20031217 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
DECEMBER 17, 2003, AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA PE 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 Regular City Council Meeting held December 3,
2003, be approved and adopted as submitted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City
Administrator/City Clerk, dated December 8, 2003, was presented,
advising that the 'below listed employees qualified in the month
of November 2003 for a Perfect Attendance Award. This is
awarded to employees on the basis of a minimum of two (2) years
of perfect attendance:
O8/13/79
Carol Childers
Computer Aided Drafting
Technician
2
11/26/01
-Raquel Franco
Account Clerk
2
11/19/01
Pin Chan
Engineering Associate
2
O1/02/98
Lorenzo Gaytan
Police Officer
2
11/08/89
Frank Saldana
Utilityman II
4
07/01/85
Wenceslao Reynoso
Plan Checker
8
08/17/87
William Niesley
Fire Captain
10
11/02/92
Todd Painton
Fire Engineer
11
11/04/91
Claudia Arellano
Secretary to the
Director of Community
Services and Water
12
07/25/79
Martha _Valenzuela
Office Manager
14
11/06/89
Elias Zepeda
Utilityman II
14
The
Mayor presented the
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 heads.
07/01/85
Jaime DeLaRosa
Utilityman. III.
2
03/12/01
Miguel Torres
Police Officer
2
11/09/98
Victor Ontiveros
Police Officer
5
11/09/98
Vipul Patel,
Information _ Technology
Analyst
5.
11/24/97
Bruce Malkenhorst
Jr. Systems Coordinator
6
08/17/87
John Cusolito
Captain
8
O1/07/91
Jeff Smith
Firefighter
9
09/18/89
Daniel Kimes
Fire Captain
10
11/02/92
Andrew Kroner
Fire Engineer
11
11/16/83
-James Rodino
Police Lieutenant
13
08/01/83
Edward.Rodriguez
Utilityman II -
15
06/23/85
Martin Sanchez
Systems Coordinator I1
16
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
The Mayor called a short recess at 4:07 p.m.
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 4:10
p.m., all members present before the recessagain being present.
Police Department Activity Log for the period
December 1 through 15, 2003, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
the Police Department Activity Log for the period December 1
through 15, 2003, be received and filed. Motion carried..
Fire Department Activity Reportforthe period
December 1 through 15, 2003, was.presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
Fire Department Activity Report for the period December 1
through 15, 2003„ be received and filed. Motion. carried.
Risk Management Report for the month of November 2003,
was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that the
Risk Management Report for the month of November 2003, be
received and filed. Motion carried.
Health Department Report for the month of November
2003, was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick,that
the Health Department Report for the month of November 2003, be
received and filed. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City
Administrator/City Clerk, dated November 17, 2003, was
presented, requesting authority and funds for himself to attend
the "City Managers Department Meeting" at Huntington Beach on
February 4 through 6, 2004, with an expense allowance of
$1,079.40.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
authority and funds be approved for Bruce V. Malkenhorst to
attend the aforementioned meeting with an expense allowance of
$1,079.40, Motion carried.
Communication from Steven Parker, Fire Chief, dated
November 20, 2003, was presented, requesting authority and funds
for .the below listed Firefighters to attend the "Hazmat
Technical — Modules IA & 1B Training" at Santa Fe Springs on
January 12 through 23, 2004, with an expense allowance of
$750.00 each.
• Fabian Reyes
• Anthony Rotell.
• Chris shields
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
authority and funds be approved for the above listed
Firefighters to attend the aforementioned training with an
expense allowance of $750.00 each. Motion -carried.
Page 2 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City
Administrator/City Clerk, dated December 1, 2003, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for the below listed personnel to
attend the "Security Essentials for Front Desk Professionals
Workshop at Pasadena on January 12, 2004, with an expense
allowance of $436.40 for both.
• Cindy Calzada, Secretary
• Karina Rueda, Personnel Clerk
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that
authority and funds be approved for the above listed personnel
to attend the aforementioned workshop with an expense allowance
of $436.40 for both. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City
Administrator/City Clerk, dated December 1, 2003, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for Personnel Clerk Michelle
Tolmasoff to attend the "Security Essentials for Front Desk
Professionals Workshop" at Long Beach on January 14, 2004, with
an expense allowance of $228.60..
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
authority and funds be approved for Michelle Tolmasoff to attend
the aforementioned workshop with an expense allowance of
$228.60.. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, City
Administrator/City Clerk, dated December 2, 2003, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for himself and the below listed
legislative body to attend the "California Contract Cities
Association - 37th Annual Sacramento Legislative Orientation
Tour" at Sacramento on January 12 through 14, 20.04, with an
expense allowance of $1,056.00 each.
• Thomas Ybarra, Mayor Pro-Tem
• William Davis, Councilman
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
authority and funds be approved for the above listed legislative
body to attend the aforementioned orientation tour with an
expense allowance of $1,056.00 each. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce Olson, Chief of Police, dated
December 2, 2003, was presented, requesting authority and funds
for Police Officer Mason Chancey to attend the "International
Association for Property and Evidence Management Training
Seminar" at Burbank on January 21 and 22, 2004, with an expense
allowance of $302.00,
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
authority and funds be approved for Mason Chancey to attend the
aforementioned seminar with an expense allowance of $302.60.
Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce Olson, Chief of Police, dated
December 2, 2003, was presented, requesting authority and funds
for the below listed Police Officers to attend the "Driving .
Under the Influence Seminar" at Laguna Hills on February 2
through 6, 2004, with an expense allowance of $999.96, of which
POST will. reimburse $904.44 each.
Page 3 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
• Fernando Valenzuela
• Oscar Zozaya
It was moved by Gonzales,, seconded by Davis, that.
authority and .funds be approved for the above listed Police
Officers to attend the aforementioned seminar with an expense
allowance of $999.96 each. Motion .carried.
Communication from Bruce Olson, Chief of Police, dated
December 4, 2003, was presented, requesting authority and funds
for the below listed Detectives to attend -the "Criminal
Investigation Core Course" at San Diego on January 19 through
30, 2004, with an expense allowance of $1,819.90, of which POST
will reimburse $1,108.48 each.
• Brandon Gray
• Phillip Swinford
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
authority and funds be approved for the above listed Detectives
to attend the aforementioned course with an expense allowance of
$1,108.48 each. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce Olson, Chief of Police, dated
December 5, 2003, was. presented, requesting authority and funds
for the below listed police personnel to attend the "911
Seminar" at Garden Grove on January 20, 2004, with an expense
allowance of-$136.80, of which POST will reimburse $14.56 each.
• Debra Davis, Dispatcher
• Jacqueline Hamilton, Dispatcher
• Stephanie Johnson, Records Clerk
• Norma .Rodriguez, Dispatcher
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis,,that _
authority and funds be approved for the above listed police
personnel to attend the aforementioned seminar with an expense
allowance of $136.80 each. Motion carried.
Communication from Kevin Wilson, Director of Community
Services and Water, dated December 10, 2003, was presented,
requesting authority and funds for the below listed personnel to.
attend the "Anti -Lock Brake Systems -Light Duty Trucks Training"
at Burbank on January 15, 2004, with an expense allowance of
$125.00 each. -
• Art Reynoso, Utilityman I
• Jason Tomlinson, Utilityman III
e Victor Trujillo, Utilityman Ii
• Jose Uriarte, Utilityman III
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
authority and funds be approved for the above listed personnel
to attend the aforementioned training with an expense allowance
of $125.00 each. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8338 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City ofVernonAmending Section 25(c)(2)—Page48, of
Resolution No. -8228 which Fixed the Compensation for Certain
Employees of said City and Authorized Certain Expense
Allowances, was presented. -
Page 4 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 8338 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communication from Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Finance, dated December 11, 2003, was presented, transmitting
the Minutes for the Adjourned Finance Committee Meeting held on
December 8, 2003, forapprovalof the recommendations contained
therein.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by McCormick, that the
recommendations on the Minutes for the Adjourned Finance -
Committee Meeting held on December 8, 2003, be approved. Motion
carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8332 - A Resolution of the City Council
of .the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
a TMDL Consultant Cost -Sharing and Retention Agreement By and
Among the Executive Advisory Committee Municipalities Regarding
.the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), was
presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 8332 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8333 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
an Equipment Purchase Contract By and Between, the City of Vernon
and B. Foster & Company, Inc. For Auxiliary Rescue Unit and
Related Equipment,was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by McCormick, that
Resolution No. 8333 be. approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8334 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
an Equipment Purchase and Professional Services Contract By and
Between the City of Vernon and Galliera Inc. dba Trico
Construction for the Malburg Generating Station Project, was
presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 8334 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8335 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property
from the Following Departments: City Administrator/ City Clerk
(IT Division and Finance), Community Services And Water,. Fire,
Legal And Police, Pursuant To Section 2.31 Of The Vernon City
Code, was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 8335 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 8336 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Donation of Surplus
Property from the Vernon Fire Department to the Rio Hondo Fire
Technology Department, was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 8336be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Page 5 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes.
December 17, 2003
RESOLUTION NO. 8337 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Donation of Surplus
Property from the Information Technology Division of the City
Administrator/City Clerk Department to the Vernon City
Elementary School, was presented.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 8337 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Communicationfrom Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director of
Finance, dated December 11, 2003, was presented, transmitting
the Agenda for the Adjourned Regular Finance Committee Meeting
to be held on December 16, 2003,.for approval of the
recommendations contained therein.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that the
recommendations on the Agenda for the Adjourned Regular Finance
Committee Meeting to be .held on December 16, 2003, be approved.
Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 1097 - An Ordinance of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Amending the Code of the City of Vernon,
California, 1959, by Adding Section 2.3 to Chapter 2, Article I
Creating a Public Benefits Resource Committee (First Reading),
was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
Ordinance. No. 1097 be approved for a first reading. Motion
carried.
Ayes: Malburg, Ybarra, Gonzales, Davis, McCormick
Noes: None
Absent: None.
Communication from.Bruce V. Malkenhorst, Director
of Personnel, dated December 11, 2003, was presented,
transmitting the Agenda for the Regular Personnel Committee
Meeting to be held on December 16, 2003, for approval of the
recommendations contained therein
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
the recommendations on the Agenda for the Regular Personnel
Committee Meeting to be held on December 16, 2003, be approved.
Motion carried.
Warrant Register No. 1128 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of November 27,. 2003 through
December 10, 2003, drawn on Bank of America totaling
$989,090.73, which includes demand nos. 2136b1 through213939
(inclusive), and also excluding Light & Power's demands
(Accounting period December 2003).
It was moved.by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
Warrant Register No. 1128 be approved and payment authorized for
claims and demands totaling $989,090..73. Motion carried.
Page 6 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
Warrant Register No. 1128 covering claims and demands
presented during the period of November 27, 2003throughDecember 10, 2003, drawn on Bank of America totaling
$1,068,962.64, which includes Light & Power's demand nos... as
listed below; (Accounting period December 2003.).
213687
213688
213689
213690
213694
213695
- 213696
213702
213706
213716
21.3723
213725
213735
213737
213738
2137.39
213740
213741
• 213747
213756
213762
213764
213777
213783
213795
213809
213811
213832
213833
213836
213862
213869
213885
213887
213900
213919
213936
213938
213939
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Warrant Register No. 1128 be approved and payment authorized for
Light & Power's claims and demands totaling $1,068,982.64.
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. 570 covering claims and
demands presented during the period of October 19, 2003 through
November 15, 2003, drawn on Wells Fargo Bank totaling
$2,042,653.38, which includes demand nos. 8352 through 8390
(inclusive). (Accounting Period: November 2003).
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Payroll Warrant Register No. 570 be approved and payment
authorized for claims and demands totaling $2,042,653..38.
Motion carried.
The Mayor called a short recess at 4:30 p.m.
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 4:40
p.m., all members present before the recess again being present.
The City Clerk advised that now was the time to go
into closed session on 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
b. EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that the
City Council go into closed session on item No. 1, the time
being 4:40 p.m.. Motion.carried.
All persons were excluded from closed session with the
exception of the City.Administrator/City Clerk, Acting City
Attorney, Chief Deputy City Clerk, Director of Community.
Services and Water, Deputy Director of Community Services and
Water, Assistant to the Chief Deputy City Clerk and Utility
Clerk.
Page 7 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
The Mayor ordered all communications to and from
closed session deemed privileged and confidential,.
The Utility Clerk was excused at 4:48 p.m.
The Director of Community Services and Water and
Deputy Director of Community Services and Water were excused at
4:55 p.m.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that the
City Council go out of closed session on Item No, 1, the time
being 4:55 p.m. Motion carried.
The City Clerk advised that there was nothing to
discussion Item No. 2. -
2.. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in closed session pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Government Code Section 54957.
a. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency negotiator: City Administrator
Unrepresented classification(s)
The City Clerk advised that now was the time to go
into closed session on Item Nos. 3 and 4.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the City Council go into closed session on Item Nos. 3 and 4,
the time being 4:56 p.m. Motion carried.
Allpersons were excluded from closed session with the
exception of the City Administrator/City Clerk, Acting City
Attorney, Chief Deputy City Clerk and the Assistant to the Chief
Deputy City Clerk.
The Mayor ordered all communications to and from
closed session deemed privileged and confidential.
3. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in closed session pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Government Code 54956..9.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION
(a) FERC Docket Nos. ER97-2355, EC 96-19-000 and ER96-1663
(Restructuring);
(b) David Venegas, et al. v. City of Vernon, LASC No. BC
207136;
(c) Vernon V. Regional Water Quality Control Board; Nos.
A-1280,A1280(a) and A-1280(b), V
(d) Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, etc. v.
City of Vernon, etc., et al., LASC Case No. BC 238846
cons,, with City of Vernon v. Alameda Corridor Transp.
Auth., LASC Case No. BC 238841;
(e) FERC Docket No. ER00-2019-000 (ISO); FERC Docket No.
EL00-95 (SDG&E v. Sellers of Energy., et al.)
consolidated with FERC Docket No. EL00-98; FERC Docket
No. EL03-31 (Vernon TREA); FERC Docket No. EL03-54
(Anaheim,, et al, v. ISO)
Page 8 of 10
Adjourned City Council Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2003
(f) The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railwav Comnan
v. City of Vernon; USDC No. CV-00-12891 NM (AJWx);
(g) Sterling Davis v. City of Vernon, et al., USDC No. CV-.
01-01602 DDP (AJWx);
(h) Cities of Arcadia, et al, v. The California Regional
_Water Quality Control Board, etc., et al.., LASC No BC
245633;
(i) Central and West Basin Water Replenishment District
etc., v.. Charles E. Adams, et al, LASC No. C 786656;.
(j) Department of Water Resources V. ACN Energy, Inc et
al., Case No. 01AS05497;
(k) Aucensio Saucedo Lopez v. Vernon; LASC No. 02CO0862
(H.P.. District); -
(1) Vernon v, SoCalGas,. E1 Paso Natural Gas, et al., Case
. No. BC265905;
(m) Jessica Rodriguez v.. Vernon; WCAB Case No.-RIV
0056007;
(n) Enron Power Marketing Inc. v. Vernon; USBC Adversary
Proceeding No. 03-03131 (AJG);
(o) Mirant Americas Energy Marketing, LP v. Vernon; USBC
Adversary Proceeding No. 03-04440-dml;
(p) Robert S. Spradlin, etc. v. Vernon; Norwalk Superior
Court No. VC 039280; - -
(g) _ Jessica Rodriguez v. Vernon; LASC No. BC298890; -
(r) Lexington Insurance Company v. Vernon; Norwalk
Superior Court No. VC 040647;
(s) Vernon v. Scott Co., et al., LASC No. BC 300307;
(t) CPUC No.-03-09-008 (SoCalGas BCAP);
4. With respect to every item of business to be
discussed in closed session pursuant to subdivision (c) of
Government Code 54956.9.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation: Two (2) potential cases.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that the
City Council go out of closed session and resume regular session,
the time being5:01 p.m. -Motion carried. -
.It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
discipline in the matter of the Utility Clerk be approved as
recommended. Motion carried.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the Settlement Agreement in the matter of Robert S. Spradlin
Vernon, et. ai., Case No. VC 039280, be approved and the Mayor e
authorized to execute the .Agreement for an on behalfofthe
City.. Motion carried.
Motion by Gonzales, seconded by Davis to authorize
Legal Counsel to initiate a lawsuit against RMIUS Utility
Services and Perry Thomas Construction in connection with a fuel
spill that occurred in July of 2001. Motion carried.
Page 9 of 10
Adjourned City Council.Meeting Minutes -
December 17, 2003
It was moved, by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
the actions by Channing Strother of McCarthy, Sweeney & Harkaway
in intervening in FERC Docket No. ER04-109 (Pacific Gas and
Electric Company) are hereby ratified. 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 be adjourned, the time being 5:02 p.m.
Motion carried.
'eons C.. Malburc�— 0
Mayor
ATTEST:
Bruce V. Malkenhorst
City Clerk
Page 10 of 10