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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. Regular City Council Minutes November 20, 2018 Page 2 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 Regular City Council Minutes 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 Regular City Council Minutes November 20, 2018 Page 4 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 Regular City Council Minutes November 20, 2018 Page 5 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: Regular City Council Minutes November 20, 2018 Page 6 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 Regular City Council Minutes 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