19971021 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD OCTOBER 21,
1997 AT 5 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON,
CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Malburg, Ybarra, Davis, McCormick, Gonzales
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 2, 1997, be
approved as submitted and adopted. Motion carried.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
the Minutes of the City Council Meeting held September 16, 1997,
be approved as submitted and adopted. Motion carried.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Minutes of the Adjourned City Council meeting held September 23,
1997, be approved as submitted and adopted. Motion carried.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by McCormick, that
the Minutes of the City Council Meeting held October 7, 1997, be
approved as submitted and adopted. Motion carried.
The City Clerk announced that now was the time to
present Perfect Attendance Awards.
The Mayor presented Perfect Attendance Awards to the
following employees and extended congratulations on behalf of the
entire City Council:
Carol Childers, Engineering Aide, 2 Years
Robert Combe, Firefighter, 3 Years
Anthony Hinojos, Utilityman, 3 Years
Paul Johnson, Firefighter, 3 Years
Michael Langer, Firefighter, 3 Years
James Persons, Project Engineer, 4 Years
Lewis Pozzebon, Director, Envir. Health, 4 Years
Michael Gillman, Sergeant, 6 Years
Charla Duncan, Secretary, 14 Years
The following employees could not attend the meeting and Perfect
Attendance Awards were accepted by their respective Department
Head:
Todd Egan, Firefighter, 2 Years
Anthony Rotell, Firefighter, 2 Years
Glenn Burdick, Systems Coordinator II, 3 Years
David Koltvet, Firefighter, 3 Years
Jason McEachran, Firefighter, 3 Years
Lawrence Muno, Firefighter, 3 Years
Jeffrey Neely, Firefighter, 3 Years
Roy Ness, Utilityman, 3 Years
Kurt Smith, Firefighter, 3 Years
Gary Dressen, Fire Captain, 4 Years
Michael Busch, Fire Captain, 6 Years
James Smith, Battalion Chief, 7 Years
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 2
October 21, 1997
The Mayor declared a short recess, the time being
5:15 p.m. Council reconvened at 5:20 p.m.
Police Department Activity Log for the period October
1 thru 15, 1997, was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Police Department Activity Report for the period of October 1
thru 15, 1997, be received and filed. Motion carried.
Fire Department Activity Report for the period
October 1 thru 15, 1997, was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Fire Department Activity Report for the period October 1 thru 15,
1997, be received and filed. Motion carried.
Health Department Report for the month of September,
1997, was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that the
Health Department Report for the month of September, 1997, be
received and filed. Motion carried.
Risk Management Report for the month of September,
1997, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the Risk Management Report for the month of September, 1997, be
received and filed. Motion carried.
The City Clerk announced that now was the time for
anyone in the audience to address the City Council on any item on
the Agenda other than with regard to any Public Hearings that may
be listed.
The Mayor asked if anyone in the audience wished to
address the Council at this time.
There was no one in the audience who wished to
address the City Council at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING to consider a request from Far East
National Bank to grant a Variance to allow tenant to utilize
three non-conforming truck spaces at 4901-4903 Pacific Boulevard,
City of Vernon. (Continued from the City Council Meeting held
October 7, 1997.)
The City Clerk requested that the aforementioned
PUBLIC HEARING be continued to the next City Council meeting.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Public Hearing pertaining to a variance request for Far East
National Bank be continued to the next City Council meeting.
Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated September 10, 1997, was presented, transmitting one-year
lease for the Water Right License with California Water Service
Company. It is recommended that the Agreement be approved, and
the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the Agreement.
(Deferred from the City Council Meeting held October 7, 1997).
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
the one-year lease for the Water Right License with California
Water Service Company be approved. Motion carried.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 3
October 21, 1997
RESOLUTION NO. 7021 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Water Right License By and Between the City of
Vernon and California Water Service Company Which Grants the City
of Vernon a License to Extract 900 Acre-Feet of California Water
Service Company's Allowed Pumping Allocation for the Period July
1, 1997 thru June 30, 1998, was presented. (Deferred from the
City Council Meeting held October 7, 1997.)
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 7021 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated October 15, 1997, was presented, advising that the Director
of Light and Power is preparing a computation to determine the
Energy Cost Adjustment Billing Factor for the next three month
period. The new factor will be based on actual fuel expenses and
revenues for the previous period and Southern California Edison
Company's forecast of fuel cost for the next three months. It is
hereby recommended that the new factor, to be announced at this
meeting, be approved for all bills rendered from November 1,
1997.
Ken DeDario, Director of the Light & Power Depart-
ment, addressed the City Council and advised that, after further
review by the Department, revisions to the preceding
communication are necessary in order to follow a resolution
adopted at the last city council meeting. He stated that the
communication should read, in part, as follows:
". ..the new factor will be based on
actual energy expenses and revenues for
the previous period and the forecast of
energy cost for the next three month
period. ...It is hereby recommended that
the new factor be approved for all energy
sold from November 1, 1997."
Mr. DeDario advised that the new factor, based on the
computation report submitted herewith, is negative $0.00239.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the communication from the City Clerk be received and filed with
the revisions described by Mr. DeDario, and that the new factor
be approved for all energy sold from November 1, 1997. Motion
carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7033 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Changing the Energy Cost Adjustment
Billing Factor Charged for Electrical Energy Distributed and
Supplied to its Electrical Customers, was presented. (Deferred
from the City Council Meeting held October 7, 1997.)
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 7033 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7035 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Amending Resolution No. 6438 By
Appointing William Davis as the Alternate Director to Represent
the City of Vernon on the Southeast Community Development
Corporation Board of Directors, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 7035 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 4
October 21, 1997
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated October 2, 1997, transmitting the proposal by Raymundo
Engineering Co., Inc., and their qualification package for
assistance in the design of certain aspects of the gas system for
the City of Vernon. This proposal has been reviewed by the
Director of Community Services and it is recommended that we hire
Raymundo Engineering Co., Inc., to perform the Preliminary
Engineering and the one river crossing at a cost not to exceed
$21,830, contingent upon the City Attorney's approval of the
agreement. (Deferred from City Council Meeting held October 7,
1997.)
RESOLUTION NO. 7040 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of an Agreement for Professional Consulting Services By
and Between the City of Vernon and Raymundo Engineering Co.,
Inc., Relating to the Design of a Natural Gas Distribution
System. (Deferred from City Council Meeting held October 7,
1997.)
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that the
proposal by Raymundo Engineering Co., Inc., and subsequent
Resolution No. 7040, be deferred to the next City Council
meeting. Motion carried.
Communication from Acting Police Chief Bruce Olson,
dated September 30, 1997, was presented, requesting authority and
funds for Detective Randolph Phillips to attend the California
Narcotics Officers' Training Institute at Monterey on November 22
thru 25, 1997, with an expense allowance of $923.60.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
authority be granted for Detective Randolph Phillips to attend
the aforementioned course with an expense allowance of $923.60.
Motion carried.
Communication from Lewis Pozzebon, Director of the
Environmental Health, dated October 8, 1997, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for James Wilcox, Senior
Environmental Health Specialist, to attend the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Accidental Release Prevention at Sacramento on
November 3, 1997, with an expense allowance of $227.39.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
authority be granted for James Wilcox, Senior Environmental
Health Specialist, to attend the aforementioned course with an
expense allowance of $227.39. Motion carried.
Communication from Fire Chief Dave Telford, dated
October 9, 1997, was presented, requesting authority and funds
for Engineer Brad Miller to attend the Filemaker Pro Workshop at
Anaheim on November 20 to 21, 1997, with an expense allowance of
$399.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
authority be granted for Fire Engineer Brad Miller to attend the
aforementioned course with an expense allowance of $399. Motion
carried.
Communication from Kenneth J. DeDario, Director of
the Light & Power Department, dated October 15, 1997, was
presented, requesting authority and funds for Timothy Bass,
Engineering Aide I, to attend Improving the Performance of
Underground Distribution Systems at Sacramento on November 3 thru
6, 1997, with an expense allowance of $1,442.94.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 5
October 21, 1997
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
authority be granted for Timothy Bass, Engineering Aide I, to
attend the aforementioned course with an expense allowance of
$1,442.94. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated October 16, 1997, was presented, to consider a request from
the BOC Group, owner of two adjoining parcels of land located at
5600 and 5602 Bickett Street in the City of Vernon, to have an
adjustment of the boundary lines between said parcels. The
boundary line adjustment 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
the City Attorney and it is recommended that the requested lot
line adjustment be granted.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that a lot
line adjustment of the boundary lines between two adjoining
parcels of land located at 5600 and 5602 Bickett Street, in the
City of Vernon, be approved. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7039 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving a Lot Line Adjustment
Requested by the BOC Group, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 7039 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Lewis Pozzebon, Director of
Environmental Health, dated October 16, 1997, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for him to attend the 1997 SWANA
Hazardous Materials Conference at San Diego on November 17 thru
19, 1997, with an expense allowance of $592.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
authority be granted for Lewis Pozzebon, Director of
Environmental Health, to attend the aforementioned course with an
expense allowance of $592. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated October 16, 1997, was presented, transmitting a proposal of
costs from Austin-Foust Associates regarding the Hobart Yard
Expansion Traffic Study. In order to provide documentation that
the expansion of the Hobart Yard may cause impacts to the City's
transportation system, it is required that a Traffic Impact
Analysis be completed. This has been reviewed by the Director of
Community Services and the City Attorney and is recommended that
Austin-Foust Associates be retained to provide a Traffic Impact
Analysis at a cost not to exceed $15,000.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Austin-Foust Associates be retained to provide a Traffic Impact
Analysis pertaining to the expansion of the Hobart Yard at a cost
not to exceed $15,000. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7041 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Professional Services Agreement By and Between the
City of Vernon and Austin-Foust Associates, Inc., for Traffic
Studies, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 7041 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 6
October 21, 1997
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City Clerk,
dated October 16, 1997, was presented, advising that approval was
previously granted to provide the benefit of vision care to
employees and, at this time, it is recommended that the Agreement
with Mutual of Omaha be amended to include said vision care.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Agreement with Mutual of Omaha be amended to include said vision
care. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7038 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of Amendment No. 8 to the Administrative Services
Agreement (GUSI-2R04, GUSI-2R05 and GUSI-95V57) By and Between
the City of Vernon and Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, was
presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 7038 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
The City Clerk advised that the following matter
should be deferred until the next City Council meeting.
Communication from Kevin Wilson, Director of
Community Services, dated October 16, 1997, transmitting results
as listed below received and opened October 16, 1997, in
accordance with Contract No. 539, Vernon Gas Distribution System,
Phase II:
Herman Weisker, Inc.
De La Cruz Construction, Inc.
ARB, Inc.
Utility Boring, Inc.
Kenko, Inc.
$ 4,723,795.74
4,054,626.70
5,204,875.00
4,382,239.00
4,458,962.00
It is hereby recommended that the bid be awarded to De La Cruz
Construction, Inc., based on their bid in the amount of
$4,054,626.70.
RESOLUTION NO. 7042 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Accepting the Bid of De La Cruz
Construction, Inc., for Vernon Gas Distribution System, Phase II,
in Accordance with Contract No. 539 of the City of Vernon and
Approving the Execution of Said Contract.
Communication from Kevin Wilson, Director of
Community Services, dated October 20, 1997, was presented,
advising that bids were received and opened October 20, 1997,
according to Contract No. 542, Power Plant Reroofing are as
follows:
Letner Roofing Company
Best Roofing Company
$ 142,000.00
168,492.00
The bids have been reviewed and it is recommended that this
contract be awarded to Letner Roofing Company on the basis of
their bid of $142,000.00.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
the award for Contract No. 542, Power Plant Reroofing, be awarded
to Letner Roofing Company on the basis of their bid of $142,000.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7043 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Accepting the Bid of Letner Roofing
Company for Power Plant Reroofing in Accordance with Contract No.
542 of the City of Vernon and Approving the Execution of Said
Contract, was presented.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 7
October 21, 1997
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 7043 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Personnel, dated October 15, 1997, was presented, transmitting
the Agenda for the Personnel Committee Meeting to be held October
20, 1997, for approval of the recommendations contained therein.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that the
recommendations listed on the October 20, 1997, Agenda for the
Personnel Committee meeting be approved. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Finance, dated October 15, 1997, was presented, transmitting the
Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held October 14, 1997,
for approval of the recommendations contained therein.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the October 14, 1997, Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting be
approved. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7036 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Superseding Resolution Nos. 6684
and 6967 and Establishing the Rates for Business License Taxes
and Related Fees and Deposits Pursuant to Chapter 15 of the Code
of the City of Vernon, California, 1959, was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 7036 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 7037 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Contract for Telephone System Maintenance Services
By and Between the City of Vernon and California Sales
Connection, Inc., was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 7037 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
WARRANT REGISTER NO. 975 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of October 3 thru October 16, 1997,
drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $378,341.78, which includes
Demand Numbers 63783 thru 63981 (inclusive), excluding Light &
Power Demands and Void Demands as listed below (accounting period
October, 1997) was examined and audited:
63843
63855
63856
63857
63901
It was moved by Davis, seconded by McCormick, that
Warrant Register No. 975 be approved and payment authorized for
claims and demands totaling $378,341.78, excluding Light and
Power Demands and Void Demands listed above. Motion carried.
WARRANT REGISTER NO. 975 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of October 3 thru October 16, 1997,
drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $1,721,507.68, which includes
Light & Power Demand Numbers as listed below (accounting period
October, 1997) was examined and audited:
63788
63789
63790
63793
63795
63813
63814
63817
63818
63821
63825
63826
63827
63838
63839
63840
63841
63842
63847
63848
63850
63865
63870
63871
63874
63883
63886
63891
63894
63902
63924
63932
63935
63936
63937
63957
63969
63975
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 8
October 21, 1997
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Warrant Register No. 975 be approved and payment authorized for
Light and Power claims and demands totaling $1,721,507.68.
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. 496 covering claims and
demands presented during the period of August 17 thru September
13, 1997, drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling $1,658,559.04 which
includes Demand Numbers 5441 thru 5484 (inclusive) (accounting
period September, 1997) was examined and audited.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Payroll Warrant Register No. 496 be approved and payment
authorized for claims and demands totaling $1,658,559.04. Motion
carried.
The Mayor called a recess at 5:52 p.m.
The Council reconvened in regular session at 5:57
p.m., all members present before the recess again being present.
The City Clerk advised that there were no items to be
discussed in Closed Session, Item No.1.
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
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
the Council go into Closed Session, Item Nos. 2 and 3, the time
being 6:00 p.m. Motion carried.
All persons were excluded from Closed Session except
the City Clerk, City Attorney, Chief Deputy City Clerk, and the
Director of Community Services.
The Mayor ordered all communications to and from the
Closed Session 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
(a) City of Vernon vs. Central Basin Municipal
Water District, LASC No. BC 121124;
2CIV B101606;
(b) City of Vernon vs. Central Basin. etc..
Zastrow. et al., LASC No. BC 130693;
(c) City of South Gate. et al. vs. City of
Los Angeles. et al., LASC No. BC 129447;
2CIV B100019; Supreme Court No. S057753;
(d) City of Vernon v. Board of Harbor
Commissioners of the City of Long Beach. et
al., LASC Case No. BC 158591; 2CIV Bl12374
(Pier T)
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 9
October 21, 1997
(e) The Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
vs. City of Vernon; LASC No. BC 123510;
2CIV B102025;
(f) The City of Vernon v. The Atchison. Topeka
and Santa Fe Railway, CPUC Case No. 96-01-019;
(g) Vernon v. Southern California Gas Company,
CPUC No. 96-05-038; S060700;
(h) Johnson & Vincent v. Vernon, LASC BS 039646;
(i) FERC Docket No. OA-96-76, et al; (Open
Access);
(j) ER97 -2355;
(k) FERC Docket Nos. EC96-19-000, ER96-1633
and EL96-48 (Restructuring);
(I) Gonzalez. etc.. et al. v. u.S. Customs
Services. et al., USDC CV96-4361 RJK (JRx);
(m) Lynwood v. Vernon, LASC BS 041786;
(n) CPUC Application No. 96-10-038 (SDG&E/
SoCalGas Merger); FERC Docket No. EL97-15
(ENOVA/PACIFIC ENTERPRISES); FERC Docket No.
EC97-12-000;
(0) Salisbury v. Vernon, LASC BS 044810;
(p) FERC Docket No. RP97-284 (SCE v. Gas);
(q) CPUC Application No. 97-03-015 (Mexicali);
(r) CPUC No. R.97-04-011/I.97-04-012 (Gas);
(s) TOMCO Auto Products. Inc. v. Vernon, Norwalk
Superior Court No. VC023838;
(t) Loren Dome v. Vernon; WCAB Case Nos. ARM
0042203, ARM 0042208 and 88 ANA 199484;
(u) Arnold Klein dba AMRO Industries v. Vernon.
et al., LASC Case No. BC176633.
(v) Commerce v. Vernon/Innovative Waste, LASC. No.
BC 179283
3. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in Closed Session pursuant to subdivision (c) of
Government Code Section 54956.9.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(a) Initiation of litigation: One (1) potential
case.
6:21 p.m.
The Director of Community Services was excused at
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the City Council go out of Closed Session on Item Nos. 2 and 3,
and resume regular session, the time being 6:30 p.m. Motion
carried.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
page 10
October 21, 1997
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
the City Administrator be authorized to provide notification by
letter to Innovative Waste that their previously granted
Conditional Use Permit required that they defend and indemnify
the City of Vernon in the litigation filed by the City of
Commerce, LASC No. BC 179283. Motion carried.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the City Administrator be authorized to proceed with notification
to GNB by letter of the delinquent business license taxes.
Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the
Council at this time, it was moved by McCormick, seconded by
Ybarra, that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried.
ii~~=4/l.
.~. Leonis C. Mal . rg y
ayor
ATTEST:
//d?~
A
Bruce V. Malkenhorst
City Clerk