2017-03-21 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA
FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, Woodruff-Perez, Ybarra, and Lopez
MEMBERS ABSENT: Martinez
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Davis. City Administrator Carlos Fandino
asked for a moment of silence in memory of John Van de Kamp, prior to leading 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. A Proclamation of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Vernon declaring
the week of March 20-26, 2017 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week City Clerk Ayala read the proclamation.
2. Service Pin Awards for February 2017 Presented by: Michael Earl, Director of Human Resources
NAME DEPARTMENT TITLE YEARS
Jose M. Cervantes Public Works, Water and
Development Services
Senior Warehouse Worker 35
Human Resources Director Michael Earl awarded the service pin to Jose M. Cervantes who was
in attendance.
3. Financial Results from the 2016 Annual Audit Presented by: William Fox, Director of Finance
Peggy McBride, Auditor from Vasquez & Company, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Lopez to approve all matters listed under the
Consent Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Absent
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Claims Against the City – Received and Filed
4. None
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Warrant Registers
5. Ratification of the following City Warrant Register to record the following voided
checks:
A. City Warrant Register No. 1456 to record voided Check No. 352339 in the amount
of $214; and
B. City Warrant Register No. 1462 to record voided Check No. 353216 in the amount of $214; and
C. City Warrant Register No. 1463 to record voided Check No. 353344 in the amount
of $100; and
D. City Warrant Register No. 1467 to record voided Check No. 353876 in the amount
of $278.
6. Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 729, totaling $3,673,711.06, which
covers the period of February 1 through February 28, 2017 and consists of the following: A. Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,585,551.59; and
B. Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) totaling $1,088,159.47. 7. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1468, totaling $1,444,527.45, which covers the period of February 28 through March 13, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $743,294.47; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $547,708.64; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $126,524.34.
8. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 433, totaling $4,668,648.61, which covers the period of February 28 through March 13, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $4,556,075.04; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $106,909.88; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $5,663.69.
9. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 221, totaling $141,936.65, which covers the period of February 28 through March 13, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $100,017.89; and B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $41,918.76.
Fire Department
10. Activity Report for the period of February 16 through February 28, 2017 Health and Environmental Control Department
11. February 2017 Monthly Report
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Public Works, Water and Development Services Department 12. Building Department Report for the Month of February 2017
ORDINANCE 13. Ordinance No. 1240 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Vernon amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement
reorganization and renaming of certain departments within the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict therewith (second reading and adoption)
Recommendation:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the 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. Approve the second reading and adopt an ordinance amending various sections
within Chapters 1, 2, 5, 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 30 of the Vernon Municipal Code to Reorganize and Rename the Gas and Electric Department and the Public Works, Water, and Development Services Department.
City Clerk Ayala noted a small correction to the date in the text of the ordinance: Section 24.16
references the “2013” Electrical Code, which was corrected to “2016”. It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve the second reading and adopt
an Ordinance No. 1240. Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Yes Martinez: Absent
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
NEW BUSINESS Finance Department
14. Resolution No. 2017-10 - 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].
Finance Director William Fox reported on the proposed.
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A dialogue ensued between staff and Council about the use of the reserve bond requirement, the timeline of expending the funds, and the distribution of the bond proceeds if not used by the City.
It was moved by Ybarra and seconded by Lopez to adopt Resolution No. 2017-10. Motion carried,
4-0. Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Absent
Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Yes Fire Department
15. Resolution No. 2017-11 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving and authorizing the City’s participation in the 2016 Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant Program, approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the City of Los Angeles, and
authorizing the execution of documents necessary to obtain the 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 the attached resolution approving and authorizing the City’s participation in
the 2016 Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant Program (“2016 UASI”), approving
and authorizing the execution of an agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the City of Los Angeles, and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to
execute documents necessary to obtain the grant. The City of Los Angeles has
approved and awarded 2016 UASI grant funds in the amount of $174,955.00 to the
City of Vernon’s Fire Department.
Fire Chief Bruce English reported on the proposed.
It was moved by Lopez and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve Resolution No. 2017-11.
Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Absent
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Gas and Electric Department
16. Award of a Professional Services Agreement to Interstate Gas Service dba
IGService to conduct a water, sewer, and recycled water rate study Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed Professional Services Agreement between the City of Vernon and IGService is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), 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
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B. Determine that the award of the proposed agreement is in the best interest of the City and, therefore, exempt from the competitive selection process per Section
2.17.12 (B)(3) of the Vernon Municipal Code; and
C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Interstate Gas Services dba IGService (“IGService”), in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, for a term of one year and an
amount not to exceed $51,733.00, to conduct a water, sewer, and recycled water
rate study.
Director of Gas and Electric Kelly Nguyen reported on the proposed. It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Ybarra to approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Interstate Gas Services for a
term of one year at an amount not to exceed $51,733.00, to conduct a water, sewer, and recycled water rate study. Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Absent Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Human Resource Department
17. Resolution No. 2017-12 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon declaring the month of April 2017 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and April 26, 2017 as “Denim Day”
Recommendation:
A. Find that the request to adopt the attached resolution proclaiming April 2017 as
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and April 26, 2017 as “Denim Day” 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 proclaiming April 2017 as “Sexual Assault
Awareness Month” and April 26, 2017 as “Denim Day” in the City of Vernon in support of the Peace Over Violence sexual violence education campaign.
Human Resources Director Michael Earl reported on the proposed.
It was moved by Lopez and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2017-12. Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes Martinez: Absent Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
18. Resolution No. 2017-13 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
designating December 26, 2017, and January 2, 2018, as observed City holidays, and directing closure of the public offices of the City of Vernon on these days
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed resolution authorizing the closure of municipal offices of the City of Vernon on December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018, is exempt
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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 designating December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018, as observed City Holidays and approving the closure of municipal offices of the
City of Vernon on said days.
Director Earl reported on the proposed. It was moved by Woodruff-Perez and seconded by Ybarra to approve Resolution No. 2017-13.
Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Yes Martinez: Absent
Ybarra: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Public Works, Water and Development Services Department
19. Contract Award for City Contract No. CS-0757: Miscellaneous Grinding, Paving
and Crack Seal
Recommendation:
A. Find that the proposed Capital Improvement Project at various locations along
Leonis Boulevard, Vernon Avenue, District Boulevard, Alameda Street, and
Atlantic Boulevard is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing
Facilities, part (c), existing highways and streets, because the project is merely to
repair existing streets and involves negligible or no expansion of use beyond that
existing currently; and
B. Accept the bid from All American Asphalt, as the lowest responsive and
responsible bidder and reject all other bids; and
C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract in an amount
not to exceed $611,700 for the Miscellaneous Grinding, Paving and Crack Seal Project (CS-0757); and
D. Authorize a contingency of $75,000 in the event of an unexpected changed
condition in the project and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a
change order for an amount up to the contingency amount.
Interim Director Kevin Wilson reported on the proposed.
Mayor Davis inquired about the asphalt process and impacts to traffic. Interim Director Wilson explained the various methods of asphalt replacement and informing Caltrans of the traffic issues. It was moved by Lopez and seconded by Woodruff-Perez to approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a contract in an amount not-to-exceed $611,700 for the Miscellaneous
Grinding, Paving and Crack Seal Project and authorize a contingency of $75,000. Motion carried, 4-0.
Davis: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Yes
Martinez: Absent Ybarra: Yes Lopez: Yes
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ORAL REPORTS
20. City Administrator Reports – brief reports on activities and other brief announcements by
the City Administrator and Department Heads.
Police Captain Michael Gillman reported on the following: March 19th robbery on Fruitland Avenue and Boyle Avenue; hit-and-run follow-up; and graffiti activity in the City.
Fire Chief Bruce English reported on various incident reports and the April Blood Drive.
Public Works, Water and Development Services Interim Director Kevin Wilson reported on the California High Speed Rail project impacts. A discussion ensued between Mayor Davis and Interim Director Wilson about the details of the proposed rail line.
Gas and Electric Director Kelly Nguyen reported on a March 9th power outage.
City Clerk Maria Ayala reported on election ballots being mailed to the voters.
City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported on the following: the Community Get-Together;
Measure Q and possible future measures; first-round budget process; and the memorial service
John Van de Kamp. 21. City Council Reports – brief AB1234 reports, or report on: activities, announcements, or
directives to staff.
With no further business, at 10:02 a.m., Mayor Davis adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Melissa Ybarra Mayor ATTEST:
_________________________ Maria E. Ayala City Clerk