2015-09-09 VHC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 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, Steven Froberg,
and John Kriste
MEMBERS ABSENT: Steven Florman and Hector Garcia,
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hughes at 6:00 p.m. Vice Chairperson Ybarra led
the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Maria Ayala, City Clerk, announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson 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.
INTRODUCTORY BUSINESS
1. Self-introduction of newly appointed Commissioners Steven Florman and Kyle
Cooper (Business Representative Seats).
Members present conducted self-introductions.
MINUTES
2. Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held June 10, 2015,
to be received and filed.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Cooper to approve the Minutes listed above. Motion
carried, 5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
3. Approval and Adoption of Proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord
Responsibilities and Tenant Do’s and Don’ts.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2015
Page 2 of 4
Recommendations:
A. Find that approval and adoption of the proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and
Landlord Responsibilities and Tenant Do’s and Don’ts are 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. Approve and adopt the proposed Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord
Responsibilities and Tenant Do’s and Don’ts.
Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto presented the item and outlined the proposed changes
to the Guidelines Regarding Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities and presented the proposed
Tenant Do’s and Don’ts.
In response to Vice Chairperson Ybarra, Director of Public Works, Water and Development
Services Kevin Wilson reported on satellite, lawn and landscaping installation requirements.
Subsequent changes to the proposed were made concerning the same.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Cooper to approve proposed items as amended. Motion
carried, 5-0.
4. Approval and Adoption of Proposed Procedures for Tenants under First Responder
Priority.
Recommendations:
A. Find that approval and adoption of the proposed procedures for tenants under first
responder priority 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. Approve and adopt the proposed procedures for tenants under first responder
priority.
Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto reported on City Council’s consideration regarding
the first responders and provided an update on the current status.
Proposed procedures for annual certification for first responder tenants was presented.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2015
Page 3 of 4
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Froberg to approve and adopt the Procedures for Tenants
under First Responder Priority. Motion carried, 5-0.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF
5. Preliminary Discussion Regarding Potential Market Rent for Units to be
Remodeled in Fiscal Year 2015/2016.
Recommendations
A. Find that discussion of market rent 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 preliminary discussion regarding potential market rent for units to be
remodeled in fiscal year 2015/2016.
Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto provided an update on the item and City Council’s
current consideration on the same.
Legal Counsel Stuart Leviton provided further reporting.
At 6:45 p.m., Leviton advised that Vice Chairperson Ybarra is a resident that would be impacted
by this item and recommended that she recuse herself from the discussion. Ybarra recused herself
from the dais and sat in the meeting as a member of the public.
The remaining Commission members held considerable dialog regarding this item. No action on
this item was taken.
ORAL REPORTS & COMMENTS FROM STAFF AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
6. Update on the sale of three City-owned housing units in Huntington Park.
Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto provided the update.
7. 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 presented the reporting.
Chairperson Hughes and Vice Chairperson Ybarra provided feedback.
In response to Commissioner Cooper, Wilson clarified the types of repair calls.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2015
Page 4 of 4
8. Report on the completion and grand opening of Vernon Villages Park Apartments by the
Director of Public Works, Water & Development Services.
Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Kevin Wilson conducted the
presentation.
9. Brief reports, announcements, or directives to staff from the Commissioners and
Commission Officers.
Vice Chairperson Ybarra commended staff on the agenda material.
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 7:35 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
________________________
Michael Hughes
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
Secretary