20241203 Regular City Council Meeting - Minutes
MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Merlo led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Judith Merlo, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member Arrived at 9:14 a.m.
STAFF PRESENT:
Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk
Gigi Decavalles-Hughes, Interim Finance Director
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Lisette M. Grizzelle, Interim Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council
Member Larios absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to
approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4-
0, Council Member Larios absent
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
1. Meeting Minutes
Approve the November 19, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 140, for the
period of October 20, 2024 through November 2, 2024, totaling $11,095,375.94
and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $10,703,756.12 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $391,619.82.
3. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2024 Building Report.
4. Verizon National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)
ValuePoint Addendum for Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services
Recommendation: A. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the
contract for wireless services and wireless equipment in three years, pursuant to
Vernon Municipal Code Section (VMC) 3.32.220(B), as the pricing available
through the NASPO ValuePoint contract was negotiated through another public
agency and provides highly competitive pricing that is advantageous to the City;
and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Verizon
NASPO ValuePoint Addendum, in substantially the same form as submitted, in an
amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for a five-year period.
5. Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Chief of Police to execute a Mutual
Aid Operational Plan Agreement, in substantially the same form as submitted.
6. Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RIITS)
Agreement between the City and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (LACMTA)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an
Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in substantially the same
form as submitted, between the City and LACMTA, in its capacity as the
Administrator of the RIITS.
7. Purchase Contract with Ingersoll Rand, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct
award of a Purchase Contract to Ingersoll Rand, Inc. (Ingersoll Rand), without a
competitive selection process, pursuant to Section 3.32.110 (B)(2) of the Vernon
Municipal Code (VMC) based on the durability, performance and compatibility and
cost effectiveness of the Ingersoll air compressor; B. Approve the issuance of a
Purchase Contract with Ingersoll Rand in an amount not-to-exceed $136,556.72
to procure an air compressor; C. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid
the proposed five-year PartsCARE Agreement that is standard for Ingersoll to
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provide maintenance and diagnostic services, pursuant to VMC Section
3.32.220(B), as they are the manufacturer and best suited to provide the required
services; and D. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
PartsCARE Agreement with Ingersoll Rand, in substantially the same form as
submitted, to provide maintenance and diagnostic services for an amount not-to-
exceed $30,550.04 for a term of five years.
8. Purchase Order with Donaldson Company, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair
or minor alteration of existing equipment and involves negligible or no expansion
of an existing use; B. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct
award of a Purchase Order to Donaldson Company, Inc. (Donaldson), without a
competitive selection process pursuant to Section 3.32.110 (B)(2) of the Vernon
Municipal Code (VMC); and C. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Order with
Donaldson in an amount not-to-exceed $106,106.04 for the purchase and delivery
of Combustion Turbine (CT) air inlet filters at the Malburg Generation Stations
(MGS).
NEW BUSINESS
9. City Council Appointment to Outside Agency
Interim City Clerk Harrington presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
appoint Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra as the City’s representative to the Greater Los
Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees for a 2-year term
commencing January 6, 2025. The question was called and the motion carried 4-
0, Council Member Larios absent.
10. Ordinance No. 1304 Granting Amendment No. 2 to The Solid Waste Non-
Exclusive Franchise Agreement
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report.
City Attorney Moussa noted the 5-year term period is due to Public Resources
Code requiring a five-year notice to solid waste hauling franchises if the City is
going to consider any changes to the franchise agreements.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to:
A. Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 1304 to grant
Amendment No. 2 to the Solid Waste Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for
Commercial Solid Waste Collection; and B. Direct staff to schedule second reading
and adoption of Ordinance No. 1304 for the December 17, 2024 City Council
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meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member
Larios absent.
ORAL REPORTS
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Interim City Administrator Calleros announced the following:
• Reported the passing of former City Council Member William “Bill” Davis
and, separately, former City Council Member Hilario Gonzales. Each
faithfully served Vernon and made a lasting impact on the community. On
behalf of the City, he extended deepest condolences to the families.
• Holiday Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, December 5, from 5:00
p.m.- 7:00 p.m. in our Vernon Winter Wonderland. Real snow will blanket
the City Hall Lawn and guests will enjoy sledding, toy giveaways, and
refreshments as we kick-off the Holiday Season.
• Soccer Ball Giveaway will occur on December 11, immediately following the
City’s Direction and Control Meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m. Vernon
Police Department will make a special visit to Vernon Elementary for their
annual Soccer Ball Giveaway. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor,
each child will receive a brand-new soccer ball.
• Operation Santa starts at 5:30 p.m. on December 11. During this exciting
event, the Vernon Police Department will distribute hundreds of toys
through our City Hall drive-thru. Just before kicking off the community toy
giveaways, City staff will present several less fortunate Vernon Elementary
families with special gifts from their holiday wish lists in hopes of making the
season brighter.
12. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff.
None.
CLOSED SESSION RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:12 a.m.
Council Member Larios arrived at 9:14 a.m.
13. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (2)
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Richard Villegas v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ14096189
Rudy Hernandez v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ17848095
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14. Public Employment
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Administrator
RECONVENE
At 5:13 p.m., Mayor Merlo adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the
regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that Council met in Closed Session, discussed the
items on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY
Mayor Merlo adjourned the meeting in memory of former Council Members William
Davis and Hilario Gonzalez at 5:13 p.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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