20211116 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 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 (via remote access)
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Angela Kimmey, Acting Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, 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
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jacob Melamed, LASpec, thanked staff for resolving a dangerous situation on the Union
Pacific abandoned railroad behind his business. He requested additional security patrols
and flexibility in the planning process to make improvements to their business.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards for October 2021
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl presented City pins to Jessica A. Balandran, Utilities
Compliance Analyst; Jonathan D. Gonzales, Senior Water Maintenance Worker; and
Mayor Ybarra presented a City pin to Michael A. Earl, Director of Human Resources.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Michelle J. Sapak, Senior Account Clerk;
Willie A. Carram, Utilities Dispatcher as recipients of the Employee Service Pin Awards
for October 2021.
2. Recognition of Retired Employee - Jerry R. Chavez, Jr.
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retired safety employee
Jerry R. Chavez, Jr., in recognition of his years of service to the City of Vernon.
1. Proclamation - Jerry R. Chavez, Jr.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:09 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
3. 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
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES
OR FACILITIES
Government Code Section 54957(a)
Consultation with: Vernon Police Department, Chief of Police
RECONVENE
At 9:40 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council met in Closed Session, discussed
the items on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
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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.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 2, 2021 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 77, for the period of
October 17 through October 30, 2021, totaling $13,519,495.21 and consisting of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $13,025,475.89 and ratification of the issuance
of early checks totaling $494,019.32.
7. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 785, for the period of
October 1 through October 31, 2021, totaling $2,389,866.59 and consisting of ratification
of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,572,709.14 and ratification of checks and
electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $817,157.45 paid
through operating bank account.
8. April 12, 2022 General Municipal Election
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-38 calling and giving notice of an all-
mail ballot General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, for the
election of a City Council Member as required by the provisions of the Charter of the City
of Vernon; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-39 requesting the Board of Supervisors of
the County of Los Angeles to render specified services to the City relating to t he conduct
of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
9. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2021 Fire Department Activity Report.
10. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2021 Police Department Activity Report
11. Police Radio Equipment Purchase
Recommendation: Authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Motorola Solutions Inc.,
in an amount not to exceed $88,820.09 for the purchase of nine (9) Motorola APX 8500
All-Band P25 Mobile Police Unit Radios and one (1) Motorola P25 KVL 5000 Encryption
Key Loader.
12. Arbor Day Proclamation and Application for Tree City USA 2021
Recommendation: A. Proclaim November 16, 2021 as Arbor Day in the City of Vernon;
and B. Authorize the Public Works Department to submit an application to the Arbor Day
Foundation for Vernon to be Certified a Tree City USA for 2021.
13. Conduct of Meetings via Teleconference Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361
Recommendation: Ratify the findings in Resolution No. 2021-36 authorizing continued
conduct of City Council and all other City legislative body meetings via teleconference, in
accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361), due to continued public health and safety
concerns caused by COVID-19.
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14. Declaration of a Phase I Water Supply Shortage
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15307,
because the action is being carried out by a regulatory agency as authorized by the
California Governor’s October 19, 2021 Drought State of Emergency Proclamation to
assure the maintenance, restoration or enhancement of water resources; and B. Adopt
Resolution No. 2021-40 declaring a Phase I Water Supply Shortage pursuant to Section
25.013 of the Vernon Municipal Code and repealing Resolution No. 2017-19.
NEW BUSINESS
15. Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Malburg Generating Station and
Related Assets
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guideli nes §
15601(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant
effect on the environment, and § 15301 because the City’s acquisition of the Malburg
Generating Station (MGS) facilities and property involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-41 authorizing and approving a
Purchase and Sale Agreement with respect to the Malburg Generating Station and related
assets; approving other documents in connection with such acquisition; and authorizing
certain other matters relating thereto.
Acting Deputy City Administrator Kimmey, Finance Director Williams, Interim City
Attorney Mousa, and Doug Brown, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth presented the staff
report, noting the supplemental agenda report depicting modifications to the Purchase and
Sale Agreement.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to: A. Find
that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15601(b)(3), the general rule
that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment,
and § 15301 because the City’s acquisition of the Malburg Generating Station (MGS)
facilities and property involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Adopt
Resolution No. 2021-41 authorizing and approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement with
respect to the Malburg Generating Station and related assets; approving other documents
in connection with such acquisition; and authorizing certain other matters relating thereto.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan
Recommendation: A. Approve new or revised job descriptions for Assistant General
Manager - Generation and Operations; Control Room Operator; Control Room Operator,
Senior; Field Operator; Human Resources Analyst (revised), Instrument and Controls
Technician; Maintenance Manager; Material Control Administrator; Mechanic/Welder;
Mechanic/Welder, Lead; Operations Manager; Plant Electrician; Plant Engineer; Senior
Human Resources Analyst (revised); Site Safety Administrator/Control Room Operator;
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and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-42 amending Exhibit A of the Classification and
Compensation Plan, adopted by Resolution No. 2021-36, as amended by Resolution Nos.
2021-27 and 2021-37, approving new or revised salary ranges for the above referenced
classifications.
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report, noting modifications to the
resolution.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to: A.
Approve new or revised job descriptions for Assistant General Manager - Generation and
Operations; Control Room Operator; Control Room Operator, Senior; Field Operator;
Human Resources Analyst (revised), Instrument and Controls Technician; Maintenance
Manager; Material Control Administrator; Mechanic/Welder; Mechanic/Welder, Lead;
Operations Manager; Plant Electrician; Plant Engineer; Senior Human Resources Analyst
(revised); Site Safety Administrator/Control Room Operator; and B. Adopt Resolution No.
2021-42 amending Exhibit A of the Classification and Compensation Plan, adopted by
Resolution No. 2021-36, as amended by Resolution Nos. 2021-27 and 2021-37, approving
new or revised salary ranges for the above referenced classifications. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
Acting Deputy City Administrator Kimmey announced Supervisor Solis’ Operation
Gobble Gobble on November 20, 2021 and indicated the City would be providing
approximately 1,000 turkeys for the local distribution event in Commerce. She wished
everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
Mayor Ybarra thanked staff for its work on the Los Angeles County Economic
Development Corporation EDDY Award.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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