2011 09 14 HC MinutesMINUTES
HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING
A Meeting Held in the Study Session Room
at La Quinta City Hall
78 -495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
September 14, 2011
This meeting of the Housing Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by
Chairperson LaRocca.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
Present: Chairperson LaRocca
Commissioner Pam Dorsey
Commissioner Sue Marie Leidner
Commissioner William Hunter
Absent: None
Staff
Present: Debbie Powell, Economic Development /Housing
Manager
Yvonne Franco, Management Assistant
Lori Lafond, Executive Assistant
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA: Confirmed.
Staff informed Commission that City Council will set a date in the next
couple of months, advertise for Board vacancies and interview candidates,
including the Housing Commission vacancy.
There will be a Joint Commission and Housing Authority meeting in couple of
months, either late October - early November. Staff will let Commission
know of the date and if Commission has questions or is in need of
information prior to the joint meeting, a Housing Commission meeting will be
scheduled prior to the Joint Commission meeting.
III. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approval of the Minutes for the Meeting on April 27, 2011
It was moved by Commissioner Leidner and seconded by
Commissioner Dorsey to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion
carried unanimously.
IV
BUSINESS ITEMS:
1. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
A. Nominations were opened for Chairperson
Chairperson LaRocca nominated Commissioner Leidner as
Chairperson. There being no further nominations, nominations
were closed.
It was moved by Chairperson LaRocca and seconded by
Commissioner Hunter to elect Commissioner Leidner as
Chairperson. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Nominations were opened for Vice Chairperson
Chairperson LaRocca nominated Commissioner Dorsey as Vice -
Chairperson. There being no further nominations, nominations
were closed.
It was moved Commissioner LaRocca and seconded by
Commissioner Hunter to elect Commissioner Dorsey as the
Vice- Chairperson. Motion carried unanimously.
VII. STAFF UPDATES:
1. Staff presented staff report regarding an Update on Redevelopment.
Staff explained that the Governor signed two bills, one to eliminate
redevelopment but on that gives us an option to continue with
redevelopment agencies by paying the State $18,500,000, with a
January 2012 due date. There is a possibility of the City losing
assets, including land and cash if it does not opt into to the payment
program. Looking at long -term, the City has decided to opt into the
program, however, League of California Cites, the California
Redevelopment Association and two other cities decided to sue the
State and filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court stating bills are
unconstitutional. As of right now, all redevelopment agencies are on
hold, meaning we cannot issue bonds, nor enter into any contracts.
The redevelopment agency can only pay existing obligations.
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2. Staff presented staff report regarding an Update on Washington Street
Apartments.
Staff updated the Commission on the progress of Washington Street
Apartments and introduced the names of the design groups on the
project: Altum Group, engineers; RGA Landscape Architects,
landscape architecture and landscaping around the sound wall; Studio
E Architects, site planning, building design and sound wall.
The City's goal in the design of the site and the buildings is to
maximize efficiency, improve accessibility, and make the units more
energy efficient for lower utility bills. Staff indicated that the sound
wall on Washington Street is the key item to finalize as soon as
possible.
Commissioner Hunter had several questions regarding parking space
and gate placement, landscaping, outside privacy wall, and sound
pollution from Washington Street. Staff addressed the questions and
will share final designs with the Commission in the future.
3. Staff presented staff report regarding an Update on
Foreclosed /Rehabilitated Homes Program.
Chairperson LaRocca asked what the interest rate on the loan was.
Staff will look into that and get back to Commission with an answer.
Commissioner Leider mentioned getting more information out to the
public regarding the program and how it works. She would like to see
more marketing about the program. Commissioner Leidner indicated
she would bring up the program at the next Board of Realtors meeting.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Leidner and
seconded by Commissioner Dorsey to adjourn this meeting of the Housing
Commission. This meeting of the Housing Commission was adjourned on
September 14, 2011, at 6:48 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Submitted by
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Lori Lafond
Executive Assistan
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