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2015-05-05 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA MEMBERS PRESENT: McCormick, Davis, Martinez, Ybarra, and Woodruff-Perez MEMBERS ABSENT: None The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor McCormick. Councilmember Ybarra led the flag salute. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor McCormick announced that there were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor McCormick announced that this was the time allotted for public comment, and inquired whether anyone in the audience wished to address the City Council. The public will also be given an opportunity to comment on matters on the posted agenda during Council deliberation. Steve Freed (Mt. Vernon Industrial). Thanked the Vernon Fire Department for quickly responding and putting out a fire. The fire, had it not been for the quick response, would have caused major damage. Peter Corselli (U.S. Growers). Expressed concerns over the increased utilities’ rates and business license fees’ increases. Requests that a study be done to compare the cost of doing business in Vernon with other cities. Further commented that other cities are not charging the same fees as Vernon. John Van de Kamp (Independent Reform Monitor). Asked Mr. Corselli for clarification on what fees he is referring to and recommends that the specific areas of concern should be addressed by the City Council. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to approve all matters listed under the Consent Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 5-0. 1. Claim for Damages received on April 20, 2015 from Matthew Gill in the amount of $282.02. Minutes – To be Received and Filed 2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held April 21, 2015. Warrant Registers 3. Ratification of the following City Warrant Registers to record the following voided checks: A. City Warrant Register No. 1413 to record voided Check No. 345825 in the amount of $230.00; and B. City Warrant Register No. 1413 to record voided Check No. 345809 in the amount of $230.00; and C. City Warrant Register No. 1413 to record voided Check No. 345842 in the amount of $158.45; and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 2 of 8 D. City Warrant Register No. 1421 to record voided Check No. 346976 in the amount of $26.45; and E. City Warrant Register No. 1421 to record voided Check No. 347032 in the amount of $12,999.83. 4. Ratification of the following Light and Power Warrant Registers to record the following voided checks: A. Light and Power Warrant Register No. 378 to record voided Check No. 511109 in the amount of $164.00; and B. Light and Power Warrant Register No. 383 to record voided Check No. 511231 in the amount of $40.00; and C. Light and Power Warrant Register No. 385 to record voided Check No. 511288 in the amount of $211.33. 5. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1423, totaling $1,167,126.68, which covers the period of April 14 through April 27, 2015 and consists of the following: A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $710,740.86; and B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $228,563.91; and C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $227,821.91. 6. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 388, totaling $6,036,085.52, which covers the period of April 14 through April 27, 2015 and consists of the following: A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $5,993,026.70; and B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $23,671.41; and C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $19,387.41. 7. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 176, totaling $25,194.22, which covers the period of April 14 through April 27, 2015 and consists of the following: A. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $16,446.49; and B. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $8,747.73. Fire Department 8. Activity Report for the period of April 1 through April 15, 2015, to be received and filed. Police Department 9. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrests and Activities for the period of April 1, through April 15, 2015, to be received and filed. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Department 10. Resolution No. 2015-22 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon updating City Council Members’ appointments to various agencies and/or committees. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 3 of 8 Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed Resolution updating the City Council appointments does not constitute a “project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed resolution did constitute a project, it would be exempt from 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 B. Appoint Council members as delegate(s) and alternate(s) to the following boards of various agencies and/or committees as follows (1-17): 1. California Contract Cities Association. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Woodruff-Perez as the alternate. 2. Central Basin Water Association. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; Davis as the alternate; and reaffirm the City of Vernon’s Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services, or his/her designee, to also serve as the City’s alternate. 3. County Sanitation District No. 1. Appoint Mayor McCormick as the presiding officer of the City of Vernon to serve as the City’s member on the Board of Directors of County Sanitation District No. 1; and Ybarra as the alternate. 4. County Sanitation District No. 2. Appoint Mayor McCormick to serve as the City’s delegate to the Board of Directors of County Sanitation District No. 2; and Davis as the alternate. 5. County Sanitation District No. 23. Appoint current City Council (Michael McCormick, William Davis, Luz Martinez, Yvette Woodruff-Perez, and Melissa Ybarra) to serve as the Board of Directors to County Sanitation District No. 23. 6. Gateway Cities Council of Governments. Appoint Davis as the delegate; and Ybarra as the alternate. 7. I-710 EIR/EIS Project Committee. Appoint Davis as the delegate and McCormick as the alternate. 8. Independent Cities Association of Los Angeles County. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Woodruff-Perez as the alternate. 9. Independent Cities Finance Authority. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Woodruff-Perez as the alternate. 10. League of California Cities. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Davis and Ybarra as the alternates. 11. Orangeline Development Authority. Appoint McCormick as the delegate and Ybarra as the alternate. 12. Pacific Electric Right-of-Way/ West Santa Ana Branch Corridor Alternative Analysis. Appoint McCormick as the representative on the Steering Committee; and reaffirm the City’s appointment of the City’s Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services, or his/her designee, to serve on the Technical Advisory Committee. 13. Southeast Cities Schools Coalition. This body is no longer in operation. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 4 of 8 14. Southeast Community Development Corporation. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Ybarra as the alternate. 15. Southeast Water Coalition. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Davis as the alternate; and, reaffirm that said appointed representatives shall also be the City’s representatives to attend board and committee meetings held by the Replenishment District of Southern California, Central Basin Municipal Water District and the Authority and any other water-related meeting which affect the City of Vernon. 16. Southern California Association of Governments. Appoint McCormick as the delegate; and Davis as the alternate. 17. Vernon Solid Waste Hearing Panel. Appoint Ybarra, Woodruff-Perez, and Martinez to serve on the Hearing Panel for the Local Enforcement Agency for Solid Waste Facilities. C. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon designating and appointing its representatives and alternates to the boards of various agencies and/or committees. D. Authorize the City Clerk to complete California Form 806, Agency Report of: Public Official Appointments, and post in accordance with state laws and/or regulations. It was moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2015-22 memorializing the above referenced appointments and authorize the update to the Form 806 filing. Motion carried, 5-0. Fire Department 11. Resolution No. 2015-23 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon recognizing that the personnel of the Vernon Fire Department are compensated on a portal to portal basis when assigned to emergency incidents. Recommendation: A. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution 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 B. Adopt a Resolution of the City of the City Council of the City of Vernon Recognizing that the personnel of the Vernon Fire Department are Compensated on a Portal-to-Portal Basis when Assigned to Emergency Incidents. Mike Wilson, Fire Chief, provided a brief introduction to the item. Mayor McCormick and Mayor Pro-Tem Davis had questions related to equipment repair. Chief Wilson responded accordingly. It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2015-23. Motion carried, 5-0. Gas and Electric Department 12. Rejection of Competitive Bids Received for the Procurement and Installation of Allison Turbine Control System Upgrade, and Authorization of a Rebid. / / / Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 5 of 8 Recommendation: A. Find that rejection of bid and approval of rebid are 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, because the system upgrade referenced herewith merely augments the existing control system and improves efficiency and reliability of energy produced in Vernon; and B. Reject all bids received on April 9, 2015 per Contract LP-0242 for the “Turnkey Design, Equipment, Fabrication, Testing, Operational and Ready-in-Service Control System Upgrade for Two Existing Aero-Derivative Gas Turbines Used for Power Generation”; and C. Authorize a rebidding on essentially the same terms and conditions as the original bid for the Allison Turbine Control System Upgrade, with fine tuning of the bid documentation. Carlos Fandino, Director of Gas and Electric Department, gave a brief introduction to the item. Councilmember Ybarra had questions on clarifying the “nominal impact”. Mr. Fandino responded accordingly. It was moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to reject all bids received and authorize a rebid for the procurement and installation of Allison Turbine Control System upgrade. Motion carried, 5-0. Health and Environmental Control Department 13. Additional Funds for FY 2015-2016 for On-Going Operations and Maintenance Costs, Inspection and Repair Costs, and Air Sampling for the Former Thermador Electric Mfg. Company, 5119-5309 District Blvd., Vernon, CA. Recommendation: A. Find that merely requesting approval of the proposal to extend the VCA 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 a significant effect on the environment; and B. Grant Authority for expenditure of funds for the Operations and Maintenance Costs, Inspection and Repair Costs, and Air Sampling for the Former Thermador Electric Mfg. Company, 5119-5309 District Blvd., Vernon, CA. Leonard Grossberg, Director of the Health and Environmental Control Department, gave a brief introduction to the item. Mr. Grossberg also addressed questions posed by Councilmember Ybarra. It was moved by Martinez and seconded by Davis to authorize additional funds for the operations and maintenance costs, inspection and repair costs, and air sampling for 5119-5309 District Blvd. Motion carried, 5-0. 14. Resolution No. 2015-24 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving a work plan and budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the Green Vernon Commission of the City of Vernon. Recommendation: A. Find that merely recommending a work plan and proposed budget, and a possible scope of action are not final actions subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and that even if they were, they would be exempt from CEQA under Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 6 of 8 B. Adopt a resolution approving the proposed work plan and request for budget authorization of $20,000 for the Green Vernon Commission for fiscal year 2015- 2016. Mr. Grossberg provided a brief introduction to this item. Public Comment: John Van de Kamp (Independent Reform Monitor), commented that the work plan should include the odor control issue. Mr. Grossberg responded that the odor control issue will be addressed through the Green Vernon Commission. It was moved by Davis and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve Resolution No. 2015-24. Motion carried, 5-0. ORDINANCES AND RELATED Mark Whitworth, City Administrator, provided a brief explanation of the item. Mayor McCormick read the title of Ordinance No. 1228. Councilmember Ybarra had questions regarding the Successor Agency and the new department. Mr. Whitworth and Mr. Alex Kung addressed questions accordingly. Council reached consensus to address the items in separate motions as indicated below. 15. Proposed items related to the Industrial Development Division: Ordinance No. 1228 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Vernon, California, amending Section 2.69-1(i) of Article X of Chapter 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code, and repealing or amending all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict therewith. (first reading) Resolution No. 2015-25 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving the reorganization of the Industrial Development Department. Recommendation: A. Find that approval and adoption of the proposed ordinance 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 B. Approve the first reading of an ordinance to amend Section 2.69-1(i) of the Vernon Municipal Code to correct the Industrial Development Division to Industrial Development Department; and Items 15 (A and B) were moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1228. Motion carried, 5-0. C. Contingent upon approval and effect of Recommendation B, adopt the resolution authorizing the reorganization of the Industrial Development Department; and Item 15 (C) was moved by Davis and seconded by Martinez to approve Resolution No. 2015-25. Motion Carried, 5-0. D. Contingent upon approval of Recommendations B and C, direct staff to prepare and present a separate budget for the Industrial Development Department for fiscal year 2015-2016, and present the proposed budget, including staffing related recommendations and costs, at the upcoming City Council budget study sessions. Item 15 (D) was moved by Martinez and seconded by Woodruff-Perez. Motion carried, 5-0. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 7 of 8 DISCUSSION ITEM AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 16. City Council discussion and direction to staff regarding Housing Development within the City of Vernon. Kevin Wilson, Public Works, Water and Development Services Director, provided a brief PowerPoint presentation on the possible zoning for housing in the City. City Council held considerable discussion regarding new housing zoning in the City. Staff was directed to attain input from the business community. Mr. Wilson informed the Council that a questionnaire would be distributed and feedback compiled and reported to Council at a later date. Public Comment: John Van de Kamp (Independent Reform Monitor). Suggested that the City work with the Chamber of Commerce to gauge the interest of the business community in these options. Marisa Olguin (Vernon Chamber of Commerce). Commented that it is good that the City is revisiting these issues, and hopes that the priority is that the City remain an industrial city. Encourages polling the business community. Ms. Olguin submitted written comments from Jim Boltinghouse from Sweetener Products whose business would be impacted if housing were to be developed in the vicinity of his business. Ms. Olguin submitted a written statement from Mr. Boltinghouse that would later be distributed to the Council. At 10:02 a.m. Mayor McCormick recessed the meeting for a quick break. The meeting reconvened at 10:12 a.m. PRESENTATIONS 17. Quarterly budget report by the Finance Director for the third quarter of fiscal year 2014-2015, including updates on investments and bond funding. Bill Fox, Director of Finance, provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Fox responded to questions from the Council. Mr. Van de Kamp had questions regarding the bond refinancing payments. Mr. Fox responded accordingly. At this point in the meeting, Mayor McCormick introduced Xotchil Murillo, representative from Assemblyman Santiago’s office. Ms. Murillo presented the Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, and each Councilmember with congratulatory certificates from Assemblyman Santiago for their respective positions on the Council. Mr. Fox continued his presentation with a slide on information on the City’s debt structure, and proceeded to explain accordingly. At 10:55 a.m. Mayor McCormick recessed the meeting for a quick break. The meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m. BUDGET STUDY SESSION 18. Review of proposed budgets for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the following departments: A. Overview B. Police Department C. Health and Environmental Control Department D. Human Resources Department Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 8 of 8 E. Fire Department F. Finance Department Mr. Fox opened the budget study session by providing a brief overview of the budget planning process. Department Heads proceeded to present their individual proposed budgets as follows: Chief Daniel Calleros (Police); Leonard Grossberg (Health and Environmental Control); Teresa McAllister (Human Resources); Chief Mike Wilson (Fire); Bill Fox (Finance). At 12:40 p.m. (after the Fire Department presentation) Mayor McCormick recessed the meeting for a quick break. The meeting reconvened at 12:42 p.m. Questions from the Council were addressed by the respective Department Head. ORAL REPORTS 19. City Administrator Reports – brief reports on activities and other brief announcements by the City Administrator and Department Heads. No reports provided. 20. City Council Reports – brief report on activities, announcements, or directives to staff. No reports provided. With no further business, at 12:50 p.m., Mayor McCormick adjourned the meeting. ________________________ W. Michael McCormick Mayor ATTEST: _________________________ Maria E. Ayala City Clerk