20201006 Ciy Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULARMEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER,4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
! Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez announced that given the meeting followed the Board of Library Trustees meeting,
there is no need to conduct 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
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Andrew C. Smith, Firefighter/Paramedic
Dean A. Richens, Fire CaPtain
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously'
PUBLIC COMMENT
Marisa olguin, chamber of commerce, commended Robert Gutterman on his service to
the City and wished him well on his retirement.
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PRESENTATIONS
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged retiring employee Andrew C. smith,
Firefi ghter/Paramedic and presented the proclamation.
Recognition of Retiring Employee - Dean A. Richens, Fire Captain
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring employee Dean A.
Richens, Fire Captain, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vemon.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged retiring employee Dean A. Richens, Fire
Captain and presented the proclamation.
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Recognition of Robert Gutterman - Vice President of Finance for Crown Poly, Inc.
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to Robert Gutterman, retired
Vice President of Finance for Vernon business Crown Poly, Inc., in recognition of his
leadership of the business community in the City of Vemon.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra presented the
proclamation to Robert Gutterman - Vice President ofFinance for Crown Poly, Inc.
Recognition of Retiring Employee - Andrew C. Smith, Firefighter/Paramedic
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring employee Andrew
C. Smith, Firefighter/Paramedic, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of
Vemon.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Resolution of Necessity - Acquisition of Property for Right of way 5122 S. Atlantic
Boulevard
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the Califomia
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative
activity that will not result in any direct or indirect physical changes in the environment,
and therefore does not constitute a "project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section
15378; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-31 finding and determining that the public
interest and necessity require the acquisition by eminent domain of interests in certain real
property for public use and authorizing and directing condemnation of portions of
Assissor's parcel No. 6314-003-001 for the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge of Los Angeles
River Project.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez opened the Public Hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Lopez closed
the Public Hearing.
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October 6,2020
Page 3 of 7
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to: A.
Find that the proposed action is exempt under the Califomia Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative activity that will not result in any
direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a
"project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378; and B. Adopt Resolution No.
2020-31 finding and determining that the public interest and necessity require the
acquisition by eminent domain of interests in certain real property for public use and
authorizing and directing condemnation ofportions of Assessor's Parcel No. 63 l4-003-001
for the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge of Los Angeles River Project. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September
minutes.
15,2020 Regular City Council meeting
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Operating Account Warrant Register
Ricomme-ndation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 53, for the period of
August 30 through
-Slptemb er 19,2020, which totals $10,624,670.01 and consists of
ratification of eleitronic payments totalin g$10,351,172.28 and ratification of the issuance
of early checks totalirg $273,497.73.
Public Works Department Monthly Building Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2020 Building Report'
CalRecycle Grant Funding for Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Recommendation: Receive and file update on award of grant.
Replacement of Police Patrol Vehicle
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance ofa purchase order to Folsom Lake
Ford for a 2021 Police Interceptor patrol vehicle through the state of califomia vehicle
Purchase Contract (1-18-23-148) for a total cost not to exceed $53,000'
change order No. 1l to the consulting Services Agreement (cs-0099) with cNS
Enginiers, Inc. for the Atlantic Boulevard Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening
Project
Recimmendation: A. Find that approval ofthe proposed change order is within the Initial
StudyAvlitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project pursrumt to the provisioll-s
unaei tne Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15063
of the CEQA Guidelines; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute
Agreemeni Change Order No. 11, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the
eilantic Boulevard Bridge Rehabilitation and widening Project, Federal Project No.
DBPL02-5 I 39(010), cs-0099, extending the project schedule from December 31,2020 to
December 31, 2o2l and authorizing cNS Engineers, Inc. to provide the additional
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Page 4 of 7
engineering design and coordination services as described below for the additional cost of
$113,865.10, increasing the total agreement cost to $2,014,340.45.
Little Free Library Project
Recommendation: Approve the Little Free Library project and allocate $4,000 from
Community Development Account No. 011 .1070.797000 for the project.
NEW BUSINESS
12.Services Agreement with Arroyo Group for Preparation of Mixed-Use Specific Plan
and Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Preparation (West-Side Project)
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative
activity that will not result in any direct or indirect physical changes in the environment,
and therefore does not constitute a "project" as defined by GEQA Guidelines section
15378. As indicated in the Staff Report, one of the outcomes of the proposed action is to
develop a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for potential project(s), and any
required environmental impact analysis wilt be conducted at the appropriate project phase;
and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the agreement between
the City of Vemon and the Anoyo Group for the preparation of the Mixed-Use Specific
Plan and Program EIR and the preparation of the General Plan and Housing Element
Updates for a total not-to-exceed amount of $545,890'
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report
MOTION
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Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to: A. Find
that the proposed action is exempt under the Califomia Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative activity that will not result in any
direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a
..project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines section I 5378. As indicated in the Staff Report,
one ofthe outcomes ofthe proposed action is to develop a Program Environmental Impact
Report (PEIR) for potential project(s), and any required environmental impact analysis will
be conducted at the appropriate project phase; and B. Approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute the agreement between the City of Vemon and the Arroyo Group
for the preparation of the Mixed-Use Specific Plan and Program EIR and the preparation
of the General Plan and Housing Element Updates for a total not-to-exceed amount of
$545,890. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
services Agreement with A.M. ortega construction, Inc. for Natural Gas Project
Design - Construction and Repair Services
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from Califomia
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review because it is an administrative and fiscal
activity that will not rlsult in direct or indirect physical changes in the environmenq-and
therefore does not constitute a "project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378;
and even if the proposed action constituted a "project" under GEQA, the project would be
categorically exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the
project coniists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and
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involves negligible or no expansion ofan existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the
City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with A.M. Ortega Construction, Inc.,
a Califomia corporation, for Natural Gas Project Design - Construction & Repair Services,
in substantially the same form as submitted, for an amount not to exceed $990,000 over a
three-year term, with an effective date ofOctober 6,2020.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
In response Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained the
current services provided by CNS Engineers, Inc. and the proposed cost.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to: A. Find
that approval ofthe proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review because it is an 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 even if the proposed action
constituted a "project" under CEQA, the project would be categorically exempt in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the
maintenance, repair or minor alteration ofexisting facilities and involves negligible or no
expansion of an exisling use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to
execute a Services Agreement with A.M. Ortega Construction, Ilc., a Califomia
corporation, for Natural Gas Project Design - Construction & Repair Services, in
substantialty the same form as submitted, for an amount not to exceed 5990,000 over a
three-year term, with an effective date ofOctober 6, 2020.The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
l{.Amendments to the Classification and Compensation Plan
Recommendation: 1) Approve the revised job descriptions for the positions of Buyer,
Assistant Buyer, and Risk Management Assistant and new job descriptions for the
positions ofFinance Specialist, and Finance Specialist, Senior; and 2) Adopt Resolution
No. 2020-32 amending Exhibit C of the Classification and Compensation Plan, adopted
by Resolution N o. 2020-19 to add new and amended classifications and associated salary
ranges.
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
In response Council questions, Human Resowces Director Earl explained that most cases
were reallocation ofpositions and no new staff was being added'
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
the revised job descriptions for the positions of Buyer, Assistant Buyer, and fusk
Management Assistant and new job descriptions for the positions of Finance Specialist,
and Finance Specialist, Senior and adopt Resolution No. 2020-32 amending Exhibit C of
the Classification and Compensation Plan, adopted by Resolution No. 2020'19 to add new
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and amended classifications and associated salary ranges. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
15.Conflict of Interest Code (Statement of Economic Interests)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-33 establishing a conflict of interest code
for all agencies, boards, commission, committees, designated city personnel and officials,
and repealing Resolution No. 2018-40.
City Clerk Pope presented the staffreport.
MOTION
Council Member Davis and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-33 establishing a conflict of interest code for all agencies, boards,
commission, committees, designated city personnel and officials, and repealing Resolution
No. 2018-40. The question was catled and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino provided an update on recent Police, Fire, and Vemon Public
Utilities activities. He stated Code Enforcement efforts would resume. He provided an
overview ofthe financial audit and Exide site cleanup. He invited the Council tojudge the
Halloween festivities on October 29h and to participate in the Family Game Night raffle
following the council meeting. He encouraged the council to provide feedback on the
Metro Link Union Station project adjustments to BNSF's Malabar yard train storage.
City Clerk Pope announced the Special City Council meeting on October 13,2020 at 9:00
a.m.
City Council Reports on Activities (including ABl234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 10:04 a.m.
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CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation
Govemment Code Section 549 56.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 27
Facts and Circumstances: The facts and circumstances that might result in litigation need
not be disclosed Pursuant to Govemment Code Section 54956.9(e)(1).
17.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Govemment Code Section 54956.9(dXl )
Marco Garcia-Martinez vs. City of Vemon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 8C689446
18.CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Govemment Code Section 54956.8
Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 63 I 4-033-003 and 63 I 4-033-005
Agency negotiator: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Negotiating parties: Magellan Atlantic I, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
RECONVENE
At 10:42 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjoumed Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported that the Council, with all five members
being present, met in Closed Session, discussed the items on the agenda, and took no
reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjoumed the meeting at l0:43 a.m.
ATTEST:rLt
LISA POPE, City
(seal)
ker
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor