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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 03/09/2011(3. PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: APRIL 14, 2011 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held April 13, 2011 as follows: March 9, 2011 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director `kereicle4iPIE BY HOUSG AUTH C fi4r'7 ON 14- y-,D L° / 1 VERIFIED BY: Ri Jrj Original on file with City Clerk's Office G \rda\Patty Leon\Housing Commissiod‘Miscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes doc 4,11&-e-/-) CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 9, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Gene Colombini Donna Lewis Robert Nevares Natalie Russo Wade Tucker Jane Turner Also Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Housing Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Veronica Tapia, Redevelopment Accountant Members Absent: III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of February 9, 2011: 1 Housing Commission Minutes March 9, 2011 With a Motion made by Commissioner Wade Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Donna Lewis the minutes of February 9, 2011 were unanimously approved. A correction will be made to page 5 to delete a question mark and add a period to a sentence. V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS AND ACTIONS Jessica Gonzales summarized the memo provided to the Commission. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Average Weekly Activity Statistics for January. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for January. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for January. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the report. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. CITYWIDE TREE PRUNING PROGRAM 2 Housing Commission Minutes March 9, 2011 Spencer Knight reviewed the staff report and stated that the contract is similar to last year's contract. He noted that the trees are selected based on their species and how often they need to be pruned. Typically most trees are pruned every three years while others are pruned every year based on their growth habits. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked on the olive trees. Mr. Knight stated that olive trees are pruned when 10% of the flowers have started to fruit, at that point it is optimum to spray. The fruits' characteristics depend on species, genetics, and weather. The chemical spray is a hormone that alters the plants normal physiological cycle causing the flowers to abort so it doesn't form a fruit. He noted that this process does not always work; last year's chemical application was not successful. The pest control applicator is looking at an alternative method where the tree trunk is injected as opposed to spraying the outside. Commissioner Jane Turner commented that she noticed the Desert Willow palm trees had been pruned. Mr. Knight stated that a special arrangement was made to prune those palm trees only due to the installation of the new terrace, it restricted the view. Commissioner Gene Colombini asked if there was a preferred month in spring that the olive trees do not bear fruit. Mr. Knight replied that it depends on the flowering cycling and weather; warm temperatures accelerates the fruit cycle. Rec: By Minute Motion: Motion was made by Commissioner Natalie Russo and seconded by Commissioner Donna Lewis to forward the recommendation to the Housing Authority to award Contract No. C30460 for the Citywide Tree Pruning Program to West coast Arborists of Anaheim, CA for the Housing Authority in the amount of $13,243.50 plus 10% contingency B. CARLOS ORTEGA VILLAS — AMENDMENT NO. 1 Janet Moore reviewed the staff report. She mentioned that the Agency is 3 Housing Commission Minutes March 9, 2011 partnering with the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology to incorporate the latest in energy efficiencies into both design and construction. Once the project is complete, an analysis will be prepared to show if the implementations were beneficial. Commissioner Jane Turner inquired on the transfer of funds from contingency. Mrs. Moore stated that when monies are set aside as a contingency for a contract it requires Agency Board approval to move funds to the main contract. Rec: By Minute Motion: Motion was made by Commissioner Donna Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Natalie Russo to forward the recommendation to the Housing Authority to authorize and ratify Contract Amendment No. 1 in an amount not to exceed $7,500 to Contract No. R29410A with Interactive Design Corporation for professional architectural services for the Carlos Ortega Villas Project. C. 2011-2012 Budget Veronica Tapia reviewed the proposed 2011-2012 budget for the Housing Authority properties. She noted that based on the economic constraints, the budget stayed the same with the exception of Capital and Reserve Expenditures. The total request for approval is; revenue estimated to be $4,823,612, controllable expenditure of $4,408,513, and a reserve expense of $700,150. Janet Moore stated that the Director of Finance will include the Housing Authority budget in the Comprehensive Financial Plan to the Council. Commissioner Gene Colombini asked on the percentage used to determine the actual totals relative to income. Ms. Tapia stated that RPM Company uses percentages in their calculations, however they are not shown in the excel spreadsheet. She noted that she would include percentages on the next Housing Authority budget review. Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson asked if the laundry rooms were coin operated; Teresa Vakili replied yes. 4 Housing Commission Minutes March 9, 2011 Commissioner Natalie Russo asked about the negative amount shown under "Gross Potential" Assisted Potential Rent. Ms. Vakili stated that the negative totals shown under "Assisted Potential Rent" are tenants who receive Section 8 assistance in addition to the Housing Authority program. Commissioner Russo questioned the calculated totals under "Total Rental Income" and how the figures did not calculate correctly. Ms. Vakili and Ms. Moore mentioned that the totals would be verified before submitting to the Director of Finance. Rec: By Minute Motion: Motion was made by Commissioner Gene Colombini and seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker to forward the recommendation to the Director of Finance to include the 2011-2012 Palm Desert Authority Operating, Capital, and Replacement Budgets in the City of Palm Desert's Comprehensive Financial Plan for 2011-2012 to be presented to the Housing Authority Board for approval at a future meeting; contingent upon review of the Total Rental Income. 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, stating that there are currently 18 HIP assignments in various stages. He noted that the Desert Rose property listed on the report awaiting the drought tolerant conversion was completed last week. Commissioner Natalie Russo inquired on the new HIP applicant requesting a new foundation. Mr. Conway stated that the applicant is requesting either a new foundation or would like an assessment of the existing foundation. B. REDEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION 5 Housing Commission Minutes March 9, 2011 A power point presentation was presented to the Housing Commission as informational. Janet Moore reported that Governor Brown is proposing a budget that includes eliminating Redevelopment Agencies across the State of California. Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency is one of the top 10 Agencies of revenue sources for tax increments of which 20% of that is allocated for affordable housing. A power point presentation was created to deliver to Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emmerson at a forum held at the City of Palm Desert. Assemblyman Nestande and Senator Emmerson asked the neighboring cities (Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells) to provide input with respect to the accomplishments of Redevelopment. The City of Palm Desert's presentation provided detailed information and pictures that clarified blighted areas and improvements of the storm watch, El Paseo, Fred Waring widening, Desert Willow and the support of education. Commissioner Jane Turner commented that she had attended the forum and was impressed with the City's presentation. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — April 13, 2011 Janet Moore reported that the Housing Authority Tour has been postponed due to the State's budget proposal. At this time, there are no capital improvements to show at the properties so a possible fall tour will be more appropriate. Mrs. Moore also mentioned that if the Governor's proposal is successful, there will not be additional funding available for affordable housing. After this year's allocation those funds will be transferred to the Housing Authority. Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson commented that the Governor might find there is really not a lot of money because most of it has been committed or used; staff is hopeful this will happen. Mrs. Moore mentioned that the Agency Board and Authority Board are being very proactive in terms of preserving projects already in inventory. ADJOURNMENT Jane Turner Housing Commission Chair adjourned the Housing Commissipn meeting at 4:20 p.m. Patty Leon, FZecording Secretary 6