2017-01-10 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE RESCHEDULED REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD THURSDAY,
JANUARY 10, 2017, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, Woodruff-Perez, Martinez, Ybarra, and Lopez
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Davis; Councilmember Ybarra led the flag
salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Davis 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.
Sandra Rivera Orosco, Southeast Political Activist, provided brief comments about the City of Maywood, Firefighters, and the California Democratic Party convention. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Ordinance No. 1238 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Vernon amending Section 2.164 of Article XX of Chapter 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code relating to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund (First Reading)
Recommendation: A. Find that the Ordinance amendment to Section 2.164 of the Vernon City Code
referenced in this staff report is exempt from California Environmental Quality
Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is a continuing administrative activity that will
not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Conduct a Public Hearing; and
C. Approve the first reading, and adopt at a subsequent meeting, an ordinance amending Section 2.164 of Chapter 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code to modify the language to allow for funds appropriated to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund to
cover administrative costs associated to its management.
City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported on the proposed. A lengthy dialogue ensued between the City Council and staff regarding administrative costs, the
costs impacts on the grant funds available, grants administered, the proposed administrative
calculation, and the funding sources of the grants.
Mayor Davis opened the public hearing at 9:13 a.m.
Public Comment
John Van de Kamp, Independent Counsel, spoke in support of the fund and hopes to see more grant administration in the surrounding areas.
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Fred MacFarlane, Senior Advisor to the City Administrator, spoke in support of the proposed model and structure for sustainable grant administration. Mr. MacFarlane noted that including
administrative costs is the norm and best practice in grant administration.
Ms. Orrozco noted that the City of Maywood hired a grant writer and that she was appreciative of what the Vernon Grant Committee has accomplished.
Mayor Davis closed the public hearing at 9:19 a.m.
It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Lopez to approve the first reading of Ordinance 1238. Motion carried, 5-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Yes Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Yes
NEW BUSINESS
City Administration Department
2. Resolution No. 2017-01 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
Appointing Bruce English to Serve as the Fire Chief of the City of Vernon and
Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Related At-Will Employment Agreement Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the attached resolution in this staff report is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is an
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in
the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA
Guidelines section 15378; and B. Adopt the attached resolution appointing Bruce English to serve as Fire Chief of
the City of Vernon effective January 17, 2017, approving and authorizing the
execution of a related at-will employment agreement.
Administrator Fandino reported on the proposed. It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve Resolution No 2017-01.
Motion carried, 5-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
3. Oath & Appointment of Bruce English as Fire Chief of the City of Vernon
City Clerk Maria Ayala administered the oath of allegiance to newly appointed Fire Chief Bruce English.
Chief English provided a brief speech about himself and his upcoming role as the Fire Chief for
the City of Vernon.
Mayor Davis recessed the meeting at 9:32 a.m.
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The meeting reconvened at 9:45 a.m. PRESENTATION
4. Informational Session on the Exide Residential Cleanup Project Presented by: Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
Director of Health and Environmental Control Keith Allen introduced the representatives from
DTSC.
Cesar Campos and Michelle Banks-Ordone provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
5. Service Pin Awards for November 2016
NAME DEPARTMENT TITLE YEARS
Claudia Arellano Public Works Stormwater Special Projects Analyst 25
Kenneth P. Jackson Public Works Senior Facilities Maintenance Worker 25
Raquel Franco Finance Payroll Specialist 15
Director of Human Resources Michael Earl presented the service pins to Claudia Arellano,
Kenneth P. Jackson, and who were in attendance. Raquel Franco was not in attendance. CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Martinez to approve all matters listed under
the Consent Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 5-0. Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Yes Claims Against the City – Received and Filed
6. Claim for Damages from Maria Rodriguez received January 4, 2017 Minutes – To be Received and Filed
7. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held December 6, 2016
8. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting held December 15, 2016 Warrant Registers
9. Ratification of the following City Warrant Register to record the following voided checks:
A. City Warrant Register No. 1451 to record voided Check No. 351512 in the amount
of $9.20; and
B. City Warrant Register No. 1451 to record voided Check No. 351527 in the amount of $9.20; and
10. Ratification of the following Light & Power Warrant Registers to record the
following voided checks: A. Light & Power Warrant Register No. 410 to record voided Check No. 511976 in
the amount of $15.18; and
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B. Light & Power Warrant Register No. 426 to record voided Check No. 512416 in
the amount of $33.26.
11. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1463, totaling $1,851,061.71, which covers the period of December 9 through January 3, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,381,432.19; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $469,629.52. 12. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 428, totaling $8,623,673.85, which covers the period of December 9 through January 3, 2017, and consists of the
following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $8,541,120.46; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $82,553.39.
13. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 216, totaling $1,169,782.66, which covers the
period of December 9 through January 3, 2017, and consists of the following: A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,148,416.91; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $21,365.75.
14. Approval of RDA Obligation Retirement Fund Warrant Register No. 33, totaling $7,000.00, which covers the period of December 9 through January 3, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $7,000.00. City Administration Department
15. Renewal of Maintenance Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is a continuing
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA
Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Approve the renewal of the Maintenance Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc.
in an amount not to exceed $76,772.56 for a period of one year commencing on January 1, 2017. This renewal is exempt from competitive bidding and competitive
selection pursuant to Section 2.17.12(A)(2) of the Vernon Municipal Code as
maintenance services are for a proprietary software and are available from only one
vendor.
Fire Department
16. Activity Report for the period of November 16 through November 30, 2016
17. Activity Report for the period of December 1 through December 15, 2016 18. Activity Report for the period of December 16 through December 31, 2016
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Police Department 19. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrests and Activities for the period of
December 1, through December 15, 2016, to be received and filed
20. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrests and Activities for the period of December 16, through December 31, 2016, to be received and filed
Public Works, Water and Development Services Department
21. Rejection of Bid to Furnish and Install Electronic Water Meters & 100W Water Communication Modules
Recommendation:
A. Find that the rejection of one bid received on November 3, 2016 to Furnish and Install Electronic Water Meters and 100W Water Communication Modules is not
subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under Guidelines
15270, CEQA does not apply to projects which a city disapproves and even if it
were subject to CEQA it would be in accordance with (a) Section 15061 (b) (3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment and (b) Section 15301, because the proposed rejection of bid proposal
has no impact to the maintenance of existing facilities; and
B. Reject bid proposal to Furnish and Install Electronic Water Meters and 100W Water Communication Modules.
NEW BUSINESS CONT’D
City Administration Department 22. Resolution No. 2017-02 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon, California submitting to the Voters of the City at the City’s April 11, 2017 General
Election a Utility Users’ Tax Measure
Recommendation:
A. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is an administrative
activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA
Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Adopt a resolution calling for a Utility Users’ Tax Measure (“Measure Q”) to be
placed on the ballot for the General Municipal Election of April 11, 2017.
Administrator Fandino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
A lengthy dialogue ensure between City Council and staff regarding the Moody’s review, business community’s reception to the proposed measure, the utility rate structure, the 5% UUT increase and its impacts, and implementation if measure passed.
It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2017-02.
Motion carried, 5-0. Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Yes
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Human Resources Department
23. Adoption of City of Vernon Personnel Policies and Procedures, Employee Voluntary
Leave Donation Plan V-7
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is an administrative activity that will not
result in direct physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Adopt the attached Personnel Policy and Procedure, Employee Voluntary Leave
Donation Plan V-7 and incorporate it into the Personnel Policies and Procedures
Manual; and
C. Authorize the City Administrator and the Director of Human Resources to execute
and distribute the above-referenced policy to all employees.
Director of Human Resources Michael Earl reported on the proposed.
Councilmember Ybarra inquired as to how common a policy like this is. Director Earl explained
that this policy is a common practice in other cities.
It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Martinez to approve Employee Voluntary Leave Donation Plan V-7. Motion carried, 5-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Yes Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
ORAL REPORTS
24. 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: December 16th DUI checkpoint; December
29th Assault near 2700 block of Santa Fe Avenue; and ongoing peaceful demonstrations at Farmer John.
Captain Michael Gillman reported on repeated vandalism on company vehicles. Mayor Davis
noted graffiti on west side of Alcoa Street.
Public Works, Water and Development Services Director Derek Wieske reported on last week’s LAFCO annexation meeting and the upcoming Special Vernon Housing Commission meeting.
Gas and Electric Kelly Nguyen reported on a small unscheduled outage and electrical polls being hit by cars.
Finance Director William Fox reported on the completion of the annual audits.
Health and Environmental Control Keith Allen briefly reported on the annexation into the LA County Vector Control.
Human Resources Director Michael Earl reported on the City’s Employee Recognition and
Holiday Party and the employee walking program.
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City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported the following: City’s Employee Recognition and Holiday Party; Measure Q educational outreach; Vernon quarterly; and welcomed the new Fire
Chief.
25. City Council Reports – brief AB1234 reports, or report on: activities, announcements, or directives to staff.
With no further business, at 10:56 a.m., Mayor Davis adjourned the meeting.
________________________
William J. Davis
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk