20210615 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Council Member Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, 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 Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of Retiring Employee - Ronald J. Bustamante
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring employee Ronald
J. Bustamante, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, in recognition of his dedicated service
to the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Pope read the Proclamation. Mayor Ybarra presented the Proclamation to
Ronald J. Bustamante in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
Ron Bustamante thanked the Council, Administration, his staff, and family.
2. Employee Service Pin Awards for May 2021
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Gerardo C. Farias, Street Maintenance
Worker, Senior; Wesley Cruz, Senior Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector; Anthony
Encinas II, Police Officer; and Daniel Gomez, Water Maintenance Worker as recipients of
the Employee Service Pin Awards for May 2021.
3. Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 Docket II Scholarship Grants Awarded by Vernon
CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee
Recommendation: A. Acknowledge and present certificates to FY 2020-2021 Docket II
Scholarship Grant recipients in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements;
and B. Receive and file the report, as it is being provided for informational purposes only
pursuant to Section 2.167(e) of the Vernon Municipal Code.
City Clerk Pope announced the FY 2020-2021 Docket II Scholarship Grant recipients.
Mayor Ybarra, and representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and
Los Angeles County Supervisor Solis presented Certificates of Recognition; and
Assemblymember Santiago provided Certificates of Recognition for presentation by the
City Clerk.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Water Code Section 10652, which
exempts the preparation and adoption of urban water management plans from CEQA
requirements, and CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only
applies to activities that may have a significant effect on the environment, because the plan
referenced herein is merely an update of the existing 2015 Urban Water Management Plan;
and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-18 approving and adopting the City of Vernon 2020
Urban Water Management Plan.
Public Utilities General Manger Alemu presented the staff report.
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Mayor Ybarra opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Ybarra closed
the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to: A. Find
that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) in accordance with Water Code Section 10652, which exempts the preparation
and adoption of urban water management plans from CEQA requirements, and CEQA
Guideline Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to activities that
may have a significant effect on the environment, because the plan referenced herein is
merely an update of the existing 2015 Urban Water Management Plan; and B. Adopt
Resolution No. 2021-18 approving and adopting the City of Vernon 2020 Urban Water
Management Plan. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Ybarra pulled Item No. 18.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 18. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the June 1, 2021 Regular and June 8, 2021 Special City
Council meeting minutes.
6. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Kyoung A. Kim in the amount
of $2,755.94.
7. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 69, for the period of
May 16 through May 29, 2021, totaling $10,955,508.11 and consisting of ratification of
electronic payments totaling $10,602,511.98, ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $352,996.13 and voided Check No. 607388 totaling $5,000.00.
8. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 780, for the period of May
1 through May 31, 2021, totaling $2,288,940.07 and consisting of ratification of direct
deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,477,541.77 and ratification of checks and electronic
fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $811,398.30 paid through
operating bank account.
9. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the April 2021 Report.
10. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the April 2021 Report.
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11. Project Funded by Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Recommendation: A. Find that the approval of the proposed resolution does not constitute
a “project” pursuant to sections 15378(b)(2) and (4) of the Guidelines to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative activity and
government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment to any specific
project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment; and even
if the adoption of the proposed resolution did constitute a project, it would be exempt from
CEQA in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies
to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and B. Adopt Resolution
No. 2021-19 adopting a project funded by Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair and
Accountability Act of 2017 for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
12. Annual Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-20 approving an Annual Statement of
Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and delegating investment authority to the
Director of Finance/City Treasurer.
13. Verizon National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint
Addendum for Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Verizon
NASPO ValuePoint Addendum, in substantially the same form as submitted, in the amount
not to exceed $441,000 for a three-year period.
14. Public Safety Special Parcel Tax Rate Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-21 determining the Public Safety Special
Parcel Tax levied pursuant to Section 5.46 of the Municipal Code for Fiscal Year 2021-
2022; and B. Approve and authorize the Director of Finance to execute an Agreement for
Billing Direct Assessments (Public Safety Special Parcel Tax) with the County of Los
Angeles Auditor-Controller’s Office, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the
collection and distribution of the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax for Fiscal Year 2021 -
2022.
15. Warehouse Special Parcel Tax Rate Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-22 determining the Warehouse Special
Parcel Tax levied pursuant to Section 5.46 of the Municipal Code for Fiscal Year 2021-
2022; and B. Approve and authorize the Director of Finance to execute an Agreement for
Billing of Direct Assessments (Warehouse Special Parcel Tax) with the County of Los
Angeles Auditor-Controller’s Office, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the
collection and distribution of the Warehouse Special Parcel Tax for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
16. Revised 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; and B. Approve and authorize the
City Administrator to execute the revised Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering
Group, Inc., 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.
17. Purchase Contract with Mega Renovation, Inc. for Carpet Replacement at City Hall
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
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Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration
of an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B.
Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Contract with Mega Renovations for the
Carpet Replacement on the Third Floor of City Hall for an amount not to exceed $45,700.
19. Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement Between the City of Vernon and the Greater Los
Angeles County Vector Control District for Temporary Vector (Mosquito) Control
Services
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the services agreement is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
§15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a
significant effect on the environment; and CEQA Guidelines §15308, because the action is
being carried out by a regulatory agency to maintain, restore, or enhance the environment;
and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 3 with
the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD), in substantially the
same form as submitted, for temporary vector (mosquito) control services, with an effective
date of January 31, 2021 for a one year term.
20. Additional Funds for Existing Contracts with Tritech Software Systems, a
CentralSquare Company
Recommendation: Approve $7,387.65 in additional funds for Contracts IT-0090 and IT-
0095 with Tritech Software Systems, a CentralSquare Company (Tritech) to cover the cost
for taxes associated with Tritech’s software and support services.
21. City Housing Quarterly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the June 2021 City Housing Quarterly Report.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
18. Purchase Contract with Mega Renovation, Inc. for the Remodel of City-Owned
Residential Property at 4328 Furlong Place
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration
of an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B.
Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Contract with Mega Renovations, Inc.
for the Remodel of City-Owned Residential Property Located at 4328 Furlong Place for an
amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Wall described the work to be
completed.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to find the
action exempt under CEQA and approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Contract
with Mega Renovations, Inc. for the Remodel of City-Owned Residential Property located
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at 4328 Furlong Place for an amount not to exceed $50,000. The question was called and
the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
22. Professional Services Agreement with PIC Environmental Services for Ambient Air,
Soil, Soil Gas, and Groundwater Testing at Former Thermador Site (5119 -5309
District Blvd)
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the services agreement is exempt under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
§15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a
significant effect on the environment; CEQA Guidelines §15308, because the action is
being carried out by a regulatory agency to maintain, restore, or enhance the environment;
and CEQA Guidelines § 15330, because the services are a minor action designed to
prevent, minimize, stabilize, mitigate, or eliminate the release or threat of release of a
hazardous waste or substance; and B. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid
the proposed contract within three years, pursuant to Section 2.17.30(B) of the Vernon
Municipal Code (VMC) and that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award
of a five-year contract to PIC Environmental Services, exempting the award from a
competitive selection process, pursuant to Section 2.17.12(B)(2) of the VMC; and C.
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to authorize the service agreement with PIC
Environmental Services for ambient air, soil, soil gas, and groundwater testing at Former
Thermador Site (5119-5309 District Blvd), in substantially the same form as submitted,
with an effective date of June 15, 2021 for a five (5) year term.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin
discussed the experience and competitive pricing with PIC.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Find
that approval of the services agreement is exempt under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3), the general rule
that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment;
CEQA Guidelines §15308, because the action is being carried out by a regulatory agency
to maintain, restore, or enhance the environment; and CEQA Guidelines § 15330, because
the services are a minor action designed to prevent, minimize, stabilize, mitigate, or
eliminate the release or threat of release of a hazardous waste or substance; and B. Find
that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the proposed contract within three years,
pursuant to Section 2.17.30(B) of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) and that the best
interests of the City are served by a direct award of a five-year contract to PIC
Environmental Services, exempting the award from a competitive selection process,
pursuant to Section 2.17.12(B)(2) of the VMC; and C. Approve and authorize the City
Administrator to authorize the service agreement with PIC Environmental Services for
ambient air, soil, soil gas, and groundwater testing at Former Thermador Site (5119-5309
District Blvd), in substantially the same form as submitted, with an effective date of June
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15, 2021 for a five (5) year term. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the current COVID-19 status; Graduation/Summer
Kick-Off Event on June 24, 2021; and deadline extension to July 6, 2021 for Commission
and Committee applications. He reminded residents of fireworks safety and upcoming
Commission and Council meetings.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:41 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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