20201209VHC Minutes
MINUTES
VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gaviña called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Hermon led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Frank Gaviña, Chair (via remote access)
Steven Froberg, Vice Chair (arrived at 6:26 p.m. via remote access)
Ronit Edry, Commissioner (via remote access)
Steve Hermon, Commissioner (via remote access)
Jorge Nevarez Jr., Commissioner (via remote access)
Marlene Ybarra, Commissioner (via remote access)
Melissa Ybarra, Commissioner (via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Dan Wall, Public Works Director (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Zaynah Moussa, Senior Deputy City Attorney (via remote access)
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Clerk Pope requested Item 1 be moved to follow Item 9.
MOTION
Commissioner Melissa Ybarra moved and Commissioner Nevarez seconded a motion to
approve the agenda, with Item 1 moved to the end of the meeting. The question was called
and the motion carried 6-0, Commissioner Froberg absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Diana Gonzales asked what her rent would be if her house was remodeled.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41932AF0-63EE-4C19-A70B-9C0F18A6208D
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
December 9, 2020
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Commissioner Hermon moved and Commissioner Edry seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Commissioner
Froberg absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 9, 2020 Regular and the October 14, 2020
Special Vernon Housing Commission meeting minutes.
3. Update on Temporary Emergency Moratoria on Evictions at Residential Properties
Recommendation: Receive and file the update.
4. Update on Business Priority Housing Policy
Recommendation: Receive and file the update.
NEW BUSINESS
5. City Housing Quarterly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the December 2020 City Housing Quarterly Report.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall discussed efforts to
contact the past due tenant. He stated he would add call logs to the report.
Commissioner Froberg arrived at 6:26 p.m.
MOTION
Commissioner Melissa Ybarra moved and Commissioner Marlene Ybarra seconded a
motion to receive and file the December 2020 City Housing Quarterly Report. The question
was called and the motion carried unanimously.
6. City-owned Housing Applicant Appeal Process
Recommendation: Hold a discussion on the necessity of establishing an appeal process for
prospective lessees that have been denied tenancy and provide direction to staff.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Senior Deputy City Attorney Moussa explained the
potential appeal process. City Administrator Fandino stated there had not previously been
an appeal on denial of a lease from a tenant. Public Works Director Wall explained the
financial criteria for tenants.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41932AF0-63EE-4C19-A70B-9C0F18A6208D
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
December 9, 2020
The Commission discussed the existing process and confirmed it was neutral and non-
discriminatory. The Commission agreed that the current process was adequate.
MOTION
Commissioner Nevarez moved and Commissioner Marlene Ybarra seconded a motion to
not proceed with an appeal process for prospective lessees that have been denied tenancy.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Appliance Policy
Recommendation: Consider the prospect of implementing a policy regarding appliances
in City housing units and provide direction to staff.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall explained the
inconsistency in appliances throughout City-owned housing; cost and maintenance of
appliances; the remodel at 4328 Furlong Place; and City’s obligation to provide appliances
due to existing leases.
The Commission discussed its preference for providing appliances including the financial
offset for tenant provided appliances; tenant-caused damage; and safety concerns.
Diana Gonzales suggested the possibility of a reasonably priced appliance warranty. She
questioned the inequity of some units having City-provided appliances and others not. She
stated she had not yet decided if she was moving out for the remodel because she needed
all the information first. She stated that Leticia Lopez received all new appliances and rent
did not go up, but she was told that her rent would go up $100 if new appliances were
installed.
MOTION
Commissioner Marlene Ybarra moved to direct staff to draft a policy for City-provided
stove and refrigerator, with tenant-provided, City-installed washer and dryer.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
Commissioner Melissa Ybarra amended the motion to require installation within 24-hours.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
Chair Gaviña moved to amend the motion to require a safety inspection on washers and
dryers rather than have the City install the appliances. The maker and seconder accepted
the amendment. The question was called and the amended motion carried unanimously.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41932AF0-63EE-4C19-A70B-9C0F18A6208D
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
December 9, 2020
MOTION
Chair Gaviña moved and Commissioner Nevarez seconded a motion to direct staff to bring
back a policy regarding appliances in City housing units, providing a stove and refrigerator,
and requiring a safety inspection of tenant provided appliances; and approving installation
of a stove and refrigerator, with the already installed dishwasher and microwave at 3361
Fruitland Avenue. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Los Angeles County Possessory Interest Tax for City-owned Housing
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City to pay tenants' Possessory Interest
Tax directly to the County Assessor on behalf of residents in City-owned housing units;
and B. Approve and authorize revisions to the Vernon Housing Commission approved
lease agreement and any relevant policies and procedures to reflect the change from a
Possessory Interest Tax reimbursement to a direct payment from the City to the County
Assessor on behalf of residents in City-owned housing units.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Commissioner Melissa Ybarra moved and Commissioner Hermon seconded a motion to
recommend the City Council approve and authorize the City to pay tenants' Possessory
Interest Tax directly to the County Assessor on behalf of residents in City-owned housing
units; and direct staff to bring back any necessary revisions to the Vernon Housing
Commission approved lease agreement and any relevant policies and procedures to reflect
the change from a Possessory Interest Tax reimbursement to a direct payment from the
City to the County Assessor on behalf of residents in City-owned housing units. The
question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Parcel Tax
Recommendation: Consider the prospect of tenant payment of the Greater Los Angeles
County Vector Control District Parcel Tax and provide direction to staff.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Commissioner Melissa Ybarra moved and Commissioner Edry seconded a motion to
continue the current practice. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Housing Lottery for City-Owned Housing Vacancy
Recommendation: Conduct a housing lottery to establish a priority listing for individuals
who have submitted a Unit Transfer Request Form or a Housing Expression of Interest
Form for vacant City-owned housing.
City Clerk Pope conducted the housing lottery and posted the results.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41932AF0-63EE-4C19-A70B-9C0F18A6208D
Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5
December 9, 2020
ORAL REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Chair Gaviña adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
________________________
FRANK GAVIÑA, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 41932AF0-63EE-4C19-A70B-9C0F18A6208D