20040204 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes (2)MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
I%" Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
City Clerk Pope led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
Leticia Lopez, Mayor Pro Tern
William Davis, Council Member
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Brian Byun, Senior Deputy City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief
Fredrick Agyin, Director of Health and Environmental Control
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Vernon's Los Angeles River Active Transportation Access Plan
Recommendation:
No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7
February 4, 2020
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
James Powell, Alta Planning, presented a PowerPoint regarding Vernon's Los Angeles
River Active Transportation Access Plan.
In response to Mayor Ybarra, Mr. Powell explained the proposed physical separation on
Leonis and District and modifications on the north side of the street. He discussed efforts
to preserve parking and the parking use analysis.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Davis moved and Council Member Gonzales 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:
2.
City Clerk
Approval of Minutes
Recommendation:
Approve the January 7 and January 21, 2020 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
3.
City Clerk
Claims Against the City
Recommendation:
Receive and file the claim submitted by Diana Aquino in the amount of $285.38.
4.
Finance/ Treasury
Operating Account Warrant Register No. 38 Covering the Period of January 5
through January 18, 2020
Recommendation:
Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 38, which totals $8,910,980.17, and
consists of ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,134,176.84 and ratification of the
issuance of early checks totaling $776,803.33.
5.
Public Works
Public Works Monthly Building Report
Recommendation:
Receive and file the December 2019 Building Report.
6.
Public Works
Notice of Completion - City Contract No. CS-1105 - Citywide Striping and Pavement
Markings Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-2019
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") review, as it is a governmental administrative activity that will not
directly result in physical changes to the environment and is therefore not a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378;
4,
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2020
Page 3 of 7
B. Accept the work of PCI, Inc. as related to City Contract No. CS-1105 — Citywide
Striping and Pavement Markings FY 2018-2019; and
C. Authorize staff to submit the Notice of Completion for the project to the County of Los
Angeles Recorder's Office.
7. Public Works
Notice of Completion - City Contract No. CS-1130 - Concrete Yards at Furlong
Properties
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") review, as it is a governmental administrative activity that will not
directly result in physical changes to the environment and is therefore not a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378;
B. Accept the work of FS Contractors, Inc. as related to City Contract No. CS-1130 —
Concrete Yards at Furlong Properties; and
C. Authorize staff to submit the Notice of Completion for the project to the County of Los
Angeles Recorder's Office.
8. Public Works
Acceptance of Electrical Easement at 3015 Leonis Boulevard (APN 6303-021-007)
Recommendation:
A. Find that acceptance of the Electrical Easement is not a "project" as that term is defined
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, and
even if it were a project, it would be categorically exempt in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15301 (maintenance, repair or minor alteration of an existing facility
and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use) and 15061(b)(3) (general rule
that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment);
and
B. Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate of
Acceptance.
9. Police Department
Loan Vehicle Use Agreement with National Insurance Crime Bureau
Recommendation:
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; and
B. Approve and authorize the Police Chief to execute a vehicle use agreement with the
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for continued participation in the loan vehicle
program.
10. Public Utilities
Process of Appointment of Directors to the Central Basin Municipal Water District's
Board of Directors
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) review because it is an 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 § 15378;
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2020
Page 4 of 7
B. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Vernon's participation in the process of
appointment of Directors to the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of
Directors; and
C. Ratify the City Administrator's nomination of Noe Negrete, Director of Public Works
and City Engineer for the City of Santa Fe Springs, to serve as a Director representing large
purveyors on the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board.
11. Public Utilities
Quitclaim Deeds for Easements with Renewable Resources Group
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") review, because it is an 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; and
B. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Quitclaim Deeds with Renewable
Resources Group ("RRG"), to release the encumbrance of easements and quitclaims to
ReNu Resources LLC all right, title, and interest that the City of Vernon has or may have
in the Easement Property and Easement as defined in the Quitclaim Deeds.
NEW BUSINESS
12. City Administration
Services Agreement with Southeast Rio Vista Family YMCA (a branch of the YMCA
of Metropolitan Los Angeles) for Community Based Wellness Programming for the
City of Vernon
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the Services Agreement with YMCA Metropolitan Los
Angeles/Southeast-Rio Vista Family YMCA is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") review, because it is an administrative action 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; and
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Services Agreement with
the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles/Southeast-Rio Vista Family YMCA ("YMCA"), in
substantially the same form as submitted, for a one-year term in an amount not -to -exceed
$153,519, for community based wellness programming for the City of Vernon.
City Administrator Fandino presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Find
that approval of the Services Agreement with YMCA Metropolitan Los
Angeles/Southeast-Rio Vista Family YMCA is exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") review, because it is an administrative action 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; and B. Approve and authorize
the City Administrator to execute the Services Agreement with the YMCA Metropolitan
Los Angeles/Southeast-Rio Vista Family YMCA ("YMCA"), in substantially the same
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2020
Page 5 of 7
form as submitted, for a one-year term in an amount not -to -exceed $153,519, for
community based wellness programming for the City of Vernon. The question was called
and the motion carried unanimously.
13. Public Utilities
City Contract No. LP-0510 with A.M. Ortega Construction, Inc. for the 26th Street
Bridge Gas Pipeline and Casing Installation
Recommendation:
A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15301, because the
project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of an existing facilities and
involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use;
B. Accept the sole bid from A.M. Ortega Construction, Inc., ("Ortega") as the lowest
responsive and responsible bidder;
C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Construction Contract with
Ortega, in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, in an amount not to exceed
$404,159.00 for the 26th Street Bridge Gas Pipeline and Casing Installation; and
D. Authorize a contingency amount of $45,841.00 in the event of an unexpected changed
condition in the project and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change
Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary. At approximately 11%
of the total contract value, the contingency amount requested is typical for this type and
size of project.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Lopez moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to: A. Find
that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §15301, because the project
consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of an existing facilities and involves
negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the sole bid from A.M. Ortega
Construction, Inc., ("Ortega") as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; C. Approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Construction Contract with Ortega, in
substantially the same form as submitted herewith, in an amount not to exceed $404,159.00
for the 26th Street Bridge Gas Pipeline and Casing Installation; and D. Authorize a
contingency amount of $45,841.00 in the event of an unexpected changed condition in the
project and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount
up to the contingency amount, if necessary. At approximately 11 % of the total contract
value, the contingency amount requested is typical for this type and size of project. The
question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7
February 4, 2020
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements
City Administrator Fandino provided an update on recent Vernon Police Department and
Fire Department activities. He discussed meetings regarding the City's bond financing
rating. Public Utilities General Manager Alemu and Finance Director Williams discussed
a potential upgrade in the City's rating and positive impressions of the City.
City Administrator Fandino reported on the California Municipal Utilities Association
meeting and discussions with legislators regarding pump storage. He stated Vernon
received the Tree City USA designation and staff was completing the planting of 200 trees.
He stated the Council and staff would be delivering books to Vernon Elementary School
students and would be participating in "Read Across America". He announced an Easter
event to be scheduled in March.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
Mayor Ybarra reported that Council attended the Independent Cities Association Annual
Winter Seminar and the fiscal impact to be $1430.00 per Council Member
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:30 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
14. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956.8
Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 6304-007-900 and 6314-033-901
Agency Negotiators: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Negotiating Party: Los Angeles County Flood Control District
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
15. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION (3 cases)
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Bicent (California) Malburg LLC et al. v. City of Vernon et al.,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV08859 and JAMS Reference No.
1100107175
City of Vernon v. Bicent (California) Malburg LLC
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCP02411 and JAMS Reference No.
1220062657
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2020
Page 7 of 7
Vernon Professional Firefighters Association v. City of Vernon
Public Employment Relations Board Unfair Practice Charge No. LA-CE-1423-M
16. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Employee Organizations: Vernon Professional Firefighters Association, and
Vernon Fire Management Association
17. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Threat of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(5)
Number of potential cases: 1
18. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1
Facts and Circumstances: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(3), the City
has received written communication threatening litigation on behalf of the Vernon Fire
Management Association, which communication is made available for public inspection
pursuant to Section 54957.5.
RECONVENE
At 9:45 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
Senior Deputy City Attorney Byun reported that City Council unanimously approved an Approval
of Just Compensation with respect to Assessor's Parcel Numbers 6304-007-900 and 6314-033-901 - Closed
Session Item No. 14 — Conference with Real Property Negotiators
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
MELIS A YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ytit, M�
LISA POPE, City Cl k
(seal) -