20211208 VHC MinutesMINUTES
VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021
REMOTE LOCATION VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Goff called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Vice Chair Goff led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Juliet Goff, Vice Chair (via remote access)
Ronit Edry, Commissioner (via remote access)
Steve Hermon, Commissioner (via remote access)
Leticia Lopez, Commissioner (via remote Access)
Jorge Nevarez, Jr., Commissioner (via remote access)
Marlene Ybarra, Commissioner (via remote access)
ABSENT: Steven Froberg, Chair
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk (via remote access)
Dan Wall, Public Works Director (via remote access)
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Commissioner Lopez moved and Commissioner Hermon seconded a motion to approve
the agenda, with Item No. 3 moved to follow Public Comment. The question was called
and the motion carried 6-0, Chair Froberg absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
December 8, 2021
NEW BUSINESS
3. Vernon Housing Element Update
Recommendation: A. Discuss the draft Housing Element update; and B. Recommend the
City Council adopt the draft Housing Element update
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report and introduced Phil Burns,
Consultant.
Phil Burns, The Arroyo Group, explained Housing Elements, Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA), new direction for Vernon Housing, proposed goals, existing housing,
current housing procedures, Westside Specific Plan, and proposed housing.
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall and Mr. Burns
explained the Surplus Land Act; proposed 300-units; proposed ingress and egress; truck
traffic; relocation of the City yard; disappointment by other cities with the required RHNA
numbers; caretaker housing; and broad concepts of the plan.
The Commission expressed concern with traffic created by 300 units, the City’s limited
voter pool, rerouting trucks to Alameda Boulevard, retaining the business-friendly status,
and contaminated soil remediation.
MOTION
Commissioner Hermon moved and Commissioner Lopez seconded a motion to
conceptually agree with the goals on page 8 and 9 of the Draft Housing Element. The
question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Chair Froberg absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Commissioner Lopez moved and Commissioner Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the
Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried. 6-0, Chair Froberg
absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following item:
1. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 8, 2021 Regular Vernon Housing Commission
meeting minutes.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Quarterly City Housing Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the December 2021 Quarterly Housing Report.
Public Works Director Wall presented the item.
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Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
December 8, 2021
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall stated the City would
apply for rent assistance grants as soon as the application was available. He mentioned the
three vacant City houses.
MOTION
Commissioner Edry moved and Commissioner Ybarra seconded a motion to receive and
file the report. The question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Chair Froberg absent.
NEW BUSINESS
4. City of Vernon Housing Unit Rental Rates
Recommendation: In light of the unforeseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the
4% increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers this year, staff requests
guidance from the Vernon Housing Commission on whether to: a) Increase rental rates for
City-owned residential units by 3% for calendar year 2022 in accordance with Resolution
No. VHC-8, or b) Waive rental rate increases for calendar year 2022.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall indicated the
Commission historically increased rents based on the Consumer Price Index (CIP) and
explained efforts for market rate rents on City properties.
MOTION
Commissioner Lopez moved and Commissioner Ybarra seconded a motion to direct staff
to: a) Increase rental rates for City-owned occupied residential units by 1.5% for calendar
year 2022 in accordance with Resolution No. VHC-8, and b) Retain current rental rates for
vacant units. The question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Chair Froberg absent.
5. Permanent Local Housing Allocation Application to the Department of Housing and
Community Development
Recommendation: Recommend the City Council approve and authorize the submittal of a
Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PHLA) Program application to the California
Department of Housing and Community Development.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report and explained the potential uses of
funds.
MOTION
Commissioner Edry moved and Commissioner Lopez seconded a motion to recommend
the City Council approve and authorize the submittal of a Permanent Local Housing
Allocation (PHLA) Program application to the California Department of Housing and
Community Development. The question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Chair
Froberg absent.
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Regular Vernon Housing Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
December 8, 2021
6. City-Owned Housing Vacancies and Future Housing Lotteries
Recommendation: Discuss current vacancies in City-owned housing stock and provide
direction to staff to proceed with housing lotteries.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Commissioner Lopez moved and Commissioner Ybarra seconded a motion to directed staff
to proceed with housing lotteries. The question was called and the motion carried 6-0, Chair
Froberg absent.
ORAL REPORTS
City Clerk Pope discussed upcoming meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Vice Chair Goff adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
________________________
STEVEN FROBERG, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 93448C24-525D-476A-AC19-A4BC7FCEB680