19960917 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF
THE CITY OF VERNON HELD SEPTEMBER 17,
1996 AT 5 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA
FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Malburg, Ybarra, Gonzales, Davis, McCormick
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Malburg.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Minutes of the City Council Meeting held September 3, 1996, be
approved as submitted and adopted. Motion carried.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
the Minutes of the Adjourned Special City Council Meeting held
August 29, 1996, be approved as submitted and adopted. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings held July 30, August
6 and 20, 1996, be approved as submitted and adopted. Motion
carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 12, 1996, was presented, advising that the below
listed employees have qualified in the month of August for a
Perfect Attendance Award. This is awarded to employees on the
basis of a minimum of two (2) years of perfect attendance:
Date of Hire
Employee
Award
08/23/93
09/01/78
08/27/84
OS/27/84
Ana Bedoy, Dispatcher
Robert Kipness, Foreman
William Wilson, Engineering Aide
Manuel Garcia, Chief Water & Power Disp.
3 Year
3 Year
4 Year
10 Year
The Mayor presented awards to the aforementioned
employees and extended congratulations on behalf of the entire
City Council.
The following employees were unable to attend the
meeting and their awards were accepted by their respective
department head.
10/28/81
07/08/91
06/18/90
Melody Rogers, Secretary
David Rumley, Police Officer
Benjamin Potter, Vernon Service Officer
2 Year
2 Year
4 Year
The Mayor called a recess at 5:07 p.m.
The Council reconvened in regular session at 5:09
p.m., all members present before the recess again being present.
Police Department Activity Log for the period
September 1 thru 15, 1996, was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
the Police Department Activity Log for the period September 1
thru 15, 1996, be received and filed. Motion carried.
Fire Department Activity Report for the period
September 1 thru 15, 1996, was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Fire Department Activity Report for the period September 1 thru
15, 1996, be received and filed. Motion carried.
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September 17, 1996
Health Department Report for the month of August,
1996, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the Health Department Report for the month of August, 1996, be
received and filed. Motion carried.
Risk Management Report for the month of August, 1996,
was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that the
Risk Management Report for the month of August, 1996, be received
and filed. Motion carried.
The City Clerk announced that now was the time for
anyone in the audience to address the Council on any matter
listed on the Agenda other than with regard to any Public
Hearings that may be listed.
There was no one in the audience wishing to address
the Council at this time.
Communication from Police Chief Louis Rosenkrantz,
dated August 30, 1996, was presented, requesting authority and
funds for Police Officer Christian Moscoso to attend the Western
States Safe and Burglary Training Seminar in San Francisco,
October 13-17, 1996, with an expense allowance of $785.58.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
authority be granted for Officer Christian Moscoso to attend the
aforementioned seminar with an expense allowance of $785.58.
Communication from Police Chief Louis Rosenkrantz,
dated August 30, 1996, was presented, requesting authority and
funds for Police Officer Robert Osborne to attend the Southern
California Fraud Investigators Training Seminar in Palm Springs,
October 9-11, 1996, with an expense allowance of $630.20.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
authority be granted for Officer Robert Osborne to attend the
aforementioned seminar with an expense allowance of $630.20.
Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 10, 1996, was presented, requesting authority and
funds for Secretary Claudia Gomez to attend the Secretary's
Learning Conference in Anaheim on October 1, 1996 with an expense
allowance of $141.50.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
authority be granted for Claudia Gomez to attend the afore-
mentioned conference with an expense allowance of $141.50.
Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 11, 1996, was presented, requesting authority and
funds for Gloria Orosco, Chief Deputy City Clerk, to attend the
Successful Records Management Seminar in Fullerton, November 7-8,
1996, with an expense allowance of $445.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that
authority be granted for Gloria Orosco to attend the afore-
mentioned seminar with an expense allowance of $445. Motion
carried.
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September 17, 1996
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 12, 1996, was presented, advising that at the
City Council Meeting held August 20, 1996, a Variance regarding
installation of an ammonia diffusion tank was granted to u.S.
Growers Cold Storage. Staff has determined that the "Conditions"
placed on the Variance were overly restrictive and did not allow
for design flexibility. This has been reviewed by the Director
of Community Services, the Fire Chief and the Director of
Environmental Health and it has been determined that a design of
equivalent safety can be accomplished utilizing a single wall
tank; therefore, it is hereby recommended that the Conditions on
the Variance from Sections 1108 and 1109 of the Uniform
Mechanical Code, and Sections 6308 and 6309 of the Uniform Fire
Code (approved on August 20) be replaced with the following
Condition:
The ammonia diffusion tank shall have a
redundant leak detection system approved
by the Directors of Community Services and
Environmental Health.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that the
communication from the City Clerk dated September 12, 1996, be
received and filed, and that the two Conditions on the Variance
previously granted to U. S. Growers Cold Storage (from Sections
1108 and 1109 of the Uniform Mechanical Code, and Sections 6308
and 6309 of the Uniform Fire Code) be replaced with the
aforementioned Condition. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 11, 1996, was presented, advising that Catellus
Development Corporation and Daniel C. Fessenden Company are the
owners of two adjoining parcels of land at 4440 49th Street and
4455 Fruitland Avenue respectively, and have requested an
adjustment of the boundary line which will result in a portion of
land being transferred from the northerly parcel to the southerly
parcel. This has been reviewed by the Director of Community
Services, and it is hereby recommended that the Lot Line
Adjustment be approved.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
the communication from the City Clerk dated September 11, 1996,
be received and filed, and that his recommendation be approved.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 6850 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving a Lot Line Adjustment
Requested by Catellus Development Corporation and Daniel C.
Fessenden Company, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 6850 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Kevin Wilson, Director of
Community Services, dated September 12, 1996, was presented,
advising that Heger Realty, on behalf of 37th Street Properties,
has submitted Final Parcel Map No. 24344 subdividing the property
located on 37th Street between Saco and Ross Streets, and
transmitting the following documents:
1. Final Parcel Map No. 24344
2. Los Angeles County Public Works Acceptance Letter
3. Excerpts from the State Subdivision Map Act.
They are proposing to split the existing parcel into three lots.
The project is consistent with the Vernon General Plan and with
the State Subdivision Map Act, and is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act. Tentative Parcel Map No. 24344 was
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City Council Minutes
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September 17, 1996
approved by City Council on September 5, 1995 with five
"Conditions" which have now been completed. This has been
reviewed by the City Attorney, and it is hereby recommended that
Parcel Map No. 24344 be approved.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
the communication from the Director of Community Services dated
September 12, 1996 and all supporting documents be received and
filed, and that Final Parcel Map No. 24344 be approved. Motion
carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 12, 1996, was presented, recommending that Mayor
Pro Tem Thomas Ybarra be reappointed Director, and Councilman
Hilario Gonzales, Alternate Director, on behalf of the City on
the Board of Directors of the Alameda Corridor Transportation
Authority (ACTA).
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
the communication from the City Clerk dated September 12, 1996,
be received and filed, and that his recommendation be approved.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 6852 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Reappointing Thomas A. Ybarra to
Represent the City of Vernon as a Director on the Governing Board
of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority ("ACTA") and
Appointing Hilario Gonzales to Act as the Alternate Director on
Said Board, was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 6852 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Finance, dated September 12, 1996, was presented, transmitting
the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held September 10,
1996, for approval of the recommendations contained therein.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held September 10,
1996, be approved. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 6851 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of an Agreement to Provide Mandated Cost Claiming
Services By and Between the City of Vernon and David M. Griffith
and Associates, Ltd. for Fiscal Year 1996-1997, was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 6851 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Personnel, dated September 12, 1996, was presented, transmitting
the Agenda for the Personnel Committee Meeting to be held
September 16, 1996, for approval of the recommendations contained
therein.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that this
be deferred to after Closed Session later this date. Motion
carried.
WARRANT REGISTER NO. 947 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of August 30 thru September 12, 1996,
drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $415,945.89, which includes
Demand Nos. 58311 thru 58493 (inclusive), excluding Light and
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September 17, 1996
Power Demands and Void Demand Nos. 58358 thru 58361 (inclusive)
and 58408 (accounting period September, 1996), was examined and
audited.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that
Warrant Register No. 947 be approved and payment authorized for
claims and demands totaling $415,945.89, excluding Light and
Power Demands. Motion carried.
WARRANT REGISTER NO. 947 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of August 30 thru September 12, 1996,
drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $565,182.39, which includes
Light and Power Demand Nos. as listed below (accounting period
September, 1996), was examined and audited:
58312
58317
58324
58325
58339
58340
58341
58342
58343
58344
58345
58346
58353
58354
58355
58357
58368
58369
58378
58384
58387
58389
58390
58393
58406
58409
58418
58421
58427
58435
58437
58455
58463
58464
58465
58474
58476
58478
58480
58489
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
Warrant Register No. 947 be approved and payment authorized for
claims and demands totaling $565,182.39. Motion carried.
Councilman Davis abstained from voting and disqualified himself
because it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision may have a
material financial effect on his source of income.
PAYROLL WARRANT REGISTER NO. 483 covering claims and
demands presented during the period of July 7 thru August 17,
1996, drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $2,359,260.83 which
includes Demand Nos. 8601 thru 8648 (inclusive) (accounting
period August, 1996), was examined and audited.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
Payroll Warrant Register No. 483 be approved and payment
authorized for claims and demands totaling $2,359,260.83. Motion
carried.
deferred.
The City Attorney asked that the following matter be
RESOLUTION NO. 6847 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Termination of the
Agreement to Form Association and to Conduct Litigation.
(Deferred from the City Council Meeting held September 3, 1996.)
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
the aforementioned matter be deferred to the next City Council
Meeting. Motion carried.
Consideration of a Loan Agreement for Initial
Operating Costs with the New Southeast Cities Transportation
Authority.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, to
approve a Loan Agreement for Initial Operating Costs with the New
Southeast Cities Transportation Authority. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 6853 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Loan Agreement for Initial Operating Costs By and
Between the City of Vernon, California and the New Southeast
Cities Transportation Authority, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 6853 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
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September 17, 1996
The Mayor called a recess at 5:27 p.m.
The Council reconvened in regular session at 5:36
p.m., all members present before the recess again being present.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Council go into Closed Session to confer on Item No. 1 listed
below, the time being 5:36 p.m. Motion carried.
All persons were excluded from the Closed Session
with the exception of the City Clerk, City Attorney, Chief of
Police, Fire Chief, and Chief Deputy City Clerk.
The Mayor ordered that all communications to and from
the Closed Session be deemed privileged and confidential.
1. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.
a. EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL RELEASE
The Police Chief was excused from the Closed Session
at 5:45 p.m.
The Fire Chief was excused from the Closed Session at
5:47 p.m.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the Council go out of Closed Session and resume regular session,
the time being 5:50 p.m. Motion carried.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that the
Council go into Closed Session to confer on Item No. 2 listed
below, the time being 5:51 p.m. Motion carried.
All persons were excluded from the Closed Session
with the exception of the City Clerk, City Attorney, and Chief
Deputy City Clerk.
The Mayor ordered that all communications to and from
the Closed Session be deemed privileged and confidential.
2. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in Closed Session pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Government Code Section 54956.9.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Cases:
(a) City of Vernon vs. Central Basin Municipal
Water District, LASC No. BC 121124;
(b) City of Vernon vs. Central Basin, etc.,
Zastrow, et al., LASC No. BC 130693;
2CIV B098203;
(c) City of South Gate, et al. vs. City of
Los Anqeles, et al., LASC No. BC 129447;
2CIV B100019;
(d) The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railway vs. City of Vernon; LASC No.
BC 123510; 2CIV B102025i
(e) The City of Vernon v. The Atchison. Topeka
and Santa Fe Railway, CPUC Case No.
96-01-019;
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September 17, 1996
(f)
CPUC Docket No. A.93-09-006 (SoCalGas)
(BCAP) ;
(g)
CPUC Docket No. A.91-03-039 (SoCalGas)
(BCAP) ;
(h)
SoCalGas v. Vernon LASC No. BS 017468;
2 CIV B088723;
(i)
Vernon v. Southern California Gas Company,
CPUC No. 96-05-038;
(j) FERC Docket No. OA-96-76 (Open Access);
(k) Allstate, etc. et ale v. Vernon, Case No.
VC022411;
(1) Maxwell v. Vernon, et al., LASC No. BC
124517;
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the Council go out of Closed Session and resume regular session,
the time being 6:15 p.m. Motion carried.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Vernon Service Officer be released from his position based on his
failure to pass probation. Motion carried.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
the Police Officer be disciplined as recommended. Motion
carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Personnel, dated September 12, 1996, was presented, transmitting
the Agenda for the Personnel Committee Meeting to be held
September 16, 1996, for approval of the recommendations contained
therein. (Deferred from earlier in the meeting.)
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
recommendations contained in the Agenda for the Personnel
Committee meeting held September 16, 1996, be approved. Motion
carried.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
the Director of Light and Power be granted a five percent
increase effective September 29, 1996. Motion carried.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, to
approve settlement and accept the General Release of All Claims
in the matter of Maxwell v. Vernon. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 6854 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Withdrawing the Alternate Offer of
Settlement with Modifications in the Litigation Entitled City of
South Gate, et al. vs. City of Los Anqeles, et al., LASC No.
BC 129447, Court of Appeal No. 2ND CIV No. B100019
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 6854 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the
City Council at this time, it was moved by McCormick, seconded by
Davis, that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried.
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ATT~ /4~~~;f[t~.<f{f:,~fi.Yor ·
Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk 5555