2016-11-09 VHC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016, IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Steven Florman, Steven Froberg, Hector Garcia,
Kyle Cooper, and John Kriste.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Frank Gavina
The meeting was called to order by Chair Ybarra at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Garcia led the flag
salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Ybarra announced 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.
William Davis, resident, spoke against the possibility of rent increases and remodel funding.
Diana Gonzalez, resident, spoke about the City addressing other factors before they raise the rent.
PRESENTATION 1. Status of the Rehabilitation Project of the Single Family Housing Unit Located at
4323 Furlong Place
Presented by: Felix Velasco, Assistant Engineer
Assistant Engineer Felix Velasco provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Derek Wieske noted that public input
was taken into consideration after the initial remodel and changes were going to be made.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission regarding contract between city and
contractors, bid specifications, project timeframes, and lead remediation with the remodel project.
The dialogue transitioned to the topics of the Vernon Housing Commission making recommendations to the City Council and the possible formation of a subcommittee to explore
construction/bid process, remodel specifications, and ADA accessibility.
Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2016
Page 2 of 4
The commission came to a consensus to recommend to the City Council that they grant opportunity to the Vernon Housing Commission, to review the plans and contract specifications with staff; and
to explore the need for additional disabled accessibility features in the City's housing units, related
to the Housing Remodel Project.
NEW BUSINESS 2. Authorization to Offer All Tenants in Non-Remodeled Units an Opportunity to
Relocate to a Remodeled Unit and Establish a Relocation Priority Interest List
Recommendation:
A. Find that the actions recommended in this staff report do not constitute a “project”
pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed items did constitute
a project, it would be exempt from CEQA 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 the establishment of a temporary/permanent Relocation Priority Interest
List to be used for the City Housing Remodel Project which would remain in effect
until all units are remodeled; and
C. Authorize staff to proceed with offering a temporary/permanent relocation opportunity to tenants in non-remodeled City-owned housing units.
Chair Ybarra recused herself from taking action on this item.
Special Counsel for the Vernon Housing Commission Stuart Leviton provided background on the proposed.
Administrative Secretary Anthony Zarate reported on the proposed.
Commissioner Florman inquired about the transfer fee. Secretary Zarate clarified that this would be a city initiated transfer and no cost would be transferred to the relocating tenant.
It was moved by Froberg and seconded by Florman to approve the establishment of a
temporary/permanent Relocation Priority Interest List and Authorize staff to proceed with offering
a temporary/permanent relocation opportunity to tenants in non-remodeled City-owned housing units. Motion carried, 5-0.
Ybarra: Recused
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2016
Page 3 of 4
Froberg: Yes Cooper: Yes
Florman: Yes
Gavina: Absent
LOTTERY - PERMANENT/TEMPORARY RELOCATION PRIORITY INTEREST LIST 3. Conduct a Lottery of All Interested Subject Tenants and Establish a
Permanent/Temporary Relocation Priority Interest List (Subject to Passage of
Agenda Item No. 2)
Chair Ybarra recessed the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
City Clerk Maria Ayala conducted the lottery which created a permanent/temporary relocation
priority interest list.
Ranking Order Addresses of Unit
1 4325 Furlong Place
2 4321 Furlong Place 3 4328 Furlong Place 4 4324 Furlong Place
5 3361 Fruitland Avenue
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 4. Preliminary Discussion Regarding Potential Rent Adjustments for all City-Owned Housing Units
Recommendation: A. Find that the discussion of potential rental rate adjustments for all City-owned
housing units 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. Direct staff to develop a rent schedule with increased rates based on the Consumer
Price (all items) Index to be presented at a future Vernon Housing Commission meeting. Director Wieske reported on the proposed.
Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2016
Page 4 of 4
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission regarding the expenses and revenue of the
housing stock. Mr. Leviton clarified about alternative methods to base rent upon. The dialogue
transitioned to exploring different procedures or formulas to generate rental increases and
timelines for implementation. The Commission came to a consensus to direct staff to come with an agendized item to develop a
rent schedule.
ORAL REPORTS & COMMENTS FROM STAFF AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
5. Brief reports, announcements, or directives to staff from the Commissioners and
Commission Officers.
Director Wieske briefly reported on the December 1st open house for the recently remodeled unit.
6. Upcoming Meetings:
A. Next regular meeting: December 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT
Delphia Garza, resident, spoke about a fall accidents that happened to her and her husband.
Thanked City staff for installing a ramp at their rental unit. Commissioner Garcia spoke about available funds through recently passed measures and
recommended the City to look into it.
With no further business, at 8:02 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
________________________ Melissa Ybarra
Vice Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala, CMC
Secretary