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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Patty Leon, Recording Secretary
Co
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