20200312 City Council Minutes (Special)MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ybarra led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
Leticia Lopez, Mayor Pro Tem
William Davis, Council Member
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Menke pulled Item 1 from the Consent Calendar.
1. Public Utilities
Purchase Contract with Rolls Wood Group for the Inspection and Evaluation of the
H. Gonzales 571K Gas Turbine Unit 1
Recommendation:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review, because purchasing vehicles is an administrative activity that will not
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March 12, 2020
result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not
constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3), the general rule that
CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a purchase contract in the
amount of $65,100 with Rolls Wood Group to disassemble, clean, and inspect the damage
to H. Gonzales 571K Gas Turbine Unit 1.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu discussed the
anticipated outage for diagnosis and indicated the necessary fix will be presented to the
Council. City Administrator Fandino explained the age and usage of the turbines and that
the units were bid on ISO.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Find
that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
review, because purchasing vehicles 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 §15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only
applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute a purchase contract in the amount of
$65,100 with Rolls Wood Group to disassemble, clean, and inspect the damage to H.
Gonzales 571K Gas Turbine Unit 1.The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:13 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
One Matter
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT / PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: Interim City Attorney
RECONVENE
At 2:14 p.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the special meeting.
City Administrator Fandino reported that City Council met in closed session and discussed both
items listed on the agenda. In regard to Item 2, on a motion by Council Member Menke, seconded
by Mayor Ybarra, and unanimously approved, a separation agreement with Hema Patel, former
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March 12, 2020
City Attorney. In regard to Item 3, on a motion by Council Member Menke, seconded by Mayor
Ybarra, and unanimously approved, directed the City Administrator, on behalf of the Council, to
negotiate the terms of an agreement with Arnold Alvarez-Glasman of Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin
to serve as Interim City Attorney for an initial term of three months.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 2:16 p.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)