20210518 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Davis seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Norm Geiser submitted an email regarding retaining the current trash hauler practices.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards for April 2021
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Oscar E. Zozaya, Police Officer; Jesse L.
Blue, Electric Operator; Jared B. Dacey, Utilities Dispatcher; John Lau, Accountant;
Matthew W. Lai, Information Technology Analyst; Leticia Lopez, Council Member, as
recipients of the Employee Service Pin Awards for April 2021.
2. Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Budget Study Session (Continued from May 4, 2021)
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Finance Director Williams presented a PowerPoint outlining the proposed Fiscal Year
2021-2022 Budget.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Ybarra pulled Item No. 8.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 8. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the May 4, 2021 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 67, for the period of
April 18 through May 1, 2021, totaling $9,916,004.94 and consisting of ratification of
electronic payments totaling $9,777,390.46 and ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $138,614.48.
5. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 779, for the period of April
1 through April 30, 2021, totaling $2,289,609.53 and consisting of ratification of direct
deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,475,204.74 and ratification of checks and electronic
fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $814,404.79 paid through
operating bank account.
6. Fire Department Activity Reports
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2021 and March 2021 Reports.
7. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2021 Report.
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9. Vernon Public Utilities 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan
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. 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. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-12
approving Vernon Public Utilities 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and repealing Resolution
No. 2020-02.
10. Regulation of Commercial Cannabis Businesses in the City of Vernon Update
Recommendation: Receive and file an update from the City Attorney’s Office regarding
regulation of commercial cannabis businesses; or provide further direction to the City
Attorney’s Office and/or City staff, if any.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
8. Recall Petition Acceptance and Call of Special Election
Recommendation: A. Receive Certificates of Sufficiency on the petitions to recall Council
Members William Davis and Melissa Ybarra; B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-10 calling
and giving notice of an all-mail ballot Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday,
September 14, 2021, for the submission of the question of the recall of William Davis and
Melissa Ybarra and the election of two City Council Members to fill the vacancy if the
recalls prevail; and C. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-11 requesting the Board of Supervisors
of the County of Los Angeles to render specified services to the City relating the conduct
of a Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
Mayor Ybarra expressed her disappointment that the matter was on the agenda.
MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to A. Receive
Certificates of Sufficiency on the petitions to recall Council Members William Davis and
Melissa Ybarra; B. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-10 calling and giving notice of an all-mail
ballot Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, for the
submission of the question of the recall of William Davis and Melissa Ybarra and the
election of two City Council Members to fill the vacancy if the recalls prevail; and C.
Adopt Resolution No. 2021-11 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los
Angeles to render specified services to the City relating the conduct of a Special Municipal
Election to be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Council Member Lopez stated the signatures were obtained under false pretenses, but she
would vote yes.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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NEW BUSINESS
11. City Council Outside Appointments to Outside Agencies
Recommendation: Affirm or modify appointments of representatives and/or alternates to
the California Contract Cities Association; Central Basin Water Association; County
Sanitation District #1; County Sanitation District #2; Gateway Cities Council of
Governments; Independent Cities Association; Independent Cities Finance Authority;
Southern California Association of Governments; and Vernon Solid Waste Hearing Panel.
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to
affirm existing appointments of representatives and/or alternates as follows:
Board/Agency Delegate/Alternate
California Contract Cities Association Mayor Pro Tem Davis/Mayor Ybarra
Central Basin Water Association Council Member Menke/ Mayor Pro Tem Davis
County Sanitation District #1 Mayor Ybarra, Alternate Davis
County Sanitation District #2 Mayor Ybarra, Alternate Davis
Gateway Cities Council of Governments Delegate Davis, Alternate Ybarra;
Independent Cities Association Delegate Davis, Alternate Ybarra;
Independent Cities Finance Authority Delegate Lopez, Alternate Gonzales;
So. Cal. Association of Governments Delegate Menke, Alternate Davis; and
Vernon Solid Waste Hearing Panel Delegates Ybarra, Lopez and Menke.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Professional Services Agreement with Port Canaveral Power Consultants, Inc., for
Technical Consulting Services regarding Electrical Generation
Recommendation: A. Find that award of the proposed agreement is in the best interests of
the City and, therefore, exempt from the competitive selection process pursuant to Section
2.17.12 (B)(2) of the Vernon Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Port Canaveral Power
Consultants, Inc. (Port Canaveral), in substantially the same form as submitted, for a three-
year term in an amount not-to-exceed $786,000 effective May 23, 2021, to provide
technical advice and recommendations for all matters involving and related to electrical
generation.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu clarified that
the City had a current contract with Port Canaveral; expertise and intimate knowledge of
the City; anticipated cost of service if bid; and consultant staff. City Administrator
Fandino discussed the unique knowledge of the City’s electrical generation plan and total
cost of the proposed agreement.
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MOTION
Mayor Ybarra moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to continue the
Professional Services Agreement with Port Canaveral Power Consultants, Inc. on a month-
to-month basis, for no more than four months, while a request for proposals is issued. The
question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. Professional Services Agreement with Bell Burnett & Associates (BB&A) for
Financial Advisory Services in Connection with the Potential Purchase of the
Malburg Generation Station (MGS)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional
Services Agreement with Bell Burnett & Associates (BB&A), in substantially the same
form as submitted, effective May 18, 2021, to provide financial advisory services in
connection with the potential acquisition of MGS.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
Marcie Edwards, BB&A, provided her background in public utilities and discussed the
potential purchase of the Malburg Generation Station. In response to Council questions,
Ms. Edwards explained the retainer, success fee, anticipated purchase price, and
negotiation duration.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with
Bell Burnett & Associates (BB&A), in substantially the same form as submitted, effective
May 18, 2021, to provide financial advisory services in connection with the potential
acquisition of MGS. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino provided an update on the COVID-19 outlook, e-waste event
on May 20, 2021; Commission and Committee applications; and upcoming meetings. He
requested adjourning in memory of Anthony Hinojos, Vernon Public Utilities Water
Division employee.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
None.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:49 a.m. in memory of Anthony Hinojos, Vernon Public
Utilities Water Division employee.
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
LISA POPE, City Clerk
seal)
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