20230221 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023
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
Crystal Larios, Mayor Pro Tem
Judith Merlo, Council Member
Melissa Ybarra, 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, 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 unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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February 21, 2023
PRESENTATIONS
2. Employee Service Pin Awards for January 2023
Human Resources Director Earl announced the recipients of the Employee Service
Pin Awards for January 2023.
1. Proclamation Recognizing Retired City Council Member - William (Bill) Davis
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation and Council recognized retired Council
Member – William (Bill) Davis for his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
The Offices of State Senator Maria Elena Durazo; Assemblymember Miguel
Santiago, Congressperson Robert Garcia, and City of Maywood Mayor Frank
Garcia recognized Bill Davis.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting at 9:17 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:23
a.m.
3. Presentation on Opportunities for Clean Hydrogen
General Manager of Public Utilities Dusenberry and Peter Hervish, Port Canaveral,
presented the item.
City Administrator Fandino stated he had tasked the Utility to investigate potential
uses of hydrogen.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Larios indicated she would abstain from Item No. 11 due to her
current residence.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously, Mayor Pro Tem Larios abstaining from Item No. 11.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
4. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the February 7, 2023 Regular City Council meeting
minutes.
5. Claim Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by James Brian Talbert in
the amount of $500.74.
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February 21, 2023
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 103, for the
period of January 22 through February 4, 2023, totaling $19,105,820.47 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $18,691,588.57 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $414,231.90.
7. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 800, for the period
of January 1 through January 31, 2023, totaling $2,718,437.19 and consisting of
ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,787,382.71 and
ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related
disbursements totaling $931,054.48 paid through operating bank account.
8. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the December 2022 Fire Department Activity
Report.
9. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the December 2022 Police Department Activity
Report.
10. Supplemental to National Auto Fleet Multiple Vehicle Purchase
Recommendation: Authorize a Supplemental to Purchase Order No. 230099 with
National Auto Fleet Group for a total amount not-to-exceed $27,342 to cover the
full payment of four new Ford F-150 Lighting Pro 4WD SuperCrew Work Trucks.
11. Payments to Mega Renovation Inc. (Mega)
Recommendation: A. Approve payment to Mega for the remodel work completed
at 3361 Fruitland Avenue for an amount not-to-exceed $18,034.85; B. Approve
payment to Mega for the remodel work completed at 4324 Furlong Place for an
amount not-to-exceed $69,208.10; and C. Approve payment to Mega for the
remodel work completed at 3357 Fruitland Avenue for an amount not-to-exceed
$17,400.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the Wellness Equity Alliance outreach
seeking input on community health needs; Vernon Sustainability Plan survey;
Derby Dolls Fundraising event; Bulky Item Pickup on March 6; Annual Spring event
on March 23; and Vernon Job Fair on April 6, 2023.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:47 a.m.
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February 21, 2023
CLOSED SESSION
14. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (2)
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Alan Barahona vs. City of Vernon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22LBCV00926
Douglas Castellanos, Julian Holloman vs. City of Vernon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 21STCV05456
RECONVENE
At 10:02 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular
meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the
item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:02 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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