2019-03-05 City Council Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE
CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019, 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, Luz Martinez, Leticia Lopez,
Melissa Ybarra
Members Absent: None
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Woodruff-Perez. Maria I. Acosta, running
candidate to City Council, led the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Maria I. Acosta, City of Vernon resident and current Candidate for City Council, introduced herself
to the Community and staff and invited attendees to speak with her after the meeting.
Diane Espino, Vernon Elementary School Principal, thanked Council and staff for their support
and asked that the City consider budgeting funds to continue to support the school.
Carol Menke, City of Vernon resident and current Candidate for City Council, addressed the
community, Council, and staff to invite everyone to attend the “Meet the Candidates Night” event,
hosted by the Vernon Chamber, at Holy Angels Church of the Deaf in the City of Vernon on March
7.
PRESENTATION
1. 2019 Used Oil Calendar Awards Presentation
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Director of Public Works Daniel Wall introduced Kevin Sales, KJServices Environmental
Consulting, who conducted the awards presentation. Mr. Sales announced the student winners
from the 2019 City of Vernon Used Oil Art Contest, acknowledged school staff, and business
sponsors.
Mayor Yvette Woodruff- Perez presented the awards to the students and acknowledgements to the
school staff and business sponsors.
2. City of Vernon Pension and Other Post Employment Benefits Briefing
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
Finance Director William Fox conducted the presentation.
Council Member Leticia Lopez sought clarification as to the difference between the previous
Vernon OPEB Medical Plans and current medical benefits. Director Fox responded accordingly.
No public comments provided.
Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez recessed the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez reconvened the meeting at 10:06 a.m.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019
Page 2 of 4
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Claim for Damages from Ismael Martines received on February 25, 2019
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
4. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on February 19, 2019
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
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 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. Approval of Operating Account Warrant Register No. 17 Covering the Period
of February 12 through February 25, 2019
Recommendation: A. Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 17
which totals $10,102,587.49 and consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,725,403.10.
2) Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $352,062.72.
3) Authorization to issue pending checks totaling $25,121.67.
7. Vernon Police Department Activity Log and Statistical Summary for the period
of February 1 through February 15, 2019
Recommendation: A. Receive and file.
8. Approval of a Contract between the City of Vernon and West Coast Arborists,
Inc. for the Urban Forest Management Services Project (Contract CS-1022)
Recommendation: A. Find that entering into the proposed contract for 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 and authorize the execution of a three (3) year contract with West
Coast Arborists, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, for
the Urban Forest Management Services Project (Contract CS-1022) in an
amount not to exceed $290,896 with an effective date of April 1, 2019 for the
provision of maintenance, removal, and replacement of trees within the City’s
urban forest.
9. Approval of Master Encroachment Agreement No. 434 with Crown Castle
Fiber, LLC
Recommendation: A. Find that the approval of the Master Encroachment
Agreement is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the general rule
that CEQA only applies to projects, which have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment.; and
B. Approve Master Encroachment Agreement No. 434 between the City of
Vernon and Crown Castle Fiber, LLC, in substantially the same form as
submitted herewith; and
C. Authorize the City Administrator to execute Master Encroachment
Agreement No. 434 with Crown Castle Fiber, LLC with an effective date of
March 5, 2019.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019
Page 3 of 4
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Melissa Ybarra and seconded by William Davis to approve Consent Calendar
items 3 through 9. Motion carried, 5 - 0.
Yes: Yvette Woodruff-Perez, William Davis, Luz Martinez, Leticia Lopez, Melissa
Ybarra
No: None
ORAL REPORTS
Police Chief Anthony Miranda reported on the following: February 19th, Vernon PD, in partnership
with the Southeast Regional Mental Health Team, were able to assist a homeless veteran into
transitional housing; February 19th, Vernon PD Detectives Bureau arrested a suspect involved in
stealing nearly $400,000 worth of meat from a Vernon company over the last year; February 21st,
Vernon PD arrested a suspect for an in progress vehicle burglary; February 26th, Vernon PD
investigated a fatal traffic collision in the area of Boyle and Leonis.
Fire Chief Bruce English reported on the following: Fire Personnel received fire cause and Origin
Investigation Training; Vernon FD’s Paramedic Program went through an annual audit by the Los
Angeles County EMS Agency with a result of “no action items or recommendations identified”;
March 2nd Fire personnel responded to a reported “water rescue” in the Los Angeles River; March
6th Vernon FD will welcome two new members who will start a three week fire academy.
Todd Dusenberry, Assistant General Manager Vernon Public Utilities, reported on the following:
several outage incidents throughout the City; Vernon Pubic Utilities earned the American Public
Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2018; March 8th,
VPU Gas Division will commence work to repair gas main line.
William Fox, Director of Finance, reported on the following: Last Thursday night, he, Police Chief,
and Health Director attended Loyola University in Palos Verdes, as guest speakers on Career
Night. They each gave a speech about their career trials and tribulations and provided advice on
preparing to enter the work force.
Frederick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director, introduced new Health and
Environmental Control Program Administrator, Ms. Veronica Petrosyan. Mr. Agyin also reporting
that the Health Department is closely monitoring two legislative bills introduced, SB 395 and AB
377 which will have an impact on Vernon residents and potentially restaurants.
City Administrator Carlos Fandino reported on the following: The City’s next outreach event for
Vernon residents has been moved to Thursday, March 28th, the event was previously scheduled
for March 21st.
Public Comment:
Marissa Olguin, Chamber of Commerce, announced the Chamber Political Action Committee is
hosting a “Meet the Candidates Night Event” and invited everyone to attend for an opportunity to
meet the candidates running for office.
The City Council entered closed session at 10:22 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
10. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE
Government Code Section 54957
At 10:31 a.m. City Council exited closed session. City Attorney Hema Patel reported that one
item was discussed with no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 10:31 a.m. Mayor Yvette Woodruff-Perez adjourned the meeting.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019
Page 4 of 4
________________________
Yvette Woodruff-Perez
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk