2018-10-16 City Council Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2018, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE
AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
Members Present: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
Members Absent: Luz Martinez
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez; City
Administrator Carlos Fandino led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public comment provided.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. A Resolution Adopting a New Transmission Revenue Requirement for 2019
in Accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and Providing for
Tariff Sheet Changes to Implement the Adjustment
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of this action does not constitute a
“project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because such action constitutes an
administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed item did
constitute 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 an effect on the environment; and
B. Conduct a Public Hearing; and
C. Adopt a resolution adopting a new transmission revenue requirement for
2019 in accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and providing
for Tariff Sheet changes to implement the adjustment.
Maria Ayala, City Clerk announced the proposed item.
General Manager of Public Utilities reported on the proposed.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez opened the Public Hearing at 9:03 a.m.
No Public comment provided.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez closed the Public Hearing at 9:04 a.m.
It was moved by William Davis and seconded by Melissa Ybarra to: A. Find that approval of this
action does not constitute a “project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because such action constitutes an
administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed item did constitute 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 an effect on the environment; and B. Conduct a
Public Hearing; and C. Adopt a resolution adopting a new transmission revenue requirement for
2019 in accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and providing for Tariff Sheet
changes to implement the adjustment. Motion carried, 4-0.
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 2
2. A Resolution Establishing a Transmission Revenue Balancing Account
Adjustment for 2019 in Accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff
and Providing for Tariff Sheet Changes to Implement the Adjustment
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of this action does not constitute a
“project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because such action constitutes an
administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed item did
constitute 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 an effect on the environment; and
B. Conduct a Public Hearing; and
C. Adopt a resolution establishing a Transmission Revenue Balancing
Account Adjustment for 2019 in accordance with Vernon’s Transmission
Owner Tariff and providing for Tariff Sheet changes to implement the
adjustment.
Maria Ayala, City Clerk announced the proposed item.
General Manager Kelly Nguyen of Public Utilities reported on the proposed.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez opened the Public Hearing at 9:07 a.m.
No Public comment provided.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez closed the Public Hearing at 9:07 a.m.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Leticia Lopez to: A. Find that approval of this
action does not constitute a “project” pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because such action constitutes an
administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed item did constitute 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 an effect on the environment; and B. Conduct a
Public Hearing; and C. Adopt a resolution establishing a Transmission Revenue Balancing
Account Adjustment for 2019 in accordance with Vernon’s Transmission Owner Tariff and
providing for Tariff Sheet changes to implement the adjustment. Motion carried, 4-0
PRESENTATION
3. Swear-In Ceremony
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Police Chief Anthony Miranda introduced the new police recruit, Raymond Godoy and said a
few words about Officer Godoy’s career.
City Clerk Ayala administered the Oath of Allegiance to Raymond Godoy.
Mr. and Mrs. Godoy pinned the badge on their son, Officer Raymond Godoy.
4. A Proclamation for rPlanet Earth
Recommendation: A. Present a proclamation to rPlanet Earth ("rPlanet") in
recognition of the grand opening of their manufacturing facility in Vernon,
CA
City Clerk Maria Ayala read the Proclamation
Mayor Woodruff-Perez presented the Proclamation to Mr. Joe Ross, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of
rPlanet.
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 3
5. Employee Service Pin Awards for September 2018
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Human Resources Michael Earl announced that Lisette Grizzelle was being recognized for her 5
years of service with the City.
City Administrator Fandino presented the service pin to Lisette Grizzelle who was in attendance.
6. Presentation on Women Mayors of America Conference
By: Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez provided a PowerPoint presentation reporting on her having attended the
Women Mayors of America Conference in Washington D.C. At the conclusion of the
presentation, Mayor Woodruff-Perez asked Fire Chief English to explain the significance of a
“Challenge Coin”. Upon the explanation of the significance and meaning of the “Challenge Coin”,
Mayor Woodruff-Perez presented all Department Heads with a White House commemorative coin
as a “Challenge Coin” to the City leadership challenging the leadership to make good choices and
make a positive impact in the world.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez recessed the meeting at 9:37 a.m.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez reconvened the meeting at 9:43 a.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
7. Claim for Damages From Farmers Insurance Exchange ASO: Jorge Rojo
received October 2, 2018
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
8. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held October 2, 2018
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
9. Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 748 Covering the Period of
September 01 through September 30, 2018
Recommendation: A. Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 748 which
totals $3,183,770.42 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,560,818.01.
2) Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) paid through General bank
account totaling $622,952.41.
10. Ratification of Warrant Registers to Record Voided Checks
Recommendation: A. Ratify the following warrant registers to record voided
checks:
1) Operating Account Warrant Register No. 3 to record voided Check No.
600101 in the amount of $9.20 issued 06/14/18 to Aceves, Stephanie.
2) Operating Account Warrant Register No. 3 to record voided Check No.
600271 in the amount of $41.07 issued 07/03/18 to Aceves, Stephanie.
3) Operating Account Warrant Register No. 7 to record voided Check No.
600834 in the amount of $1,293.85 issued 08/30/18 to The Lighthouse, Inc.
11. Approval of Operating Account Warrant Register No. 9 Covering the Period
of September 25 through October 08, 2018
Recommendation: A. Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 9
which totals $8,372,537.07 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $7,812,288.69.
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 4
2) Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $494,983.52.
3) Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $65,264.86.
12. Ratification of the Adoption of a Capital Asset Policy
Recommendation: A. Find that 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. Ratify the adoption of a new Capital Asset Policy and incorporate said
policy in into the Citywide Administrative Manual to ensure that capital assets
are properly controlled, accounted for, disposed of, and reported in adherence
to sound management practices for capital assets, in accordance with the
requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and in response to
Audit Finding 2017-001 by the U.S. Department of Justice.
13. Fire Department Activity Report for the Period of September 1 through
September 15, 2018
Recommendation: A. Receive and file.
14. Vernon Police Department Activity Log and Statistical Summary for the
period of September 1 through September 15, 2018
Recommendation: A. Receive and file.
15. Equipment Lease-Purchase Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the
lease-purchase of All-Band Portable Radios for the Police Department
Recommendation: A. Find that granting authority to execute the referenced
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 Equipment Lease-Purchase Agreement with Motorola
Solutions, Inc. for the lease-purchase of Motorola APX 8000 All-Band
Portable Radios for an amount not-to-exceed $306,600.42 over a three year
term; and
C. Authorize the Police Chief to execute the agreement with Motorola
Solutions, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, with an
agreement effective date of October 1, 2018 and first payment due October 1,
2019.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by William Davis and seconded by Melissa Ybarra to approve Consent Calendar
items 7 through 15. Motion carried, 4 - 0.
Yes: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No: None
ORDINANCE
16. Ordinance No. 1257 - An Ordinance Amending Article XX of Chapter 2 of
the Vernon Municipal Code to Modify Parameters Pertaining to Fund
Allocation, Eligibility, and Criteria for Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grants
Recommendation: A. Find that the Ordinance amendment 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
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 5
B. Approve the second reading and adopt an Ordinance No. 1257 amending
Article XX of Chapter 2, Sections 2.164, 2.165 and 2.166, of the Vernon
Municipal Code to modify Vernon CommUNITY Fund grant allocation
provisions and include the specific eligibility and selection criteria for
scholarship applicants.
City Clerk Ayala read the proposed Ordinance No. 1257.
City Administrator Fandino advised that he has no further reports regarding the proposed item.
No Public comment provided
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by William Davis A. Find that the Ordinance
amendment 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 No. 1257 amending Article XX of Chapter 2, Sections 2.164, 2.165 and 2.166, of the
Vernon Municipal Code to modify Vernon CommUNITY Fund grant allocation provisions and
include the specific eligibility and selection criteria for scholarship applicants.
Motion carried, 4 - 0.
Yes: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No: None
NEW BUSINESS
17. A Resolution of the City Council Approving and Authorizing the City of
Vernon's Membership in the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group and
the Execution of a related Joint Powers Agreement
Recommendation: A. Find that adoption of the proposed resolution 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 of Vernon’s
membership in the Regional Training Group ("RTG") and approving and
authorizing the execution of a related RTG Joint Powers Authority ("JPA")
agreement.
Fire Chief English reported on the proposed.
Councilmember Ybarra inquired as to who other members of the JPA are.
Chief English responded that Vernon City Fire Department will be one the first members but all
30 local fire departments are expected to also join the JPA.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by William Davis A. Find that adoption of the
proposed resolution 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 of Vernon’s
membership in the Regional Training Group ("RTG") and approving and authorizing the execution
of a related RTG Joint Powers Authority ("JPA") agreement. Motion carried, 4 - 0.
Yes: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No: None
18. A Resolution Approving and Adopting the Resource Adequacy Plan for 2019
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 6
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt
from California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is a
fiscal and 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 a resolution approving and adopting the Public Utilities Department
Resource Adequacy Plan for 2019, which includes the coincident peak
Demand Forecast, the Planning Reserve Margin, the Qualifying Capacity
Criteria and the Qualifying Capacity from such resources, City’s Resource
Adequacy and Supply Data and approving the resources used to satisfy the
California Independent System Operator’s ("CAISO") tariff requirements; and
C. Authorize staff to submit the City of Vernon Public Utilities Department’s
Resource Adequacy Plan for 2019 and the Monthly Resource Adequacy and
Supply data to the CAISO.
General Manager Nguyen provided a brief summary regarding the Adequacy Plan for 2019 and
the Monthly Resource adequacy and Supply data to CAISO.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Leticia Lopez A. Find that approval of the
proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because
it is a fiscal and 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 a resolution approving and adopting the Public Utilities Department
Resource Adequacy Plan for 2019, which includes the coincident peak Demand Forecast, the
Planning Reserve Margin, the Qualifying Capacity Criteria and the Qualifying Capacity from such
resources, City’s Resource Adequacy and Supply Data and approving the resources used to satisfy
the California Independent System Operator’s ("CAISO") tariff requirements; and C. Authorize
staff to submit the City of Vernon Public Utilities Department’s Resource Adequacy Plan for 2019
and the Monthly Resource Adequacy and Supply data to the CAISO. Motion carried, 4 - 0.
Yes: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Leticia Lopez, Melissa Ybarra
No: None
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported on the following: Public Utilities experienced power
interruptions due to inclement weather; Fire Department new recruit firefighters; Fire Department
incidents; Police Department grant award from the California Office of Traffic Safety; the
following October activities: Great California Shakeout on October 18th, Fire Department’s
Annual Children’s Hospital of LA Blood Drive; the City’s 2ndAnnual Spooktacular Halloween
Event; Vernon Elementary School will visit City Hall on October 30-31; the City has declared the
week of October 15th as Dodgers’ Week with staff being authorized to wear Dodgers attire;
Department studies are being performed to see where processes can be automated in an effort to
save monies; the City is reviewing its “stand-by overtime program” for feasible cost savings; and
he concluded that at this time he has no update over the LA County Fire Study.
Mayor Woodruff-Perez announced that she received an email from the International Institute of
Municipal Clerks advising that Maria E. Ayala, City of Vernon City Clerk has earned the
designation of Master Municipal Clerk, and offered her congratulations to Clerk Ayala
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council entered closed session at 10:00 a.m.
19. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation.
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2018
Page 7
Number of potential cases: 1
At 10:23 a.m. the City Council exited closed session. City Attorney Hema Patel reported one item
was discussed with no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 10:23 a.m. Mayor Woodruff-Perez adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Yvette Woodruff-Perez
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk