20201020 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY,OCTOBER 20,2020
COUNCIL CHAMBER,4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
William Davis, Council Member
Carol Menke, Council Member
Diana Gonzales,Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief
Abraham Alemu,Public Utilities General Manager
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Anthony Miranda, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Gonzales moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to
approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rosemary Vivero, Los Angeles County Fire Department Community Service Liaison,
introduced herself.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
October 20, 2020
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Human Resources Director Earl acknowledged Raymond G. De N i j s,
Firefighter/Paramedic;Irene M.Castillo,Senior Account Clerk;Donald R. Quiroz, Electric
Operations Supervisor, as recipients of the Employee Service Pin Awards.
2. Recognition of Jim Enriquez,Interim Fire Chief of the City of Vernon
Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire
Chief, in recognition of his leadership and service to the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation and Mayor Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra
presented the proclamation and City flag to Jim Enriquez, Interim Fire Chief.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Proposed Modification to Reduce Fiber Optic Rates
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2020-35 adopting revised fiber optic rate
schedules.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions,General Manager Alemu explained dark fiber;the reason
for reducing residential rates; the plan to grow the business; and future consideration of
low-income rates.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing. There being no speakers. Mayor Lopez closed the
public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-35 adopting revised fiber optic rate schedules. The motion carried
unanimously.
4. Transmission Revenue Requirement and Transmission Revenue Balancing Account
Adjustment for 2021
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-36 adopting a revised Transmission
Revenue Requirement for 2021 in accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff
and providing for Tariff Sheet changes to implement the adjustment; and B. Adopt
Resolution No. 2020-37 establishing a Transmission Revenue Balancing Account
Adjustment for 2021 in accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and
providing for Tariff Sheet changes to implement the adjustment.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
October 20, 2020
In response to Council questions, General Manager Alemu explained the ISO as the power
exchange.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Lopez closed the
public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Adopt
Resolution No. 2020-36 adopting a revised Transmission Revenue Requirement for 2021
in accordance with Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and providing for Tariff Sheet
changes to implement the adjustment; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-37 establishing
a Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment for 2021 in accordance with
Vernon's Transmission Owner Tariff and providing for Tariff Sheet changes to implement
the adjustment. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Gonzales pulled Item No. 7.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 7. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
5. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 6, 2020 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
6. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by: 1) Sasha Farahi Esq., on
behalf of Manuel Gamez Vazquez, in the unlimited amount of$5,000,000; and 2) W. S.
Dodge Oil Company in the amount of$6,322.95.
8. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 772, for the period of
September 1 through September 30, 2020, which totals $3,080,266.42 and consists of
ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,017,651.30 and ratification of
checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling
$1,062,615.12 paid through operating bank account.
9. Federal Funds for Street Improvements Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Federal Funds for Street Improvements Account Warrant
Register No. 34, for the period of September 20 through October 3, 2020, consisting of
L ratification of electronic payments totaling$20,221.48.
10. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2020 Report.
11. Services Agreement with Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. and Blanket
Purchase Order
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
October 20,2020
Recommendation: A. Find that a direct award of the proposed Services Agreement is in
the best interest of the City and, therefore, exempt from the competitive selection process
per Sections 2.17.12(B)(2)and 2.17.12(B)(3),of the Vernon Municipal Code; B. Approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Fujitsu
Network Communications,Inc. for the Maintenance of Equipment and Services Related to
L.- the Fiber Optic System Internet Access Operations in an amount not-to-exceed $245,568,
for a three-year term,effective November 7,2020;and C.Approve the issuance of a blanket
Purchase Order in an amount not-to-exceed $40,000 for potential ancillary purchases with
Fujitsu Network Communications during the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020/2021.
12. Purchase Order to Motorola Solutions,Inc. for All-Band Portable Radios
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Motorola
Solutions,Inc.,(Motorola)for a total amount not to exceed$24,871.97 for the purchase of
three(3)Motorola APX 8000 All-Band Portable Radios to restore inventory.
13. Public Works Street Operations Division Vehicles
Recommendation:Approve the purchase of a 2021 Ford Super Duty F-550 with Knapheide
dump body and equipment,a 2021 Ford Super Duty F-550 with Knapheide KUV body and
equipment,and two(2)2021 Ford Super Duty F-250s with flip tops and equipment through
Sourcewell, for a total cost of$228,169.84.
The following item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration:
7. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 54, for the period of
September 20 through October 3, 2020, which totals $4,975,670.99 and consists of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $4,754,417.25 and ratification of the issuance
of early checks totaling$221,253.74.
Council Member Gonzales asked about the payment to Morgan Lewis. Interim City
Attorney Alvarez-Glasman explained that it was the balance of the agreement between the
City and Morgan Lewis regarding Bicent.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Council Member Gonzales seconded a motion to
approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 54, for the period of September 20
through October 3, 2020, which totals $4,975,670.99 and consists of ratification of
electronic payments totaling$4,754,417.25 and ratification of the issuance of early checks
totaling$221,253.74. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
14. Resource Adequacy Plan for 2021
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-38 approving and adopting the Vernon
Public Utilities Department Resource Adequacy Plan for 2021, which includes the
coincident peak Demand Forecast, the Planning Reserve Margin, the Qualifying Capacity
Criteria and the Qualifying Capacity from such resources, City's Resource Adequacy and
Supply Data and approving the resources used to satisfy the California Independent System
Operator's (CAISO) tariff requirements; and B. Authorize staff to submit the City of
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
October 20, 2020
Vernon Public Utilities Department's Resource Adequacy Plan for 2021 and the Monthly
Resource Adequacy and Supply data to the CAISO.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Adopt
Resolution No. 2020-38 approving and adopting the Vernon Public Utilities Department
Resource Adequacy Plan for 2021, which includes the coincident peak Demand Forecast,
the Planning Reserve Margin,the Qualifying Capacity Criteria and the Qualifying Capacity
from such resources, City's Resource Adequacy and Supply Data and approving the
resources used to satisfy the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) tariff
requirements; and B. Authorize staff to submit the City of Vernon Public Utilities
Department's Resource Adequacy Plan for 2021 and the Monthly Resource Adequacy and
Supply data to the CAISO. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Memorandum of Understanding Between County of Los Angeles and City of Vernon
for Lead Based Paint Hazard Mitigation Program Management Services - Vernon
Lead Free Homes L.A. Program
Recommendation: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between County
of Los Angeles and City of Vernon in substantially the same form as submitted, for lead
based paint hazard mitigation services.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin
indicated the program would determine whether Vernon homes contained lead-based paint.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to approve the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between County of Los Angeles and City of
Vernon in substantially the same form as submitted, for lead based paint hazard mitigation
services. 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 Police and Vernon Public
Utilities activities and the Exide Bankruptcy Court decision. He announced the Vernon
Fire/LA County Fire transition on October 21, 2020, and reminded residents to participate
in the City's Halloween festivities.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
October 20, 2020
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
Mayor Lopez reported on the League of California Cities Annual Conference and indicated
each Council Member was registered to attend at a rate of$50.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:53 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
16. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Position: City Administrator
17. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of Potential Cases: 1
Interim City Attorney to provide an oral statement regarding the facts and circumstances
leading to exposure to litigation prior to the closed session
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1), no oral statement by the City
Attorney was made or required to be made prior to recessing into closed session.
RECONVENE
At 1:27 p.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported that the Council, with all five members
present, met in Closed Session, discussed the items on the agenda, and took no reportable
action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 1:27 p.m.
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
b2(/ /09(Jr,(_
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)