HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 06-13-2012PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY
DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2012
SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular
Housing Commission meeting held October 10, 2012 as follows:
June 13, 2012
Please submit to the Housing Authority Board.
Thank you.
cc: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director
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VERIFIED BY: 6.1./r? l r9
Original on file with City Clerk's Office
G.\HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Miscellaneous'Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes.doc
CITY OF PALM DESERT
REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
JUNE 13, 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
Jane Turner
Natalie Russo
Robert Nevares
Others Present:
Jean Benson, Councilmember
Janet Moore, Director of Housing
Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst - Housing
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 13, 2012:
Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the
minutes of the April 11, 2012, meeting. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Robert Nevares and passed 3-0-1 with Commissioner Jane
Turner abstaining.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. RE-ELECTION OF A VICE CHAIR FOR THE 2012 YEAR
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 13, 2012
Commissioner Wade Tucker moved, by Minute Motion, to nominate
Commissioner Robert Nevares for Commission Vice -Chair for the
remainder of the year. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Natalie
Russo and passed unanimously.
Commissioner Jane Turner questioned whether the meetings of the Housing
Commission were still necessary given that the state legislation has changed.
She felt that the commissioners were micro managing since there have not
been any action items in the recent months. She suggested meeting on an as
needed basis or every other month.
Janet Moore stated that a recommendation can be made to the Palm Desert
Housing Authority by the commission. The Housing Authority will continue to
exist and will be the decision making body with regard to housing; however it is
unclear what all matters are involved. Staff has asked legal counsel to review
the Housing Commission bylaws since it references the redevelopment agency
and the executive director to the redevelopment agency in terms of
responsibilities. However, legal counsel has been hesitant to make any
changes until a better understanding on how things will operate is clear.
Commissioner Turner addressed the Commissioners and asked if they had any
thoughts or concerns on the recommendation.
Commissioner Natalie Russo agreed with the recommendation and felt that the
Commission should meet on an as needed basis or quarterly as opposed to
meeting every month and reviewing the same information.
Commissioner Turner was concerned in the event someone was interested in
serving as a commissioner because they would get discouraged due to the lack
of activities. She felt this commission was not growing.
Mrs. Moore commented that Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson has brought
the idea to her attention as well and had suggested meetings every other
month for the same reasons.
Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson stated that at this time the Council has no
direction with regard to the responsibilities of the Housing Commission. She
stated that Janet Moore will continue to oversee Housing and had suggested
meeting every other month to review reports from the management company
until further direction is provided. She furthered noted that other board
meetings such as CVAG are meeting every other month.
Commissioner Turner stated that she will not be in attendance at the July,
August, nor September meetings.
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 13, 2012
Mrs. Moore stated that the landscape contract for the properties was
expected to be presented at the July Housing Commission meeting. Four
members are needed for a quorum and since Ms. Turner will not be in
attendance, Mrs. Mooreexplained that in this situation the landscape
contract will be forwarded to the Housing Authority at its July meeting
with an explanation that it was not reviewed by this Commission due to
the lack of a quorum. The contract is slated to start the 1st of September
therefore given that the Housing Commission is dark in August, the staff
report will have to be presented at its October meeting as a receive and
file, when the Commission is able to meet.
Mrs. Moore stated that staff was looking to see if it was acceptable to appoint
Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson as a voting member when only 3
members are present for that meeting. The bylaws do state that 4 members
make a quorum.
At this time, given that Commissioner Jane Turner will not be in attendance at
the July and September meetings, those meetings will be canceled due to lack
of a quorum. In the event that it is deemed acceptable to add Councilmember
Benson as a voting member, staff will notify the Commission.
Mrs. Moore stated that the landscape bid is scheduled to close June 29th
and it will be forwarded to the Housing Authority at its July 12th meeting.
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMISSION REPORTS
Janet Moore reported that there have been no changes since the last meeting
with regard to AB 26. The focus is not on housing at the legislative level but on
the allotment of tax increments. Those funds are used to pay bills for the next
six months. She noted that not all cities received those monies since there were
not enough funds in the property trust fund to distribute to the agencies in order
to meet their obligations; Palm Desert was not in this situation. She noted that
the City of Palm Desert received its allocation.
Commissioner Turner inquired on Carlos Ortega Villas construction moving
forward.
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 13, 2012
Mrs. Moore stated that Carlos Ortega Villas is still a priority to the Council. Staff
is moving forward with the design and is currently reviewing fixtures. A funding
source is still the issue to consider.
Commissioner Natalie Russo asked if it made sense to spend money at this
time with design and fixtures if the property will be delayed a year or two;
maybe the fixtures will change at that point.
Mrs. Moore stated that the contract in place for design is an enforceable
obligation. All the payments made to the architect for the design are accepted
and will be paid by the property tax trust fund. If this project was not an
enforceable obligation Palm Desert would not get those monies, and that
money would go to the taxing entities that are not required to use the funds in
Palm Desert.
Commissioner Turner expressed concern with the monies currently being used
for Carlos Ortega Villas if a funding source to build the project has not been
identified.
Councilmember Jean Benson replied that a funding source will be identified.
The Council is committed to continue with this project and will step in if need to
and utilize monies from other sources.
Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if July's meeting would be canceled and
how, Janet Moore stated that she may request a written statement from
Commissioner Jane Turner with respect to her absences and cancel those
meetings due to a lack of quorum.
B. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report through April.
Teresa Vakili reported that the properties are maintaining a 99% occupancy
rate.
Commissioner Jane Turner inquired if the Stipulation with the Redevelopment
Agency was still in effect and are the properties maintaining income levels at
certain percentages.
Janet Moore stated that the Stipulation is an enforceable agreement per the
State Department of Finance. However, how monies come to us for that
purpose is still in discussion. It is a possibility that Housing will get funding for
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 13, 2012
any shortfall Housing may have as long as we can prove we are in compliance
with the Stipulation.
C. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT
FOR APRIL
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent
Statement for April.
D. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS FOR
APRIL
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for
April.
E. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE
The Commission reviewed the update for May.
F AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Janet Moore summarized the update and stated that there are two projects
currently active; one will close out next month.
With regard to the CDBG funding request, Mrs. Moore reported that the
committee has met and agreed to fund that money for emergency situations
only to very low income families; it is unclear as to when the funds will be
provided.
Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson inquired on the mold at Desert Rose.
Mrs. Moore stated that this particular homeowner did not want to correct the
mold issue. It was a drainage line from the condensation unit that was being
ignored. The Housing department was made aware of it and assisted her since
her property adjoins another property.
Upon question if the mold is common at these properties, Mrs. Moore replied
that there are a couple of homeowners that are not maintaining their
condensation lines; staff addressed the HOA to remind their homeowners that
this matter is a routine maintenance and should be done frequently.
Councilmember Wade Tucker asked if Carlos Ortega would be moving forward.
Mrs. Moore reiterated her previous update.
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Minutes June 13, 2012
IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — OCTOBER 10, 2012
X. ADJOURNMENT
With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
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Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
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