20220419 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:03 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 (via remote access)
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Todd Dusenberry, Assistant Public Utilities General Manager
Manuel Garcia, Deputy Director of Public Works
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Merlo moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis 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. Results of the City of Vernon April 12, 2022 General Municipal Election
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-09 reciting the facts of the General
Municipal Election held on April 12, 2022, declaring the results and such other
matters as provided by law.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2022-09 reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election
held on April 12, 2022, declaring the results and such other matters as provided
by law. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
City Clerk Pope administered the oath of office to Melissa Ybarra.
Council Member Ybarra thanked the community and her family for supporting her
reelection.
The City Council reorganized with Leticia Lopez as Mayor and Crystal Larios as
Mayor Pro Tem.
2. Employee Service Pin Awards for March 2022
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Charles B. Montoya, Metering
Technician, Senior; Luis T. Vasquez, Police Officer; Jorrie V. Estrada, Senior
Electrical Test Technician; Todd W. Dusenberry, Assistant General Manager of
Public Utilities; and Jeff A. Fraga, Gas Systems Technician as the Employee
Service Pin Awards recipients for March 2022.
3. Proclamation Recognizing Retiring Employee - Charles B. Montoya
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring employee
Charles B. Montoya, Metering Technician, Senior in recognition of his dedicated
service to the City of Vernon.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Charles B. Montoya on his
retirement.
4. DMV/Donate Life California Month
Recommendation: Present a proclamation acknowledging the month of April 2022
as "DMV/Donate Life California Month".
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation and Council Member Ybarra presented the
proclamation acknowledging the month of April 2022 as "DMV/Donate Life
California Month" to Johnny Lemucchi, OneLegacy Ambassador.
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Mr. Lemucchi, OneLegacy Ambassador, thanked the Council for its recognition
and discussed his experience with organ donation.
5. Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Workshop
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, City Administrator Fandino, Finance Director
Williams and Deputy Director of Public Works Garcia discussed deferred street
maintenance and potential grant funds; and the City’s sunsetting taxes.
Susie Ybarra asked if the taxes would go back to the voters for renewal and
discussed the need for additional public safety resources.
Chief Sousa discussed Police Department staffing.
Mayor Lopez left the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Ybarra requested Item No. 19 be removed for discussion.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 19. The question
was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Lopez absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
6. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 5, 2022 Regular City Council meeting
minutes.
7. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Dustin Thomas Phillips
in the amount of $18,000.
8. Amendment to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.250 Emergency
Purchases
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1279
amending Section 3.32.250 of Title 3 Revenue and Finance of the Vernon
Municipal Code regarding emergency purchases.
9. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 790, for the period
of March 1 through March 31, 2022, totaling $2,614,799.17 and consisting of
ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,704,566.00 and
ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related
disbursements totaling $910,233.17 paid through operating bank account.
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10. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 85, for the
period of March 20 through April 2, 2022, totaling $6,280,983.97 and consisting of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $4,559,693.50 and ratification of the
issuance of early checks totaling $1,721,290.47.
11. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2022 Fire Department Activity
Report.
12. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2022 Police Department Activity
Report.
13. Agreement for Assignment of Non-Consumptive Water Use Permit with the
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review because it is an administrative
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment,
and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines
Section 15378; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the
Agreement for Assignment of Non- Consumptive Water Use Permit with the Water
Replenishment District of Southern California, in substantially the same form as
submitted.
14. Proposed Military Equipment Use Policy
Recommendation: Receive and file the draft Vernon Police Department Military
Equipment Policy and direct staff to schedule a public hearing for the June 7, 2022
Regular City Council meeting to consider the proposed policy.
15. Police Department Vehicle Purchase
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a purchase order to
National Auto Fleet Group for a 2022 Ford Ranger through the Sourcewell Master
Vehicle Contract (091521-NAF) for approximately $39,000 to replace one patrol
vehicle in the Police Department Fleet.
16. Sale of Surplus Vernon Public Utilities Vehicle to Petrelli Electric, Inc.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the
Purchase and Sale Agreement with Petrelli Electric, Inc. (Petrelli Electric), in
substantially the same form as submitted, for the sale of one (1) Ford E450 Super
Duty Van.
17. Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. CS-1349 with EBS General Engineering
Inc., and Notice of Completion for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Improvements at the Intersection of Pacific Boulevard / Vernon Avenue and
Santa Fe Avenue
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under
the California Environmentally Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), part (c) (existing highways, streets
and sidewalks), because the project consists of the maintenance, repair, or minor
alteration of existing streets for ADA improvements and involves no expansion of
an existing use; B. Approve and Authorize the City Administrator to execute
Change Order No.1 in the amount of $18,329.15 for unexpected changed
conditions in the ADA Improvements at the Intersection of Pacific Blvd. / Vernon
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Ave. and Santa Fe Ave. Project (CS-1349); C. Accept the work of EBS General
Engineering Inc. as related to City Contract No. CS-1349; and D. Authorize the
Director of Public Works to execute and submit the Notice of Completion for the
project to the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office.
18. Blanket Purchase Contract with Cormetech, Inc.
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 an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; and B. Authorize issuance of a blanket Purchase Contract in an
amount not-to-exceed $200,000 with Cormetech, Inc., for labor and materials to
replace the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst needed at the Malburg
Generating Station (MGS) during the MGS Spring 2022 Outage.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
19. rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC Request to Consider Items Regarding
Electrical Consumption Hurdles
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to grant the
request from rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC (Customer) to consider that the
January 2022 Consumption Hurdle target has been achieved; and B. Approve and
authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from rPlanet Earth Los
Angeles, LLC (Customer) to waive the third hurdle target of 8 megawatts (MW)
and to release the final deposit of $416,667 once the third electrical consumption
hurdle of 8MW is met.
City Administrator Fandino and Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained
the hurdle targets.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to:
A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from rPlanet
Earth Los Angeles, LLC (Customer) to consider that the January 2022
Consumption Hurdle target has been achieved; and B. Approve and authorize the
City Administrator to grant the request from rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC
(Customer) to waive the third hurdle target of 8 megawatts (MW) and to release
the final deposit of $416,667 once the third electrical consumption hurdle of 8MW
is met. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Lopez absent.
NEW BUSINESS
20. Updated Official Statement for City of Vernon Electric System Revenue
Bonds, 2022 Series A
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-10 authorizing and approving an
updated Official Statement for certain Electric System Revenue Bonds; and
authorizing certain other matters relating thereto.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
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MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2022-10 authorizing and approving an updated Official
Statement for certain Electric System Revenue Bonds; and authorizing certain
other matters relating thereto. The question was called and the motion carried 4-
0, Mayor Lopez absent.
21. Single-Use Foodware Accessories and Standard Condiments
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section
15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a
significant effect on the environment; and CEQA Guidelines Section 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. 1280 adding Chapter 8.15 to Title 8 Health and Safety to the Vernon
Municipal Code regulating single-use foodware accessories and standard
condiments; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for the
May 3, 2022 City Council meeting.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report
In response to Council questions, Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin
discussed fines and education.
MOTION
Council Member Merlo moved and Council Member Ybarra seconded a motion to:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3),
the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant
effect on the environment; and CEQA Guidelines Section 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. 1280
adding Chapter 8.15 to Title 8 Health and Safety to the Vernon Municipal Code
regulating single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments; and C.
Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for the May 3, 2022 City
Council meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Lopez
absent.
22. Purchase Contract with Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI)
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 an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; B. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct
award of a purchase contract to Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI), without a
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competitive selection process pursuant to Section 3.32.110(B)(2) of the Vernon
Municipal Code (VMC); C. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Contract in an
amount not-to-exceed $313,836 with PCI for scaffolding and insulation services
needed at the Malburg Generation Station (MGS) during the Malburg Spring 2022
Outage (Spring Outage); and D. Authorize the City Administrator to execute
Attachment A – Amendment to Purchase Order/Contract (Services) between the
City of Vernon and PCI and related proposal for scaffolding and insulation services,
as incorporated in the Amendment, in substantially the same form as submitted.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis 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
Section 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. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award
of a purchase contract to Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI), without a
competitive selection process pursuant to Section 3.32.110(B)(2) of the Vernon
Municipal Code (VMC); C. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Contract in an
amount not-to-exceed $313,836 with PCI for scaffolding and insulation services
needed at the Malburg Generation Station (MGS) during the Malburg Spring 2022
Outage (Spring Outage); and D. Authorize the City Administrator to execute
Attachment A – Amendment to Purchase Order/Contract (Services) between the
City of Vernon and PCI and related proposal for scaffolding and insulation services,
as incorporated in the Amendment, in substantially the same form as submitted.
The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Lopez absent.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino provided an update on odor concerns attributed to
rendering facilities; Dodgers Dreamfield Unveiling on April 30, at 10 a.m.; Autism
Awareness and Acceptance month; and announced Vernon Clean Up Day on May
7 and Vernon Business Breakfast on May 11, 2022.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
Council Member Ybarra congratulated the Vernon Police Department, San Gabriel
Police Department and Pasadena City College on winning the Baker to Vegas
Run.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Larios adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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