20200121 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Police Chief Miranda led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
Leticia Lopez, Mayor Pro Tern
William Davis, Council Member
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Hema Patel, City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief
Fredrick Agyin, Health Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Pope reported that Public Comment would be added to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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January 21, 2020
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Works
Development Agreement between the City of Vernon and the Southern California
Curling Center, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Table the hearing to a date uncertain.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Lopez moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to continue
the Public Hearing. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
2. Employee Service Pin Awards for November and December 2019
Recommendation:
No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl and Mayor Ybarra recognized Carlos Gudino, Senior
Street Maintenance Worker, for 25 years of service to the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Lopez moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve
Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 through 8. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Operating Account Warrant Register No. 37 Covering the Period of December 8,
2019 through January 4, 2020
Recommendation:
Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 37 which totals $12,097,456.41 and
consists of the following:
1) Ratification of electronic payments totaling $11,564,246.22; and
2) Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $533,210.19.
4. City Payroll Warrant Register No. 763 Covering the Period of December 1 through
December 31, 2019
Recommendation:
Approve City Payroll Account Warrant Register No. 763 which totals $3,048,589.93 and
consists of the following:
1) Ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,998,874.51; and
2) Ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) paid through Operating bank
account totaling $1,049,715.42.
5. Fire Department Activity Report for November 2019
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2020
Page 3 of 6
Recommendation:
Receive and file.
6. Police Department Activity Log and Statistical Summary for the period of November
16 through November 30, 2019
Recommendation:
Receive and file.
7. Electrical Easement at 4555 Everett Avenue (APN 6304-022-063)
Recommendation:
A. Find that the acceptance of the Electrical Easement proposed in this staff report is not a
"project" as that term is defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines Section 15378, and even if it were a project, it would be categorically exempt
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (maintenance, repair or minor
alteration of an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use)
and 15061(b)(3) (general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a
significant effect on the environment); and
B. Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate of
Acceptance.
8. Selection of Goldman Sachs & Co. for Bond Financing Activities
Recommendation:
Receive and file.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Amended and Restated Citywide Fringe Benefits and Salary Resolution
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of a resolution is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) review, because it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or
indirect physical changes in the environment and therefore does not constitute a "project"
as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378; and
B. Adopt a resolution adopting an amended and restated Citywide Fringe Benefits and
Salary Resolution in accordance with Government Code Section 20636(b)(1) and repealing
all resolutions in conflict therewith.
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Davis moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to: A. Find
that approval of a resolution is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
review, because it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect
physical changes in the environment and therefore does not constitute a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378; and B. Adopt a resolution adopting an
amended and restated Citywide Fringe Benefits and Salary Resolution in accordance with
Government Code Section 20636(b)(1) and repealing all resolutions in conflict therewith.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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January 21, 2020
Page 4 of 6
10. Vernon Public Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of this action does not constitute a "project" pursuant to section
15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"),
because such action constitutes an administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the
proposed item did constitute a project, it would be exempt in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that
may have an effect on the environment; and
B. Adopt a resolution adopting the Vernon Public Utilities 2020 Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Lopez moved and Council Member Menke seconded a motion to: A. Find
that approval of this action does not constitute a "project" pursuant to section 15378(b)(2)
of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), because such
action constitutes an administrative activity; and even if the adoption of the proposed item
did constitute a project, it would be exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines section
15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect
on the environment; and B. Adopt a resolution adopting the Vernon Public Utilities 2020
Wildfire Mitigation Plan. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements
City Administrator Fandino provided an update on recent Vernon Police Department activities. He
discussed efforts to oppose legislation related to energy storage. He stated the Industrial
Environmental Association will hold its first meeting on January 28, 2020, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
in City Hall Conference Room 3. He stated the Health Department was monitoring the 2019 Novel
CoronaVirus in Wuhan, China. Health Director Agyin provided a summary of monitoring and
symptoms of the Virus. City Administrator Fandino discussed upcoming meetings regarding the
City's bond rating and pump storage issues.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff
City Council Menke reported on her attendance at the National league of Cities Conference on
November 19 to November 23, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas, and indicated the fiscal impact to be
$3496.73.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:15 a.m.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2020
CLOSED SESSION
Page 5 of 6
11. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION (4 cases)
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Bicent (California) Malburg LLC et al. v. City of Vernon et al.,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV08859
`. and JAMS Reference No. 1100107175
City of Vernon v. Bicent (California) Malburg LLC
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCP02411 and
JAMS Reference No. 1220062657
Marco Garcia -Martinez v. City of Vernon et al.,
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC689446
Vernon Professional Firefighters Association v. City of Vernon
Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
Unfair Practice Charge No. LA-CE-1423-M
12. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Employee Organizations: Vernon Professional Firefighters Association, and
Vernon Fire Management Association
13. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Potential Initiation of Litigation.
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 1
14. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1
Facts and Circumstances: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(3), the City
has received written communication threatening litigation on behalf of the Vernon Fire
Management Association, which communication is made available for public inspection
pursuant to Section 54957.5.
RECONVENE
At 9:43 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
Senior Deputy City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council discussed all items and took no
reportable action.
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Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m.
ATTEST:
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LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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MEL SSA YBA ayor