20250701 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025
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 Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
ABSENT:
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Alice Hui, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director
Su Tan, 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 4-0, Council
Member Merlo was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Yunuen Trujillo, Esq., representing the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights as
the organization’s Director of Workers’ Rights and Labor Legal Services, spoke
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about the organization and thanked the City for considering agenda item No. 10,
Donation to the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to Support
Immigrant Vernon Residents and Workers.
City Clerk Rocha informed the City Council of a written comment received via email
from Ian Jameson regarding The Shower of Hope organizer Mel Tillekeratne.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Recognition of Outgoing City Commission and Committee Members
Recommendation:
Present Certificates of Recognition to outgoing Green Vernon Commission and
Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Member Clara Gazcon, Vernon
CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Member Michelle Ybarra, and Vernon
Housing Commission Members Juliet Goff and Steven Froberg.
City Clerk Rocha presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez, on behalf of the City Council, recognized the outgoing committee
and commission members and expressed appreciation for their time, commitment,
and dedication to the Vernon community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Rivera 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 Merlo was absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the June 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes.
3. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Americo Blanco.
4. City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
Recommendation: Affirm or modify appointments of representatives and/or
alternates to various outside agencies.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 153, for the
period of May 18, 2025, through May 31, 2025, totaling $8,248,897.44 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,013,749.09 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $235,148.35.
6. Employee Reclassification
Recommendation: Approve the reclassification of one Account Clerk, Senior to the
existing classification of Administrative Secretary.
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7. Vernon Public Utilities 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section
15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a
significant effect on the environment. This action receives and files an update to
the city’s plan for the implementation of preventative strategies and mitigation
measures to minimize the risk of wildfires caused by electrical lines and equipment;
this action does not authorize any construction activity or any disturbance of an
environmental resource, and has no potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment; and B. Approve the Vernon Public Utilities 2025 Wildfire Mitigation
Plan.
8. Services Agreement with Nalco Company LLC
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a
Service Agreement with Nalco Company LLC, in substantially the same form as
submitted, to provide chemical water treatment services for a total amount not to
exceed $913,408.80, for a three-year term; and B. Authorize a contingency amount
of fifteen percent (15%) or $137,011.32 in the event of any price adjustments or
other market factors, and grant authority to the City Administrator to approve and
execute amendments up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Commission and Committee Appointments
Recommendation:
A. Appoint two (2) Vernon Area Representatives and one (1) Council Member
Representative to full four-year terms (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon
CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee;
B. Appoint one (1) Business Representative, one (1) Resident Representative
(non-City Council Member), and one (1) Resident Representative (City Council
Member) to full four-year terms (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon
Housing Commission;
C. Appoint one (1) Vernon Business Representative to a partial term (July 1, 2025
to June 30, 2026) to the Green Vernon Commission; and
D. Direct the City Clerk to continue recruitment efforts until all Commission and
Committee vacant seats are filled.
City Clerk Rocha presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez called for a motion. There being none, the City Council directed staff
to provide a printed list of applicants to reference while considering the
appointments.
Council Member Larios requested that the item be brought back for consideration
at a future meeting.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
direct staff to bring the item back to the next council meeting. The question was
called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Merlo was absent.
10. Donation to the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to Support
Immigrant Vernon Residents and Workers
Recommendation:
Approve and authorize a donation in the amount of $25,000 to CHIRLA, a non-
profit organization that will provide Vernon residents and workers access to legal
support services and education, and relief programs that address food insecurity,
healthcare, and financial burden (among other things) to mitigate the impacts of
recent federal immigration enforcement action in the City.
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez invited Council questions for staff and invited public comments.
There being none, Mayor Lopez prompted discussion among the Council.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra’s questions, Senior Management Analyst
Diana Figueroa informed the City Council that staff worked with Jemmott Rollins
Group, the consultant for the CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee, who have
expertise in philanthropic best practices, and they referred City staff to the CHIRLA
organization. Senior Management Analyst Figueroa informed the City Council that
CHIRLA meets the requirements for a non-profit providing services.
The City Council discussion continued regarding the prioritization of funding
allocation and the need for assurance of accountability.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra inquired about CHIRLA’s current outreach and presence in
Vernon and presence within the previous 60 days. In response, CHIRLA Director
Trujillo provided information on CHIRLA’s presence in Vernon, their Immigration
Assistance Hotline and assured the City Council that representatives from CHIRLA
would be in Vernon as needed, confirming calls have been received from the City
of Vernon.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra’s additional inquiry regarding the partnership
plan for outreach and CHIRLA’s expectations for the City, CHIRLA Director Trujillo
requested that the City assist in fostering connections between CHIRLA and the
business owners, the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and community centers
where CHIRLA could conduct presentations, to begin building the base of outreach
and continue the conversation about outreach to the community.
City Administrator Saeki also provided an overview of the City’s planned outreach
efforts, which included working closely with CHIRLA and the Vernon Chamber of
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Commerce, utilizing business contacts, social media avenues, and providing
information in the Vernon Resident Newsletter.
Council Member Larios inquired, and City Administrator Saeki confirmed there was
no expiration date for the funds and that CHIRLA would commit to providing reports
on how the donation was utilized.
A discussion ensued amongst the City Council regarding whether the services
would be prioritized for those living and working in the City of Vernon or if
surrounding communities would also utilize the services stemming from the
donation.
The City Council reached a consensus to provide assistance as a priority to the
residents and workers in Vernon, which would also support the surrounding
communities around Vernon where Vernon workers reside.
There was a request that CHIRLA extend its services to businesses in the City that
are not affiliated with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, so that they, too, could
benefit from the services.
MOTION
Mayor Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve
and authorize a donation in the amount of $25,000 to CHIRLA, a non-profit
organization that will provide Vernon residents and workers access to legal support
services and education, and relief programs that address food insecurity,
healthcare, and financial burden (among other things) to mitigate the impacts of
recent federal immigration enforcement action in the City. The question was called
and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Merlo was absent.
Council Member Larios thanked CHIRLA for their presentation, staff for bringing
the item to Council, and fellow Council Members for the opportunity to have the
discussion on such an important matter.
ORAL REPORT
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements
City Administrator Saeki provided an update on several upcoming events. He
announced that Back to School Night / National Night Out was scheduled for
Tuesday, August 5th and would be held on the City Hall Lawn and added that the
annual event brings Public Safety professionals and the community together to
build connections.
He announced a warm welcome to the new Human Resources (HR) Director, Su
Tan, and expressed excitement looking forward to working with Su and the City’s
strong executive team as they work to advance the City’s goals. He commented
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that Su was a great asset to the City as she brought years of HR expertise and
experience along with tons of positivity and enthusiasm.
City Administrator Saeki reminded the City Council that the City’s July 15th Council
meeting would be cancelled, with the next Regular City Council meeting scheduled
for Tuesday, August 5th at 9:00 a.m. Lastly, he wished all a safe and happy 4th of
July and wished everyone an enjoyable holiday weekend with family and friends.
12. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff
None.
RECESS
At 9:25 a.m., Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION
13. 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, Temporary, Unclassified, Mid-Management, Management, and
Executive classifications
14. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Initiation of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 1
RECONVENE
At 9:31 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the
regular meeting.
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CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that the City Council met in Closed Session,
received an update on Agenda Item No. 13 and, due to recusals and lack of
quorum, did not consider Agenda Item No. 14.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 9:31 a.m.
_____________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
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