2017-12-19 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA
FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ybarra, Davis, and Martinez
MEMBERS ABSENT: Woodruff-Perez and Lopez
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Ybarra; Police Chief Anthony Miranda led
the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Ybarra 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.
Kimberly Barnette, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Regional Coordinator, spoke about the homeless count and coordination with the City in conducting the count.
PRESENTATIONS
1. A Proclamation of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Vernon commending Andrew S. Guth for his many years of service to the City of Vernon
City Clerk Ayala read the proclamation. Fire Chief Bruce English said a few words
commending Andrew Guth for his many years of service to the City of Vernon.
Battalion Chief Andrew Guth said a few words about his many years of service to the City of Vernon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
No public comment was provided.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Martinez to approve all matters listed under the Consent
Calendar under one motion as presented. Motion carried, 3-0.
Ybarra: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Davis: Yes
Martinez: Yes
Lopez: Absent
Claims Against the City – Received and Filed
2. None
Warrant Registers
3. Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 738, totaling $2,832,017.56, which
covers the period of November 1 through November 30, 2017 and consists of the
following: A. Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,239,777.64; and
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B. Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) totaling $592,239.92. 4. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1485, totaling $1,160,738.78, which covers
the period of November 28 through December 11, 2017, and consists of the
following: A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $883,276.26; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $248,050.58; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $29,411.94. 5. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 450, totaling $6,521,693.83, which
covers the period of November 28 through December 11, 2017, and consists of the
following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $4,767,460.41; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $1,746,330.21; and
C. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $7,903.21. 6. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 238, totaling $15,351.14, which covers the period of November 28 through December 11, 2017, and consists of the following:
A. Ratification of wire transfers totaling $20.09; and
B. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $15,331.05.
City Administration Department
7. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving and ratifying the execution of a purchase agreement and joint escrow instructions, and all related documents, with Eulises Perez for the real property located at 2915 E. 60th Place,
Unit S, Huntington Park, CA 90255
Recommendation: A. Find that adoption of the proposed Resolution is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the approval and ratification of the
execution of a purchase agreement for the sale of City-owned residential property is an administrative and 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 Ratifying the Execution of a Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, and All Related Documents for the Sale
of Real Property Located at 2915 E 60th Place, Unit S, in Huntington Park.
8. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon approving and ratifying the
execution of a purchase agreement and joint escrow instructions, and all related documents, with Cesar A. Garcia for the real property located at 6010 Oak Street, Unit B, Huntington Park, CA 90255
Recommendation:
A. Find that adoption of the proposed Resolution is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because the approval and ratification of the
execution of a purchase agreement for the sale of City-owned residential property
is an administrative and government fiscal activity that will not result in direct or
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December 19, 2017
Page 3 of 5
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 Ratifying the Execution of a Purchase
Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, and All Related Documents for the Sale of Real Property Located at 6010 Oak Street, Unit B, in Huntington Park. Fire Department
9. Activity Report for the period of November 1 through November 15, 2017 Health and Environmental Control Department
10. November 2017 Monthly Report
Police Department 11. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrests and Activities for the period of
November 16, through November 30, 2017, to be received and filed
Public Works Department 12. Building Department Report for the Month of November 2017
NEW BUSINESS
City Administration Department
13. Approve the Language of the City Council’s Argument in Favor of the Utility Users
Tax Ballot Measure (Measure “R”) for the April 10, 2018 General Municipal Election Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the Argument in Favor of Measure R 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. Approve the language for the Argument in Favor of Measure R; and
C. Direct that the Argument in Favor of Measure R be submitted to the City Clerk on
behalf of the entire City Council body for inclusion in the ballot pamphlet for the
April 10, 2018 General Municipal Election. Administrative Analyst Diana Figueroa reported on the proposed.
No public comment was provided. It was moved by Martinez and seconded by Davis to approve the language for the Argument in
Favor of Measure R and direct that the Argument in Favor of Measure R be submitted to the City
Clerk on behalf of the entire City Council body for inclusion in the ballot pamphlet for the April
10, 2018 General Municipal Election. Motion carried, 3-0. Ybarra: Yes
Woodruff-Perez: Absent
Davis: Yes
Martinez: Yes Lopez: Absent
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Public Utilities Department 14. Transfer of City Reserve Funds to the Water Division Capital Improvement Budget
for Construction of Two New Wells and the Rehabilitation of One Existing Well and
the Construction of a Pipeline Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action 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
B. Authorize the transfer of $8,000,000 from the City’s Reserve Account to the Water Division’s Capital Improvement Budget for construction of two new domestic water wells and the rehabilitation of one existing domestic water well.
General Manager Nguyen reported on the proposed.
Water Administrator Fred Cardenas provided a PowerPoint Presentation.
No public comment was provided.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by Martinez to authorize the transfer of $8,000,000 from the City’s Reserve Account to the Water Division’s Capital Improvement Budget for construction of two new domestic water wells and the rehabilitation of one existing domestic water well. Motion
carried, 3-0.
Ybarra: Yes Woodruff-Perez: Absent Davis: Yes
Martinez: Yes
Lopez: Absent
ORAL REPORTS
15. City Administrator Reports – brief reports on activities and other brief announcements.
Administrative Analyst Figueroa reported on the following: various power outages throughout the City; Chief Miranda presented a check to the American Cancer Society for $60,800; DUI/DL
Checkpoint results; recent Wildland Fire activities; various Fire incidents throughout the City;
December 20th, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles will recognize Vernon Fire Department; City
participated in Huntington Park’s Holiday Parade on December 9th; The Rotary’s Holiday
Luncheon; Employee Holiday Event; Operation Santa is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 pm; no City Council meeting on January 2nd; and Independent Cities Association Winter Seminar, January 25
– January 28th.
16. City Council Reports – brief AB1234 reports, or report on: activities, announcements, or directives to staff.
At 9:45 a.m., the City Council entered into closed session to discuss the following agendized
items:
CLOSED SESSION
17. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Jerrick Torres and Lyndon Ong Yiu vs. City of Vernon, et al. Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC620265
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18. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - PENDING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1 At 10:11 a.m. the City Council exited closed session. Human Resources Director reported that
two items were discussed and that no reportable action was taken.
With no further business, at 10:11 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Melissa Ybarra
Mayor ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala City Clerk