2018-12-12 VHC Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD WDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Kyle Cooper; Vice Chair Melissa Ybarra led the flag salute.
Members Present: Kyle Cooper, Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, and Frank
Gavina Members Absent: Hector Garcia, Steven Florman
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there are no changes to the Agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment provided. PUBLIC HEARING
1. A Resolution of the Vernon Housing Commission Establishing Rental Rates
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review because it is a
continuing administrative activity that will not result in any direct or indirect
changes in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Continue a Public Hearing; and
C. Adopt a revised resolution (modified at Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held on November 7, 2018) establishing rental rates,
specifically to accomplish the following:
1. Establish annual rent adjustments for occupied units, and;
2. Establish a method for determining rents for vacant units.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2018
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City Clerk Maria Ayala read the proposed Resolution.
Director of Public Works Daniel Wall reported on the proposed.
Commission had questions for staff regarding the following, with staff providing responses
accordingly: rental units, auction revenues, budgeted revenues, HUD rate and rent increases,
existing hazards on rental units due to lead contamination, testing and removal of contaminated
soil and placement of grass and concrete to remediate the problem, adjustments to CPI, and City of Vernon being in compliance with the State minimum building requirements.
Chair Cooper opened the public hearing for public comment at 6:17 p.m.
Public Comment:
Michael McCormick, resident, expressed concerns over the elimination of a rent discount and
railroad noise in the early morning hours. He also inquired what rate he would have to pay should if he chooses to downsize/upgrade to a different rental unit.
City Manager Fandino and Director Wall responded to Mr. McCormick accordingly. They
explained the “HUD” rate.
Dialogue ensued between Commission members regarding HUD Rate and possible “grandfathering” of tenants into a specific rate.
William Davis, resident, expressed concerns regarding the potential increase in rental rates and the
unresolved issue of tenants living on contaminated properties. Dialogue ensued between the Commission and staff regarding lead remediation. Commissioner
Ybarra asked, and the Commission reached consensus, for the topic of ‘lead remediation in the
City’ be agendized for the next meeting.
Leticia Lopez, resident, expressed concerns regarding the HUD rate, lead contamination found on
soil, rent increase, affordable housing, upgrading discounts, and lack of amenities in the City of
Vernon.
Arnold Garcia, resident, informed the Commission that the only reason he moved to the City of Vernon was because of the low rates. He further commented on how the Vernon rates are not
comparable to other cities because there are no amenities in the City of Vernon.
Judith Merlo, resident, expressed concern about the odors in the City, railroad noise, homeless
population, and lack of schools.
Chair Cooper closed the public hearing at 6:44 p.m.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2018
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A deliberation ensued between Commission and staff regarding unit transfer list, rent control,
creation of a fair renting system, grandfathering of existing transfer list, and amendments to
resolution to put a cap to the transfer list.
After considerate deliberations it was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Carol Menke to:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) review because it is a continuing administrative activity that will not result in any direct
or indirect changes in the environment and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by
CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and B. Continue a Public Hearing; and C. Adopt a revised resolution (modified at Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held on November 7, 2018)
establishing rental rates, specifically to accomplish the following:
1. Establish annual rent adjustments for occupied units, and;
2. Establish a method for determining rents for vacant units; and
Approve the Resolution with the following amendments:
• Revisions to Section 3
• Increase rent rate to 1%, effective March 1, 2019.
• Tenants presently on the transfer list to be exempt of HUD rate – amendment to section 4.
• Hold the rent increases with amendments to Section 5 Motion carried, 5 - 0.
Yes: Kyle Cooper, Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Frank Gavina
No: None MINUTES
2. Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held September 12, 2018. Recommendation: A. Receive and File
3. Minutes of the Special Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held November
7, 2018. Recommendation: A. Receive and File
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Kyle Cooper to: A. Receive and File the minutes
of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held September 12, 2018, and the Special
Vernon Housing Commission Meeting held November 7, 2018. Motion carried, 5 - 0. Yes: Kyle Cooper, Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Frank Gavina
No: None
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2018
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ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Carlos Fandino announced that there are two vacant units and that the link to
the Housing website has been activated on the City’s homepage. He also announced that Vernon residents can notify the City about any soil conditions. City staff will update phone numbers with
appropriate customer contact information and after-hour’s services.
The Commission reached a consensus to direct staff to provide a complete Exide update at the next
Vernon Housing Commission Meeting.
SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Cooper opened the Second Public Comment portion at 7:31 p.m.
Leticia Lopez, resident, inquired about the transfer list, and questioned if residents were notified
about the deadline to submit a unit transfer request.
Staff responded accordingly and a dialogue ensued between Commission and staff regarding the
transfer list procedure. City Administrator announced that any individual wishing to be added to the unit transfer request list should email him directly by midnight tonight. The clarification was
made that the list would be closed at that time and only individuals on this list would be able to
retain specific housing rental rates if they transferred.
Chair Cooper closed the Second Public Comment portion at 7:39 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 7:36 p.m., Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Melissa Ybarra
Vice Chair ATTEST:
_________________________ Maria E. Ayala City Clerk
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes December 12, 2018
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