20220405 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Vernon Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors and Chief Sousa led the
Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor (via remote access)
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Todd Dusenberry, Assistant Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Merlo 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. Swearing-In Ceremony for New Police Officers in the Police Department
Recommendation: Administer the Oath of Office to Police Officers Alan Escarpe,
Brittany Gonzalez and Melissa Hernandez.
Police Chief Sousa presented the staff report and introduced new Police Officers
Alan Escarpe, Brittany Gonzalez, and Melissa Hernandez.
City Clerk Pope administered the Oath of Office.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra called a recess at 9:15 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:20 a.m.
with all Council Members present.
2. Proclamation Declaring Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day
Recommendation: Proclaim the month of April 2022 as "Sexual Assault
Awareness Month" and Wednesday, April 27, 2022 as "Denim Day" in the City of
Vernon.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation.
3. Proclamation Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Greater Los Angeles
County Vector Control District
Recommendation: Commend and honor the Greater Los Angeles County Vector
Control District on their 70th Anniversary Milestone.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation.
4. City Administrator Report:
• New Business Welcome
• Partnerships to Aid Unhoused Population
• Clean California Grant for Vernon Park
• Utility in Southern California Public Power Association (SCPPA) Newsletter
• Vernon Job Fair
• Community Engagement
Recommendation: No action is required by City Council. This is a presentation
only.
City Administrator Fandino presented the report.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-06 approving and adopting the
General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023.
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Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
Mayor Ybarra opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Ybarra
closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2022-06 approving and adopting the General Fee Schedule
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
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:
6. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the March 15, 2022 Regular City Council meeting
minutes.
7. 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.
8. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Mayra A. Llamas in the
amount of $1,620.
9. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 84, for the
period of February 27 through March 19, 2022, totaling $10,616,891.14 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,706,845.77 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $910,045.37.
10. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2022 Building Report.
11. Recovered Organic Waste Product and Recycled-Content Paper
Procurement Policy
Recommendation: Adopt the Recovered Organic Waste Product and Recycled-
Content Paper Procurement Policy.
12. Agreements with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-07 authorizing the Director of Public
Works to execute all Federal or State Grant Funding Agreements with the State of
California, acting by and through the Department of Transportation.
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13. Electrical Easement at 2340 East 52nd Street - Assessor’s Parcel Number
(APN) 6308-016-025
Recommendation: Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to
execute the Certificate of Acceptance for 2340 East 52nd Street (APN 6308 -016-
025).
14. Services Agreement with YESCO LLC dba YESCO Signs LLC (Contract No.
CS-1425) for Vernon Gateway Arch Project
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under
the California Environmentally Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15303, because the project consists of new construction of
limited small new facilities; and Section 15311, because the project only consists
of construction or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to)
existing commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities; B. Approve and authorize
the City Administrator to execute Services Agreement Contract CS-1425 with
YESCO LLC, dba YESCO Signs LLC in substantially the same form as submitted,
in an amount not-to-exceed $499,364.97 for the City of Vernon Gateway Arch
Project for a three-year term; and C. Authorize a contingency of $75,000 in the
event of an unexpected changed condition in the project and grant authority to the
City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency
amount, if necessary.
15. Vernon Rental Housing Policy
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-08 approving a Vernon Rental
Housing Policy for the Vernon Housing Commission and repealing Resolution No.
2011-175.
16. Construction Contract with Capital Industrial Coatings, LLC for the
Rehabilitation of Reservoirs 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 Project
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair
or minor alteration of existing facilities and equipment and involves negligible or no
expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the bid from Capital Industrial Coatings,
LLC as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and reject all other bids; C.
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Construction Contract
with Capital Industrial Coatings, LLC in substantially the same form as submitted,
in an amount not-to-exceed $2,033,308 for the Rehabilitation of Reservoirs 2-1, 2-
2, and 2-3; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of $200,000 in the event of
unforeseen changes in the project and grant authority to the City Administrator to
issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
17. Payment and Blanket Purchase Contract with ABB, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines § 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; B. Approve payment to ABB, Inc. for Invoice No. 7105433953, in the
amount of $340,716.69 for starting motor drive replacement parts; C. Find that the
best interests of the City are served by a direct award of a purchase contract to
ABB, Inc., without a competitive selection process pursuant to Section 3.32.110
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B.2 of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC); and D. Authorize issuance of a blanket
Purchase Contract in an amount not-to-exceed $92,283.31 with ABB, Inc., subject
to City Attorney’s Office approval of terms and conditions, for the installation of a
starting motor drive and maintenance services needed at Malburg Generating
Station (MGS) for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022.
NEW BUSINESS
18. Amendments to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.250 Emergency
Purchases
Recommendation: A. Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No.
1279 amending Section 3.32.250 of Title 3 Revenue and Finance of the Vernon
Municipal Code regarding emergency purchases; and B. Direct staff to schedule
second reading and adoption for the April 19, 2022 City Council meeting.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Interim City Attorney Moussa and Assistant
Public Utilities General Manager Dusenberry explained the reason for not capping
allowable purchase amounts; potential emergencies; and prudent process for
selecting vendors.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to:
A. Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 1279 amending
Section 3.32.250 of Title 3 Revenue and Finance of the Vernon Municipal Code
regarding emergency purchases; and B. Direct staff to schedule second reading
and adoption for the April 19, 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 provided follow-up information regarding the Bell Shelter
Agreement approved at the March 15, 2022 Council meeting. He announced Easter
Bunny Vernon Elementary Visit on April 7, 2022, National Clean Up Day in May, and
the Summer Kick-Off/Graduation Event in June.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
Council Member Lopez reported on her attendance at the Independent Cities Association
Winter Seminar at a cost of $2,345.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:53 a.m.
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CLOSED SESSION
19. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION –
Significant exposure to litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Number of potential cases: 1
20. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Teresa Rodriguez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCV09515
21. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title: City Attorney
RECONVENE
At 10:49 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 took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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