20210720 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
The Vernon Police Department Honor Guard presented the Colors and 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:
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Angela Kimmey, City Administration
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities Assistant General Manager
Veronica Petrosyan, Environmental Health Program Administrator
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Susie Ybarra commended Chief Miranda for his service to the City.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of Retiring Employee - Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring Police Chief,
Anthony Miranda, in recognition of his dedicated law enforcement career and service to
the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Pope read the Proclamation. Mayor Ybarra presented the Proclamation to
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of
Vernon.
Chief Miranda thanked the Council and City of Vernon for the opportunity to serve.
Anthony Selva, Huntington Park Youth Football, presented a jersey to Chief Miranda
thanking him for his service.
Marissa Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, thanked Chief Miranda for leading the
City of Vernon Police Department.
2. California Highway Patrol (CHP) “10851” Grand Theft Auto Recovery Award
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Police Chief Miranda introduced Captain Gill, California Highway Patrol, who
acknowledged Officer Theresa Flores for receiving the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
“10851” Grand Theft Auto Recovery Award.
3. Employee Service Pin Awards for June 2021
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged William J. Davis, Council Member; Jose
M. Ramos, Police Officer; Kent M. Stevenson Jr., Police Officer; Michael E. Shehata,
Senior Information Technology Analyst as recipients of the Employee Service Pin awards
for June 2021.
4. Capital Improvement Project Bond Funded Water Project Update
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Dusenberry presented a PowerPoint regarding
the Capital Improvement Project Bond Funded Water Project Update.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Appointment of Zaynah N. Moussa as Interim City Attorney
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-23 affirming the appointment of Zaynah N.
Moussa as Interim City Attorney.
6. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the June 15, 2021 Regular and July 6, 2021 Special City
Council meeting minutes.
7. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 781, for the period of June
1 through June 30, 2021, totaling $2,303,635.71 and consisting of ratification of direct
deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,493,040.35 and ratification of checks and electronic
fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $810,595.36 paid through
operating bank account.
8. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 70, for the period of
May 30 through July 3, 2021, totaling $19,754,463.15 and consisting of ratification of
electronic payments totaling $19,272,874.93, ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $481,588.22 and voided Check Nos. 607524 and 607547 totaling $6,300.00.
9. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the May 2021 Report.
10. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the May 2021 Report.
11. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the May 2021 Building Report.
12. Public Utilities Water Division Vehicle Purchase
Recommendation: Approve the purchase of one (1) Ford F-550 with Enoven Crane Body
& Equipment for $72,718.41; one (1) Ford F-550 with Enoven E-series Dump Body &
Equipment for $131,659.47; and three (3) Ford F-450 Construction Trucks with a CTEC
Utility Truck Bed for $160,425.22 each from National Fleet Auto Group, for a total cost
of $685,653.54.
13. Acceptance of Electrical Easement at 4551 Loma Vista Boulevard (APN 6304-022-
059)
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3),
the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities that have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment; accepting a utility easement does not have the
potential for significant effect on the environment, and therefore is exempt from CEQA;
and B. Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate
of Acceptance.
14. Award of City Contract No. CS-1267 Alameda Street Repairs at Union Pacific
Railroad Crossing
Recommendation: A. Find that the award of the proposed Capital Improvement Project
Alameda Street Repairs at Union Pacific Railroad Crossing is categorically exempt under
the California Environmentally Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), part (c) (existing highways and streets), because the
project is merely to repair existing streets and involves no expansion of existing use; B.
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Accept the bid proposal from Onyx Paving Company Inc., as the lowest responsive and
responsible bidder for the Alameda Street Repairs project and reject all other bids; C.
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Contract No. CS-1267 in the
amount of $123,000 for the Alameda Street Repairs at Union Pacific Railroad Crossing,
for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days; and D. Authorize a contingency of $12,000 in
the event of an unexpected changed condition in the project and grant authority to the City
Administrator to issue a change order for an amount up to the contingency amount, if
necessary.
15. Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the report, as it is being provided for informational
purposes only.
16. Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP) Memorandum of
Understanding
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator and Chief of Police to
execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Funding Agreement between the
County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the City of Vernon.
17. Appointment of Health Officer for the City of Vernon
Recommendation: A. Find that it is in the best interests of the City to award a services
agreement for Health Officer Services to Dr. Laurene Mascola, M.D., MPH, without a
competitive selection process; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-24 appointing Laurene
Mascola, M.D., MPH as Health Officer for the City of Vernon and approving and
authorizing the execution of a services agreement for Health Officer Services.
18. Application(s) for CalRecycle Payment Programs
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-25 approving and authorizing the Director
of the Health and Environmental Control Department to receive and spend payment
program funds from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
and to delegate authority to the County of Los Angeles to apply for and receive funds to
administer the Used Oil Payment Program on behalf of the City and repealing all
resolutions in conflict therewith, specifically Resolution No. 2018-09.
19. Attorney Services Agreement with Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin for Outside Legal
Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to enter into an Attorney
Services Agreement between the City of Vernon and Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin, in
substantially the same form as submitted, in order to complete pending assignments, for an
amount not to exceed $50,000.
20. Demand Response Provider Agreement between the California Independent System
Operator (CAISO) and City of Vernon
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Demand
Response Provider Agreement with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO),
in substantially the same form as submitted, to ensure the City’s continued use of its
interruptible agreement with Matheson Tri-Gas as a credit towards its monthly Resource
Adequacy requirement.
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NEW BUSINESS
21. Consideration of Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles Fee Waiver
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 CEQA Guidelines section
15378, and to the extent the Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles seeks to engage in
actual physical construction or development, such would be subject to separate and
independent CEQA review and analysis; and B. Waive occupancy permit and business
license fees.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to: 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 CEQA Guidelines section 15378, and to the extent the Helping
Hands Society of Los Angeles seeks to engage in actual physical construction or
development, such would be subject to separate and independent CEQA review and
analysis; and B. Waive occupancy permit and business license fees. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
22. Appointment of Robert Sousa as Police Chief
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-26 appointing Robert Sousa to serve as
Police Chief for the City of Vernon effective July 29, 2021, and approving and authorizing
the execution of a related at-will employment agreement.
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2021-26 appointing Robert Sousa to serve as Police Chief for the City of
Vernon effective July 29, 2021, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related
at-will employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
23. Commission and Committee Appointments
Recommendation: A. Appoint one Council Member Representative (term ending June 30,
2024) to the Business and Industry Commission; B. Appoint one Labor Representative
(term ending June 30, 2024) to the Green Vernon Commission; C. Appoint Vernon
CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Members to fill the following vacancies:
a. one Vernon Area Representative (term ending June 30, 2022);
b. three Vernon Area Representatives (term ending June 30, 2025); and
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c. one Council Member Representative (term ending June 30, 2025); and D. Appoint
Vernon Housing Commission Members to fill the following vacancies:
a. one Business Representative (term ending June 30, 2025)
b. one Vernon Resident (term ending June 30, 2025); and
c. one Council Member (term ending June 30, 2025).
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Ybarra seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Larios as the Council Member Representative (term ending June 30, 2024) to the
Business and Industry Commission. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Ybarra seconded a motion to appoint Stan
Stosel as the Labor Representative (term ending June 30, 2024) to the Green Vernon
Commission. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Lopez as the Council Member Representative (term ending June 30, 2025) to the
Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Mayor Ybarra seconded a motion to appoint Ronit
Edry as the Vernon Area Representative (term ending June 30, 2022); and Steven Froberg,
Frank Gaviña, and Michelle Ybarra as the Vernon Area Representatives (terms ending June
30, 2025) to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Lopez as the Council Member (term ending June 30, 2025) to the Vernon Housing
Commission. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to appoint
Juliet Goff as the Business Representative (term ending June 30, 2025) to the Vernon
Housing Commission. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to appoint
Steven Froberg as the Vernon Resident (term ending June 30, 2025) to the Vernon Housing
Commission. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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24. City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
Recommendation: A. Appoint a representative to the Central Basin Water Association; B.
Appoint an alternate to the Independent Cities Association; C. Appoint an alternate to the
Independent Cities Finance Authority; D. Appoint a representative to the Southern
California Association of Governments; and E. Appoint a representative to the Vernon
Solid Waste Hearing Panel.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Merlo as the delegate to the Central Basin Water Association. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Larios as the alternate to the Independent Cities Association. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Merlo as the alternate to the independent Cities Finance Authority. The question
was called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Merlo as a representative on the Vernon Solid Waste Hearing Panel. The question
was called and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to appoint Council
Member Lopez as the delegate to the Southern California Association of Governments.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
Angela Kimmey, City Administration, provided an update on COVID-19; announced
National Night Out on August 3, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and recognized Chief
Miranda on his retirement.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
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RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 10:06 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
25. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (3)
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC719460
Christina Sanchez v. City of Vernon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV38779
Ismael Martines v. City of Vernon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV21341
RECONVENE
At 11:13 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council discussed the items on the agenda
and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 11:14 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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