HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing Cmsn - 04/10/2013PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR
DATE: MAY 9, 2013
SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular
Housing Commission meeting held May 8th, 2013 as follows:
(x) April 10, 2013
Please submit to the Housing Authority Board.
Thank you.
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VERIFIED BY: RIDK-/%
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
APRIL 10, 2013
I. CALL TO ORDER
Natalie Russo, Housing Commission Vice -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
John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director
Janet Moore, Director of Housing
Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meetings of March 13, 2013:
Commissioner Jane Turner moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the
minutes of the March 13th, 2013 meeting. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Wade Tucker and passed 4-0.
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Housing Commission
Minutes APRIL 10, 2013
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Ponds at One Quail Place
Janet Moore stated that the staff report will be presented to the Housing
Authority Board at their meeting of April 11, 2013 to request authorization
to solicit bids for the removal, demolition and backfill of nine ponds at One
Quail Place; with the exception of the pond located at the front entrance.
She mentioned that the idea is to convert all nine remaining ponds similar
to Pond #8 previously converted to desert scape. Also noted were
benches with seating areas to those ponds not near an amenity, a
recommendation made from Councilmember Jean Benson. Mrs. Moore
also referenced Ponds #10 and #11 before and after pictures recently
drained, cleared of debris and refilled.
Councilmember Jane Turner referenced the map attached to the staff
report and asked if it will be updated to show all nine ponds to be converted
to desert scape.
Mrs. Moore stated that the map shows the history of discussion wherein
the initial request from staff was to eliminate 5 ponds and how after further
review of the past repairs and costs associated, the Commission
recommended to eliminate all nine ponds.
Councilmember Wade Tucker asked about the children's activity around
the ponds in terms of liability concerns.
Teresa Vakili mentioned there are no issues with children around the
ponds; the main issues are mosquitoes and algae. In some cases, children
will move the dry creeks rocks.
Mrs. Moore stated that page 3 of the staff report shows the cost savings
and the number of years it would take to recover that cost and start saving
money. The electricity and water cost will be an additional savings.
Upon question, Mrs. Moore stated that all electricity cords and equipment
will be removed and declare non working pond equipment surplus. The
working equipment will be stored at One Quail Place for future use on the
entrance pond if needed; currently the entrance pond has 3 motors.
In addition, Mrs. Moore reported that she was asked to include minimalist
landscape with very few added plants to the ponds that will be converted to
desert scape.
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Housing Commission
Minutes APRIL 10, 2013
Commissioner Wade Tucker moved, by Minute Motion, to forward a
recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority Board to
authorize the solicitation of proposals for the removal, demolition and
backfill of nine of the ten water feature ponds at One Quail Place.
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Jane Turner and passed 4-0.
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMISSION REPORTS
Janet Moore provided a brief update on Carlos Ortega Villas ("COV") project.
She mentioned that staff continues to work with the Department of Finance for
the purpose of obtaining a "finding of completion". She noted that the successor
agency to the Redevelopment Agency ("Agency") is objecting to the State
Department of Finance's recent finding on the Agency's "due diligence review"
which will take approximately 30 days. Once finalized, monies will be sent to
the County, if required, and the Agency can then apply for a finding of
completion in order to begin using bond funds for their intended use. However,
a clarification has not been made if the bond funds may be used immediately or
wait for the next Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule ("ROPS") cycle due
in September effective January 2014.
Mrs. Moore also reported that the architects submitted the COV project for an
award of design and it was given an award for outstanding design (officially:
"2013 Compass Blueprint Recognition Award"). The City Council/Authority
board will accept the award at the Southern California Association of
Governments ("SCAG") annual meeting in May. A copy of the award letter will
be brought to the Housing Commission at their next meeting.
B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS
Jessica Gonzales summarized the memo and staff report provided to the
Commission for review.
Upon question, Mrs. Gonzales noted that two of four Desert Rose homes
owned by the Palm Desert Housing Authority are being recommended for sale
at this time. A potential buyer has been identified for one of the two Desert
Rose properties.
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Housing Commission
Minutes APRIL 10, 2013
C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for February.
Teresa Vakili reported no changes to the report, properties remain 98%
occupied.
D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT
FOR FEBRUARY
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent
Statement for February.
REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS FOR
FEBRUARY
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for
February.
F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE
Teresa Vakili summarized the report, stating that all the properties are going
through landscape growth and are due for a hard prune very soon; the semi-
annual color will also be taken out and replaced. The tree pruning has been
scheduled at the properties. Ms. Vakili noted that only two trees at Laguna
Palms were lost due to the recent high winds.
Councilmember Wade Tucker inquired on the down unit at Las Serenas and
expressed concern with loss in revenue from that unit.
Ms. Vakili stated that given the recent elimination of redevelopment agencies
and awaiting the transfer of title to the Palm Desert Housing Authority,
contractual agreements were placed on hold; which also resulted in month to
month leases with tenants. She noted that in the meantime, RPM's legal
counsel is reviewing the scope of work bid package to renovate 4 down units.
Janet Moore stated that the properties were approved to transfer title to the
Palm Desert Housing Authority and is now able to move forward with that
particular unit. However, since it is a unit located at a senior property, the loss
in revenue is not significant given that 84% of the senior units are filled at the
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Housing Commission
Minutes APRIL 10, 2013
50% level of income. She noted how the One Quail ponds have been waiting
on the back burner for 18 months.
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 report noting 11 inquiries and 3 applications in
process. She noted that even though the program is for emergency purposes
only, there has been significant interest in the Program.
IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — May 8, 2013
X. ADJOURNMENT
With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. to
May 8, 2013.
&MO
Patty Leon, Relording Secretary
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