Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 06/08/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: JULY 14, 2011 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held July 13, 2011 as follows: June 8, 2011 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. ls- Plle 4 BY HOUSG AUTH�5 Thank you. ON. — VERIFIED BY: Original on file will, Ci y Clerk's Office cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director G \rda\Patty Leon\iousmg CommissiorkMiscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 8, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Jane Turner Gene Colombini Robert Nevares Natalie Russo Wade Tucker Also Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Liaison Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Reuel Young, Interactive Design Corporation Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Heather Buck, Project Coordinator - RDA Members Absent: Donna Lewis III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 11, 2011: With a Motion made by Commissioner Wade Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Gene Colombini the minutes of May 11, 2011 were unanimously approved. 1 Housing Commission Minutes June 8, 2011 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS A presentation of Carlos Ortega Villas was provided by Reuel Young with Interactive Design. Mr. Young displayed renderings of the site plan and provided a brief description. The project consists of all single story buildings with one -bedroom units; bungalow style. Buildings were designed with elevated roofs systems to accommodate photovoltaic solar panels as well as operable windows/light monitor to allow sufficient light in the units from direct sunlight. Commissioner Gene Colombini asked on the maintenance of the windows. It was explained that the complex will be owned by the Redevelopment Agency and the Agency will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the windows. Residents will not be able to look out the windows but will have the ability to open them to exhaust hot air. The windows were designed to be elevated to avoid glare from direct sunlight. Commissioner Colombini asked on the expectancy of completion of the project Mr. Young stated he anticipates the project to be completed 2 years from now. Commissioner Colombini commented that with his background experience as an architectural engineer and builder, he was concerned with the cost of the photovoltaic system once the project is ready to be constructed. Mr. Young stated that the cost per kilowatts have gone down. The systems are becoming more dense in terms of the capability of capturing sun and converting it to electrical and with the competitive market are not as expensive as they used to be. Commissioner Colombini and the Commission thanked Mr. Young for his presentation. Deborah Schwartz provided a brief description of the process of selecting art in the City of Palm Desert. She explained that there is a Public Art Ordinance within the City that states that a percentage of construction cost has to go towards public art at a particular site. With regard to the Carlos Ortega Villas project, a Request for Qualifications "RFQ" will be sent out to the art community and across the nation. Depending on the budget, staff may determine to keep it regional to avoid travel costs. She noted that she will meet with Rosemary Ortega to obtain information on Carlos Ortega's biography and provide that information to the artists that are interested. The Art in Public Places Commission "AIPP" will select three finalists and will be given approximately two months to prepare a proposal that will include a description of the project and budget. Subsequently, the AIPP will rank the three finalists from 1 to 3 and 2 Housing Commission Minutes June 8, 2011 then have the City Council select an artist for this project. She noted that the AIPP Commission meet every third Wednesday of the month and are open to the public. B. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Average Weekly Activity Statistics for April. Teresa Vakili reported on the quarterly service call request update from all the properties as follows: 21% for ac and/or heating and 28% for plumbing, a total of 1681 service requests calls for the months of January, February, March, April, and May an average of 336 service requests per month. She also stated that there were 298 re -certifications completed since January; which entails a significant amount of paperwork to obtain from tenants. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for April. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for April. Commissioner Natalie Russo asked on the new HUD income limits. Janet Moore stated that HUD has released the income limits for 2011 however HCD has not. The rental properties are having difficulties with recertifications and have extended leases until the income limits have been released. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the report. Commissioner Natalie Russo referenced the Head Start modifications to open the wall to create line of site from class to restrooms at One Quail Place and asked on its funding sources. 3 Housing Commission Minutes June 8, 2011 Janet Moore replied that the Head Start is State funded and the Redevelopment Agency is the landlord. State licensing requested that these modifications be made to allow visual site of children at all times, therefore as landlords the Agency will modify the building and incur the cost. 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, stating that there are currently 21 HIP assignments in various stages. Five have been completed and will reflect the next month's report. Commissioner Robert Nevares asked who was responsible for the maintenance at Catalina Gardens noting the condition of the landscape. Janet Moore stated that staff is aware that Pinnacle is having difficulty maintaining the properties to City standards. Staff has been working with the City's Landscape Department since they are familiar with the growth cycles of different trees/bushes and its pruning techniques, and in fact have reviewed Pinnacles performance at different properties. The Agency will have to contractually explain to Pinnacle how they are not meeting contract requirements. Mrs. Moore stated that she would address this issue with the Landscape Manager. Commissioner Nevares stated that there are areas in Catalina Gardens that have not been maintained properly particularly the rose bushes. James Conway reminded the Commission that several months ago the bushes were pruned back drastically and now those bushes are in better condition. He felt that the properties are in better condition compared to other properties. He offered to meet with Mr. Nevares and walk the property of concerns. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if we had worked with Pinnacle in the past. James Conway stated that this is the first time the Housing Authority has contracted with Pinnacle. He mentioned that the landscape department has dealt with Pinnacle and had similar issues as well. 4 Housing Commission Minutes June 8, 2011 Justin McCarthy stated that there has been an ongoing challenge with our landscape contractors. Part of the issue is the requirement to award a contract to the lowest bidder. Often times, companies that have the capacity to maintain medians and parks will generate low bids and run into man power challenges and then staff is trying to extract performance out of them. There is a process to terminate a contract however if we do the properties will not be maintained at all. Staff is trying to find solutions within the parameters of the bidding law. He further noted due to the economy there are more bidders fighting for these projects. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE - July 13, 2011 Per a request at the previous meeting, a copy of the Housing Commission meeting schedule for 2011 was provided to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Jane Turner Housing Commission Chair adjourned the Housing Commission meeting at 4:27 p.m. Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 5