2017-01-17 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE
AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, Martinez, and Ybarra
MEMBERS ABSENT: Woodruff-Perez and Lopez
The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by Mayor Davis; Director of Public Works, Water
and Development Services Derek Wieske 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.
No public comment provided. PRESENTATION
1. Police Officer Swear-In Ceremony
Presented by: Daniel Calleros, Chief of Police Police Chief Daniel Calleros provided the presentation; City Clerk Maria Ayala swore in Officer
Patrick Cam.
2. 2017 Used Oil Calendar Awards Presented by: Keith Allen, Director of Health & Environmental Control
Director of Health and Environmental Control Keith Allen provided the presentation and
announced the student awardees.
3. Service Pin Awards for December 2016 Presented by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
NAME DEPARTMENT TITLE YEARS
Stephanie M. Johnson Police Administrative Secretary 15
Cynthia P. Mireles Public Works Permit Technician 10
Director of Human Resources Michael Earl presented the awards to Cynthia P. Mireles who was
in attendance. Stephanie M. Johnson was not in attendance.
4. City of Vernon Exceptional Employee Program (VEEP) Awards 2016 Presented by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
VEEP Category 2016 VEEP Award Winners
Cost-Savings Idea Edwin Ochoa
Team Award Information Technology
Employee of the Year Michael Shehata
Director Earl presented the Cost-Savings Idea award to Edwin Ochoa who was not in attendance; The Team Award to Information Technology who was in attendance; and Employee of the Year
Award to Michael Shehata who was in attendance.
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5. A Proclamation of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Vernon commending Kurt B. Smith, Fire Engineer, for his many years of service to the City of Vernon
Presented by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
City Clerk Ayala read the proclamation.
6. A Proclamation of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Vernon
commending Michael E. Busch, Fire Captain, for his many years of service to the
City of Vernon Presented by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
City Clerk Ayala read the proclamation.
Michael E. Busch gave as short speech about his experience in serving the City of Vernon.
Mayor Davis recessed the meeting at 9:33 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:48 a.m.
City Clerk Ayala introduced Antonio Chapa, District Director for Supervisor Hilda Solis, who
briefly introduced himself.
7. Renewable Portfolio Standard Annual Status Report for Calendar Year 2016
Presented by: Abraham Alemu, Electric Resources Planning & Development Manager Abraham Alemu, Electric Resources Planning & Development Manager, provided a PowerPoint
Presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve all matters listed under the Consent
Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 3-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Absent
Claims Against the City – Received and Filed 8. None
Warrant Registers 9. Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 727, totaling $3,136,824.68, which covers the period of December 1 through December 31, 2016 and consists of the
following:
A. Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,154,964.63; and
B. Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) totaling $981,860.05.
10. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1464, totaling $278,703.10, which covers the period of January 4 through January 9, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $180,579.71; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $56,135.13; and
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C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $41,988.26. 11. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 429, totaling $81,695.11, which
covers the period of January 4 through January 9, 2017, and consists of the
following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $72,495.11; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $9,200.00.
12. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 217, totaling $425.81, which covers the period of January 4 through January 9, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $425.18.
City Administration Department 13. Ratification of Mayor’s Appointment of the City Representative seat to the Oversight Board of the Successor Agency
Recommendation:
A. Find that ratification of the Mayor’s appointment of Kelly Nguyen to serve on the
Oversight Board of the Successor Agency is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is an administrative action
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. Ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Kelly Nguyen to serve on the Oversight Board
of the Successor Agency as a City Representative. Health and Environmental Control Department
14. December 2016 Monthly Report
Public Works, Water and Development Services Department 15. Building Department Report for the Month of December 2016
16. Acceptance of Work of FS Contractors, Inc. regarding Contract No. CS-0671– Fire Department Regional Training Center, Phase 2 Recommendation:
A. Affirm that accepting the work of FS Contractors, Inc. for the Fire Department Regional Training Center, Phase 2, Contract No. CS-0671 is consistent with the Initial Study and Negative Declaration prepared for this project pursuant to the
provisions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance
with Section 15063, which required the City, as the lead agency to conduct an Initial Study to determine if the project may have a significant effect on the environment; and
B. Accept the work of FS Contractors, Inc. as part of the Fire Department Regional
Training Center, Phase 2, Contract No. CS-0671, and authorize the staff to submit a Notice of Completion for the project to the County of Los Angeles Recorder’s Office.
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ORDINANCE 17. 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 (Second Reading and Adoption) 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. Approve the second reading and adopt 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.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 1238. Motion carried, 3-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Absent
NEW BUSINESS
Finance Department 18. Resolution No. 2017-03 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
approving an agreement regarding expenditure of excess bond proceeds between
the Successor Agency of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Vernon and the City of Vernon [2005 Tax Allocation Bonds] Recommendation:
A. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution for approval of the Agreement Regarding Expenditure of Excess Bond Proceeds [2005 Tax Allocation Bonds] is
exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it is a
government fiscal activity that will not result in any change to the environment
and, therefore, is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
Even assuming the activity were a “project”, it would be exempt from CEQA review 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;
and
B. Adopt a resolution to approve an Agreement Regarding Expenditure of Excess Bond Proceeds [2005 Tax Allocation Bonds], in substantially the same form as
presented herewith.
City Clerk Ayala conferenced into the meeting Iris Yang, Special Bond Counsel. Finance Director William Fox reported on the proposed.
A dialogue ensued between City Council and Staff regarding bond allocation, timing, and funding
priorities.
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Public Comment
John Van de Kamp, Independent Counsel, inquired about when the City needed to expend the
funds. Director Fox and Ms. Yang explained the year deadline to expend the funds and clarified
what capital expenditures were under the bond covenant.
Mayor Davis inquired about renovations to Fire Station 4. The discussion between City Council
and staff shifted back to timing and prioritization of capital improvements.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve Resolution No. 2017-03. Motion carried, 3-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Absent
Fire Department
19. Resolution No. 2017-04 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving the City’s participation in the 2015 State Homeland Security Program by the Vernon Fire Department, approving and authorizing the execution of a
Subrecipient Agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the County of Los
Angeles and authorizing the execution of documents necessary to obtain said grant Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is a government fiscal 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 a resolution approving and authorizing the City’s participation in the 2015
State Homeland Security Program (“2015 SHSP”), approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the County of
Los Angeles, and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to execute
documents necessary to obtain the grant.
Fire Chief Bruce English reported on the proposed.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve Resolution No. 2017-04. Motion
carried, 3-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Absent Health and Environmental Control Department
20. Request for Approval of an Agreement with MSW Consultants in Response to the
City’s Request for Proposals for Solid Waste Consulting & Environmental
Sustainability Services
Recommendation:
A. Find that proposed agreement between the City of Vernon and MSW Consultants is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because approval of the proposed agreement is a continuing administrative activity that will
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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
that even if such were a project, it would be exempt 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 agreement does not have an impact; and
B. Accept the proposal from MSW Consultants as the highest scoring respondent,
rejecting all other proposals; and
C. Award a services agreement to MSW Consultants for solid waste consulting and environmental sustainability services at an amount not-to-exceed $270,000 per
year, with a total compensation not-to-exceed amount of $810,000 over the entire
three (3) year term of the agreement, and authorize the City Administrator to
execute the services agreement between the City of Vernon and MSW Consultants. Director Allen reported on the proposed.
Public Comment
Mr. Van de Kamp inquired about the use of this vendor and how much they have been paid over the previous years. Director Allen explained the service changes due to new laws and the cost
associated with that.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve. Motion carried, 3-0. Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes
Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Absent
Police Department
21. 9-1-1 System State Funding and Upgrades Recommendation:
A. Find that granting authority to execute and submit the referenced purchase
agreement with State of California Emergency Services 9-1-1 Branch 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. Authorize the Police Chief to execute purchase agreements with the State of
California Emergency Services 9-1-1 Branch on behalf of the City of Vernon to
upgrade the Police Department 9-1-1 system and related equipment.
Chief Calleros reported on the proposed.
Mayor Davis inquired about the amount of funds allocated by the state. Chief Calleros clarified
about state funding for the upgrades.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Martinez to approve. Motion carried, 3-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Martinez: Yes Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Absent
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ORAL REPORTS
22. City Administrator Reports – brief reports on activities and other brief announcements by
the City Administrator and Department Heads.
Director of Public Work, Water and Development Services Derek Wieske reported on the
following: guidelines produced from a working group; LA county grand jury response; and I-710
project committee. Mayor Davis noted the work that has been done on the Atlantic bridge.
Director of Gas and Electric Kelly Nguyen reported on an outage due to reconnection failures.
Councilmember Ybarra inquired about the weathers effect on outages and preparations for
inclement weather, Director Nguyen noted that so far weather has not caused any outages and steps
were taken to handle bad weather.
Director of Health and Environmental Control Keith Allen reported on the City not being annexed
into the Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Mayor Davis inquired about the mosquito
situation in the City, Director Allen explained that mosquito breeding has been observed and they
are addressing the issue.
Public Comment
Mr. Van de Kamp inquired about the reason the City was not accepted. Director Allen explained
the funding was through property tax and wasn’t fiscally feasible for the District.
23. City Council Reports – brief AB1234 reports, or report on: activities, announcements, or
directives to staff.
With no further business, at 10:36 a.m., Mayor Davis adjourned the meeting.
________________________
William J. Davis Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________ Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk