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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 04 21 HA Minutes Quarterly MeetingHOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026 CALL TO ORDER A regular quarterly meeting of the La Quinta Housing Authority was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Chairperson Sanchez. PRESENT: Authority Members: Evans, Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, and Chairperson Sanchez ABSENT: None VERBAL ANNOUNCEMENT — AB 23 was made by the Authority Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Sanchez led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA — None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA — Confirmed CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVE HOUSING AUTHORITY QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES DATED JANUARY 20, 2026 2. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH BECKY CAHA FOR HOUSING COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING SERVICES FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM EXTENSION AND TO INCREASE COMPENSATION MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Evans/Pena to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION 1. APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 AND APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT SERVICES WITH FRONTLINE FACILITY SOLUTIONS, LLC, FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE DUNE PALMS MOBILE HOME ESTATES (DPMHE) Senior Management Analyst Kinley presented the staff report, which is on file in the Clerk's Office. HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 1 of 5 APRIL 21, 2026 HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 2 of 5 APRIL 21, 2026 PRESENTER: Tim Stone, Chief Operating Officer with Frontline Facility Solutions, LLC (FFS) – provided information on his background and experience, the company’s mission statement, planning methodology, communication methods, technology plan, staffing plan, operational flexibility based on input, personal responses, and company experience. PRESENTER: Carlos Carrillo, Chief Executive Officer with FFS – provided information on his background and experience, and company transparency policy. CHAIRPERSON SANCHEZ REQUESTED THAT THE CITY’S SPANISH TRANSLATOR BEGIN TRANSLATING AUTHORITY MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS, PRESENTER RESPONSES AND PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD ON BUSINESS SESSION ITEM NO. 1 Authority Members questioned FFS and discussed DPMHE management and staff being bilingual; City staff’s ability to track DPMHE work orders; FFS manager not living onsite; phone tree to activate during manager’s off hours; the FFS technician to live nearby; FFS experience in working with mobile home parks as opposed to brick-and- mortar sites; community outreach by FFS; distribution of rules and regulations and management contact information; and community input on rules and regulation. CHAIRPERSON SANCHEZ REMINDED THE AUDIENCE THAT AUTHORITY MEMBERS MAY NOT RESPOND TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AS FURTHER INVESTIGATION MAY BE NECESSARY, OR MAY ASK CITY STAFF OR PRESENTERS TO RESPOND Authority Secretary Radeva said WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS were received from the La Quinta residents listed below, in alphabetical order, expressing a variety of concerns related to the Dune Palms Mobile Home Estates park conditions enumerated below, which were distributed to the Authority, made public, published on the City’s website, and included in the public record of this meeting:  Lack of proper and consistent property management and onsite presence.  Lack of proper maintenance of the entire park, including the waste area, drainage, landscaping, loose electrical cables in close proximity to some of the mobile units, inoperable laundry facilities, cracked streets throughout the park, and general cleanliness.  Lack of any recreational area for residents in the park, including the closure of the pool and the community building never being open.  Lack of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility.  Lack of adequate parking availability, and residents’ and visitors’ vehicles being towed.  Lack of park entrance signage and proper accessibility. Residents’ names listed in alphabetical order:  Maria and Cesar Agundez  Maria Badillo  Sergio Benavides and Italia Robledo  Alberto and Teresita Daza  Nelia Diaz • Aaliyah Fabian • Leticia Gonzalez • Jose Gonzalez • Gustavo Hernandez • Maria Hernandez • Jose Olayo • Hector Ramos and Leticia Barreras • Felipe Rosales • Victor Sandoval and Fanny Muro • Blanca Salcedo de Cabrera PUBLIC SPEAKER: Cesar Agundez, La Quinta — said the community pool has been empty for over 3 years leaving children without a recreational area; vacant spaces are not properly maintained; the laundry facility has been closed to residents for over 10 years; existing parking issues such as vehicles being left in spaces for long periods of time; expressed concerns about the towing company's practices; streets in the park are in poor condition (potholes and cracks); the trash area is left unsecured, allowing non-residents to dump trash and a large roll -off bin on site attracts additional illegal dumping. Mr. Agundez further commented that there are cameras and security on site, but residents feel rules (curfew, noise, loitering) are not enforced and noted that procuring a new management company is a positive step. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Blanca Cabrera, La Quinta — said parking is a major problem, especially the lack of designated spaces for residents with disabilities; suggested areas in the park that could be converted to additional parking; need to address rodent infestation in and around the park which has caused damage to her and other residents homes; and exiting the mobile home park is unsafe due to blind spots near the La Quinta High School entrance. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Sergio Benavidez, La Quinta — said he needs a designated accessible/handicapped parking space; there are no signs and not enough accessible parking; there are no parking spaces available for family members visiting park residents, and they risk getting their cars towed; rideshare drivers (e.g., Uber, et.) have trouble finding unit numbers, causing missed rides; streets are in poor condition; unsafe conditions around the park; lack of proper maintenance, including waste area and loose electrical cables in close proximity to some of the mobile units; lack of proper on -site management; and non- residents of the park illegally dumping their waste. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Teresita Daza, La Quinta — said there isn't enough parking, especially for visitors and people with disabilities, and existing red/blue curb markings limit accessible parking and access; streets are in poor condition; and management is difficult to reach, has no clear schedule, and when reached, has treated residents disrespectfully. Ms. Daza stated her car was towed from in front of her home without warning, causing significant financial hardship, and expressed concerns regarding the towing company's practices. Ms. Daza asked that the new management company communicate clearly and openly with residents; and requested that the City investigate current management practices at the park. HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 3 of 5 APRIL 21, 2026 PUBLIC SPEAKER: Hilda Ramos, La Quinta — said she lives directly across from the dumpsters and must frequently clean up trash blown or scattered into her yard; dealing with constant odor; flies inside and outside the home; she received repair and/or improvement notices for her mobile unit, and cannot afford the required upgrades because she is unemployed, as is her husband, and fears possible eviction because they cannot complete the upgrades in the short timeline provided; and mentioned cars park near the dumpsters at night, playing loud music and partying late, creating additional disturbance and quality -of -life impacts. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Antonio Ramos, La Quinta — submitted a request to speak form but did not wish to speak when called upon by the Chair. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Nohemi Rodriguez, La Quinta — said many neighbors have ongoing, unresolved complaints, especially about parking; they also feel there is pressure or difficulty around buying or selling mobile homes and fees charged when residents leave; safety concerns accessing the park; streets are in poor condition; other long-standing problems include the empty pool, waste area conditions, towing of residents' cars, lack of recreational areas, and no laundry room, which has not been adequately addressed by the management company; and there is poor communication from management. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Victor Sandoval, La Quinta — said he provided the City photos and documentation of problems at the park, but the issues remain unresolved; recently, he had no water at home for 3 days, could not reach the on -site manager or the contact who had given them a business card, and had to buy bottled water and stay in a hotel; he noted the problems and stress in the park continue to escalate, including conflicts around residents' car towing, ongoing parking and waste area issues; and is trying to sell their mobile home, as they no longer want to live there. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Rudy Morales, Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) — thanked the City for responding to his request for help and meeting with him; expressed concerns regarding the DPMHE residents living conditions; urged the City to ensure the park residents' concerns are addressed. PUBLIC SPEAKER: Felipe Rosales, La Quinta — said he has lived in the park for many years and struggles daily with parking because some residents occupy 2 to 3 spaces with cars they do not regularly use; difficulty communicating and reaching resolutions with management on any matter, including processing of rent payments; thanked the Authority for listening; and noted that the previous speakers already covered many of his concerns. Mr. Morales said he had just been notified that the towing company (referred to as "760 Towing") allegedly does not have a business license to operate in La Quinta, yet has towed many residents' vehicles and charged thousands of dollars in fees. He urged that the towing company receive a legal notice from the City Attorney's Office, and noted residents may file complaints with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department about the unauthorized towing and improper charges. Ms. Daza shared an example of when her work truck was towed, and it cost her $500 to recover it. HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 4 of 5 APRIL 21, 2026 Ms. Cabrera further commented on the rodent problem and poor condition of their alleyway and requested to extend their space into the alley to keep children and others out. Authority Members thanked the residents for attending and for sharing their comments; expressed concern at any suggestion that the City does not care about its Hispanic community; explained that the DPMHE has existed for decades in very poor condition due to mismanagement by the former owners; as a result, the City's Housing Authority purchased the property for several million dollars with a commitment to rehabilitate it, and it is committed to do so; Staff will look into the towing company and take appropriate actions, if the residents can and wish to pursue any legal remedies, they are encouraged to do so; the City/Authority will investigate the water issues; concerns will be addressed by City/Authority staff and the new property management company; DPMHE is an important acquisition that took 7 years to accomplish; Authority capital improvement budget includes funds for site improvements; suggested the residents may want to form a committee to communicate collective concerns to FFS; and emphasized the Authority acquired this property precisely because it was not up to the high standards expected of housing in La Quinta. Authority Executive Director McMillen explained the funds for the preparation of a master plan of improvements to this property are included in the Authority's budget, and many can be expected to occur quickly. MOTION — A motion was made and seconded by Authority Members Pena/Fitzpatrick to: (1) appropriate funding for fiscal year 2025/26 in the amount of $40,000 dollars; (2) approve Agreement for Contract Services with Frontline Facility Solutions, LLC, to provide property management services for the Dune Palms Mobile Home Estates; and (3) authorize the Executive Director to execute the agreement. Motion passed unanimously. STUDY SESSION — None HOUSING AUTHORITY MEMBERS' ITEMS Authority Member Fitzpatrick suggested DPMHE residents may consider applying to serve on the La Quinta Housing Commission. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Authority Members Pena/McGarrey to adjourn at 5:44 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, Authority Secretary La Quinta Housing Authority HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES Page 5 of 5 APRIL 21, 2026