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2019-01-24 BIC Agenda Packet Page 1 California Public Records Act ("PRA"): In compliance with the PRA, the documents pertaining to agenda items, including attachments, which are presented to the Vernon Business and Industry Commission in open session are available for public inspection. They may be inspected during regular business hours in the Office of the City Clerk at Vernon City Hall, 4305 Santa Fe Avenue; Vernon, California 90058, no appointment necessary, and on the City’s website at www.cityofvernon.org. Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”): In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to participate in the meeting, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (323) 583-8811. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will assist the City staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or service. Agenda City of Vernon Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Thursday, January 24, 2019, 09:00 AM City Hall, Council Chamber 4305 Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, California Robert Wendoll, Chairperson Jack Cline, Vice Chairperson Duncan Sachdeva, Commission Member Jimmy Andreoli II, Commission Member William Davis, Commission Member John Baca, Commission Member Justin Faust, Commission Member CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT At this time the public is encouraged to address the Commission on any matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. The public will also be given a chance to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during deliberation on those specific matters. ELECTION 1. City Clerk Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to serve until the next annual election. Recommendation: Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Agenda January 24, 2019 Page 2 A. Find that election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 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; and even if the adoption of the proposed 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. Elect one of its members as Chairperson for a one-year term; and C. Elect one of its members as Vice-Chairperson for a one-year term. 1. VBIC Commissioner Terms MINUTES 2. City Clerk Minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on November 8, 2018. Recommendation: A. Receive and File 1. 2018-11-08 BIC Minutes PRESENTATIONS 3. City Administration Los Angeles River Path Project Presentation By: Metro Representatives Recommendation: A. No action required by the Commission. This is a presentation only. DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 4. Public Works Presentation and Discussion on Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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 Receive and file a presentation on the Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan; and Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Agenda January 24, 2019 Page 3 B. Discuss the Los Angeles River Path Gap Closure project and provide feedback on the pros and cons of the project; and C. Discuss the City of Vernon's Los Angeles River Active Transportation Plan and provide feedback regarding stakeholders' interests. 5. Public Works Presentation and Discussion of Vernon’s Transit Service Study Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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. Discuss the Transit Service Study currently underway and provide feedback regarding existing views on transit/mobility in the City and the best ways to engage the business community/employers and employees in the City of Vernon. 6. Public Utilities Presentation and Discussion on Results and Recommendations of Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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. Discuss the results of the Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study and direct staff regarding final recommendations to the City Council on potential new rates. ORAL REPORTS Brief reports, announcements, or directives to staff from the Commissioners and Commission Officers. Next regular meeting: Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 9 a.m. Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Agenda January 24, 2019 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing agenda was posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Vernon City Hall, located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California, and on the City's website, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date set forth on this agenda. Dated this 17th day of January, 2019. By: ________________________________ Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk Business and Industry Commission Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. COV-52-2019 Submitted by: Maria Ayala Submitting Department: City Clerk Meeting Date: January 24, 2019 SUBJECT Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to serve until the next annual election. Recommendation: A. Find that election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson 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; and even if the adoption of the proposed 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. Elect one of its members as Chairperson for a one-year term; and C. Elect one of its members as Vice-Chairperson for a one-year term. Backgroud: It is recommended that the Vernon Business and Industry Commission conduct its annual election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson pursuant to the Vernon Municipal code. Section 2.178(a) of the Vernon Municipal Code states that "[t]he Commission shall have a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who shall be from different appointing categories pursuant to section 2.174. The Chairperson shall preside over all Commission meetings. The Vice Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, perform the duties of the Chairperson." Section 2.178(b) of the Vernon Municipal Code states that "[t]he Commission members shall elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson at its first meeting and at its first meeting following July 1 each year... No Commission member may serve as Chairperson for more than two (2) consecutive years." Fiscal Impact: None. ATTACHMENTS 1. VBIC Commissioner Terms 5 Appointment Category Member Term Expiration Council Member (1)William Davis June 2020 Real Estate Representative (1)Jack Cline June 2020 Real Estate Representative (1)Justin Faust June 2022 Employee/Labor Representative (1)John Baca June 2022 Business Representative (1)Robert Wendoll June 2020 Business Representative (1)Jim Andreoli II June 2022 Business Representative (1)Duncan Sachdeva June 2022 Vernon Business and Industry Commission Current Commissioner Terms 6 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMMISSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 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 Chair Wendoll, he also lead the flag salute. Members Present:Robert Wendoll, Jack Cline, Duncan Sachdeva, William Davis Members Absent:Jimmy Andreoli II CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There are no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment provided MINUTES 1. Minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on February8, 2018. Recommendation:A. Receive and File It was moved by William Davis and seconded by Duncan Sachdeva to A. Receive and File the minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on February 8, 2018. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes: Robert Wendoll, Jack Cline, Duncan Sachdeva, William Davis No: None 2. Minutes of the Special Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on September 18, 2018. Recommendation:A. Receive and File It was moved by Duncan Sachdeva and seconded by William Davis to: A. Receive and File the Minutes of the Special Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on September 18, 2018. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes: Robert Wendoll, Jack Cline, Duncan Sachdeva, William Davis No: None 7 Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes November 8, 2018 Page 2 of 2 PRESENTATIONS 3. A Presentation on the Vernon Public Utilities Integrated Resource Plan Recommendation:No action required by the Business and Industry Commission. This is a presentation only. General Manager of Public Utilities Kelly Nguyen advised the Commission that Integrated Resource Manager Abraham Alemu will conduct the Integrated Resource Plan Summary presentation. Integrated Resources Manager Abraham Alemu provided the presentation and advised the Commission that Public Utilities Department had reached out to the public and conducted a total of four presentations and announced that this is the last presentation before this item is taken to Council for approval before the end of the year. General Manager Nguyen informed the Commission that the Public Utilities Department conducted a full outreach survey of about thirty questions to all customers and all comments received were incorporated in the study. A dialogue ensued between staff and the Commission regarding distributed solar, sustainability goals, carbon free resource, renewable sources, percentage of Vernon power, forecasting and increasing of retail sales of renewable procurements, distributed energy resources, cleaner power portfolio, natural gas generation, and carbon emission and cleaner power resources, market prices and changes, City owned resources, solar rebates, and incentives programs. ORAL REPORTS Chair Wendoll inquired about recruitment for the vacancies on the Commission. Analyst Diana Figueroa replied that the City is currently working on that. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, at 10:05 a.m., the Chair adjourned the meeting. ________________________ Robert Wendoll Chair ATTEST: _________________________ Maria E. Ayala City Clerk 8 Business and Industry Commission Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. COV-45-2019 Submitted by: Diana Figueroa Submitting Department: City Administration Meeting Date: January 24, 2019 SUBJECT Los Angeles River Path Project Presentation By: Metro Representatives Recommendation: A. No action required by the Commission. This is a presentation only. Backgroud: The LA River Path Project is a proposed eight-mile, shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path extension between Elysian Valley through Downtown Los Angeles to the City of Vernon, closing the longest remaining continuous gap in the Los Angeles River Bike Path. Metro, along with a number of local and regional organizations, has identified closing the gap in the Los Angeles River Bike Path between Elysian Valley and Vernon as a high priority walking and biking infrastructure project. When complete, this facility will provide a seamless 32-mile grade-separated regional corridor for walking and bicycling through the heart of Los Angeles County, connecting Long Beach to the San Fernando Valley along the River. In September 2016, Metro completed a Feasibility Study on the project. The study consisted of conducting an inventory of the project area, including real estate and right-of-way ownership; conceptual engineering analyses of alternative alignments; hydraulic analysis of the most constraining alternative; and detailed study of the surrounding neighborhoods and the infrastructure for walking and bicycling in and through them. The study assumed a path along the west bank of the river, consistent with the existing paths at the project’s northern and southern termini. The study demonstrates that although technical challenges and physical constraints exist, closing the 8-mile gap is feasible through various engineering solutions. In the next project phase, Metro will work to environmentally clear and fulfill all permitting requirements for this project under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Public outreach and community engagement will be conducted throughout this phase of the project. Metro will be hosting numerous community based meetings to provide the public with an opportunity to: *Learn more about the project *Provide input on new pathway concepts *Share how they would want to use the future path Fiscal Impact: None. 9 ATTACHMENTS  10 Business and Industry Commission Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. COV-47-2019 Submitted by: Brandon Araujo Submitting Department: Public Works Meeting Date: January 24, 2019 SUBJECT Presentation and Discussion on Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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 Receive and file a presentation on the Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan; and B. Discuss the Los Angeles River Path Gap Closure project and provide feedback on the pros and cons of the project; and C. Discuss the City of Vernon's Los Angeles River Active Transportation Plan and provide feedback regarding stakeholders' interests. Backgroud: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“Metro”) has identified $365 million for the design and construction of the Los Angeles River Path Gap Closure project from Elysian Valley to the City of Vernon. When it is complete, the path will provide a 32-mile long corridor from the San Fernando Valley, through downtown Los Angeles and the City of Vernon, and to Long Beach. Metro has identified 28 projects to be completed in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics of which the Los Angeles River Path Gap Closure is one. The City is currently working on the Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan. The goal of the Plan is to identify how the newly completed gap closure can best benefit the City. The Plan currently identifies four access points along the path where visitors to Vernon can access the City. These access points are located where the following streets cross the Los Angeles River: 26th Street, 37th Street/Bandini Boulevard, Downey Road, and Atlantic Boulevard. The Plan also identifies three on-street bike ways connecting to the Los Angeles River Path. These bike ways will serve 37th Street from Santa Fe Avenue to Soto Street, Vernon Avenue from Santa Fe Avenue to Downey Road, and Leonis Boulevard/District Boulevard from Pacific Boulevard to Atlantic Boulevard. The Plan will build off of previous transportation and land use studies and plans completed for the City of Vernon. These studies and plans include the Vernon Bicycle Master Plan, the LA River Path Feasibility Study, and the Vernon Vision Plan.11 Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact in receiving a presentation on and discussing the Vernon Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan. ATTACHMENTS  12 Business and Industry Commission Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. COV-43-2019 Submitted by: Lissette Melendez Submitting Department: Public Works Meeting Date: January 24, 2019 SUBJECT Presentation and Discussion of Vernon’s Transit Service Study Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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. Discuss the Transit Service Study currently underway and provide feedback regarding existing views on transit/mobility in the City and the best ways to engage the business community/employers and employees in the City of Vernon. Backgroud: In March 2017, the City of Vernon was awarded a Sustainability Planning Grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), valued at $60,000 for the development of a Public Transit Service Study. Proposals for the study were received March 28, 2018. In August 2018, SCAG entered into an agreement with IBI Group to conduct a Public Transit Study to demonstrate feasibility for operating a public transportation system within the City of Vernon. IBI Group has been working on completing the initial tasks of the study which include the investigation of existing conditions and stakeholder outreach. The presentation is to inform as well as obtain feedback from the commission regarding the ongoing Public Transit Study. Fiscal Impact: No Fiscal Impact. ATTACHMENTS  13 Business and Industry Commission Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. COV-46-2019 Submitted by: Abraham Alemu Submitting Department: Public Utilities Meeting Date: January 24, 2019 SUBJECT Presentation and Discussion on Results and Recommendations of Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study Recommendation: A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a "project" pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does 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. Discuss the results of the Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study and direct staff regarding final recommendations to the City Council on potential new rates. Backgroud: Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) will provide a brief presentation on the results of the City’s Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study. The Cost of Service Study determines the cost incurred by the City to provide service to its customers. The Retail Rate Design Study calculates the costs related to each customer class that must be recovered through rates. The presentation is intended to inform the Business and Industry Commission about the results of the Cost of Service and Retail Rate Design studies and explain the collaborative process undertaken in order to finalize said studies. VPU will propose new rates based on the study results and feedback received from the Commission. Fiscal Impact: None ATTACHMENTS  14