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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 10/12/2011TO: FROM: DATE: PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR NOVEMBER 10, 2011 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the adjourned regular Housing Commission meeting held November 9, 2011 as follows: ➢ October 12, 2011 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director hF -BY HOUSG AUTH ON . - ?.1. VERIFIED Jry ()rich&l on C'i srk' cffic€ G \rda\Patty Leon\Housing CommissioniMiscellaneousiMemos\Memos to City Clerk HCtHAC - Minutes doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Members Absent: Jane Turner Gene Colombini Donna Lewis Robert Nevares Natalie Russo Wade Tucker Also Present: Robert A. Spiegel, City Councilmember Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Housing Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst - Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Guest(s): Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Ed Pack, Resident III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of September 7, 2011: With a Motion made by Commissioner Wade Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Natalie Russo the minutes of September 7, 2011 were unanimously approved. 1 Housing Commission Minutes OCTOBER 12, 2011 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Mr. Ed, Pack introduced himself to the Commission and provided a brief background of himself. He stated he was interested in a committee/commission for the City of Palm Desert. A copy of a letter of resignation from Commissioner Donna Lewis was provided to the Commission. Janet Moore stated that the City Council will be recognizing Commissioner Donna Lewis at their City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, October, 13, 2011. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager, reported on the landscape at Catalina Gardens. He stated that he met with James Conway and Justin McCarthy at the property to discuss ways to modify the landscape to better fit the site conditions. He noted that the planting spaces are small, close to the buildings creating shade which causes the plant material to suffer. Staff also met with Commissioner Robert Nevares and addressed his concerns. Commissioner Robert Nevares asked about the roses. Mr. Knight stated that the roses will be removed as part of the modified plan discussed. Upon suggestion of a drought tolerant landscape, Mr. Knight replied that Catalina Gardens was initially designed with an older traditional landscape that includes Mediterranean plant materials, given that some of the planters are too shady for desert plant materials. He noted that some areas will lend itself to desert landscape and will be looked at as an option in the future. He also explained the different maintenance procedures that are done with regards to the two different types of plant materials. Desert landscapes are typically hand pruned as opposed to using power equipment and shrubs are not pruned as often. In the older facilities, such as One Quail Place, that have Mediterranean plant materials include more plants in the planter beds and hedges are trimmed with a hedge trimmer to form a shaped hedge as opposed to desert planting where the plants are in a more natural pruning style. He further noted that when you plant at a denser level, eventually you have to use power equipment in order to get the pruning done in a timely manner which tends to be economically feasible to both the contractor and the properties. With regard to tree pruning, Mr. Knight stated that at the older facilities such as One Quail Place, trees were planted in small planting spaces as opposed to shrubs, and created issues in terms of pruning. A misguided pruning practice known as tree topping where you cut the trees flat across the top forcing the trees into a recovery mode, creates a bigger problem and is not recommended, 2 Housing Commission Minutes OCTOBER 12, 2011 based on a City ordinance. There is a correct way to reduce the size of a tree known as crown reduction by removing full branches as opposed to cutting them flat. There were several trees removed at One Quail Place to thin out the area, and in some cases trees were replaced or transported to a more suitable place for the tree. James Conway also clarified that when staff walked the property with Commissioner Nevares, it was noted that there were various issues with the shrubs, hedges and planters but overall looked good. The pruning for the roses was missed and they will be done in the spring. He also noted that the original goal was to prune back everything and see how it developed; now those plants have fully matured creating a problem; given that some of the planting areas are not sized properly. The goal now will be to plan the removal of approximately 30% or more of plant material with the direction from the Landscape Department on which plant materials are moved. Once that happens, it will allow the existing material to grow more naturally with less maintenance required. Mr. Nevares, upon question, agreed with the landscape's current condition and future plan suggestions. Mr. Knight stated that staff will address a section at a time at Catalina Gardens. Janet Moore clarified that this will be a process over time and will not be a major renovation. Staff will address one section at a time related to shading and other issues. Mr. Knight agreed and stated that the financial aspect will be looked at first. Commissioner Nevares asked if the City was responsible for the shrubbery and trees at the senior center; Mr. Knight stated that the landscape department does not oversee the senior center's landscape; they do their own maintenance and services. At this time, Mrs. Moore provided a brief update on the legislation issue. SB8 and SB.450 were vetoed by the Governor. SB8 was a cleanup bill for the two issues that were presented by Veronica Tapia a few months ago. The Governor felt SB8 was a little ahead of its time. SB450 is proposed legislation that is detailed on what housing can do and how. She noted that both bills are no longer active at this time and will be required to be reintroduced in the future. B. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Average Weekly Activity Statistics for August. 3 Housing Commission Minutes OCTOBER 12, 2011 Teresa Vakili reported that 7 of the 13 properties are 100% occupied with 7 units ready for renovation. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for August. Janet Moore referenced the reports and stated that 77% of the multi -family properties are below 50% of the county median and 87% at the senior properties. Commissioner Natalie Russo inquired on the available units at Desert Point. Teresa Vakili stated that there are 3 units at Desert Pointe that are scheduled for renovation. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for August. F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The update on the Housing Authority properties was reviewed by the Commission. James Conway summarized the update. Commissioner Natalie Russo inquired on California Villas window replacement. Mr. Conway stated that a window was damaged due to a landscape incident and replaced with a dual pane glass. Mr. Conway referenced the update and stated that the service requests at several senior properties are higher than usual due to leaky faucets, changing out light bulbs and not due to major items of concern. VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 4 Housing Commission Minutes OCTOBER 12, 2011 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 there were 4 homes completed since June of this year; 2 in the construction phase, 9 in the application stage, and approximately 12 applications in a holding pattern due to the legislation in place. Upon question, Janet Moore stated that staff is keeping an interest list of those applicants interested in the HIP program and anticipate a direction and/or decision from the State in January. Commissioner Jane Turner inquired on the new banner at Desert Rose regarding the Childcare Center and asked if it was still the Jean Benson Childcare Center. Mrs. Moore stated that it still is the Jean Benson Childcare Center. Commissioner Turner also inquired on the recent incidents at Falcon Crest. Mrs. Moore explained that the recent shooting was near a Falcon Crest home. Falcon Crest residents expressed their concerns both to the media and City staff members with respect to police response. A community meeting was held at the Sheriff's Department to discuss the neighborhood watch program, and other relative concerns addressed by the homeowners with respect to priority calls to 911 and lighting issues. Also discussed were the several homes owned by the Agency being too dark in terms of lighting. Mrs. Moore noted that James Conway inspects the properties twice a week to turn on bathroom lights, kitchens, etc. to appear that someone is attending to them. Exterior lights with photo cell sensors will be installed to those homes owned by the Agency. Also requested by homeowners were speed bumps, which the City is not in favor of. It was mentioned that police officers will be patrolling that area. She furthered noted that overall the meeting was very informative; homeowners were pleased. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE - November 9, 2011 ADJOURNMENT Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, adjourned the Housing Commission meeting at 4:02 p.m. to November 9, 2011. • -Eft tLL i 7 U (&i Patty Leon, Rdcording Secretary 5