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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 03/07/2012PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: APRIL 12, 2012 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held April 11, 2012 as follows: March 7, 2012 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director ecett)z4-ri /e-BY HOUSG AUTH ON VERIFIED BY: rc Original on file with City Clerk's Office G \rda\Patty Leon\Housing Commissio, J tiscellaneous'Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC HAC - Minutes doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 7, 2012 I. CALL TO ORDER Wade Tucker, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Wade Tucker, Chair Gene Colombini, Vice Chair Jane Turner Robert Nevares Others Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Janet Moore, Director of Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Patty Leon, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Natalie Russo Commissioner Robert Nevares commented that the grounds at Catalina Gardens have improved in the past month and are looking really nice. James Conway said he would pass the comment on to the landscapers. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of February 8, 2012: Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2012, meeting as amended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Gene Colombini and passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Natalie Russo absent. 1 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 7, 2012 V. NEW BUSINESS A. CITY WIDE PALM TREE PRUNING PROGRAM Spencer Knight remarked that the staff report explains the contract and bid process for the yearly palm tree pruning program. He said the bid was very competitive and is the best price in a long time. Upon question Mr. Knight indicated there have only been three palm trees and eight other trees lost as a result of the strong winds. Because of the types of trees planted and the vigorous tree pruning schedules the trees are in good shape. Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to waive a minor irregularity and forward the recommendation to the Housing Authority to award Contract Number C31400 for the Citywide Palm Tree Pruning Program to Reliable Tree Care, Coachella, California, in the total amount of $71,407.80 (City $63,728.40 and Housing Authority $7,625.40), and authorize the Director of Finance to set aside an additional 10% contingency in the total amount of $7,140.78 (City $6,378.24 and housing Authority $762.54). Motion was seconded by Commissioner Gene Colombini and passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Natalie Russo absent. Mr. Knight followed up by stating the irregularity was that there wasn't a signature on the bid bond. The vendor will be getting the form signed and notarized so that by the time the item goes to City Council everything will be appropriate. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore stated that at the February 9th meeting the City Council took an action to retain the housing assets under its Palm Desert Housing Authority. All the housing functions, compliance functions and properties will be transferred to the Housing Authority. AB 26 is ambiguous so it is still unclear what will be required. At the next Housing Commission meeting the budget will be presented, and it will be different from the past years since all the Housing Authority functions are compacted into one budget. The approval for Carlos Ortega Villas entitlements is on the City Council agenda for tomorrow's meeting. If approved by the Council it will move the 2 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 7, 2012 project forward. Because of the concerns of AB 26 the development portion of the project has been in a "holding pattern." At the present time all the monies on deposit in the Housing Fund are now required to be transferred to the other taxing entities. This means we are starting with a lot of properties and no money. As approved the project would be a 72-unit senior complex. Alternate funding will be sought to build the project. The Courtesy Patrol at all the properties has been realigned to add car patrol in the evenings. Patrol schedules will be altered so the schedules are not the same throughout the week. There will also be overnight foot patrol at One Quail Place two nights per week. Responding to Commissioner Wade Tucker's question, Ms. Moore replied that the reason for the change is based on analysis of recent statistics showing that the Courtesy Patrol was unaware of a large portion of the calls to the police and cost. The service will be reviewed again in six months. Councilmember Jean Benson asked about the hours of the Courtesy Patrol, which are from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Security guards will get out of their car if a resident calls them or if they observe something. As part of the patrol realignment the properties that were not patrolled have been added. Citizens on Patrol also patrol during daytime hours, and all the properties comply with "Crime Free Housing". Residents will continue to be educated on what to do and when to call 9-1-1. Most of the properties have line of sight into the interior areas. Commissioner Tucker questioned that since affordable housing fell under the state redevelopment agencies, is there still affordable housing in the state? Ms. Moore replied that cities were given three options: the city itself could keep affordable housing, city housing authorities could keep affordable housing, or a city could designate the county to be the administrator. The Palm Desert City Council made it a priority to keep its affordable housing. It was a big decision since there is no funding. Cost cutting measures are being investigated and a reduced level of service may need to occur. All cities in California are having a very difficult time with these decisions. Commissioner Jane Turner asked if higher rents could be possible to maintain the services. Ms. Moore pointed out that laws related to affordable housing define what rents are to be changed over a period of time but that we will be looking at all options available for increasing revenues and reducing expenditures. 3 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 7, 2012 Upon further question, Ms. Moore noted that until the legislation becomes clearer, rental leases will not be entered into. B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS AND ACTIONS Jessica Gonzales reported that there are no agenda items for the March 8th meeting, but there were actions taken at the February 9th and February 23rd meetings. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report through January. Teresa Vakili reported that there are only eleven units available, which includes vacant, on notice and down units. This equates to a 1 % vacancy rate. D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT FOR JANUARY The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for January. Ms. Moore mentioned that the Riverside County Income Limits were recently received and they have gone up slightly. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS FOR JANUARY The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for January. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The Commission reviewed the update for February. Upon question, Mr. Conway conveyed that in order to save costs RPM or city employees are utilized as much as possible for services. F AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Conway noted that there are only two open projects. Of the 23 on the waiting list there are no high priority health and safety items. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding request that is process would only be for imminent health and safety issues, which is component #1 of the Home Improvement Program. 4 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 7, 2012 In response to Councilmember Benson's question, Ms. Moore replied that most of the previous projects were in the form of grants or deferred loans. If the CDBG funding is received, it would be for emergency situations. If someone is looking for help with energy efficiency, they are referred to the utilities, which have assistance programs. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — April 11, 2012 X. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m. Patty Leon, ecording Secretary 5