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20250617 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES VERNON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE CALL TO ORDER Mayor Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. FLAG SALUTE Mayor Merlo led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Judith Merlo, Mayor Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem Leticia Lopez, Council Member Jesus Rivera, Council Member Crystal Larios, Council Member STAFF PRESENT: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk Alice Hui, Finance Director/City Treasurer 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 Larios seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT Aisha Reyes of South Coast Air Quality Management District invited the public to trade in old gas-powered equipment for battery operated equipment at the 2025 Electric Lawn and Garden Exchange on Saturday, June 28, at Riverside City College. Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 June 17, 2025 PRESENTATIONS 1. Designation of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore City Clerk Rocha presented the staff report. MOTION Council Member Rivera moved and Mayor Merlo seconded a motion to conduct City Council Reorganization and Designation of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore following the Certification of the April 8, 2025, General Municipal Election (GME) Results and Filing Submission to the California Secretary of State. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. The City Council reorganized with Council Member Leticia Lopez assuming the position of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Ybarra continuing as the Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Lopez took control and officiated the meeting Mayor Lopez expressed gratitude and appreciation to Council Member Merlo for her leadership, commitment to the community, and service as Mayor. RECESS Mayor Lopez recessed the Meeting at 9:15 a.m. to allow the City Clerk to reorganize the dais. The meeting was reconvened at 9:19 a.m. with all City Council Members present. 2. Employee Service Pin Awards Interim Human Resources Director Grizzelle presented the staff report and informed the City Council that the employees receiving awards were not in attendance and would be provided with their service pins at a later date. The City Council recognized the May 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipients: Buyer, Marisela Martinez; 25 years of service, Street Maintenance Worker, Jose L. Zermeno; 20 years of service, and Police Officer, Carlos A. Saldana, 5 years of service. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously. The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items: Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 June 17, 2025 3. Meeting Minutes Recommendation: Approve the June 3, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. 4. Claims Against the City Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted on behalf of Bedelid Guerrero by Barbara Gossom, Agent for United Heartland aka SubroIQ, and Andrea Gomez. 5. Operating Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 152, for the period of May 4, 2025 through May 17, 2025, totaling $9,114,448.66 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,717,957.17 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $396,491.49. 6. Fire Department Activity Report Recommendation: Receive and file the April 2025 Fire Department Activity Report. 7. Police Department Activity Report Recommendation: Receive and file the April 2025 Police Department Activity Report. 8. Public Works Department Monthly Report Recommendation: Receive and file the April 2025 Building Report. 9. Annual Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-019 approving an Annual Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and delegating investment authority to the Director of Finance/City Treasurer. 10. Property and Casualty Insurance Placements for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute all related documents to procure the City’s annual insurance coverage for Fiscal Year 2025-26, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, for a total amount not-to- exceed $5,662,462. 11. Purchase/Installation of Emergency Equipment for New Patrol Tesla Vehicle Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize issuance of a purchase order with Unplugged Performance for the purchase and installation of an emergency equipment package in a new Tesla patrol vehicle for a total amount not-to-exceed $64,926; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of ten (10%) percent or $6,492.60, for pricing fluctuations and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a Change Order for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary. 12. Blanket Purchase Order with The Home Depot Recommendation: Approve the issuance of a blanket Purchase Order with The Home Depot in an amount not-to-exceed $190,000 to procure supplies for the Public Works Department and Vernon Public Utilities for operational needs and special projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026. 13. Revocable Encroachment License Agreement No. 442 with Vernon Environmental Response Corporation, not individually but in its capacity as Trustee of the Exide Vernon Environmental Response Trust Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 June 17, 2025 Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA guidelines 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; and B. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Revocable Encroachment License Agreement No. 442 (Agreement) between the City of Vernon and the Vernon Environmental Response Corporation (VERC), not individually but in its capacity as Trustee of the Exide Vernon Environmental Response Trust (VERT). 14. Services Agreement with Hill Brothers Chemical Company Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Hill Brothers Chemical Company, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the supply of 19% aqueous ammonia for a total amount not to exceed $179,010 for a three-year term; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $17,901 in the event of unforeseen expenses, including price volatility, and grant authority to the City Administrator to approve and execute amendments up to the contingency amount, if necessary. NEW BUSINESS 15. Metro Link Union Station (Link US) Project Update Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra announced a conflict of interest, stating ownership of property within 500 feet of proposed mitigation measures to the proposed project, recused from council discussion and deliberation on the item, and excused herself from the dais. Council Member Larios announced she was recusing from council discussion and deliberation on the item due to her employment with LA Metro out of an abundance of caution and excused herself from the Council Chamber until the discussion on the item concluded. LA Metro Link US Project Team provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor Lopez called for questions from City Council and invited Public Comment. Danielle Valentino of LA Metro stated LA Metro staff were available to answer questions on the project. Michael Melideo of Consolidated Fabricators spoke about negative staging and environmental impacts along Santa Fe, and his opposition to the project. Peter Melideo of Consolidated Fabricators spoke about negative logistical and safety concerns, and his opposition to the project. Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 June 17, 2025 Greg Gurewitz of Great American Packaging spoke about possible train derailments, negative noise, vibrations to his equipment and traffic, and his opposition to the project. Tim Tel esio of Dot-Line Transportation spoke about the negative impacts to the flow of traffic on 26th Street, eminent domain, and his opposition to the project. Marisa Olguin of Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce spoke about the need for further review on the eastside impacts, tripling amount of train trips, and her opposition to the project. Parker Renick of NAI Capital spoke about the proposed cosmetic improvements, increased congestion and movement barriers, and his opposition to the project. Brian Baily of Pabco Paper spoke about how no one from LA Metro had met with him, the negative existing and probable increase of soot build-up from trains on his property that employees must inhale, and his opposition to the project. Felipe Rodriguez of Coast Packing spoke about the negative impacts of trains blocking crossings on Soto will spill over onto other streets, and his opposition to the project. Dennis Berman of Deleni Boys, LLC and Bandwagon spoke about the negative impacts on employees traveling to and from work, impacts on truck distributors unwilling to take trips into Vernon, and his opposition to the project. City Clerk Rocha announced written correspondence had been submitted for Public Comment from Saul Ewing, representing a Vernon business owner located at 4900 S. Santa Fe Avenue, expressing their opposition to the project. Thomas Condon of Colliers spoke about negative impacts to industry, and his opposition to the project. The LA Metro Project Team addressed questions raised by the public related to train and track length, the 26th Street crossing, and clarified eminent domain did not apply to this project. In response to questions from the City Council, the LA Metro team assured business owners who provided public comment would be contacted as the environmental impact review period is ongoing. Mayor Lopez called for additional public comments or questions for Staff or LA Metro. There being no other speakers, Mayor Lopez called for a motion. Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 June 17, 2025 MOTION Council Member Rivera moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to receive and file the Metro Link US Project Update. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Member Larios and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra recusing. Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra and Council Member Larios rejoined the meeting at the dais. ORAL REPORT 16. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki provided an update on immigration enforcement activity in neighboring communities, announced upcoming city events including a reminder of the Vernon Brand Celebration and power plant tour, the Vernon Reads! Giveaway Event where City Council will distribute e-readers to Vernon kids and facilitate sign-ups for subscriptions to Vernon residents, expressed thanks to Council Member Merlo for her time served as Mayor and congratulated Council Member Lopez on her appointment as Mayor. 17. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff None. RECESS At 10:31 a.m., Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session. CLOSED SESSION Council Member Merlo left the meeting at 10:31 a.m. 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: Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7 June 17, 2025 Confidential, Temporary, Unclassified, Mid- Management, Management, and Executive classifications 19. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of potential cases: 1 RECONVENE At 11 :04 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting with Council Members Larios and Merlo absent. Council Member Larios left the meeting at 11:03 a.m. CLOSED SESSION REPORT City Attorney Moussa reported that the City Council received an update and provided direction to staff on Item 18. Due to recusals and lack of quorum, the City Council did not consider Item 19. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 11:0 4 a.m. _____________________________ LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 62557A6E-9BE4-4EB8-AE3E-EB5EABCC2600