2019-01- 24 BIC Minutes MINUTES OF THE RESCHEDULED REGULAR BUSINESS AND
INDUSTRY COMMISSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON,
CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
Members Present: Robert Wendoll, Jack Cline, Duncan Sachdeva, Jim Andreoli II, John
Baca, Justin Faust Members Absent: William Davis
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.by Chair Wendoll, he also lead the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There are no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment provided
ELECTION
1. City Clerk
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.
Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2019
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It was moved by Jim Andreoli and seconded by Justin Faust to appoint Vice-Chair Jack Cline to
serve as the Chairperson of the Business and Industry Commission. Motion carried, 5-0.
Yes: Robert Wendoll, Jim Andreoli II, Duncan Sachdeva, John Baca, Justin Faust No: None
It was moved by Duncan Sachdeva and seconded by John Baca to appoint Jim Andreoli II to serve
as the Vice-Chairperson of the Business and Industry Commission. Motion carried, 5-0.
Yes: Robert Wendoll, Jim Andreoli II, Duncan Sachdeva, John Baca, Justin Faust
No: None
Chair Cline and Vice-Chair Andreoli II would be seated at the next Vernon Business and Industry
Commission meeting.
MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on
November 8, 2018.
Recommendation: A. Receive and File
It was moved by Duncan Sachdeva and seconded by Jim Andreoli II to: A. Receive and File the minutes of the Regular Business and Industry Commission Meeting held on November 8, 2018. Motion carried, 5-0.
Yes: Robert Wendoll, Jim Andreoli II, Duncan Sachdeva, John Baca, Justin Faust
No: None
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.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Representative Julia Salinas,
Transportation Planning Manager IV conducted the presentation. Vice-Chair Jack Cline joined the Business and Industry Commission Meeting at 9:25 a.m., Senior
Deputy City Attorney Brian Byun informed Vice-Chair Cline as to his appointment as Chair of
the Commission.
A dialogue ensued between Ms. Salinas, staff and Commission regarding the project vision, goals, design practices, cost, maintenance, access points, and public and business outreach.
Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2019
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No public comment provided.
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
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.
Public Works Public Engineer Brandon Araujo conducted the presentation.
A dialogue ensued between staff and Commission regarding City boundaries, budget, access, improvements, concerns, cost estimates, ongoing contributions, impact, maintenance and security
of the project, and funding.
Metro Senior Director Lauren Cencic advised the Commission that the decision regarding the
bearer of the cost of the project has not been made. Chair Wendoll announced that the consent of the Commission was to continue to be involved as the project develops further.
No public comment provided.
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
Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2019
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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
Public Works Associate Engineer Lissette Melendez introduced Project Manager Steve Wilks, IBI
Group, who conducted the presentation.
A dialogue ensued between staff and Commission concerning mobility options and connectability
solutions for the employees of the surrounding businesses, existing transportation services and sustainable alternatives.
No public comment provided.
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.
General Manager Kelly Nguyen introduced Tony Georgis, President, Energy Practice, NewGen
Strategies and Solutions, who conducted the presentation.
A discussion ensued between staff and Commission regarding operation utilities, prepaid gas
revenues, current revenues and requirements, cost of customer class, customer allocations costs,
financial forecast, and cost of service, customer relating costs, capital improvements, debts
services, Vernon Public Utilities credit program, and capital investments.
Chair Robert Wendoll recessed the meeting at 10:45 a.m.
Chair Robert Wendoll reconvened the meeting at 10:56 a.m.
Public Comment:
Brian Bailey, Padco Paper, inquired as to the fixed charges and recovery costs, and the true cost
of the power distributed from the Malburg Generating Station; staff responded accordingly.
Rescheduled Regular Vernon Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes January 24, 2019
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Doug Rawson, Superior Lithographics, CEO inquired about power rates and how the City is
currently paying for the TOU Agreement; staff replied accordingly.
Marissa Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, commented that the Cost of Service Study and Retail Rate Design Study Presentation was well-founded and encouraged the continuing discussion
of energy planning.
ORAL REPORTS
There were no oral reports provided.
ADJOURNMENT With no further business, at 11:46 a.m., the Chair adjourned the meeting.
______________________
Jack Cline
Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala City Clerk