2015-05-19 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, MAY 19, 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. Mayor Pro-Tem Davis led
the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Maria Ayala, City Clerk, announced that Agenda Item No. 19, G has added departments and will
be “City Administration, City Council, and Community Promotion.”
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.
No public comment provided.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Personnel Matters - Service Pin Awards.
April 2015 Anniversary
Employee Name Job Title Years
1. Michael Hendrickson Substation Technician 25
Director of Human Resources Teresa McAllister reported on the employee’s years of service.
Mayor McCormick presented the service pin to employee Michael Hendrickson.
2. City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office required by Article XX, Section 3 of the
Constitution of the State of California for newly hired Police Officer, Jason Lucas.
City Clerk, Maria Ayala, administered the Oath of Office to new City of Vernon Police Officer
Lucas. Officer Lucas’ family was in attendance.
Mayor McCormick announced at 9:08 a.m. that the meeting would take a brief recess. The
meeting reconvened at 9:19 a.m.
ELECTRIC RATES ADJUSTMENTS
3. Resolution No. 2015-26 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
adopting electric rate schedules nos. CS, D, GS-1, GS-2, LS-1, LS-2, OL-1, PA-1,
PA-2, PA-TOU, TC-1, TOU GS-1, TOU GS-2, TOU PA-1, TOU-D, TOU-G, TOU-I
and TOU-V.
Recommendation:
A. Find that the electric rate adjustment plan 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 a significant effect on the environment, because the plan referenced herewith
merely augments the existing electric rate structure; and
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May 19, 2015
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B. Approve and authorize the implementation of a three-year electric rate adjustment
plan, whereby rates for all customer classes would increase by 3.5% effective July
1, 2015, an additional 3% effective July 1, 2016, and an additional 2.5% effective
July 1, 2017.
Gas and Electric Director Carlos Fandino, Finance Director Bill Fox, and Economic
Development Manager and Successor Agency Staff Alex Kung provided an informational
PowerPoint presentation on the proposed item. Also present was Mike Berwanger from Public
Financial Management who provided additional financial investment information.
Independent Reform Monitor Jon Van De Kamp, inquired as to how the debt service
adjustments are factored in for providing infrastructure assistance. Mr. Fox responded to Mr.
Van De Kamp’s inquiry.
Public Comment:
Marisa Olguin (Vernon Chamber of Commerce)
Ms. Olguin commended staff for working with the Electric Rates Committee, and
acknowledged constraints the City has to deal with, with regards to debt restructure. Requests
that the City continue to be good stewards as the budget planning process is continued.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2015-26, Motion
carried, 5-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Martinez and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve all matters listed under
the Consent Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 5-0.
Claims Against the City – Received and Filed
4. Claim for Damages received on April 30, 2015 from Gonzalo Garcia in the amount
of $205.00.
Minutes – To be Received and Filed
5. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held May 5, 2015.
Warrant Registers
6. Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 707, totaling $4,189,250.42, which
covers the period of April 1, through April 30, 2015, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $3,022,660.69; and
B. Checks and electronic fund transfers paid through General bank account totaling
$1,166,589.73.
7. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1424, totaling $1,124,187.19, which covers
the period of April 28, through May 11, 2015, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $860,129.92; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $161,681.48; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $102,375.79.
8. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 389, totaling $1,135,318.79, which
covers the period of April 28, through May 11, 2015, and consists of the following:
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May 19, 2015
Page 3 of 7
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,066,284.09; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $18,968.82; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $50,065.88.
9. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 177, totaling $1,317,956.38, which covers the
period of April 28, through May 11, 2015, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,315,085.88; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $2,863.50; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $7.00.
Health and Environmental Control Department
10. April 2015 Monthly Report, to be received and filed.
Fire Department
11. Activity Report for the period of April 16 through April 30, 2015, to be received and
filed.
Police Department
12. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrests and Activities for the period of
April 16, through April 30, 2015, to be received and filed.
NEW BUSINESS
City Clerk Department
Public Works, Water and Development Services Director Kevin Wilson provided a brief report on
Agenda Items Nos. 13-16.
13. Resolution No. 2015-27 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
determining the Special Parcel Tax Levied pursuant to section 5.45 of the Municipal
Code for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed Resolution does not constitute a “project”
pursuant to sections 15378(b)(2) and (4) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative
activity and government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment
to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the
environment; 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 a significant
effect on the environment; and
B. Adopt a resolution setting the Warehouse Special Parcel Tax rate at $29.544 per
100 square feet of gross area of land for fiscal year 2015-2016 and submitting the
warehouse special parcel tax list to the Los Angeles County Auditor Controller’s
Office.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2015-27, Motion
carried, 5-0.
14. Resolution No. 2015-28 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement for billing of direct
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May 19, 2015
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assessments by and between the City of Vernon and the Los Angeles County
Auditor-Controller (Special Parcel Tax Levied pursuant to section 5.45 of the
Municipal Code).
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed agreement does not constitute a “project”
pursuant to sections 15378(b)(2) and (4) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative
activity and government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment
to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact
on the environment; and even if the adoption of the proposed 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 a significant
effect on the environment; and
B. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Finance Director to enter into a direct
assessments billing agreement with the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller for
the collection and distribution of the Warehouse Special Parcel Tax for fiscal year
2015-2016; and
C. Authorize the Finance Director to file the Agency Information Sheet with the
County of Los Angeles Auditor-Controller for the Vernon Warehouse Special
Parcel Tax.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Martinez to approve Resolution No. 2015-28, Motion
carried, 5-0.
15. Resolution No. 2015-29 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
determining the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed Resolution does not constitute a “project”
pursuant to sections 15378(b)(2) and (4) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative
activity and government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment
to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the
environment; 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 a significant
effect on the environment; and
B. Adopt a resolution setting the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax rate at $0.03046 per
square foot of taxable parcel area for fiscal year 2015-2016 and submitting the
public safety special parcel tax list to the Los Angeles County Auditor Controller’s
Office.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve Resolution No. 2015-29, Motion
carried, 5-0.
16. Resolution No. 2015-30 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement for billing of direct
assessments by and between the City of Vernon and the Los Angeles County
Auditor-Controller (Public Safety Special Parcel Tax).
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed agreement does not constitute a “project”
pursuant to sections 15378(b)(2) and (4) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative
activity and government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment
to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact
on the environment; and even if the adoption of the proposed did constitute a
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May 19, 2015
Page 5 of 7
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 a significant
effect on the environment; and
B. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Finance Director to enter into a direct
assessments billing agreement with the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller for
the collection and distribution of the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax for fiscal year
2015-2016; and
C. Authorize the Finance Director to file the Agency Information Sheet with the
County of Los Angeles Auditor-Controller for the Vernon Public Safety Special
Parcel Tax.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve Resolution No. 2015-30,
Motion carried, 5-0.
Fire Department
17. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the existing Memorandum of Understanding
between the City of Vernon and Los Angeles Regional Interoperable
Communications System Authority.
Recommendation
A. Find that approval of the amendment proposed in this staff report 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 Amendment No. 1 to the existing Memorandum of Understanding
(“MOU”) between the City of Vernon and Los Angeles Regional Interoperable
Communications System Authority (“LA-RICS”), in substantially the same form
as submitted herewith, for the loan of additional LA-RICS User Equipment
(portable radios) to the Vernon Fire Department.
Fire Chief Mike Wilson provided a brief report.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Davis to approve Amendment No. 1 to the existing
Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Vernon and Los Angeles Regional
Interoperable Communications System Authority, Motion carried, 5-0.
ORDINANCES
18. 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. (second reading)
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. Adopt the ordinance to amend Section 2.69-1(i) of the Vernon Municipal Code to
correct the Industrial Development Division to Industrial Development
Department.
Mayor McCormick read the title of the ordinance.
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May 19, 2015
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City Administrator Mark Whitworth gave a brief report on the item and added that no
revisions had been made to the original proposal from its first reading.
Independent Reform Monitor, Jon Van De Kamp inquired if there were employee positions
planned for this department.
Mr. Whitworth responded that one person would begin in the department and identify
staffing needs – at a moderate level.
On a motion by Davis and second by Martinez, City Clerk Maria Ayala took a roll call vote
as follows:
Ayes: McCormick, Davis, Martinez, Ybarra, and Woodruff
Noes: None Abstentions: None Absent: None
Mayor McCormick announced at 10:32 a.m. that the meeting would take a brief recess. The
meeting reconvened at 10:43 a.m.
BUDGET STUDY SESSION
19. Review of proposed budgets for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the following departments:
A. City Attorney Department
B. Gas & Electric Department
C. Public Works, Water, And Development Services Department
D. Industrial Development Department
E. Information Technology (IT) Division
F. City Clerk Department
G. City Administration, City Council, and Community Promotion
Mr. Fox opened the budget study session. Department Heads proceeded to present their
individual proposed budgets as follows: Hema Patel (City Attorney); Carlos Fandino (Gas &
Electric); Kevin Wilson (Public Works, Water, and Development Services); Mark Whitworth
(Industrial Development); Ernesto Smith (Information Technology); Maria Ayala (City
Clerk); Kristen Enomoto (City Administration, City Council, and Community Promotions)
ORAL REPORTS
20. City Administrator Reports – brief reports on activities and other brief announcements by
the City Administrator and Department Heads.
Police Chief Daniel Calleros reported on the following: an armed robbery on April 29; gun
shots heard in the 3200 block of Fruitland Ave. on May 2; update on a previously reported
arrest wherein the individual had ingested methamphetamine and due to encouragement from
the arresting officer later sought help to end his addiction – he left a ‘thank you’ note for the
officer; and this is National Police Week to honor and remember fallen officers.
Police Captain Michael Gillman reported on vandalism that occurred on May 5, a suspect was
able to be apprehended due to witness assistance. Captain Gillman noted a few areas of
possible vandalism reported by the City Council.
Fire Chief Michael Wilson provided an update on the following: the MDA Fill-the-Booth
fundraiser is still ongoing; ladder truck certifications; inspections for apparatus; continued
trainings; incidents that recently occurred: April 22 crews responded to a “waterfall” alarm and
were able to quickly respond and put out the fire; on April 24 all engines responded to the 710
southbound Freeway to a tanker fire.
Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Kevin Wilson reported on the
following: currently out to bid on: Slauson and Boyle Project and also out to bid on water well
sight; hired a contractor to install a sewer lateral; the drought regulations; last week was
Building and Safety Week; in recognition of Public Works Week (this week), a lunch will be
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May 19, 2015
Page 7 of 7
hosted for staff on Thursday; and the La Villa Basque restaurant will be reopened as a Mexican
restaurant.
Director of Gas and Electric Carlos Fandino reported on recent outages and also provided an
update on Governor Brown’s executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mr.
Fandino will report back to the Council on how this will impact the City and its businesses.
Finance Director William Fox provided a brief update on the following: the current field audits
taking place; in process of submitting insurance renewals; and provided information on the
process, and current status of the bond refinance.
Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control Dave LeDuff provided a brief update
on the aedes aegypti mosquito as it may currently pose a serious health threat. Encourages all
to check for any stagnant water around their homes.
Director of Human Resources Teresa McAllister announced the following: June 10 Employee
Appreciation BBQ; will be reporting back on the succession planning the City is undertaking;
will also be reporting back on the City’s intern program; announced that the current HR intern
will be leaving the City as she has been offered a full-time position; the Health and Benefits
Fair will also be coming up.
Economic Development Manager and Successor Agency Staff Alex Kung announced that the
Oversight Board meeting that was scheduled for May 21 is being cancelled due to lack of
quorum; a brief update on the Governor’s Budget May Revise; and that the City has been
awarded a $250,000 grant through CalTrans, in conjunction with SCAG to conduct a L.A.
River Bike Study.
City Administrator Mark Whitworth reported on the following: today’s budget sessions
conclude the department presentations, he invites Councilmembers to use the following weeks
to ask questions of the Department Heads that they still might have; a public hearing for the
adoption of the budget will be scheduled for the next Council Meeting; Vernon Quarterly will
be coming out this week; he attended a conference in Indian Wells last weekend where L.A.
County Sheriff McDonnel spoke on the reforms that are taking place in the L.A. County
Sheriff’s Department, and also attended a session an informative session on city branding.
21. City Council Reports – brief report on activities, announcements, or directives to staff.
Councilmember Woodruff-Perez requested information from Human Resources regarding the
impact the intern program has on the City’s budget.
With no further business, at 1:08 p.m., Mayor McCormick adjourned the meeting.
________________________
W. Michael McCormick
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk