2012 08 07 HA MinutesLA QUINTA HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012
A special meeting of the La Quinta Housing Authority was called to order by
Chairperson Evans at 7:25 p.m.
PRESENT: Authority Members Adolph, Franklin, Henderson, Osborne, Chair Evans
ABSENT: None
VERBAL ANNOUNCEMENT - AB 23 was made by the Authority Secretary.
Housing Authority Executive Director Spevacek distributed a letter addressed to the
Successor Agency from the Housing Authority in fulfillment of provisions of
AB1484. He announced that the letter meets the time deadline to inform the
Successor Agency that the Housing Authority plans to use $2,450,000 of the
2004 Housing Bonds to fund the Washington Street Apartments project. In
fulfillment of another AB1484 provision, this announcement is being made at a
Housing Authority meeting.
BLIC COMMENT - NONE
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - confirmed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NONE
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STUDIO E
ARCHITECTS FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES RELATED TO WASHINGTON
STREET APARTMENTS REHABILITATION PROJECT
MOTION - A motion was made by Authority Members Henderson /Franklin to
approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF HOUSING AUTHORITY ACTION PLAN AND
APPROVAL OF HOUSING COMMISSION WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2012/2013
Economic Development /Housing Manager Powell presented the staff report.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES 1 AUGUST 7, 2012
Authority Members requested that staff provide waiting list data to them.
Authority Member Osborne asked staff for the number of low- and - moderate - income
housing units in place and the number required by the state. Planning Director
Johnson stated that he will provide a breakdown of the numbers including units
required, units in place, and credits.
In response to Authority Member Osborne, Rutan & Tucker Attorney Bill Ihrke,
acting for Authority Attorney Jenson, said that aside from potential state funding,
another major reason the city would want to have a certified housing element is
that the city would enjoy "rebuttable presumption" which presumes the city has
complied with everything required under state law for the housing element in its
General Plan. It is a very strong defense if any lawsuits are brought against the
city for not having enough affordable housing available. The housing element law
does not require cities to build out the required number calculated in the housing
element, but does require the city to have enough sites available during the
relevant planning cycle. The new housing cycle starts up in 2014 and that cycle
will be based on the new set of numbers. If the city does not build the number of
units it was allocated, it should not impact the next RHNA (Regional Housing Needs
Assessment) cycle as long as the city accommodates its RHNA number in the
housing element planning document.
Authority Member Osborne said he would like to examine the possibility of selling
the five acres at Dune Palms and Westward Ho planned for housing and use the
proceeds to reduce the city deficit. Authority Executive Director Spevacek stated
that this property was purchased with low- and - moderate housing funds. If it was
sold, the proceeds could not go into the city's general fund; proceeds would go to
the Housing Authority and would have to be used for another housing purpose or
would be released to the state to distribute to the taxing agencies.
Authority Member Adolph discussed the source and calculation of the Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) mandated numbers, and Executive Director
Spevacek explained the restrictions on selling, developing and financing various
Housing Authority properties.
Public Speaker: John Seymour of the non - profit, National Community Renaissance,
owner and manager of Vista Dune Courtyard Homes in La Quinta — Mr. Seymour
spoke in support of the action plan staff presented.
Chairperson Evans summarized Authority Members' direction to staff regarding
foreclosures. She stated that since the city does not want to lose affordability
covenants due to foreclosures, and it no longer has the funds to purchase those
foreclosed properties, staff should continue to work with banks when possible to
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES 2 AUGUST 7. 2012
assist in avoiding foreclosures. When foreclosure is unavoidable, the city may have
to let the unit go.
Authority Member Franklin suggested, and Authority Members concurred, that a
study session regarding Watercolors housing is needed.
MOTION - A motion was made by Authority Members Osborne /Henderson to
approve the Housing Authority's Fiscal Year 2012/2013 action plan; and approve
the Housing Commission's 2012/2013 work plan. Motion passed unanimously.
CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS - NONE
PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Authority Members
Franklin /Adolph to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Maysels, Aut�cretary
La Quinta Housing Authority
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES 3 AUGUST 7, 2012