20100419 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010,
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gonzales, McCormick, Davis, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 9:09 a.m. by Mayor
Gonzales.
The City Clerk announced that there were no changes to
the agenda.
The City Clerk announced that this was the time
allotted for public comments.
Mayor Gonzales asked if there was anyone in the
audience who wished to address the City Council.
Mr. David Sanchez, PHD, introduced himself because he
is running for Congress. He stated that he would love to be the
City's representative and that he is very concerned with
increasing employment in the respective communities. He stated
that he lives just outside of Vernon on the other side of the
railroad tracks.
Mayor Gonzales asked if there was anyone else who
wished to address the City Council. No one responded.
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held March 15, 2010,
be approved and adopted as submitted Motion carried. 5-0
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Davis, that the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held March 22, 2010,
be approved and adopted as submitted. Motion carried. 5-0
It was moved by Maisano, seconded by McCormick, that
the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held March 29,
2010, be approved and adopted as submitted. Motion carried. 5-0
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-50 A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Authorizing the City Administrator
to take Appropriate Actions to Reduce Total General Fund
Governmental Activities Expenses in the Police Department and
Fire Department, Including a Reduction in Force, was read by
title.
It was moved by Newmire, seconded by Maisano, that
Resolution No. 2010-50 be approved and adopted.
The Police Chief, Mr. Steve Towles, asked if this was
an opportunity for comments with respect to the proposed
resolution, and the Mayor replied that it was.
The Police Chief addressed the City Council and stated
that he meant no disrespect to the Council in raising his
question, but wanted to be sure that the Council understood the
impact of the reductions discussed. He advised that the Police
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2010
Department worked very diligently on working with the City to
meet the initial goal reduction amount of $3,479,034, and while
a significant reduction was achieved, it did not come close to
meeting the goal. After a secondary review, the goal reduction
amount was restated as $3,344,002. Chief Towles stated that a
pretty good reduction can be reached if there is free reign to
look at reductions in all areas of the department's budget,
including Group 2 personnel. He advised that the reduction of
$1,711,814 the department was looking to have to make from its
current budget, equates to the salaries of his position, two
captains, four lieutenants, all records personnel, and the court
officer. He stated the significance of the amount and the fact
that the department cannot operate without a management
structure. Chief Towles stated that neither himself, nor the
department, was looking to undermine the budget`
reduction/balancing process, but that because the impact of
these actions are critically important to the community, members
of the department, and the City, he wanted to give the matter
every opportunity to be reviewed to help 'ensure that all parties
are working in the same direction to identify the best solution.
He believes that, with cooperation among all the entities
involved, there may be a way to accomplish the $1,711,814
reduction without significant layoffs. He expressed his hope
that the Council explores all options before moving to a
significant reduction in personnel. He feels that should be
last step/last option considered. Chief Towles expressed his
appreciation for having the opportunity to address the City
Council on this matter and offered to answer any questions.
Mayor Gonzales called for questions, but no questions
were raised. Mayor Gonzales thanked Chief Towles for his
comments.
The earlier motion to approve and adopt Resolution No.
2010-50 was carried unanimously, 5-0.
Councilman Newmire stated that after all the actions
that are being taken or considered with respect to trimming the
City's expenditure budget, the City will still be left with a
shortfall of over $14 million. He said he would like to explore
ways the City can cut back in some of its expenses to avoid
taxes that cause the City's businesses to 'fold. Councilman
Newmire asked that a discussion item be placed on the following
week's agenda to examine the possibility of the City contracting
out certain services in certain departments as a possible means
of reducing costs. He thought this might help provide a
solution to address the Police Chief's point. He expressed an
interest in establishing a cohesiveness that allows the City
Council to discuss the matter with allDepartmentHeads'.
Mayor Gonzales thanked Councilman Newmire for his
comments and asked if there were any further comments on this
matter. No one responded.
The Consent Calendar was presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Community Services & Water Department
1. Building Department Report for the month of March 20101 to
be received and filed.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2010
Fire Department
1. Activity Report for the period of March 16 through March
31, 2010, to be received and filed.
Personnel Department
1. Ratification of the reclassification of Maryam Farajzadeh,
Associate Engineer in the Light &_Power Department, from
full-time employment status to part-time employment status.
Police Department
1. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrest and
Activities for the period of March 16 through March 31,
2010, to be received and filed.
Treasurer's Department
1. Ratification of wire payments processed through the
following Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) accounts as
detailed below:
a. BNY Account No. 800452, totaling $15,356,000.00, covering
the period of November 10, 2009 through April 12, 2010;
b. BNY Account No. 800457, totaling $200,000.00, covering
the period ofAugust4, 2009 through April 12, 2010; and
c. BNY Account No. 800878, totaling $20,758,286.00, covering
the period of September 24, 2008 through April 12, 2010.
2. Ratification of the following warrant registers to record
the following voided checks:
a. Warrant Register No. 1306`for voided check no. 329291 in
the amount of $266.20, issued 3/22/2010.
b. Light & Power Warrant Register No. 260 for voided check
no. 507063 in the amount of $72.86, issued 12/14/2009.
3. Approval of the following Warrant Registers covering the
period of March 30 through April 12, 2010.
a. Warrant Register No. 1309, totaling $2,289,941.29, which
consists of the following:
■ Ratification of wire transfers totaling $315,614.84;
■ Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$121,243.73; and
■ Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$1,853,082.72.
b. Light & Power Warrant Register No.,274, totaling
$1,300,025.32, which consists of the following:
■ Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,195,918.31;
■ Ratification of the issuance of ,early checks totaling
$92,406.16; and
■ Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$11,700.85.
c. Gas Warrant Register No. 62, totaling $58,565.87, which
consists of the following:
■ Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$40,479.41; and
■ Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$18,086.46.
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Regular City CouncilMeeting Minutes
April 19, 2010
It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried. 5-0
The City Clerk announced that this was the time for
the election matters listed on the agenda
The City Clerk delivered the Certificate of Election.
and Oath of Office to Richard J. Maisano, and congratulated him
on his election to the office of City Council Member.
Each of the City Council Members individually
congratulated Councilman Maisano on his election.
The City Clerk called for a motion for the election of
Mayor. It was moved by Davis, seconded by Maisano, that Hilario
Gonzales be appointed to serve as Mayor. Motion carried. 5-0
The City Clerk called for a -motion for the election of
Mayor Pro Tem. It was moved by Davis, seconded by Newmire, that
William Michael McCormick be appointed to serve as Mayor Pro
Tem. Motion carried. 5-0
The City Council recessed into closed session to
discuss the items listed on the closed session agenda.
Closed Session Reports: The City Attorney reported
that the City Council unanimously voted to terminate a
Dispatcher and authorized the Risk Manager to settle a claim in
the amount of $10,000.
The City Administrator/Director of Light & Power, Mr.
Donal O'Callaghan, reported that an outage occurred on April 18,
2010, around 11:30 p.m. as a result of a car that struck a power
pole in the area of 47th Street and Boyle Avenue.
It was moved by McCormick, seconded by Newmire, that
the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 a.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Willard G.
City Clerk
Hilario Gonzal s
Mayor
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