2001 06 05 RDA Minutes LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES
JUNE 5, 2001
A regular meeting of the La Quinta Redevelopment Agency was called to order by
Chairperson Henderson.
PRESENT: Board Members Adolph, Pe~a, Perkins, Sniff, Chairperson Henderson
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
CLOSED SESSION
1. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located southeast of the Miles
Avenue and Washington Street intersection and north of the Whitewater
Channel. Property Owner/Negotiator: CW La Quinta.
2. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located at the terminus of
Avenue 62 and west of Madison Street. Property Owner/Negotiator: Travertine.
3. Conference with Agency's real property negotiator, Mark Weiss, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8 concerning potential terms and conditions
of acquisition and/or disposition of real property located on the west side of
Washington Street, north of Avenue 48 (APN: 643-090-024). Property
Owner/Negotiator: La Quinta Arts Foundation.
The Agency recessed to Closed Session to and until the hour of 7:00 pm.
7:00 P.M.
The Agency reconvened with Board Member Perkins absent due to illness.
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
-- CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 2 June 5, 2001
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the Minutes of
May 15, 2001, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously with Board Member Perkins
ABSENT.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER DATED JUNE 5, 2001.
2. AUTHORIZATION FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL TO NEW YORK, NY, JULY 18-22,
2001 FOR BOND TRANSACTION(S) FOR THE FOLLOWING: MAYOR, RDA
CHAIRPERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, AND FINANCE DIRECTOR.
MOTION - It was moved by Board Members Sniff/Adolph to approve the
Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion carried unanimously with Board
Member Perkins ABSENT.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING REHABILITATION
AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AND LAWRENCE RAEL FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF EISENHOWER DRIVE AND CALLE TAMPICO.
Community Development Director Herman presented the staff report.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Herman advised security gating will be
utilized to secure the off-street parking for the apartment complex.
Board Member Adolph voiced concern about spending $350,000 of taxpayer's
money to obtain 14 affordable housing units. He questioned it being called a
loan instead of a gift since the amount does not have to be repaid.
Frank Spevacek, consultant with RSG, explained the loan structure provides a
Second Trust Deed to secure the 14 units. The Second Trust Deed secures the
maintenance and occupancy requirements, as well as Mr. Rael's performance
in making th'e improvements and reserving the 14 units at affordable rents for
30 years. A grant would not provide a way for the City to enforce the
affordable housing provisions. He advised the funds will be dispersed to the
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 3 June 5, 2001
development entity instead of Mr. Rael and the funds will not be released until
the property is purchased and the improvements have been made. He explained
the Covenants stay with the property even if it's sold unless the new property
owner chooses to pay off the loan amount plus interest. Any change in
ownership must be approved by the Agency.
In response to Board Member Adolph, Mr..Spevacek stated the First Trust Deed
against the property is for $973,000. By providing the Second Trust Deed loan,
the Agency obtains 14 affordable housing units and can impose maintenance
requirements on the apartment complex. He noted the City will be audited in
November by the Department of Housing and Community Development on how
the City is meeting its housing production requirements and expending its
affordable housing funds.
In response to Board Member Pe~a, Mr. Spevacek confirmed the proposed loan
agreement is similar to the one with Spanos for affordable housing units.
Board Member Adolph noted the Spanos apartments are new units and these
need rehabilitation.
Board Member PeRa asked if the Agency would hold a first on the purchase of
the parking lot since it's not a part of the current apartment complex.
Agency Counsel Ramirez advised he would look into that issue.
Board Member Sniff stated he felt the loan amount is high for what the City is
getting. He questioned giving a 30-year loan for apartments that are in "dire"
need of rehabilitation after 25 years and asked how the owner would do further
improvements as the apartments continue to age before the 30-year period
ends. He agreed the apartments need rehabilitation but noted they were poorly
constructed and questioned them having basic construction value.
Board Member Pe~a stated he felt there are other issues to consider such as the
significant investment going in across the street. He felt it's a wise expenditure
of redevelopment funds.
Chairperson Henderson concurred.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Spevacek stated there is no appraisal
report but the estimated value based on rentals is approximately $1.4 million.
Board Member Sniff noted that doesn't provide a lot of margin for value that the
owner has in the property.
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 4 June 5, 2001
Mr. Spevacek confirmed the owner has done some improvements to the interior
of the apartments. He stated the Second Trust Deed loan brings the apartment
complex to the 95% loan-to-value ratio defined in the agreement.
Chairperson Henderson stated she felt the Agency's overall concern is to realize
an increase of 14 affordable housing units for 30 years.
RESOLUTION NO. RA 2001-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE LA QUINTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING
AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING REHABILITATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
AGENCY AND LA QUINTA 34 LLC (LA QUINTA PALMS APARTMENTS -
LAWRENCE RAEL).
It was moved by Board Member Peha and Chairperson Henderson to adopt
Resolution No. RA 2001-01 as submitted.
Board Member Sniff asked if the Agency has any other options for expenditure
of these funds that would provide significant affordable housing units.
Mr. Spevacek stated prior to the prevailing wage issue coming up, staff had
been looking to change the Second Trust Deed Program wherein the amount for
moderate-income units would be increased to $30,000 or $40,000 in order to
gain more units north of Avenue 50. He stated in order to obtain affordable
units on new construction, the moderate-income units are running approximately
$80,000 per unit and very-low and Iow-income units are up to 9150,000 per
unit.
In response to Board Member Sniff, Mr. Spevacek advised the affordable
housing units will rent for $850 to 1,200 a month - they currently rent for
91,000to 91,200 monthly. He stated the attorneys are still working out some
minor details of the agreement and he recommended the Executive Director be
authorized to make minor modifications to the agreement.
Motion carried with Board Member Adolph voting NO and Board Member Perkins
ABSENT.
STUDY SESSION - None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS - None
Redevelopment Agency Minutes 5 June 5, 2001
CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
The Agency recessed to Closed Session as delineated on Page 1.
The Agency meeting reconvened with no decisions being made in Closed Session
which require reporting pursuant to Section 54957.1 of the Government Code (Brown
Act).
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
JUNE S. GREEK, Agency Secretary
La Quinta Redevelopment Agency