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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 09/13/2017c_, PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: October 12, 2017 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is a copy of the following Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held October 11th, 2017 as follows: (x) Meeting Minutes for September 13th, 2017 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. Ricei-vd 6 .,BY KOUSG AUTh ON t -1,6 1 VERIHE=D BY; Original on file with City Clerk's Offi;: G \HOUSING\Patty Leon \ lousing Commission \Miscellaneous\Memos\Memos to City Clerk I-IC\HAC - Minutes doc CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 I. CALL TO ORDER Gregory Ballard, Housing Commission Chair, convened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Gregory Ballard — Chair Mike Lewis Beverly Fitzgerald Robert Nevares Wade Tucker Joy Whitehurst Others Present: Gina Nestande, City Council Member Liaison Janet Moore, Director of Finance Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Veronica Tapia, Senior Management Analyst III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES of the Regular Housing Commission meeting of July 12, 2017: Motion was made by Commissioner Beverly Fitzgerald to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting of July 12th, 2017. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mike Lewis and carried by 6-0 vote (AYES: Fitzgerald, Lewis, Nevares, Tucker, Whitehurst, and Ballard; NOES: none). 1 Housing Commission Minutes September 13, 2017 V. NEW BUSINESS VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. COMMISSION REPORTS 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 and Authority Board meetings was provided to the Commission for review. Jessica Gonzales reported that Habitat for Humanity closed escrow on one of the San Benito homes. Commissioner Gregory Ballard inquired if the sale transaction is similar to a home purchase. Mrs. Gonzales stated that the sale transaction is a normal home transaction with the exception of assistance provided by the Housing Authority in a form of a silent second trust deed. A covenant restriction is also recorded against the property based on an agreement by the Authority and Habitat. C. MONTHLY OCCUPANCY STATUS REPORT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy Status Report for July. Teresa Vakili reported that the multifamily properties are currently 97% occupied and the senior properties are 99% occupied. D. REPORT #1 — MONTHLY OCCUPANCY AND AVERAGE RENT STATEMENT The Commission reviewed the Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement for June and July. 2 Housing Commission Minutes September 13, 2017 E. REPORT #2 — MONTHLY NET OPERATING INCOME STATEMENTS The Commission reviewed the Monthly Net Operating Income Statements for June and July. F. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE An update on the Housing Authority Properties was provided to the Commission for review July and August Teresa Vakili reported 921 service request completed. Before and after pictures of Carlos Ortega fire unit #304 were displayed. Also discussed was the process when a death occurs at one of our properties. It must be disclosed to new tenants for three years after the death occurs. Commissioner Robert Nevares inquired if the "I'm ok" blue signs were still in effect. He commented that a tenant had a stroke in his/her unit and was found three days later by the paramedics. Mrs. Vakili stated that the purpose of the "I'm ok" sign is meant to be used in the event of a natural disaster and/or fire to alert authorities of tenants' wellbeing. Commissioner Nevares commented that there should be something in place to notify others you are not ok. Janet Moore stated that tenants are encouraged to watch out for their neighbors and immediately report any unusual behavioral to the property manager. In some cases it is difficult for the property manager because property managers are required by law to provide notice to the tenant with a 24-hour notice to enter the unit. There is an afterhours emergency number tenants can call when the office is closed. Commissioner Wade Tucker commented that the Fire Department conducted a safety training meeting to the tenants at Las Serenas and only 12 people showed up. At this time, Veronica Tapia provided a brief update on Candlewood Apartments Deck Improvement project; pictures were displayed of the construction that begun September 5th. Those tenants affected by the construction will be relocated soon. Mrs. Tapia summarized the pictures. Commissioner Gregory Ballard asked who built the building. 3 Housing Commission Minutes September 13, 2017 Janet Moore replied that she believed it was Affiliated Construction and it was built for a HUD housing project with HUD funding. Teresa Vakili commented that there have been no complaints from the tenants and in fact was pleased with the contractor's service with regard to tenants concerns. G. Authority Home Improvement Program (HIP) Update (Janet) ACTIVITY (July and August 2017): Inquiries (calls, walk-ins, emails): 26 Applications Provided: 16 Application Intake Process: 0 Ineligible (does not meet criteria): 23 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 3 (JHC Construction - SCE/Gas Co) Janet Moore provided a brief update on the program. VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE — October 11, 2017 Commissioner Joy Whitehurst inquired on the Assessment of Fair Housing draft provided by HUD and if any comments were received from the Housing Commissioners. Jessica Gonzales stated no, and that the Special Programs Department facilitated the plan to be developed in order to receive CDBG funding. City Council approved the plan at their September meeting. Subsequently, the plan will be forwarded to HUD for 30 days to review and respond with concerns to the Director of Special Programs. At this point there is no action required by this Commission. Commissioner Whitehurst commented that this Commission is short one member and suggested reaching out to the tenants residing at the Housing Authority properties. Janet Moore stated that members of the Housing Commission consists of 2 tenants from the Housing Authority properties and 5 at large members. Presently, there are 2 members from the properties serving this Commission and therefore when a vacancy is open a new tenant may be considered. It was noted that it has been difficult to get tenants to apply. Commissioner Robert Nevares stated that he knows a tenant who is interested in applying for this Commission. He was advised to inform the tenant to submit an application with the City Clerk's Department and invite her to a meeting. 4 Housing Commission Minutes September 13, 2017 Commissioner Gregory Ballard inquired if the energy savings implementations have resulted positive given that summer is almost over. Jessica Gonzales stated that the properties met the savings goal it called out for. Staff will bring back an update once we reach the one year mark. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence the meeting was adjourned at 4:06 pm to October 11, 2017. 1 1 Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Co 5