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20250401 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES VERNON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025 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 ABSENT: Crystal Larios, Council Member STAFF PRESENT: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk Joaquin Leon, Deputy City Treasurer Veronica Petrosyan, Health and Environmental Control Deputy Director Lisette M. Grizzelle, Interim Human Resources Director Robert Sousa, Police Chief Dan Wall, Public Works Director Margie Otto, Public Utilities Assistant 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 Marisa Olguin, Chamber of Commerce President, spoke regarding Metro Rail’s proposed project that would have a significant impact on the City of Vernon , Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 April 1, 2025 essentially dividing the City, impacting businesses, causing congestion and hurting the City for decades to come. She noted that there are adverse environmental impacts of this project and the Chamber is opposed to this project. Jack Cline, Lee and Associates and Green Vernon Commissioner, stated the rail project threatens the advances made by the City , slices the industrial area impacting access, circulation and logistics, and noted the Environmental Impact Report failed to address impacts to emergency responders and the economic interruption six times a day. He indicated he is opposed to the current realignment. Michael Melideo, Consolidated Fabricators, stated the project would have devastating impacts to the City. He indicated the closure of 49th Street would increase congestion and pollution on Santa Fe Avenue in front of the school and that this project needs to be fought aggressively. He stated that he cannot sell his business with the proposed plan. Chandler Weber, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Public Information Officer, spoke to the various resources available through the SBA in response to disasters. He provided information about assistance for individuals and small businesses from the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. Stephanie Sagaub, 4811 Hampton LLC, spoke to the impacts of the proposed rail project and that it needs to be reevaluated. She expressed her concern with the project studies having been done during the pandemic, appearance the project is being pushed through without sufficient analysis and stated her opposition to the project. Chavis Fergurson, Coast Packing, stated they have been a Vernon business for four generations. He spoke to the increased rail activity on the east side of town strangling traffic on Downey and Soto. He stated the Metro rail project is not giving Vernon a fair shake and has other options. He stated they are opposed to the rail project. Mayor Merlo thanked the Vernon business community for their comments. PRESENTATIONS 1. Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day Interim City Clerk Harrington read the proclamation and Council proclaimed April 2025 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and April 30, 2025 as “Denim Day” in the City of Vernon in support of the Peace Over Violence sexual violence education campaign. Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 April 1, 2025 2. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Initiatives Presentation Health and Environmental Control Deputy Director Petrosyan presented the staff report and introduced David Pailin Jr., Communications Manager at Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, who conducted a PowerPoint presentation. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Resolution Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Operate an Asphalt Recycling Plant at 4221 Bandini Boulevard Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report. Mayor Merlo opened the public hearing at 9:36 a.m. Rowena Atienza, Operations Director of Volume Distributors, raised concerns regarding air quality, noting there is a Recycle Center near the site that has noise and air quality issues. There being no other speakers, Mayor Merlo closed the public hearing at 9:40 a.m. Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra requested information on the operations of the site. Council Member Lopez asked if activities would be enclosed. Public Works Director Wall responded that dust would be minimal with a water component to prevent dust from leaving the site and with code enforcement to ensure the conditions of approval are met. With a Conditional Use Permit, if the conditions are not met the permit can be revoked. The activities would be operated outside. It was suggested that the Resolution could include language regarding periodic inspections of the site. Miles Solomon, representing the City of Los Angeles, stated he accepted the additional language. MOTION Council Member Rivera moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to: Find that the proposed project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Class 32 In -Fill Developments (CEQA Guidelines 15332) as the property is surrounded with compatible industrial uses and no adverse impacts from traffic, parking, noise, dust, air quality, or water quality are expected to occur from this project; and Adopt Resolution No. 2025-006 approving a Conditional Use Permit as amended adding periodic inspections by City of Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 April 1, 2025 Vernon, allowing the City of Los Angeles to operate an asphalt recycling plant at 4221 Bandini Boulevard and making certain findings as necessary. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent. 4. Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 General Fee Schedule Deputy City Treasurer Leon presented the staff report. Tony Thrasher of Willdan Consultants provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor Merlo opened the public hearing at 9:54 a.m. Tom Condon of Colliers International, Industrial Real Estate Broker and Business and Industry Commissioner raised issues regarding the Temporary Occupancy fee which is followed by the Use and Occupancy Inspection fee which is exorbitant. He indicated the Business License fee is a tax and not fair for businesses that have additional buildings not immediately adjacent to the main building ; and expressed the need for incentives for small businesses, noting the vacancy rates. Interim City Clerk Harrington read an email question from Southern California Edison regarding the effects of the new rates on SCE encroachment/excavation permits along with the response from the Finance Department. There being no other speakers, Mayor Merlo closed the public hearing at 10:02 a.m. Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra asked for clarification on the temporary occupancy permits. The business license fee is voter approved. Public Works Director Wall stated the temporary occupancy permits has been suggested to reflect a zero fee and the permanent occupancy permit has been suggested to be based on square footage. MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Mayor Merlo seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-007 authorizing and adopting the General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent. 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. Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 April 1, 2025 The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items: 5. Meeting Minutes Recommendation: Approve the March 18, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 6. Claim Against the City Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Joshua Tadeo Gonzalez. 7. Operating Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 147, for the period of February 16, 2025 through March 1, 2025, totaling $10,156,291.79 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,781,316.22 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $374,975.57. 8. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register No. 71, for the period of September 29, 2024 through March 1, 2025 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,000. 9. Public Works Department Monthly Report Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2025 Building Report. 10. Service Agreement with SCA of CA, LLC for Street Sweeping Services Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance of existing streets and involves no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a two (2) year service Agreement with SCA of CA, LLC., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Street Sweeping Services in an amount not-to-exceed $679,117.95 with an effective date of April 1, 2025. 11. Labor and Materials Contract with West Coast Arborist, Inc. for Urban Forest Management Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, because the project consists of only minor alterations in vegetation that does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a three (3) year contract with West Coast Arborist, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Urban Forest Management Services in an amount not-to-exceed $360,000, with an effective date of April 1, 2025. 12. Services Agreement with GovInvest, Inc. for Actuarial Consulting and Technology Services Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with GovInvest Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Actuarial Consulting and Technology Services for a total amount not - to-exceed $114,828.43, for a three-year term. Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 April 1, 2025 NEW BUSINESS 13. Appointment of Alice Hui as Director of Finance/City Treasurer City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report. MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-008 appointing Alice Hui to serve as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer of the City of Vernon effective April 14, 2025, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at -will employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent. ORAL REPORT 14. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki announced: • Spring Egg-Stravaganza – will be held on the City Hall Lawn on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. He indicated the traditional Easter Egg Hunt and family activities will be held and that the Habit will be serving burgers and fries. • General Municipal Election – April 8, 2025 – The City’s Election will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to elect one (1) City Council Member and to vote on two ballot measures. He stated the first official canvass will be held on Election Day at 8:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber and directed any election questions to the City Clerk. • Vernon Business Breakfast – The City will host its next Business Breakfast on Thursday, April 17,2025 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. He explained that this informal setting offers members of the business community an open forum to speak on topics that are most important to the community. 15. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff None. RECESS At 10:04 a.m., Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session. Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 April 1, 2025 CLOSED SESSION 16. Public Employment Government Code Section 54957 Title: Finance Director 17. Public Employment Government Code Section 54957 Title: City Clerk 18. Conference with Labor Negotiators Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Designated Representative: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Employee Organizations: Teamsters Local 911, IBEW Local 47, Vernon Police Management Association, and Vernon Police Officers’ Benefit Association Unrepresented Employees: Confidential, Management, and Executive classifications 19. Conference with Real Property Negotiators Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: 4528 Bandini Boulevard, Vernon, California Agency negotiator: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Negotiating parties: Zeem Solutions, LLC Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment Mayor Merlo left the City Council meeting at 10:57 a.m. RECONVENE At 11 :00 a.m., Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra 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. Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8 April 1, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 11:01 a.m. _____________________________ JUDITH MERLO, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk (seal) Docusign Envelope ID: EEED9D6D-0DEA-40F3-A30D-53E175361F22