20220906 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor (via remote access)
Crystal Larios, Mayor Pro Tem
Judith Merlo, Council Member
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
ABSENT:
William Davis, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, 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, Acting Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Larios seconded a motion to
approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council
Member Davis absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
September 6, 2022
PRESENTATIONS
1. Draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan - Public Review
Recommendation: Receive presentation on the draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
City Clerk Pope and Aaron Pfannenstiel, Atlas Planning Solutions, AICP,
presented the report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Merlo moved and Mayor Pro Tem Larios seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4-
0, Council Member Davis absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the August 16, 2022 Regular City Council meeting
minutes.
3. 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.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 93, for the
period of July 31 through August 13, 202 2, totaling $4,065,091.84 and consisting
of ratification of electronic payments totaling $3,585,565.02 and ratification of the
issuance of early checks totaling $479,526.82.
5. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2022 Building Report.
6. Supplemental to Blanket Purchase Contract LP-0723 with Siemens Energy,
Inc.
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. This action receives and files an update to
the City’s plan for the implementation of preventative strategies and mitigation
measures to minimize the risk of wildfires caused by electrical lines and equipment;
this action does not authorize any construction activity or any disturbance of an
environmental resource, and has no potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment; and B. Approve the Vernon Public Utilities 2022 Wildfire Mitigation
Plan.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
September 6, 2022
7. Ratification of Police Department Vehicle Purchase from National Auto Fleet
Group
Recommendation: Ratify the City Administrator's approval to purchase a Police
Department Vehicle (2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle) from National
Auto Fleet Group for a total not to exceed $63,000.
8. Report on Purchases Secured by the City Administrator for the Spring 2022
Malburg Generating Station (MGS) Outage
Recommendation: Receive and file.
9. Report on Emergency Purchase Secured by the City Administrator
Recommendation: Receive and file.
NEW BUSINESS
10. 2022 League of California Cities Bylaws Amendments
Recommendation: Provide direction to the City's voting delegate and alternate for
action on the proposed League of California Cities bylaws amendments.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Larios seconded a motion to
direct the delegate and alternate to vote to approve the bylaws amendments. The
question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Davis absent.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino discussed the need to conserve electricity and the
State’s emergency load reduction program; announced the League of California
Cities Annual Conference September 7 – 9, 2022, New Business Welcome on
September 14, 2022, Career Day on October 5, 2022, and Halloween
Spooktacular on October 27, 2022.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:19 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
11. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
September 6, 2022
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC719460
RECONVENE
At 9:33 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council met in Closed Session, discussed
the item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 9:33 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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