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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 09/07/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2011 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the adjourned regular Housing Commission meeting held October 12, 2011 as follows: ➢ September 7, 2011 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director G \rda\Patty Leon\Housing CommissiontMiscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes doe 1)•e!`tYP.LBY HOUSG AUTH O .. eIJ.;LP��I V E 7i E -JD Original on file with City Cleric's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT ADJOURNED REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Wade Tucker, Housing Commission Vice -Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Gene Colombini Jane Turner Donna Lewis Robert Nevares Natalie Russo Wade Tucker Also Present: Robert A. Spiegel, City Councilmember Liaison Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment Janet Moore, Director of Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Caroline Philips, Catalina Gardens Resident Fred Messreni, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of July 13, 2011: With a Motion made by Commissioner Natalie Russo and seconded by Commissioner Donna Lewis the minutes of July 13, 2011 were unanimously approved. 1 Housing Commission Minutes September 7, 2011 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Ms. Caroline Philips, resident at Catalina Gardens introduced herself to the Commission and stated that she was interested in applying for the Housing Commission. Mr. Fred Messreni, resident of the City introduced himself to the Commission and stated he was also considering applying for the vacancy at -large. Janet Moore reported on legislation AB26 and AB27, stating that the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case brought forward from the California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities. A decision is anticipated to be made by January 15th if not sooner. One part of the legislation that was not stayed is how agencies can conduct business. Agencies are able to continue to pay the bills however; are not allowed to enter into any contracts and/or sell or buy real estate. Recertifications and rental leases at the Housing Authority properties are currently placed on a month to month lease. She furthered noted that there are working groups comprised of assembly members and senators working together to create what is called "clean up legislation"; at this time it is in draft form only. AB26 eliminates redevelopment agencies; therefore if AB26 is constitutional and agencies are required to dissolve, monies in the low moderate income fund will be transferred to the Housing Authority to be used for the properties. She noted that this is a new development and may benefit the properties in terms of operating for a longer period. The City Council and the Agency Board did elect AB27 which means if we pay a large amount of money, estimated to be over 2 million, we can continue to operate as an Agency effective with the Supreme Court's decision. She also noted that the legislation changes daily in terms of the process and what agencies can and cannot do. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if all the agencies had to come up with the same amount of money. Councilmember Liaison Robert Spiegel stated that the City of Palm Desert has one of the strongest Redevelopment Agencies in terms of funds. Mrs. Moore stated that the State anticipates receiving 1.7 billion dollars from all the cities. In the meantime, staff is working on revising the administrative policy plan. The revised plan will be brought to this Commission for review prior to taking it to the Housing Authority Board. 2 Housing Commission Minutes September 7, 2011 B. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Average Weekly Activity Statistics for June and July. Teresa Vakili provided statistics with regard to move in/move outs and service requests for the fiscal year 2010-2011. There were 202 move -ins, 195 move - outs, and 842 recertifications. There were a total of 4366 service requests completed. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if all the tenants are being recertified to a month to month lease. Ms. Vakili replied that annual recertifications will continue and be placed on month to month leases, however tenants will only have to sign the lease once. Councilmember Liaison Robert Spiegel inquired on the vacancy rate. Ms. Vakili stated that the properties are currently 98.6% occupied. Commissioner Tucker commented on the vacancy at Desert Pointe. Ms. Vakili mentioned that 3 of those vacant units are down units and ready for renovation. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for June and July. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for June and July. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. 3 Housing Commission Minutes September 7, 2011 James Conway summarized the report, stating that there are AC issues during this time of the year as well as landscape issues. He noted that the properties are in maintenance mode at this time. Commissioner Robert Nevares commented on the landscape at Catalina Gardens. Mr. Conway stated that this time of year is hard to evaluate the properties since the landscape company is getting ready to turn off the water to let the bermuda dry out to allow the over seeding process to begin the later part of September. In addition, plants are not being pruned or trimmed at this time to avoid stressing the plants. Commissioner Nevares stated that he had previously asked why the landscape company was not able to use gas trimmers at Catalina Gardens, yet he noticed recently that they used gas trimmers to trim the bougainvilleas. He felt that if the landscape company is able to use the gas trimmer on the planters it would allow them to finish faster. Mr. Conway replied that the Landscape Department coordinate pruning/trimming schedules at the properties which require a specific hand technique for trimming. He stated that if the landscape company felt the need to use gas trimmers at certain areas then they would coordinate that with the Landscape Department. Commissioner Nevares asked for a contact name from the landscape department because he said that Catalina Gardens looks bad when compared to other city owned properties and he was not buying that. Mr. Conway stated that Sheila McGrew, Landscape Inspector, was assigned to the properties. He stated that he will ask the Landscape Manager, Spencer Knight, to attend the next Housing Commission meeting to discuss the techniques and method of trimming. Janet Moore stated that the landscape company has been a challenge from the very beginning. Although they have improved, the Agency has and will continue to take steps toward ensuring compliance; however, with the State restricting Agency's actions, we may be limited with what we can do. Mr. Conway added that the landscape company has been on noticed of their non-performance and staff has been making every effort to stay on top of them. Commissioner Nevares stated that he understands the Agency's hands are tied however felt he was not getting answers from staff. Councilmember Liasion Robert Spiegel stated that the Agency's hands are not tied. He suggested Janet Moore contact Spencer Knight and ask him to call Commissioner Robert Nevares and Ms. Caroline Philips. Mr. Conway 4 Housing Commission Minutes September 7, 2011 mentioned that Mr. Knight has visited the property as well as Mr. McCarthy regarding the issues raised by the Commission and that although the plants are mature now the trim cycles are proper and the property looks acceptable but we can review it again with Mr. Knight to see what improvements can be made. Ms. Caroline Philips commented on the irrigation system not watering the plants and how there's water rundown on the walkways. Upon question, Mr. Conway stated that the landscape company's contract expires September of 2012. Commissioner Nevares commented on the plants along the walkway to the community room and felt it needed attention. Mrs. Moore stated that when those plants were initially planted they were the right size and amount for that property. However, with time the plants have fully grown and were retrofitted to minimize crowded areas. Mr. Conway added that those plants were addressed and in fact were scaled down significantly which resulted in negative feedback from the tenants. He stated that Catalina Gardens is 14+ years old with matured plants which is expected. He noted that weekly inspections are conducted that include Teresa Vakili and Sheila McGrew. Commissioner Nevares stated that he always sees Mr. Conway and Ms. Vakili on property. He also stated that the shrubbery in front of the community room grows very slow requiring minimal trimming and looks great all year round. However, the hibiscuses at the property infested with white flies are dead looking. Ms. Philips agreed with Mr. Nevares comment. Commissioner Donna Lewis referenced the update reports and asked if carbon monoxide detectors were only installed when units are turned over. Mr. Conway stated that several of the complexes do not need detectors because the units are electric. The goal is to install detectors to those units that do need them by January. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE 5 Housing Commission Minutes September 7, 2011 An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. James Conway summarized the report stating there are 23 applicants in various stages; 3 are in construction, 4 recently completed, 16 are in the application stage and 5 are ready to move forward once a final decision has been made with the State's action. He noted that by the end of October, 7 of the 23 applicants will be completed during the new fiscal year. Janet Moore stated that all of the programs and activities are proceeding. Applicants are being advised of the State's action and have been supportive. Councilmember Liaison Robert Spiegel inquired on the mold at the Desert Rose property; Mr. Conway replied that the mold has been remediated. B. 2011 INCOME LIMITS A copy of the revised 2011 income limits was provided to the Commission for review. Janet Moore reported that the income limits went down from 2010 which is a very unusual situation since the last time they went down was more than 15 years ago. The median income went down however, the very low and low went up. The County has a complicated formula based on area median incomes of surrounding areas and not just Riverside County. C. AGENCY OWNED AND ASSISTED RENTAL PROPERTIES A copy of the Agency owned and assisted rental properties were provided to the Commission as informational. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE - October 12, 2011 ADJOURNMENT Wade Tucker, Housing Commission Vice -Chair, adjourned the Housing Commission meeting at 4:08 p.m. to October 12, 2011. ?(IL-Rki VLea k_� Patty Leon, l ecording Secretary 6