20111004 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL -
LIGHT & POWER MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON
HELD OCTOBER 4, 2011, 1N THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gonzales, Davis, McCormick, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Mayor Gonzales
The City Clerk announced that the Interim City Attorney
requested a motion to add the Director of Light & Power's
compensation to the agenda. This item was brought to the
attention of the City Clerk after the posting of the agenda.
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire to add the
Director of Light & Power's compensation to the agenda. Motion
carried, 5-0. The City Clerk clarified that the item will be
added to the consent calendar.
The City Clerk announced that this was the time allotted for
public comment. The Mayor inquired whether anyone in the
audience wished to address the City Council. No one responded.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Davis and seconded by McCormick, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as amended. Motion
carried, 5-0.
1. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 308,
totaling $1,841,254.29, which covers the period of
September 13 through September 26, 2011, and consists of
the following:
a.Ratification of wire transfers totaling $1,674,811.88;
and
b. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$22,547.14; and
c.Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$143,895.27.
2. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 96, totaling
$43,089.50, which covers the period of September 13 through
September 26, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$5,951.03; and
b.Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$37,138.47.
3. Resolution No. 2011-162 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of Task Order No. 2011-4 to the Standard Master
Agreement, by and between the City of Vernon and CH2MHill
Engineers, Inc.
Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
October 4. 2011
4. Approval of the amendment to the Bloomberg agreement and
schedule of services in order to terminate the automatic
renewal terms.
5. July 2011 Resource Procurement Report, to be received and
filed.
6. Approval to compensate the Director of Light and Power
equivalent to the Executive Director of the Redevelopment
Agency,
nunr. uuvnama
Peter Hervish reported that the application process for Kern
county is under way and the Director of Light & Power should be
able to execute the related documents. Hervish provided a
status report on Task Order 2011-4. Hervish explained the
Culvert Road Project and its inheritance by the City.
The Rudnick estate, previous owner of Vernon's property in
Tehachapi, built a road in September 8, 2007, in violation. The
road was built so that people could access mines located on the
other side of the property. A road to the mines already
existed, but due to a feud between the Rudnicks and the Cass
estate they were blocked access.
The road that Rudnick built blocked the natural flow of water in
the culvert and created a dam. The City had closed the deal
with ReNew on October 8, 2008, and was notified a week later of
the violation. The City is now responsible for addressing the
issue, which will cost about $135,000 to repair. Hervish
reported that it took two years to determine and arrange the
scope of work.
Hervish advised that the repairs have to be done. The repair
plans have been filed and approved with Kern County. The plan
is to install a pipe that will allow for the flow of water and
still maintain the road. Seeds will need to be planted around
the area for erosion control.
Mayor Gonzales inquired how much traffic flow is on the road.
Hervish advised that the road is rarely used. Originally, there
were discussions to convert the road into a two lane highway,
but the City saw no need for a highway and is leaving the road
as is.
Councilman Newmire inquired whether the City would be liable if
during the scope of work, wildlife is killed or affected.
Hervish advised that there will be someone monitoring the work
to make sure there aren't any incidents. Hervish further
explained that originally, CH2MHILL had requested that the City
take on all responsibility, but that the contractor will be
liable for any incident, and are covered under their own
insurance.
Interim City Attorney Michael Montgomery inquired whether the
road was visible when the land was purchased. Hervish confirmed
that the road was visible and that it was argued that it should
have been part of the City's due diligence, therefore, the City
has inherited the issue.
Page 2 of 3
Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
October 4. 2011
Mayor Pro Tem Davis inquired who would be responsible for the
maintenance of the road. In response, Hervish advised that
cattle ranchers use the road. During the rainy season, divots
left by the cattle are evident in the road. For fear that their
livestock might injure themselves in one of the holes, the
ranchers repair the road. They maintain the road at no cost to
the city.
Director of Light & Power Carlos Fandino reported of a
transmission distribution issue at 2901 Saco Street. Overgrown
--- trees on the customer's property were becoming an issue. The
customer was asked to trim the trees, but it was a cost burden.
Fandino reported that the Petrelli crew was capable of
performing this type of maintenance and so they went ahead and
completed the work. Fandino advised that normally, if the issue
is on the street side the issue is identified and the customer
is notified. In emergency situations, such as this, the City
can perform the work through Petrelli.
Fandino reported on the gas distribution system. Cal SDM's gas
installation is in progress. Chocolate -A -La -Carte and Paperless
Products, and Gavina & Sons have signed on and are ready to go.
Murrieta and King Meat are pending, and Pat Fresch has secured
about 20 customers who are interested in receiving gas services.
Fandino reported on the engineering department. The 50rh Street
project has been completed, and the department has moved on to
the 26`h Street rail road project, which is still ongoing. The
installation of the 16 KV shoefly and underground cables have
been completed. The Leonia substation relay has been cleaned up
and completed. In the future, the department is looking to use
16KV and 66 KV relays in order to update the system.
At 8:15 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Davis,
to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
ATTE
Willa d G. ma c i
City Clerk
Hilario Gonzal
Mayor
Page 3 of 3