Committee recommends Housing Authority approve contract to begin repairs at historic Levy House

The Community Services, Public Safety, Housing and Development Committee on April 8 recommended the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard approve and authorize a firm-fixed-price contract with Macon Development Inc. to repair the roof, walkways and decks at the historic Levy House, 201 South D Street. The committee vote was 3-0.

Interim Housing Director Brenda Lopez told the committee the Housing Authority acquired the property about a year ago and applied for Community Development Block Grant funding as part of the purchase and rehabilitation. "This request before you is for approval for us to enter into a contract, to do rehabilitation and improvements at the Levy House, which is a historical property, located on 201 South D Street," Lopez said. She said the request covers three initial projects: roof, walkways and decks, and staff included a larger exhibit of other needed work that will be pursued as funding becomes available.

Lopez said the property is tied to a Mills Act agreement — a historic preservation contract the prior owner had with the city — and that county and federal historic-review and funding rules apply. "The County Of Ventura has a heritage cultural program that also needs to be aware of any updates to the property. They need to do a certificate of appropriateness in addition to all of the city required, any plans or permits that need to be done," Lopez said. She added the Department of Housing and Urban Development is reviewing the contract scope and the project required environmental reviews.

Committee members asked about long-term costs and tenant protections. Staff said tenants' rights were considered at purchase and that the property is currently a 10-unit complex that must be rented to households meeting low-income eligibility under the CDBG award. Lopez said management will follow program occupancy rules (typically two persons per bedroom) and that staff trained frontline contractors and landscapers on historical-property requirements. She also said contractors bidding on the work were required to demonstrate experience with historic properties.

A committee motion to accept the recommendation was made by Chair McArthur and seconded; the clerk recorded a 3-0 vote (Committee member Perez: yes; Committee member Perallo: yes; Chair McArthur: yes). There were no public speakers on the agenda item about the remodeling contract.

The staff report lists the funding source as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and noted the Housing Authority previously sought roughly $600,000 in connection with purchase and improvements; staff said available funds are limited and further work will depend on future funding. The staff presentation referenced required coordination with Ventura County heritage program, HUD review and the Mills Act historic-contract obligations for rehabilitation and preservation.