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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 ierAi'Vet1441e,BY HOUSG AUTH ON. . 10..-a5Tao' a 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 1 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. 2 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. 3 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 4 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. 5 Housing Commission 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. U 3 Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6