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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 03-13-2013l-C PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: APRIL 11, 2013 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held April 10, 2013 as follows: (x) March 13, 2013 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. �� Y HOUSG AUTH 5-0) VERIFIED : ., r' Original on file with City Clerk's Office G \HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing CommissionVVIlscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes doe CITY OF PALM DESERT REGULAR HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 13, 2013 I. CALL TO ORDER Robert Nevares, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Robert Nevares, Chair Natalie Russo Jane Turner Wade Tucker Others Present: Jean Benson, Councilmember Janet Moore, Director of Housing Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meetings of January 9, 2013 and February 13, 2013: Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the January 9th and February 13th, 2013 meetings. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Jane Turner and passed 4-0. 1 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 13, 2013 V. NEW BUSINESS A. City Wide Tree Pruning Program Spencer Knight referenced the staff report and stated that the palm tree pruning remains consistent with last year's contract. Commissioner Robert Nevares inquired if this company was the same company that prunes the regular trees; Mr. Knight replied no since the contracts are for two different types of tree work. Commissioner Wade Tucker expressed concern with the olive tree in front of his unit of someone slipping and falling from the olives that fall. He mentioned that the olive tree has not been sprayed in a long time. Mr. Knight responded that the spraying has limited effectiveness on the tree; timing is very critical. He noted that in some cases where the bloom period prolonged, as many as four sprays have been necessary and flower prevention still was not completely achieved. Upon question of cost to take the tree out, Janet Moore stated the Landscape Department typically does not recommend removing trees that are healthy; unless the type of tree or plant was inappropriate for its location then it would be considered. It was explained that that particular tree was inspected by a landscape inspector and determined to be healthy. Mr. Knight mentioned that the trees are sprayed every year. Commissioner Natalie Russo moved, by Minute Motion, to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to award Contract No. C32530 for the Citywide Palm Tree Pruning Program to Reliable Tree Care of Coachella, California, in the total amount of $68,553.90 (City $61,736.49 and Housing Authority $6,817.71); and authorize the Director of Finance to set aside an additional 10% contingency in the amount of of $6,855.39 (City $6,173.65 and Housing Authority $681.74 Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and passed 4-0. B. Rent Setting Policy Janet Moore summarized the staff report and resolution stating that the resolution eliminates the references to the former Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency; the Housing Authority will be the entity to establish the rental rates from now on. She also stated that the maximum rent will be in accordance with those established for Riverside County by the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"). In the past 2 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 13, 2013 years, an appraisal was conducted every other year which cost the agency approximately $8000. Commissioner Robert Nevares stated that several tenants from Catalina Gardens mentioned they had rent increases. Mrs. Moore responded that this policy has no impact on rent increases; it sets a ceiling on how much we could charge as rent. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if amenities were considered when setting rents, Mrs. Moore stated that HUD establishes rents for Riverside County based on the types of units in the area which are consistent with the survey. Mrs. Moore also stated that rent increases will be implemented upon vacancy or recertification depending on income. Commissioner Jane Turner referenced the Resolution and asked about the Stipulation mentioned in Section 1 A and if the Housing Authority was covered under that judgment. Mrs. Moore responded that the rental properties were transferred to the Palm Desert Housing Authority last month and are required to follow all policies of the former redevelopment agencies since those monies are tied to those requirements. Commissioner Turner referenced Section C ii and asked for clarification on whether a savings of $8000 a year was correct. Mrs. Moore responded that in the event there is an issue or inconsistency with any rental rates, that the Executive Director may conduct a survey at any time of area market rental rates to ensure we are being consistent. She furthered noted that the intent is to save the money but we didn't want to remove the option just in case a survey was found to be necessary for some reason. Commissioner Turner also referenced Section 2 A i and inquired on the units in need of renovations. Mrs. Moore stated that those determinations will be completely and exclusively the Executive Director's decision. She provided an example in the event a complex is acquired and a tenant is paying rent less than what we charge, based on their income, because of the substandard condition, that we would not arbitrarily raise their rent until that unit was brought to our standard. Upon question, Mrs. Moore reported that the new HUD income limits for 2013 went up; area median income for a family of 4 is now 65,000. Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to adopt 3 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 13, 2013 Resolution NO. HA- rescinding Resolution No. HA-32, and amending the procedure for setting and implementing rental rates. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Natalie Russo and passed 4- 0. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore reported that the assets previously owned by the redevelopment agency were transferred to the Palm Desert Housing Authority recently; only a few are outstanding. Mrs. Moore also reported that the former redevelopment agency was subject to a state controller's audit recently and there were no findings to report. Carlos Ortega Villas project is moving forward. Staff asked the Architect to wait on submitting the plans for approval to avoid outdated approvals when we are ready to go out to bid. B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS Janet Moore summarized the staff report attached to the memo provided to the Commission for review. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for January. Teresa Vakili reported no changes to the report, properties remain 98% occupied. D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT FOR JANUARY The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for January. Teresa Vakili referenced Report 1 and noted that the multifamily units have 70% at the lower incomes and 85% at the senior communities. 4 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 13, 2013 E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS FOR JANUARY The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for January. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE The Commission reviewed the update for February. Teresa Vakili summarized the report. Commissioner Robert Nevares commented on the current landscape company at the properties. He mentioned that there are some areas that are overgrown and not visible from the street at Catalina Gardens. Ms. Vakili stated that she had walked the properties recently with Diane Hollinger, City's Landscape Arborist, and found all 13 properties to be in much better condition than with the previous company. A full clean up phase with the current company was conducted and found acceptable. A second phase of the clean up that includes removal of dead plants and missing plants will be addressed. She noted she would be more than happy to address any areas of concern. Mr. Nevares asked if he could walk with Diane to address those areas of concern as well as the rose bushes at Catalina Gardens. Ms. Vakili offered to walk with him and review the areas of concern because they both agreed there are overgrown plants and that the rose bushes need to be addressed, however as noted in the past, a change to the current landscape plan will have to be addressed as a whole as funding is available in the budget process. Janet Moore referenced the memo regarding the elimination of ponds at One Quail Place. She stated that the current service provider suggested a chlorination system for all of the ponds which was determined to be costly. Pictures were provided to show the current conditions of the ponds. An emergency repair was made to one pond last year that cost over $1500; estimating a total of approximately $10,000 in repairs not including the monthly fees. Upon question, Mrs. Moore stated that in the locations where the ponds will be eliminated the plan will be drought tolerant minimalistic landsape; Councilmember Liaison Jean Benson suggested an outdoor space with benches. Janet Moore will bring the request for direction from the Authority Board at the next meeting. She further noted that the elimination of the ponds might upset some tenants at One Quail Place. The Commission noted that, given the City's goals toward conservation and the expense, the ponds are not the most prudent thing to spend money on. Staff brought this to the Housing Commission to discuss the elimination of five ponds, however, the 5 Housing Commission Minutes MARCH 13, 2013 Commission, after review of the report suggested that a recommendation be made to eliminate all ponds with the exception of the front entrance pond. G. AGENCY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. Janet Moore summarized the modified formatted HIP report that includes activity inquiries and applications provided for the program. The program is only available for emergency situations; minor emergencies are being referred to charitable organizations. The program also states that emergency grants may be provided to applicants up to a maximum of double the emergency grant amount (depending on income emergency grants may be in the amount of $5,000 or $7,500); however, the question of how many times an applicant can apply has not been determined, given that there is no waiting period. This has brought up an issue of an applicant only doing a portion of the work, up to the grant amount, then immediately applying again for the same work. Staff will be looking at this in the future to ensure the program works like it is intended. Upon question of the project areas, Mrs. Moore stated that the HIP program is under the Housing Authority purview and are required to show the project areas of the former redevelopment agency as they were originally intended. Mrs. Moore described the project areas. Commissioner Wade Tucker inquired on Carlos Ortega Villas Project. Mrs. Moore reiterated that the project is moving forward. There are some responsibilities to address before a Finding of Completion can be filed by the Department of Finance subsequent to using the bond proceeds as intended purposes. The first opportunity to have this put on a payment schedule is October of 2013 which will not be effective until January of 2014. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — April 10, 2013 X. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:21 p.m. to April 10, 2013. Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6