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2016-05-12 BIC 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, and 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 Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Thursday, May 12, 2016, 9:00 a.m. Council Chamber 4305 Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, California Vacant, Chairperson Eric Gustafson, Vice Chairperson Brett Dedeaux, Commission Member Ken Jackson, Commission Member Doug Pittman, Commission Member Stan Stosel, Commission Member Robert Wendoll, Commission Member CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT - At this time the public is encouraged to address the 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 deliberation on those specific matters. PRESENTATION. 1. City of Vernon Recommendation to Adjust Water Rates 2. Update on the Southeast Los Angeles County Eco-Rapid Transit Commuter Rail Line 3. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Open Streets Grant Program Regular Vernon Business and Industry Agenda May 12, 2016 Page 2 of 2 MINUTES – To be received and filed. 4. Minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held August 13, 2015 DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 5. City of Vernon Bicycle Master Plan ORAL REPORTS 6. Update on Aliso Canyon natural gas leak and its impact on Vernon 7. Results from the Park Needs Assessment community meeting held on February 16th, 2016 8. 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 5th day of May 2015. By: ________________________________ Maria E. Ayala, Secretary RECElVED MAY o 5 2016 CITY CLERK'S OFFICE PUBLIC RECEIVED MAY 05 20!6 じL Rヽ 電理モ璽え′ STAFF REPO】 WORKS WATER AND DEVEIDEPARTMENT DATE: TO: FROⅣl: lNlay 12,2016 Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Vernon Business and Industry Commission al Derek Wieske, Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Department Originator: Scott B. Rigg, Public Works & Water Superintendent SL- City of Vernon Recommendation to Adjust Water RatesRE: Recommendation Receive and file a presentation regarding the City's Recommendation to Adjust Water Rates. Background At this time, the majority of the City's water utility revenue is collected from one of three sources, which are a commodity rate, a meter charge, and a square footage charge. The current fee structure was established a number of years ago, with the goal of fairly aligning the costs with the benefits arising from those costs. The total revenue from these three funding sources is approximately $8.7 million dollars. There are additional small revenue sources of miscellaneous fees such as meter installation and construction fees. On December 15, 2015, the City Council considered a report from the Department of Public Works, Water and Development Services regarding a possible adjustment to the water rates. At that time, staff recommended an overall rate adjustment to address increased costs. After considering the matter, the Council authorized staff to begin the process to adjust the City's water rates, consistent with Proposition 2l 8. Proposition 2l 8, passed by the voters of California in 1996, requires that public agencies go through proper public notification and approval process prior to increasing any fees or assessments. Over the past four months, the department staff has had the opportunity to perform additional analysis to confirm the current revenue requirements to fully fund the City of Vernon's water enterprise costs, and this analysis again concluded that current revenues are not sufficient to cover the City's operating costs. Increased expenses associated with rising replenishment assessment costs from the Water Replenishment District for pumped water as well as rising surface water costs from the Central Basin Municipal Water District, have increased the overall operational costs. In addition, the estimated capital cost needed to maintain the City's water system at a high level of service have been increasing. Finally, it should also be noted that mandated drought restrictions by the State of California Water Resources Control Board in 2014 and 2015, while important in dealing with the State's overall drought crisis, have led to decreased water sales, and therefore decreased revenues, to water agencies throughout California. While this is not the only factor, water agencies throughout California have responded by increasing water rates. In Vernon, water sales have decreased approximately 12.87o in the past two years, from7225 acre-feet (AF) in 2013 to AF 6400 in 2015. Based on staff s most recent cost study, it is recommended that all three rates be adjusted. Staff will be providing the Commission with a presentation outlining the water division's costs, the current and forecasted water sales, some of the planned future capital projects, and comparing the City's proposed water rates to other comparable local agency water rates. Fiscal Impact The City of Vernon is recommending that the Water Rates be adjusted to cover increased costs associated with rising replenishment assessment, surface water, and capital costs. RECEIVED MAY o 4 2016 01TYCLERK′SOFFICE RECEIVED MAY 0 2 2016 CI丁 Y ADMINISTRAT10NSTAFF REPORT FINANCE DEPARTMENT NEq-,,, DATE: TO: FROM: It』[〕 RECEiVED MAY o 5 2016 CITY CLERK′SOFFICE STAFF REPORT PUBLIC WORKS,WATER&DEVELOPMENT SERVICESDEPARTMENT RECEIVED MAY 0 3 2016 CI丁Y ADMINISttRAT10N @ g.u-tv DATE: TO: FROⅣl: RE: May 12,2016 Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Vernon Business and Industry Commission T4'1/ Derek Wieske, Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services Department Originator: Rafael Contreras, Project Engineer Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Open Streets Grant Program Recommendation Receive and file a presentation on Metro's Open Streets Grant Program. Background Over the past few years, cities and counties all over the nation have begun hosting "open streets" events, which temporarily close the streets to vehicular traffic so that the public can gather, exercise, and participate in pedestrian, bicycling, skating, and other non-motorized activities. The "open streets" concept initiated in 2008 by a small Los Angeles gloup of advocates who recognized that "open streets" events could address active transportation, urban land use and public health needs in Los Angeles. This advocacy group formed CiclAvia, a 501(c)3 non-profit origination, and had its first "open streets" event in 2010. Since then CiclAvia events have become the signature "open streets" events for the Los Angeles region. "Open streets" events are increasingly common in the Los Angeles region because these events encourage sustainable modes of transportation, reduce traffic congestion, achieve economic and public health improvement. Grant Program Seeing the success of the CiclAvia events in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) developed an Open Streets Grant Program to encourage and support other cities in Los Angeles County to create more "open street" events. The Open Streets Grant Program provides funding to local agencies to plan and host temporary one-day events that close the streets to automotive traffic and open them to people to walk or bike. Metro's goals of the program is to provide opportunities for l) riding transit, walking and riding a bike, possibly for the first time, 2) to encourage future mode shift to more sustainable transportation modes, and 3) to promote civic engagement to foster the development of multi-modal policies and infrastructure at the city/community level. The Metro Board recently authorized the release of the Open Streets Grant Program Cycle 2 application and guidelines. Grant applications are due on May 12,2016. This grant cycle will provide up to $4 million to various cities for Open Streets grants in the next two fiscal years. Funds can be used to reimburse staff cost associated with the event. The Public Works, Water and Development Services Department proposes to submit an Open Streets Grant Program Cycle 2 application. Hosting an Open Streets event, like CiclAvia, will provide Vernon the opportunity to highlight its businesses, bring positive awareness of Vernon's industrial nature, and create a unique space for Vernon residents and the nearby communities to participate in enjoyable activities. Open Street events typically attract tens of thousands of local community residents from the surrounding Cities. Lastly, in partnership with Vernon businesses, Open Streets event in Vernon can also be used as an advertisement and promotional event. Staff is also exploring co-hosting the event with a nearby City, such as Huntington Park. Fiscal Impact Metro's competitive application provides up to $149,000 in funding and requires a twenty percent local match. The event cost is estimated in a range of $190,000 to $240,000. City staff will seek other alternative funding sources to fund the balance not covered by the Metro grant. Page 2 of 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMヽ 41SSION MEETING OF THE C「Y OF VERNON HELD THURSDAY,AUGUST 13,2015,AT 9:00 AoM.IN THE CrY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER,LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FEAVENUE,VERNON,CALFORNIA MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: W. Michael McCormick, Ken Jackson, Douglas Pittman, and Robert Wendoll Brett Dedeaux, Eric Gustafson, and Stan Stosel The meeting was called to order at 9:03 a.m. by Chair McCormick who also led the flag salute. There were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair McCormick 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 provided. ELECTION 1. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to serve until the next annual election in August 2016. Recommendations A. Find that election of chairperson and vice chairperson does not constitute a "project" pursuant to section 15378(bX2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), because it constitutes an administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed did constitute a project, it would be exempt from CEQA in accordance with Section 15061(bX3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and B. Elect one of its members as Chairperson for a one year term; and C. Elect one of its members as Vice Chairperson for a one year term. On a motion by Wendoll and a second by Pittman, current Chairman McCormick and current Vice- Chairman Gustafson were nominated to the positions of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson respectively for a term of one year. Motion Carried 4-0. Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes August 13,2015 MINUTES 2. Minutes of the Regular Business & Industry Commission Meeting held May 14, 2015. It was moved by Jackson and seconded by Wendoll to approve the May 14,2015 Minutes. Motion carried,4-0. NEW BUSINESS 3. Distribution Generation Impact Study (Presented by Vernon Department of Gas & Electric). Carlos Fandino, Director of Vernon Gas & Electric, and Ali Nour, Utilities Engineering Manager, introduced the item and explained the City's need to look at cogeneration plans. Representatives from PowerEngineering provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Impact Study: Kerry Lunch, Rob Schaerer, David Marx, and Tony Georgis. Significant discussion from the Commission took place with questions regarding: rates, impact on revenues from the City's Gas and Electric Department, concerns over the installation of solar panels, etc. 4. Development of a Business Employee Training Program in conjunction with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce through local community colleges. . Alex Kung, Economic Development Manager, explained the new employee training program being provided through Cerritos Community College. 5. Development of Vernon Business Award. Mr. Kung reported on a potential awards program for businesses within the City. ORAL REPORTS 6. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff. Mr. Kung announced and/or reported on the following: a presentation by GoBiz; and a hiring tax incentive currently underway for businesses. ttt ttt Page 2 of 3 Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes August 13,2015 With no further business, Chair McCormick adjourned the meeting at 10: I I a.m. Eric Gustafson Vice Chairyerson Maria E. Ayala, CMC Secretary Page 3 of 3 ATTEST: RECEIVED MAY 0 5 2016 olTY OLERFSOFF10E RECEIVED MAY 05 20!6 STAFF REPORT PUBLIC WORKS WATER AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICESDEPARTMENT DATE: TO: FROM: M:ay 12,2016 Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Vernon Business and Industry Commission ffi;:."il*tor of public works, water and Development services Department Originator: Felix Velasco, Assistant Engineer City of Vernon Bicycle Master PlanRE: Recommendation Receive a presentation and hold a discussion regarding the development of the Bicycle Master Plan Background The City of Vemon is conducting a citywide study to prepare a bicycle master plan. The City's bicycle master plan is intended to serve as the guiding document for the development of a network of bicycle routes linking working centers within the City, as well as to the larger regional network. The plan will guide planning, development, and management of future and multi-modal connections within the City of Vernon. This bicycle master plan should identifr opportunities for potential future bike lanes/routes as well as upgrades or improvements to existing roadways such as, traffic channelization reconfiguration, bicycle signage, pavement markings, and other safety road-sharing enhancements. The Bicycle Master Plan will also serve as the guiding document for future capital improvement projects and potential grant opportunities. The master plan is scheduled to be completed by October of 2016 Fiscal Impact The City of Vemon received a grant for the amount of $53,000 in State funding from the Caltrans - Active Transportation Program for the citywide study to prepare a bicycle master plan. The City is required to allocate $7,000 of local funds to meet the matching requirement. The matching funds have been budgeted in the FY 2015-2016 budget. Attachment(s) None.