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>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. GOOD AFTERNOON. IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE MAKE THEIR WAY TO THEIR SEATS. THE TIME IS NOW 2:06 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025, AND THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL B SESSION IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.
>> CLERK: MAYOR PRO TEM, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MADAME CLERK. SO WE'RE GOING TO START OFF I KNOW IT IS RAINING AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR EVERYONE TO BE SAFED OUTSIDE.
THE TIP OF THE DAY IS IF YOU MUST EXIT THE HIGHWAY PLEASE BE IN THE APPROPRIATE LANE PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING EXIT. WE HAVE ONE ITEM TODAY AND NO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THIS MEETING WE HAVE A PRE-SOLICITATION BRIEFING FOR COURTESY CONTRACTOR LIST FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT MAJOR AND MINOR HOME REPAIR
PROGRAMS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M VERONICA GONZALEZ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR WITH NHSD.
TODAY I'M PRESENTING A PRE-SOLICITATION BRIEFING FOR A COURTESY CONTRACTOR LIST TO SUPPORT OUR HOME REHAB PROGRAMS. AFFORDABLE HOUSING REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY FOR SAN ANTONIO AND HOME PRESERVATION IS A KEY PART OF THAT COMMITMENT.
IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, SHIP, WE FOCUS ON SERVING FAMILIES WHO EARN UP TO 30% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME, ENSURING THOSE WITH THE GREATEST NEED CAN REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND, OUR REPAIR PROGRAMS ARE REACHING MORE FAMILIES THAN EVER.
IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 ALONE, THE CITY ALLOCATED APPROXIMATELY $18 MILLION IN FEDERAL BOND AND GENERAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT OVER 500 HOMES.
THIS INVESTMENT REFLECTS THE SCALE OF NEED AND OUR COMMITMENT TO MEET IT.
WITH FUNDING TO SUPPORT REPAIRS FOR OVER 500 HOMES IN SAN ANTONIO.
TO MEET THIS HIGH-VOLUME AND DEMAND, WE UTILIZE A POOL OF LICENSED AND INSURED CONTRACTORS. THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO DELIVERING QUALITY REPAIRS THAT PRESERVE HOMES. THIS ITEM SETS THE STAGE TO SUPPORT THIS WORK.
TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL COVER A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR HOME REHAB PROGRAMS. A LOOK AT THE PROJECT AND SOLICITATION PROCESS. WE'LL ALSO PREVIEW THE NEW CONTRACTOR SCORECARD, GO OVER RFQ REQUIREMENTS, AND SHARE THE EXPECTED TIMELINE FOR THE SOLICITATION PROCESS. ACROSS SAN ANTONIO, MANY FAMILIES LIVE IN AGING HOMES THAT NEED REPAIRS. TO HELP PRESERVE THEM, THE CITY OFFERS THREE KEY HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS. MAJOR REHAB, MINOR REPAIR, AND UNDER ONE ROOF. THESE PROGRAMS ADDRESS HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.
THEY COVER EVERYTHING FROM INSTALLING WHITE ROOF SHINGLES TO REPAIRING MAJOR SYSTEMS LIKE ELECTRICAL, HVAC, AND FOUNDATIONS. AND EVEN IN SOME CASES FULLY REBUILDING HOMES. EACH COUNCIL DISTRICT HERE RECEIVES A SHARE OF REPAIR SLOTS BASED ON FACTORS LIKE HOME AGE, CONDITION, INCOME LEVELS, AND COMMUNITY NEED.
OVERALL, THESE PROGRAMS HELP MAINTAIN SAN ANTONIO'S EXISTING HOUSING STOCK.
OFTEN THE MOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE. TO SUPPORT OUR HOME REHAB PROGRAMS, PARTICIPATING HOMEOWNERS RELY ON A POOL OF LICENSED AND INSURED CONTRACTORS. CURRENTLY TODAY WE'RE WORKING WITH 15 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. HOMEOWNERS THEMSELVES PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE BY SELECTING THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR USING THE LIST AS A RESOURCE. THIS LIST INCLUDES CONTRACTORS WHO MEET KEY QUALIFICATIONS SUCH AS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE,
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PROPER LICENSING, PERMITTING, AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.HOMEOWNERS MAY ALSO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR NOT ON THE COURTESY LIST AS LONG AS THEY OBTAIN MULTIPLE BIDS AND THE CONTRACTOR MEETS OUR PROGRAM STANDARDS.
WHILE HOMEOWNERS HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR, WHETHER FROM OUR COURTESY LIST OR INDEPENDENTLY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE CONTRACTORS ARE HIRED DIRECTLY BY THE HOMEOWNER. THAT SAID, OUR DEPARTMENT, NHSD, PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING STRONG OVERSIGHT MEASURES THAT HELP MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS AND PROTECT PUBLIC INVESTMENT. THIS INCLUDES CITY STAFF VISITING PROJECT SITES TO REVIEW THE WORK AND MAKING SURE IT FOLLOWS PROGRAM GUIDELINES. THIRD-PARTY INSPECTORS ALSO CHECK THE WORK TO CONFIRM IT MEETS SAFETY AND EQUAL STANDARDS. BEFORE ANY WORK BEGINS , WE VERIFY THAT ALL REQUIRED PERMITS ARE IN PLACE. NO PAYMENTS ARE MADE UNTIL THE WORK IS CONFIRMED, BOTH BY THE HOMEOWNER AND THE CITY STAFF.
ALL COMPLETED WORK COMES WITH A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY. CUSTOMER CARE AND SUPPORT CONTINUE TO BE OUR TOP PRIORITY. AT THE END OF EACH PROJECT, WE ASK HOMEOWNERS TO COMPLETE A SURVEY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.
LAST YEAR 95% OF HOMEOWNERS EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE PROGRAM.
LASTLY, WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
WE PLAN TO CONDUCT ANNUAL REVIEWS OF ALL PARTICIPATING CONTRACTORS.
THESE REVIEWS HELP ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS CONTINUE TO MEET OUR STANDARDS AND DELIVER STRONG PERFORMANCE YEAR AFTER YEAR. TO SUPPORT THE DEMAND FOR HOME REPAIR SERVICES, THE CITY IS ISSUING THIS RFQ TO ESTABLISH AN UPDATED LIST OF LICENSED AND INSURED RESIDENTIAL REHAB CONTRACTORS.
THIS LIST WILL BE USED AS A COURTESY RESOURCE FOR HOMEOWNERS BUT DOES NOT GUARANTEE CONTRACTORS A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PROJECTS. CONTRACTORS SELECTED THROUGH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO REMAIN ON THE LIST FOR FIVE YEARS.
THE HOME REHAB PROGRAMS HAVE AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $20 MILLION ANNUALLY AND $100 MILLION OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. AS I MENTIONED, THESE PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES INCLUDING GENERAL, FEDERAL, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOUSING FUNDS. OUR LIST OF CONTRACTS WILL EXPIRE IN SPRING 2026 . TO SUPPORT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, WE'RE ALSO CREATING A CONTRACTOR SCORECARD. THIS NEW TOOL WILL HELP US STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY ACROSS OUR PROGRAMS. THE SCORECARD WILL EVALUATE CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS. FIRST, SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE. HOW WELL DO THESE CONTRACTORS MEET PROJECT TIMES FOR HOMEOWNERS. SECOND, BUDGET ADHERENCE. ARE THEY STAYING WITHIN APPROVED BUDGET LIMITS, QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP. WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT RESPONSIVENESS DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION. FINALLY, HOMEOWNER SATISFACTION. WE'LL CONTINUE TO GATHER FEEDBACK DIRECTLY FROM HOMEOWNERS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE. THE RESULTS FROM THIS NEW SCORECARD WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT ANNUAL CONTRACTOR REVIEWS AND HELP GUIDE FUTURE DECISIONS IN THE CONTRACTOR SELECTION PROCESS.
THE EVALUATION PANEL INCLUDES VOTING MEMBERS FROM SEVERAL KEY CITY DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, NHSD, OHP, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, CAPITAL DELIVERY, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
IN ADDITION, ADVISORY MEMBERS SUPPORTING THE PROCESS INCLUDE STAFF FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND NHSD. HERE THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THROUGH THE SOLICITATION. STARTING WITH EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND, AND QUALIFICATIONS WORTH 60 POINTS.
ALSO PROPOSED PLAN WORTH 35 POINTS. AND THE VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PREFERENCE PROGRAM WORTH UP TO 5 POINTS. I'LL GO INTO MORE ENTAIL ON EACH OF THESE CATEGORIES ON THE NEXT SLIDE BUT FOR YOUR AWARENESS, FEDERAL REGULATIONS DO NOT ALLOW US TO APPLY LOCAL PREFERENCE POINTS, SINCE WE'RE USING FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SOLICITATION. SBEDA DOES NOT APPLY FOR THIS RFQ. THE FIRST EVALUATION CATEGORY IS EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND, AND QUALIFICATIONS. IN THIS SECTION TO YOUR LEFT, WE'RE LOOKING AT A STRONG RECORD OF COMPLETING SIMILAR RESIDENTIAL REHAB PROJECTS AND DELIVERING THEM ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET. THE COMPANY STRUCTURE, STAFFING LEVELS, AND HOW WELL THEY MANAGE SUBCONTRACTORS.
ALSO LOOKING AT ANY REQUIRED TRADE LICENSES AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS.
TO YOUR RIGHT, THE PROPOSED PLAN WORTH 35 POINTS WILL EVALUATE HOW CONTRACTORS
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PLAN TO DELIVER THEIR SERVICES. WE CONSIDER THEIR ABILITY TO COMPLETE PROJECTS AND SCALE UP DURING BUSY PERIODS. THEIR WARRANTY AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS, JOB SITE SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS, OVERSIGHT OF SUBCONTRACTORS AND FAIR WORKFORCE PRACTICES. ALSO COST ESTIMATING, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND, LASTLY, THEIR APPROACH TO COMMUNICATION AND OVERALL EXECUTION. WE ANTICIPATE RELEASING THE SOLICITATION BY NEXT MONTH WITH A CLOSING DATE IN FEBRUARY. THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSIDERED DURING THE POST-SOLICITATION BRIEFING AT B SESSION IN JUNE AND SLATED FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AS WELL IN JUNE. THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION AND WE'RE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. WE'RE DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WE'RE GOING TO DO ONE ROUND OF SEVEN MINUTES AND A FOLLOW-UP ROUND OF FIVE MINUTES TODAY. I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH JUST A QUICK POINT IN QUESTION. HOMEOWNERS ARE GIVEN A COURTESY LIST OR THEY MUST OBTAIN THEIR OWN BIDS. I WORRY TWO THINGS.
I'M WONDERING ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES TO THIS STRATEGY AND IS IT THE BEST PATH FORWARD? I WORRY BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE PLACING A LARGE BURDEN ON HOMEOWNERS FOR A PROGRAM WE ADMINISTER. AND THEN SECOND TO THAT IS I'M WONDERING ARE WE OPENING FOLKS UP FOR CONFLICT IF THEY END UP CONTRACTING WITH A NEIGHBOR, FAMILY MEMBER, OR FRIEND. THAT HAPPENS AND I WORRY ABOUT THAT ELEMENT OF IT. IF FOLK WERE TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN CONTRACTORS.
WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE THERE IN PLACE? THE LAST ONE, JUST ON SLIDE 5 IN TERMS OF OVERSIGHT. WE GET A NUMBER OF CALLS AT OUR OFFICE ABOUT WORK THAT'S NOT BEING DONE WELL AND THEY'RE MET WITH, WELL, YOU'RE THE AND SO LEGAL ACTION IS YOURS TO TAKE, IF YOU SO CHOOSE. IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE, WHETHER THROUGH ONE OF THE PARTNERS THAT WE PARTNER WITH OR THROUGH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? TWO POINTS. ONE WAS THAT REQUIREMENT, THE POSSIBILITY OF BURDEN PLACED ON RESIDENTS FOR CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR. AND THE SECOND ONE IS
RELATED TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE. >> SURE. SO I'LL START WITH THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OFTEN PROVIDES OUR TEAM GUIDANCE AND WE'VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE NOT CITY STAFF.
BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE IS AGREEMENTS WITH LEGAL PARTNERS, SO WE HAVE LEGAL AGREEMENTS WHERE WE CAN HELP THEM, WHERE THE LEGAL PARTNER CAN HELP THEM WITH THINGS SUCH AS TITLE CLEARANCE SERVICES. WE STARTED AN AGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER LEGAL PARTNER. THINK OF IT LIKE LEGAL ON RETAINER SITUATION.
WHERE WE CAN REFER HOMEOWNERS, IF THEY NEED HELP BEYOND CLEARING TITLE ASSISTANCE. THAT'S A BRAND-NEW RESOURCE WE JUST STARTED LAST MONTH.
WE HAVEN'T YET LOOKED AT OFFERING WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE FOR THEM TO OFFER SERVICES AS FAR AS MAYBE LIKE SUING A CONTRACTOR. BUT THEY ARE THERE TO PROVIDE THEM GUIDANCE ON WHAT THEIR OWNERSHIP STRUCTURES AND OTHER THINGS
THEY MAY NEED ASSISTANCE WITH. >> SEGOVIA: TO ADD TO THAT, MAYOR PRO TEM, IT'S A CHARTER ISSUE IN TERMS OF WHY WE CAN'T PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE DIRECTLY TO OTHER PARTIES. UNDER THE CHARTER, WE CAN ONLY PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE TO THE CITY, INCLUDING COUNCIL, STAFF, ET CETERA.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES' THOUGHTS AND
FEEDBACK ON THIS ITEM. >> COUNCILMAN, YOU ALSO ASKED ABOUT HOMEOWNERS SELECT THEIR OWN LIST. WE DID LOOK AT THAT. WE LOOKED AT DO WE EVEN NEED A LIST. I THINK THE BENEFITS OF US HAVING AN ON-CALL LIST IS WHAT VERONICA TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS THEN HOMEOWNERS DON'T NEED TO DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH. WE STILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK AT ALL THE CONTRACTORS ON THEIR LIST. WE GIVE THEM A SUMMARY OF HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS. A ONE-PAGER ON EACH OF THEM TO HELP GUIDE ANY ADDITIONAL RESEARCH THEY MAY WANT TO DO. BUT IF THEY DO NOT SELECT THIS, BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS FUNDING SOURCES IN OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESSES, THERE DOES HAVE TO BE SOME SORT OF A PROCUREMENT PROCESS. SO BY GOING THROUGH THIS ON-CALL LIST, WE ARE TAKING ON THAT BURDEN FOR HOMEOWNERS AND VETTING MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS, GIVING THEM SOME INFORMATION. BUT THEY ULTIMATELY HAVE THE OPTION OF CHOICE. SO IF THEY DON'T GO WITH ANY OF OURS, THEY STILL HAVE TO CONDUCT THEIR OWN INFORMAL SOLICITATION PROCESS TO SATISFY THE PROCUREMENT.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I GUESS WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER AND JUST HAVE THEM WORK WITH THOSE WE HAVE THOROUGHLY VETTED.
BUT OPEN FOR MORE FEEDBACK AND DISCUSSION AS TIME GOES ON.
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COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM, AND THANK YOU, VERONICA FOR THE PRESENTATION. I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO BE PLEASED WITH IN TERMS OF THE UPDATE TO THE SOLICITATION PROCESS, PRIMARILY WITH THE CONTRACTOR SCORECARD. I THINK THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY, ONE, FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THERE ARE CONCERNS, WHETHER IT'S WITH TIMELINE OR QUALITY, THAT IT WILL BE TRACKED. AND THEN, OF COURSE, MY EXPECTATION IS THAT CONTRACTORS WILL STEP UP THEIR GAME BECAUSE THEIR EXPECTATION IS TO HAVE A HIGH SCORE AND CONTINUE TO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY.
I'M PLEASED WITH THE UPDATE TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SELECT THEIR CONTRACTOR FROM A CITY-VETTED LIST. THIS IS A REQUEST WE OFTEN HEAR FROM DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS AND THOSE WHO QUALIFY HIGHLIGHTED THEY WOULD PREFER THEY HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY. GRATEFUL TO SEE THERE'S THAT UPDATE THERE.
IN TERMS OF SLIDE 10, CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION WILL LOOK LIKE IF THERE'S ANY CONCERNS WITH THE PROJECT? THE WARRANTY AND DISPUTE
RESOLUTION. >> WHAT STAFF IS PROPOSING IS REALLY HAVING A WRITTEN RECORD. A LOT OF TIMES I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT STAFF IS VERY MUCH INVOLVED. AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, WE DO CONDUCT SITE VISITS.
WE TALK TO THE HOMEOWNER. WE BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER. BUT THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE IT'S DOCUMENTED. THAT CASES ARE CLOSED. SO WE WANT TO HAVE A BETTER RECORD OF THAT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THAT CUSTOMER CARE TO OUR RESIDENTS.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. DURING OUR CONVERSATION, I ASKED IN TERMS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S A CONTRACTOR THAT THEY ARE ADDRESSING AN ISSUE WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME-FRAME, ARE WE GOING TO BE TRACKING, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE YES THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE CONCERN BUT THERE'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, FREQUENT REQUESTS TO ADDRESS A CONCERN. CAN YOU PROVIDE ASSURANCES
IN TERMS OF HOW THAT WILL BE TRACKED? >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO DEVELOP THE SCORECARD. I MENTIONED IN ONE OF THE SLIDES THE SCORECARD IS NOT JUST MEANT TO BE USED BY PROJECT, IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO INFORM STAFF AT OUR NEXT RFQ. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY EVERY YEAR AS WE REVIEW THESE CONTRACTORS, WE SAID UP TO FIVE YEARS BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE CONTRACTOR STAYS ACTIVE FIVE YEARS. IF THEY'RE NOT PERFORMING
WELL, WE'RE DOCUMENTING IT VIA THE SCORECARD. >> CASTILLO: I APPRECIATE THAT . KIND OF GOING BACK TO THE CONSTITUENT BEING ABLE TO PICK THE CONTRACTOR. I THINK THERE WAS AN EXAMPLE WITH A SPECIFIC PROJECT WHERE THE RESIDENT ENDED UP GOING WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT HABITAT CAN DO THIS HOME REHAB WORK. I KNOW THERE'S ALSO INTEREST FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO SEEK SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM.
AND THEN ON ANOTHER NOTE, WE HAD ANOTHER EXAMPLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE, WERE UNINSURED, AND THERE WERE A COUPLE OTHER DETAILS.
MARK CARMONA CONNECTED OUR TEAM TO MERCED AND THEY DID A REAT JOB TO REHAB THE STRUCTURE. IT WAS A
THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN FOLLOWED BY COUNCILWOMAN
KAUR. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, TEAM. I FEEL LIKE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS. I WANT TO GO TO SLIDE NUMBER --.
SO WHILE I DO -- I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH A SCORECARD FOR THE CONTRACTORS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SCORECARD SURVEY OR -- THAT WAS SLIDE 7.
SCORECARD SURVEY FOR THE CONTRACTORS ON THE RESIDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS.
BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE FIVE YEARS BUT IF THEY HAVE A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A HOMEOWNER BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED THEM AROUND OR THEY CRITICIZED THEIR WORK THAT THEY DID -- I HAVE A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE OF THAT. AND THEN THEY WENT AND REDID IT OR TOOK IT APART, WE NEED TO KNOW THAT. THAT MAY BE WHY SOME OF THESE CONTRACTORS DON'T COME BACK, BECAUSE THEY HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE HOMEOWNER. SO I WANT THAT KIND OF TO BE A BACK AND FORTH SO THEY CAN SHARE WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCE WAS. THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE THE STORIES OF WHERE THIS RELATIONSHIP GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND.
WHERE THE HOMEOWNER IS MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WATER AND THEY CHECK IN ON THEM AND SAY HELLO EVERY DAY. I KNOW THAT SOME OF MY RESIDENTS ARE DOING THAT ALSO. AND THEN BY THE END THEY FEEL LIKE THIS CONTRACTOR IS PART OF THE FAMILY BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID. SO I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORY BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM AS WE MOVE FORWARD. AND I THINK FROM THERE WE CAN DO SO MUCH WITH THIS.
I THINK WE WANT TO BRING BACK THAT GOOD NEIGHBOR FEELING AS PART OF THIS
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PROCESS. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO ECHO IS WE HAVE THE REHAB AND THE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE MORE STATS ABOUT WHEN WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY REBUILD. BECAUSE I KNOW ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHSIDE WHERE THEY'RE ON PIER AND BEAM AND WE WALK THAT FINE LINE OF OHP AND THEN WE FIND OUT SOMEBODY ADDED ON A WHOLE WING WITHOUT ANY PERMISSION BACK IN THE '40S.MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING THAT WHEN WE'RE BRINGING THEM UP TO CODE AND ALSO MAKING SURE THERE'S THAT SUSTAINABILITY AND WEATHERIZATION ISSUE THERE.
SO SOMETIMES REBUILD IS A BETTER OPTION THAN REHAB. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT STAT, IF WE'RE HAVING TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION, AND WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE AND WHERE WE COULD FIND PARTNERSHIP FOR THAT ASPECT AS WE CONTINUE ON.
BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, OUR BEST STOCK IS THE CURRENT HOUSING STOCK, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S TAKEN CARE OF. ANYTHING WITH A LEGACY HOME -- I KNOW Y'ALL BROUGHT IN THE TITLES -- WE REALLY TRY TO WORK WITH OUR CREDIT UNIONS AND BANKS TO TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL PLANNING THAT WITH THIS REHAB REPAIR OR IN SOME CASES REBUILD, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE ANNUALLY FOR THEM TO HAVE THE MAINTENANCE AND THE WARRANTY TO MAKE SURE THE HVAC SYSTEM IS UPDATED.
TO MAKE SURE THE WIRING, WHAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY BRING IN AND NOT BRING IN.
SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. I THINK FROST WENT INTO MY COMMUNITY AND DID THAT FOR GENERAL NEIGHBORS. BUT I BELIEVE YOUR OFFICE
WAS THERE WHEN THEY DID THAT. >> TH THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR BRINGING THAT UP. WE DO OFFER FOR, ESPECIALLY OUR MAJOR AND MINOR REHAB CLIENTS, THE CHANCE TO GO THROUGH OUR HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE CLASSES.
IT'S A FOUR-HOUR CLASS. WE SERVED OVER 200 HOMEOWNERS LAST YEAR ALONE THAT WENT THROUGH OUR HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE CLASSES.
LIFT SAN ANTONIO HELPS US WITH THAT. WE HAVE SOME NONPROFIT PARTNERS WE BRING IN. ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF THAT CLASS IS BUDGETING FOR FUTURE REPAIRS. WE ALSO GO OVER OPTIONS FOR HOME WARRANTIES, SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT'S SOMETHING THEY COULD BUDGET FOR AND COULD COVER COMPREHENSIVE ITEMS THAT MAY FAIL WITH THE HOME. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW WE BRING IN MORE PARTNERS LIKE THE BANKING INSTITUTIONS THAT MAY BE ANOTHER RESOURCE TO HELP THEM. WE LOVE THAT IDEA.
THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: I THINK, AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND WE SEE IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES MORE PEOPLE APPLY FOR THIS THAT WE TEND TO PUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMITTED TO DO THIS UP THE LIST. YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A HOMEOWNER THAT SAYS, NO, I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, WE'LL PUT THEM IN ONE PILE.
AND THE ONE THAT'S LIKE, YES, I'LL DO THAT AND YES, I'LL DO THIS.
THOSE WHO ARE CAPABLE -- AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE GOOD NEIGHBOR.
THOSE WHAT ARE CAPABLE BUT LIVE IN MAYBE AN OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD, IF WE COULD EVEN ASK, HEY, CAN YOU HELP US WITH VOLUNTEER HOURS. CAN YOU HELP US WITH CLEAN UP. IF WE KNOW THEY'RE HAVING TO CLEAN UP THEIR YARD BECAUSE THERE'S ALL SORTS OF STUFF THAT'S GOING TO BE TAKEN AND THEY'RE TAKING IT TO THEMSELVES TO THE BULKY ITEM DUMP, CAN YOU VISIT YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBOR AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY ITEMS THAT YOU COULD TAKE FOR THEM AND WE COULD GIVE THEM A SPECIAL PASS OR DISPOSITION. BECAUSE I REALLY THINK WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT KIND OF GETS CONTAGIOUS AND OTHER PEOPLE DECIDE THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THEIR HOUSE. AND I WANT THEM TO WALK OUT THE FRONT DOOR AND START HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.
WE'VE DONE THAT FOR THE VETERANS PROGRAM, WHAT YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN PART OF.
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THE NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET STARTS PUTTING UP A NEW FENCE OR SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS GOING ON.
I REALLY WANT THIS TO CATCH ON. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK THERE.
AND I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, JUST IF THE COUNCIL COULD CONTINUE TO SHARE THEIR IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE HAVE DISTRICT-SPECIFIC NEEDS MET.
THANK YOU. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
COUNCILWOMAN KAUR FOLLOWED BY COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PRESENTATION. I, LIKE COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO AND THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES, WERE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM FOR THE BUDGET CYCLE. BUT I ASKED SOME QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED FOR FOLLOW-UP AND DIDN'T QUITE GET ALL THE RESPONSES I WAS LOOKING FOR. THE THING THAT I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT ABOUT THE RFP IS WHETHER WE'RE BACKWARDS PLANNING ENOUGH.
THIS LAST CYCLE WHEN WE TRIED TO DO BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND AT THE END WE SAID WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE OUR MAJOR/MINOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM BY A MILLION DOLLARS. THE FEEDBACK WE GOT WAS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CONTRACTORS TO DO THIS WORK. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE, JUST INCREASE THE AMOUNT . WHAT I HAD ASKED FOR
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SPECIFICALLY IS ALL OF THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE ON THE LIST RIGHT NOW, HOW MANY HAVE THEY BEEN ABLE TO SERVE? AND HOW MANY MORE CONTRACTORS WOULD WE NEED TO GO GET IN ORDER TO SERVE ADDITIONAL FOLKS, GIVEN THAT THIS HAS BEEN SHOWN AS A COUNCIL PRIORITY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS FROM THIS COUNCIL? I DID GET DATA SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE PROJECTS THAT WERE DONE IN FISCAL YEAR '25. IT LOOKS LIKE OUR NONPROFITS PARTNERS SERVED ABOUT 145 INDIVIDUALS VERSUS OUR CONTRACTORS, IF YOU CALCULATE THE 18 PROJECTS PER, WERE ABOUT 270. ARE THOSE NUMBERS -- DID I CALCULATE THAT CORRECTLY? I HAD TO DO THE MATH ON MY OWN SINCE IT WASN'T ON THE DATA. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS THIS ON A BACKUP SLIDE.>> THOSE NUMBERS SOUND PRETTY ACCURATE, COUNCILWOMAN.
I'LL CLARIFY THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT PART OF IT IS CONTRACTOR CAPACITY BUT IT IS ALSO CAPACITY FOR OUR TEAM AND OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS.
WHILE THEY ARE ABLE TO SERVE THAT MANY IN A YEAR, MANY OF THEM TAKE LONGER THAN THE ONE YEAR WE GIVE THEM. SO CONTRACT AMENDMENT EXTENSIONS ARE COMMON FOR OUR PARTNERS. WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE MONEY BACK.
WE WANT TO GIVE THEM TIME TO REACH THE HOUSEHOLDS. THEY'RE SERVING THEIR HOMEOWNERS, THEY'RE SERVING THE CITY PROJECTS THAT WE'RE PARTNERING ON AND OUR NONPROFITS HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY TO MANAGE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.
SO DO WE. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TEAM MEMBERS TO MANAGE THE PROJECTS SO WE HAVE OTHER ISSUES, SUCH AS NOT HAVING ENOUGH TEAM MEMBERS TO DO ON ONGOING SITE VISITS. WE WENT FROM ONE INSPECTOR TO THREE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EYES ON THE MULTIPLE PROJECTS. WE HAVE GROWN THIS PROGRAM OVER THE YEARS, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE BOND FUNDS, SO WE TRY TO INCREASE OUR RESOURCES. WE HAVE 15 CONTRACTORS RIGHT NOW AND WE HOPE TO GROW THAT BUT THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE RESPONSES. AS COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO POINTED OUT, A HOMEOWNER IS NOT LIMITED TO THIS LIST. THEY CAN ALWAYS DO MORE.
>> KAUR: I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE RESPONSE I GOT WHEN I SAID WE WANT TO PUT IN A MILLION DOLLARS.
THE RESPONSE Y'ALL PROVIDED TO US WAS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CONTRACTORS.
IT WASN'T THAT WE DON'T HAVE STAFF CAPACITY. I DON'T WANT US TO BE BACK IN AUGUST SAYING WE WANT TO PUT ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS AND SAYING WE DIDN'T GO OUT AND GET ENOUGH CONTRACTORS. THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
IF WE WANTED TO DOUBLE THIS PROGRAM, IF WE WANTED TO SAY THIS IS -- TO COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN'S POINT -- HOUSING STOCK IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.
IF WE SAID WE WANT TO DOUBLE THE IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM, WOULD THAT MEAN AN EXTRA THREE NHSD EMPLOYEES PLUS AN EXTRA TEN CONTRACTORS? THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I'M TRYING TO GAUGE. HAVE WE DONE THE THOUGHT PROCESS ON WHAT WOULD IT
TAKE TO REALLY INCREASE THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS. >> WALSH: COUNCILWOMAN, LET ME JUMP IN HERE. I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH AT THE END WAS THROWING -- INVESTING ADDITIONAL MONEY INTO A PROGRAM OF WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION. AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, IF WE GET TWO OR WE GET 22 OR WE CHANGE THE MECHANISM, LIKE SOME OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT, THAT PIPELINE COULD CHANGE. BUT WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. SECONDLY -- AND YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN.
THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES TO DOUBLE THE INVESTMENT AND THE OUTPUT, WHAT DO WE NEED IN PLACE, WHETHER FROM A CONTRACTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR STANDPOINT. WE CAN WORK ON THOSE TWO THINGS SEPARATELY.
WHEN WE DO THE POST-SOLICITATION ON THIS, WE COME BACK AND TRY TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. BECAUSE IF WE GET TWO, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION NUMBER TWO IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN IF WE GET 22. MESSAGE RECEIVED.
WHEN WE DO THE POST-SOLICITATION, WE'LL LAY OUT THAT FRAMEWORK.
BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE AS EASY AS POTENTIALLY A MATRIX. >> KAUR: RIGHT.
>> WALSH: FOR EVERY 100 THAT WE DO, WE MAY NEED THREE PEOPLE AND FOUR
CONTRACTORS. >> KAUR: AND THE REASON WHY I WAS SAYING -- I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. THE REASON WHY I WAS THINKING THAT IS BECAUSE IT PUSHES US TO BE A LITTLE BIT STRONGER ON OUR RECRUITING AND GOING AFTER CONTRACTORS ON A PROACTIVE BASIS VERSUS JUST SAYING THE 15 THAT WE HAVE ARE SUFFICIENT. BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN SOMETHING, WE COULD JUST GO BACK TO OUR EXISTING BASE AND SAY PLEASE REAPPLY. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS WORK. BUT IF WE REALLY HAVE AN INTENTION TO DOUBLE IT, WE SHOULD BE SAYING, ON A HIGHER SCALE, LIKE HOW ARE WE PROACTIVELY GOING OUT AND SAYING WE WANT AS MANY CONTRACTORS AS POSSIBLE TO RESPOND TO THIS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE WORK ALIGNED TO IT. SO THE REASON WHY I WAS ASKING -- AND WE SHOULD HAVE A TARGET IN MIND RIGHT NOW -- OF HOW MANY WE WANT
[00:30:06]
TO ADD TO BE ABLE TO GROW THE PROGRAM SO THAT WE DON'T --H JUST THE TWO COMING BACK.>> WALSH: WELL, WE CAN LOOK AT LANGUAGE WITHIN THE SOLICITATION.
YOU KNOW -- SORRY. MY PICTURE IS THROWING ME OFF.
>> KAUR: THE SHADE LOOKS INTERESTING. [LAUGHTER]
>> WALSH: WE COULD PUT LANGUAGE IN THE RFP THAT SAYS WE HAVE SET ASIDE, BUDGETED, PLANNED FOR NOW. AND THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE CONVERSATIONS AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27 CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT.
IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR US TO SAY -- IT'S HARD FOR YOU ALL TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE IT NOW. WE CAN CLEARLY INDICATE IN THE PRE-SOLICITATION AND IN THE SOLICITATION ITSELF IS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE LOOKING TO POTENTIALLY INCREASE IT SO THAT THOSE POTENTIAL PROVIDERS KNOW THAT THE POT COULD BE BIGGER. THE WORK COULD BE BIGGER. SO WE CAN DO THAT.
>> KAUR: I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I KNOW YOU GUYS -- I'M LOOKING AT THE OUTREACH AND I KNOW WE'RE ALREADY DOING A LOT BUT IF -- I MAY BE MAKING THIS PRESUMPTION BUT I THINK A LOT OF US SUPPORTED THIS PROGRAM AND WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WANT TO SUPPORT IT AND SEE IT GROW. I JUST DON'T WANT THE CONTRACTOR PIECE TO BE THE LIMITING THING. MAN, SEVEN MINUTES GO BY
FAST. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: WE CAN ROLL YOUR QUESTION IN.
>> KAUR: THE LAST QUESTION I HAD IS FOR THE NONPROFITS. ARE THEY INCLUDED IN THIS OR
NO? THEY'RE A SEPARATE PROCESS? >> NO.
THAT'S SEPARATE. WE DO A SEPARATE RFP. >> KAUR: DO WE HAVE ONE
COMING UP FOR THEM? >> WE HAVE ONE COMING UP AND THEN TOMORROW'S AGENDA IS ADDING, FROM THE $1 MILLION IMPROVEMENT WE DID AT THE BUDGET, WE'RE ADDING MORE
DOLLARS TO FOUR AGREEMENTS FROM THE LAST SOLICITATION. >> KAUR: WHEN YOU COME BACK, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE THE NONPROFITS AND THEIR CAPACITY.
IT LOOKS LIKE SEVERAL ARE HITTING THEIR MARKS REALLY WELL, INCLUDING MERCED AND BLUEPRINT. AND SAWS WASN'T ACTIVE IN 2025.
IT WOULD BE GOOD TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ALL OF THEM AND WHAT THEIR CAPACITY IS. THANKS. THANKS, MAYOR PRO TEM.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE
GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ASKED BY MY COLLEAGUES.
BUT JUST TWO OR THREE MORE QUICK QUESTIONS. HOW OFTEN DO HOMEOWNERS
CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR THAT ISN'T ON THE LIST? >> CURRENTLY, THEY DON'T.
IT'S EITHER ZERO OR MAYBE ONE TIME I HEARD A HOMEOWNER DID SELECT THEIR OWN
CONTRACTOR. >> GAVITO: IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY
CONTRACTORS CAN BE ON OUR LIST? >> NO.
>> GAVITO: OKAY. AND I THINK THAT KIND OF TIES INTO COUNCILWOMAN KAUR'S POINT. IF WE NEED CONTRACTORS TO GET IT DONE -- BECAUSE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE TO ALL OF US. IF THERE'S WAYS THAT WE COULD CERTIFY MORE CONTRACTORS AND WE'RE NOT LIMITED TO A CERTAIN QUANTITY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. AND A LITTLE BIT PIGGYBACKING OFF OF COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO'S QUESTION.
WHAT PROTECTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO DID RECEIVE SUBPAR WORK?
>> TWO-PART ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. ONE, THEY DO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONTRACTOR, WHICH STIPULATES A LOT OF THE TERMS THAT -- BOTH RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE HOMEOWNER AND THE CONTRACTOR.
SECOND, THERE IS A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. PART OF THAT INCLUDES THE WARRANTY PERIOD WHERE THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THAT AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE HOMEOWNER DURING THAT TIME. THAT'S PART OF NHSD'S OVERSIGHT. THEY CAN REACH OUT TO US IF THAT IS NOT OCCURRING.
>> GAVITO: OKAY. BUT THE FIX ITSELF IS HAPPENING WITH THE CONTRACTOR, THEN? OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD.
THOSE WERE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN FOLLOWED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WHYTE. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
IF YOU WANT TO GET SOME TIME DONE, TALK FASTER. JUST KIDDING.
I'LL DO MY BEST TO CONTINUE TALKING SLOWER. YOU'RE WELCOME.
ABSOLUTELY. A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED.
THE SCORECARD CONVERSATION HAS BEEN HELPFUL THERE. IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ALWAYS
[00:35:01]
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, MAKING SURE WE'RE GIVING QUALITY RECOMMENDATIONS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.THIS IS A PROGRAM I REALLY CARE ABOUT AND I WANT TO SEE SUCCEED.
I THINK MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THIS PROGRAM IS DOING AS GOOD AS IT CAN AND AS GOOD AS IT DOES. OF COURSE THERE'S SOME UNFORTUNATE EXAMPLES WHERE IT DIDN'T GO OUT SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BUILDING THIS PROCESS BETTER FOR THAT. ONE THING THAT ALWAYS STAYS STUCK WITH ME IS LOOKING AT -- TWO THINGS, POTENTIALLY. BRINGING SOME OTHER WORK IN-HOUSE, IF POSSIBLE, TO SEE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO HAVE FOLKS DO THIS WORK THAT WE, AS A CITY, HIRE, TO SEE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT REQUIRES A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF FUNDING COMPARED TO WHAT WE DO WITH CONTRACTING. BUT I AM INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF OUR OVERSIGHT WITH THE FOLKS WHO DO THE WORK AS WELL AS WITH MAYBE THE POTENTIAL EASE TO THEN ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT OUR FOLKS ARE EXPERIENCING WHILE SOME OF THE WORK GETS DONE WITH THEIR HOMES.
I ALWAYS STRUGGLE WITH THE BACK AND FORTH OF IF A CONTRACTOR DOES SOMETHING WRONG [INDISCERNIBLE] AND NHSD IS GOING BACK TO FIX IT.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS MUCH TO MAKE SURE THE CONTRACTOR IS DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN WE COULD DO IT OURSELVES? COULD WE LOWER THE COST OF BENEFITS . SAME THING AS TO THE ALTERNATIVE OF THE KIND OF BROAD REACH OF THE PROGRAM THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WE CAN REACH.
AND SEEING THE FIXES THERE WITH PEOPLE FIXING THEIR HOMES, VERSUS A NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH TO SEE THE SCALE CHANGE HAPPEN IN PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW NEED IT MORE. TO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE CHANGE. THAT'S SOMETHING I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN.
I THINK THEY'RE WORTHWHILE TO EXPLORE. JUST A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS. WELL, ACTUALLY, LET ME MAKE SURE I HAVE NOT MISSED ANYTHING. YEAH, A LOT OF THESE WERE ASKED.
ONE THING ABOUT THE COURTESY CONTRACTOR LIST ITSELF. DO FOLKS ONLY GET THE OPTIONS FOR THE COURTESY CONTRACTOR IF THEY GO THROUGH THIS PROGRAM OR IS THAT AVAILABLE PUBLICLY YEAR-ROUND OUTSIDE OF ENROLLING IN THIS PROGRAM? THAT LIST OF CONTRACTORS. I KNOW DSD HAS A FULL LIST OF CONTRACTORS THAT ARE PART
OF THIS LIST. >> YES. WE WOULD PROBABLY REFER PEOPLE TO THE FULL DSD LIST. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS AND CERTIFICATIONS AND IT'S A PRETTY ROBUST LIST. THIS CONTRACTOR ON-CALL LIST IS NOT CURRENTLY ON OUR
WEBSITE. >> GALVAN: I SEE. >> I SUPPOSE IF ASKED WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE BUT I CAN'T THINK OF AN INSTANCE WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR THAT BY SOMEONE NOT IN OUR PROGRAM. BUT WE DO SHARE IT WITH THE NONPROFIT PARTNERS TOO WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR GROUPS TO WORK WITH.
>> GALVAN: THAT'S HELPFUL. THANK YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GOING TO SAY IS I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO MENTIONED THIS ABOUT FOLKS WE GO ALONG WITH. HOW MANY INCIDENTS OR DO WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE ABOUT FOLKS WHO DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT CHOOSING FROM THIS LIST? DO WE HAVE ANY FEEDBACK FROM HOMEOWNERS ABOUT WHAT THEIR PROCESS IS TO EVEN SELECT A CONTRACTOR FROM THIS LIST? HERE'S WHERE I COME FROM WITH THE QUESTION, I GUESS. I WORRY ABOUT GIVING OUR FOLKS MORE STEPS TO TRY TO GET INTO THIS PROGRAM. NOW CHOOSE THE CONTRACTOR.
I THINK ABOUT THE FOLKS IN MY LIFE WHO HAVE TRIED OR ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, HAVE TALKED TO ME ABOUT I'M ALREADY STRESSED TO THE MAX AND NOW I'M WORRIED ABOUT PICKING THE WRONG CONTRACTOR THAT LEADS TO THE SCARY NEWS STORY I SEE.
IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION ALREADY SO THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING TO YOUR DEPARTMENT ABOUT?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, COUNCILMAN. WE DO PROVIDE THE HOMEOWNER KIND OF A BROCHURE. THAT BROCHURE INCLUDES INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE CONTRACTORS, THEIR PAST WORK. WE TRY NOT TO STEER A HOMEOWNER TOWARDS ANY PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR BUT WE CAN SHARE THEY'VE WORKED ON THIS HOME. YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH IT. OR IT MAY BE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE CAN ALSO SHARE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY WANT TO LOOK THEM UP OR HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A CONTRACTOR. IF WE KNOW THAT A CERTAIN CONTRACTOR HAS A LIMITED CAPACITY AND THEY HAVE HOMES LINED UP FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, WE'LL LET THE HOMEOWNER KNOW. IF THEY DON'T WANT TO WAIT, THEY MAY WANT TO GO WITH A DIFFERENT CONTRACTOR. WE TRY TO PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT STEERING THEM TOWARD ANY PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR.
>> GALVAN: THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ:
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE FOLLOWED BY COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU, MAYOR
[00:40:03]
PRO TEM. THE ESTIMATED VALUE, $20 MILLION ANNUALLY, $100 MILLION TOTAL, WHAT ARE WE THINKING THE AVERAGE COST PER HOME IS GOING TO BE?>> WHEN WE DO A MINOR REPAIR PROJECT, WE CAN GO UP TO $25,000.
FOR OUR REHAB PROGRAM, IT'S UP TO $130,000. I WILL CAVEAT THAT THAT'S ONLY CONSTRUCTION PRICING. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE SOFT COSTS LIKE THE INSPECTOR FEES WE PAY, IF THERE'S ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION NEEDED.
OUR FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF A HOME IS ABOUT $185,000. >> WHYTE: HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE, AS A COUNCIL, TO HONOTO MONITOR THE COSTS AND GET A RETURN ON INVESTMENT?
WHAT ARE WE DOING THERE? >> THOSE ARE THE APPROVED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS FOR THE PROJECTS. THEY CAN GO OVER, AND THAT DOES HAPPEN IN THE INSTANCE OF MAYBE AN UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE. MAYBE TERMITE DAMAGE THAT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SUBFLOOR. THOSE GO TO THE DIRECTOR FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. THEY CAN'T JUST GO ABOVE BUDGET.
IT HAS TO BE REVIEWED AND JUSTIFIED. >> WHYTE: THAT SORT OF PLAYS INTO MY NEXT QUESTION ON DISPUTES, COST OVERRUNS, CHANGE ORDERS, ALL THAT.
>> OUR TEAM REVIEWS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL SHARE THE CHANGE ORDER.
FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE HOMEOWNER. IT STILL HAS TO BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY AND THE HOMEOWNER HAS TO AGREE TO ADD THAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO THEIR LOAN. MOST OF THESE ARE FORGIVABLE LOANS OR A GRANT BUT IT'S
ALL DOCUMENTED. >> WHYTE: AND I THINK LAST YEAR WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH
THIS PROGRAM, RIGHT, ON SOME VERIFICATIONS AND APPROVALS. >> YES.
WE HAD HOMEOWNERS VERBALLY APPROVING THE CHANGE ORDER BUT NOT GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT THAT ADDS THOSE DOLLARS TO THEIR FORGIVABLE LOAN. ALL THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN CLARIFIED FOR OUR TEAM AND
ENSURES THOSE PROCESSES ARE MUCH ENHANCED. >> WHYTE: WE'RE NOT REQUIRING AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SOLICITATION.
IS THAT RIGHT? >> CORRECT. SINCE WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT DIRECTLY WITH THE CONTRACTOR, WE'RE NOT AUDITING THE FINANCIALS.
ALSO, WE DIDN'T WANT THAT TO BE A BURDEN TO HAVE CONTRACTORS APPLY.
WE DO WORK WITH OUR PROCUREMENT TEAM TO REVIEW IT AND ASK THEM FOR THEIR PLAN. BECAUSE THESE ARE ALL ON REIMBURSEMENT BASIS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN CASH FLOW, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE DOING MULTIPLE PROJECTS. SO WE DO LOOK AT THEIR HISTORY AND IF THEY'VE HAD ANY BANKRUPTCIES, ANY LAWSUITS FILED. ALL OF THAT IS PART OF OUR
DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS. >> WHYTE: WE HAVE TO KNOW THAT THESE CONTRACTORS ARE FINANCIALLY STABLE. IF THEY'RE NOT, WE'RE GOING TO GET MIDDLE OF THE PROJECT
SHUT DOWN AND THEN WE'VE GOT A MESS ON OUR HANDS, RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WHYTE: I LIKE THE CONTRACTOR SCORECARD FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSES.
I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. I GUESS MY LAST QUESTION IS PART OF THE FUNDING HERE IS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IF THAT DRIES UP, FOR WHATEVER REASON, I GUESS WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO LESS OF THESE PROJECTS.
>> YES. THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS ABOUT $8 MILLION FOR MAJOR REHAB BUT WE STILL HAVE SOME GENERAL FUND DOLLARS AND THE HOUSING BOND ALSO PROVIDES FUNDING EVERY YEAR FOR ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS, FOR MAJOR AND MINOR REPAIR.
WE ALSO USE THE REES FUND NOW TO HELP WITH THE UNDER ONE ROOF PROGRAM.
>> WHYTE: YEAH, I THINK THE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM IS A GOOD ONE BUT THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM HERE, I THINK IF THERE'S NOT PROPER MONITORING FOR MONEY TO GET MOVED AROUND, NOT AS IT'S INTENDED. I HOPE WE'VE GOT ALL THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY PROPERLY.
>> TRAINING FOR ALL OF OUR TEAM. CLARIFIED PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES AND OUR TEAM WILL BE GOING THROUGH ANOTHER AUDIT STARTING IN JANUARY TO ENSURE OUR PROCESSES ARE WORKING AND THAT WE ARE ON TRACK.
>> WHYTE: THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR PRO TEM. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: WE HAD A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 4 WHO ACTUALLY RECEIVED THIS PROGRAM AND REACHED OUT TO NHSD TO SHARE THEIR APPRECIATION AND THANKS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS POSITIVE STORY IS GOING TO RUN ON KENS NEXT MONTH. PLEASE CHECK THAT OUT.
I REMEMBER MS. SANCHEZ -- I USED TO HELP HER WHEN I WAS A COUNCIL AIDE BACK IN THE
[00:45:04]
DAY. I KNOW SHE'S BEEN IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 30, 40 YEARS AND SHE'S AN ELDERLY RESIDENT WHO IS A WIDOW ON A FIXED INCOME.THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THESE FOLKS. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET A ROOF REPLACEMENT, HVAC, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING REPAIRS, INTERIOR, FLOORING, AND MORE. THAT'S A POSITIVE STORY AND FOLKS ARE REACHING OUT TO SAY THESE ARE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY AND I WANT TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION. JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE TEAM.
SO I SAW HERE THAT YOU HAD CONTRACTORS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A MINIMUM.
BUT WILL ANY ONE CONTRACTOR HAVE A MAXIMUM OF CONTRACTORS OR PROJECTS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WORK ON? LIKE WHAT IF EVERYBODY IN THE PROGRAM SELECTED THE SAME CONTRACTOR? IS THAT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE?
>> WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT HAPPEN YET BUT WE DO COMMUNICATE TO THEM HOW LONG THE WAITING PERIOD WOULD BE TO GET STARTED ON A HOME. AGAIN, IF THEY'RE ALREADY WORKING ON SEVERAL PROJECTS. SO, YEAH. THERE'S NO MAXIMUM THAT WE WOULD, BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOMEOWNER HAS THAT SELECTION.
BUT IF THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PROJECTS GOING ON AND THEY CAN'T EVEN START YOUR HOME FOR FOUR MONTHS, FOR SOME HOMEOWNERS THAT MAY BE TOO LONG.
>> MUNGIA: AND I SEE THE CURRENT LIST IS 15 CONTRACTORS.
ARE WE AIMING FOR THE SAME NUMBER? IS THERE A GOAL OF HOW MANY CONTRACTORS YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN PLACE THROUGH THIS PROCESS?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE HAVE 15 ACTIVE CONTRACTORS.
WE WILL TAKE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. >> MUNGIA: OKAY.
GOTCHA. AND THEN A COUPLE OF FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED THIS.
WE HAD A RESIDENT WHO HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THEIR PROJECT AND WE REACHED OUT AND THANKFULLY VERONICA GONZALEZ WAS THERE TO HELP OUT AND TALK TO THE RESIDENTS. SO WHAT'S THE FORMAL PROCESS WHEN A RESIDENT HAS AN ISSUE WITH A CONTRACTOR AND THEY CAN'T SETTLE IT BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM? WHO AT NHSD GETS INVOLVED AND HOW WILL THAT BE A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS?
>> JUST RECOGNIZING WE UNDERSTAND IT'S A VERY PERSONAL SPACE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND SOMETIMES CONTRACTORS, RELATIONSHIPS DO NOT WORK OUT.
WE'RE COMMITTED TO BEING INVOLVED. WHAT WE TYPICALLY DO, IT IS ESCALATED TO THEIR PROGRAM LEAD OR EVEN THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE.
SO WE GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED. AND THE FIRST STEP IS TO MAKE SURE WE GO TO THE SITE AND FOR OURSELVES SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.
WE REVIEW AND CREATE AN INVENTORY OF WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS, WHAT ARE THE ISSUES. AND WE RECONCILE THAT AGAINST WHAT IS THE ACTUAL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. THERE MAY BE ISSUES OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE.
WHAT WAS THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, ARE THEY STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND HOW DO WE FIND A SOLUTION AND MAKE SURE THE CONTRACTOR IS AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE.
IF HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THOSE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MYSELF, IAN, AND VERONICA
GET INVOLVED. >> MUNGIA: I HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN TOO OFTEN BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A LOT FOR YOU ALL, IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO. SO MAYBE AFTER THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR'S PROCESS PLAYS OUT, WE CAN KIND OF SEE HOW MANY ESCALATIONS COME UP THERE AND MOSTLY WORKING WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND THE RESIDENT. I THINK THAT'S THE GOAL.
TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKS OUT TOGETHER. AND JUST SEE WHERE THE ESCALATIONS GO AND THE RESOLUTION TO THAT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO SEE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM AND I REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY FOLKS IN THE HOUSING SPACE CAME OUT AND ASKED THE CITY TO DO MORE ON THIS. AND WE ARE HERE WITH THIS LARGE CAPACITY.
WE'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. I HAVE NO ONE ELSE IN THE QUEUE. I'LL CLOSE OUT WITH A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I HEARD AND WANT TO ECHO. ONE, I HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF US WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT IF AND WHEN THERE IS CONFLICT OR CONTENTION BETWEEN CONTRACTOR AND HOMEOWNER THAT WE'RE AS SUPPORTIVE AS POSSIBLE. EVEN GOING -- AND FIGURING OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT HAS TO GO TO COURT AND HOW CAN WE REMAIN SUPPORTIVE TO THE HOMEOWNER AT THAT POINT. SECOND THING -- THIS WAS A POINT I THINK WAS MOST RESONANT. I THINK IT WAS STARTED BY -- THE POINT WAS FIRST MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR WE SAY WE WANT TO IMPROVE AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST PROGRAMS WE HAVE AT THE CITY.
AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT MARKETING FOR THE SOLICITATION IS REALLY STRONG. WE DON'T WANT MORE FOR THE SAKE OF MORE.
WE WANT MORE FOR THE SAKE OF GREATEST POSSIBLE POSITIVE IMPACT.
AND SO IF WE CAN COME BACK WITH A LIST OF 30 TO 50 STELLAR RECOMMENDATIONS,
[00:50:04]
THAT WOULD BE AWESOME. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE LIMITED BY WHO RESPONDS.ERIK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE US OUT WITH ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU HEARD?
>> WALSH: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. NO, THIS WAS HELPFUL TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND WE'LL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS AND PREPARE FOR THE POST-SOLICITATION AND SOME OF THE BROADER QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL
TALKED ABOUT THIS AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION -- I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 50 MINUTES. THE TIME IS NOW 2:56:00 P.M. AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.