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20090706 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009, AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Gonzales, McCormick, Davis, Maisano MEMBERS ABSENT: None The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gonzales. RESOLUTION NO. 10,009 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Appointing Dan Newmire to Fill the Unexpired Term of a Member of the City Council, Leonis C. Malburg, was read by title. Mayor Pro Tempore McCormick provided Mr. Newmire's biography. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that Resolution No. 10,009 be approved and adopted. Motion carried. The City Clerk delivered the Administration of Oath to newly appointed Council Member Dan Newmire. Councilman Dan Newmire thanked the City Council for giving him the great opportunity to serve the City of Vernon and advised that he would abstain from voting during this Council meeting. It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held June 29, 2009, be approved and adopted as submitted. Motion carried. Special Counsel announced that this was the time to present the Service Pins. employees: The Mayor presented Service Pins to the following Todd Hewett, Captain, 20 Years Judy Lehr, Legal Services Administrative Secretary, 10 Years The following employees were unable to attend the meeting. Their Service Pins were forwarded to them. Rory Moore, Captain, 20 Years Mark Whitworth, Fire Chief, 20 Years A Proclamation of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Vernon Commending Dan C. Downing for His Many Years of Service to the City of Vernon, was read in its entirety. The Mayor presented the Proclamation to the Deputy Director of Health & Environmental Control, Dan Downing. Special Counsel announced to the audience that this was the time for public comment. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 Mayor Gonzales asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to address the City Council at this time. There was no one who wished to address the City Council at this time. Special Counsel announced that this was the time for the presentation by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway regarding their support of proposed improvements to the Hobart Yard facility including, among other things, the construction of a new bridge over 26th Street and the installation of an auto gate system technology. Ms. Colleen Weatherford addressed the City Council and had a handout distributed to the City Council regarding her presentation. Ms. Weatherford identified the current process of the Hobart Yard Facility in the City of Vernon, and addressed the benefits that would be created if the proposed improvements were to take place, i.e. reduction of truck idling, reduction of emissions, increased safety, and increased security. Ms. Weatherford sought a letter of support from the City on the project. The City Administrator advised that the City should support the BNSF. proposed project because, among other reasons, it would reduce air pollution. Mayor Pro Tempore McCormick asked if the trucks entering the Hobart Yard Facility would be upgraded to natural gas vehicles. Ms. Weatherford advised that most of the trucks are independently owned, but that the BNSF fleet would gradually be upgraded. The Director of Community & Services recommended that the draft letter of support be received from BNSF for review and be brought back for Council's approval at a future date. Special Counsel announced that this was the time for the Public Hearing to consider evidence to amend Vernon's Transmission owner Tariff and establish Vernon's new Transmission Revenue Requirement, for its high voltage (over 200 kV) transmission entitlements (all located outside the City), to include adjustments for increased costs under the City's existing transmission contracts ("ETCs") with Southern California Edison Co. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, to open the Public Hearing, the time being 9:29 a.m. Motion carried. Abraham Alemu addressed the City Council regarding the Public Hearing and announced that not all the information necessary for Council to take action had been received in time for the hearing and asked that the Public Hearing be deferred until July 13, 2009. Page 2 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that the Public Hearing be adjourned to July 13, 2009. Motion carried. The Consent Calendar was presented. Fire Department 1. Fire Department Activity Report for the period of June 1, 2009 through June 15, 2009. Health & Environmental Control Department 2. Health & Environmental Control Department Monthly Report for the month of May 2009 Personnel Department 3. Reassignment of officer Richard Villegas from the Patrol Division to Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP), (outside detail), effective July 7, 2009. Police Department 4. Police Department Activity Report for the period of June 1, 2009 through June 15, 2009. Treasury Department 5. Ratification of the issuance of early checks for Warrant Register No. 1275, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $326,429.66, which includes Check Nos. 326141 through 326158, (Accounting period July 2009). 6. Ratification of wire transfers for Warrant Register No. 1275, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $4,784.00; which includes Wire No. 334 (Accounting period July 2009) . 7. Warrant Register No. 1275, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $206,998.59, which includes Check Nos. 326159 through 326221 (Accounting period July 2009). 8. Ratification of wire transfers for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands presented during the period of.June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $250,333.85, which includes Wire Nos. 4342 through 4345 (Accounting period July 2009). 9. Ratification of the issuance of early checks for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $4,454.90, which includes Check Nos. 506658 through 506665 (Accounting period July 2009). 10. Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240 covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $11,081.40, which includes Check Nos. 506666 through 506675 (Accounting period July 2009) Page 3 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 11. Ratification of the issuance of early checks for Gas Warrant Register No. 30, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23, 2009 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $246.42, which includes Check Nos. 167 through 169 (Accounting period July 2009). 12. Ratification of wire transfer for Gas Warrant Register No. 30, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23, 2009 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $2,120,708.55, which includes Wire Nos. 37 through 39 (Accounting Period July 2009). 13. Gas Warrant Register No. 30 covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23, 2009 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East'West Bank totaling $409.69, which includes Check No. 170 (Accounting Period July 2009). 14. City of Vernon Requisitions from the Bicent Capacity Payment Custody Escrow Account No. 800594, covering claims and demands presented during the period of May 27, 2009 through June 29, 2009, to be drawn on The Bank of New York Mellon totaling $98,046.22, which includes Requisition No. BCP007 (Accounting Period June 2009). ' End of Consent Calendar Councilman Davis asked that item numbers eight and nine be removed from the Consent Calendar to be considered separately. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, that the matter on the Consent Calendar, with the exception of item numbers eight,and nine, be approved as recommended. Motion carried. Item Number 8 - Ratification of wire transfers for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East'West Bank totaling $250,333.85, which includes Wire Nos. 4342 through 4345 (Accounting period July 2009), was presented. It was moved by Maisano, seconded by McCormick, that wire transfers for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands totaling $250,333.85, be ratified. Motion carried. Councilman Davis abstained and disqualified himself on this matter. Item Number 9 - Ratification of the issuance of early checks for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands presented during the period of June 23 through June 29, 2009, drawn on East West Bank totaling $4,454.90, which includes Check Nos. 506658 through 506665 (Accounting period July 2009), was presented. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, that the issuance of early checks for Light & Power Warrant Register No. 240, covering claims and demands totaling $4,454.90, be ratified. Motion carried. Councilman Davis abstained and disqualified himself on this matter. Page 4 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 RESOLUTION NO. 9980 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Agreement for GST Public Safety Software By and Between the City of Vernon and GeoSpatial Technologies, Inc., was read by title. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that Resolution No. 9980 be approved and adopted. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 9984 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a.Third Supplemental to Agreement Number C-113101 of City of Los Angeles Contract By and Between the City of Vernon and the City of Los Angeles Regarding the Use of 2006 Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant Funds, was read by title. It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that Resolution No. 9984-be approved and adopted. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 10,004 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property from the Police Department Pursuant to Section 2.31 of the Vernon City Code, was read by title. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, that Resolution No. 10,004 be approved and adopted. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 10,007 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Engagement Letter Agreement by and Between the City of Vernon and U.S. Health Works Medical Group Regarding Employee Work -Related Examinations and Treatment, was read by title It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that Resolution No. 10,007 be approved and adopted. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 10,010 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon.Dissolving, Cancelling and Terminating all Agreements with Cape Canaveral Power Consultants, Curtis Fresch, Ltd. and Freddie Taylor; Authorizing the Director of Light & Power to Hire a Projects and Technical Services Support Manager, Renewable Energy Development Manager and Administrative Aide on an Hourly Basis; and Repealing All Resolutions or Parts of Resolutions in Conflict Therewith, was read by title. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, that Resolution No. 10,010 be approved and adopted. Motion carried. Special Counsel announced that now was the time for elected officials to report on conference/seminars for the period of June 29, 2009, through July 5, 2009. It was reported that Elected Officials did not attend any conferences/seminars during the period of June 29, 2009, through July 5, 2009. Special Counsel announced that now was the time for reports from departments. Page 5 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 to report. The Director of Human Resources had nothing to report. The Chief of Police had nothing to report. The Director of Community Services & Water had nothing The Director of Personnel had nothing to report. The City Treasurer welcomed Mr. Dan Newmire as a new Council member. Battalion Chief Lazar congratulated Mr. Dan Newmire on becoming a Council member and reported that the City's Paramedic Program was approved on June 29, 2009, by the Department of Health Services. The Director of Health & Environmental Control reported on the following: • Mailing of the fiscal year Health Permit renewals that.will generate approximately $428,000.00. • Reminded the audience of the luncheon taking place today in the city's yard starting at 11:30 a.m. and the dinner on July 16, 2009, in Montebello in celebration of Dan Downing's retirement. • Welcomed new Councilman Dan Newmire aboard and offered to provide him with a presentation of the department's role in the city. The Risk Manager welcomed Mr. Dan Newmire as a new Council member. The Director of Light & Power welcomed Mr. Dan Newmire as a new Council member and reported on the following: • No outages during the past week. • Update of the Southeast Regional Energy Project (SREP) . • Update of the development of the Wind Energy Project and its upcoming permitting application process. The Mayor,asked if there would be a need to hire consultants to assist with the Wind Energy Project. The City Attorney advised that the City has already retained the services of Latham & Watkins to assist with the project, especially with the permitting application process. The Mayor asked if the City had received any funds from the Recovery Act for the Wind Energy Project. The City Attorney responded that Latham &,Watkins had reviewed the Recovery Act on behalf of the City and they had not identified any ability to access funds under the Recovery Act for the Wind Energy Project. Page 6 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 The City Administrator addressed the following: • Update of the budget review process and that a budget will be brought forward to the City Council in the near future. • The importance of prioritizing the City's capital projects and adopting a fiscally responsible budget . • The importance of implementing monthly expenditure management reports for all departments. The Mayor advised that this year the City is conducting a very thorough budget review to adopt a fiscally responsible budget which will avoid future questions by the public. Special Counsel wished much success to Mr. Dan Newmire as a new Council member. The City Clerk welcomed Mr. Dan Newmire aboard as a new Council member. The City Attorney congratulated and welcomed Mr. Dan Newmire as a new Council member. The Mayor called a short recess at 9:56 a.m. The City Council reconvened in regular session at 10:02 a.m., all members present before the recess again being present. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that the City Council go into closed session, the time being 10:03 a.m. Motion carried. Everyone was excluded from closed session, with the exception of the City Administrator, Special Counsel, City Attorney, Director of Human Resources, Director of Personnel, and Chief of Police. It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Maisano, to go out of closed session and resume regular session, the time being 10:06 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 by the Police Chief was approved. Page 7 of 8 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes July 6, 2009 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 10:06 a.m. ATTEST: Manuela Giron City Clerk Name: Hilario Gonzales Title: Mayor Page 8 of 8