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2015-06-10 VHC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Hughes, Melissa Ybarra, Henry Haskell, Hector Garcia, Steven Froberg, and John Kriste MEMBERS ABSENT: Eric Gustafson The meeting was called to order by Chair Hughes at 6 p.m. Commissioner Kriste led the flag salute. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Maria Ayala, City Clerk, announced that a correction will be made to Agenda Item No. 1, no other changes to the agenda are necessary. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Hughes announced that this was the time allotted for public comment and inquired whether anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. The public will also be given a chance to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during Commission deliberation on those specific matters. No public comment provided. MINUTES 1. Corrected Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held March 11, 2015, to be received and filed. Ms. Ayala announced the correction to page 3 of 4 as follows: (2) It was moved by Haskell and seconded by Kriste (not “Kristen”)… It was moved by Haskell and seconded by Ybarra to approve the Corrected Minutes listed above. Motion carried, 4-0, with 1 Abstention (Froberg). INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS 2. Self-introduction of newly appointed Commissioner Steven Froberg (Non-Council Resident Seat). Mr. Froberg introduced himself to the Commission and audience. He is excited to assist in leading the City of Vernon in a positive direction. Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes June 10, 2015 Page 2 of 5 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 3. Proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities. Recommendations A. Find that discussion of the proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because such is not a “project” as that term is defined in the CEQA Guidelines section 15378, and even if it were a project, it would still be exempt in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Hold a discussion on the proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities and provide direction to staff regarding any revisions to said document and any additional work or related activities requested or required. Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto introduced the item and highlighted the areas to be edited in the Guidelines. Commissioner Garcia arrived at the meeting at 6:07 p.m. Considerable dialogue and discussion occurred over the guidelines. Ms. Enomoto, Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Kevin Wilson, and Legal Counsel Stuart Leviton responded to questions regarding: placement and responsibility of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; definition of “wear and tear”; clarity of guidelines for tenants; number of inspections; etc. Commission reached consensus for staff to incorporate comments and/or suggestions into a final draft to be presented to the Commission at its next meeting. Further consensus was reached that, once finalized, the new guidelines should be provided to the tenants as soon as possible as well as being made available online. 4. Results of March 2015 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Recommendations: A. Find that the receipt of the results of the March 2015 Tenant Satisfaction Survey is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because such is not a “project” as that term is defined in the CEQA Guidelines section 15378, and even if it were a project, it would still be exempt in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Receive and file the results of the March 2015 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes June 10, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Enomoto introduced the item as informational. Ms. Enomoto responded to questions from the Commission regarding “property tax” to be paid by the tenants. Both Ms. Enomoto and Mr. Leviton responded that the tax is a possessory interest tax required by the County to be paid for by the tenant; and, the tenant may then be reimbursed by the City. The information is in the lease agreement and will be an item to be emphasized in the guidelines. It was moved by Froberg and seconded by Kriste to receive and file the results of the March 2015 Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Motion carried, 6-0. 5. First Responder Leasing Priority and Related Issues. Recommendations: A. Find that discussion regarding the first responder leasing priority and related issues is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because such is not a “project” as that term is defined in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, and even if it were a project, it would still be exempt in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and B. Hold a discussion to consider whether first responders should continue to receive a priority in leasing residential units and related issues, including among other things, the on-going verification of first responder status, implications of changes in first responder status during tenancy, and occupancy requirements for first responders, and provide direction to staff regarding proposed procedures or related documents or information that should be presented to the Commission at a future meeting. Ms. Enomoto introduced the item and informed the Commission that this would necessitate a change in the City ordinance to be approved by City Council. The Commission had considerable discussion on the topic of the first responder priority for housing. On a motion by Haskell and a second by Kriste, the Commission voted to recommend to the City Council that the Council discontinue the priority in leasing residential units to first responders. The motion passed, 4-2 (Froberg, Garcia). JUNE LOTTERY AND WAIT LIST 6. In accordance with Section 3, Random Selection of Potential New Leasees, of the Vernon Housing Commission Lease-Up Procedures for New Tenants, separate lottery drawings of all Expression of Interest Forms and Unit-to-Unit Transfer Request Forms received between 5:01 p.m. on December 9, 2014, and 5:00 p.m. on Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes June 10, 2015 Page 4 of 5 June 9, 2015, will be conducted to create a wait list for all units that become available June 10, 2015 or later. Ms. Ayala announced that only one Unit-to-Unit Transfer Request was received, thereby not requiring a “lottery” action. Ms. Enomoto explained the Unit-to-Unit Transfer process. The Commission conducted the lottery. Any vacancy that opens from this day forth will utilize the list created this day. LOTTERY FOR REMODEL ORDER OF VERNON UNITS 7. In response to a recommendation by the Commission, the City Council has authorized the remodel of the seven Vernon units that were not remodeled in 2007/2008. In order to determine the order in which the units will be remodeled, a lottery drawing will be conducted. Ms. Enomoto briefly explained the remodel process and need for the lottery. The lottery was conducted with the order of the remodel to occur on each property as follows by street address number: 4321, 4323, 4324, 4325, and 4328. ORAL REPORTS & COMMENTS FROM STAFF AND COMMISSION MEMBERS 8. Update on City Council’s response and actions related to the Commission’s recommendation that the City sell all five City-owned housing units in Huntington Park. 9. Update on City Council’s response and actions related to the Commission’s recommendation that the City remodel the remaining seven City-owned housing units in Vernon that were not remodeled as part of the 2007/2008 remodel project to the same standard utilized in 2007/2008. Ms. Enomoto provided an update on both Agenda Items 8 and 9. 10. Presentation of fiscal year 2015-2016 budget. Ms. Enomoto provided a PowerPoint presentation on the 2015-2016 budget. 11. Quarterly housing report to be presented by the Director of Public Works, Water & Development Services. Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Kevin Wilson provided a PowerPoint presentation on the city’s housing. 12. Vernon Village Park progress report to be presented by the Director of Public Works, Water & Development Services. Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes June 10, 2015 Page 5 of 5 Mr. Wilson provided a PowerPoint presentation on the status Vernon Village Park. 13. Brief reports, announcements, or directives to staff from the Commissioners and Commission Officers. Commissioner Haskell announced that his term on the Commission will expire prior to the next meeting. He thanked the City Council for allowing him to serve on the Commission, and staff for educating him on government procedures. Ms. Enomoto explained that four of the seven Commission positions would expire in August. Notice of vacancies will be announced by various means, with potential applicants to be presented to council no later than August. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Hughes announced that this was the time allotted for public comment and inquired whether anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. No public comment provided. With no further business, at 8:10 p.m. it was moved by Haskell and seconded by Ybarra to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, 6-0. ________________________ Michael Hughes Chairperson ATTEST: _________________________ Maria E. Ayala Secretary