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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 06/10/2015PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETARY DATE: April 6th 2016 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached are the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved as follows: (x) June 10, 2015 (x) July 8, 2015 (x) September 9, 2015 (x) October 7, 2015 (x) November 4, 2015 (x) December 9, 2015 (x) January 13, 2016 (x) February 10, 2016 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. P-€(10"-Glai BY HOUSG AUTH ON U-� `�' ► VERIFIED BY: RK rLr Original on file with City Clerk's OfficF 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 10, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER Mike Lewis, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Mike Lewis — Chair Jane Turner — Vice Chair Gregory Ballard Heather Horning Robert Nevares Wade Tucker Joy Whitehurst Others Present: Sabby Jonathan, City Council Member Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Housing Patty Leon, Recording Secretary ID. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 13, 2015: Motion was made by Commissioner Wade Tucker to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2015 meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Robert Nevares and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Horning, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Lewis; NOES: none). Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2015 V. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorize the use of Lowe's (Materials and Supplies) Janet Moore summarized the staff report stating that this year's request includes paint supplies that were previously provided by another vendor. There was an increase of $30,000 for paint products for a total expenditure of $70,000 and not $65,000 as stated on the staff report; Mrs. Moore will provide a verbal correction at the City Council meeting tomorrow. Mrs. Moore further noted that RPM was advised to use Lowe's at all times possible. Motion was made by Commissioner Jane Turner to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize the use of Lowes for purchase of materials and supplies for the Palm Desert Housing Authority owned residential rental properties, for FY 2015/2016 in an amount not to exceed $70,000. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Wade Tucker and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Horning, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Lewis; NOES: none). B. Authorize the use of Lowes (Procuring, Delivering and Recycling Appliances) Janet Moore summarized the staff report stating that last year the Authority expended approximately $42,000.00 for appliances from different vendors including Sears; however, there were some issues with those appliances especially the refrigerators. Staff would like to use Lowe's Home Centers as a supplier through the government purchasing contract or Home Depot if necessary. Mrs. Moore mentioned that most of the appliances purchased are kitchen appliances and in some cases window AC units. She furthered noted that staff may possibly request for additional monies depending on the number of refrigerators the energy program can assist with. Motion was made by Commissioner Jane Turner to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize the use of Lowe's Home Center for purposes of procuring, delivering and recycling appliances for the Palm Desert Housing Authority owned residential rental properties for FY 2015/2016 in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Joy Whitehurst and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Horning, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Lewis; NOES: none). 2 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2015 C. Change Order No. 1 Liberty Landscaping Inc. Janet Moore summarized the staff report stating that Liberty recommended that the opposite side of the bridges be filled in order to eliminate one side drop off where the ponds were removed. Mrs. Moore mentioned that at some point in the future staff would like to remove the bridges and replace with concrete; however, the cost would be a lot more to do so at this time. However, before considering concrete, staff will need to address the eucalyptus trees that are 50 — 70 feet tall where roots are raising the concrete. Councilmember Liaison Sabby Jonathan asked if the trees that have aged or diseased are replaced when they are removed. Mrs. Moore stated that One Quail Place is over planted however, if we need to replace the tree it will be replaced with a different type of tree and/or compatible with the location. Councilmember Jonathan asked Mrs. Moore if Liberty should had foreseen this concern with the bridges and included in the contract or is it considered a legitimate change order. Mrs. Moore stated the change order is necessary in terms of providing safety to the tenants since they have expressed concerns with the bridges. Therefore staff asked Liberty to provide a cost for this additional work to be done. Upon question of comments and/or concerns from the residents at One Quail Place, Mrs. Moore stated that they are thrilled that the ponds are removed mostly due to the bugs. Tenants have also expressed positive feedback during its construction and professionalism from the workers. Upon question, Mrs. Moore stated that the pond repairs and maintenance were approximately $35,000 a year. Motion was made by Commissioner Jane Turner to forward a recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to approve Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. HA33070 with Liberty Landscaping, Inc in the amount of $6,535.00 for Pond Demolition and Landscape Improvements at One Quail Place. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mike Lewis and carried by 7-0 vote (AYES: Ballard, Horning, Nevares, Tucker, Turner, Whitehurst, and Lewis; NOES: none). 3 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2015 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS Janet Moore referenced the updated pictures for Carlos Ortega Villas project and mentioned that several streets will be closed during the construction of the roundabout. Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked who will pay for the roundabout. Mrs. Moore stated that the former redevelopment agency had street improvement bond funds set aside for Project Area 4 which is where the roundabout is located. Mrs. Moore reported on Habitat for Humanity's upcoming event scheduled for September 16, 2015. Habitat will coordinate with Home Depot to stand walls for two homes located on San Benito. One home will be constructed for a disabled veteran while the other will be adaptable; both homes will be made available to veterans. Home Depot is expecting approximately 150 to 200 volunteers that will participate in the construction of the habitat homes as well as a preservation program known as "A Brush with Kindness" that offers painting, landscaping and minor repair services to eligible homeowners. 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 meetings in June were provided to the Commission for review. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for April. Janet Moore stated that the report was modified to include a summary of totals. Mrs. Moore also stated that the four units that were down for four years due to the elimination of redevelopment agency are now back in line. Commissioner Wade Tucker asked about the water conservation at the properties. Mrs. Moore explained that Coachella Valley Water District "CVWD" issued a request to reduce water consumption by 35%; staff has requested that of 4 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2015 tenants as well. In addition, staff has undertaken a review of several properties to include Las Serenas and Neighbors to see what areas are best suited to turf reduction and conversion to desert scape. She furthered noted that this year the landscape company will not reseed the properties. Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked about publicity for Carlos Ortega Villas. Mrs. Moore stated that once the project is nearing completion there will be announcements made of the complex. D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for April. Janet Moore stated that the report was modified. E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for April. Councilmember Liaison Sabby Jonathan was pleased with the modified report that showed the summary revenue and expenses. Upon question, Janet Moore stated that RPM Company has been the management company from the time when the Authority took over the properties. RPM Company continues to remain consistently below in price, compared to other management companies in the area. A survey showed other properties charging between $44 and $48 a door whereas RPM Company charges $35 a door. She also noted that other local affordable housing managers send tenant's recertification documents to a different head office for review having no interaction with the tenants. RPM Company has an interactive recertification process available to answer tenant's questions or concerns. She further noted that RPM Company has been doing a great job. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE An update on the Housing Authority Properties was provided to the Commission for review. Janet Moore stated that most of the service requests and repairs listed on the report are handled by RPM staff some of which are trained to do some repairs; tasks that are more complex such as air conditioning systems are contracted out. 5 Housing Commission Minutes JUNE 10, 2015 Commissioner Greg Ballard questioned if reducing turf and not reseeding certain areas at the properties would also reduce the landscape company's fee. Mrs. Moore stated that staff is reviewing the difference in pricing on those areas where we will not reseed to determine if a credit should be issued. Staff anticipates using that credit to convert turf areas to drought tolerant. G. AUTHORITY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE An update on the Home Improvement Program (HIP) was provided to the Commission for review. Janet Moore summarized the report. Commissioner Mike Lewis referenced the report and questioned the AC at Kelsey Circle. Mrs. Moore stated that that property is located at Desert Rose and because those homeowners have covenants recorded against their properties, staff is recommending they contact the energy savings assistance program through Southern California Edison Company. The energy program has a co -pay of $500 and will provide brand new systems with a higher SEER rating. Otherwise, the HIP program can assist homeowners with new ac systems if there is funding availability. VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE — July 8, 2015 IX. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6