20111018 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes (2)MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF
THE CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011,
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA RE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gonzales, Davis, McCormick, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Gonzales.
Councilman McCormick led the flag salute.
The City Clerk announced that there were modifications made to
Ordinance No. 1188, which included the revision of section
numbering and the addition of a Section 5. The City Clerk
requested a motion to replace Ordinance No. 1188 with the
modified version. It was moved by Davis and seconded by
McCormick to amend the agenda to include the modified ordinance.
Motion carried, 5-0.
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.
Marisa Olguin, President of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce,
stated that she was pleased to see the Good Governance Reform
Implementation Matrix made public as the timeline tracks the
reforms and the agenda plans, creating deadlines and
demonstrating how serious the City is to making a healthy, more
accountable City Council.
Olguin urged the Council to vote on the Vernon Housing Policy
and give the independent Vernon Housing Commission the green -
light to tackle the issues. Olguin advised that the Chamber is
ready to work with the City on the upcoming elections in order
to lock -in the substantive reforms. Olguin emphasized the
Chamber's continuous support for the November elections as a
critical step in saving the City in a real concrete way. Olguin
mentioned that she had met with members of the City Council and
re-emphasized the directive of Senators to encourage voters to
support the election measures on November 8th and 22"d. She
viewed the elections as final steps to save the City.
Olguin urged the Council members to vote "yes" on the Vernon
Housing Policy and the ordinance for the Sustainable Development
and Energy Efficiency Commission.
Jaime Villanueva advised that he represents Teamsters 27 in
support of the Vernon Housing Policy and Ordinance and views the
measures as a better way to govern the City.
Lieutenant Adam Christen of the California Highway Patrol
("CHP") advised that the CHP recognizes both Officer Fernando
Valenzuela and Officer Richard Velasquez for their efforts
against the multimillion dollar enterprise of auto theft. It is
a street crime and officers play an integral role in identifying
the thieves. Christen reported that there has been an increase
in auto theft rate recovery, the highest in the nation.
Christen presented the 10851 Award Pin to both officers.
Christen explained that in order to receive the awards, officers
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2011
must make 12 stolen vehicle recoveries, six of which were
cleared by arrest. Christen advised that this is Officer
Valenzuela's 6`h award.
It was moved by Davis and seconded by McCormick to approve the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held December 20,
2010. Motion carried, 4-0-1, Maisano abstained.
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by McCormick to approve the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held September 20,
2011. Motion carried, 5-0.
It was moved by Maisano and seconded by Davis to approve the
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held October 4,
2011. Motion carried, 5-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman McCormick requested that item 8.a regarding the
Vernon Housing Policy be pulled from the Consent Calendar,
Councilman Newmire requested that item 2.a. regarding the
expanded scope of work for Reed & Davidson LLP be pulled from
the consent calendar. It was moved by McCormick and seconded
by Newmire that the two items be removed from the Consent
calendar. Motion carried, 5-0.
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by Davis, that the
remaining matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as
recommended. Motion carried, 5-0.
1. Warrant Registers
a. Approval of Payroll Warrant Register No. 664, totaling
$2,635,657.97, which covers the period of August 14
through September 10, 2011, and consists of the
following:
1.Ratification of electronic fund transfers (EFTS)
totaling $2,611,029.75; and
2. Checks paid through General Fund Warrant
Register totaling $24,628.22.
b. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1344, totaling
$2,483,905.07, which covers the period of September 27
through October 10, 2011, and consists of the
following:
1. Ratification of wire transfers totaling
$2,003,335.22; and
2.Ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $343,258.22; and
3. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$137,311.63,
2. City Administration
a. REMOVED
3. Community Services
a. Approval to extend the Service Agreement between the
City of Vernon and Nationwide Environmental Services
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October 18, 2011
for one year, beginning October 1, 2011, for citywide
street sweeping services pursuant to Section 1 of the
Agreement, with no change in terms or conditions.
b.Building Department Report for the month of September
2011, to be received and filed.
4. Fire Department
a.Activity Report for the period of September 1 through
September 15, 2011, to be received and filed.
5. Health Department
a.September 2011 Monthly Report, to be received and
filed.
6. Personnel Department
a. Resignation of Fabian Reyes, Firefighter with the Fire
Department, effective October 18, 2011.
7. Police Department
a. Resolution No. 2011-174 - A Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Vernon Approving and
Authorizing the City's Participation in the 2010 Urban
Areas Security Initiative Grant Program, Approving and
Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement By and
Between the City of Vernon and the City of Los
Angeles, and Authorizing the Execution of Documents
Necessary to Obtain the Grant
b. Authorization to purchase replacement Sierra Wireless
GX400 modems from Access wireless Data Solutions for
the Police Department's police units.
c. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrest and
Activities for the period of September 16, through
September 30, 2011, to be received and filed.
8. Vernon Housing Commission
a. REMOVED
Approval of the proposed addendum, dated October 13, 2011, to
expand the scope of the May 23, 2011 Letter Agreement for Reed &
Davidson LLP. (Originally Item 2.a. of the Consent Calendar, as
removed.)
Councilman Newmire recommended that the aforementioned item
regarding the extended scope of work for Reed & Davidson LLP be
discussed further, and opined that it may require tabling.
Newmire explained that the matter would involve additional
attorney fees, and questioned whether the extended scope of work
falls within the responsibility of the City Attorney. Newmire
further recommended that the title "Interim" be removed from
Mike Montgomery's title as City Attorney.
Councilman McCormick stated that the Interim City Attorney
matter was not on the agenda; therefore, the Council cannot take
a vote on this.
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October 18, 2011
Montgomery advised that legally it is a change in title and not
a change in appointment. If there are no objections, the item
can be reconfirmed on the next agenda. Montgomery reported that
the item is on the matrix to be addressed.
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by Maisano that the
"Interim" be removed from Montgomery's City Attorney title.
Motion carried 3-2, with McCormick and Davis voting no.
Councilman McCormick requested that the item be placed on the
next agenda since it was not noticed for the agenda.
Olguin addressed the Council and stated that the expanded scope
of work for Reed & Davidson was an important part in dealing
with election matters. Further, that it was critical that the
Vernon Housing Policy be approved. Olguin expressed the
importance of this matter for Senator De Leon, John Van de Kamp,
the Los Angeles Times, and the businesses.
Mayor Gonzales advised that the Council is only addressing the
matter concerning the Interim City Attorney. Newmire echoed
Gonzales' comment.
Montgomery advised that he had met with Reed & Davidson and
reviewed the letter agreement. Newmire opined that the item
needed to be discussed further beginning with the fees.
McCormick requested that the attorneys explain the process
behind the Vernon Housing Policy.
Counsel Dana Reed stated that the process began with a public
hearing. Reed reported that the City staff invited all the
tenants and residents, and that the meeting was well attended.
The public hearing was held at night and that there had been two
subsequent meetings. At each meeting, the Chairperson and
Commission took public testimony. A subcommittee consisting of
Commissioners Henry Haskell, Hector Garcia, and Eric Gustafson
was formed to draft the proposed policy. The entire Commission
met and edited the policy at its public meeting and unanimously
adopted the policy.
The Vernon Housing Commission ("VHC") Chairperson Eric Gustafson
clarified that only the rental policy was being presented to the
City Council as there seemed to be some confusion over the
issue. Gustafson stated that he was present to speak in strong
support of the policy as part of City's ongoing reform efforts
and that the City Council created the VHC and empowered them to
create a housing policy.
After the public hearing and discussion, the Commission approved
the proposed policy. Gustafson clarified that the only issue
being addressed is the proposed Vernon Rental Housing Policy;
the commission has not address the potential sale of units.
Gustafson emphasized the policy's strong emphasis on fairness
and impartiality with no favoritism, its reference to the
private residential rental market for best management practices
and market rates, and the requirements for transitional
procedures for existing lessees, including potential rate
increases that would be stepped out to avoid burdening the
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October 18, 2011
current tenants. Gustafson advised that the existing lessees
will have a right to continue renting.
The VHC was tasked in creating a fair and evenhanded policy for
existing and future lessees. Gustafson advised that the VHC met
the goal and urged the City Council to adopt the policy.
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Davis to approve the
following resolution, No. 2011-175. Motion carried, 5-0.
Resolution No. 2011-175 - A Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Vernon Approving a Housing Policy for the Vernon
Housing Commission (Originally Item 8.a. of the Consent
Calendar, as removed.)
nRn TWAWr R4
1.ORDINANCE No. 1188 - An Ordinance of the City Council of
the City of Vernon Establishing a Sustainable Development
and Energy Efficiency Commission (first reading)
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by Maisano, to approve the
first reading of Ordinance No. 1188. Motion carried, 5-0.
ORAL REPORTS
Interim Police Chief Daniel Calleros reported that On October 4,
2011, a robbery was reported in the 3400 block of Vernon Avenue.
The victim was walking to work when a suspect approached her on
foot and demanded money at gunpoint. The victim complied and
the suspect fled the scene on foot with approximately $15.00 in
U.S currency.
On October 6, 2011, at 2809 E. 44th Street, two suspects entered
a business and robbed the office clerk at gunpoint. The
suspects fled the scene on foot with approximately $3,000 in
U.S. currency and business checks. The office clerk was not
injured. Calleros pointed out that there has been an increase
in street robberies recently, and reported that he has met with
other chiefs regarding the issue. Investigators are in contact
with other local agencies and are sharing information in order
to identify leads. Calleros opined that this particular robbery
may have had internal information, since the suspects had
knowledge that the business carried large amounts of money and
that only one clerk would be working.
Captain James Rodino advised that there were no reportable
incidents of vandalism, and that the vandalism on Alcoa,
identified in the previous Council meeting, had been painted
over. There were no other incidents of vandalisms identified by
the Council members.
Assistant Chief Andrew Guth reported that the Fire Department
had responded to more than 60 calls since the last meeting, no
major incidents to report.
Guth reported that the training focus in confined space rescue
continues. The mobile data computer installation is on schedule
to be completed by mid November.
Guth advised that on October 20, 2011, the City will be
participating in the Great California Shakeout Drill. Employees
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October 18, 2011
were briefed by Department Heads regarding the procedure to
drop, cover, and hold on. On October 25, 2011, the last 2011
C.E.R.T.S. class will he graduating.
Guth advised that the department received great response for the
Susan B. Komen Foundation, and it was a successful event.
City Administrator, Mark Whitworth reported that the Good
Governance Reform Implementation Matrix had been posted on the
City's website on October 13, 2011. The November election
information is also available online. The ballots for the
November 8th election were mailed out on October 17, 2011.
Whitworth reported that the Business Development Committee is
almost set, pending the confirmation of one more business
representative. The Committee will consist of nine members and
be responsible for making recommendations on how to improve the
business climate in order to attract more businesses and
employees.
Whitworth announced that the next VHC meeting is scheduled for
November 10, 2011. The committee is expected to establish
operational procedures for the housing policy.
Whitworth reported that the state auditors will be at City Hall
through Thursday, October 20th conducting interviews, and
accessing documents. The auditors will be provided with city
badges so that employees know they are with the state audit
team.
Whitworth reported that the City had met with Huntington Park
City Council members in order to discuss the status of the Good
Neighbor Program. The City is expected to assist Huntington
Park with a few projects. The Director of Park & Recreations
has recommended a splash park, park expansion, and a field
renovation for the youth, which are all under consideration by
Huntington Park's City Council. Their next Council meeting is
tentatively scheduled for October 24, 2011.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:36 a.m., it was moved by Newmire and seconded by Davis,
that the City Council go into closed session to discuss the
items listed on the closed session agenda. Motion carried, 5-0.
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: Senior Dispatcher
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Government Cade Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: Administrative Assistant
At 9:39 a.m. it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Davis,
that the City Council exit closed session. Motion carried, 5-0.
The Interim City Attorney reported that the Council unanimously
agreed to appoint Cerissa Diaz to the position of Senior
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October 16. 2011
Dispatcher and hire Anthony Zarate for the position of
Administrative Assistant.
The City Clerk announced that there were no further items on the
agenda.
At 9:40a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire,
that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
ATTH /f
I
WdN a
CityClerk
William J. Davis
Mayor Pro-Tem
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