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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - Housing Commission 12/07/2011PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: JANUARY 12, 2012 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held January 11, 2012 as follows: December 7, 2011 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director 1� 1�{pkif ,BY HOUSG AUTH VERIFIED BY: Original on file with City Clerk's Office G \rda'Patty Leon\Housing Commissior#Miscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HCTIAC - Minutes.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING APPROVED MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Jane Turner, Chair Wade Tucker, Vice Chair Gene Colombini Natalie Russo Robert Nevares Others Present: Robert A. Spiegel, City Councilmember Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Housing Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst - Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Jane Stanley, Recording Secretary I11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Thanking the Commission members for their service, City Councilmember Liaison Robert Spiegel distributed gift certificates to each Commissioner. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of November 9, 2011: Commissioner Gene Colombini moved, by Minute Motion, to approve with corrections the minutes of the November 9, 2011, meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and passed unanimously. 1 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 7, 2011 V. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS None B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS Janet Moore reported that at last night's meeting, the Planning Commission was very supportive and appreciative of the Housing Programs. They were excited about the architecture and site plan for the Carlos Ortega Villas project, which they approved. Planning and Housing staff may go forward with this project plan to the Agency Board the second week in January. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT RPM WEEKLY ACTIVITY STATISTICS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report and Average Weekly Activity Statistics for October. Teresa Vakili presented the quarterly report for the period of September 1st to current. RPM has completed 1,336 service requests, has had 69 move -ins, 66 move -outs, and 258 re -certifications. Upon question, she reported a 98% occupancy rate at the properties. Janet Moore conveyed that until the State Supreme Court makes their ruling on Redevelopment Agencies, expected on January 15th, tenants are on a month - to -month lease basis. D. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for October. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for October. In response to Commissioner Natalie Russo's question regarding the maintenance cost for Neighbors, Ms. Vakili responded that several water heaters needed repair. 2 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 7, 2011 F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE Responding to Commissioner Natalie Russo's inquiry regarding the 21 "make ready units," James Conway replied that in the past, these have been excluded from the report in lieu of larger capital improvement projects. However, this is a normal activity at each property. Mr. Conway showed a power point presentation depicting photos of the landscaping cycle performed at the properties. The photos displayed the annual color plants recently planted, overseeding of turf areas, safety issues resulting from overgrown shrubs, and the "hard pruning" of these overgrown shrubs. To limit the impact on the properties, these jobs are not done all at once. Some residents have complained about how the shrubs look just after the "hard pruning." As the before and after photos illustrated, within a few weeks plant growth commences, and within a few months the shrubs are correctly sized to their space. Mr. Conway stated that the landscape contractor has a performance contract, and therefore is responsible for replacing plants that die as a result of any maintenance activities not done according to the guidelines provided by the City. Any plants removed at the request of the Housing staff incur an additional cost. Commissioner Robert Nevares requested a meeting with Mr. Conway at Catalina Gardens regarding its landscape, which Mr. Nevares believes could look better. Commissioner Jane Turner suggested with Mrs. Russo's concurrence that Mr. Nevares contact the property manager with any landscaping issues. It was noted that landscaping was a management responsibility and concerns should go through the proper channels. Commissioner Natalie Russo noted that she thought the landscaping looks great and she appreciates all the hard work. Commissioner Gene Colombini concurred. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE 2012 YEAR Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to nominate Wade Tucker for 2012 Commission Chair. Motion was seconded by Gene Colombini and passed unanimously. 3 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 7, 2011 Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to nominate Gene Colombini for 2012 Commission Vice -Chair. Motion was seconded by Wade Tucker and passed unanimously. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS A. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE James Conway summarized the report stating there are 9 in the application stage, 18 applicants on the waiting list, 2 in the closing stage, 1 under construction, and 5 completed since June 30tn Upon question from Councilmember Robert Spiegel, Mr. Conway explained that the mold issues noted on the report were a result of a broken condensation line that had been neglected by the homeowner for several years, and a water heater that leaked over a long period. Both issues have been remedied and cleared. Ms. Moore further explained that the project in Desert Rose had taken longer than the normal timeframe because the homeowner requested that the loan be left open so that the landscape could be changed to drought tolerant once the plans and approvals were obtained for the basic lot footprints within Desert Rose. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — January 11, 2012 A. SCHEDULE OF HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING DATES FOR 2012 Referring to the 2012 meeting date memorandum, Ms. Moore pointed out that the suggested date changes for March and November were made so that the meetings would occur prior to City Council meetings. She also added that City Council typically goes dark in August. Commissioner Wade Tucker moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the 2012 meeting schedule with the following changes: March 14 rescheduled to March 7, November 14 rescheduled to November 7, and August 8 adjourned unless items arise which need to be addressed by the Commission. Motion was seconded by Gene Colombini and carried unanimously. 4 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 7, 2011 An updated schedule will be provided at the next Commission meeting. B. HOUSING TOUR INVITATION FOR JANUARY 27, 2012 Janet Moore acknowledged that the Housing Tour will be on Friday, January 27, 2012. The Commission will meet at 8:45 a.m. in the North Wing Conference Room for the driving tour. There is a scheduled stop at a Falcon Crest property, with projected conclusion of the tour by 11:45 a.m. at the latest. Ms. Moore also explained how interested people can get information on developer provided properties, and how the developers establish rent. She further explained that the affordable units are evenly disbursed throughout the development and there are no differences in design standards. X. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. e Stanley, Recor g Secretary 5