinity to the local mall and shopping centers particularly Trader Joes. Mrs. Moore also mentioned the "211 system" where residents can get assistance with respect to other questions or needs that they may have. Additionally, tenants are given a list of locations that provide free tax assistance during tax season as an insert in the newsletters. Robert Nevares, potential Housing Commissioner, inquired on earthquake awareness at Catalina Gardens and was mainly concerned with the gas and shutting off the valves. Mr. Conway stated that the City of Palm Desert is conducting a presentation on October 21st with respect to earthquake preparedness. He plans on coordinating educational meetings within the properties once staff completes the exercises. The Red Cross will be invited as well to provide additional information. He noted that staff is looking into emergency kits that would be available for purchase. Mr. Conway stated that RPM staff members will go through additional training and a plan will be set within the property in the event of an earthquake. He also mentioned that several tenants at Las Serenas volunteered to actively get involved in the safety of other tenants after an earthquake. Mr. Nevares was concerned if an earthquake happened before meeting with staff. He noted that there are elders at Catalina Gardens that might have trouble moving. He also mentioned that he would like to get involved. Commissioner Tucker provided a brief explanation of the tenants' involvement at Las Serenas. He stated that the property is divided into four sections with one tenant in charge of one section and responsible for the safety of those tenants after an earthquake. Mr. Tucker implemented a "flag system" where tenants who do not need assistance place a flag outside their unit which will indicate they are all right. He mentioned how he assisted a tenant who had fallen after the earthquake on Easter Sunday. Mr. Conway explained that staff is working with the Risk Manager for the City of Palm Desert on a much grander scale to assist not only the Housing Authority tenants but residents as well. Commissioner Turner asked if RPM Company has an emergency preparedness program. 4 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 Teresa Vakili stated that staff has been trained for emergency situations. All property managers have a map of all the shut off valves and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mrs. Moore stated that the goal, after an earthquake, is to check for dangers or hazardous conditions and the welfare of the residents. RPM's staff is trained to immediately assess any dangers or hazardous conditions within the properties. Those residents who are willing to participate in a program similar to Las Serenas will check the welfare of the tenants. Staff is hoping to be able to establish a resident welfare check at all the properties in the event a property manager is not on site. She noted that there has been more participation from residents at the senior properties than at the multi -families. There are onsite managers at some of the properties but might not be able to get to every unit in a timely manner. With respect to the City providing the necessities such as water, the recommendation to the residents is to plan for three days. Commissioner Tucker mentioned that he has recommended to the residents at Las Serenas to prepare in advance. He also noted that RPM staff has provided flyers in the newsletters on how to prepare for an earthquake. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the report. Commissioner Russo asked if there were any responses from the residents at One Quail Place with respect to filling the ponds with drought tolerant plants. Mr. Conway stated that the residents have been informed of the ponds converting to drought tolerant plants due to health and safety issues. Being that there is a child care facility on the property with a route to the playground along the ponds, district and state officials directed staff to address those ponds to avoid any accidents. Other drought tolerant conversions mentioned were unusable turf areas and water runoff areas. Janet Moore stated that at the last meeting there was a request made on the specific types of service calls. RPM staff prepared a detailed list of every service call made for the month of September and found that most calls made were for AC and plumbing issues. Teresa Vakili stated that the report consists of 401 service calls from all Housing Authority properties as follows; 21% of calls were for ac and/or heating, 13% for electrical, 26% for plumbing (clogged disposals and/or toilets), 5 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 13% for appliances, and 27% in other/ general such as key is not working and door lock is loose. Upon question, the report will be incorporated in the Project Update Report on a quarterly basis. Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson inquired if the residents know the types of calls they can and cannot make. Mrs. Moore responded that RPM's maintenance staff does their best to encourage residents not to call on certain items that they can fix/do on their own. In some cases, staff has to respond to tenants who are locked out of their unit which is at no fault to staff; after a certain number of times there is a small fee. Ms. Vakili stated that the newsletters include information with respect to the items they can and cannot put in a garbage disposal, and how regular light bulbs are the tenants' responsibility; kitchen fluorescents are changed by staff. Tenants are also provided with this information upon signing a lease. Upon question, it was reiterated that the onsite maintenance staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VI. NEW BUSINESS 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 and stating that 11 are in the application stage, 3 have recently been completed, and 5 in construction. Commissioner Turner inquired on the home located at Kelsey Circle with an application completed on June of 2009 and asked on the landscape renovation work. Mr. Conway replied that staff has been working with the Public Works Department on a drought tolerant conversion project within that community. There are four homes within that community on hold waiting for the landscape conversion plan to be completed. The property located at Kelsey Court included a substantial renovation that was completed in the last fiscal year. 6 Housing Commission Minutes October 13, 2010 Janet Moore added that there are several homes on the report that show a committed amount without the disbursement totals which were paid the previous year. The report will be modified to show those amounts disbursed. She noted that this year might be a recording breaking year as well since there are a lot of applications in progress. Upon question, Mrs. Moore stated that staff works with a non-profit organization firm that prepares the work write ups and oversees the projects. The idea behind the program initially was street beautification and health and safety issues. Commissioner Russo reminded the Commission of the Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, October 31, 2010. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — November 10, 2010 Janet Moore reported that the City Council will not meet November 11, 2010 due to the Holiday and will only meet one day in November. Mrs. Moore asked the Commission if they would like to change the Housing Commission meeting of November 10th to the following week; all Commissioners agreed to keep the meeting on the 10th Mrs. Moore also mentioned that there will be a Veteran's Day celebration on November 11th at Freedom Park at 11:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT Natalie Russo, Housing Commission Chair, adjourned the Housing Commission meeting at 4:15 p.m. ctlt_irX_QuI/_) Patty Leon, ecording Secretary 7