20230321 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. She indicated that, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54953(f), with a quorum of the City Council present in the
Council Chamber at City Hall, she would be participating remotely under the just cause
provision due to the need to care for her children during the LAUSD strike; that there was
no one over 18 years of age in the room with her at her remote location; and that she was
participating via Zoom webinar with both audio and video capabilities.
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
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
Veronica Petrosyan, Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control
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.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Sales and Property Tax Revenue Update
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Finance Director Williams explained the City’s
share of transportation taxes.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the March 7, 2023 Regular City Council meeting
minutes.
3. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Alexandra Alvarado
in the amount of $1,032.92; and Juan Negrete in the amount of $1,500.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 105, for the
period of February 19 through March 4, 2023, totaling $8,371,570.19 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,748,338.11 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $1,623,232.08.
5. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 801, for the period
of February 1 through February 28, 2023, totaling $3,225,137.42 and consisting of
ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,218,722.97 and
ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related
disbursements totaling $1,006,414.45 paid through operating bank account.
6. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2023 Fire Department Activity
Report.
7. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2023 Police Department Activity
Report.
8. Quarterly City Housing Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2023 Quarterly City Housing Report.
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9. Agreement with the State of California High Speed Rail Authority for the High
Speed Rail Project
Recommendation: A. Find that approving the Standard Agreement is categorically
exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance
with CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 because the project only involves feasibility
or planning studies for possible future actions which the City has not approved,
adopted, or funded; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-02 approving and
authorizing the execution of Standard Agreement No. HSR22-34 by and between
the City of Vernon and the State of California High Speed Rail Authority for the
High Speed Rail Project.
10. Change Order No. 18 to Amended and Restated Services Agreement with
Siemens Energy, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a government
fiscal 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; to the extent the Services Agreement with Siemens
Energy provides for facility and equipment maintenance or repairs, such work is
categorically exempt from CEQA review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor
alteration of existing structures, facilities, or equipment, and involves negligible or
no expansion of an existing use; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator
to execute Change Order No. 18 to the Amended and Restated Services
Agreement with Siemens Energy, Inc. (Siemens Energy), in substantially the same
form as submitted, to perform an L4 generator inspection and maintenance
overhaul on the combustion turbine generators and post outage Life Expectancy
Analysis Program testing; and C. Authorize a contingency amount of $45,000 in
the event of unforeseen changes in the project and grant authority to the City
Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency
amount, if necessary.
11. Labor and Materials Contract with Fujitsu Network Communication, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines § 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or
minor alteration of existing equipment and involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Labor and Materials Contract with Fujitsu Network Communication, Inc. (Fujitsu),
in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not-to-exceed
$652,765.97, to upgrade the existing fiber optic network system and perform
network migration services; and C. Authorize a contingency amount of $65,000 for
estimated taxes and freight costs and grant authority to the City Administrator to
issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
12. Professional Services Agreement with RAMCO General Engineering
Contractors and Mega Renovation, Inc. for On-Call General Contractor and
Minor Construction Services
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt under
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
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Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair
and minor alteration of existing facilities and involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Professional Services Agreement with RAMCO General Engineering Contractors,
in substantially the same form as submitted, for a three-year term in an amount
not-to-exceed $350,000 for on-call general contractor and minor construction
services; and C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Professional Services Agreement with Mega Renovation, Inc., in substantially the
same form as submitted, for a three-year term in an amount not-to-exceed
$350,000 for on-call general contractor and minor construction services.
13. Rejection of Bids Received for North Parking Security Fencing Project
Recommendation: Reject all bids for “North Parking Security Fencing,” a Notice
Inviting Bids to furnish and install security fencing for the North City Hall parking
structure, due to costs of bids received exceeding the Engineer’s Estimate by a
significant amount.
14. Contracts Approved by City Administrator
Recommendation: Receive and file the report on contracts approved by the City
Administrator pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.110(B)(3).
15. Shared Services Agreement with Northern California Power Agency,
Southern California Public Power Authority, and Ascend Analytics, LLC
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the General Manager of Public Utilities
to execute the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) Confirmation No. 0282
(Agreement) among the City of Vernon, Southern California Public Power Authority
(SCPPA), and Ascend Analytics, LLC (Ascend), for services related to the
development of an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for a total amount not-to-
exceed $374,245 through June 14, 2024.
NEW BUSINESS
16. Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-03 approving, authorizing and
directing the execution of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement relating to
membership in the Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust (GCAHT).
City Administrator Fandino presented the staff report.
Affordable Housing Consultant Adam B. Eliason explained the Affordable Housing
Trust.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Eliason clarified that it was a new trust and
explained his role and experience.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Larios moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2023-03 approving, authorizing and directing the execution of the
Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement relating to membership in the Gateway Cities
Affordable Housing Trust (GCAHT). The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
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ORAL REPORTS
17. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced possible protest at Vernon Elementary due
to LAUSD strike. Chief Sousa discussed the Police Department’s safety plan.
City Administrator Fandino announced the 2023 Vernon CommUNITY Fund
scholarship application deadline of March 30, 2023; Spring Event on March 23,
2023, 5-7 p.m.; and Job Fair on April 6, 2023.
18. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 9:39 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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