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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Housing Commission 10/10/2018PALM DESERT HOUSING AUTHORITY INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: RACHELLE KLASSEN, CITY CLERK FROM: PATTY LEON, RECORDING SECRETAR DATE: November 15, 2018 SUBJECT: HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES Attached is a copy of the Housing Commission Meeting Minutes approved at the Housing Commission meeting held November 14th, 2018 as follows: (x) Meeting Minutes for October 10th, 2018 Please submit to the Housing Authority Board. Thank you. gne -()) Le P� �. r3Y HOUSG AUK ON. _�:2. - „3 _ I g - VERIFIED EYo �v ,..'.'.'"7....w Original on Pilo with City Clue Ofhle Ay g5 kitaNi J ONIvi►+yhJi fc a LLyo 14E5pAN Deid- 6e12.— No05 : /1/4.1 oavir mc G:UiOUSING\Patty LeonUiousing Commission 'MtsccllancousWemos\Memos to City Clerk I1CUiAC - Minutes.doc CITY OF PALM DESERT HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 2018 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 Juan Mireles Steve Nash Robert Nevares Joy Whitehurst Others Present: Kathleen Kelly, City Council Member Liaison Jessica Gonzales, Senior Management Analyst Teresa Vakili, RPM Company Patty Leon, Recording Secretary Veronica Tapia, Senior Management Analyst Cindy Garcia, Office Specialist III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Beverly Fitzgerald MINUTES of the Adjourned Housing Commission meeting of September 5, 2018: Motion was made by Commissioner Joy Whitehurst to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission Adjourned meeting of September 5th, 2018. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Steve Nash and carried by 5-0 vote (AYES: Mireles, Nash, Nevares, Whitehurst, and Ballard; NOES: none; ABSENT: Fitzgerald). V. NEW BUSINESS None Housing Commission Minutes October 10, 2018 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. Veronica Tapia reported that a staff report requesting approval to extend the five-year retention of the Sagecrest expansion property, to be used for the development of affordable housing, will be reviewed at the October 11th City Council meeting. Staff is currently working on developing a Request for Proposals "RFP" to develop the land as privately owned, multi -family affordable housing. The vacant parcel is located on the corner of San Pascual and Santa Rosa. Commissioner Juan Mireles asked about the composition of units being proposed and whether it would be a one-story, two-story building. Jessica Gonzales stated that the RFP will ask developers to propose a plan for the site. The site is zoned for a two-story building if desired. At this time, staff is asking to extend the period so that staff can work toward approval of a development on the site. Commissioner Steve Nash asked if staff had a goal on the number of units for that site. Mrs. Gonzales stated that it depends on the proposals received from developers during the RPF process. Staff is hoping for a mixed multi -family apartment complex. Mrs. Gonzales reported on the Smoke -Free Policy. She stated that the City Council approved Alternate Option 2b with a modification to reflect 150 units instead of 151 units. Option 2b will allow two communities (Las Serenas and One Quail Place) to designate smoking areas such as the pool as long as it complies with local, state and federal regulations. In 2 G \HOUS4NG\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Minutes\2018\10-10-18 doc Housing Commission Minutes October 10, 2018 addition, the interior of the units will be designated as 100% smoke -free at all the communities once the Smoking Policy is in effect. Staff is drafting a resolution and bring it back to this Commission for review and then to the City Council for final approval. Commissioner Robert Nevares asked if smoking of cannabis will be prohibited as well. Mrs. Gonzales replied that the Smoking Policy identifies tobacco products such as cannabis products, ecigarettes, vapors, etc. as prohibited products at the Authority properties with the exception of those two communities with designated smoking areas. Mrs. Gonzales encouraged the Commission to voice their recommendation at a Housing Authority Board meeting concerning the Smoking Policy. Councilmember Liaison Kathleen Kelly thanked all the commissioners and staff for their hard work on this issue. She mentioned that both her and Councilmember Harnik were enthusiastic on pressing to adopt the Commission's recommendation. Commissioner Gregory Ballard asked about HUD guidelines. Mrs. Gonzales stated that the Housing Authority properties are not funded by HUD and therefore are not required to follow their guidelines/regulations. However, the Authority may adopt HUD's guidelines. Commissioner Ballard expressed that the Commission should continue its efforts to implement a 100% smoke -free policy. Councilmember Kelly suggested to the Commission to make individual appointments with a councilmember to discuss any concerns with regard to the Smoking Policy. Commissioner Ballard asked on the percentage of residents that currently smoke in the units. Mrs. Gonzales replied that of the 1114 units available, 122 remain as smoking units; the rest have been designated as smoke -free. Teresa Vakili added that since 2014, residents are required to sign an addendum to their lease acknowledging their unit as 100% smoke -free, however, some residents have not been truthful and continue to smoke in their units. Carlos Ortega Villas is a 100% smoke -free property, residents that wish to smoke are seen crossing the street to smoke. 3 G \HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Mmutes\2018\10-10-18 doc Housing Commission Minutes October 10, 2018 Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked if there are other common areas besides the pool to designate as the smoking area. Ms. Vakili replied that the smoking area has to be 20 feet away from the buildings and the pool is the only area that complies with this requirement at both communities. Commissioner Nevares shared his concerns regarding residents at Catalina Gardens smoking by the pool and residents enjoying the pool. Mrs. Vakili replied that once the Smoking Policy is in effect, residents at Catalina Gardens will not be allowed to smoke by the pool. Commissioner Nevares asked about possibly denying applicants that smoke the right to rent at the Authority properties. Mrs. Gonzales replied that we would not deny a potential applicant a unit simply because they smoke. She reiterated Councilmember Kelly's advice to meet with the Council and discuss any concerns the Commission may have. Commissioner Ballard asked on the date the City Council will review the modified resolution. Mrs. Gonzales replied that she is working with legal counsel to adjust the additional items related to cannabis and therefore anticipates forwarding the resolution to the City Council at their November or December meeting. Commissioner Ballard asked that the Commission be notified of the City Council meeting and encouraged the commission members to attend. C. RPM Company Monthly Reports for August • • • Monthly Occupancy Status Report Report #1 - Monthly Occupancy and Average Rent Statement Report #2 - Monthly Net Operating Income Statements The Commission reviewed the Reports for August. Teresa Vakili reported that the properties are 98% occupied. Staff completed 98 recertifications; contacted 279 applicants off the waiting list; added 183; and had 17 move -ins and 18 move -outs. Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked on the move -outs. 4 G \HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housng Commission\Minutes12018\10-10-18 doc Housing Commission Minutes October 10, 2018 Ms. Vakili stated that there are several different reasons residents move out, one of them being over income qualified and therefore are required to vacate the unit. Staff will provide those residents with a 60-Day Notice prior to the 6-Month Notice based on the Administrative Plan. Upon question on the number of applicants on the wait list, Ms. Vakili reported approximately 8,000 to 9,000 applicants for the entire rental portfolio Commissioner Steve Nash asked on the average time to wait on the waiting list. Ms. Vakili stated that applicants on the senior communities wait list will remain for quite some time. D. HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTIES UPDATE An update on the Housing Authority Properties was provided to the Commission for review (September) Teresa Vakili summarized the report. Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked on the number of pools at the properties and if pool furniture was purchased at One Quail Place. Ms. Vakili responded that there are 12 properties with pools. Staff solicited proposals to replace the patio furniture at 4 properties that includes One Quail Place. Commissioner Robert Nevares commented that the pool at Catalina Gardens is hardly used by the residents. Ms. Vakili commented that Las Serenas and Carlos Ortega Villas are the more active communities that have activities such as organized pool aerobics and community events at the clubhouse. F. Authority Home Improvement Program (HIP) Update (Janet) ACTIVITY (September 2018) Inquiries (calls, walk-ins, emails): 4 Applications Provided: 2 Applications Received: 0 Application being processed (received June): 1 Eligible (possibly meets criteria): 2 Ineligible (does not meet criteria): 2 Energy Savings Assistance Programs Referrals: 0 (JHC Construction - SCE/Gas Co) 5 G \HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing Commission\Minutes\2018\10-10-18 doc Housing Commission Minutes October 10, 2018 Jessica Gonzales summarized the update. At this time, Commissioner Joy Whitehurst asked about the remaining sections for the Administrative Plan. Mrs. Gonzales replied that staff has been diligently working on the Smoking Policy and therefore the Admin Plan was placed on hold temporarily. Commissioner Robert Nevares inquired if golf carts were allowed at the properties. Teresa Vakili replied that golf carts are allowed at the properties as long as the residents do not charge the cart from their units where the cord is on the walkways due to safety reasons. The City of Palm Desert has a charging station for residents to use at no cost. Commissioner Greg Ballard asked for an update on the energy efficiency efforts. Mrs. Gonzales replied that staff will bring an update to the Commission soon. VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE — November 14th, 2018 IX. ADJOURNMENT With Commission concurrence, Chair Ballard adjourned the meeting at 4:14 p.m. to October 10th Patty Leon, Recording Secretary 6 G \HOUSING\Patty Leon\Housing Commssion\M,nutes\2018\10-10-18 tloc