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20200505 City Council MinutesI MINUTES VERNON CITY COUNCIL REGULARMEETING TUESDAY, MAY 5,2O2O COUNCIL CHAMBER,4305 SANTA FE AVENUE CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. FLAG SALUTE City Administrator Fandino led the Flag Salute. ROLL CALL PRESENT:Leticia Lopez, Mayor (via remote access) Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem William Davis, Council Member Carol Menke, Council Member Diana Gonzales, Council Member STAFF PRESENT: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator Amold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attomey Lisa Pope, City Clerk Scott Williams, Finance Director Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager (via remote access) Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director Michael Earl, Human Resources Director (via remote access) Anthony Miranda, Police Chief Dan Wall, Public Works Director (via remote access) APPROVAL OFTHE AGENDA MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. PI]BLIC COMMENT City Clerk Pope read the letter submitted by Castulo de la Rocha, President and CEO of Alta Med- Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5,2020 Page2 of 6 Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget Study Session (Continued from April 21,2020) Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only. City Administrator Fandino and Finance Director Williams presented a PowerPoint regarding the Fiscal Year 202012021 Budget Study Session. Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained the reduction in electric operations and bond funded capital projects. City Administrator Fandino reiterated the exlreme conservative approach taken with revenues. He discussed upcoming consideration of the fee schedule which was not included in the proposed budget. Public Works Director Wall and Director of Health and Environmental Control Agyin explained the fees based on actual costs. City Administrator Fandino reminded the Council of the transition to LA County Fire, which would improve the budget. Chief Enriquez provided an update on the agreement with LA County Fire. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Menke pulled Item Nos.6 and7. MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item Nos. 6 and 7. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items ) 3 l PRESENTATIONS In response to Council questions, Finance Director Williams and City Administrator Fandino explained unemployment; sales tax allocations; late fees built into revenues; reserves; and public hearing on June 2,2020. Approval of Minutes Recommendation: Approve the Apil 7 , 2020 and April 21 ,2020 Regular City Council meeting minutes. Operating Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 44, for the period of April 5 through April 18, 2020, which totals $3,431,393.50 and consists of ratification of electronic payments totating $3,333,481.48 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $97,912.02. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register Recommendation: 4. 5 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5,2020 Page 3 of6 The following items were pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration Agreement with White Nelson Diehl Evans LLP for Professional Auditing Services Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is a continuing administration 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. Even if such were a project it would be exempt from CEQA review in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general is that CEQA only applies to activities that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a professional services agreement for a not-to-exceed amount of$330,375 with the public accounting firm White Nelson Diehl Evans LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, to perform annual audits of the financial statements ofthe City ofVernon and its Enterprise Funds. Finance Director Williams presented the staff report. MOTION Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is a continuing administration activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register No. 58, for the period of March 22 through April 18, 2020, consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling 52,432.00. Public Works Monthly Building Report Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2020 Building Report. Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of California Air Resources Board Compliance Instruments with Elbow River Marketing Ltd. Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt fiom 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 915378; and (b) even if this approval were a "project" subject to CEQA, the approval requested is exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(bX3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment, and any specific projects that may occur by a private party in the future in reliance on this approval would be subject to CEQA review by another govemmental agency at that time when actual details of any physical proposal would be more than speculative; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator (per Resolution No. 9314) to execute the Agreement for the Purchase of Califomia Air Resources Board Compliance Instruments (Agreement) with Elbow fuver Marketing Ltd. (ERM), in substantially the same form as submiued, for the purpose ofbuying Carbon Credit (CCAs). 6. I Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5,2020 Page 4 of 6 a "project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378. Even if such were a project it would be exempt from CEQA review in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general is that CEQA only applies to activities that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a professional services agreement for a not-to-exceed amount of $330,375 with the public accounting firm White Nelson Diehl Evans LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, to perform annual audits of the financial statements of the City of Vemon and its Enterprise Funds. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. Amendment No. I to the Attorney Services Agreement (Litigation & Advisory) with Rutan & Tucker LLP Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative and 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. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to enter into Amendment No. I to the Attomey Services Agreement (Litigation & Advisory) between the City of Vemon and Rutan & Tucker, LLP, in substantially the same form as submiued, for an amount not to exceed $50,000. Interim City Attomey Alvarez-Glasman presented the staff report. In response to Council questions, Interim City Attomey Alvarez-Glasman confirmed that he was evaluating and auditing every bill. MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because i1 is a continuing administrative and 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. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to enter into Amendment No. I to the Atlomey Services Agreement (Litigation & Advisory) between the City of Vemon and Rutan & Tucker, LLP, in substantially the same form as submitted, for an amount not to exceed $50,000. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS COVID-19 Financial Aid/Relief for Vernon Residents Recommendation: Provide direction to staffon developing a program to provide financial aid/reliefto Vemon residents impacted by the COVID-I9 pandemic. 9 City Administrator Fandino presented the staff report. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5,2020 Page 5 of6 In response to Council questions, City Administrator Fandino discussed continued efforts for distributing information to residents. The Council discussed options for assisting Vemon residents affected by COVID-19. CONSENSUS By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back a program for a one time grant of $500 for single persons and $1000 for families impacted by COVID-I9; and to continue efforts of informing residents ofavailable resources. ORAL REPORTS City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements City Administrator Fandino provided an update on recent Police Department and Fire Department activities; announced that Public Works Department received a $ 150,000 grant for online permitting; reminded the Council that the City had sold $15 million in 2020 water bonds; and explained the plans to bring staff back to City Hall on May 18, 2020, or as quickly as possible in phases. City Council Reports on Activities, Announcements, or Directives to Staff Council Member Menke commended the Police Departrnent on a recent incident with a mentally ill individual. Director of Health and Environmental Control Agyin discussed the success of Alta Med and future recognition of local businesses transitioning to COVID-19 needs. RECESS CLOSED SESSION 10.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COT]NSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation Govemment Code Section 54956.9(dX2) Number of potential cases: 1 Facts and Circumstances: Pusuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(eX3), the City has received written communication threatening litigation on behalf of former employee Jerrick Tones related to his termination, in the form of a Complaint of Discrimination filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The DFEH Complaint (DFEH No. 201910-08099730) is made available for public inspection pursuant to Section 54957.5. Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting at l0:55 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 1l:35 a.m. and recessed to Closed Session at I l:35 a.m. r Regular City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2020 Page 6 of6 11.CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Govemment Code Section 54957.6 Agency Designated Representative: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator Employee Organizations: Vemon Professional Firefighters Association, and Vemon Fire Management Association 12.PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE Govemment Code Section 54957 One matter RECONVENE At 12:19 p.m., Mayor Lopez adjoumed Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting. CLOSED SESSION REPORT Interim City Attomey Alvarez-Glasman reported that the Council met in Closed Session, discussed all items listed on the agenda and no reportable action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting al12:19 p.m ETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor ATTEST OPE, City Clerk (seal)