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THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVED BY THE
CULVER CITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING OF THE March 23, 2015
CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD 7:00 p.m.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
Chair Sahli-Wells called the meeting of the Housing
Authority Board to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Meghan Sahli-Wells, Chair
Micheál O ’Leary, Vice Chair
Jim B. Clarke, Board Member
Jeffrey Cooper, Board Member
Andrew Weissman, Board Member
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Reflection/Pledge of Allegiance
John Nachbar, Executive Director, led the Reflection and
the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Booker Pearson.
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Community Announcements by Authority Members/Information
Items from Staff
None.
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Joint Public Comment for Items NOT On the Agenda
None.
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Receipt and Filing of Correspondence
Martin Cole, Secretary, reported that correspondence
received by the Secretary's Office before 2:00 p.m. had
been distributed to the Board Members and all would
become part of the record of this meeting.
MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER COOPER, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY BOARD RECEIVE AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE.
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Joint Consent Calendar
Item JC-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/
AGENDA ITEM: Cash Disbursements
MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER COOPER, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY BOARD APPROVE CASH DISBURSEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY
28, 2015 THROUGH MARCH 13, 2015.
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Consent Calendar
Item C-1
Meeting Minutes
MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER COOPER, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
CLARKE AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
BOARD APPROVE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 9,
2015.
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Order of the Agenda
No changes were made.
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March 23, 2015
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Joint Action Items
Item JA-1
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/CULVER CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA
ITEM: (1) Discussion of the Projected Funding Shortfall for
Housing Programs Provided by the City and (2) Provide
Direction to the City Manager/Executive Director as Deemed
Appropriate
Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director, provided a
summary of the material of record.
Tevis Barnes, Housing Administrator, provided background on
the Rental Assistance Program (RAP); discussed
alternatives; the Section 8 program; the RAP waiting list;
RAP participation term limits; families using the RAP
program; families that leave the program; the annual amount
of subsidy; options to help families transition; and
providing access to a Relocation Specialist if the program
is discontinued.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the Section 8 program; administrative costs; the
possibility of RAP participants moving to the Section 8
program; the current waiting list; families currently in
the program; landlord participation; program requirements;
incentive areas; new developments; the ratio of fair market
to affordable housing; the maximum number of affordable
housing units that could be built; encroachment in existing
residential areas; affordability assumptions; the number of
units possible per site; different income designations;
base densities; thresholds; incentive zoning; basic
assumptions; applying the incentives to the entire area;
state density bonus law; relaxation of development
standards; underlying zoning; R-2 in existing residential
neighborhoods; adding potential affordable housing; whether
any other cities in Los Angeles County fund housing
programs through their General Fund; the former
Redevelopment Agency mandate to provide affordable housing;
set-aside funds; state recognition that redevelopment
resulted in displacement of low-moderate income households
and resulting allocation of funds to address the issue; the
breakdown of funding for the Homeless RAP, the regular RAP,
and the homeless outreach program; proceeds from the sale
of the Pacific Theater; and the cost for three full time
staff members to administer programs. March 23, 2015
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Mayor Sahli-Wells invited public participation.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Marty Hente, Habitat for Humanity, provided background on
himself; asked that the City Council approve the proposal
to build 10 affordable housing units on the Globe Avenue
site and allocate $400,000 to close the funding gap; he
discussed the breakdown of units in the project and who
they would be made available to; he asserted that
affordable housing was not available in Culver City; and he
noted that Habitat for Humanity would work with staff to
realize the project.
Mayor Sahli-Wells clarified that the item being discussed
this evening was saving housing programs, and she asked
about the timeline for a specific discussion of the Globe
Avenue project.
Martin Cole, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, indicated
that staff would alert Mr. Hente when the Globe Avenue
project is scheduled to come before the City Council.
Diane Tyau, Habitat LA, Westside Church Coalition, urged
the City Council to move discussion of the Globe Avenue
project forward; she expressed support for the Habitat for
Humanity project on Globe Avenue; and she asked the City to
consider a grant to support the project.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding concern that due to the large number of people
present to speak on the Globe Avenue project which is not
on the agenda, people dependent on the RAP might not be
heard; a suggestion that those present in support of the
Globe Avenue project speak at another time when that item
is on the agenda; clarification that the City is waiting
for Habitat to come forward with a proposal for the Globe
Avenue project; agreement from staff that information be
disseminated to the public on the topic; clarification that
the property on Globe Avenue had been acquired by the
former Redevelopment Agency for the purpose of building
affordable housing; costs of the property; and the City
donation of the land.
Sal Princiotta thanked the Housing Authority for their March 23, 2015
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support and he asked the City Council to preserve the
housing assistance programs; discussed his experience with
mediation when his rent was increased; he felt that many
people were not aware of the availability of mediation; he
discussed the importance of helping homeless people; he
offered his assistance; and he suggested that renters be
able to earn equity after a certain period of time.
Rosalind Lewis received clarification regarding specific
developments in the City.
Mayor Sahli-Wells clarified the item being discussed; noted
that those who want to speak on items not on the agenda are
allocated time at the beginning or at the end of the
meeting; and she requested that people stick to the
specific agenda item.
Roxann Anderson described the experiences of her sister
Louise who is a RAP participant, and she expressed concern
with the difficulties that would ensue if her sister were
forced to move or take on a roommate.
Joseph Rosa asserted that the RAP program was crucial for
him; he discussed his previous experience living in his
car; indicated that he did not have family support; noted
that the RAP program had provided a roof over his head; he
described his health issues; and he hoped that the program
would continue.
Tom Wilson, Upward Bound House, discussed the CalWorks
program; the number of homeless families in Los Angeles;
the fact that children in foster care come from homeless
families; the number of people from foster families that
end up in prison; costs to run foster care programs; work
by Upward Bound to eradicate homelessness; and he urged the
City to continue funding at its current level for family
homelessness.
Booker Pearson, Upward Bound House, discussed the
partnership with the City; the My Brother's Keeper
initiative; their commitment to ensure that there are no
homeless children in the City; work with the school system;
work with the Housing Authority to plan to move RAP
participants to more affordable housing and more benefits;
the housing locators for benefits for children; and he
discussed the shelter in the City and average length of
stay. March 23, 2015
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Discussion ensued between Council Members and Mr. Pearson
regarding the number of currently homeless children in the
City; the number of children served; other funding; rapid
re-housing; establishing a permanent home with 6-12 months
of rental assistance; the Federal model; supplanting
Section 8; the 16,000 homeless families in CalWorks;
increasing numbers; and the commitment to assist homeless
families in the City.
Janice Johnson discussed the importance of the RAP program
for her; concern with finding another affordable handicap
unit; she discussed services in the City; she asked that
the City protect and keep the housing program for the
disabled, elderly, and families less fortunate; she felt
that affordable housing saved lives just like the Fire and
Police Departments; she thanked the property owners that
accept the programs and keep the units affordable; and she
was concerned that those less fortunate were reduced to
dollar figures.
Vanessa spoke in support of the RAP program and discussed
her experiences with Upward Bound and the RAP program.
Karla Meeks indicated that her daughter attended Farragut
Elementary School; discussed her experience with Upward
Bound and the RAP program; and she expressed hope that the
City would find a way to continue to help those in need.
Mark Lipman discussed the mid-year budget report; a budget
surplus from recurring funds; revised budget totals; he
asserted that the City had the money to make the programs
work; he urged the City to take care of their residents;
discussed the importance of maintaining the social safety
net; and the size of the Police Department budget.
Carlene Brown discussed the importance of taking care of
others in the community; keeping the program alive; the 600
people being served; the importance of not choosing to
sacrifice people; using proceeds from the theatre sale; and
a suggestion for an annual fundraising drive to support the
programs.
Dr. Kin Gyi discussed speakers with disabilities; her
experience at Culver Crest; and she suggested a redundant
program that could be eliminated with savings to go to the
housing program. March 23, 2015
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Kevin Lachoff discussed the abolishment of the
Redevelopment Agency; noted that the Chamber supported
affordable housing and one-time funding for purchase and
investment; felt that housing quality and affordability
should be addressed at the national, state or county level;
he asserted that incentives could be offered to create more
affordable units; he suggested consideration of zoning and
development incentives; expressed concern with committing
to recurring expenses with cyclical funding; discussed the
loss of the dedicated source of funding; the burden on the
General Fund; the Measure Y sales tax; increases to
property and sales taxes; and he expressed concern with
overtaxing.
Marilyn Kaplan discussed her experiences as a landlord with
Section 8 families and RAP families; management of Section
8 properties; she did not want to see the program lose
funding; she discussed her positive experiences with the
Housing Authority in the City; and expressed support for
the program.
Discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding program participants; concern that during the
time that redevelopment money was available, predecessors
created programs that alleviated their duty to build
affordable housing in the City; money in set-aside funds;
the utilization of programs rather than building affordable
housing; the Great Recession; creative ways to support
residents; disagreement that it would be irresponsible to
continue the program without being able to identify
permanent funding; fixed income program participants; City
responsibility for the problem; figuring out a way to
continue the programs; using proceeds from the sale of the
Pacific Theaters; General Fund revenue; City reserves; the
long-range financial forecast; the required spend down of
reserves over time; financial planning; the coming ramp up
of expenditures; clarification that the proceeds of the
Theater sale were already built into the financial
structure; increases by the state for public employee
retirement payments; significant costs for urban runoff
mitigation; sunsetting of the sales tax provisions; large
looming liabilities facing the City; serious fiscal
challenges to the City for the next 10-15 years; the
reasoning of previous City Councils; concern with using
short term funds to pay for an ongoing program; people
currently on the street that are not being served; March 23, 2015
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encouraging construction of affordable housing units;
increased density; the 4043 Irving Place development; the
Globe Avenue project; tensions in the community;
encouraging creation of additional affordable housing;
developer incentives; increased density and height;
mansionization; changing the character of neighborhoods;
the creation of an unsustainable rental assistance program;
whether the program is a General Fund obligation; providing
assistance for a limited period of time; providing
opportunities for participants to identify other available
options; appreciation to those who spoke; support for
continuation of the funding; the indefinite phase out;
those on the five year program; financial responsibilities;
priorities; clarification that the list is closed and new
people will not be added; prioritizing RAP recipients as
new units are built; the larger discussion of affordable
housing coming forward; curated density; qualified
participants; the annual recertification; the move-in date
into the unit; costs to maintain the existing program
through the upcoming fiscal year; concern with tying the
hands of future City Councils; identifying new sources of
funding; uncertainty of the City Council vs. the
uncertainty for people to remain where they are living; the
ability of future Councils to agendize the issue; program
costs and staff costs; adjusting staff to match the
workload; the existing level of homeless services;
hotel/motel vouchers; the availability of shelter beds; the
growing need; the relationship with St. Joseph's and Upward
Bound; previous action to convert the Homeless RAP to
administrative dollars for Upward Bound; ensuring that no
children are homeless in the City; funding to deal with the
increase in numbers; mental illness; saying no to other
programs to support these programs; whether funding the
program would hurt the City; clarification that the program
would not be indefinite but would continue as long as
current program participants remained; a suggestion to
stamp congratulations on the outside of the letter sent to
program participants that remain; and the importance of
being open to other funding resources.
Mayor Sahli-Wells proposed a motion to approve the
indefinite phase out of the RAP Program, continue to
support the Homeless RAP and Homeless Outreach Programs;
that the City further consider funding sources as laid out
in the staff report to ensure that the City can pay for
housing with certain fees to provide ongoing resources to
fund staff that is absolutely necessary to keep the March 23, 2015
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programs going; and when having the affordable housing
community discussions that the other proposals made in the
staff report be discussed along with those that come up
during the course of the community meeting. Vice Mayor
O'Leary seconded the motion.
Vice Mayor O'Leary requested that letters sent to RAP
participants be marked congratulations on the outside to
let them know that the program will continue, and he asked
that participants share their stories so that they may be
shared in the pursuit of revenue sources.
Additional discussion ensued between staff and Council
Members regarding clarification that the City Council could
not commit future City Councils to continue funding for the
program; concern with what is communicated to the
participants; and a suggestion to bifurcate the motion.
Council Member Clarke proposed a substitute motion to
establish a policy to fund the RAP until such time as
people can be transitioned into affordable housing units
and provide additional funding to homeless services as
necessary to maintain the current level of service without
increase.
Further discussion ensued between staff and Council Members
regarding the lowest level of payment by RAP participants;
the affordability mix of a particular development; and
clarification that most projects do not address those in
the extremely low income category.
The substitute motion failed due to lack of a second.
Mayor Sahli-Wells agreed to bifurcate her motion to
separate out the RAP indefinite phase out from the Homeless
RAP and the Homeless Outreach programs. Council Member
Weissman seconded the motion to bifurcate.
MOVED BY MAYOR/CHAIR SAHLI-WELLS AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER/BOARD MEMBER WEISSMAN THAT THE CITY COUNCIL/
AUTHORITY BOARD APPROVE THE PHASE OUT, OVER AN INDEFINITE
PERIOD, THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RAP). THE MOTION
CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: COOPER, O'LEARY, SAHLI-WELLS
NOES: CLARKE, WEISSMAN
March 23, 2015
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MOVED BY MAYOR/CHAIR SAHLI-WELLS, SECONDED BY VICE
MAYOR/VICE CHAIR O'LEARY AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL/AUTHORITY BOARD:
DIRECT STAFF TO FURTHER CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS IN THE STAFF
REPORT (AND ANY THAT ARE BROUGHT UP AT THE FUTURE COMMUNITY
MEETING ON THE CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING) REGARDING
HOMELESS OUTREACH AND HOMELESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS,
FUNDING SOURCES, INCLUDING FEES; TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS
AND THE RELATED STAFF; AND INCLUDE CONGRATULATIONS IN THE
LETTER TO EXISTING RAP PARTICIPANTS INFORMING THEM OF THE
CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION AND REQUEST, BUT NOT REQUIRE, RAP
PARTICIPANTS SHARE THEIR STORIES ABOUT THE RAP PROGRAM WITH
THE CITY.
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Public Comment for Items NOT on the Agenda
None.
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Items from Housing Authority Board Members
None.
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Adjournment
There being no further business, at 11:44 p.m., the Housing
Authority Board adjourned its meeting to April 13, 2015.
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_________________________________________________________
Martin R. Cole
SECRETARY of the Culver City Housing Authority Board
Culver City, California
March 23, 2015
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APPROVED
___________________________________________________________
Meghan Sahli-Wells
CHAIR of the Culver City Housing Authority Board
Culver City, California