20231017 City Council MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Larios called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Larios led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Crystal Larios, Mayor
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
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
Ramzi Raufdeen, Public Utilities Integrated Resources Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to
approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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October 17, 2023
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Human Resources Director Earl announced and the City Council recognized the
September 2023 Employee Service Pin Award recipient.
2. City Administrator Report
Deputy City Administrator Kimmey provided information on various topics including
New Business Welcome, Vernon Business Milestones, Health and Wellness
Grants, Update on Clean-Up Efforts, Pink Patch Project, Business Engagement
and Community Events.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Ybarra 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:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 3, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes.
4. Claims Against City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Gabriela Nubia Rojas
Palacios and Jennifer Beas.
5. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 808, for the period
of September 1 through September 30, 2023, totaling $2,989,186.50 and
consisting of ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,979,738.61
and ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related
disbursements totaling $1,009,447.89 paid through operating bank account.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 118, for the
period of September 3 through September 16, 2023, totaling $4,516,762.48 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $4,123,445.19 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $393,317.29.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2023 Fire Department Activity
Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2023 Police Department Activity
Report.
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October 17, 2023
9. Service Level Performance Agreements with USIP Communications, LLC
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Service Level Performance Agreement and issue Change Orders with USIP
Communications, LLC (USIPCOM), in substantially the same form as submitted,
in an amount not-to-exceed $333,252 and up to a 15% contingency of $49,988, to
provide the primary feed for Upstream Internet Access Services for three years;
and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Service Level
Performance Agreement and issue Change Orders with USIPCOM, in
substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not-to-exceed $289,704
and up to a 15% contingency of $43,456, to provide the backup feed for Upstream
Internet Access Services for three years.
10. Lease Agreement with WEA CA, PC (WEA)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Lease Agreement with WEA, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a
one-year term.
11. Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services, LLC to
Perform Technical Design, Controls, Automation and Analytical Services
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 facilities/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 Northwest Electrical Services, LLC without
a competitive selection process pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section
3.32.110(B)(2); C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services LLC, in
substantially the same form as submitted for a three-year term from November 17,
2023, through November 16, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $2,719,903 to
provide technical design, controls, automation, construction, and analytical
services for Vernon Public Utilities Department; and D. Authorize a contingency
amount of five percent (5%), or $135,995.15, for any unforeseen changes in fees
or other 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.
12. Audited Financial Reports
Recommendation: A. Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Financial
Statements; and B. Extend submittal of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Final Audit and
Report to Council to January 16, 2024.
NEW BUSINESS
13. Vernon Public Utilities 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
Public Utilities General Manager Dusenberry and Public Utilities Integrated
Resources Manager Raufdeen presented the staff report.
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October 17, 2023
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion
to: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a continuing administrative
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; B. Approve and adopt the Vernon Public Utilities 2023 IRP; and C.
Authorize the General Manager of Public Utilities to take all necessary actions to
implement the IRP, consistent with California State law mandates, including but
not limited to periodic updates and IRP revisions. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
14. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Deputy City Administrator Kimmey announced that the City would be participating
in the Great California Shake Out on October 19, 2023; and reminded the Council
and community of upcoming events including the Non-Profit Grant Workshop on
October 18, at 10 a.m., Career Day on October 18, at 5:30 p.m., and the Halloween
Spooktacular on October 26, at 5 p.m.
15. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
Mayor Larios discussed her attendance at the Latino Heritage Month celebration
hosted by City of Los Angeles Mayor Bass.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:28 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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