20260505 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa-Milward, City Attorney
Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Alice Hui, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Veronica Petrosyan, Health and Environmental Control Deputy Director
Su Tan, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director-City Engineer
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
None.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Municipal Clerks Week
Recommendation:
Proclaim the week of May 3 to May 9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks
Week in the City of Vernon to recognize the professional contributions and vital
services performed by Municipal Clerks.
City Clerk Rocha read the proclamation, and the City Council declared the week
of May 3 to May 9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week in the City of
Vernon. The proclamation was presented by Mayor Lopez on behalf of the City
Council to Deputy City Clerk Sandra Dolson and City Clerk Rocha.
2. Mental Health Awareness Month
Recommendation:
Proclaim May 2026 as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in the City of Vernon and
support initiatives that promote mental health awareness, employee wellness, and
access to available resources.
Human Resources Director Tan read the proclamation, and the City Council
proclaimed May 2026 as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in the City of Vernon.
Mayor Lopez on behalf of the City Council presented the proclamation to Human
Resources Manager, Lisette Grizzelle, Human Resources Analyst, Lisa Wirtz, and
Director Tan.
3. Update on “The BIG 4” Cities Built for Business
Recommendation:
No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
City Administrator Saeki provided an update on “The BIG 4” Cities Built for
Business progress to date.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez, called for
a motion.
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
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The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
4. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 21, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes.
5. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Marvin Aguilar Delgado.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 172, for the
period of March 22, 2026 through April 4, 2026, totaling $7,898,103.04 and
consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $7,798,823.55 and
ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $99,279.49.
7. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2026 Building Report.
8. Report on Contracts Approved by the City Administrator for the BIG 4
Initiative
Recommendation: A. Receive and file the report on a Services Agreement with
DEODATE Corporation for economic and real estate development strategy
consulting services for a total not-to-exceed $76,125 for a one-year term, as
approved by the City Administrator pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC)
Section 3.32.110 (B)(2); and B. Receive and file the report on a Services
Agreement with North Star Alliances, LLC for economic and real estate
development strategy consulting services for a total not-to-exceed $56,000 for a
one-year term, as approved by the City Administrator pursuant to VMC Section
3.32.110(B)(2).
9. Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with The Pun
Group LLP
Recommendation: A. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Sections 3.32.220(B)
and 3.32.110(B)(3), find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the
agreement for professional auditing services given the transition time and
resources required to onboard a new audit firm; and B. Approve and authorize the
City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services
Agreement with The Pun Group LLP for Professional Auditing Services, in
substantially the same form as submitted, to extend the Agreement for an
additional two (2) years for a total amount not-to-exceed $270,004.
10. Quarterly Report of Cash and Investments
Recommendation: Receive and file the First Quarter Cash and Investments Report
11. Memorandum of Understanding for Technical Assistance Related to the
Regional Climate Collaboratives Program Grant
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between the Gateway Cities
Council of Governments (GCCOG) and the City of Vernon, in substantially the
same form as submitted, to receive technical consulting services funded through
the Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) Program Grant from the California
Strategic Growth Council (SGC) at no cost to the City.
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12. Contract with J&S Striping Company Inc. for Citywide Striping and Pavement
Markings FY25-26
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), part (a) (existing highways and
streets), because the project consists of the maintenance, repair, or minor
alteration of existing facilities and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing
use; B. Accept the bid proposal from J&S Striping Company Inc. (J&S) as the
lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Citywide Striping and Pavement
Markings FY25-26 project and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the
City Administrator to execute Contract No. 20260209 in the amount of $158,541.75
for the Citywide Striping and Pavement Markings FY25-26 project for a period not
to exceed 45 days; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%)
or $15,854.18 in the event of an unexpected changed condition in the project and
grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a change order(s) for an amount
up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
13. Services Agreement with Waterline Technologies, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Accept the bid proposal from Waterline Technologies, Inc.
(Waterline) as the lowest responsive and responsible bid for the supply of sodium
hypochlorite 12.5 percent solution with Waterline, in substantially the same form
as submitted, for the supply of hypochlorite 12.5 percent solution; and B. Approve
and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with
Waterline, in substantially the same form as submitted, for supply of sodium
hypochlorite 12.5 percent solution for a total amount not-to-exceed $192,656.75,
for a three-year term.
NEW BUSINESS
14. Appointment of Lilia Hernandez as Deputy City Administrator
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-019 appointing Lilia Hernandez to
serve as the Deputy City Administrator of the City of Vernon effective May 6, 2026,
and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment
agreement.
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments.
Assistant to the City Administrator Hernandez expressed gratitude to the City
Council for considering her appointment as Deputy City Administrator and thanked
City Administrator Saeki for his mentorship.
Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
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MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2026-019 appointing Lilia Hernandez to serve as the Deputy
City Administrator of the City of Vernon effective May 6, 2026, and approving and
authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment agreement. The question
was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Appointment of Veronica Petrosyan as Director of Health and
Environmental Control
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-020 appointing Veronica Petrosyan
to serve as the Director of Health and Environmental Control of the City of Vernon
effective May 6, 2026, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-
will employment agreement.
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments.
Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control Petrosyan, expressed
gratitude to the City Council for their trust, support, and her new appointment as
Director of Health and Environmental Control.
Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to
adopt Resolution No. 2026-020 appointing Veronica Petrosyan to serve as the
Director of Health and Environmental Control of the City of Vernon effective May
6, 2026, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will
employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Lopez requested that Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra preside over agenda item No.
16.
16. Results of the City of Vernon April 14, 2026, General Municipal Election and
City Council Reorganization
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-021 reciting the facts and
declaring the results of the General Municipal Election held on April 14, 2026; B.
Acknowledge and present a proclamation and ten-year service pin to retiring
Mayor Leticia Lopez; C. Administer the Oath of Office to Council-Elect Monica
Rodriguez and present Certificate of Election; and D. Conduct the City Council
reorganization.
City Clerk Rocha presented the staff report.
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Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Pro Tem
Ybarra, called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to
approve recommendations A, B, C, and D. The question was called and the motion
carried unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra announced that the City Council would like to present
Mayor Lopez with a Proclamation and a ten-year service pin for her dedicated and
invaluable service to the City.
City Administrator Saeki read the proclamation. The City Council presented the
proclamation to Mayor Lopez and thanked her for her hard work and dedication to
the community and for her positive impact.
Mayor Lopez expressed her gratitude to everyone in attendance for their warm
words acknowledging her ten years of service. She reflected on the honor of
serving as a council member for the City of Vernon and thanked the community for
the trust they placed in her. Mayor Lopez highlighted the opportunity she had to
work alongside leaders dedicated to keeping the city strong. She expressed
complete confidence in her fellow council members and the new member to uphold
the principles of good governance and transparency.
City Administrator Saeki thanked Mayor Lopez for her service and kindness and
presented her with a street sign on behalf of City staff.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra announced the following distinguished guests who were in
attendance to join the recognition of Mayor Lopez and each presented her with a
Certificate of Recognition.
Kayla Terrazas, Office of Congressman Robert Garcia
Crystal Meza, Office of Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez
Matt Johnson, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra announced that the City of Bell recognized Mayor Lopez,
although Mayor Ali Saleh and Vice Mayor Monica Arroyo were not present for the
event.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra acknowledged that the City of Commerce had sent a
Certificate of Recognition for Mayor Lopez in honor of her service.
Marissa Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce CEO, expressed her gratitude to
Mayor Lopez for her leadership over the past ten years. She highlighted that
Council Member Lopez's leadership has been instrumental in advancing healthy
governance policies and fostering strong relationships with neighboring
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communities. Olguin commended Mayor Lopez for her dedication, integrity, and
sacrifices.
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra invited Council-Elect Monica Rodriguez to be sworn in by
Mayor Lopez and to receive the certificate of election.
Council Member Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and
thanked former Council Member Lopez for her accomplishments and service to
the City.
At this time, the City Council reorganized recognizing Council Member Melissa
Ybarra as Mayor and Council Member Rivera as Mayor Pro-Tem.
ORAL REPORTS
15. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements
City Administrator Saeki congratulated Council Member Rodriguez on her election
to the City Council, on behalf of the staff and the organization.
16. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or
Directives to Staff
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
_____________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
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