20210504 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ybarra led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
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
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Hannali Paniagua, representing Supervisor Hilda Solis, presented a commendation to
outgoing Mayor Leticia Lopez.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. DMV/Donate Life California Month
Recommendation: Present a proclamation acknowledging the month of April 2021 as
"DMV/Donate Life California Month.”
City Clerk Pope read the Proclamation and Mayor Ybarra presented the Proclamation
acknowledging the month of April 2021 as "DMV/Donate Life California Month" to
Johnny Lemucchi.
Mr. Lemucchi discussed his experience as a heart recipient and encouraged everyone to
sign up for the Donate Life California Donor Registry.
2. City Administrator Report:
• American Public Power Association's Safety Award of Excellence and RP3 Reliability
Award
• Gas Customer Connection and Safety Measures
• California Housing and Community Development Local Early Action Plan Grant
Award
• Annual E-Waste Event - May 2021
• Vernon Mobile Vaccination Program Update
• Free Little Libraries
Recommendation: No action is required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
City Administrator Fandino presented the City Administrator Report.
3. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget Study Session
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Finance Director Williams presented a PowerPoint outlining the proposed Fiscal Year
2021-2022 Budget.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Gonzales pulled Item No. 11.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 11. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
4. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 20, 2021 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
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Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 66, for the period of
April 4 through April 17, 2021, totaling $3,788,437.38 and consisting of ratification of
electronic payments totaling $3,575,390.98 and ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $213,046.40.
6. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account
Warrant Register No. 60, for the period of April 4 through April 17, 2021 and consisting
of ratification of electronic payments totaling $2,332.00.
7. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2021 Building Report.
8. Agreements for Contract Building Inspection and Plan Check Services
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services
Agreement with Mel Greene & Associates, Inc, in substantially the same form as
submitted, for a three (3) year term in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for building
inspection and plan check services; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator
to execute a Services Agreement with Interwest Consulting Group, Inc, in substantially the
same form as submitted, for a three (3) year term in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for
building inspection and plan check services.
9. Agreements for On-Call Civil Engineering Services
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services
Agreement with Quantum Quality Consulting, Inc, in substantially the same form as
submitted, for a three (3) year term in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for on-call civil
engineering services; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Services Agreement with Hartzog & Crabill, Inc, in substantially the same form as
submitted, for a three (3) year term in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 for on-call civil
engineering services.
10. Motorola Service Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a service
agreement with Motorola for maintenance service in an amount not to exceed $17,076.37.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
11. COVID-19 Resident Grant Assistance Program Fund Allocation
Recommendation: Authorize an additional fund allocation in the amount of $9,500 for the
COVID-19 Resident Grant Assistance Program.
City Administrator Fandino presented the staff report, noting the necessary increase in
funds to $11,500.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to
authorize an additional fund allocation in the amount of $11,500 for the COVID-19
Resident Grant Assistance Program. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
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NEW BUSINESS
12. Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is statutorily exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15262,
because the project only involves feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions
which the City has not approved, adopted, or funded; B. Find that the best interests of the
City are served by a direct award of a Services Agreement to Jacobs Engineering Group,
Inc. (Jacobs); and C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Services
Agreement with Jacobs in substantially the same form as submitted, to prepare an Air
Quality Assessment for proposed power generation changes at Station A, in an amount not
to exceed $19,962.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to A.
Find that the proposed action is statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15262, because the project
only involves feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the City has
not approved, adopted, or funded; B. Find that the best interests of the City are served by
a direct award of a Services Agreement to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (Jacobs); and C.
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Services Agreement with
Jacobs in substantially the same form as submitted, to prepare an Air Quality Assessment
for proposed power generation changes at Station A, in an amount not to exceed $19,962.
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 COVID-19 tier status,
vaccinations, reopening plan and the City’s participation in vaccination clinics in the
southeast region. He reminded the community of opportunities to serve on City
Commissions and Committees.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:47 a.m.
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CLOSED SESSION
13. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
A. Bicent (California) Malburg LLC et al. v. City of Vernon et al.,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV08859 and JAMS Reference No.
1100107175
B. City of Vernon v. Bicent (California) Malburg LLC
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCP02411 and JAMS Reference No.
1220062657
14. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES
OR FACILITIES
Government Code Section 54957(a)
Consultation with: Vernon Police Department
RECONVENE
At 10:25 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported that the Council, with all five members
present, met in Closed Session, and discussed the items on the agenda, and took no
reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 10:26 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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