20210202 City Council MinutesDocuSign Envelope ID: 571738C1-1311A-4CB0-8F4C-269F077814B5
MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
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
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Norma Copado, Interim Assistant City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director (via remote access)
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager (via remote access)
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director (via remote access)
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director (via remote access)
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief (via remote access)
Dan Wall, Public Works Director (via remote access
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
Jonathan Hawes submitted comments via email regarding El Monte Promise Foundation
Scholarship Fund and alleged embezzlement.
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February 2, 2021
PRESENTATIONS
1. Plan to Establish a COVID-19 Testing Site in the City of Vernon
Recommendation: No action is required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the item.
Henry Haskell submitted comments via email suggested a vaccination site rather than
testing site.
In response to Council questions, Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin
discussed cost prohibition of a testing site and indicated he would provide cost information
from surrounding cities' sites; potential to learn from the City of Long Beach experience;
survey sent to local businesses regarding potential vaccine uptake; distribution process;
and administration of vaccines.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra pulled Item No. 2.
Council Member Menke pulled Item No. 7.
Council Member Gonzales pulled Item No. 8.
MOTION
Council Member Davis moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item Nos. 2, 7, and 8. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 60, for the period
of January 3 through January 16, 2021, which totals $6,599,441.83 and consists of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,504,719.99 and ratification of the
issuance of early checks totaling $94,721.84.
4. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the December 2020 Building Report.
5. Acceptance of Electrical Easement at 5100 Boyle Avenue (APN 6303-028-014)
Recommendation: A. Find that the acceptance of the Electrical Easement proposed
in this staff report is not a "project" as that term is defined under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and even if it were a
project, it would be categorically exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Sections 15301 (maintenance, repair or minor alteration of an existing facility and
involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use) and 15061(b)(3) (general rule that
CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment);
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and B. Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate
of Acceptance.
6. AT&T Dedicated Internet Pricing Addendum
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Dedicated Internet Pricing Addendum with AT&T, in substantially the same forma
as submitted, extending the term of the agreement for an additional two years
through February 2023, and authorizing an additional amount of $30,225 to be
expended on such services.
The following items were pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
2. Waive Further Reading
Recommendation: After the City Clerk has read the title, waive full reading of ordinances
considered on this agenda for introduction on first reading and/or second reading and
adoption.
In response to Council questions, City Clerk Pope explained the purpose of the item.
Interim City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman confirmed.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem. Ybarra moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to, after
the City Clerk has read the title, waive full reading of ordinances considered on this agenda
for introduction on first reading and/or second reading and adoption. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement with Southeast Rio Vista Family YMCA
(a branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles) for Community Based Wellness
Programming for the City of Vernon
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment
No. 1 to the Services Agreement with the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles/Southeast-
Rio Vista Family YMCA (YMCA), in substantially the same form as submitted, to extend
the term for one additional year, revising the expiration date from February 3, 2021 to
February 3, 2022, with all other terms remaining the same.
In response to Council questions, City Administrator Fandino explained that the funds from
last year were being rolled over, with the exception of the expended $7,194.
Council Member Menke discussed the YMCA providing food to elderly and disabled
residents and suggested partnering with local restaurants to provide food. City
Administrator Fandino stated staff would evaluate opportunities and report back to
Council. He confirmed that memberships will be extended since they were unused due to
COVID-19.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra seconded a motion to Approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Services
Agreement with the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles/Southeast-Rio Vista Family
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YMCA (YMCA), in substantially the same form as submitted, to extend the term for one
additional year, revising the expiration date from February 3, 2021 to February 3, 2022,
with all other terms remaining the same. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
8. City Housing Quarterly Report Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2021 City Housing Quarterly Report
Update.
In response to Council questions, City Clerk Pope explained that, as Secretary of the
Housing Commission, she input the report into the system. Public Works Director Wall
explained housing lottery draw on February 1, 2021 and qualification verification of the
two new tenants. City Administrator Fandino discussed the delinquent tenant and process
to obtain payment.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to
receive and file the January 2021 City Housing Quarterly Report Update. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1273 - Los Angeles County Fire Code Title 32
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1273 repealing
and replacing Chapter 7, Article II, Fire Code, adopting the 2019 edition of the
California Fire Code, 2018 edition of the International Fire Code and the 2020 edition
of the Los Angeles County Fire Code - Title 32 (Consolidated Fire Protection District
of Los Angeles County Fire Code), ratifying the more restrictive building standards
contained in that code.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Lopez closed the
public hearing.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to Conduct
second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1273 repealing and replacing Chapter 7, Article
II, Fire Code, adopting the 2019 edition of the California Fire Code, 2018 edition of the
International Fire Code and the 2020 edition of the Los Angeles County Fire Code - Title
32 (Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County Fire Code), ratifying the
more restrictive building standards contained in that code. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
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NEW BUSINESS
10. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1271- Municipal Code Clean Up
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1271 amending
various sections of the Municipal Code in Chapters 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 16.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Davis moved and Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra seconded a motion to: Conduct
second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1271 amending various sections of the Municipal
Code in Chapters 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 16. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
11. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1272 - Motion Pictures, Television, Commercial
Digital Media and Still Photography Productions
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1272 amending
Vernon Municipal Code Section 5.65 - Motion Picture Production to be Motion Pictures,
Television, Commercial Digital Media and Still Photography Productions.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Gonzales moved and Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra seconded a motion to
Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1272 amending Vernon Municipal Code
Section 5.65 - Motion Picture Production to be Motion Pictures, Television, Commercial
Digital Media and Still Photography Productions. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
12. Office Lease Agreement with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce (Continued from
January 19, 2021)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Office
Lease Agreement with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce for a portion of the City -
owned property located at 2724 Leonis Boulevard, Vernon, CA for a one-year term
beginning February 1, 2021.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
Council Members Menke and Gonzales expressed concern with the safety of the building
due to asbestos. Interim City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman stated the Chamber of Commerce
could be advised not to disrupt the asbestos.
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MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to
approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Office Lease Agreement with
the Vernon Chamber of Commerce for a portion of the City -owned property located at
2724 Leonis Boulevard, Vernon, CA for a one-year term beginning February 1, 2021,
adding advice to the tenant to not disrupt ceiling tiles. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
13. Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Businesses: State Law Authority, Local
Regulation, and Policy Considerations (Continued from January 19, 2021)
Recommendation: Hold a discussion and provide further direction to the City Attorney's
Office and staff regarding regulation of commercial cannabis businesses, including
providing directives or guidance in preparing a draft ordinance to include any provision,
terms and standards discussed.
Interim Assistant City Attorney Copado presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Interim Assistant City Attorney Copado explained CEQA
analysis for each project; non -op fees to be negotiated in operating agreement; sample
operating agreement; and collection of penalties in the City of Commerce.
MOTION
Mayor Lopez moved to direct staff to conduct two community town hall meetings and a
Business and Industry Commission meeting on the topic of regulating commercial cannabis
businesses.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
Council Member Menke seconded the motion and added direction to the City Attorney's
Office to begin drafting an ordinance. The maker accepted the amendment.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra amended the motion to receive a report back in 60 days. The maker
and seconder accepted the amendment.
The question was called on the amended motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Labor and Materials Contract with McAvoy & Markham Engineering and Sales
Co.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Labor and
Materials Contract with McAvoy & Markham Engineering and Sales Co., in substantially
the same form as submitted, for the purchase of electric meters for an amount not to
exceed $298,498 over a three-year term, with an effective date of February 4, 2021.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
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In response to Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained the
conservative estimate to install 176 meters per year; the second and third phases; and total
cost to migrate to new meters.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to approve and
authorize the City Administrator to execute a Labor and Materials Contract with McAvoy
& Markham Engineering and Sales Co., in substantially the same form as submitted, for
the purchase of electric meters for an amount not to exceed $298,498 over a three-year
term, with an effective date of February 4, 2021. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
15. Emergency Order Mandating Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic
Recommendation: Introduce and adopt Emergency Ordinance No. 1274 adding Chapter
13, Article VII mandating wearing masks and imposing fines for violations of public
health orders related to COVID-19.
City Administrator Fandino presented the report.
In response to Council questions, City Administrator Fandino discussed enforcement,
education, and citation.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to introduce and
adopt Emergency Ordinance No. 1274 adding Chapter 13, Article VII mandating wearing
masks and imposing fines for violations of public health orders related to COVID-19. 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 and Fire activities. He
stated all board meetings would continue to be conducted remotely and the next Business
and Industry Commission meeting would be held on February 11, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 11:01 a.m.
ATTEST:
DocuSigned by:
'P , ,City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSigned by:
LE 2EO'fiH Z, Mayor
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