2019-03-13 VHC Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2019, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
Members Present: Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Steven Florman, Frank
Gavina
Members Absent: Kyle Cooper, Hector Garcia
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Melissa Ybarra; City Clerk Maria
Ayala led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there are no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment provided.
PRESENTATIONS 1. Los Angeles River Path Project Presentation
By: Metro Representatives
Recommendation: A. No action required by the Commission. This is a
presentation only.
City Clerk Ayala introduced Metro Representative, Lauren Cencic, Senior Director in the Planning
Department at Metro, who conducted the presentation.
Commissioner Steven Froberg joined the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Vice-Chair Ybarra inquired as to the River Path alignments, access points in Vernon, and the
distribution of notifications to the residents to collect feedback. Ms. Cencic replied accordingly.
Commission and staff came to a consensus to send additional notices to Vernon residents to help solicit feedback.
MINUTES
2. Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Held on December 12,
2018
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Minutes March 13, 2019
Page 2 of 5
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
It was moved by Carol Menke and seconded by Steven Florman to: A. Receive and File the Minutes of the Regular Vernon Housing Commission Held on December 12, 2018. Motion
carried, 5 - 0.
Yes: Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Steven Florman, Frank Gavina
No: None NEW BUSINESS
3. Report on Housing Lotteries Held During the Period of August 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019 Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report
does 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 proposed action does 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. Receive and file a report on the housing lotteries held between August 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019.
Director of Public Works Daniel Wall reported on the item.
Vice-Chair Ybarra inquired as to the transfer list, housing lottery, and availability of the housing units. Director Wall responded accordingly.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Carol Menke and seconded by Steven Froberg to: A. Find that the action
recommended in this staff report does 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 proposed action does 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. Receive and file a report on the housing lotteries held between August 1, 2018 and February
28, 2019. Motion carried, 5 - 0.
Yes: Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Steven Florman, Frank Gavina No: None
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Minutes March 13, 2019
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4. Summary of Annual Maintenance Inspection Results for City of Vernon-
Owned Housing Units Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report
does 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 proposed action does 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 a significant effect on the environment; and
B. Receive and file a summary report of the 2019 Annual Maintenance Inspection Results for City-owned housing units. Director of Public Works Daniel Wall reported on the item.
Vice-Chair Ybarra inquired as to the damaged units listed on the inspection report. Director Wall responded accordingly.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Carol Menke and seconded by Frank Gavina A. Find that the action
recommended in this staff report does 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 proposed action does 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 a significant effect on the
environment; and B. Receive and file a summary report of the 2019 Annual Maintenance
Inspection Results for City-owned housing units. Motion carried, 5 - 0. Yes: Melissa Ybarra, Carol Menke, Steven Froberg, Steven Florman, Frank Gavina
No: None
DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 5. Discussion and Possible Directives to Staff Regarding Potential Restrictions
for the Submission of Unit Transfer Request Forms and/or City Housing
Interest Forms Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the discussions are
a continuing administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect
physical changes in the environment and, therefore, do 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
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Minutes March 13, 2019
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B. Hold a discussion on potential restrictions for the submission of Unit
Transfer Request Forms; and
C. Hold a discussion on potential restrictions for the submission of City
Housing Interest Forms.
City Clerk Ayala announced the proposed item.
Director of Public Works Daniel Wall conducted the presentation.
Commission came to a consensus to discuss Item B and Item C as two separate deliberations. A dialogue ensued between Commission and staff regarding the Unit Transfer Requests Forms,
and the management of the submitted Unit Transfer Form, transfer fees, full market rent, and
updating of the forms.
A dialogue ensued between Commission and staff regarding the management of the submitted
Housing Interest Forms, general lottery, policy restrictions, and verification of information
provided by potential lessees, checking and verification of authorized occupants, and use of the voter roster to verify unauthorized occupants.
ORAL REPORTS
6. December 2018-February 2019 Quarterly Housing Report By: Public Works Staff Recommendation: A. No action required by the Commission. This is a
presentation only.
Director of Public Works Daniel Wall reported on this item. He also informed the Commission that a resident has requested that Commission delve into limiting the numbers of homes that are rented to members of the same family. Commission could direct staff to bring this item back on
the next VHC meeting. Director Wall cautioned the Commission that this type restrictions on
potential tenants could be seeing as an attempt to manipulate the open and fair lottery system that
the Commission has currently in place.
Vice-Chair Ybarra inquired as to operating expenditures, and number and tracking of informal
calls received for service. Director Wall responded accordingly.
SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no second public comment provided.
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Minutes March 13, 2019
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ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Carol Menke and seconded to Steven Froberg to adjourn the VHC meeting. Without further business, Vice-Chair Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
________________________
Kyle Cooper
Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk