20211005 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 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
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Deborah Harrington, Interim Deputy City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Lilia Hernandez, Executive Assistant to the City Administrator
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Centeno, Vernon Elementary School, introduced himself as the new Principal.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of Outgoing City Commission and Committee Members
Recommendation: Recognize outgoing Business and Industry Commissioner William
"Bill" Davis; outgoing Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Members Michael
Gaviña and Judith Merlo; and outgoing Vernon Housing Commissioners Frank Gaviña and
Melissa Ybarra for their dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
Interim Deputy City Clerk Harrington presented the item. Mayor Ybarra presented the
Certificates of Recognition to Commissioner Davis; Committee Members Michael Gaviña
and Merlo; and Commissioner Frank Gaviña for their dedicated service to the City of
Vernon. Mayor Pro Tem Davis presented the Certificate of Recognition to Commissioner
Ybarra for her dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
2. City Administrator Report:
• New Business Welcome
• Career Day
• New City Website
• National Clean-Up Day
• Police Department Grant Funded Activity
• Vernon City Hall Lighting Project and After Earthquake Inspections of Gas Lines
• Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation Most Business-Friendly City Award
Finalist
Recommendation: No action is required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Executive Assistant to the City Administrator Hernandez presented the report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Larios pulled Item No. 4.
Mayor Ybarra pulled Item No. 5
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item Nos. 4 and 5. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 21, 2021 Regular and Special City Council
meeting minutes.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 74, for the period of
September 5 through September 18, 2021, totaling $8,836,857.29 and consisting of
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ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,320,043.44 and ratification of the issuance
of early checks totaling $516,813.85.
7. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2021 Building Report.
8. Huntington Park Police Department Jail Division Agreement for Inmate Housing
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Inmate
Housing Agreement, in substantially the same form as submitted, for housing of pre-
arraignment arrestees for a total amount not to exceed $225,000 ($75,000 per year), for a
three-year term.
9. Public Works Street Operations Division Vehicle Purchase
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order to Quinn
Company for one new Caterpillar Inc. Model: 420 Backhoe Loader for a total amount not
to exceed $145,130.18.
The following items were pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
4. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1276 - Amendment to Vernon Municipal Code
Chapter 22 to Regulate Sidewalk Vendors
Recommendation: Waive full reading and conduct second reading of Ordinance No. 1276
adding Article X to Chapter 22 of the Municipal Code regulating sidewalk vending.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Council Member Larios requested amendment considerations relative to providing a
warning notice for first violations, more flexible hours for residential and school locations,
liability insurance, and background checks.
By consensus, the Council tabled second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1276 adding
Article X to Chapter 22 of the Municipal Code regulating sidewalk vending and provided direction
to staff to bring back the ordinance for further discussion and reintroduction and first reading.
5. Results of the City of Vernon September 14, 2021 Special Municipal Election
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-28 reciting the facts of the Special
Municipal Election held on September 14, 2021, declaring the results and such other
matters as provided by law.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
Marisa Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the election results and
commended City Clerk Pope and staff for their efforts in conducting three elections in one
year.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2021-28 reciting the facts of the Special Municipal Election held on
September 14, 2021, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law. The
question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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NEW BUSINESS
10. Purchase Contract for City Contract No. CS-1388: Phase I Environmental Report
and Soils Report at 4528 and 4530 Bandini Boulevard
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. Approve and authorize the
issuance of a Purchase Contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. for the Phase I Environmental Report
and Soils Report at 4528 and 4530 Bandini Boulevard for a total amount of $28,540; and
C. Authorize a contingency of $21,000 in the event that further soil sampling, testing and
analysis is necessary, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders
for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Larios 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. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase
Contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. for the Phase I Environmental Report and Soils Report at
4528 and 4530 Bandini Boulevard for a total amount of $28,540; and C. Authorize a
contingency of $21,000 in the event that further soil sampling, testing and analysis is
necessary, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an
amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
Executive Assistant to the City Administrator Hernandez reported on recent police
activities, Blood Drive, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Halloween Spooktacular, and
efforts to restore power due to a sudden storm and lightning strikes.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:52 a.m.
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CLOSED SESSION
11. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: Malburg Generating Station, 2715 East 50th Street, Vernon, California
Agency negotiator: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Negotiating parties: Bicent (California) Malburg LLC
Under negotiation: Consideration of Price and Terms of Payment
12. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC719460
RECONVENE
At 9:44 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Moussa 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 9:45 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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