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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 02/08/2012PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: MARCH 8, 2012 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the adjourned regular Housing Commission meeting held March 7, 2012 as follows: February 8, 2012 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director 4 BY HOUSG AUTH ON - VERIFIED E;Y: Original on file with City Clerk's Office G: rdalPatty LeorcHousing Commission Miscellaneous Memos ,Memos to City Clerk HC,HAC - Minutes.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2012 I. CALL TO ORDER Wade Tucker, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Wade Tucker, Chair Gene Colombini, Vice Chair Natalie Russo Robert Nevares Jane Turner Others Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Janet Moore, Director of Housing Justin McCarthy, ACM for Redevelopment / Housing James Conway, Project Coordinator Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Patty Leon, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of January 11, 2012: Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2012, meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Gene Colombini and passed 5-0. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2012 A. 2012 PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY VENDOR LIST Janet Moore stated that the 2012 Palm Desert Housing Authority Vendor List is comprised of vendors who provide routine services at the Housing Authority rental properties. It has been a few years since the list was updated. The list was produced by Teresa Vakili's office. Upon question from Commissioner Wade Tucker, Mrs. Moore responded that some of the out-of-state vendors are service providers that send in their products or services. Others have an office here and the location listed is where the payment would go. Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to authorize the use of the updated vendor list. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Natalie Russo and passed 5-0. B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM REQUEST FOR FUNDING Janet Moore explained that the Home Improvement Program had received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in years past. However, the Agency no longer receives this funding so staff is looking for ways to keep the program moving for those people who need it for an emergency situation. The Housing Division can apply for the funding as if it were an outside entity. The CDBG request has been reduced to "Component #1" of the HIP only, which is strictly for emergencies of people who are below 80% of Riverside County median income. It is anticipated that there could be between 8 and 11 families that could be helped over the year. Staff is asking the Commission to review the application and provide a consensus that the application be moved forward. Commissioner Gene Colombini moved, by Minute Motion, to accept the submittal of the application to the CDBG program and move forward on it. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Robert Nevares and passed 5-0. C. CITYWIDE TREE PRUNING PROGRAM Janet Moore explained that the item is a joint request with the Director of Public Works, whose department handles all the City landscaping and annual tree trimming. There will be another item at the next meeting regarding annual palm tree trimming. 2 Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2012 Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend the contract for Citywide Tree Pruning Program. Motion was seconded by Commissioner 'Jane Turner and passed 5-0. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Mrs. Moore provided a brief update on AB 26, stating that staff has done preliminary review and at the next Council meeting will be recommending to retain the Housing assets and to continue to manage the units. After Council's action and direction, staff may need to take another technical action to move the Housing assets from the City to the Housing Authority. Ms. Moore will provide another update at the next meeting. Mrs. Moore stated that there is no funding available at this time to sustain the programs; however there are some loans that are outstanding to the Housing Fund that could potentially support some of the operations. Interpretation of the legislation continues to change and is still very confusing. Even though there are unknowns there are still timetables for what still needs to be done. Commissioner Natalie Russo asked how long the outstanding loans could cover. Mrs. Moore responded that it is a $17M loan that needs to be repaid to the Housing Fund by either June or September of 2015. Four payment installments have been scheduled, so for the next four years we will be getting approximately $4M per year into the Housing Fund. Upon question, Mrs. Moore responded that the revenues to the Housing Authority, such as rents, currently cover the expenditures. Other alternatives are being explored, such as cost-cutting, because there are other costs due to the Housing Fund. There may be a decreased in level of service, but the goal is to maintain the properties as they are now. There is no funding for major renovations and the capital is limited. Staff will be seeking alternative funding, such as State and Federal grants for specific projects. Further responding, Mrs. Moore explained that the Redevelopment Agency owes the loan to the Housing Fund, so the loan is an obligation of the Agency and is expected to be repaid from property taxes that go into the Property Tax Retirement Fund. 3 Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2012 B. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT Teresa Vakili reported that the properties remain at 98% occupied; 3 of the down units are ready for leasing. Commissioner Wade Tucker noted a high turnover at Las Serenas, with 5 to 6 units empty. Ms. Vakili stated that 2 units have been down for some time, with one being a renovation. C. REPORT #1 - MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for December. D. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for December. E. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE James Conway conveyed that the update relates to maintenance items and a few renovations. Commissioner Natalie Russo added that she was very pleased during the tour. All the properties are maintained well and the exteriors look nice. F. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE James Conway stated that there is one project currently in construction. Seven homeowners have completed the program and are extremely happy. Nine people are in the application stage and 22 are on a waiting list. Janet Moore explained that the item for the CDBG application relates to this program. The yearly funding is about $300,000 for needs in the community. Mrs. Moore also reminded the Commissioners that the next meeting is one week early on March 7th. Commissioner Jane Turner related that through her involvement in the Housing Commission she became acquainted with Spencer Knight, who she invited to do a presentation at her Homeowner's Association. Mr. Knight did an excellent job and represented the City well. He related a lot of information to almost 50 homeowners. 4 Housing Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 8, 2012 Responding to question, Ms. Moore reported that comments received from the Housing Tour were all positive and everyone was pleased. All the properties looked very good. A lot of work has been done since they were obtained 14 years ago and have been maintained very well. Commissioner Wade Tucker pointed out that the complexes had changed even since the last tour. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — March 7, 2012 X. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:47 p.m. Patty Leon, 4Recording Secretary 5