2018-11-20 City Council MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018, IN
COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE
AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
Members Present:William Davis, Luz Martinez, Melissa Ybarra
Members Absent:Yvette Woodruff-Perez, Leticia Lopez
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Pro Tempore William Davis. Police
Chief, Anthony Miranda, led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There was no changes to the Agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment provided.
PUBLIC HEARING
1.A Resolution Adopting the Vernon Public Utilities 2018 Integrated Resource
Plan
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 the Vernon Public Utilities 2018 Integrated
Resource Plan.
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced the proposed item.
Integrated Resources Manager, Abraham Alemu reported on the proposed.
Mayor Pro Tempore William Davis opened the Public Hearing at 9:05 a.m.
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November 20, 2018
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No public comment provided.
Mayor Pro Tempore William Davis closed the Public Hearing at 9:06 a.m.
It was moved by Luz Martinez 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 the Vernon Public Utilities 2018 Integrated
Resource Plan. Motion carried, 3 - 0.
Yes:William Davis, Luz Martinez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
PRESENTATION
2.Employee Service Pin Awards for October 2018
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
City Clerk, Maria Ayala introduced the service pin awardees, City Administrator Carlos Fandino
presented the service pins to Rafael Castellanos, and Felix Velasco who were in attendance.
3.Oath of Office Presentation
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Fire Chief Bruce English said a few words about the newly recruited Fire Personnel and announced
that the full recruit graduation ceremony will be conducted on November 21
st at Fire Station 76.
City Clerk Maria Ayala administered the Oath of Office to new Firefighter recruits Devine
Reynolds, Carlos Hernandez, Kevin Tovar, and Joshua Salaets.
4.First Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 City Wide Financial Update
Recommendation:No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Finance Director William Fox, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5.Council Conference Attendance Report
Recommendation:A. Find that receiving this Council Conference
Attendance Report is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA") review, because it is an administrative activity of government that
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November 20, 2018
Page 3
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. Receive and file.
6.Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held November 6, 2018.
Recommendation:A. Receive and File
7.Approval of City Payroll Warrant Register No. 749 Covering the Period of
October 01 through October 31, 2018
Recommendation:A. Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 749 which
totals $2,929,627.90 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,304,215.92.
2) Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) paid through General bank
account totaling $625,411.98.
8.Approval of Operating Account Warrant Register No. 11 Covering the Period
of October 30 through November 12, 2018
Recommendation:A. Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 11
which totals $3,469,279.41 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $3,152,829.24.
2) Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $234,280.22.
3) Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $82,169.95.
4) Voided check Nos. 601306 and 601307 totaling $394.85.
9.Fire Department Activity Report for the Period of September 16 through
September 30, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and file.
10.Fire Department Activity Report for the Period of October 1 through October
15, 2018
Recommendation:A. Receive and file.
11.Approval of a Purchase Contract for Internet Connection Equipment and
Additional Funds for Future Purchases in Fiscal Year 2018-2019 with Fujitsu
Network Communications
Recommendation:A. Find that approval of additional funds 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 even if it were considered to
be a “project,” the proposed action is exempt from CEQA review, in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15302, because the proposed project
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November 20, 2018
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consists of the replacement or reconstruction of existing equipment where the
new equipment will be located on the same site as the equipment replaced and
will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the equipment
replaced; and
B. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Contract with Fujitsu Network
Communications in an amount not-to-exceed $20,000 for the purchase of
network connection equipment to be placed at various end user
buildings/locations; and
C. Approve the issuance of a blanket Purchase Contract in an amount not-to-
exceed $25,000 for potential ancillary purchases with Fujitsu Network
Communications during the remainder of fiscal year 2018-2019.
12.Approval of Change Order No. 1 for Urban Forest Management Services,
Contract No. CS-0607, with West Coast Arborist, Inc.
Recommendation:A. Find that the approval of the proposed action for the
Urban Forest Management Services is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with (a) 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) Section 15301, because the
proposed service involves an existing project with negligible or no expansion
of use; and
B. Approve Change Order No. 1 for additional tree removals and tree
planting related to Contract No. CS-0607 with West Coast Arborist, Inc. in the
amount of $17,500; and
C. Authorize the City Administrator to execute Change Order No. 1 with
West Coast Arborist, Inc. in substantially the same form as submitted
herewith.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Luz Martinez to approve Consent Calendar
items 5 through 12. Motion carried, 3 - 0.
Yes:William Davis, Luz Martinez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
NEW BUSINESS
13.A Resolution to Approve the 2017 SHSP Subrecipient Agreement between the
County of Los Angeles and the City of Vernon in connection with the Fiscal
Year 2017 State Homeland Security Program
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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 2017 State Homeland Security Program (“2017 SHSP”),
approving the execution of an agreement by and between the City of Vernon
and the County of Los Angeles, and authorizing the Mayor and City
Administrator to execute documents necessary to obtain the grant. The
County of Los Angeles has approved and awarded 2017 SHSP grant funds to
the City of Vernon’s Fire Department in the amount of $67,000.00.
City Clerk Ayala read the proposed Resolution.
Fire Chief English provided a brief summary of the proposed item.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Luz Martinez to 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 2017 State Homeland Security Program (“2017 SHSP”), approving the execution of an
agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the County of Los Angeles, and authorizing the
Mayor and City Administrator to execute documents necessary to obtain the grant. The County
of Los Angeles has approved and awarded 2017 SHSP grant funds to the City of Vernon’s Fire
Department in the amount of $67,000.00. Motion carried, 3 - 0.
Yes:William Davis, Luz Martinez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
14.A Resolution Adopting an Amended and Restated Fringe Benefits and Salary
Resolution in Accordance with Government Code Section 20636(B)(1) and
Repealing All Resolutions in Conflict Therewith
Recommendation:A. Find that approval of the attached resolution in this
staff report 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 amending and restating the Citywide Fringe
Benefits and Salary Resolution, to Amend Exhibit A, Classification and
Compensation Plan adopting the following:
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November 20, 2018
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1. New classification and associated salary range of Environmental Health
Program Administrator, Salary Grade 34, (Monthly Salary $9,779.97 -
$11,887.62);
2. New classification and associated salary range of Environmental Health
Specialist, Salary Grade 24 (Monthly Salary $6004.06 - $7,297.96);
3. Delete the classifications of Environmental Specialist, Environmental
Specialist, Senior, and Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control
and associated salary ranges; and,
4. Approve the revised salary range of Director of Health and Environmental
Control to delete step Y from the existing Salary Grade 43.
C. Approve the job descriptions for:
1. Environmental Health Program Administrator; and
2. Environmental Health Specialist.
City Clerk Ayala read the proposed item.
City Administrator Fandino introduced the proposed item.
Director of Health and Environmental Control Department Freddie Agyin provided a PowerPoint
presentation on the reorganization of the Health and Environmental Control Department. Mr.
Agyin also distributed informational sheets with additional data relevant to the presentation.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by Luz Martinez to A. Find that approval of the
attached resolution in this staff report 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 amending and restating
the Citywide Fringe Benefits and Salary Resolution, to Amend Exhibit A, Classification and
Compensation Plan adopting the following: 1. New classification and associated salary range of
Environmental Health Program Administrator, Salary Grade 34, (Monthly Salary $9,779.97 -
$11,887.62); 2. New classification and associated salary range of Environmental Health Specialist,
Salary Grade 24 (Monthly Salary $6004.06 - $7,297.96); 3. Delete the classifications of
Environmental Specialist, Environmental Specialist, Senior, and Deputy Director of Health and
Environmental Control and associated salary ranges; and, 4. Approve the revised salary range of
Director of Health and Environmental Control to delete step Y from the existing Salary Grade 43.
C. Approve the job descriptions for: 1. Environmental Health Program Administrator; and 2.
Environmental Health Specialist. Motion carried, 3 - 0.
Yes:William Davis, Luz Martinez, Melissa Ybarra
No:None
ORAL REPORTS
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November 20, 2018
Page 7
City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported on the following: Vernon Public Utilities’ circuit fail
overhead outage; Fire Department’s Firefighters’ graduation at Fire Station 76; Vernon
Firefighters responding to the Woolsey fire; Vernon Firefighters’ Association hosting their annual
Christmas Toy Drive; reported on various Vernon Police Department incidents throughout the
City; reported on Vernon Health Specialist, Duane Odonnell and that he would be leaving his
position with the City to assist family that was affected by the recent fires (Mr. Odonnell was
present and said a few words); on December 6th the City will host the Tree Lighting Ceremony
and Ugly Sweater Contest for employees; lastly, Mr. Fandino wished a Happy Thanksgiving to
everyone.
Councilmember Ybarra inquired about the cause of the structure fire at 2914 Leonis Blvd.
Fire Chief English responded that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation and provided
a video of the structure fire.
CLOSED SESSION
The City entered closed session at 10:03 a.m.
15.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation.
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 2
At 10:28 a.m. City Council exited closed session. City Attorney Hema Patel reported two items
were discussed with no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 10:28 a.m. Mayor Pro Tempore William Davis adjourned the
meeting.
________________________
Yvette Woodruff-Perez
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk