2018-09-18 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE
AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez; Interim Health
and Environmental Control Director Vivian Nelson led the flag salute.
Members Present:Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Luz Martinez, Leticia Lopez, and
Melissa Ybarra
Members Absent:None
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment provided.
PRESENTATION
1)Employee Service Pin Awards for August 2018
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Human Resources Director Michael Earl introduced the service pin awardees, City Administrator
Fandino presented the service pins to James Moore, Brian Linnert, Sandra Dolson, Ana M
Swinford, and Mauro Trujillo who were all in attendance.
2)Recognition of Retiring Employee - Michael DeFrank, Water Superintendent
Recommendation:A. Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring
employee Michael DeFrank, Water Superintendent in recognition of his
dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Ayala read proclamation. Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez presented the proclamation
to Michael deFrank.
3)Badge Presentation Ceremony
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
City Clerk Ayala administered the Oath of Office to Fire Captain Chadrick McGovney.
Fire Chief Bruce English said a few words about the newly promoted Fire Captain Fire Captain
Chadrick McGovney.
Fire Captain Fire Captain Chadrick McGovney said a few words about his time in Vernon and
his promotion.
4)A Presentation from the California High-Speed Rail Authority
Presented by: Representatives from the California High-Speed Rail Authority
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Michelle Boehm, CA High-Speed Rail Regional Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
City Administrator Carlos Fandino inquired about the projects impact and potential loss of
revenues of business and other available options.
Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2018
Page 2
Ms. Boehm explained that the project is still under review and analysis and that any impacts to
businesses would be handled by a “business transaction” based on fair market value and that they
were exploring all possible options.
At 9:36 a.m. Mayor Woodruff-Perez recessed the meeting for a short break.
At 9:40 a.m. the meeting reconvened and resumed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5)Claim for Damages from Jesus Amador Areas Rodrigues received on
September 10, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and File
6)Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held September 4, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and File
7)Minutes of the Special Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency Meeting held January 24, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and File
8)Abolish the Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment
Agency
Recommendation:A. Find that the dissolution of the Oversight Board of the
Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency does not constitute a
“project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical
changes to the environment; and even if the adoption of the proposed
resolution did constitute a project, it would be exempt from CEQA in
accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies
to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and
B. Abolish the Vernon Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency.
9)A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon adopting an amended
Biennial Code Review Update to the Master Conflict of Interest Code for the
City of Vernon and all Agencies, Boards, and Commissions affiliated with the
City
Recommendation:A. Find that approval of the proposed action 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 resolution adopting an amended and updated Master Conflict of
Interest Code for the City of Vernon and all affiliated agencies, boards and
commissions, which incorporates all recommendations from the various
affiliated City of Vernon governing bodies and City staff review effective
immediately; and
C. Repeal all other existing Conflict of Interest Codes for the City of Vernon
and all other City of Vernon affiliated governing bodies.
10)Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 747 Covering the Period of
August 01 through August 31, 2018
Recommendation:A. Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 747 which
totals $4,672,442.60 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $3,714,961.40.
Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2018
Page 3
2) Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) paid through General bank
account totaling $957,481.20.
11)Approval of Gas Account Warrant Register No. 250 Covering the Period of
August 28 through September 10, 2018
Recommendation:A. Approve Gas Account Warrant Register No. 250
which totals $838,375.00 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $838,375.00.
12)Approval of Operating Account Warrant Register No. 7 Covering the Period
of August 28 through September 10, 2018
Recommendation:A. Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 7
which totals $5,921,883.80 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $5,670,595.94.
2) Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $226,142.01.
3) Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $25,145.85.
4) Voided check No. 600789 totaling $500.00.
13)Fire Department Activity Report for the Period of August 1 through August
15, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and file.
14)Approval of Second Amendment to Agreement Number C-127390 of City of
Los Angeles Contract between the City of Los Angeles and the City of
Vernon in Connection with the Fiscal Year 2015 Urban Areas Security
Initiative Grant Program
Recommendation:A. Find that approval of the amendment proposed 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. Approve the Second Amendment to Agreement Number C-127390 of City
of Los Angeles Contract between the City of Los Angeles and the City of
Vernon in connection with the Fiscal Year 2015 Urban Areas Security
Initiative (“2015 UASI”) grant program, in substantially the same form as
submitted herewith, and authorize the Mayor to execute all necessary
documents. Due to a reallocation of 2015 UASI funds, the City of Los
Angeles approved and increased the City of Vernon’s grant funds by
$99,601.00.
15)Donation of 2004 Auxiliary Urban Search and Rescue Trailer to Rio Hondo
College Fire Academy
Recommendation:A. Find that approval of the proposed donation is exempt
under the 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. Authorize the donation of a surplus 2004 Auxiliary Urban Search and
Rescue (USAR) Trailer, to be conveyed to Rio Hondo College Fire Academy;
and
C. Approve a donation and release agreement, in substantially the same form
as submitted herewith, with Rio Hondo College Fire Academy to use and
retain the USAR Trailer as needed for training of Fire Technology students;
and
D. Authorize the City Administrator to execute the Deed of Gift and
Donation Agreement and Release on behalf of the City of Vernon.
Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2018
Page 4
16)Drug Enforcement Administration Agreement
Recommendation:A. Find that the approval of the proposed agreement 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 an agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration, in
substantially the same form as submitted herewith, for a one (1) year term;
and
C. Authorize the Police Chief to execute the agreement with the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) for continued participation in the
Southwest Border Initiative (SWBI) taskforce with an effective date of
October 1, 2018.
17)Office of Traffic Safety Grant Agreement
Recommendation:A. Find that the approval of the proposed agreement 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 an agreement between the City of Vernon and the Office of
Traffic Safety, in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, for a one
(1) year term; and
C. Authorize the City Administrator, Police Chief, and Police Lieutenant to
execute an agreement between the City of Vernon and the Office of Traffic
Safety for participation in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP)
with an effective date of October 1, 2018.
18)Notification to the California Water Resources Control Board of City’s Intent
to Destroy Well 5
Recommendation:A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because notifying a
state agency of the City’s intent to destroy a well is an administrative activity
that does not constitute a “project” under CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
When actual plans for destruction of the subject well are presented to the City
Council, further CEQA analysis will be conducted; and
B. Authorize the City Administrator to notify the California Water Resources
Control Board that the City plans to destroy Well 5.
19)Acceptance of Electrical Easement at 2626 26th Street (APN 6302-001-030)
Recommendation:A. Find that the acceptance of the Electrical Easement
proposed in this staff report is not a “project” as that term is defined under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and
even if it were a project, it would be categorically exempt in accordance with
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (maintenance, repair or minor alteration of
an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use)
and 15061(b)(3) (general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may
have a significant effect on the environment); and
B. Accept the Electrical Easement, in substantially the same form as attached
to this staff report, and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate of
Acceptance.
No public comment provided.
Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2018
Page 5
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Luz Martinez to approve Consent Calendar
items 5 through 19. Motion carried, 5 - 0.
Yes:Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Luz Martinez, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
NEW BUSINESS
20)Negotiations with the Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County for the
Provision of Fire Protection, Paramedic and Incidental Services
Recommendation:A. Find that authorizing negotiations with the Fire
Protection District of Los Angeles County 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. Authorize the City Administrator to initiate exploratory negotiations with
the Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County ("LA County Fire") to
ascertain service scope and costs associated with the provision of fire
protection, paramedic, and incidental services for the City of Vernon.
City Administrator Fandino reported on the proposed.
Public Comment
Marissa Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, made a few comments regarding the results of
the independent fire study. Announced that the Chamber supported a reduction of Fire Services
and the possibility of contracting with the County.
It was moved by William Davis and seconded by Leticia Lopez to: A. Find that authorizing
negotiations with the Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County 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. Authorize the City
Administrator to initiate exploratory negotiations with the Fire Protection District of Los Angeles
County ("LA County Fire") to ascertain service scope and costs associated with the provision of
fire protection, paramedic, and incidental services for the City of Vernon. Motion carried, 5 - 0.
Yes:Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Luz Martinez, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Fandino reported on the following: various power outages throughout the
City, various Fire Department incidents throughout the City, new Fire Department vehicles and
training; "Fill the Boot" fundraiser celebration dinner; various Police Department incidents
throughout the City; The League of California Cities’ annual expo; and Mayor Woodruff-Perez
will attend the Women Mayors of America Conference.
The City Council entered closed session at 9:54 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
21)CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation.
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1
Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2018
Page 6
22)CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BC719460
At 10:08 a.m. the City Council exited closed session. City Attorney Hema Patel reported that two
items were discussed, no reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 10:08 a.m., Mayor Woodruff-Perez adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Yvette Woodruff-Perez
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk