2013-12-18 SDEEC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMISSION
HELD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013, IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Hector Garcia, Michael Gavina, Peter
Corselli, Jaime Villanueva, and David
Honda
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Andreoli and Armando Espinoza
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chairperson
Garcia, who also led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg announced that there are
no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg announced that this was
the time allotted for public comment and inquired whether anyone
in the audience wished to address the Commission. No one
responded.
ACTION ITEMS
1. Resolution No. SDEEC-7 - A Resolution of the Sustainable
Development and Energy Efficiency Commission of the City
of Vernon setting the date, time and place for regular
meetings.
Recommendations
(1) Find that adoption of the proposed resolution to amend
the Sustainable Development & Energy Efficiency
Commission Regular Meeting Schedule is exempt under
the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3),
the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects
that may have an effect on the environment; and
(2) Adopt a resolution to set the SDEEC’s regular meeting
schedule to be on the third Wednesday of March, June,
September, and December (quarterly) at 3:30 p.m.
Regular Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency Commission
Meeting Minutes December 18, 2013
Page 2 of 4
Currently the regular meetings are held bi-monthly,
and not every three months, as proposed.
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg reported on staff’s
recommendation to change the regular meeting schedule from bi-
monthly to quarterly meetings. This will reduce the number of
meetings per year to four and potentially reduce the need to
cancel meetings.
In response to Chairperson Garcia’s request for the Commission
to address items such as key metrics and their sustainability in
conjunction with Eco Telesis, Deputy City Attorney recommended
that the request be established as a directive to staff to
agendize for a future meeting.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Villanueva to approve
Resolution No. SDEEC-7. Motion carried, 5-0.
2. Resolution No. SDEEC-8 - A Resolution of the Sustainable
Development and Energy Efficiency Commission of the City
of Vernon repealing Resolution No. SDEEC-3.
Recommendations
(1) Find that adoption of the proposed resolution to
repeal the Sustainable Development & Energy Efficiency
Commission Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy and
Procedures is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with
Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only
applies to projects that may have an effect on the
environment; and
(2) Adopt a resolution to repeal Resolution No. SDEEC-3,
which approved a Sustainable Development & Energy
Efficiency Commission Travel and Expense Reimbursement
Policy and Procedures, in light of an updated citywide
Expense Reimbursement Policy recently adopted by the
Vernon City Council. This would confirm that the
SDEEC is subject to the citywide reimbursement policy
as it may be amended from time to time.
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg reported that a travel and
expense reimbursement policy was previously adopted by the
Commission. Since then, the City Council has adopted a revised
policy in conformance with best practices and IRS standards. It
is their intent that said policy be used by all City agencies
and boards including the Sustainable Development and Energy
Regular Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency Commission
Meeting Minutes December 18, 2013
Page 3 of 4
Efficiency Commission. Staff is recommending that the
previously adopted policy be repealed, and that the Commission
accept and confirm the City’s policy.
It was moved by Corselli and seconded by Honda to approve
Resolution No. SDEEC-8. Motion carried, 5-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ORAL REPORTS
1. Report on the City Council’s decision rendered in response
to the Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency
Commission’s recommendations on the Solid Waste Hauler
Program.
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg reported on the
Commission’s recommendation on the Solid Waste Hauler program to
the City Council. The recommendation was presented and approved
by the City Council on December 3, 2013.
Deputy City Attorney Scott Porter further added that
procedurally a revised ordinance incorporating the approved
elements and some administrative components, housekeeping items,
will be proposed to the City Council.
Grossberg advised that haulers have had no objection to the
housekeeping elements; additionally, these are areas that staff
can administratively modify as provided in the current
agreement.
2. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements,
and directives to staff.
Commission Director Leonard Grossberg reported on the future
expiration of three of the Commissioners’ terms: Honda,
Villanueva and Gavina. In January, staff will be soliciting
applications to fill the vacancies. He advised the three
Commissioners that if they are interested in continuing their
service on the Commission, to please apply. The new terms will
be for four years. It is anticipated that the Council will make
the appointments before the next Commission meeting in March
2014, at which the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will be
elected.
In response to Commissioner Corselli, Grossberg advised that if
there is something the Commission wished to address, they should
email staff in order for the matter to get agendized.
Regular Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency Commission
Meeting Minutes December 18, 2013
Page 4 of 4
Environmental Specialist Linda Johnson reported on the
preparation for the Suitability Open House.
With no further business, at 3:45 p.m. it was moved Garcia and
seconded by Villanueva that the meeting be adjourned, Motion
carried, 5-0.
________________________
David Honda
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Ana Barcia
Secretary