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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - Housing Commission 12/10/2014PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: January 15, 2015 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular Housing Commission meeting held January 14th, 2015 as follows: (x) Meeting Minutes for December 10th, 2014 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. receive f1(pLSBY HOUSG AUTH ON. VERIFIED BY:. 10 4< ` r-l►vt 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 DECEMBER 10, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER Natalie Russo, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Natalie Russo — Chair Jane Turner — Vice Chair Gregory Ballard Mike Lewis Robert Nevares Wade Tucker Joy Whitehurst Others Present: John M. Wohlmuth, Executive Director Janet Moore, Director of Housing Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Heather Buck, Project Coordinator Heather Horning, Potential Commissioner III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Natalie Russo introduced Heather Horning to the Commission. Mrs. Horning provided a brief background of herself and mentioned she was interested in applying for the Housing Commission. IV. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of November 12, 2014: 1 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 10, 2014 Motion was made by Commissioner Mike Lewis to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2014 meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and carried by 6-0-1 vote (AYES: Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none; Absent: Ballard). VI. NEW BUSINESS Approve Change Order Nos. 3 and 5, and Ratify Change Order No. 4 to Contract No. HA29410B with Optimus Construction — Carlos Ortega Villas Heather Buck summarized the staff report stating Change Order No. 3 will import approximately 1,700 cubic yards of compacted fill to provide elevations consistent with the approved plans. Change Order No. 4 will allow for solar hot water heating for the pool that will include rebates from Southern California Gas Company; Change Order No. 5 will provide a uniform finish to the driveway and correct non -conforming accessibility conditions. A slideshow presentation of Carlos Ortega Villa's construction progress was presented to the Commission. Motion was made by Commissioner Jane Turner to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to approve Change Order Nos. 3 and 5, and Ratify Change Order No. 4 to Contract No. HA29140B with Optimus Construction, Inc., for construction of the Carlos Ortega Villas. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Joy Whitehurst and carried by 6-0-1 vote (AYES: Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none; Absent: Ballard). B. Amendment No. 1 to Contract NO. HA-33480 with Liberty Landscape Janet Moore summarized the staff report stating that the increase is equal to 20% of the annual contract amount approved June of 2014. The extra work includes removal of turf and replacement of drought tolerant plantings and irrigation. Motion was made by Commissioner Mike Lewis to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. HA-33480 with Liberty Landscape, Inc. increasing the Annual Not -To -Exceed Extra Work Amount from $29,300 to $58,600 for the Palm Desert Housing Authority Rental Properties Landscape Maintenance. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Robert Nevares and carried by 6-0-1 vote (AYES: Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none; Absent: Ballard). 2 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 10, 2014 C. Election of Officers for the year 2015 Commissioner Natalie Russo nominated Jane Turner for Chairman; Commissioner Jane Turner declined stating she has been Chairman several times in the past however would not mind serving as Vice Chair again. Commissioner Joy Whitehurst moved by Minute Motion to nominate Mike Lewis for 2015 Commission Chair. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none). Commissioner Joy Whitehurst moved by Minute Motion to nominate Jane Turner for 2015 Commission Vice Chair. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none). VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore stated that this will be Natalie Russo's last meeting as well as Ms. Jean Benson's who unfortunately was not able to attend this meeting. B. SUMMARY OF CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEMS A memo summarizing the approved action items from the City Council meeting of November 13th was provided to the Commission for review. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for October. D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for October. 3 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 10, 2014 At this time, Commissioner Wade Tucker brought up a discussion regarding the fire at Las Serenas from the last Housing Commission meeting. He asked if the tenants whose units were affected by the fire were back in their units. Teresa Vakili stated that all residents are back in their units with the exception of the tenant who lives at the unit where the fire originated. Construction on the fire unit is currently in process. Commissioner Mike Lewis asked where the tenants were relocated. Mrs. Vakili stated that the tenants were relocated to a nearby hotel. Commissioner Lewis asked if there was a cause for the fire. Mrs. Vakili responded that the report stated that the water heater was working property and how flammable items stored in the storage caused the fire. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked if the tenant had insurance and inquired if it should be mandatory for all tenants. Janet Moore stated that the Housing Authority cannot require a tenant to have renter's insurance. If they do, then the Authority would have to lower the rents to accommodate that cost. Commissioner Lewis inquired if the lease agreement address fire incidents and/or insurance clause in the event personal belonging are damaged. Mrs. Vakili stated that tenants have to initial on the lease that renter's insurance is recommended and that they are responsible for personal belongings in the event of a fire. Janet Moore stated that the Housing Authority is self -insured and includes all of the rental properties. Commissioner Mike Lewis suggested that a sticker be placed outside the storage closet warning tenants not to store flammable items in the water heater closet. Mrs. Moore stated that staff is considering options on a possible signage. Mrs. Vakili also noted that the Gas Company inspected every single unit two years ago and residents were notified in addition to RPM's annual inspection of flammable items being stored too close to the water heater. Commissioner Gregory Ballard also suggested that tenants provide a written acknowledgment of these safety issues and concerns and that if they don't follow these policies tenants can be subject to eviction. 4 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 10, 2014 Mrs. Moore stated that as part of the lease tenants sign/initial that they will follow house rules and policies including safety issues. Commissioner Jane Turner questioned if these rules have been enforced. Mrs. Moore replied yes and in some cases the leasing office will keep the tenants deposit to pay for those damages. Commissioner Ballard asked about the timeframe to complete the fire unit. Mrs. Vakili anticipates approximately 6 weeks for completion of the unit considering the interior is being placed with new cabinets, ceiling, attic, etc. Upon questioned of cost, Mrs. Moore stated that the insurance will cover the cost; there is a deductible of $5,000 which we attempt to charge to the tenant; however, tenants of this income typically can't afford to pay it. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for October. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE An update on the Housing Authority Properties was provided to the Commission for review. Teresa Vakili summarized the report stating the recall of power cords for all NC units were replaced at Laguna Palms at no cost to the Authority. G. AUTHORITY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. IX. NEXT MEETING DATE — JANUARY 14, 2015 Schedule of Housing Commission meeting dates for 2015 were provided to the Commission for review and approval. Mrs. Moore also asked the Commission if they would like to vote on whether or not to cancel the August meeting since historically the Council and Authority are dark. 5 Housing Commission Minutes DECEMBER 10, 2014 Commissioner Joy Whitehurst moved, by Minute Motion, to accept the schedule as presented and wait for July on whether to cancel the August 12th meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Gregory Ballard and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Russo; NOES: none;). X. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:09 p.m. at,) atty Leon, ecording Secretary 6