20080505 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
MAY 5, 2008, AT 10:12 A.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL
LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE,
VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Malburg, Gonzales, Ybarra, Davis, McCormick
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Malburg.
The City Administrator advised that there were no
changes to the agenda.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Gonzales, that the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held April 21, 2008,
be approved and adopted as submitted. Motion carried.
The City Administrator announced that now was the time
to present the Service Pins.
The Mayor presented a Service Pin to George Ning, I.T.
Analyst, and extended congratulations to him on behalf of the
City Council for his 5 years of service with the City.
Lieutenant Daniel Calleros was unable to attend the
meeting and his Service Pin was forwarded to him.
The City Administrator announced that this was time
for anyone in the audience who wished to address the City
Council on any agenda or non -agenda items other than with regard
to any public hearings that may be listed.
The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience
who wished to address the City Council at this time.
The City Administrator advised of a full page ad
sponsoring a Cinco de Mayo Celebration that appeared in
newspapers circulated in surrounding cities and distributed
those newspapers to the Councilmembers. He also provided an
update on the Southeast Region Energy Project, including the
support received from residents in surrounding cities of said
project.
The Mayor asked if there was anyone else who wished to
address the City Council at this time.
There was no one else who wished to address the City
Council at this time.
The Consent Calendar was presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Treasurer's Department
1. Ratification of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 138 to
record voided Check No. 501911 issued to La Hacienda Jal Cafe on
September 7, 2005.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
2. Request to retract the following previously submitted and
approved matter, which appeared as Item No. 3 on the Consent
Calendar of the April 21, 2008 City Council Agenda, but should
not have been included on the agenda as there were no
requisitions issued from the Light & Power Custody Escrow
Account No. 800452 during the period of March 22 through March
28, 2008. Requisition No. CE334 was issued during the
subsequent period.
Ratification of City of Vernon Requisitions from the Light &
Power Custody Escrow Account No. 800452 covering claims and
demands presented during the period of March 22 through
March 28, 2008, drawn on The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation totaling `$1,456,556.63, which includes
Requisition No. CE334.
3. Ratification of City of Vernon Requisitions from the Light
& Power Custody Escrow Account No. 800452 covering claims and
demands presented during the period of March 29 through April
16, 2008, drawn on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
totaling $1,619,115.93, which includes Requisition Nos. CE334
through CE335.
4. Ratification of City of Vernon Requisitions from the Legal
Counsel Disbursement Custody Escrow Account No. 800458 covering
claims and demands presented during the period of March 29
through April 16, 2008, drawn on The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporation totaling $7,858,489.14, which includes Requisition
Nos. LCD316 through LCD335.
Fire Department
S. Fire Department Activity Report for the period of April 16
through April 30, 2008, to be received and filed.
Health Department
6. Request for authorization and funds for personnel to attend
the following:
• "National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Annual
Education Conference"
Light & Power Department
7. Request for authorization and funds for personnel to attend
the following:
• "Electric Utility Service Equipment Requirements
Committee (EUSERC) Meeting"
Police Department
8. Request for authorization and funds for personnel to attend
the following:
• "Public Records Act Seminar"
• "Internal Affairs Seminar"
• "California Motorcycle Safety Summit"
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
9. Police Department Activity Log for the period of April 16
through April 30, 2008, to be received and filed.
End of Consent Calendar
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9606 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
an Equipment Purchase Agreement By and Between the City of
Vernon and Fisher Scientific Company for Hazardous Materials
Equipment for the Fire Department, was read by title.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 9606 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9607 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
an Application for an Enforcement Assistance Grant from the
California Integrated Waste Management Board, was read by title.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 9607 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9608 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Terminating Encroachment License Agreement
No. 389 By and Between the City of Vernon and Raymar
Productions, was read by title.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 9608 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9609 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Purchase of One 2008 Dodge
Charger for the Police Department by Joining on the County of
Alameda Contract Awarded to McPeek's Dodge of Anaheim and
Repealing Resolution No. 9597, was read by title.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 9609 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9610 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Amending Section 1 of Resolution No. 5550
Regarding Participation in the Transfer of Federally Forfeited
Property Program and Ratifying the Execution of Applications for
the Transfer of Federally Forfeited Property, was read by title.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
Resolution No. 9610 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9611 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving the Expansion of the Los Angeles
County Recycling Market Development Zone, was read by title.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
Resolution No. 9611 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
RESOLUTION NO. 9612 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of
a Master Services Agreement By and Between the City of Vernon
and Power Engineers, Inc. for Electrical Engineering Services
for the Light & Power Department, was read by title.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
Resolution No. 9612 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 9613 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Amending Resolution No. 9362 by Amending
Schedule X, Exhibit J, of said Resolution Regarding the
Compensation Costs and Benefits of its Employees, was read by
title.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that
Resolution No. 9613 be approved and adopted. Motion carried.
Ratification of the issuance of early checks for
Warrant Register No. 1240, covering claims and demands presented
during the period of April 17 through April 30, 2008, drawn on
Bank of America totaling $164,429.18, which includes Check Nos.
320365 through 320411 (Accounting period May 2008), was
presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by McCormick, that
the issuance of early checks for Warrant Register No. 1240,
covering claims and demands totaling $164,429.18, be ratified.
Motion carried. Councilman Davis abstained and disqualified
himself on this matter.
Ratification of wire transfers for Warrant Register
No. 1240, covering claims and demands presented during the
period of April 17 through April 30, 2008, drawn on Bank of
America totaling $1,928,764.22, which includes Wire Nos. 278
through 280 (Accounting period May 2008), was presented.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Davis, that wire
transfers for Warrant Register No. 1240, covering claims and
demands totaling $1,928,764.22, be ratified. Motion carried.
Warrant Register No. 1240, covering claims and demands
presented during the period of April 17 through April 30, 2008,
drawn on Bank of America totaling $249,664.56, which includes
Check Nos. 320412 through 320532 (Accounting period May 2008),
was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Davis, that
Warrant Register No. 1240 be approved and payment authorized for
claims and demands totaling $249,664.56. Motion carried.
Ratification of the issuance of early checks for Light
& Power Warrant Register No. 205, covering claims and demands
presented during the period of April 17 through April 30, 2008,
drawn on Bank of America totaling $45,752.99, which includes
Check Nos. 505465 through 505481 (Accounting period May 2008),
was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Gonzales, that
the issuance of early checks for Light & Power Warrant Register
No. 205, covering claims and demands totaling $45,752.99, be
ratified. Motion carried.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
Ratification of wire transfers for Light & Power
Warrant Register No. 205, covering claims and demands presented
during the period of April 17 through April 30, 2008, drawn on
Bank of America totaling $2,409,595.15, which includes Wire Nos.
3933 through 3947 (Accounting period May 2008), was presented.
It was moved by Ybarra, seconded by Gonzales, that
wire transfers for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 205,
covering claims and demands totaling $2,409,595.15, be ratified.
Motion carried. Councilman Davis abstained and disqualified
himself on this matter.
Light & Power Warrant Register No. 205, covering
claims and demands presented during the period of April 17
through April 30, 2008, drawn on Bank of America totaling
$131,836.67, which includes Check Nos. 505482 through 505502
(Accounting period May 2008), was presented.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that
Light & Power Warrant Register No. 205 be approved and payment
authorized for claims and demands totaling $131,836.67. Motion
carried.
The City Administrator announced that this was the
time for elected officials to report on conferences/seminars
attended during the period of April 21 through May 4, 2008.
Councilman Davis reported on the Annual Legislative
Appreciation Dinner he and Mayor Pro-Tem Gonzales attended in
Sacramento, California on April 29, 2008, which elected
officials from various other Southeast cities also attended.
Mayor Pro-Tem Gonzales talked about the conversation
he had with the Mayor and Councilwoman of the City of Roseville
at the Annual Legislative Appreciation Dinner.
The City Administrator announced that this was the
time for reports from departments.
The Fire Chief advised of the upcoming May 24, 2008
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Hancock Oil Company
fire. During the fire on May 24, 1958, the Vernon Fire
Department played an instrumental role in preventing damage to
many nearby buildings.
The Mayor shared his own memories of the 1958 Hancock
Oil Company fire, including the effectiveness of the Vernon Fire
Department in helping suppress the fire.
The Fire Chief also reported on the following matters:
1. All Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were in
place and CPR/AED training was still available.
2. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued to pre -
qualified firms regarding the construction of Fire
Station No. 4 on Atlantic and District Boulevards.
3. Alliance Group accepted the City°s offer to allow
them to use a portion of the third floor of City
Hall for administrative office purposes, and was
scheduled to take up occupancy within thirty days.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
The Mayor asked the Fire Chief if the department had
recently assisted other agencies in combating fires.
The Fire Chief replied that there had not been any
recent fires requiring the department's assistance, but the
department had assisted in a Haz Mat incident that resulted from
a traffic collision.
The Chief of Police reported that 22 cell phones would
be provided to the Vernon Elementary School to be used to reach
the Vernon Police Department in the event of an emergency.
The City Treasurer advised that the proposed 2008-2009
budget books would be delivered the week of May 12, 2008.
The Assistant City Attorney III, who sat in for the
Director of Personnel, had nothing to report on the Director's
behalf.
The Finance Director provided an update on the
financial projections for the City.
The Risk Manager provided an update on the outstanding
insurance claims related to the Malburg Generating Station (MGS)
September 2007 outage, which totaled approximately $2.5 million.
He thanked Light & Power Department personnel, especially
Abraham Alemu and Peter Hervish, for their efforts in this
matter.
The Director of Environmental Health reported on the
Earth Day event held May 1, 2008. He advised that the event was
very successful and that the department was planning to conduct
it again in 2009.
The Deputy Director of Community Services & Water, who
sat in for the Director of Community Services & Water, reported
on the following matters:
1. Apartment renovations scheduled to begin May 5,
2008.
2. Demolition of the Smurfit -Stone property scheduled
to begin May 5, 2008.
3.26th Street Bridge railing scheduled for installation
in approximately three weeks.
4.26th Street Bridge lettering scheduled to go up in
approximately one month.
The Mayor asked the Deputy Director about the status
of the lighting for the elevated water tank.
The Deputy Director of Community Services & Water did
not have anything to report regarding the lighting for the water
tower, but advised the Mayor that he would relay the message to
the Director of Community Services & Water to report back at the
next meeting.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
The Director of Light & Power reported on the
following matters:
1. Insurance claims related to the September 2007
Malburg Generating Station (MGS) outage, including
funds received and outstanding balance. He
commended Abraham Alemu, Peter Hervish, and Robin
Tolmasoff for all their hard work on this matter.
2. Success of the recent MGS scheduled outage to
replace nozzles on Unit #1.
3. Recent restructure of the gas bonds.
4. Support received from surrounding cities for the
Southeast Region Energy Project (SREP).
5. Pre -paid gas sales proceeds used to purchase power
to meet the City's demands.
6. High cost of natural gas and its effect on
consumers.
7.City's gas distribution system, which would soon
increase its customer base within the City to
fifteen.
8. Potential obstacles related to the proposed
establishment of renewable energy source
requirements in California.
9.City Hall third floor section to be occupied by
Alliance Group would be ready May 15, 2008.
Mayor Pro-Tem Gonzales asked the Director of Light &
Power what the projections for nuclear power were.
The Director of Light & Power replied that nuclear
power plants would remain because of the amount already invested
in them.
The City Attorney had nothing to report at this time.
The City Clerk had nothing to report at this time.
The Mayor called a short recess at 10:59 a.m.
The City Council reconvened in regular session at
11:04 a.m., all members present before the recess again being
present.
The City Administrator announced that now was the time
to go into closed session.
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by Ybarra, that the
City Council go into closed session, the time being 11:04 a.m.
Motion carried.
Everyone was excluded from closed session with the
exception of the City Administrator, City Attorney, and members
of the City Attorney's office.
The Mayor ordered all communications to and from
closed session deemed privileged and confidential.
The Assistant City Attorney III was excused from
closed session at 11:13 a.m.
The Mayor was excused from closed session at 11:25
a.m. and returned to closed session at 11:36 a.m.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008
It was moved by Gonzales, seconded by McCormick, that
the City Council go out of closed session and resume regular
session, the time being 11:39 a.m. Motion carried.
It was reported out that the City Council had a
conference in closed session regarding one Employee
Discipline/Dismissal/Release matter pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957, and the recommendation of the Director of
Community Services & Water was approved.
It was reported out that the City Council had a
conference in closed session regarding one Employee Evaluation
matter pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, and a merit
step increase for Abraham Alemu, Electric Resources Planning and
Development Manager, from step 2 to step 1, effective May 5,
2008, was approved.
It was reported out that the City Council had a
conference in closed session with legal counsel regarding
existing litigation case LASC No. BC 331516 pursuant to
subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9, and no
action was taken with regard to said case.
It was reported out that the City Council had a
conference in closed session with legal counsel regarding one
potential case of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of
Government Code Section 54956.9, and no action was taken with
regard to said matter.
There being no further business to come before the
City Council at this time, it was moved by Gonzales, seconded by
McCormick, that the meeting be adjourned, the time being 11:39
a.m. Motion carried.
1
ATTEST:
3
�anuela Giron
City Clerk
-x
Na Leonis . M burg
Title: Mayor
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