20120320 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes (2)MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF
THE CITY OF VERNON HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012,
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, McCormick, Maisano, Newmire
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem
Davis.
Councilman Newmire led the flag salute-.
The City Clerk announced that there were no changes to the
agenda.
The City Clerk announced that this was the time allotted for
public comment. Mayor Pro-Tem Davis inquired whether anyone in
the audience wished to address the City Council. No one
responded.
PRESENTATIONS
1. 10851 Award Pin sponsored by California Highway Patrol
recognizing Officer Luis Vasquez.
Interim Police Chief Daniel Calleros reported that this was
Officer Vasquez' first 10851 Award Pin related to vehicle
thefts. California Highway Patrol representative Adam
Christian, and Angie Hernandez of the American Automobile
Association of the Downey office presented Officer Vasquez
with the award.
2.A Proclamation of the City Council of the City of Vernon
Commending the Girl Scouts of the USA on Their 100th
Anniversary and Declaring March 11-17, 2012, as Girl Scout
Week
The City Clerk indicated that the proclamation would be sent
to the Girl Scouts commemorating their anniversary.
MINUTES
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire to approve the
-- Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting held January 12,
2012. Motion carried, 4-0.
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by Maisano to approve the
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting held January 17,
2012. Motion carried, 4-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
At 9:05 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano
to open the public hearing to consider the granting of a
variance of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Development
Standards.
Director of Community Services & Water Department Kevin Wilson
made a presentation on the variance request for Jin Dong Chang
located at 2021 38th Street. Wilson advised that the variance
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20. 2012
was necessary due to physical limitations of the site. That is,
the size of the parking lot, and the need for ingress and egress
in order to allow vehicles to maneuver without going into the
street. Wilson mentioned that the variance would include
cooperation with the adjoining property in order to accommodate
the ingress and egress issues and recommended approval.
Barry Seagal, the architect representing the owners, agreed with
the recommendations. There were no questions or comments.
At 9:13 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano,
to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 4-0.
Resolution No. 2012-42 - A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Vernon Granting a variance to Jin Dong Chang from
Section 26.5.1-6(f) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, for
the Property Located at 2021 38th Street in the City of Vernon
It was moved by Newmire and seconded by McCormick to approve
Resolution No. 2012-42. Motion carried, 4-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried, 4-0.
1. Warrant Registers
a. Ratification of City Warrant Registers to record the
following voided checks:
1.City Warrant Register No. 1350 to record voided
check no. 336430 in the amount of $1,158.14; and
2.City Warrant Register No. 1352 to record voided
check no. 336694 in the amount of $15.73.
b. Approval of Payroll Warrant Register No. 669, totaling
$3,169,689.11, which covers the period of January 15,
through February 11, 2012, and consists of the
following:
1.Ratification of direct deposits, checks and
taxes totaling $2,451,415.B3; and
2. Checks and electronic fund transfers (EFTS)
through the General bank account totaling
$718,273.28.
c. Approval of City Warrant Register No. 1353, totaling
$1,079,593.85, which covers the period of February 28,
through March 12, 2012, and consists of the following:
1. Ratification of wire transfers totaling
$289,359.49; and
2. Ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling $340,125.03; and
3. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$450,109.33.
2. Community Services
Page 2 of 6
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2012
a.Building Department Report for the month of February
2012, to be received and filed.
3. Fire Department
a.Activity Report for the period of February 1, through
February 15, 2012, to be received and filed.
b.Activity Report for the period of February 16, through
February 29, 2012, to be received and filed.
4. Health Department
a. February 2012 Monthly Report, to be received and
filed.
5. Police Department
a. Activity Log and Statistical Summary of Arrest and
Activities for the period of February 16, through
February 29, 2012, to be received and filed.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution No. 2012-43 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Declaring the Month of April 2012 as
"Sexual Assault Awareness Month" and April 25, 2012 as
"Denim Day"
City Administrator Mark Whitworth reported on the event, going
on its 13`h year in Los Angeles.
It was moved by Maisano and seconded by Newmire to approve
Resolution No. 2012-43. Motion carried, 4-0.
2. Resolution No. 2012-44 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Vernon Acting as the Successor Agency of the
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Vernon Approving a
Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule and Authorizing
Transmittal to the Los Angeles Auditor -Controller for an
External Audit Pursuant to ABxl 26
Assistant to City Administrator Alex Kung explained that ABxl
26 addressed the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency and
the repayment of the bonds.
It was moved by Maisano and seconded by McCormick to approve
Resolution No. 2012-44. Motion carried, 4-0.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1.Recruitment of a part-time Administrative Assistant for the
Risk Management Department.
Risk Manager Willard Yamaguchi advised that the department
consists of a Secretary and a vacant full-time Administrative
Assistant. Yamaguchi advised that the full-time position will
now be filled by a part-time position in order to save costs.
2. Reclassification of an employee in the Community Services &
Water Department.
Page 3 of 6
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2012
Director of Community Services and Water Kevin Wilson reported
on the loss of one of the employees in the Water Department.
Since then, employee has taken on the responsibilities and has
now been certified and can be reclassified as an Utilityman I.
'�1:�.\i�a�•l�l:LkH
Interim Police Chief Daniel Calleros reported a strong-arm
robbery on March 11, 2012. Female suspects demanded money while
threatening to accuse the victim of assault if he did not
comply. Calleros reported that the suspects fled the scene and
that there are few investigative leads.
Calleros reported a possible car theft that involved a vehicle
accident between a motor cycle and a vehicle that resulted in
the assault of a pregnant woman. The incident occurred on March
15, 2012.
Calleros reported a fatality during a single vehicle traffic
collision that occurred on March 18, 2012. Calleros reported
that the incident was due to unsafe speeds for prevailing
conditions.
Calleros announced that on March 29, 2012, Detectives will be
assisting the Los Angeles County Sheriffs in conducting parole
checks of recently paroled inmates in the Southeast area.
Calleros reported of an increase in the number of thefts in the
area, many of which are by recent parolees.
Calleros announced that the LAURA Unity and Peace Resource Fair,
which was scheduled for March 17, 2012, has been postponed until
April due to the recent weather.
Captain James Rodino reported of one vandalism incident at
Gourmet Specialties on March 16, 2012.
Councilman McCormick reported of graffiti on the north wall of
3400 26hh Street.
Assistant Chief Andrew Guth advised that the department has been
busy with fire prevention. Guth reported of a vehicle versus
pole incident that occurred on March 18, 2012, that resulted in
a fatality.
Guth advised that the current training focus is search and
rescue, through night drills and simulated fires exercises.
Guth reported on the current public outreach programs: the St.
Baldrick's event and the Blood Drive at Fire Station No. 1.
Guth advised that $7,500 in grant funds is going to be used to
purchase defibrillators, and that the department had budgeted to
match the grant funds.
Kevin Wilson, Director of Community Services and Water
Department, reported on the Advisory Committee for Business
Development's last meeting which included presentations by
Barbara Levine and Randy McKinley of the LAEDC.
Wilson reported on the high frequency of incidents at the same
location as the recent fatality. He reported that the
department is considering speed detector signs to reduce speeds.
Page 4 of 6
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20. 2012
In response to Councilman Newmire's recommendation on the use of
blinking lights, Wilson advised that the speed detector sign is
solar powered and would be most appropriate.
Director of Light & Power Carlos Fandino reported on the recent
Advisory Committee for Electric Rates meeting which included
discussions on the Cross Border study, proposed rate hikes, bio
methane contracts and the wind project. Fandino announced that
the next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2012.
Interim Director of Health and Environmental Control Leonard
Grossberg reported on the first Sustainable Development and
Energy Efficiency Meeting held February 29, 2012. The meeting
consisted of the swearing in of the members, scheduling, a brief
discussion regarding the Brown Act, AB 341, the Sustainability
Plan, and franchise trash haulers.
City Administrator Mark Whitworth responded to Lissette Gavina-
Lopez' inquiry as to the value of some city consultants, in
particular, Eric Fresch.
Whitworth reported that in accordance with Independent Reform
Monitor Sohn Van de Kamp's recommendation, the Law Offices of
Eric T. Fresch ("Fresch") contract will terminate on May 1,
2012. Whitworth advised that Fresch was key in securing the
Tehachapi land, which was purchased and partially sold at a good
deal.
Whitworth advised that the Tehachapi Project is a benefit to the
City in order to meet renewable portfolio standards in the
future and that the environmental studies conducted with the
services of SRT Helicopter for data collection will be crucial
to establishing the value of the property. Further, that Power
Consultants, Inc. and CH2MHILL as also associated with the
Tehachapi Project in analyzing the data to better determine the
value of the land.
Whitworth reported that the search firms had scheduled meetings
with the Council for the positions of City Attorney, Human
Resources Director, and Director of Health and Environmental
Control.
Whitworth reported that the Vernon Housing Commission met on
March 8, 2012 and introduced Stuart Leviton, Legal Counsel to
the Commission.
Whitworth reported on the closing of sale on the Matheson Tri
Gas property on March 14, 2012, and advised that the proceeds
will be used as part of the repayment plan to the Light & Power
Department.
Whitworth advised that he, Councilmen McCormick, Mayor Pro-Tem
Davis, and Counsel Dana Reed will be going to Sacramento in the
coming week to meet with the Republican caucus.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:47 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Newmire,
that the City Council go into closed session to discuss the item
listed on the closed session agenda. Motion carried, 4-0.
Page 5 of 6
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
March 20. 2012
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE
Government Code Section 54957
At 9:56 a.m. it was moved by Newmire and seconded by Maisano,
that the City Council exit closed session. Motion carried, 4-0.
Chief Deputy City Attorney Willard G. Yamaguchi reported that
the City Council unanimously agreed to terminate a police
officer.
The City Clerk announced that there were no further items on the
agenda.
At 9:58 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano,
that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
ATT ST:
it andTama i
City Clerk
1
William J. Etavis
Mayor Pro-Tem
Page 6 of 6