2015-06-17 Green Vernon Commission Agenda PacketCalifornia Public Records Act ("PRA"): In compliance with the PRA, the documents pertaining to agenda
items, including attachments, which are presented to the Commission in open session are available for public
inspection. They may be inspected during regular business hours in the Office of the City Clerk at Vernon City
Hall, 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California 90058, no appointment necessary, or on the City’s website at
www.cityofvernon.org.
Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”): In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to
participate in the meeting, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (323) 583-8811. Notification of at least
48 hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist the City staff in assuring that reasonable
arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service.
Agenda
City of Vernon
Green Vernon Commission Meeting
Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 3:30 P.M.
Council Chamber
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, California
David Honda, Chairperson
Michael Gavina, Vice Chairperson
Hector Garcia, Commission Member
Jim Andreoli Jr., Commission Member
Peter Corselli, Commission Member
Armando Espinoza, Commission Member
Jaime Villanueva, Commission Member
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT - At this time the public is encouraged to address the Green Vernon Commission on
any matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. The public will also be given a
chance to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during Commission deliberation on those
specific matters.
MINUTES – To be received and filed.
1. Minutes of the Regular Green Vernon Commission Meeting held March 18, 2015.
2. Minutes of the Special Green Vernon Commission Meeting held April 1, 2015.
/ / /
/ / /
Green Vernon Commission
Meeting Agenda
June 17, 2015
Page 2 of 2
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF
3. Review of City of Vernon Resolution No. 2015-34 regarding Phase II Water Supply Shortage
Requirements.
Recommendation:
A. Find that merely presenting and requesting comments or directing staff 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.
B. Request comments or directives to staff from the Commission on City of Vernon Resolution No.
2015-34 regarding Phase II Water Supply Shortage.
REPORT(S) FROM SUB-COMMITTEE
4. Possible Transportation Grants for an Electric Bus Route within City of Vernon.
ORAL REPORTS
5. Update on AQMD Proposed Rule 415 Rendering Odors
6. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
ADJOURNMENT
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda was
posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Vernon City Hall, located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue,
Vernon, California, and on the City’s website, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting set forth on this agenda.
Dated this 11th day of June, 2015.
By: __________________________________
Maria E. Ayala, Secretary
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR GREEN VERNON
COMMISSION MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,
2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON,
CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: David Honda, Michael Gavina, Hector Garcia, Jim Andreoli Jr.,
and Peter Corselli
MEMBERS ABSENT: Armando Espinoza and Jaime Villanueva
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chair Honda who also led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Chairperson Honda announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Honda announced that this was the time allotted for public comment and inquired
whether anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. The public will also be
given a chance to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during Commission
deliberation on those specific matters.
No public comment was provided.
MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Regular Green Vernon Commission Meeting held December 17,
2014.
It was moved by Garcia and seconded by Andreoli to approve the Minutes listed above. Motion
carried, 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair to the Green Vernon Commission for 2015.
Recommendations:
(1) Find that the election of Chair and Vice-Chair is exempt from 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) Elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to serve a term ending June 30, 2016. The Chair
and Vice Chair must be from different appointing categories Keep the current
Green Vernon Commission Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2015
Page 2 of 3
Chair and Vice-Chair seated until September of 2016, at which time a new Chair
and Vice-Chair will be elected with September now being established as the
annual reorganization meeting for the Commission; and
(3) Establish the regular September meeting as the annual reorganizational meeting at
which the Chair and Vice Chair are elected.
Leonard Grossberg, Commission Director, explained the term limits on the Chair position. The
Commission, during deliberations, reached consensus and moved for an alternate action on item
2(2) as indicated above.
It was moved by Corselli and seconded by Andreoli to establish the Commission’s organization
meeting as the September meeting; and elect a Chair and Vice-Chair during said meeting.
Motion carried, 5-0.
3. Resolution No. GVC-1 - A Resolution of the Green Vernon Commission of the City
of Vernon adopting a work plan and budget for fiscal year 2014-2015.
Recommendations:
(1) Find that the recommendation of a proposed budget, and 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
(2) 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, and direct staff to submit said plan and budget to the City Council for
review and approval.
Commission Director Grossberg briefly explained the proposed budget and work plan.
After deliberations, the Commission reached consensus to include an amendment to the work
plan. The amended to add an item, exploring residential projects and residential beautification.
It was moved by Corselli and seconded by Garcia to approve Resolution No. GVC-1 with the
amendment to the work plan. Motion carried, 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Anaergia Presentation on Organics Digestion from Municipal Solid Waste.
Commission Director Grossberg introduced David Schneider from Anaergia who provided an
informative PowerPoint presentation.
The Commission had questions regarding how other cities are handling odor mitigation.
Green Vernon Commission Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2015
Page 3 of 3
ORAL REPORTS
5. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
Commissioner Garcia provided an extensive report on the AQMD Rule 415.
Chairperson Honda requested that a special meeting be called in order to formally address the
Rule 415 issue. It was agreed that a special meeting would be held on April 1.
With no further business, at 4:28 p.m. it was moved by Corselli and seconded by Gavina to
adjourn the meeting, Motion carried, 5-0.
________________________
David Honda
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
Secretary
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL GREEN VERNON
COMMISSION MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1,
2015, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON,
CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: David Honda, Michael Gavina, Hector Garcia, Jim Andreoli Jr.,
Peter Corselli, and Jaime Villanueva
MEMBERS ABSENT: Armando Espinoza
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by Chairperson Honda; Vice-Chairperson Gavina
led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Chairperson Honda announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Honda announced that this was the time allotted for public comment and inquired
whether anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. The public will also be
given a chance to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during Commission
deliberation on those specific matters.
Marisa Olguin (Vernon Chamber of Commerce). Thanked the Commission and the City for
taking time to address this issue that is very concerning to the business community.
John Van de Kamp (Independent Reform Monitor). Commends the Commission for the work
that is being done. Further emphasized the importance of the City working with AQMD to
address this issue.
Dan Su (U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency). Explained
that the purpose of his agency is to help businesses grow and protect their interests. Hopes that
the Commission and City can work with AQMD to come up with a solution.
ACTION ITEM
1. Direct Staff to Submit a Letter to the Air Quality Management District Addressing
Rule 415 Concerns.
Recommendations:
(1) Find that directing staff to submit a letter and a possible scope of action are not
final actions and do not constitute a “project” subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and that even if they were, they would be
Green Vernon Commission Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2015
Page 2 of 2
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
(2) Direct staff to submit a letter to the Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
addressing concerns to Rule 415 “Rendering Odors” and the effects it will have
on Vernon Businesses if enacted as planned.
Commissioner Garcia gave a brief history on the concerns surrounding Rule 415, and a brief
summary of the report that he provided at the last Green Vernon Commission meeting held on
March 18.
Leonard Grossberg, Commission Director, briefly explained the letter that was drafted to be
submitted to AQMD.
The Commission had dialogue and discussion regarding the contents of the letter as well as the
overall Rule 415 matter. Consensus was reached to add an additional item, “G” to develop a
technical standard to document complaints so that they may be measured and assessed.
It was moved by Corselli and seconded by Andreoli to approve the letter with one amendment to
add “G” and direct staff to submit a letter to the Air Quality Management District addressing
Rule 415 concerns. Motion carried, 6-0.
ORAL REPORTS
2. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
Commissioner Garcia briefly explained and requested that the topic of “Water Restrictions” be
agendized for a future meeting as a discussion topic.
Commission Director Grossberg announced that brief refreshers on the Brown Act and meeting
rules of order would also be agendized for the next meeting.
With no further business, at 4:13 p.m. it was moved by Villanueva and seconded by Gavina to
adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, 6-0.
________________________
David Honda
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
Secretary