20231107 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
ABSENT:
Crystal Larios, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, 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
City Clerk Pope indicated that Item Nos, 18 and 19 were not needed since discussion
was completed during the earlier Special City Council meeting.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
approve the agenda with Item Nos. 18 and 19 tabled. The question was called and
the motion carried 3-0, Mayor Larios and Council Member Ybarra absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 3-
0, Mayor Larios and Council Member Ybarra absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
1. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 17, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes.
2. Claims Against City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by State Farm Auto
Insurance Company on behalf of Evette Calderon.
3. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 119, for the
period of September 17 through September 30, 2023, totaling $9,190,973.66 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,024,589.22 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $166,384.44.
4. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement
Account Warrant Register No. 67, for the period of July 9 through September 30,
2023, and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $1,000.
5. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2023 Building Report.
6. Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant
Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator, Police Chief, and
Police Sergeant to execute a Professional Services Agreement with the Office of
Traffic Safety, in substantially the same form as submitted, for participation in
STEP for a one-year term, with an effective date of October 1, 2023.
7. Quarterly Report of Cash and Investments
Recommendation: Receive and file the Cash and Investments Report for the
quarter ended September 30, 2023.
8. Services Agreement with Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 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. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct
award of an agreement with Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. without a
competitive selection process pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section
3.32.110 (B)(2); and C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Services Agreement with Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. in substantially
the same form as submitted, in an amount not to exceed $444,586.80, for a three-
year term for services related to the fiber optics system internet access operations.
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9. Services Agreement with StoneX Financial, Inc. - FCM Division
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Services Agreement with StoneX Financial, Inc. – FCM Division, in substantially
the same form as submitted, to provide energy risk management services for
Vernon Public Utilities in an amount not-to-exceed $180,000.
10. Acceptance of Dedications for Rights of Way or Easements for Public Use
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-25 authorizing the City
Administrator to accept on the City’s behalf dedications for rights of way or
easements for public use.
11. Notice of Completion for Contract No. 20230179 Citywide Striping and
Pavement Markings FY22-23
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301 because the project consists of the maintenance, repair,
or minor alteration of existing structures and involves negligible or no expansion of
an existing use; B. Accept the work of WGJ Enterprises Inc., dba PCI, as related
to City Contract No. 20230179; and C. Authorize the Director of Public Works to
execute and submit the Notice of Completion for the project to the Los Angeles
County Recorder’s Office.
12. Purchase of Police Patrol Vehicle for Police Department
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a purchase contract with
National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of a new police patrol vehicle for a total
amount not-to-exceed $64,000.
13. Master Scope of Work Agreement and Support and Maintenance
Agreement with Advanced Utility Systems, a division of N. Harris Computer
Corporation
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Master Scope of Work Agreement with Advanced Utility Systems, a division of N.
Harris Computer Corporation (Advanced), in substantially the same form as
submitted, to conduct a data conversion and upgrade the existing Infinity Customer
Information System (CIS) billing platform for an amount not-to-exceed $262,000;
B. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $26,200, for updates
and coding development, and unforeseen expenses not included in the proposal,
and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount
up to the contingency amount, if necessary; and C. Approve a Support and
Maintenance Agreement with Advanced, in substantially the same form as
submitted, to provide software support to the Infinity CIS billing system for an
amount not-to-exceed $166,871.02, for a three-year term.
NEW BUSINESS
14. April 9, 2024 General Municipal Election
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
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November 7, 2023
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-26 calling and giving notice of an all-mail ballot
General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, for the election
of a City Council Member as required by the provisions of the Charter of the City
of Vernon and to submit a ballot measure to the voters to establish a transient
occupancy tax; B. If desired, determine authors of arguments and rebuttals; C.
Direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for
preparation of the impartial analysis; and D. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-27
requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles render specified
services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be
held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The question was called and the motion carried 3-
0, Mayor Larios and Council Member Ybarra absent.
15. Administrative Policy Manual – City Gift Policy
City Administrator Fandino presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to:
A. Adopt Administrative Policy Manual Section 1.6 – City Gift Policy; and B.
Authorize the City Administrator to execute and distribute the Policy to all City
officials and employees including Council Members, and Board, Commission and
Committee members. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Mayor
Larios and Council Member Ybarra absent.
ORAL REPORTS
14. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the Fall Harvest event on November 13,
2023; turkey distribution on November 14, 2023; and upcoming events including
Toy Drive, Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
15. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
CLOSED SESSION
The Closed Session items were tabled upon approval of the agenda.
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18. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Whittier, et al. v. Los Angeles Superior Court, et al.
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 23STVP03579
19. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Vernon v. 3M Company (f/k/a Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.), et
al. Master Docket No.: 2:18-mn-2873-RMG
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo adjourned the meeting at 9:13 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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