2018 11 20 HA Minutes Special MeetingHOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 1 of 5 NOVEMBER 20, 2018
SPECIAL MEETING
HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
A special meeting of the La Quinta Housing Authority was called to order at 6:31
p.m. by Chairperson Sanchez.
PRESENT: Authority Members: Evans, Fitzpatrick, Peña, Radi, Chairperson Sanchez
ABSENT: None
VERBAL ANNOUNCEMENT – AB 23 was made by the Authority Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA – None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
A uthority Member Peña said he will abstai n from voting on Consent Calendar Item
No. 2 due to potential conflict of interest stemming from the proximity of real
estate property to the properties under negotiation.
The Authority concurred.
CLOSED SESSION – None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS –
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.APPROVE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Radi/Evans
to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1 as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
Authority Member Peña abstained from voting on Consent Calendar Item No. 2
due to potential conflict of interest stemming from the proximity of real estate
property to the properties under negotiation.
2. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE
AND SALE ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS BETWEEN THE LA QUINTA
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 2 of 5 NOVEMBER 20, 2018
SPECIAL MEETING
HOUSING AUTHORITY AND JOE W. STEMMER, JR. CONSTRUCTION
FOR TWO VACANT PARCELS LOCATED IN THE LA QUINTA COVE
(APNs 773-234-015 and 773-223-022) [RESOLUTION NO. HA 2018-004]
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Evans/Radi
to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 2 and adopt Resolution No. HA 2018-004
as recommended. Motion passed – ayes 4, noes 0, abstain 1 (Peña).
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 HOUSING AUTHORITY
YEAR-END BUDGET REPORT AND APPROVE THE AMENDED
CARRYOVERS
Finance Director Campos presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s
Office.
MOTION – A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Evans/Radi
to receive and file the 2017/18 Housing Authority Year-End Budget Report and
approve the amended budget carryovers from 2017/18 to 2018/19. Motion
passed unanimously.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE FISCAL YEAR 2018/19 FIRST QUARTER
HOUSING AUTHORITY BUDGET REPORT AND APPROVE THE
RECOMMENDED BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Finance Director Campos presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk’s
Office.
Authority Members discussed the second deed trust repayments were for the
City’s sewer subsidy program established in the 1990’s and second trust deed
loans for homes in the Cove; ability for home owners to sell affordable housing
homes at market value and pay associated fees; covenants on affordable housing
homes specify that such homes must be owner-occupied and cannot be rented
out, which would include short-term vacation rentals (STVR); ensuring that Staff
establish a process that will flag STVR applications for affordable housing homes;
the City’s Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) requirements and carryover
inclusionary requirements related to new developments in the City’s Project
Areas; the City’s available housing funds; and conducting a study to identify
future affordable housing investment opportunities for the Authority to consider.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members
Fitzpatrick/Evans to receive and file fiscal year 2018/19 First Quarter Housing
Authority Budget Report and approve the recommended budget adjustments.
Motion passed unanimously.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 3 of 5 NOVEMBER 20, 2018
SPECIAL MEETING
STUDY SESSION
1. DISCUSS FUNDING FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Assistant to the City Manager Villalpando presented the staff report, which is on
file in the Clerk’s Office.
Authority Members discussed that the Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) has not
yet confirmed if the matching funds program will continue in 2019; performance
metrics for this program are not available; the diversity of services being offered
by the different organizations cannot be adequately compared; and the
collaborative efforts of the organizations.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Linda Barrack, President and CEO of Martha’s Village and
Kitchen (MVK), Indio – stated that homelessness has not improved; spoke of the
services MVK provides; reported that 14 families received Housing Choice Voucher
Program (Section 8), which allows private landlords to rent apartments and
homes at fair market rates to qualified low-income tenants, with a rental subsidy
administered by Home Forward; there has been a change in the priority categories
for Section 8; explained the process of relocating families into Section 8 housing,
including the involvement of a Case Manager; MVK is working with Coral Mountain
Apartments (CMA) to relocate a second family; the first family relocated to CMA
in 2018 is doing very well; noted homelessness funding is not stable and it varies
from year to year; and staff is doing an excellent job coordinating and
collaborating with other agencies to help folks get the different services they need.
Ms. Barrack explained that MVK is contracting with the City of Palm Springs for
case management services, funded by DHCD, which is currently servicing 238
active homeless clients; MVK takes a valley-wide approach in addressing the
human element of homelessness; and thanked Council for their continued
support.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Mr. Damien O’Farrell, CEO of Path of Life Ministries (POLM),
Riverside, housing provider for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments
(CVAG) – thanked Council for their support and partnership; said it is getting
harder to think creatively with less and less resources; spoke about the
collaborative efforts of the local agencies in addressing homelessness; noted the
difficulty to compare the diverse services offered by the different agencies; said
POLM is evaluating services that can be offered within the CV Housing First
budget. Mr. O’Farrell noted the positive results of the Home Affordable Refinance
Program (created by the Federal Housing Finance Agency specifically to help
homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments, but have little to no
equity in their homes, refinance their mortgage with a lower rate or other more
favorable terms). Mr. O’Farrell stated POLM has exceeded performance on the
HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 4 of 5 NOVEMBER 20, 2018
SPECIAL MEETING
services it was tasked with by CVAG in the first year; is looking at more ways to
build on the existing partnerships, including working with DHCD to update the
strategic plan moving forward; participated in and was able to house over 1/3 of
the homeless displaced from the closure of the Highway 86 encampment in
Coachella; assisted with the displacement of homeless from the abandoned
MacGruder building in Desert Hot Springs; and said the CV Housing First program
is unique and flexible, and able to fill-in many gaps of homeless assistance to
ensure people are not falling through the cracks. Mr. O’Farrell provided an update
of the services offered by POLM’s over the year; and described the exciting
progress resulting from the actions of the program’s rapid response outreach
teams and expressed appreciation for the efforts of all agencies, specifically
DHCD, in working towards a strategic plan to coordinate a collective voice.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Ms. Darla Burkett, Executive Director of Coachella Valley
Rescue Mission (CVRM), Indio – said that the current shelters are full and busy;
requested Council consideration to provide funding for the existing shelters; spoke
of the services provided by CVRM; and noted CVRM has existing Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with many cities in the valley that specify the homeless
services CVRM offers and the individuals it can assist, and works with the
community police officers in addressing homelessness; explained there is no
financial obligation under the terms of a MOU and CVRM would take anyone
regardless; and spoke about potential opportunities to expand CVRM and the need
for a shelter on the west-end of the valley.
Council asked for clarification whether the Authority or Council would execute a
possible MOU; City Attorney Ihrke replied it would be the Authority, if funding is
provided by the Authority.
Mr. O’Farrell explained the challenges with rapid re-housing stemming from the
seasonal employment in the Coachella Valley.
PUBLIC SPEAKER: Cheryll Dahlin, Management Analyst with Coachella Valley
Association of Governments (CVAG ), Palm Desert – said DHCD recently
conducted a strategic plan study, and the recommendations did not include a
west-end shelter at this time, but included scaling-up of rapid re-housing and
permanent supportive housing; noted DHCD is scheduled to consider the strategic
plan next week, and CVAG will be entering into discussions regarding the
matching funds program in December 2018.
Council discussed the need for an entity to take the lead, oversee programs, and
provide funding options for homelessness, and make a long-term commitment;
the City is in support and in a position to make a financial contribution to the
three local agencies; and alternative ways the City can provide support, other
than funding.
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SPECIAL MEETING
Mr. O’Farrell asked Council for their support and assistance in advocating a
collaborative regional approach to creating solutions for homelessness and
affordable housing; exploring legislative alternatives to make affordable housing
more affordable; and facilitating connections with employers and landlords who
can provide employment and housing opportunities to the folks local agencies are
working with.
Council discussed a tentative consideration of an equal distribution of the
Authority’s funds between the three agencies, pending more information from the
DHCD regarding the matching funds program or other opportunities.
City Manager Spevacek said at this time Staff seeks direction from the Authority;
and noted the funding allocation would require Housing Commission
recommendation prior to the Authority’s final consideration.
Council noted that Imperial Irrigation District also offers assistance to low-income
and medically-challenged individuals.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS – None.
CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS' ITEMS – None.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS – None.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Authority
Members Radi/Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MONIKA RADEVA, Authority Secretary
La Quinta Housing Authority