HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 06/08/2016PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR
DATE: July 14, 2016
SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
Attached is the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the regular
Housing Commission meeting held July 13th, 2016 as follows:
(x) Meeting Minutes for June 8th, 2016
Please submit to the Housing Authority Board.
Thank you.
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Original on file with City Clerk's Officer
G.\HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Miscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk HC\HAC - Minutes doc
CITY OF PALM DESERT
HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
JUNE 8, 2016
I. CALL TO ORDER
Jane Turner, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Absent:
Jane Turner — Chair
Heather Horning
Mike Lewis
Robert Nevares
Wade Tucker
Joy Whitehurst
Others Present:
Sabby Jonathan, City Council Member Liaison
Justin McCarthy, Interim Executive Director
Janet Moore, Director of Finance
Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst
Teresa Vakili, RPM Company
Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
Gina Nestande, Guest
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gregory Ballard
MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of May 11th, 2016:
Motion was made by Commissioner Mike Lewis to approve the minutes of
the Housing Commission meeting of May 11th, 2016. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Robert Nevares and carried by 6-0 vote
(AYES: Horning, Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Whitehurst, and Turner; NOES:
none).
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 8, 2016
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Palm Desert Housing Authority Rental Properties — Vendor List
Jessica Gonzales referenced the vendor list noting that local vendors
located in Palm Desert are formatted in bold, vendors located in the
Coachella Valley are underlined and vendors located in the County of
Riverside are italicized.
Commissioner Joy Whitehurst expressed concern with Arrowhead Mountain
Spring Water as a vendor for water delivery. She stated that she had read
bad reviews about this company based in Switzerland.
Janet Moore explained that Arrowhead Mountain is the only vendor on the
list at this time, but we can look at other vendors for both drinking water
service in the offices as well as for emergencies.
Staff was directed to remove Arrowhead from the vendor list and to further
review other vendors for water delivery to be added to the list.
Motion was made by Commissioner Joy Whitehurst to forward a
recommendation to the Palm Desert Housing Authority to authorize
the use of named vendors for purposes of providing recurring, routine
services, supplies, and maintenance to the Housing Authority owned
residential rental properties effective July 1, 2016 excluding
Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water from the list and further review
other vendors for water delivery. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Mike Lewis and carried by 5-1 vote (AYES: Horning,
Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, and Whitehurst; NOES: Turner).
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. COMMISSION REPORTS
Janet Moore reported that Carlos Ortega Villas is 72% leased. There were
positive feedback from two residents that expressed they loved the community
and location.
Upon question, Teresa Vakili stated that she addressed the resident at COV
that was apparently smoking. The resident was smoking e-cigarettes and has
since stopped and is fully aware COV is 100% nonsmoking apartment complex.
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 8, 2016
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 May were provided to the Commission for review.
Janet Moore reported on the ARC Village project. ARC Village is proposing 36
100% affordable units to residents with special needs. The Planning
Commission recently approved the project. ARC Village is in the process of
obtaining funding sources. It was noted that the surrounding communities such
as Sagewood are very supportive of the project.
Commissioner Wade Tucker stated that the only problem is the noise.
Mrs. Moore stated that the noise level would be reduced once the project is
complete given that the noise currently comes from buses that are allowed to
park in the back. Those buses will be relocated to another facility.
Commissioner Mike Lewis asked about the funding being requested from Allied
Affordable Housing.
Mrs. Moore stated that the City is considering a funding request from Allied if
certain units are dedicated to employees that work in the City of Palm Desert.
Allied is working on leveraging their funding to show alternative sources that
includes both the City of Palm Desert and the Housing Authority which will aid
in the scoring process with respect to obtaining tax credits.
Commissioner Tucker stated that the noise from Desert ARC is not necessarily
from the buses but of trash pickup from Burtec at early hours of the morning.
C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for April.
Teresa Vakili reported 44 units occupied at Carlos Ortega Villas; leasing office
have contacted 500 applicants from the interest list. Santa Rosa has 2 available
units remaining at this time.
D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent
Statement for April.
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 8, 2016
Janet Moore reported that the new income limits for Riverside County are in
effect for 2016; there were no changes made to the average median income for
a family of 4 of 65,000.
Jessica Gonzales stated that there was an increase to the extremely low and
very low income levels for households of 3, 4, and 5.
Councilmember Liaison Sabby Jonathan asked on the type of residents that fit
the extremely low category.
Teresa Vakili stated that households in the extremely low and very low
categories are either a single parent with children and/or households with
seasonal employment.
Councilmember Jonathan inquired if tenants transition from affordable housing
to a better life financially or are tenants permanently stabled in affordable
housing.
Mrs. Moore replied that in most cases it's both. Tenants at the higher income
levels are made aware of homeownership opportunities. On the other hand,
there are tenants with restricted incomes that are consistent and are content
living in the apartment complexes. With regard to the for -sale program, first
time homeowners often utilize the affordable program to purchase a home
where the mortgage is affordable which allows them to save money and move
on.
Councilmember Jonathan inquired if we provide the opportunity for resources in
terms of financial counseling and/or job training to our tenants such as the
young families who would like to better themselves. He also expressed that in
this great Country education is the path to success and a better life and
fortunately we have educational opportunities that are available for free.
Mrs. Moore replied that we don't provide any social services at the properties
however; tenants are made aware of the 211 system with the County which
provides an array of resources including workshops/trainings available,
financial counseling, legal services, etc.
Mrs. Gonzales also noted that the Fair Housing Council for the Riverside
County will periodically schedule training/seminars on different topics such as
lending, credit issues, etc. available to the communities and tenants.
Commissioner Mike Lewis agreed with Mr. Jonathan's suggestion and felt that
there should be training for jobs/careers available so that people don't have to
stay in affordable housing.
Upon question of the monthly newsletters at the properties, Ms. Vakili stated
that tenants are provided with the Brightside. In addition, if there are
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Housing Commission
Minutes June 8, 2016
announcements and/or notifications that will benefit the tenants such as the
homeownership opportunity, staff will post flyers and notify the tenants as well
as post notices of events.
Mrs. Moore further noted that the properties have scheduled resident meetings
in the past and had poor attendance.
Commissioner Heather Horning commented that there are people who
appreciate the opportunity for affordable housing and in fact she lived at
Laguna Palms for approximately a year and a half when she was going to
school full time.
E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS
The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for
April.
F HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE
An update on the Housing Authority Properties was provided to the
Commission for review.
Teresa Vakili summarized the report.
Jessica Gonzales stated that One Quail Place roof restoration project has
started and have completed 2 buildings.
Councilmember Liaison Sabby Jonathan asked if pictures may be taken of
current projects at the properties.
Mrs. Gonzales also stated that the interior of the units (total of 8 units)
damaged from the storm at California Villas are complete; next is work repairs
to the exteriors which will take approximately 3 to 6 months to complete.
G. Authority Home Improvement Program Update (Janet)
ACTIVITY (May 2016):
Inquiries (calls, walk-ins, emails): 18
Applications Provided: 5
Applications Submitted: 6
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VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE — July 13, 2016
Meeting room for the July meeting has been moved to the Development
Services Conference Room.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:23 pm to
July 13th, 2016.
atty Leon, Rjrcording Secretary
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