20220118 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022
REMOTE LOCATION VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. in memory of Fire Fighter Jonathan
Flagler.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ybarra led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor (via remote access)
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem (via remote access)
Leticia Lopez, Council Member (via remote access)
Crystal Larios, Council Member (via remote access)
Judith Merlo, Council Member (via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk (via remote access)
Scott Williams, Finance Director (via remote access)
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager (via remote access)
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director (via remote access)
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director (via remote access)
Robert Sousa, Police Chief (via remote access)
Dan Wall, Public Works Director (via remote access)
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Lopez 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. Employee Service Pin Awards for November and December 2021
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Kenneth P. Jackson, Facilities
Maintenance Supervisor; Claudia Arellano, Utilities Program Analyst; Raquel
Franco, Payroll Specialist; Gustavo De Loza, Senior Street Maintenance Worker;
Stephanie M. Johnson, Administrative Secretary; Cynthia P. Cano, Perm it
Technician as recipients of the Employee Service Pin Awards for November and
December 2021.
2. Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Electric Fund Audited Financial Results
Recommendation: A. Receive presentation on audited Electric Fund financial
results for Fiscal Year 2020-2021; and B. Receive and file Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Electric Fund Annual Financial Report.
Finance Director Williams and Bob Callanan, CLA, provided an overview of the
Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Electric Fund Audited Financial Results.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to
receive and file the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Electric Fund Annual Financial Report.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Merlo 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:
3. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 30, 2021 Special, December 7, 2021
Regular, December 15, 2021 Special, and December 22, 2021 Special City
Council meeting minutes.
4. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by David Namvar -
Downey 26, LLC in the amount of $14,000.
5. City Payroll Warrant Registers for November and December 2021
Recommendation: A. Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 786, for the period
of November 1 through November 30, 2021, totaling $2,418,717.17 and consisting
of ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,598,416.20 and
ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related
disbursements totaling $820,300.97 paid through operating bank account; and B.
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Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 787, for the period of December 1
through December 31, 2021, totaling $3,082,091.72 and consisting of ratification
of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,369,386.14 and ratificati on of
checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements
totaling $712,705.58 paid through operating bank account.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 79, for the
period of November 21, 2021 through January 1, 2022, totaling $29,714,705.90
and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $28,491,301.21,
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $1,223,404.69 and voided
Check Nos. 608325, 608551 totaling $378.00.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2021 Fire Department Activity
Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2021 Report.
9. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2021 Building Report.
10. 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.
11. Conflict of Interest Code (Statement of Economic Interests)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-01 establishing a conflict of interest
code for all agencies, boards, commission, committees, designated City personnel
and officials, and repealing Resolution No. 2021 -29.
12. Recodification of City of Vernon Municipal Code
Recommendation: A. Waive full reading, introduce and conduct first reading of
Ordinance No. 1277 adopting the 2021 Recodified and Republished Vernon
Municipal Code; and B. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for
the February 1, 2022 City Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from 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
new regulations, which strengthen requirements for the handling of solid waste,
represent actions by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment; B.
Waive full reading and introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1278
adding Chapter 8.14 to the Vernon Municipal Code to regulate mandatory organic
waste disposal reduction; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and
adoption for the February 1, 2022 City Council meeting.
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Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report .
In response to Council questions, Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin
explained the exemption for small businesses; educational outreach; and grace
period to March 2022, with the opportunity for a waiver if necessary.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from 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 new regulations,
which strengthen requirements for the handling of solid waste, represent actions
by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment; B. Waive full reading
and introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1278 adding Chapter
8.14 to the Vernon Municipal Code to regulate mandatory organic waste disposal
reduction; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for the
February 1, 2022 City Council meeting. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced that the Vernon CommUNITY Fund
Scholarship Program was accepting applications through March 31, 2022 for the
2022 Calendar Year. He announced the services for Firefighter Flagler and
expressed his condolences to the fallen firefighter’s family, friends, loved ones,
and colleagues.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:24 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
14. 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. 21STCP04133
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15. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Daniel Armellini vs. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos. ADJ13084583 and
ADJ13623594
16. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: Interim City Attorney
RECONVENE
At 9:58 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned 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 unanimously approved and authorized
settlement regarding Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos.
ADJ13084583 and ADJ13623594.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:59 a.m.
______________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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