20201117 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULARMEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2o2o
COUNCIL CHAMBER,4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
PRESENT:Leticia Lopez, Mayor (via remote access)
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem (via remote access)
William Davis, Council Member (via remote access)
Carol Menke, Council Member (via remote access)
Diana Gonzales, Council Member (via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Amold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attomey (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk (via remote access)
Scoft Williams, Finance Director (via remote access)
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities Ceneral Manager (via remote access)
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Davis moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Los Angeles county Fire Chief Pappas introduced herself and offered to be of assistance
to the Council and community.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 17 ,2020
Page 2 of 6
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation on Transition Plan for the Exide Facility
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Roberto Puga, P.G., Trustee, PathForward Consulting, Inc., presented a PowerPoint
outlining the purpose ofthe trust, transition plan, decontamination and deconstruction and
next steps.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Puga discussed the goal to leave the site in safe,
controllable condition. He anticipated completion by the end of 2021. He stated the
available funds would only permit addressing structures not subsurface contamination. He
discussed the potential sale and assumption ofliability; funds available; value of property
and site clean-up cost estimate.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Menke pulled Item No. 9.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 9. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted ofthe following items:
Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 3, 2020 Special and Regular City Council
meeting minutes.
Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 56, for the period of
October 18 through October 31, 2020, which totals $11,106,222.76 and consists of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $10,844,643.29, rutifrcalion ofthe issuance of
early checks totaling $261,579.47 and voided Check Nos. 606307, 606382 totaling
$ 100,000.00.
City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Ciry Payroll Warrant Register No. 773, for the period of
October I through October 31, 2020, which totals $3,092,832.24 and consists ofratification
of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,034,715.45 and ratification of checks and
electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $1,058,116.79
paid through operating bank account.
Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2020 Report.
Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and frle the September 2020 Report.
2019 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report and Power Content Label
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Page 3 of6
Recommendation: A. Ratiff the submission to the Califomia Energy Commission (CEC)
of the attestation signed by Vemon Public Utilities' General Manager, of the veracity of
the 2019 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report; and
B. Approve the 2019 Power Content Label and authorize its submission to the CEC.
Access, License and Reinbursement Agreement with the Water Replenishment
District for Destruction of Well No. 5
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from Califomia
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines $
15061(bX3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to activities that may have a
significant effect on the environment, for the reason that any construction that occurs in
the future, relying on this approval, would be subject to CEQA review at that time and the
Water Replenishment District of Southern Califomia (WRD) would be the lead agency,
with oversight by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); and
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Access, License and
Reimbursement Agreement with WRD, in substantially the same form as submitted, for
the purpose of destroying Well No. 5, in an amount sufficient to fund twenty percent of the
final costs ofdestroying Well No. 5 as well as an equal split (1/5) ofshared costs included
in the Well Destruction Program Project, currently estimated to be in the amount of
$43,000, for a term of twenty years.
Request to Extend Electric Consumption Hurdle Date from rPlanet Earth Los
Angeles, LLC
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from
rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC (Customer) to adjust the established Electric Consumption
Hurdle date from January 1,2021 lo January 1, 2022 as a one-lime-only exception.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained the recommendation for a one-year
extension and potential budget impacts.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
and authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from rPlanet Earth Los Angeles,
LLC (Customer) to adjust the established Electric Consumption Hurdle date from January
1,2021 to January 1, 2022 as a one-time-only exception. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
10.Services Agreement with BLX Group LLC for Financial Advisory Services
(Continued from November 3,2020')
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a services
agreement with BLX Group LLC for Financial Advisory Services, in substantially the same
form as submitted, in an amount not to exceed $600,000, for a three-year agreement
effective November 3,2020 for financial advisory services.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 17,2020
8.
The following item was pulled from the consent calendar for individual consideration:
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Page 4 of 6
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
Council Member Gonzales expressed concem and suggested the Council review the other
proposals.
Council Member Menke asked if BLX assisted in the creation ofthe note against the City's
Tehachapi property. Jeff Higgins, BLX Group, stated the Council and City Administration
made the decisions regarding the sale of the property and BLX only reviewed how the
rating agencies would view the sale of the land. Craig Underwood, President of BLX,
confirmed that BLX had no involvement in the Tehachapi property. He stated Eric Fresch
was never an employee of BLX.
MOTION
Mayor Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve and
authorize the City Administrator to execute a services agreement with BLX Group LLC
for Financial Advisory Services, in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount
not to exceed $600,000, for a three-year agreement effective November 3,2020 for
financial advisory services. The question was called and the motion carried 3-2, Council
Member Menke and Council Member Gonzales dissenting.
I l.Software as a Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies for a Ci$ryide Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) Software System, Hosting, Implementation, and Support
Recommendation: Approve the Software as a Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies,
Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for the purpose ofan upgrade from the
current Tyler ERP system (Eden) to a comprehensive ERP software system, which would
include modules for Munis, EnerGov, Digital Health Department (DHD), and the Munis
Utility Billing Customer Information System (CIS), with funds reserved for a project
management consultant in an amount not-to-exceed $3,439,726 for a three (3) year term.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Finance Director Williams explained the cost for project
management consulting; estimated two years for full deployment; and proposed funding
sources. City Administrator Fandino suggested staff bring back a more refined project
scope and specific budget allocations.
Mayor Lopez suggested seeking additional grant opportunities.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra requested options excluding use ofreserves and spreading the cost
over three years.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 17 ,2020
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to table the item and
directed staffto bring back specific budget allocations, including options to spread the project over
three years and/or not utilize reserves. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November l'l ,2020
12.
MOTION
Page 5 of6
Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services, LLC to Perform
Technical Design, Controls, Automation and Analytical Services
Recommendation: A. Find that award ofthe proposed agreement is in the best interests of
the Cily and, therefore, exempt from the competitive selection process pursuant to Section
2.17.12 (B)(2) of the Vemon Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical
Services, LLC in substantially the same for as submitted, for a term ofthree years, effective
November 17, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $2,644,782, to provide technical design,
controls, automalion, construction and analyical services and equipment for the Public
Utilities Department.
In response to Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu stated the City
confirmed the materials costs were appropriate.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Find that award
of the proposed agreement is in the best interests of the City and, therefore, exempt from
the competitive selection process pursuant to Section 2.17.12 (B)(2) of the Vemon
Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services, LLC in substantially
the same form as submitted, for a term of three years, effective November 17 ,2020, in an
amount not to exceed 52,644,782, to provide technical design, controls, automation,
construction and analytical services and equipment for the Public Utilities Department. The
question was called 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 Public Utilities
activities. He presented the recently completed renovations on the street island on Bandini
Boulevard near the 710 Freeway. He announced the installation ofthe COVID vaccination
trailers.
City Administrator Fandino reported on the Water Well 15 Rehabilitation Project
completion; indicated digital signatures would be utilized; and announced Operation Santa
on December 17 ,2020.
Chief Miranda explained the virnral drive thru plans for Operation Santa
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Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin reported that USC would be moving in
within the next 2 weeks and the Council will be provided a tour. He discussed the status
ofthe vaccine trails.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
November 17 ,2020
Page 6 of6
City Administrator Fandino provided a reminder to protect personal property in vehicles.
He announced the Vemon CommUNITY Grant Fund Committee meeting on November
18,2020, at 10:00 a.m. and wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
City Council Reports on Activities (including ABl234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra requested an update on the City's purchase versus providing its
own water.
CLOSED SESSION
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION
Govemment Code Section 54957(bX1)
Position: City Administrator
Deferred
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjoumed the meeting at 10:40 a.m.
CIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
13.
rb
LISA POPE, City
(seal)
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