20220714 Business and Industry Commission Minutes (Special)MINUTES
VERNON BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022
REMOTE LOCATION VIA ZOOM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cline called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Chair Cline led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Jack Cline, Chair (via remote access)
Cathy Browne, Commissioner (via remote access)
Thomas Condon, Commissioner (via remote access)
Hector Morfin, Commissioner (via remote access)
Crystal Larios, Commissioner (via remote access)
Duncan Sachdeva, Commissioner (via remote access)
Douglas Williams, Commissioner (via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator (via remote access)
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk (via remote access)
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator (via remote access)
Robert Sousa, Police Chief (via remote access)
Scott Williams, Finance Director (via remote access)
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Commissioner Larios moved and Commissioner Sachdeva seconded a motion to
approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6AFCBD72-9113-40C2-8AA1-694DB14064DC
Special Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
July 14, 2022
PRESENTATIONS
1. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Commissioner Sachdeva moved and Chair Cline seconded a motion to appoint Duncan
Sachdeva to serve as Chair for the term ending June 30, 2023. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Commissioner Morfin moved and Commissioner Condon seconded a motion to appoint
Hector Morfin to serve as Vice Chair for the term ending June 30, 2023. The question
was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Chair Sachdeva requested Commissioner Cline continue chairing the meeting.
2. Public Safety Special Parcel Tax (Continued from May 12, 2022)
City Administrator Fandino, Finance Director Williams, and Chief Sousa presented the
staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Finance Director Williams, Chief Sousa, and
City Administrator Fandino explained the population comparisons; proposed extension
through 2028; and warehouse parcel tax.
MOTION
Commissioner Williams moved and Commissioner Condon seconded a motion to
recommend continuation of the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax. The question was
called and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Commissioner Condon moved and Commissioner Larios seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following item:
3. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the May 12, 2022 Regular Business and Industry
Commission meeting minutes.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6AFCBD72-9113-40C2-8AA1-694DB14064DC
Special Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
July 14, 2022
NEW BUSINESS
4. Warehouse Regulation
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Commission questions, Public Works Director Wall discussed the
proposed moratorium sunset; parcels impacted by the moratorium; building expansion
and lot mergers; exclusion of cold storage; electrification of truck fleets; and criteria for
development agreements.
John Sandberg suggested that manufacturing created more truck traffic. He asked
about the Fontana Construction and why warehouses had lower property taxes.
Steve Freed asked if permitted uses related only to new warehouses or if it also
included existing warehouses.
Eric Gustafson requested clarification on whether a development agreement was
triggered by increasing square footage.
Ken Jackson commended staff for its forethought. He reminded staff that electrified
trucks need to be charged and Vernon could become a hub.
Jose Cornejo, NAIOP SoCal, expressed concern with the moratorium and development
agreement requirements because it did not allow predictability. He stated the
moratorium would create problems for already struggling supply chain issues.
Jimmy Andreoli II, Baker Commodities, indicated concerns about the moratorium and
requested the City move quickly to determine the outcome. He agreed with concerns
about predictability.
City Administrator Fandino stated the City was and would continue to be business
friendly. He confirmed the City understood concerns about uncertainty and
Administration was committed to serve the public and work with the community.
Public Works Wall explained trigger with 25% expansion of square footage; air pollution
and trucking levels; State control; consultant for environmental analysis; and time to
market.
Commissioner Cline suggested a working group to establish targeted criteria to add
clarity and predictability.
Heather Crossner, Bridge Industrial, asked about preparation of environmental review.
Public Works Director Wall explained the process.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6AFCBD72-9113-40C2-8AA1-694DB14064DC
Special Business and Industry Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
July 14, 2022
RECESS
Commissioner Cline called a recess at 5:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 5:46 p.m.
with all Commissioners present via remote access.
Public Works Director Wall emphasized the City’s goal to be business friendly. He
explained efforts to ensure development did not trigger issues with the State and made
sense for the business community. City Administrator Fandino stated staff would
ensure time to market was the fastest of any City.
MOTION
Commissioner Williams moved and Vice Chair Morfin seconded a motion to
recommend that the City Council adopt changes to Chapter 17 of the Vernon Municipal
Code implementing the regulation of future warehouse development by Development
Agreement and including cargo container storage and cargo container parking in the
definition of “Truck terminal.” The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Commissioner Cline adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
________________________
DUNCAN SACHDEVA, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
LISA POPE, Secretary
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6AFCBD72-9113-40C2-8AA1-694DB14064DC