20201117 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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(via remote access)
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem (via remote access)
William Davis, Council Member(via remote access)
Carol Menke, Council Member(via remote access)
Diana Gonzales, Council Member(via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator(via remote access)
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, Interim City Attorney (via remote access)
Lisa Pope, City Clerk (via remote access)
Scott Williams, Finance Director (via remote access)
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager(via remote access)
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 Davis moved and Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Pappas introduced herself and offered to be of assistance
to the Council and community.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
November 17, 2020
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation on Transition Plan for the Exide Facility
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Roberto Puga, P.G., Trustee, PathForward Consulting, Inc., presented a PowerPoint
outlining the purpose of the trust, transition plan,decontamination and deconstruction and
next steps.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Puga discussed the goal to leave the site in safe,
controllable condition. He anticipated completion by the end of 2021. He stated the
available funds would only permit addressing structures not subsurface contamination. He
discussed the potential sale and assumption of liability; funds available; value of property
and site clean-up cost estimate.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Menke pulled Item No. 9.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item No. 9. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 3, 2020 Special and Regular City Council
meeting minutes.
3. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 56, for the period of
October 18 through October 31, 2020, which totals $11,106,222.76 and consists of
ratification of electronic payments totaling $10,844,643.29, ratification of the issuance of
early checks totaling $261,579.47 and voided Check Nos. 606307, 606382 totaling
$100,000.00.
4. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 773, for the period of
October 1 through October 31,2020,which totals$3,092,832.24 and consists of ratification
of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $2,034,715.45 and ratification of checks and
electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $1,058,116.79
paid through operating bank account.
5. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2020 Report.
6. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2020 Report.
7. 2019 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report and Power Content Label
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
November 17, 2020
Recommendation: A. Ratify the submission to the California Energy Commission (CEC)
of the attestation signed by Vernon Public Utilities' General Manager, of the veracity of
the 2019 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report; and
B. Approve the 2019 Power Content Label and authorize its submission to the CEC.
8. Access, License and Reimbursement Agreement with the Water Replenishment
District for Destruction of Well No. 5
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines §
15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to activities that may have a
significant effect on the environment, for the reason that any construction that occurs in
the future, relying on this approval, would be subject to CEQA review at that time and the
Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) would be the lead agency,
with oversight by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); and
B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Access, License and
Reimbursement Agreement with WRD, in substantially the same form as submitted, for
the purpose of destroying Well No. 5, in an amount sufficient to fund twenty percent of the
final costs of destroying Well No. 5 as well as an equal split (1/5) of shared costs included
in the Well Destruction Program Project, currently estimated to be in the amount of
$43,000, for a term of twenty years.
The following item was pulled from the consent calendar for individual consideration:
9. Request to Extend Electric Consumption Hurdle Date from rPlanet Earth Los
Angeles, LLC
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from
rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC (Customer)to adjust the established Electric Consumption
Hurdle date from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022 as a one-time-only exception.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu explained the recommendation for a one-year
extension and potential budget impacts.
MOTION
Council Member Menke moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
and authorize the City Administrator to grant the request from rPlanet Earth Los Angeles,
LLC (Customer) to adjust the established Electric Consumption Hurdle date from January
1, 2021 to January 1, 2022 as a one-time-only exception. The question was called and the
motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Services Agreement with BLX Group LLC for Financial Advisory Services
(Continued from November 3, 2020)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a services
agreement with BLX Group LLC for Financial Advisory Services,in substantially the same
form as submitted, in an amount not to exceed $600,000, for a three-year agreement
effective November 3, 2020 for financial advisory services.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
November 17, 2020
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
Council Member Gonzales expressed concern and suggested the Council review the other
proposals.
Council Member Menke asked if BLX assisted in the creation of the note against the City's
Tehachapi property. Jeff Higgins,BLX Group,stated the Council and City Administration
made the decisions regarding the sale of the property and BLX only reviewed how the
rating agencies would view the sale of the land. Craig Underwood, President of BLX,
confirmed that BLX had no involvement in the Tehachapi property. He stated Eric Fresch
was never an employee of BLX.
MOTION
Mayor Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve and
authorize the City Administrator to execute a services agreement with BLX Group LLC
for Financial Advisory Services,in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount
not to exceed $600,000, for a three-year agreement effective November 3, 2020 for
financial advisory services. The question was called and the motion carried 3-2, Council
Member Menke and Council Member Gonzales dissenting.
11. Software as a Service Agreement Is ith Tyler Technologies for a Citywide Enterprise
Resource Planning(ERP)Software System,Hosting, Implementation,and Support
Recommendation:Approve the Software as a Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies,
Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for the purpose of an upgrade from the
current Tyler ERP system(Eden)to a comprehensive ERP software system, which would
include modules for Munis, EnerGov, Digital Health Department (DHD), and the Munis
Utility Billing Customer Information System (CIS), with funds reserved for a project
management consultant in an amount not-to-exceed$3,439,726 for a three(3)year term.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions,Finance Director Williams explained the cost for project
management consulting; estimated two years for full deployment; and proposed funding
sources. City Administrator Fandino suggested staff bring back a more refined project
scope and specific budget allocations.
Mayor Lopez suggested seeking additional grant opportunities.
L. Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra requested options excluding use of reserves and spreading the cost
over three years.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to table the item and
directed staff to bring back specific budget allocations, including options to spread the project over
three years and/or not utilize reserves. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
November 17, 2020
12. Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services,LLC to Perform
Technical Design,Controls,Automation and Analytical Services
Recommendation: A. Find that award of the proposed agreement is in the best interests of
the City and,therefore, exempt from the competitive selection process pursuant to Section
2.17.12 (B)(2) of the Vernon Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical
Services,LLC in substantially the same for as submitted,for a term of three years,effective
November 17, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $2,644,782, to provide technical design,
controls, automation, construction and analytical services and equipment for the Public
Utilities Department.
Public Utilities General Manager Alemu presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Utilities General Manager Alemu stated the City
confirmed the materials costs were appropriate.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to:A. Find that award
of the proposed agreement is in the best interests of the City and, therefore, exempt from
the competitive selection process pursuant to Section 2.17.12 (B)(2) of the Vernon
Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Professional Services Agreement with Northwest Electrical Services,LLC in substantially
the same form as submitted, for a term of three years,effective November 17, 2020, in an
amount not to exceed $2,644,782, to provide technical design, controls, automation,
construction and analytical services and equipment for the Public Utilities Department.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, Fire and Public Utilities
activities. He presented the recently completed renovations on the street island on Bandini
Boulevard near the 710 Freeway. He announced the installation of the COVID vaccination
trailers.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin reported that USC would be moving in
within the next 2 weeks and the Council \v ill be provided a tour. He discussed the status
of the vaccine trails.
City Administrator Fandino reported on the Water Well 15 Rehabilitation Project
completion; indicated digital signatures would be utilized;and announced Operation Santa
on December 17, 2020.
Chief Miranda explained the virtual drive thru plans for Operation Santa.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
November 17, 2020
City Administrator Fandino provided a reminder to protect personal property in vehicles.
Ile announced the Vernon CommUNITY Grant Fund Committee meeting on November
18, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. and wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB1234), Announcements, or Directives to
Staff.
Mayor Pro Tern Ybarra requested an update on the City's purchase versus providing its
own water.
CLOSED SESSION
13. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Position: City Administrator
Deferred
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.
c"9
ETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
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LISA POPE, City lerk
(seal)
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