2016-09-14 VHC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 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 Vice 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
Vice 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.
No public comment provided.
ELECTION
1. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to Serve until the Next Annual Election in September 2017
Recommendation:
A. Find that election of chairperson and vice chairperson does not constitute a
“project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative
activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed resolution 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. Elect one of its members as Chairperson for a one year term; and
C. Elect one of its members as Vice Chairperson for a one year term.
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September 14, 2016
Page 2 of 9
City Clerk Maria Ayala reported on the proposed and called for nominations
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Florman to elect Melissa Ybarra as Chairperson for a
one term. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ybarra: Yes Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes Florman: Yes Gavina: Absent
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Ybarra to elect Kyle Cooper as Vice Chairperson for a
one term. Motion carried, 6-0. Ybarra: Yes
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes Cooper: Yes
Florman: Yes
Gavina: Absent
PRESENTATION 2. Status of City Housing Improvements Presented by: Scott B. Rigg, Public Works and Water Superintendent
Public Works and Water Superintendent Scott Rigg provided an oral report.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Commission about inspections, repairs,
Commission input on the City housing improvements, and the formal procedure to make
recommendations on particular units and lease language.
MINUTES 3. Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held March 9, 2016
4. Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held June 8, 2016 It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Froberg to approve the Vernon Housing Commission
Minutes from March 9, 2016 and June 8, 2016. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ybarra: Yes
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September 14, 2016
Page 3 of 9
Garcia: Yes Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes
Florman: Yes Gavina: Absent NEW BUSINESS
5. Consideration of Financial Hardship Application from Tenant Recommendation:
A. Find that the request to evaluate the appeal process for an existing financial
hardship is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because the evaluation of such financial hardship is a continuing administrative
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment,
and therefore does not constitute a "project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines
Section 15378, and that even if such were a project, it would be exempt in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines 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 Financial Hardship Application from Tenant; and
C. Deny the request to grant an accommodation, confirming that the Tenant is not
suffering a financial hardship, as defined in the Transitional Hardship policy
adopted by the Vernon Housing Commission.
Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Derek Wieske reported on the proposed. Mr. Leviton noted that the application available to the public did not contain any
personal identifiable information.
Commissioner Florman inquired about the income criteria used. Staff confirmed that household
income was taken into consideration.
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Florman to receive and file the report. Motion carried,
5-1.
Ybarra: Yes Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: No
Cooper: Yes
Florman: Yes
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September 14, 2016
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Gavina: Absent
6. Status of Pest and Rodent Control Programs
Recommendation:
A. Receive and file a summary report on the status of the City of Vernon Rodent and
Pest Control.
Superintendent Rigg reported on the proposed.
Commissioner Garcia inquired about the planning of mosquito abatement due to the Zika virus.
Superintendent Rigg stated that no discussion with the vendor on that had transpired.
Public Comment
Carol Menke, resident, spoke about the ongoing rodent infestation and appreciates the ongoing
control programs.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission about rodent issues when demolition or construction takes place. Director Wieske noted a lot of improvements were made to the program
but they were always trying to improve upon it.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission about the tenant and landlord responsibilities
regarding rodent control. The Commission requested that this issue be agendized for a future meeting.
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Froberg to receive and file the report. Motion carried,
6-0.
Ybarra: Yes
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes Florman: Yes
Gavina: Absent
7. 2016 Tenant Satisfaction Surveys to all City-Owned Housing Units
Recommendation:
A. Find that the recommendation to administer a 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
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September 14, 2016
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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. Provide staff with any input regarding the 2016 Tenant Satisfaction Survey; and C. Approve the attached 2016 Tenant Satisfaction Survey for tenants in City-Owned
Housing with recommendations provided by the Commission.
Superintendent Scott Rigg reported on the proposed. It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Froberg to approve 2016 Tenant Satisfaction Survey.
Motion carried, 6-0.
Ybarra: Yes Garcia: Yes Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes
Florman: Yes Gavina: Absent
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF
8. Consideration of Procedures Regarding Temporary Relocation of Leases and Authorized Occupants and Procedures Regarding Unit-to-Unit Transfers Recommendation:
A. Find that consideration of the Procedures Regarding Temporary Relocation of Leasees and Authorized Occupants and the Unit-to-Unit Transfer policies are
exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because the
activity, which is purely administrative in nature, does not constitute a “project” as
that term is defined under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, and even if it were a
project, it would be categorically exempt from CEQA review in accordance with CEQA Guidelines 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 modify the Procedures Regarding Temporary Relocation of Leases
and Authorized Occupants and Procedures Regarding Unit-to-Unit Transfers. Special Counsel for the Vernon Housing Commission Stuart Leviton reported on the proposed.
Public Comment
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September 14, 2016
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Ms. Menke requested that the transfer fee be retroactively refunded. Mr. Leviton explained that there would be a differentiation between city initiated relocation and
tenant initiated relocation. Staff went on to explain that a retroactive refund of fees would not be
part of the procedures.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the commission about the costs associated with tenant transfers. The dialogue transitioned to defining a city initiated and tenant initiated relocation.
Chair Ybarra recused herself based on her unit being remodeled, and left the meeting for this item.
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Florman to table the discussion and address this item at a subsequent meeting.
After staff and public input on the unit-to-unit transfer fee Director Wieske stated that staff would
come back with a more refined recommendation. A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission to further clarified the details of the
potential procedure changes, security deposits, rental rate changes due to relocation, and transfer
fee structure.
Ms. Menke inquired about the transfer fee being associated with the security deposit. Mr. Leviton
clarified that the transfer fee was separate due to the fact it went into covering the cost of tenant
relocation.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission about priority of transfers.
Garcia amended his motion to adopt staff’s recommendations, adopt the procedure modifications
and direct staff to evaluate the unit-to-unit transfer fee and seconded by Florman. Motion carried,
5-0.
Ybarra: Recused
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes Florman: Yes
Gavina: Absent
9. Consideration of Status of the City-Owned Housing Units in Huntington Park
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
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September 14, 2016
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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. Make a recommendation to the City Council to sell the two remaining City-owned housing units at 6010 Oak Street and 2915 E. 60th Place in the City of Huntington
Park at fair market value.
Chair Ybarra rejoined the meeting. Director Wieske reported on the proposed.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission about tax burden due to the sale, use of the
funds generated by the sale, and reasons the remaining stock was left vacant. It was moved by Froberg and seconded by Garcia to make a recommendation to the City Council
to sell the two remaining City-owned housing units with the provision that the funds generated
from the sale be allocated for the use in the Vernon Housing stock. Motion carried, 5-1.
Ybarra: Yes
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes
Cooper: Yes Florman: No
Gavina: Absent
10. City-Owned Housing Compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Related Laws Recommendation:
A. Receive and file a summary report on the status of all City-owned housing units
regarding compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Leviton reported on the proposed.
Public Comment
Ms. Menke explained the needs for accessibility changes in her unit.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission about special accommodations,
aging population, and cost of accommodations.
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September 14, 2016
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The Commission directed staff to further address the issue of ADA modification to the Vernon Housing stock.
It was moved by Cooper and seconded by Garcia to receive and file the report. Motion carried, 6-
0. Ybarra: Yes
Garcia: Yes
Kriste: Yes
Froberg: Yes Cooper: Yes Florman: Yes
Gavina: Absent
ORAL REPORTS & COMMENTS FROM STAFF AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
11. Quarterly Housing Report to be presented by Public Works, Water & Development
Services Staff.
Director Wieske provided a PowerPoint presentation.
12. Brief reports, announcements, or directives to staff from the Commissioners and
Commission Officers.
Director Wieske briefly reported on an upcoming housing summit and an upcoming DTSC workshop.
13. Upcoming Meetings:
A. Next regular meeting: December 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Ybarra requested a listing of the items to be agendized for the next meeting. Staff listed the
following: unit-to-unit transfer fee; procedures for specific units, costs; responsibility of pest
control; and ADA accessibility process.
SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment provided.
With no further business, at 8:42 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
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September 14, 2016
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________________________ Melissa Ybarra
Vice Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala, CMC
Secretary