Ordinance No. 1240ORDINANCE NO. 1240
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE VERNON
MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT REORGANIZATION AND
RENAMING OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY;
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN
CONFLICT THEREWITH
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(a) of the Vernon Municipal Code grants
the City Administrator broad authority and discretion to control the
administrative affairs of the City; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(c) of the Vernon Municipal Code
authorizes the City Administrator to recommend to the City Council any
"reorganization of officers, departments or divisions as may be
indicated in the interests of the efficient, effective and economical
conduct of the City's business, and to effect such reorganization when
authorized by appropriate ordinance, resolution or motion of the City
Council"; and
WHEREAS, under Article IV of Chapter 25 of the Vernon
Municipal Code, customer -facing water -related services are currently
under the purview of the Public Works, Water and Development Services
Department; and
WHEREAS, for purposes of efficiency and consistency with
other municipal utilities in California, the City Administrator desires
to consolidate all utilities -related services in one department -
namely, the Gas and Electric Department; and
WHEREAS, the oversight, maintenance, and regulation of the
City's storm sewer system shall remain with the Public Works, Water and
Development Services Department and shall not be included in the
transfer of water -related services to the Gas and Electric Department;
and
WHEREAS, certain additions and amendments to the Vernon
Municipal Code are needed to implement this reorganization and renaming
of the Public Works, Water and Development Services Department to the
"Public Works Department"; of the Gas & Electric Department to the
"Public Utilities Department"; and, when referring to the department as
a stand-alone entity, of Vernon Gas & Electric to "Vernon Public
Utilities"; and
WHEREAS, the title of the head of the Public Utilities
Department shall be changed from "Director" to "General Manager"; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 4.1(f) and (h) of the Charter of the City of
Vernon provides that an ordinance shall amend a code or repeal any
ordinance or code previously adopted.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that all of the foregoing recitals are true and
correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
amends Sections 1.8-1(b)(2), 1.8-1(b)(3), 1.8-5(a)(2), 2.63, 2.64,
2.66-2, 2.69-1(d), 2.69-1(j), 5.92(k), 5.97, 5.107.01(d), 5.107.08(g),
7.13(a), 7.13(b), 16.1, 16.21(d), 17.16(d)(1)(B), 21.1.2, 21.3.1, 22.1,
22.90(a), 24.1, 24.16(d), 24.61, 24.111(b), 24.111(c), 24.111(e)
through (g) (inclusive), 25.7, title of Article IV of Chapter 25, 25.60
through 25.64 (inclusive), 25.66 through 25.68 (inclusive), 25.70
through 25.74 (inclusive), 25.76, 25.82, 25.84(a), 25.106 through
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25.110 (inclusive), 26.2.3, 26.2.4, 26.3.2, 26.5.1-6(a), 26.6.2-2,
26.6.2-3, 26.6.3-1, 26.6.3-2, 26.6.4-2, 26.6.4-3, 26.6.5-2, 26.6.6-6,
26.6.7-2, 26.6.7-4, 26.11.1-7, 27.34 through 27.37 (inclusive), 27.40
through 27.45 (inclusive), 27.47, 27.48, 28.6, 28.47, 28.48, 28.50(b),
28.50(d), 28.51(a) through (c) (inclusive) of the Vernon Municipal
Code, as set forth in Exhibit A which is attached hereto and
incorporated by reference.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon further
hereby amends Rule Nos. 5, 10, 12 and 16 of the City of Vernon Rules
for Electric Service, which are incorporated by reference in the
Vernon Municipal Code under section 30.8 of Article II of Chapter 30
of the Vernon Municipal Code, as set forth in Exhibit B which is
attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
SECTION 4: Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict
with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5: Severability. If any chapter, article, section,
subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word
in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or
effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part
thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted
this Ordinance and each chapter, article, section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more chapters, articles,
sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses,
phrases or words be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or
ineffective.
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SECTION 6: Book of Ordinances. The City Clerk, or Deputy
City Clerk, shall attest and certify to the adoption of this Ordinance
and shall cause this Ordinance and the City Clerk's, or Deputy City
Clerk's, certification to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the
Council of this City. The City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, shall
cause this ordinance to be published or posted as required by law.
SECTION 7: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into
effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-
first (31st) day after its passage.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of March, 2017.
Name: William J. Davis
ATTEST:
aria E Ayala
City ler.k /.--Deputy C
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
��� (i��
Brian Byun, Deputy ity Attorney
Title: Mayor / Mayer Pre—T-e�
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Maria E. Ayala , City Clerk / Deputy Gity Gler-k of the
City of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance, being
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly and regularly introduced at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Vernon, held in the City of
Vernon on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and thereafter adopted at a meeting
of said City Council held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro-Tem
Woodruff -Perez, Lopez,
Ybarra
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Martinez
And thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of
the City of Vernon.
Executed this 2.3 day of March , 2017, at Vernon, California.
( S EAL )
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Mar a E. Ayal
City Clerk / not um}y amity G eick
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT "A"
Section 1.8-1. Administrative enforcement - Scope, definitions, and
hearing procedures.
(b) Definitions. ...
(2) Director means each of the Director of Public Works,
the General Manager of Public Utilities, the Director of Health and
Environmental Control, the Chief of the Fire Department and the Chief
of the Police Department, individually.
(3) Enforcement official means any person authorized to
enforce the provisions of the Vernon City Code, including but not
limited to City Attorney, City Police, Fire Officials, employees of
the Public Works Department, employees of the Public Utilities
Department, employees of the Health and Environmental Control
Department, Code Enforcement Officers, and any other person authorized
by the City Attorney.
Section 1.8-5. Nuisances.
(a) Public nuisances defined. ...
(2) Buildings or structures which are partially
destroyed, or abandoned and not fully secured, for more than ninety
(90) consecutive calendar days, or ninety (90) calendar days within a
one hundred twenty (120) calendar day period, unless a longer time
limit is approved by the Director of Public Works;
Sec. 2.63. Water Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies the
establishment of Water I and II (CMD) Funds to be used for the
collection of revenues and the payment of expenditures for water -
related services.
Sec. 2.64. Public Utilities Department Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies the
establishment of the Public Utilities Department as a separate
department of the City of Vernon and the establishment of a Public
Utilities Department Fund to be used for the collection of revenues
and the payment of expenditures for said department, except for such
related to water or gas.
Sec. 2.66-2. Authorized funds.
Upon the adoption of this article, the authorized funds of the City
of Vernon shall consist of the following:
055 - Public Utilities
Sec. 2.69-1. Departments.
The City shall have the following departments and the City Council
of the City of Vernon shall appoint the department head by resolution,
after receiving the recommendation of the City Administrator:
(d) Public Works Department. There is hereby created and ratified
in the service of the City the Public Works Department. The Director
of Public Works shall administer the Public Works Department and
report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the
Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council. The
Director of Public Works also serves as the City Engineer, Building
Official, Director of Community Services, Traffic Engineer and
Superintendent of Streets, and in these capacities shall also report
to the City Administrator.
(j) Public Utilities Department. There is hereby created and
ratified in the service of the City, the Public Utilities Department.
The General Manager of Public Utilities shall administer the Public
Utilities Department and report to the City Administrator, subject to
the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by
the City Council.
Sec. 5.92. Adult or sexually oriented business development and
performance standards.
(k) No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be
permitted within the premises at any time. The building entrance to an
adult or sexually oriented business shall be clearly and legibly
posted with a notice indicating that people under the age of eighteen
(18) years are precluded from entering the premises. Said notice shall
be constructed and posted to the satisfaction of the Director of
Public Works or his/her designee.
Sec. 5.97. Inspection.
The permittee and/or operator shall permit officers of the City and
representatives of the Police Department, Health Department, Fire
Department, Public Works Department, or other City departments to
conduct unscheduled inspections of the premises of the adult or
sexually oriented business for the purpose of ensuring compliance with
the law at any time the adult or sexually oriented business is open
for business or occupied. ... Delay or obstruction of such inspection
may be grounds for suspension or revocation of any license or permit
issued by the City.
Sec. 5.107.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply:
(d) "Director" means the Director of Health & Environmental
Control or the Director of Public Works or each Director's respective
designee. The Director's designees may include the City's Code
Enforcement officers.
Sec. 5.107.08. Facility Requirements.
... In addition, the massage establishment shall meet the following
requirements:
(g) All plumbing and electrical installations shall be installed
under permit and inspected by the Department of Public Works and such
installations shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform
Building Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Sec. 7.13. Application for permit and issuance.
(a) To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an
application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the Director of
Public Works for that purpose.
(b) Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data
shall be submitted in a minimum of four sets with each application for
a permit. The Director of Public Works may require plans and
calculations to be prepared and designed by an engineer licensed by
the State to practice as such.
Sec. 16.1. Definitions.
Traffic Engineer. The Traffic Engineer of the City or his/her duly
authorized representative. In the event that at any time there shall
not be a Traffic Engineer of the City, then the same shall be deemed
to be the Director of Public Works of the City.
Sec. 16.21. Prohibiting the parking or standing of any semi -trailer
upon or along any public street in the City of Vernon; exception.
(d) The Chief of Police and Director of Public Works are hereby
instructed to cooperate in the securing and placing of signs to comply
with § 22651(n) of the Vehicle Code of the State of California.
Sec. 17.16 Camping prohibited.
(d) The provisions of this Section do not apply to:
(1) portable units which
B. have received written approval from the Director of
Public Works for such temporary usage ....
Sec. 21.1.2. Statutory authority.
The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as
amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251, et seq. Nothing in this chapter prohibits
the Director of Public Works and the Health Officer from regulating
sewers or stormwater in a manner that exceeds the requirements of the
Clean Water Act, the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional
Boards.
Sec. 21.3.1. Local authority.
The Director of Public Works, as the City Engineer, shall have
charge and control of all sewers and storm drains in the City and
shall construct, operate, maintain, and repair all such systems
subject to the direction of the City Council. The City Engineer and/or
the Health Officer shall enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 22.1. City Engineer —Office created.
There is hereby created and established the Office of City
Engineer. The Director of Public Works shall be the City Engineer. The
City Engineer shall hold the position at the pleasure of the City
Council.
Sec. 22.90. Traffic control.
(a) ... The countersigned transparency and a reasonable number of
official copies, as determined by the Traffic Engineer, are to be
retained by the Public Works Department.
Sec. 24.1. Director of Public Works defined.
Director of Public Works, Building Official, City Engineer,
Traffic Engineer, and Superintendent of Streets are defined to have
one meaning. In this chapter and wherever else the same may be
appropriate in this Code, or in state statutes whenever reference is
made to Director of Public Works, Building Official, City Engineer,
Traffic Engineer, or Superintendent of Streets, they shall be deemed
to refer to the same official.
Sec. 24.16. Electrical Code amendments, additions and deletions.
The 2013 Edition of the California Electrical Code is hereby amended
as follows: ...
(d) ...
Sec 402.7 Utility Notification. An applicant for an
electrical installation that will require an increase in the amount of
power supply to the electrical service by more than 50 amps shall
notify the Vernon Public Utilities Department of the additional new
load.
Sec. 24.61. Notice to owners.
At the time of approval of any change of occupancy for an
existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall building, except for a
change of occupancy subject to section 24.63(c) of this Code, the
Public Works Department shall provide a notice to the owner that the
City considers the building to be unsafe and shall encourage the owner
to voluntarily comply with Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for
Building Conservation.
Sec. 24.111. Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Review
Process.
(b) ... The Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, is
hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist.
(c) ... The applicant may submit the permit application and
associated documentation to the City's Public Works Department by
personal, mail, or electronic submittal together with any required
permit processing and inspection fees. ...
(e) For a small residential rooftop solar energy system
eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required,
which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated
inspection by the Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, and
the Fire Chief, or his/her designee. ....
(f) An application that satisfies the information requirements
in the checklist, as determined by the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designee, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an
incomplete application, the Director of Public Works, or his/her
designee, shall issue a written correction notice detailing all
deficiencies in the application and any additional information
required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
(g) Upon confirmation by the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designee, of the application and supporting documentation
being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the
Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, shall administratively
approve the application and issue all required permits or
authorizations. ... The applicant is responsible for obtaining such
approval or permission from the Vernon Public Utilities.
Sec. 25.7. Bond or deposit prerequisite to temporary connection.
... Said deposit shall guarantee the payment of all water charged
through said connection and the return to the City Public Utilities
Department in good condition, usual wear and tear excepted, of all
materials furnished by the City in making said connection, together
with all labor costs with respect thereto.
Article IV. Public Utilities Department Rules and Regulations.
Sec. 25.60. Purpose.
The Public Utilities Department will exercise reasonable
diligence and care to deliver a continuous and sufficient supply of
water to the customer at a proper pressure, and to avoid any shortage
or interruption in delivery.
The Public Utilities Department will endeavor to supply a safe
and potable water at all times. Where the use of water on a customer's
premises requires water for specific uses demanding a better quality
of water than that served by the Public Utilities Department, the
customer shall provide water treatment facilities capable of producing
water of the desired quality.
Sec. 25.61. Definition of terms.
Standby service. City water service to property which is
supplied in part with water from some source of supply other than the
Public Utilities Department.
Water service. A water service consists of all piping, valves,
meters and appurtenances installed by the Public Utilities Department
for the purpose of furnishing water to public or private property from
the municipal water distribution system.
Sec. 25.62. Classes of service.
All services installed by the Public Utilities Department will be
classified as follows:
Sec. 25.63. Types of service.
The types of service available from the Public Utilities
Department are:
(a) Metered rate;
(b) Standby rate;
(c) Fire protection rate;
(d) Temporary service rate.
The Public Utilities Department will serve water from the City's
water distribution system to the customer's property. When installed,
all components of the water service, up to and including the water
meter, whether located on public or private property shall become the
property of the City of Vernon and the City reserves the right to
repair, replace and maintain the water service.
Sec. 25.64. Application for new water service.
Before water shall be supplied to any property for domestic,
commercial, industrial and fire protection service, the owner or
customer shall make application to the Public Utilities Department.
The Public Utilities Department, as a condition to approving such
application and furnishing water to said property, is authorized to
and shall require a payment in advance equal to the cost of water
service installation and any applicable deposit. The cost estimated by
the Public Utilities Department must be deposited in advance, with
final adjustment of charges to be made upon completion of installation
and prior to turn -on of water.
Sec. 25.66. Temporary fire hydrant connection.
The Public Utilities Department will install a water service on a
fire hydrant in such a manner as not to interfere with the free use of
such hydrant for fire purposes, and the applicant shall pay for all
water passing through such service at applicable rates.
The applicant shall be held responsible for loss or damage to the
water service or services from the time of installation until the
removal, or until forty-eight hours after notice in writing has been
given the Public Utilities Department that termination of the service
is desired.
Sec. 25.67. Standby service.
... The Public Utilities Department reserves the right to refuse
to furnish water and may discontinue standby service to any premises
where such service may be detrimental or injurious to the service
furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.68. Extension of distribution system.
(a) Application. Any applicant who as owner or subdivider of a
single lot, subdivision or tract of land, desires the extension of
water mains and services to such lot, subdivision or tract of land,
shall file a written application with the Public Utilities Department.
(b) Deposit. In the event such application is approved, said
applicant shall deposit with the Public Utilities Department, cash or
other method of payment satisfactory to the City in an amount
determined by the Public Utilities Department to be the total
estimated cost of such mains and services, including all labor, pipe,
valves, fittings, fire hydrants and all appurtenances necessary for a
complete system exclusive of customer services. ...
Sec. 25.70. Meter testing.
... Such demand shall be made in writing to the Public Utilities
Department, and shall be accompanied by a deposit of one hundred
dollars for one, one and one-half, and two inch meters, and one
hundred fifty dollars for three, four, and six inch meters. Upon
receipt of such demand, the Public Utilities Department shall examine
and test the meter. If the meter is found to register over two percent
more water than actually delivered, another meter will be substituted
and the deposit shall be repaid to the customer making the
application, and the water bill for the current period adjusted in
such manner as the Public Utilities Department may consider fair and
just. ...
Sec. 25.71. Unsafe apparatus.
The Public Utilities Department may refuse to furnish water and
discontinue service to any premises where apparatus, appliance, or
equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe, or not in conformity with
any applicable laws or ordinances, and where such service may be
detrimental or injurious to the service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.72. Customer's control valves.
... No person except authorized City of Vernon personnel shall
enter the meter vault or operate or cause to be operated the curb stop
or valve in the meter box installed by the Public Utilities
Department.
Sec. 25.73. Interruption in service.
The Public Utilities Department reserves the right to shut off
the water to any premises or portion of the distribution system as
long as necessary, without notice to the customer, if an emergency so
dictates. In cases other than an emergency, the Public Utilities
Department shall attempt to notify all customers of the forthcoming
interruption of service and the probable length of time for which the
water will be shut off.
Sec. 25.74. Fire hydrants.
... The Public Utilities Department will, upon request, subject to
approval by the Fire Department, change the location along the curb,
provided the labor and material costs are paid for by the person or
persons requesting the change. The Public Utilities Department shall
estimate the cost of the required installation. The estimated cost
shall be paid to the Public Utilities Department in cash or certified
check payable to the City of Vernon. ...
Sec. 25.76. Liability.
All customers shall, upon application for water service, consent
to and hold the Public Utilities Department and the City of Vernon
harmless for any damages caused by fluctuation of water pressures or
interruption of service.
(a) Customers' property. The City of Vernon and/or the Public
Utilities Department shall in no way be responsible for any damage to
person or property because of any leakage, breakage or seepage from
any pipe, valve, appurtenance, or equipment situated on any private
property, nor shall they be responsible for any leakage, breakage or
seepage from any pipe situated between the meter installed at the curb
and private property served thereby.
(b) Servicing. The City of Vernon and/or the Public Utilities
Department shall not be responsible for damage to property caused by
defective piping on the customer's premises and by spigots, faucets,
valves and other equipment that are open when water is turned on
originally or when turned on after a temporary shutdown.
(c) Damage of Public Utilities Department property.
Sec. 25.82. Definitions.
Building Department shall mean the City of Vernon Department of
Public Works.
Sec. 25.84. Cross -connection protection requirements.
(a) The City Public Utilities Department is responsible for
protecting the water within the city -owned public water system. ...
Sec. 25.106. Relief from compliance.
The General Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon
shall develop such procedures as are necessary to process applications
for relief and shall, upon the filing by a customer of an application
for relief, take such steps as are reasonable to resolve the
application.
Sec. 25.107. Failure to comply.
(3) Third and subsequent violations. For a third and each
subsequent violation, the City may impose an additional surcharge of
ten percent for each such violation and the City may install a flow
restricting device on the service of the customer at the premises at
which the violation occurred for a period determined by the General
Manager of Public Utilities. ...
Sec. 25.108. Hearing regarding violations.
(a) Any customer receiving notice of a second or sub-sequent
violation of this ordinance shall have a right to a hearing by the
General Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon.
(b) Within thirty days of mailing of the notice of violation,
the customer must file a timely written request for a hearing with the
General Manager of Public Utilities, which request shall automatically
stay installation of a flow -restricting device on the customer's
premises until a decision has been rendered.
(d) Notice of the decision of the General Manager of Public
Utilities shall be given in writing.
Sec. 25.109. Appeal.
Any determination or decision by the General Manager of Public
Utilities may be appealed to the City Council. ...
Sec. 25.110. Determination of Phase I, II, and III Shortage.
... The General Manager of Public Utilities shall file a report and
documentation supporting the need for such a determination with the
City Council.
Sec. 26.2.3. Definitions (C).
Change of Use shall mean any new use or change of activity,
including any commencement of a new business activity, purpose, or use
that requires a permit from the Department of Public Works pursuant to
this Chapter, except that a use permitted by a Temporary Use Permit or
a Special Events Permit shall not be considered a Change of Use.
Sec. 26.2.4. Definitions (D).
Director shall mean the City of Vernon Director of Public Works.
Sec. 26.3.2. Comprehensive Zoning Map.
... Copies of the Zoning Map are on file with the Department of
Public Works and are available on request.
Sec. 26.5.1. Off -Street Parking and Loading Facilities.
Sec. 26.5.1-6. Parking, Maneuvering, and Loading Development
Standards.
(a) General. ...
... With the concurrence of the City Council, the Director of
Public Works shall utilize the recommended minimum parking and loading
and maneuvering requirements as the standard for that and similar
uses. ...
Sec. 26.6.2. Variances.
Sec. 26.6.2-2. Application and Fee. An application for a
Variance shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, on a form provided for that purpose by
the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount
established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.2-3. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, the City
Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing to be held not less than
ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days from the date of notice. ...
Sec. 26.6.3. Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.3-1. Application and Fee. Application for a
Conditional Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or
authorized agent to the Department of Public Works, on a form provided
for that purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee
in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.3-2. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, the City
Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing in not less than ten
(10) days nor more than sixty (60) days, and shall give notice of the
time and place of the hearing and the information concerning the
subject matter and purpose of the meeting in the manner described in
Section 26.6.2-3, "Notice of Public Hearing."
Sec. 26.6.4. Minor Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.4-2. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Application and
Fee. Application for a Minor Conditional Use Permit shall be made by
the property owner or authorized agent to the Department of Public
Works, on a form provided for that purpose by the City, and shall be
accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by resolution of
the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.4-3. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Public Notice.
Following presentation of a completed application to the Department of
Public Works, the City Clerk shall give notice that a Minor
Conditional Use Permit is to be considered. ...
Sec. 26.6.5. Temporary Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.5-2. Application and Fee. Application for a Temporary
Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, on a form provided for that purpose by
the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount
established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.6. Zoning Ordinance or Text Amendment.
Sec. 26.6.6-6. Zoning Map Modification. If the Amendment
involves an amendment to the Zoning Map, the Department of Public
Works, immediately following the effective date of the ordinance,
shall cause the Zoning Map to be so modified. ...
Sec. 26.6.7. Interpretations, Minor Exceptions, and Appeals.
Sec. 26.6.7-2. Record of Interpretations. The Director shall
keep a written record of interpretations made on file in the
Department of Public Works. ...
Sec. 26.6.7-4. Record of Exceptions. ... The record shall be filed
in the Department of Public Works by property location using a street
address or other reasonable system to permit reference to the
exception made at any future date.
Sec. 26.11.1. Application of Article.
Sec. 26.11.1-7. Responsibility. ... In accordance with the
provisions of California Penal Code Section 836.5(a), employees of the
Department of Public Works, as directed and designated from time to
time by the Director, are hereby authorized to issue citations for
violations of this Chapter. ...
Sec. 27.34. Determination by Director of Public Works.
Whenever the Director of Public Works determines by inspection
that graffiti or other inscribed material is so located on public or
private property as to be capable of being viewed by a person
utilizing any public right-of-way in this City, be this road, parkway,
alley, or otherwise, the Director of Public Works shall order the
abatement of the nuisance by removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material in accordance with the following procedures unless
the owner of the property consents to the removal by the City of the
graffiti or other inscribed material and executes such document as the
City may provide relative to the removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material, then the Director of Public Works is authorized to
provide for the removal of the graffiti or other inscribed material.
If the Director of Public Works provides for the removal of the
graffiti or other inscribed material, he/she shall not authorize nor
undertake to provide for the painting or repair of any more extensive
area than that where the graffiti or other inscribed material is
located.
Sec. 27.35. Informal notice.
The Director of Public Works, in addition to any other notices
hereafter required by this article, may give to the occupants of the
public or private property, and to any other person whom he deems
should be notified, information concerning the provisions of this
article, any violation thereof, how the person notified may comply
with, and any other information as he/she deems expedient.
Sec. 27.36. Written consent.
The Director of Public Works, or his/her designated
representatives, including personnel designated by the City to remove
graffiti, shall make reasonable efforts to obtain written consent of
the property owner or legal occupant of the property prior to entering
upon private property to remove said graffiti.
Sec. 27.37. Notice of removal of graffiti.
If, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, any public or
private property is found to have any graffiti or other inscribed
material on it as defined in this article, the Director of Public
Works shall give to the party concerned written notice in the event
that designated personnel from the City are unable to obtain written
consent from an owner or occupant granting permission for the City of
Vernon employees to enter upon their property for the sole purpose of
graffiti removal.
Sec. 27.40. Right of hearing.
Any party concerned, or the Director of Public Works, may request
a hearing regarding the removal of graffiti or other inscribed
material after the property is posted. A request by any person other
than the Director of Public Works shall be made in writing to the
graffiti appeals board within ten days after the property is posted or
receipt of notice. ...
Sec. 27.41. Hearing not requested.
If neither the Director of Public Works nor any concerned party
requests a hearing and the condition as set forth in the Notice of
Intent to Remove Graffiti From Premises is not corrected within the
time specified in such notice, the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designated representative, may enter upon such private or
public property in order to remove the graffiti or other inscribed
materials, or may cause such other work to be done to the extent
necessary to abate the public nuisance and other conditions which have
been found to exist.
Sec. 27.42. Notice of hearing.
If either the Director of Public Works, or any party concerned,
requests a hearing within the proper time as provided in section
27.40, the graffiti appeals board shall hold a noticed hearing. No
less than ten days prior to the hearing, the Director of Public Works
shall serve, or cause to be served, either in the manner required by
law for the service of summons or by first class mail, postage
prepaid, a copy of the notice of hearing upon every person whom this
article requires that the Notice of Intent to Remove Graffiti From
Premises be served.
Sec. 27.43. Form and contents of notice.
The notice of hearing shall state:
(b) The conditions because of which the Director of Public
Works believes that the property is a public nuisance.
Sec. 27.44. Posting of notice.
The Director of Public Works shall post one copy of the notice of
hearing in a conspicuous place on the public or private property
involved, not less than ten days prior to the hearing.
Sec. 27.45. Hearing by graffiti appeals board.
The graffiti appeals board shall hold a hearing and consider all
competent evidence offered by any person pertaining to the matters set
forth in the report of the Director of Public Works.
Sec. 27.47. Work by City.
If any order of the graffiti appeals board made pursuant to
section 27.46 and not superseded is not complied with within the
period designated by the board, the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designated representative, may then enter upon such private or
public property in order to remove the graffiti or other inscribed
materials, or may cause such other work to be done to the extent
necessary to remove the graffiti and other inscribed materials
determined to exist by the graffiti appeals board.
Sec. 27.48. Costs.
The costs involved in the removal or other work by the Director
of Public works, shall be paid by the City.
Sec. 28.6. Environmental impact.
No final or parcel map filed pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter shall be approved until an environmental review has been
conducted by the Director of Public Works.
Sec. 28.47. Mandatory mergers —Director of Public Works to file for
recordation with county.
The Director of Public Works is authorized to file for
recordation with the Recorder of the County of Los Angeles a notice of
such merger specifying the names of the record owners and particularly
describing the real property; provided that, at least thirty (30) days
prior to the recording of the notice, the owner of the parcels or
units to be affected by the merger shall be advised in writing of the
intention to record the notice and specifying a time, date and place
at which the owner may present evidence to the City Council as to why
such notice should not be recorded.
Sec. 28.48. Mandatory mergers —determining conformance to standards
for development.
In implementing Sections 66451.10 et seq. of the California
Government Code, the Director of Public Works shall specifically
consider the parking requirements of the existing property when
determining whether the parcels or units conform to standards for
development within the City.
Sec. 28.50. Voluntary mergers by common property owners.
(b) Voluntary merger application. ... The Director of Public
Works may require additional items as he or she deems necessary.
(2) Proof of written notice, deemed sufficient by the
Director of Public Works, of the proposed voluntary merger to all
parties having any record title interest in the affected real
property.
(d) The Director of Public Works may approve the voluntary
merger application if he or she finds that the parcel created by the
merger conforms to the purposes and requirements of this Chapter. The
Director of Public Works may impose all conditions on such merger
approval he or she deems necessary to ensure the compliance with the
purposes and requirements this Chapter, such as conditions to retain,
reserve, relocate or establish easements, and to protect the public
health, safety and welfare.
Sec. 28.51. Lot line adjustments between adjacent parcels.
(a) No person shall record a deed or other document adjusting
the boundary between four or fewer existing adjoining parcels by
establishing new property boundaries unless a lot line adjustment is
first approved by the Director of Public Works in the manner described
in this Chapter.
(b) Requests for lot line adjustments shall be made on
application forms provided by the Director of Public Works.
(c) After investigation and receipt of reports of other
affected divisions or outside agencies, the Director of Public Works
shall approve the lot line adjustment, provided he or she has found in
writing that the proposed lot line adjustment conforms to the City's
general plan, any applicable specific plan and local zoning and
building ordinances including, but not limited to, drainage and the
minimum lot requirements as set forth in Section 28.28 of this Code.
The Director of Public Works may approve the lot line adjustment
subject to conditions or exactions as he or she deems necessary to:
(i) conform to the City's general plan, any applicable specific plan,
and zoning and building ordinances; (ii) to facilitate the relocation
of existing utilities, infrastructure, or easements; (iii) to require
the prepayment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the lot
line adjustment; and (iv) to assure that one or more deeds are
properly recorded.
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT "B"
CITY OF VERNON - RULES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
Rule No. 5. SPECIAL INFORMATION REQUIRED ON FORMS
B. Customer's Bills. ...
INFORMATION
If you question this bill, please request an explanation from
the Customer Service Division. If you thereafter believe that you have
been billed incorrectly, to avoid discontinuance of service send your
payment under protest to the Customer Service Division with a copy of
the bill and a written statement supporting your belief that the bill
is not correct. Such statements regarding disputed electric or water
bills should be made to the attention of the General Manager of the
Public Utilities Department. The General Manager will review the basis
of the billed amount and authorize any adjustment required in
accordance with his/her findings. If the matter is not satisfactorily
resolved by the General Manager, you may petition the City Council for
final determination. If you need further information, please call the
Customer Service Division at (323) 583-8811 between the hours of 7:00
a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
C. Final Notice. The following statement will be printed on each
Final Notice:
This notice includes a late fee. If you question this bill please
request an explanation from the Customer Service Division. If you
thereafter believe that you have been billed incorrectly, to avoid
discontinuance of service send your payment under protest to the
Customer Service Division with a copy of the bill and a written
statement supporting your belief that the bill is not correct. Such
statements regarding disputed electric or water bills should be
made to the attention of the General Manager of the Public Utilities
Department. The General Manager will review the basis of the billed
amount and authorize any adjustment required in accordance with
his/her findings. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by
the General Manager, you may petition the City Council for final
determination. If you need further information, please call the
Customer Service Division at (323) 583-8811 between the hours of
7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
If a discontinued service is reestablished, a reconnection charge
will be assessed.
Rule No. 10. DISPUTED BILLS
B. Review by General Manager of Public Utilities. Any Customer, whose
request for review regarding a bill for electric service has resulted
in a determination by the Customer Service Division representative
which is adverse, may have such determination reviewed by the General
Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon.
2. Checks or other forms of remittance for such payment under
protest shall be accompanied by a letter of explanation to the General
Manager of Public Utilities.
3. Upon receipt of the payment under protest and letter of
explanation the General Manager will review the basis of the billed
amount. After review the General Manager may: ...
4. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the General
Manager, the Customer may petition the City Council for a final
decision.
Rule No. 12. RATES AND OPTIONAL RATES
F. Interconnection
2. Where necessary to meet minimum requirements during
emergencies, a standby generator may be interconnected through a
double -throw switch with the written approval of the General Manager
of Public Utilities. ...
Rule No. 16.
PREMISES
SERVICE CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER'S
A. Meter and Miscellaneous Service Equipment on Customer's Premises.
1. Meter Installations.
c. Master Meters. A master Meter and associated equipment
will be furnished and installed by the City upon
application by the owner or lessee of any multiple -
occupancy Premises where electric energy is to be
furnished and/or metered by said owner or lessee to the
individual tenants as provided in Rule No. 18.
STAFF REPORT
RECEIVED
MAR 0 2 2017
STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
CITY ADMINISTRATION
DATE: March 7, 2017
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Carlos R. Fandino, Jr., City Administrator(X/6,7--
RE: Ordinance Amending Various Sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to
Reorganize and Rename the Gas and Electric Department and the Public
Works, Water, and Development Services Department
Recommendation
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA") review, because it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or
indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project"
as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Conduct a Public Hearing; and
C. Approve the first reading, and adopt at a subsequent meeting, an ordinance amending
various sections within Chapters 1, 2, 5, 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 30 of the
Vernon Municipal Code to Reorganize and Rename the Gas and Electric Department and
the Public Works, Water, and Development Services Department.
Background
The City owns and operates the Water Utility Division currently under the direction of the Public
Works, Water, and Development Services Department (PW). By authority granted to the City
Administrator (Administrator) in Section 2.6-6(c) of the Vernon Municipal Code, it is the desire
of the Administrator to consolidate the Water Utility Division into the Vernon Gas and Electric
Department (VG&E). The consolidation will effectuate economic, efficiency, and productivity
advantages. These advantages include economies of scale for staff workloads, increased office
space, additional equipment and vehicles, collaborative construction activities, and financial
bonding capabilities. More importantly, this transfer will consolidate all utilities -related services
in one single department. The Water Division will be absorbed into VG&E with no additional
costs.
Page 1 of 2
Under the guidance of the City Administrator, VG&E and PW staff prepared the attached
Assessment and Recommendation Report in order for a seamless transition to take place. This
report is the basis for the overall reorganization of the Departments, for the preparation of a
strategic action plan, and for the development of a viable Capital Improvement Plan.
In order to facilitate this reorganization, it is prudent to rename the two Departments. It is proposed
that VG&E change to Vernon Public Utilities Department (VPU), allowing the inclusion of all
utility services under one roof. The current name of Public Works, Water, and Development
Services Department will be simplified and shortened to Public Works Department.
In alignment with the utility industry standard, it is also requested that the current title of Director
of Gas & Electric be changed to General Manager of the Public Utilities Department. The title of
General Manager is utilized by nearly all public utilities across the country, including the likes of
Anaheim and Riverside Public Utilities. Additionally, the title for Director of Public Works, Water,
and Development Services will change to Director of Public Works.
If the proposed ordinance is adopted, staff will propose that the City Council amend the Fringe
Benefits and Salary Resolution to revise the job descriptions where applicable and update the
Classification and Compensation Plan in order to implement the title changes.
It is therefore recommended that various sections of Chapters 1, 2, 5, 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28, and 30 of the Vernon Municipal Code be amended as set forth in the proposed ordinance
including Exhibits A and B attached herewith as prepared and reviewed by the City Attorney's
Office to effectuate the reorganization of departments, rename said Departments, and change
personnel titles.
Fiscal Impact
None.
Attachments
1. Notice of Public Hearing
2. Proposed Ordinance
3. Assessment and Recommendation Report
Page 2 of 2
City of Vernon
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
(323)583-8811
The City Council of the City of Vernon will conduct a public hearing, which you may attend.
PLACE: Vernon City Hall
City Council Chambers
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
DATE & Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
TIME: (or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard)
SUBJECTS: A first reading, to adopt at a subsequent meeting, an ordinance amending
various sections within Chapters 1, 2, 5, 7,16,17, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and
30 of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement the reorganization and
renaming of both the Gas & Electric Department and Public Works, Water,
and Development Services Departments respectively; and to address the title
changes of the Director of Gas & Electric to General Manager of Public
Utilities, and the Director of Public Works, Water and Development Services
to Director of Public Works.
REQUEST: All parties are invited to be present and to submit statements orally or in writing
before or during the applicable public hearing.
REVIEW OF Subject documents are available for inspection by the public at Vernon City Hall,
THE FILE: City Clerk Department, 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California 90058,
Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on the City's website at:
http://www.cityofvemon.orW zovemment/public-meetin sg /city -council
PROPOSED Staff plans to recommend that the Vernon City Council determine that the
CEQA proposals will not have a significant effect on the environment and are exempt
FINDING: from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
If you desire to challenge the actions taken by the City Council or any portion thereof in court, you may be
limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the applicable hearing described in this
notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Vernon during, or before, the hearing.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): In compliance with ADA, if you need special assistance to
participate in the meeting, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (323) 583-8811.
The hearing may be continued or adjourned or cancelled and rescheduled to a stated time and place without
further official notice of the public hearings.
Dated: 2/22/ 17
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
CITY OF VERNON
WATER DIVISION ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The Vernon Gas and Electric (VGE) and Public Works (PW) staff received direction from the City
Administrator's Office to study the feasibility of consolidating the Water Division into the VGE. The City
Attorney's Office opined that the transfer was within the legislative authority granted to the City.
Respective staff met weekly in the last months in order to collaborate on the preparation of this
transitional report. Staff identified some benefits and minor disadvantages not worthy of mention.
Benefits to the transfer of the Water Division include overall economies of scale for staff, office space,
equipment and vehicles, construction activities, and financial bonding capabilities.
WATER DIVISION
The City of Vernon owns and operates a potable water distribution system within its service area of
approximately five plus square miles. The City is permitted to serve potable water under the State of
California Water Supply Permit issued by the Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water.
Water Supply
While annual usage varies from year to year, during FY 15/16 the City used approximately 5,959 acre- feet
of groundwater and approximately 1,127 acre feet of imported water. Based on these reporting
quantities, the Average Daily Demand is approximately 9 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) with a max day
peaking factor of 1.6 and a max hour peaking factor of 2.6. Fire flow demand per the 2001 Fire Code is
set at 8,000 Gallons per Minute (GPM) for four hours. Since 2006, the daily demand has dropped by
approximately 15% due to companies leaving the City.
The Central Basin is an adjudicated basin and the City is a party to the Central Basin Third Amended
Judgement. The City has an annual Allowable Pumping Allocation (APA) of 7,539 acre feet in perpetuity.
Several years ago, due to budgetary restraints, the City sold 500 acre feet of its APA. The City should make
every possible attempt to regain the selloff of the 500 acre feet by purchasing available APA from
judgement participants. Currently, the City does not have enough well pumping capacity to exercise its
full basin water allocation.
Recommendations
In January 2006, staff commissioned a Water Distribution System Hydraulic Analysis (Analysis). The
Analysis is critical in understanding simulated distribution system dynamics and included a hydraulic
model analysis, the purchase of software, and support services. The hydraulic model and software were
never used and presently cannot be located. The Analysis simulates the operations dynamic nexus of the
production wells, distribution system, reservoirs, and booster stations and should be updated and staff
should be trained in its interpretation and use. While the engineering firm that authored the report has
strong familiarity with its development, there are cost savings in having them perform the update.
1
However, staff should not discount the notion of putting the program update out for competitive bid. The
associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at $150,000.
The City must increase its inventory of production wells by constructing new groundwater wells.
Production Wells
The distribution system is supplied by eight (8) active production wells numbered 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19,
and 20. Conversion construction of a well No. 21 is complete and is expected to be in service in March
2017. The well was equipped with a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). Well No. 11 is currently being
rehabilitated, slip -lined, and is expected to be in service in September 2017. Well No. 14 was taken out
of service due to water aesthetics and it is high in iron and at times produces discolored water. The life
expectancy of production wells is approximately 50 years. The system water demands are supplemented
by a Metropolitan Water District (MWD) connection located on Vernon Avenue. The wells are
strategically placed throughout the distribution system to provide a more balanced and uniform water
distribution. Wells 11 and 16 flow into Reservoir 1 (10MG). Wells 12 and 17 flow into reservoir 2-1, 2-2,
and 2-3 (1MG each). Wells 15 and 19 flow into reservoirs 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 (1MG each). Well 19 is
plumbed to flow directly into the distribution system as well. It generally operates in that mode. Well 19
also has a generator for back-up power. Wells 20 and 21 flow directly into the distribution system. Each
well production ranges in flowrate, but collectively are able to produce approximately 7,700 GPM. The
MWD connection has a turn -out capacity of 2,500 GPM. The MWD connection is plumbed to deliver water
to Reservoir 1 or directly into the distribution system. Normally it delivers water directly to the
distribution system. The production wells can meet the current average daily demand without the use of
the MWD connection.
Recommendations
An operations analysis report should be initiated in July 2017. A five-year rehabilitation program for wells
15, 17, and 20 needs to be implemented starting FY 2017/2018. Well 21 should be very closely monitored
(water to wire calculations) to determine the effectiveness of the VFD. Wells 11 and 16 currently have
generator back-up power. Well 16 has the larger pumping capacity, therefore, should be retrofitted with
a generator back-up power. Wells 12 and 17 currently do not have generator back-up power. Well 17
has the larger pumping capacity, therefore, should be retrofitted with a generator back-up power. Well
20 should also be retrofitted with generator back-up power. Analysis of simulated closed system via the
hydraulic model should be considered if and when the model is updated.
The Division staff must increase its inventory of groundwater production by constructing new wells. The
new wells serve two purposes: to allow full APA pumping and provide backup production pumping in case
older wells have to be rehabilitated and/or repaired. More importantly, additional well production will
increase pumping capacity and allow full utilization the City's APA. Staff must also research the concept
of becoming a water wholesaler and/or leasing out unused portions of the APA. Because groundwater is
cheaper than imported water, groundwater rights have monetary value. The Division can supply local
water purveyors with groundwater deliveries or leasing out groundwater allocations that it doesn't use.
This option creates a new revenue stream for the Division.
The associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at approximately $500,000 to $750,000 per
well rehabilitation and between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 for construction of a new well.
Service Connections (Meters)
The system is comprised of approximately 1,277 potable water service connections serving the businesses
and residences throughout the City. However, it is unknown how many of these service connections are
active and inactive. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,106 active connections. Staff
implemented a large meter repair program that focuses on the 100 largest water users only. Water staff
is currently engaged in implementing an Automatic Meter Read (ARM) preplacement program from a
federal grant, however, the program has not started and the grant termination date is set for December
31, 2017. The program would reduce meter read time by 25%.
Recommendations
The Water Division should immediately implement a biannual meter testing/calibration program for the
top 100 largest meter users. Implementation of a citywide meter replacement/repair program to increase
meter accuracy should begin in FY 17/18. Staff should consider an ARMS program to eliminate re -reads,
improve meter accuracy, and eliminate meter reading labor. The program serves to increase revenues
and allows to repurpose labor savings to other field activities such as meter repairs and installations.
Industry standards recommend that meters should be replaced every twenty years. Therefore, annual
meter replacement program entails replacement of approximately 54 meters of varying sizes per year.
The associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at $50,000 per year. The cost to test and
calibrate meter should be performed by Field Staff as routine maintenance and does not have an
additional cost. Calibration is minimal and can be absorbed by the annual operating budget.
Distribution Piping System
The piping network is comprised of approximately 49.3 miles of water lines ranging in size from 4 to 20
inches in diameter. The pipeline material is approximately 95% cast iron, 4% ductile iron, and 1% steel.
Portions of the distribution system were constructed in 1924 and 1958 and appear to be in good condition.
It is standard practice for pipe coupons to be inspected as they become available form tapping activities.
While visual inspections of the sample tapping coupons has been made laboratory testing has never been
initiated. Because the City has a relatively flat (elevation) geographic profile, the distribution system only
has one pressure zone. The average pressure is approximately 70 PSI. Portions of the pipes are cement
mortar lined which further deters interior pipe corrosion and deterioration. In addition, the City overlies
an alluvial fan from the Los Angeles River and soil conditions are such that it deters exterior corrosion and
deterioration. Lastly, the practice of using thick-walled cast iron and ductile iron pipe has been used in
the distribution system for decades. All of these factors lead to the extremely low pipe breaks throughout
the distribution system.
Recommendations
At this point in time it not recommended to implement a pipe replacement program due to the probable
condition of the pipes. In addition, the extremely low number of annual pipe line breaks is good reason
to presume the pipes are in good condition.
Laboratory testing of the pipe coupons should be considered to determine the remaining structural
integrity of the pipe. At minimum, compression, impact, fracture, and deterioration testing should be
considered. The associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at $1,000 per coupon.
Booster Stations
The distribution system only has one pressure zone and flow demands are met through the use of three
booster pumping stations. The booster stations range in pumping design capacity from 1,050 GPM to
3,000 GPM.
Booster Plant 1 is located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue and consists of five booster pumps (design flowrates
are 1,050, 1,400, 2,860, 3,972, and 4,041 GPM). The boosters pump out of Reservoir 1 directly into the
distribution system at Santa Fe and Vernon Avenues. The booster station currently does not have back-
up power. However, the MWD service connection ties into the 10MG and is able to be used as a back-up
source.
Booster Plant 2 is located at Vernon and Downey Avenues and consists of three boosters pumps (design
flowrates are 1,200, 1,150, and a 2,400 GPM decommissioned diesel driven pump). A pump house is also
located at BP2 and consist of three booster pumps (design flowrates are 1,310, 2,240, and 3,015 GPM).
The boosters pump out of Reservoirs 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 directly into the distribution system at 4355 Downey
Road and 3570 Vernon Avenue. Booster plant 3 also has one generator with sufficient power rating to
provide back-up power to 3 booster pumps.
Booster Plant 3 is located at 3381 Fruitland Avenue and consists of five booster pumps (design flowrates
are 1,175, 1,150, 1,905, 1,900, and a 2,450 GPM decommissioned diesel driven pump). The boosters
pump out of Reservoirs 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 directly into the distribution system at Fruitland Avenue. Booster
plant 2 also has one generator with sufficient power rating to provide back-up power to four booster
pumps or two boosters and one well.
Staff commissions annual pump tests for all well and booster pumps. The tests are critical for operations,
electrical efficiency, and pump sequences and cycling.
Recommendations
An operations analysis report should be initiated in July 2017. Pump sequencing and cycling, pump and
motor repair, rehabilitation, or replacement, energy efficiency, motor control valves, and generator back-
up must be considered. Booster Plant 1 should be retrofitted with generator back-up power for three of
the five pumps. Booster House 2 at Booster Plant 2 should be retrofitted with generator back-up power
for all three pumps. The associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at $90,000 for pump,
motor, and electrical rehabilitation and $450,000 per back-up generator.
Storage Water Reservoirs
There are eight reservoirs in the City's system that range in capacity from 750KG to 10MG. There are six
steel above ground reservoirs, one concrete underground reservoir, and one steel elevated reservoir in
the distribution system. The reservoirs serve as wet wells for the previously described booster pump
stations. The combined storage capacity of all reservoirs is approximately 16,750,000, however, only
16,375,000 gallons capacity is available due to limitation placed on the elevated tank.
Reservoir No. 1 is an underground reservoir located at 4305 Santa Fe Avenue and has a 10 MG capacity.
The reservoir is rectangular in shape and is underneath the City Hall parking lot. The reservoir was cleaned
and rehabilitated in December 2016. The MWD service connection ties into the 10MG and is able to be
4
used as a back-up source. The MWD connection is tied into the distribution system, thereby, bypassing
the 10MG reservoir.
Reservoirs 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are above ground steel reservoirs and are located at 4355 Downey Road and
3570 Vernon Avenue. Each reservoir has a 1MG storage capacity and is round in shape. The reservoirs are
in need of rehabilitation in the next three years.
Reservoirs 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 are above ground steel reservoirs and are located at 3381 Fruitland Avenue.
Each reservoir has a 1MG storage capacity and is round in shape. The reservoirs are in need of
rehabilitation within the next three years.
The elevated tank stands at an approximate elevation of 175 feet above ground level and is located at
2800 Soto Street. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 750,000 gallons, however, due to seismic
limitations, the elevated reservoir can only be partially filled to approximately 20 feet in height. In 2007
the tank was structurally retrofitted, the exterior was painted, and interior was cleaned. The elevated tank
is critical to the delivery of system pressure to the entire distribution network. Currently, the tank is
operated with the inlet fully open with no means to turn off the flow. The flow control valve was
disconnected many years ago and is in need of repairs and or replacement. Over the years, thoughts have
been given to eliminating the elevated tank from the distribution system and converting to a closed
pressure system. The tank would remain in place and be rendered inoperable.
Recommendations
An operations analysis report should be initiated in July 2017. The analysis must include rehabilitation
recommendations and schedules, sequencing of the reservoirs, emergency, fire, and operational flow
analysis, and operating scenarios. There is an urgent need to repair or replace the altitude flow control
valve at the elevated tank. The associated cost for this recommendation is estimated at $75,000 for
engineering P&S, rehabilitation construction cost of $400,000 per tank, and $20,000 for repair or
replacement of the flow control valve at the elevated tank.
Fire Hydrants and Distribution Valves
The distribution system contains approximately 654 main line control valves ranging in sizes from 4 to 16
inches and 720 fire service valves ranging in size from 4 to 10 inches. The valves are used to control all
flows throughout the system and also serve to isolate portions of the systems in order to facilitate
necessary repairs or improve water quality conditions. Many of the valves are inoperable and there is
limited documentation as to which valves are inoperable. In many cases upstream/downstream valves
have to be shut off from nonfunctioning valves in order to facilitate a repair. The additional
upstream/downstream valve shut offs affect a larger number of customers. State Standards mandate
that all valves be exercised a minimum of once every five years. While the Division does not have a routine
valve replacement program, valves are replaced on an as needed basis.
The system also contains 774 fire hydrants located throughout the City and used for fire protection by the
City's Fire Department. The hydrants are also used to flush out the systems as deemed necessary in order
to improve water quality. The State also mandates a water quality testing program for the distribution
system.
5
Recommendations
An operations analysis report should be initiated in July 2017. The report must include implementation
programs for valve turning, valve replacement, hydrant testing, and hydrant repairs. The report must
include logistics plan data collection, reporting methods, and labor analysis. This task should be
performed by field staff as routine maintenance and does not have an additional cost.
Water Quality
Approximately 52 primary and secondary constituents and other chemicals of additional interest are
tested weekly, monthly, semi-annually, annually, bi-annually, tri-annually, and quint -annually to ensure
public health. The test samples are taken from strategic locations throughout the entire system. The City
is required to publish an annual water quality report and make it available to the consumers. The system
also contains a multitude of cross connection control and backflow prevention devices throughout the
City. Currently, the field crew members take weekly bacterial samples for testing by an independent
laboratory. The primary, secondary, and special constituencies are conducted by an engineering
consulting firm through the Water Replenishment District and through Metropolitan Water District via
Central Basin Municipal Water District.
Recommendations
The Division staff should implement a routine scheduled main flushing program for the purpose of
improving and maintaining water quality standards. Staff should also monitor and keep in contact with
the water quality consultant hired by the Water Replenishment District to ensure working knowledge of
full disclosure, interpretation of water quality reports, and review of new water quality State mandates
and the impacts to the City. This task should be performed by in-house staff and does not have an
additional cost.
SCADA and MCC's
The water distribution SCADA is located at the power plant and monitored on a 24/7/365 schedule by VGE
staff members. The system is out of date, very basic, limited in monitoring attributes, and should be
updated. An updated SCADA system will increase data collection and allow the operators more flexibility
in operating the system facilities.
Approximately 18 months ago staff from PW and VGE inspected all of the MCC panels. However, the
information and data collected was not memorialized, therefore, it is not available for review. Currently,
an electrical engineering consulting firm is approximately 90% complete with plans and specifications for
the upgrades of several water facility MCC electrical panels. The scope of work for the consultant's
agreement also includes an Engineer's Estimate.
Recommendations
The SCADA should be upgraded to include an open architecture design and have expanded 1/0 points that
allows more data collection and control. The SCADA should remain at its present location and a new "view
only" station should be installed in the Water Superintendent's office. The MCC engineering design
should be coordinated with the future replacement of booster and well motors and pumps so that MCC
and motors are compatible.
R
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
The Water Division's staff, responsibilities, and duties are divided into Administration and Field activities.
Administration staff duties include management, regulatory compliance, budgetary, administrative
functions, finance, customer service, engineering, water quality, operations analysis, and project/program
management. Field duties encompass, operations, repair, and maintenance of all water related facilities.
The Water Division also employs outside consulting firms for engineering design, construction
management, start-ups, water quality, rate studies, operations analysis, and regulatory compliance.
There is also engineering and planning PW staff that supports the Water Division occasionally.
Recommendations
The following are recommendations for the Division's duties and responsibilities:
• Management — oversees, directs, prioritizes, and organizes all managerial duties of the entire
division including, operations, budgetary, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), engineering,
regulatory compliance, and water quality.
• Regulatory Compliance — oversees, directs, prioritizes, and organizes all regulatory compliance
reporting, legislative updates, all permits, vulnerability reports, water quality reports,
• Budgetary— prepares, develops, and administrates the Water Division's annual operating and CIP
budgets.
• Administrative Functions — administrative duties support staff, memos, staff reports, invoices,
interdepartmental correspondence, meeting calendar and scheduling, and other duties as
required.
• Finance — currently performed by the Finance Department.
• Customer Services — currently performed by the Customer Service Department.
• Engineering — all civil engineering functions are performed by outside consultants. The Water
Division does not have a qualified staff member that can provide engineering consultant
oversight. It is highly recommended that Preliminary Design Reports (PDRs) be implemented
immediately. PDRs set the design criteria and are the basis for the scope of work for the RFP. The
practice of using contractors that provide engineering services must be discontinued. There is an
inherent risk in this practice.
• Water Quality —the Water Division does have a staff members qualified to oversee water quality
functions, make interpretations of water quality data, and review new State water quality
mandates and the impacts to the City. The City, through the Water Replenishment and Central
Basin Districts, receives all water quality for primary, secondary, and special constituencies for
inclusion into the Annual Water Quality Report.
• Operations Analysis — the water Division does not have staff member qualified to converge
engineering and operations data and information for the purpose of operating the system in an
effective and efficient manner. The City does, however, collect sufficient data, records, and
reports to develop and create operational scenarios. This function is critical in maximizing system
performance.
• Program/Project Management — oversees, directs, prioritizes, schedules, and organizes all Water
Division programs and projects.
7
Staff is proposing that three PW administration positions be transferred to VGE from PW. VGE staff is of
sufficient skill and size that management, budgetary, regulatory compliance, and administration functions
can be absorbed into existing VGE staff without new hires. Customer service and finance duties will
remain as they currently exist. Engineering, water quality, and operations analysis will continue through
the use of consulting firms. Project/program management will be handled by the three PW staff members
transferred to VGE. There is sufficient space in the VGE offices to absorb the three new staff members
being transferred. Another benefit is the ability for field crews to perform construction work for the gas
component of VGE. The water crews will require training and certification, but vehicles and equipment
are transferable with minimal new purchases. The water crews will continue to occupy the existing offices
and shops where they presently reside. All City utility services will be housed under one department and
be better able to serve the industrial and commercial customers. VGE will function as a "one stop shop'
for City utility services. VGE also currently processes the Water Division's utility bills, therefore, the
transition of this function will be seamless.
The transfer of the three staff members from PW to VGE will leave a personnel void in the PW Department.
A separate staffing needs assessment for the Public Works Department will need to be conducted to
address management, regulatory compliance, and administrative functions.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
The potable water system requires daily operations and maintenance in order to meet daily demands and
more importantly to meet or exceed water quality mandates and standards. The system is operated and
maintained by 11 water crewmembers and supported by three administration staff members. Three crew
members are designated water operators and reside at the City's power plant building. They operate the
distribution system through the use of a SCADA system. There are 10 crewmembers and one supervisor
who maintain the entire distribution system including the water production facilities, distribution
pipelines, fire hydrants, and pumping facilities.
Recommendations
An operations analysis report should be initiated in July 2017. The analysis must include a labor needs
assessment in order to determine the appropriate number of crew members required to properly and
effectively maintain the system. The needs assessment can be accomplished by in-house management
staff. There are sufficient records to conduct a system evaluation and to begin the design and
implementation of an asset life -cycle replacement and maintenance program. These tasks should be
performed by in-house staff as their daily duties and does not have additional cost.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
The City's water and recycle water systems have a myriad of federal, state, and county regulatory
compliance mandates. The more critical organizations include: state water supply permit, operator
certificates, NPDES for drinking water discharges, MS4 NPDES compliance, AQMD compliance, water
quality vulnerability assessment, annual water quality report (CCR), Urban Water Management Plan, state
production reports, and backflow/cross connection program. The water staff must also be familiar with
the following: California Water Code (Title 22 &17), public contract code, Water Boards mandates, Clean
Water Act, and the CEQA and NEPA environmental processes.
WATER ASSOCIATIONS
8
The Water Division staff must attend a variety of meetings and keep themselves apprised with the
following organizations: Clean Water Act, EPA, California Department of Water Resources, Water
Resources Control Board, Regional Water Resources Control Board Los Angeles Region, Metropolitan
Water District, Central Basin Water District, Water Replenishment District, Central Basin Water
Association, South East Water Coalition, Gateway Water Management Association, American Water
Works Association, and Association of California Water Agencies.
FINANCIAL
The Water Division currently does not have any debt. The annual FY 2016/2017 Water Division operating
budget is approximately $9,451,642. The annual Water Division revenues are approximately $8,609,544.
RECYCLED WATER
The City also receives recycled water from Central Basin Water District through a connection located at
the Vernon Power Plant. The turn -out capacity is adjustable to necessitate City water demands and
currently, recycled water is only used at the City's power plant.
WATER DIVISION ASSETS
The Division owns all of the water assets (pipelines, valves, booster pumps, wells, storage reservoirs, etc.)
outlined in this report. The Division also owns approximately 16 vehicles of various descriptions and uses
and a large stock of tools used in the daily maintenance activities of the water assets. The Garage Services
Division has a complete and comprehensive inventory of these assets.
WATER DIVISION STAFFING
Water industry standard criteria requires that proper management of all water distribution systems be
accomplished by a combination of technically skilled staff fluent in engineering design, budgeting, and
operations and maintenance. It is not important that these skilled individuals are in-house or out -sourced,
but you must have them. Currently, the Water Division (Division) lacks in many areas: staffing needs,
strategic planning of the workforce and priorities, the use of technology, lacks in clear communications
and in written policies and procedures. The Superintendent position is so overloaded with Director level
duties and responsibilities that it has created a tremendous backlog of work. The backlog has impeded
staff from making progress in the modernization of the Division. For example, the Division has in the past
commissioned major studies and reports that were shelved simply because the Superintendent lacked the
skill set to review, interpret, implement, and make recommendations. It is imperative that an
administrative staff member of the Division be well versed in water industry matters and must be involved
in the management of the Division directly. It is the intent of the Director of Vernon Gas and Electric to
reorganize the Water Division by distributing the managerial duties to existing VGE management staff and
by creating new positions and/or requesting classification studies of existing positions to fill the technical
and managerial void that currently exists.
STAFFING
The three -member administrative staff consists of a Superintendent, a Project Coordinator, and an
Engineering Aide. The three positions are expected to perform all engineering, managerial, and
operational duties without the assistances and benefit of an engineering support group. While the
Division does employ consulting engineers to perform design engineering, the Division administrative staff
9
of three does not have the in-depth engineering knowledge to constructively evaluate, much less oversee,
the consultant's work product. Other Public Works support staff also lack the required engineering
expertise to assist the Division. The engineering support group does not have to be an in-house group,
but can be a water industry expert on retainer. For example, the use of Preliminary Design Reports (PDRs)
should be used in order to guide the Administrative staff in the appropriate direction. PDRs lay the design
map and include a 10% of the infrastructure design. The engineering firm that develops the PDR should
not be allowed to propose on the Request for Proposal on the remaining 90% design. However, their
contract should include hours to perform a peer review and/or value -engineering services for the 90%
design contract.
There is a 10-member crew and one foreman who maintain the entire distribution systems including the
water production facilities, distribution pipelines, fire hydrants, reservoirs, and pumping facilities. A labor
analysis was conducted and based on the information gathered to perform the analysis it appears that
the current number of crewmembers are sufficient for the estimated amount of labor the Division is
tasked with. There are three caveats to the analysis, there is a long term FMLA absence currently that
affects the workload, three employees are recent hires (within two years) and lack the experience that is
required to be as efficient as the more experienced employees, and because of the heavy industrial
presence in the City's customer base, the Division's labor tasks require additional time to complete as
opposed to a more traditional mixture or industrial, commercial, and residential customer base. It is
important for the Acting Superintendent to initiate a validation process in order to affirm or disaffirm the
results of the analysis. The validation process is simple and should take no more than two days to
complete. Another important focus is the implementation of a secession plan. The plan must address
reduction of the labor deficit, must improve efficiencies, and must infuse technological methods and tools.
Simply stated, Water Division must improve the manner by which they perform the day-to-day functions
and duties.
The Division's 11-memebr crew consists of a Foreman who supervises and schedules the day-to-day
maintenance functions of the Division. The Foreman meets frequently with the Project Coordinator to
discuss operational matters. Two Senior Water Maintenance Workers and one Water Maintenance
Worker are assigned to well maintenance duties. A Senior Water Maintenance Worker is assigned to
meter repairs and USA markings. A Senior Water Maintenance Worker is currently on FMLA leave. One
Senior Water Maintenance Worker and three Water Maintenance Workers are assigned to construction
duties. A Lead Meter Reader and a Meter Reader are on meter reading duties.
The most observable outstanding concerns are: no incentives to innovate, no incentives to be more
efficient, little to no technological or automated tools to assist in the crew's daily duties, little to no
opportunities to move up the ranks and a serious lack of managerial support from the PW administrative
staff. For example, the City is issued the Drinking Water Permit, therefore, it is the responsibility of the
Superintendent through the guidance and planning of the Director to maintain the permit in compliance.
Furthermore, it is not the responsibility of the employee to maintain a pool of D-4 and T-3 certified
employees, but is the responsibility of the Director and Superintendent. Incentives for additional
certifications and specialized training could be explored as a means for professional development and
improved service.
While it appears that crewmembers are well placed, they, nonetheless, operate in a reactive mode rather
than proactive mode. Crewmembers are moved within their respective job descriptions at will and the
10
reassignment is typically unplanned. This type of reactionary management practices exposures the
Division to unnecessary risk liabilities. There are also a lack of metric tools to measure and quantify how
crewmembers perform their duties and how their time is spent. The GIS Program must be designed to
capture all technical information of assets, the amount of labor spent on maintenance activities, and an
analysis of the infrastructure in order to make informed decisions.
The City's Drinking Water Permit requires a D-4 and T-2 certification in order to meet permit compliance.
The following are the current certificates held by all employees:
• Two D-3s and two T-2s
• Five D-2s
The division is deficient in maintaining a sufficient pool of certified employees. Currently only the Project
Coordinator meets the Drinking Water Permit compliance requirements. A minimum pool of three
employees must have their D-4 and T-2 to provide permit compliance. The new Division management
staff must create a collaborative working relationship with the State Water Board. The Board is the
governing authority over the City's Drinking Water Permit. If the City becomes out of compliance
regarding operator certification, they have the authority to grant a temporary waiver while the City hires
a certified operator or an existing D-3 Division operator successfully acquires his or her D-4 certificate.
The Division does not have a formal certification program which is critical for secession and employee
retention planning. The program must track, incentivize, and follow-up with all employees who hold
water certificates. For example, a negotiated premium pay could be offered for employees who
successfully obtain their D-4 and T-2 certificates.
The Division field staff is not well versed in budgeting and procurement processes. Staff relies on the
Superintendent for budgeting matters. While the foreman does assist in the preparation of a preliminary
estimate of certain line items, staff is not aware of how budget funds are allocated, reassigned, or
expensed. Equally, they are not aware of how the procurement process works and rely on management
staff to guide them through the process. Their inability to interpret or navigate through the budget and
procurement process has the effect of slowing down their work and impeding their performance.
The Division must develop and implement a concise and goal oriented secession plan. Once ahe Water
Division is transferred, additional consideration should be given to staffing alternatives.
A classification study should be conducted for the Project Coordinator position. The position must
continue in its present duties of program/project management and must also directly supervise the
Engineering Aide and Foreman positions. a Supervisory position should be created to indirectly oversee
all Division crewmembers, maintenance planning, be the operations liaison for engineering design
projects (but not as the engineer), and oversee replacement and mandated programs and projects such
as valve turning, valve replacement, hydrant repair and line replacement.
In addition to staffing needs, the Division does not have a written employee development program. The
program at minimum should include career paths, cross training, mentoring, training, and division of
labor.
11
STRATEGIC PLANNING OF WORKFORCE and PRIORITIES
The Division lacks project engineering oversight. The Division does not have qualified in-house
engineering staff to oversee design projects (plans and specs), construction management, and develop or
evaluate Preliminary Design Reports (PDRs) and to supervise and provide guidance to consulting
engineers. The Manager position recommended above should perform these functions. The Manager
position recommended above should be able to perform these duties or an on -call independent
consultant can perform the duties.
Over the years the Division has commissioned independent and mandated reports such as the Urban
Water Management Plan (UWMP), Hydraulic Modeling Program, Hydrological Evaluation of Vernon's
Groundwater Supplies Study, Water Quality Annual Report, and others. Currently, these report are
shelved and never reviewed and implemented. The Division also interfaces with regional water agencies
such as Central Basin and Replenishment District for the purpose of discussing technological advances,
raters, hydrological reviews, technical support, grant -funding of water infrastructure, and a host of others
programs. The Division lacks a position that oversees these functions in a constructive and analytical
manner. For example, the City entered into a meter replacement grant program with a program life of
three years. The Coordinator created a cost and labor spreadsheet and upper management did not act
on the program. As time passed, the value of the program diminished to a level that made the program
financially ineffective. The Manager position recommended above should be able to perform these
functions or they can be performed by an on -call independent consultant. Another example is the
UWMP. The UWMP is a legislative mandate under the SBX7-7 implemented by the Department of Water
Resources (DWR) in 2009. The plan is a long term resources plan to ensure adequate water supplies to
meet future water demand. The plan also requires assessment of a reliable water source over a 20 year
planning horizon. The plan also mandates a water conservation reduction of 20% by the year 2020. The
UWMP requires updating every five years and submission to DWR after the update occurs. The plan is
reviewed, filed, and monitored by DWR staff. The DWR does provide guidance and workshops for urban
users in the preparation of their UWMP. The City's plan is a 300 page document and was updated in 2016,
however, to my knowledge, no one is in charge of its implementation.
The Division has a serious and detrimental disconnect between engineering and operations staff. Lower
level staff (the Project Coordinator) is expected to provide technical engineering guidance to out -sourced
engineering consultants. To his credit, he does this best given the limited resources available to him or
better stated, the lack of resources given to him. For example, the Well 21 conversion and Well 11
rehabilitation projects did not have in-house engineering oversight. The design engineer designed Well
21 with a VFD electrical component in case the well production did not meet the design criteria. The
engineer informed staff that the design capacity of 1500 GPM may not be able to be achieved, but instead
may fall to approximately 1,200 GPM. In order for the lower design capacity of 1,200 GPM to be met, the
engineer proposed the VFD design. While the practice is common for small domestic wells, it is not
recommended on high production wells. A hydraulic model that simulate the distribution system's
dynamic should have been created by the design engineer to prove the effects the VFD will have on the
distribution system and more importantly on the geological structure of the well. In the case of Well 11,
during the rehabilitation process it was discovered that the existing well was not worth developing. The
contractor recommended a slip liner that has the effect of reducing the well's production yield. It is not
clear whether or not a licensed engineer was brought in to evaluate the existing well to determine if the
well's structural integrity was compromised to a point that a liner would not work. Plans and
12
specifications should have been commissioned along with hydraulic calculations to prove the worthiness
of the well's production yield. A benefit/cost analysis should have been developed to determine whether
or not a new well was the better solution. The liner retrofit should have been designed and modeled by
an independent licensed engineer. While water well contractors do have licensed engineers on their staff,
they are not hired for or required to provide signed plans; that is typical industry practice. Currently, there
is a serious lack of technical engineering leadership in the Division.
The Division does not have any Computer Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to capture critical
data and information for the purpose of planning maintenance and CIP programs. They also are not able
to perform analysis and analytical functions and calculate asset repair costs, down time, unit costing, and
other useful implementation calculations. The new Supervisor position should be assigned this function.
The Division does not have any written Standard Operations Procedures (SOPS). SOPS are a set of step-
by-step instructions to achieve operational efficiencies, produce quality output, maximize performance,
standardize performance, and to reduce miscommunications. SOPS should include operations manuals,
manufacturer's maintenance manuals, and an information database. The new Supervisor position should
be assigned this function.
The Division does not currently have a written formal Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP must
contain all assets and be prioritized in order of needs. A life cycle Asset Management (AM) approach must
be employed and the following tasks must be used in order to develop the CIP: asset assessment needs
analysis, benefit/cost analysis, operations validation, and prioritization matrix and program timeline. The
new Supervisor position should be able to perform this function.
The Division has the basis for valve, meter, and hydrant exercising and replacement programs, but
currently the programs are implemented on an as needed basis. However, I was told on January 30, 2017
that the valve exercise program was completed and the database was being populated. Formal exercise
and replacement programs must be written and contain implemented schedules and a cost matrix. The
service should be divided into quadrants for ease of tracking and implementation and all functions must
be captured on the GIS program. The new Supervisor position should be able to perform this function.
TECHNOLOGY
The Division is not automated and if automation does exist it is outdated or not in use. The SCADA is a
good example of outdated technology. The need for technology tools and accompanying
recommendations are embedded into the other sections of this report. However, in summary,
implementation of the GIS program, introduction of CMMS software, and an updated SCADA system are
all recommended. The implementation of new and advanced technological tools serve to decrease work
efforts, make efforts more efficient, be more proactive, create standardization of procedures, reduce
labor hours, reprioritize programs and projects, and redirect labor savings. The Engineering Coordinator
is currently working with the IT Department to develop the Division's GIS program. It is highly
recommended that the Coordinator be allowed to collaborate with neighboring water agencies to gather
ideas and to identify useful attributes to enhance the performance of the GIS database program.
COMMUNICATIONS
The Director and Superintendent attend many association and agency meetings, however, there is no
formal methodology to capture or update the Division staff on the current event matters from such
13
meetings. A simple email or short concise memo in a chronological file would be sufficient. For example,
the GWMA offered a meter replacement grant over a span of three years terminating on December 31,
2017. The program provided a rate of return to the City of approximately 48%. The program has not been
started and is in its final year. It would take doubling the original labor estimates to complete the program,
thereby, diminishing the rate of return to approximately 17%.
There is little to no technical interaction between the Director and Superintendent and the Field staff.
Field staff is not being exposed or trained to understand the correlation between engineering and
operations of water facilities. For example, the Field staff does not have a basic understanding of system
hydraulics as to why some wells flow into reservoirs and others into the distribution system, how well and
system distribution pressures affect well production, how to interpret efficiency pump and motor analysis
reports. Even though they collect daily data, they are not trained to calculate "specific capacity' of a well
to interrupt production performance. This type of training is critical for staff to have in order to properly
operate and maintain all water assets.
The Division does not have a system of documenting, cataloging or utilizing daily system records.
Currently, much of Division's operations data is kept in a shared drive and/or in someone's office files.
For example, currently there is only one person who knows where the data is located, the Director and
Superintendent do not utilize the data for system improvements, and the data is not shared with
crewmembers in order to better understand the dynamics of the distribution system they are required to
operate and maintain.
In the past, the Division commissioned reports, studies, and analytical manuals for the purpose of meeting
regulatory mandates and to improve the operation of the distribution system. However, the reports and
studies are not shared nor used by in-house staff or out -sourced consultants in the evaluation or design
of critical water infrastructure. This practice must stop and the reports and studies must be revised and
made available to the appropriate staff and consultants.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Due to a lack of time, I was not able to properly evaluate the Division's policies and procedures. It appears
that the Division does not have written policies and procedures other than job descriptions, employee
rules and regulations, and union contracts overseen by the Human Resources Department. There is a
fairly descriptive section in the City's Code of Ordinance as to the governance and legislative authority of
the Water Division. It is highly recommended that Code of Ordinances be reviewed and updated as
deemed appropriate. Lastly, a name change of the department in charge of the Water Division will be
required in Code of Ordinances. All references of the Division's legislative authority should be removed
from the Public Works Department and transferred to the Electric and Gas Department.
14
ORDINANCE NO. 1240
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE VERNON
MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT REORGANIZATION AND
RENAMING OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY;
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN
CONFLICT THEREWITH
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(a) of the Vernon Municipal Code grants
the City Administrator broad authority and discretion to control the
administrative affairs of the City; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(c) of the Vernon Municipal Code
authorizes the City Administrator to recommend to the City Council any
"reorganization of officers, departments or divisions as may be
indicated in the interests of the efficient, effective and economical
conduct of the City's business, and to effect such reorganization when
authorized by appropriate ordinance, resolution or motion of the City
Council"; and
WHEREAS, under Article IV of Chapter 25 of the Vernon
Municipal Code, customer -facing water -related services are currently
under the purview of the Public Works, Water and Development Services
Department; and
WHEREAS, for purposes of efficiency and consistency with
other municipal utilities in California, the City Administrator desires
to consolidate all utilities -related services in one department -
namely, the Gas and Electric Department; and
WHEREAS, the oversight, maintenance, and regulation of the
City's storm sewer system shall remain with the Public Works, Water and
Development Services Department and shall not be included in the
transfer of water -related services to the Gas and Electric Department;
and
WHEREAS, certain additions and amendments to the Vernon
Municipal Code are needed to implement this reorganization and renaming
of the Public Works, Water and Development Services Department to the
"Public Works Department"; of the Gas & Electric Department to the
"Public Utilities Department"; and, when referring to the department as
a stand-alone entity, of Vernon Gas & Electric to "Vernon Public
Utilities"; and
WHEREAS, the title of the head of the Public Utilities
Department shall be changed from "Director" to "General Manager"; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 4.1(f) and (h) of the Charter of the City of
Vernon provides that an ordinance shall amend a code or repeal any
ordinance or code previously adopted.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that all of the foregoing recitals are true and
correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
amends Sections 1.8-1(b)(2), 1.8-1(b)(3), 1.8-5(a)(2), 2.63, 2.64,
2.66-2, 2.69-1(d), 2.69-1(j), 5.92(k), 5.97, 5.107.01(d), 5.107.08(g),
7.13(a), 7.13(b), 16.1, 16.21(d), 17.16(d)(1)(B), 21.1.2, 21.3.1, 22.1,
22.90(a), 24.1, 24.16(d), 24.61, 24.111(b), 24.111(c), 24.111(e)
through (g) (inclusive), 25.7, title of Article IV of Chapter 25, 25.60
through 25.64 (inclusive), 25.66 through 25.68 (inclusive), 25.70
through 25.74 (inclusive), 25.76, 25.82, 25.84(a), 25.106 through
- 2 -
25.110 (inclusive), 26.2.3, 26.2.4, 26.3.2, 26.5.1-6(a), 26.6.2-2,
26.6.2-3, 26.6.3-1, 26.6.3-2, 26.6.4-2, 26.6.4-3, 26.6.5-2, 26.6.6-6,
26.6.7-2, 26.6.7-4, 26.11.1-7, 27.34 through 27.37 (inclusive), 27.40
through 27.45 (inclusive), 27.47, 27.48, 28.6, 28.47, 28.48, 28.50(b),
28.50(d), 28.51(a) through (c) (inclusive) of the Vernon Municipal
Code, as set forth in Exhibit A which is attached hereto and
incorporated by reference.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon further
hereby amends Rule Nos. 5, 10, 12 and 16 of the City of Vernon Rules
for Electric Service, which are incorporated by reference in the
Vernon Municipal Code under section 30.8 of Article II of Chapter 30
of the Vernon Municipal Code, as set forth in Exhibit B which is
attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
SECTION 4: Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict
with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5: Severability. If any chapter, article, section,
subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word
in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or
effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part
thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted
this Ordinance and each chapter, article, section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more chapters, articles,
sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses,
phrases or words be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or
ineffective.
- 3 -
SECTION 6: Book of Ordinances. The City Clerk, or Deputy
City Clerk, shall attest and certify to the adoption of this Ordinance
and shall cause this Ordinance and the City Clerk's, or Deputy City
Clerk's, certification to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the
Council of this City. The City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, shall
cause this ordinance to be published or posted as required by law.
SECTION 7: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into
effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-
first (31st) day after its passage.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of
ATTEST:
City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Brian Byun, Deputy City Attorney
Name:
2 0_
Title: Mayor / Mayor Pro-Tem
- 4 -
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, , City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk of the City
of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance, being
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly and regularly introduced at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Vernon, held in the City of
Vernon on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and thereafter adopted at a meeting
of said City Council held on Tuesday, , by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
And thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of
the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of
(SEAL)
20 , at Vernon, California.
City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk
- 5 -
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT "A"
Section 1.8-1. Administrative enforcement - Scope, definitions, and
hearing procedures.
(b) Definitions. ...
(2) Director means each of the Director of Public Works?
Water and Develepment , the General Manager of Public
Utilities, the Director of Health and Environmental Control, the Chief
of the Fire Department and the Chief of the Police Department,
individually.
(3) Enforcement official means any person authorized to
enforce the provisions of the Vernon City Code, including but not
limited to City Attorney, City Police, Fire Officials, employees of
the Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees Department, employees
of the Public Utilities Department, employees of the Health and
Environmental Control Department, Code Enforcement Officers, and any
other person authorized by the City Attorney.
Section 1.8-5. Nuisances.
(a) Public nuisances defined. ...
(2) Buildings or structures which are partially
destroyed, or abandoned and not fully secured, for more than ninety
(90) consecutive calendar days, or ninety (90) calendar days within a
one hundred twenty (120) calendar day period, unless a longer time
limit is approved by the Director of Public Works, Water tea
Sec. 2.63. Water Department Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies t4+e
G;ty of Berne^ and the establishment of Water I and II (CMD) Funds to
be used for the collection of revenues and the payment of expenditures
for eaid departfaent water -related services.
Sec. 2.64. Light and Pewer Public Utilities Department Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies the
establishment of the Public Utilities Department as a
separate department of the City of Vernon and the establishment of a
EAght and--Pewer Public Utilities Department Fund to be used for the
collection of revenues and the payment of expenditures for said
department, except for such related to water or gas.
Sec. 2.66-2. Authorized funds.
Upon the adoption of this article, the authorized funds of the City
of Vernon shall consist of the following:
055 - Light __n'_' n.wei— Public Utilities
Sec. 2.69-1. Departments.
The City shall have the following departments and the City Council
of the City of Vernon shall appoint the department head by resolution,
after receiving the recommendation of the City Administrator:
(d) Public Works, Water and Develepfnen.-t—Serviees Department.
There is hereby created and ratified in the service of the City the
Public Works, Water andDevelepment SeFviees Department. The Director
of Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees shall administer the
Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees Department and report to
the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the
City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council. The Director of
Public Works and Develepmr t Serviee-s also serves as the City
Engineer, Building Official, Director of Community Services, Traffic
Engineer and Superintendent of Streets, and in these capacities shall
also report to the City Administrator.
(j) Gas and Fleetrie Public Utilities Department. There is
hereby created and ratified in the service of the City, the rand
Eleetrier Public Utilities Department. The Pireeter General Manager of
Gas andBleetrie Public Utilities shall administer the Gas an
Eleetrie Public Utilities Department and report to the City
Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Code of the City of
Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council.
Sec. 5.92. Adult or sexually oriented business development and
performance standards.
(k) No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be
permitted within the premises at any time. The building entrance to an
adult or sexually oriented business shall be clearly and legibly
posted with a notice indicating that people under the age of eighteen
(18) years are precluded from entering the premises. Said notice shall
be constructed and posted to the satisfaction of the Director of
Public Works, Water and ,,evelepment Services or his/her designee.
Sec. 5.97. Inspection.
The permittee and/or operator shall permit officers of the City and
representatives of the Police Department, Health Department, Fire
Department, Public Works, Weer anel Develepment Sere; ees Department,
or other City departments to conduct unscheduled inspections of the
premises of the adult or sexually oriented business for the purpose of
ensuring compliance with the law at any time the adult or sexually
oriented business is open for business or occupied. ... Delay or
obstruction of such inspection may be grounds for suspension or
revocation of any license or permit issued by the City.
Sec. 5.107.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply:
(d) "Director" means the Director of Health & Environmental
Control or the Director of Public Works, Water & „evel..p. ent `erviees
or each Director's respective designee. The Director's designees may
include the City's Code Enforcement officers.
Sec. 5.107.08. Facility Requirements.
... In addition, the massage establishment shall meet the following
requirements:
(g) All plumbing and electrical installations shall be installed
under permit and inspected by the Department of Public Works, WateF &
Develepmc~} Serviees and such installations shall be installed in
accordance with the Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Plumbing
Code.
Sec. 7.13. Application for permit and issuance.
(a) To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an
application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the Director of
Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees for that purpose.
(b) Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data
shall be submitted in a minimum of four sets with each application for
a permit. The Director of Public Works, Water --and Bevelepfnent Ser�gees
may require plans and calculations to be prepared and designed by an
engineer licensed by the State to practice as such.
Sec. 16.1. Definitions.
Traffic Engineer. The Traffic Engineer of the City or his/her duly
authorized representative. In the event that at any time there shall
not be a Traffic Engineer of the City, then the same shall be deemed
to be the Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees of
the City.
Sec. 16.21. Prohibiting the parking or standing of any semi -trailer
upon or along any public street in the City of Vernon; exception.
(d) The Chief of Police and Director of Public Works, Water ..r.�
are hereby instructed to cooperate in the
securing and placing of signs to comply with § 226Sl(n) of the Vehicle
Code of the State of California.
Sec. 17.16 Camping prohibited.
(d) The provisions of this Section do not apply to:
(1) portable units which
B. have received written approval from the Director of
Public Works, Water and Develepmeet Serviees for such temporary usage
Sec. 21.1.2. Statutory authority.
The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as
amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251, et seq. Nothing in this chapter prohibits
the Director of Public Works, Waterand Be�:elepment—Geogees and the
Health Officer from regulating sewers or stormwater in a manner that
exceeds the requirements of the Clean Water Act, the State Water
Resources Control Board and Regional Boards.
Sec. 21.3.1. Local authority.
The Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment Gerviees, as
the City Engineer, shall have charge and control of all sewers and
storm drains in the City and shall construct, operate, maintain, and
repair all such systems subject to the direction of the City Council.
The City Engineer and/or the Health Officer shall enforce the
provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 22.1. City Engineer —Office created.
There is hereby created and established the Office of City
Engineer. The Director of Public Works, Watt ----
shall be the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall hold the position
at the pleasure of the City Council.
Sec. 22.90. Traffic control.
(a) ... The countersigned transparency and a reasonable number of
official copies, as determined by the Traffic Engineer, are to be
retained by the Public Works, Water and Deve a nt Ser-;ie-
Department.
Sec. 24.1. Director of Public Works, Wester- and Develepment Serviees
defined.
Director of Public Works,
Building Official, m--_} ref Public Works, City Engineer, Traffic
Engineer, and Superintendent of Streets are defined to have one
meaning. In this chapter and wherever else the same may be appropriate
in this Code, or in state statutes whenever reference is made to
Director of Public Works, Water and Deve'_epmen- Service, Building
Official, Pireet-er of Publie—Werks, City Engineer, Traffic Engineer,
or Superintendent of Streets, they shall be deemed to refer to the
same official.
Sec. 24.16. Electrical Code amendments, additions and deletions.
The 2013 Edition of the California Electrical Code is hereby amended
as follows: ...
(d) ...
Sec 402.7 Utility Notification. An applicant for an
electrical installation that will require an increase in the amount of
power supply to the electrical service by more than 50 amps shall
notify the Vernon Gas and Elee}rie Public Utilities Department of the
additional new load.
Sec. 24.61. Notice to owners.
At the time of approval of any change of occupancy for an
existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall building, except for a
change of occupancy subject to section 24.63(c) of this Code, the
Public Works, Water and Develepment Service Department shall provide
a notice to the owner that the eity—City considers the building to be
unsafe and shall encourage the owner to voluntarily comply with
Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation.
Sec. 24.111. Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Review
Process.
(b) ... The Director of Public Works, Water and Bevelepment
Ce_____c E)e rtae =t, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized and
directed to develop and adopt such checklist.
(c) ... The applicant may submit the permit application and
associated documentation to the City's Public Works, ::a -ter aa
Department by personal, mail, or electronic
submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection
fees. ...
(e) For a small residential rooftop solar energy system
eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required,
which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated
inspection by the Director of Public Works, Water and Dove epme '`
or his/her designee, and the Fire Chief, or
his/her designee.
(f) An application that satisfies the information requirements
in the checklist, as determined by the Director of Public Works,, Water
and Develepment Serviees Department-, or his/her designee, shall be
deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the
Director of Public Works, Water —ane'�eler ,
or his/her designee, shall issue a written correction notice detailing
all deficiencies in the application and any additional information
required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
(g) Upon confirmation by the Director of Public Works,, Water
and Development Ser.,_ees Department-, or his/her designee, of the
application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting
the requirements of the checklist, the Director of Public Works, Water
and DevelepfRen , or his/her designee, shall
administratively approve the application and issue all required
permits or authorizations. ... The applicant is responsible for
obtaining such approval or permission from the Vernon Gas and Bleetrie
Public Utilities Department
Sec. 25.7. Bond or deposit prerequisite to temporary connection.
... Said deposit shall guarantee the payment of all water charged
through said connection and the return to the City Public Utilities
Werkes, Water and Develepment Serviees Department in good condition,
usual wear and tear excepted, of all materials furnished by the City
in making said connection, together with all labor costs with respect
thereto.
Article IV. Public Utilities WerjEB, Water and Develepment Servieea
Department Rules and Regulations.
Sec. 25.60. Purpose.
The Public Utilities Works, Water and —Beveled} Sere;
Department will exercise reasonable diligence and care to deliver a
continuous and sufficient supply of water to the customer at a proper
pressure, and to avoid any shortage or interruption in delivery.
The Public Utilities Works, Water andDevelepment Seryatees
Department will endeavor to supply a safe and potable water at all
times. Where the use of water on a customer's premises requires water
for specific uses demanding a better quality of water than that served
by the Public Utilities Works, Water —and —Development Servieeg
Department, the customer shall provide water treatment facilities
capable of producing water of the desired quality.
Sec. 25.61. Definition of terms.
Standby service. City water service to property which is
supplied in part with water from some source of supply other than the
Public Utilities Works, :rate" and DevelepFtent Sery e Department.
Water service. A water service consists of all piping, valves,
meters and appurtenances installed by the Public Utilities,.,
WaterDevelepment ServieesDepartment for the purpose of
furnishing water to public or private property from the municipal
water distribution system.
Sec. 25.62. Classes of service.
All services installed by the Public Utilities Works-, Water
Department will be classified as follows: ....
Sec. 25.63. Types of service.
The types of service available from the Public Utilities Wer
Water and `eve l e _nt S ervi e _ _ Department are:
(a) Metered rate;
(b) Standby rate;
(c) Fire protection rate;
(d) Temporary service rate.
The Public Utilities Weeks Water anel De-'=1"p--- nt Sep'iees
Department will serve water from the Ceity's water distribution system
to the customer's property. When installed, all components of the
water service, up to and including the water meter, whether located on
public or private property shall become the property of the City of
Vernon and the City reserves the right to repair, replace and maintain
the water service.
Sec. 25.64. Application for new water service.
Before water shall be supplied to any property for domestic,
commercial, industrial and fire protection service, the owner or
customer shall make application to the Public Utilities Wei=ks, Tr:at
Department. The Public Utilities ,erkT
Water and Develepffient Serviees Department, as a condition to approving
such application and furnishing water to said property, is authorized
to and shall require a payment in advance equal to the cost of water
service installation and any applicable deposit. The cost estimated
by the Public Utilities Werks, Water and DevelepFftent Servieea
Department must be deposited in advance, with final adjustment of
charges to be made upon completion of installation and prior to turn -
on of water.
Sec. 25.66. Temporary fire hydrant connection.
The Public Utilities Werks, Water and Develepment Servie
Department will install a water service on a fire hydrant in such a
manner as not to interfere with the free use of such hydrant for fire
purposes, and the applicant shall pay for all water passing through
such service at applicable rates.
The applicant shall be held responsible for loss or damage to the
water service or services from the time of installation until the
removal, or until forty-eight hours after notice in writing has been
given the Public Utilities Werks, Water and Devel epment Servieea
Department that termination of the service is desired.
Sec. 25.67. Standby service.
... The Public Utilities Wolfs, Water andDevelepme^} Sere eee
Department reserves the right to refuse to furnish water and may
discontinue standby service to any premises where such service may be
detrimental or injurious to the service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.68. Extension of distribution system.
(a) Application. Any applicant who as owner or subdivider of a
single lot, subdivision or tract of land, desires the extension of
water mains and services to such lot, subdivision or tract of land,
shall file a written application with the Public Utilities Weeks,
Water and DevelepFtent Sere; ees Department.
(b) Deposit. In the event such application is approved, said
applicant shall deposit with the Public Utilities Weeks, Water and
DevelepFtent—wee Department, cash or other method of payment
satisfactory to the City in an amount determined by the Public
Utilities Werks, Water end-Bevelepfftent Serviees Department to be the
total estimated cost of such mains and services, including all labor,
pipe, valves, fittings, fire hydrants and all appurtenances necessary
for a complete system exclusive of customer services. ...
Sec. 25.70. Meter testing.
... Such demand shall be made in writing to the Public Utilities
yew, Water and „_.._l _anent Seryi ees Department, and shall be
accompanied by a deposit of one hundred dollars for one, one and one-
half, and two inch meters, and one hundred fifty dollars for three,
four, and six inch meters. Upon receipt of such demand, the Public
Utilities Werks, Water Department shall
examine and test the meter. If the meter is found to register over two
percent more water than actually delivered, another meter will be
substituted and the deposit shall be repaid to the customer making the
application, and the water bill for the current period adjusted in
such manner as the Public Utilities ,.erks, Water
Servieee Department may consider fair and just. ...
Sec. 25.71. Unsafe apparatus.
The Public Utilities Werks,
Department may refuse to furnish water and discontinue service to any
premises where apparatus, appliance, or equipment using water are
dangerous, unsafe, or not in conformity with any applicable laws or
ordinances, and where such service may be detrimental or injurious to
the service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.72. Customer's control valves.
... No person except authorized City of Vernon personnel shall
enter the meter vault or operate or cause to be operated the curb stop
or valve in the meter box installed by the Public Utilities,:erkT
Water and Deco=elepmeet—Serviees Department.
Sec. 25.73. Interruption in service.
T.T and T eve l e •n } S e r v i^
The Public Utilities ,.or�T..Water ��-.
Department reserves the right to shut off the water to any premises or
portion of the distribution system as long as necessary, without
notice to the customer, if an emergency so dictates. In cases other
than an emergency, the Public Utilities T•erks Water and T,..yel =t
Servieee Department shall attempt to notify all customers of the
forthcoming interruption of service and the probable length of time
for which the water will be shut off.
Sec. 25.74. Fire hydrants.
... The Public Utilities Wokt
s, Water and DevelepmenDepartment
will, upon request, subject to approval by the Fire Department, change
the location along the curb, provided the labor and material costs are
paid for by the person or persons requesting the change. The Public
Utilities Werks, Water and Develepftent Department shall estimate the
cost of the required installation. The estimated cost shall be paid to
the Public Utilities Works, Water and Deve epme =t Department in cash
or certified check payable to the City of Vernon. ...
Sec. 25.76. Liability.
All customers shall, upon application for water service, consent
to and hold the Public Utilities Weeks, Water andDove e =t
Department and the City of Vernon harmless for any damages caused by
fluctuation of water pressures or interruption of service. ....
(a) Customers' property. The City of Vernon and/or the Public
Utilities Weicks, Water and Deve epm nt Department shall in no way be
responsible for any damage to person or property because of any
leakage, breakage or seepage from any pipe, valve, appurtenance, or
equipment situated on any private property, nor shall they be
responsible for any leakage, breakage or seepage from any pipe
situated between the meter installed at the curb and private property
served thereby.
(b) Servicing. The City of Vernon and/or the Public Utilities
T„erks, Water and „eve -a Department shall not be responsible for
damage to property caused by defective piping on the customer's
premises and by spigots, faucets, valves and other equipment that are
open when water is turned on originally or when turned on after a
temporary shutdown.
(c) Damage of Public Utilities We,,4E.., :TateY and e ^'^ nt
Department property.
Sec. 25.82. Definitions.
Building Department shall mean the City of Vernon Department of
Public Works, Water and Develepfaent Se viee .
Sec. 25.84. Cross -connection protection requirements.
( a ) The City Public Utilities Werks, kater and „_ve epfne '-
Department is responsible for protecting the water within the city -
owned public water system. ...
Sec. 25.106. Relief from compliance.
The General Manager Reece= of Public Utilities Werks, Water an
Development Ser-- of the City of Vernon shall develop such
procedures as are necessary to process applications for relief and
shall, upon the filing by a customer of an application for relief,
take such steps as are reasonable to resolve the application.
Sec. 25.107. Failure to comply.
(3) Third and subsequent violations. For a third and each
subsequent violation, the City may impose an additional surcharge of
ten percent for each such violation and the City may install a flow
restricting device on the service of the customer at the premises at
which the violation occurred for a period determined by the General
Manager Bireeter of Public Utilities Werks, Water and „_ve _p.. _rt
Sec. 25.108. Hearing regarding violations.
(a) Any customer receiving notice of a second or sub-sequent
violation of this ordinance shall have a right to a hearing by the
General Manager Bireete= of Public Utilities Werks, ater and
Be�velepmentServiees of the City of Vernon.
(b) Within thirty days of mailing of the notice of violation,
the customer must file a timely written request for a hearing with the
General Manager Bireete= of Public Utilities Werks, Water anc4
Develepment Serviees, which request shall automatically stay
installation of a flow -restricting device on the customer's premises
until a decision has been rendered.
(d) Notice of the decision of the General Manager tee= of
Public Utilities Werks, Water and Deve-lepment Sery eshall be given
in writing.
***
Sec. 25.109. Appeal.
Any determination or decision by the General Manager Deter of
Public Utilities Weems, ester an Bevelepment Sorviemay be appealed
to the City Council. ...
***
Sec. 25.110. Determination of Phase I, II, and III Shortage.
... The General Manager vireeter of Public Utilities Werks-, Water
andBevelepment Serviees shall file a report and documentation
supporting the need for such a determination with the City Council.
***
Sec. 26.2.3. Definitions (C).
Change of Use shall mean any new use or change of activity,
including any commencement of a new business activity, purpose, or use
that requires a permit from the Department of Public Works, Water
pursuant to this Chapter, except that a use
permitted by a Temporary Use Permit or a Special Events Permit shall
not be considered a Change of Use.
***
Sec. 26.2.4. Definitions (D).
Director shall mean the City of Vernon Director of Public Works,—
Water and Develepment Se=`v lees .
Sec. 26.3.2. Comprehensive Zoning Map.
... Copies of the Zoning Map are on file with the Department of
Public Works, Water and lepFttent Sery ees and are available on
request.
***
Sec. 26.5.1. Off -Street Parking and Loading Facilities.
Sec. 26.5.1-6. Parking, Maneuvering, and Loading Development
Standards.
(a) General. ...
... With the concurrence of the City Council, the Director of
Public Works, Water, and Bevelepment Serviees shall utilize the
recommended minimum parking and loading and maneuvering requirements
as the standard for that and similar uses. ...
Sec. 26.6.2. Variances.
Sec. 26.6.2-2. Application and Fee. An application for a
Variance shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, Water, and Develepment, on a
form provided for that purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied
by a filing fee in an amount established by resolution of the City
Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.2-3. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, Water,
and Develepme_ntServiees, the City Clerk shall set the matter for
public hearing to be held not less than ten (10) days or more than
sixty (60) days from the date of notice. ...
Sec. 26.6.3. Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.3-1. Application and Fee. Application for a
Conditional Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or
authorized agent to the Department of Public Works, Water,
Development Serviees, on a form provided for that purpose by the City,
and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by
resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.3-2. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, Tia-te3F,
and DevelepmentServiees, the City Clerk shall set the matter for
public hearing in not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60)
days, and shall give notice of the time and place of the hearing and
the information concerning the subject matter and purpose of the
meeting in the manner described in Section 26.6.2-3, "Notice of Public
Hearing."
Sec. 26.6.4. Minor Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.4-2. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Application and
Fee. Application for a Minor Conditional Use Permit shall be made by
the property owner or authorized agent to the Department of Public
Works, Wate:e, and BevelepFRent Serviees on a form provided for that
purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an
amount established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.4-3. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Public Notice.
Following presentation of a completed application to the Department of
Public Works, Water, and Bevelepment Serviees, the City Clerk shall
give notice that a Minor Conditional Use Permit is to be considered.
Sec. 26.6.5. Temporary Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.5-2. Application and Fee. Application for a Temporary
Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, Water, and Develepment Serviees, on a
form provided for that purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied
by a filing fee in an amount established by resolution of the City
Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.6. Zoning Ordinance or Text Amendment.
Sec. 26.6.6-6. Zoning Map Modification. If the Amendment
involves an amendment to the Zoning Map, the Department of Public
Works, Water, and Develepment Serviees, immediately following the
effective date of the ordinance, shall cause the Zoning Map to be so
modified. ...
Sec. 26.6.7. Interpretations, Minor Exceptions, and Appeals.
Sec. 26.6.7-2. Record of Interpretations. The Director shall
keep a written record of interpretations made on file in the
Department of Public Works, Water, and Develepment Serviees. •••
Sec. 26.6.7-4. Record of Exceptions. ... The record shall be filed
in the Department of Public Works;- Wate-r, and Develepment Serviees by
property location using a street address or other reasonable system to
permit reference to the exception made at any future date.
Sec. 26.11.1. Application of Article.
Sec. 26.11.1-7. Responsibility. ... In accordance with the
provisions of California Penal Code Section 836.5(a), employees of the
Department of Public Works, Water and Bevelepftent Serviees, as
directed and designated from time to time by the Director, are hereby
authorized to issue citations for violations of this Chapter.
Sec. 27.34. Determination by Director of Public Works;
Develepmeat Servieea .
Whenever the Director of Public Works, :raw and Develepffient
determines by inspection that graffiti or other inscribed
material is so located on public or private property as to be capable
of being viewed by a person utilizing any public right-of-way in this
City, be this road, parkway, alley, or otherwise, the Director of
Public Works, Water and Deve epment term ees shall order the abatement
of the nuisance by removal of the graffiti or other inscribed material
in accordance with the following procedures unless the owner of the
property consents to the removal by the City of the graffiti or other
inscribed material and executes such document as the City may provide
relative to the removal of the graffiti or other inscribed material,
then the Director of Public Works, water n Bevelepfaent Service., is
authorized to provide for the removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material. If the Director of Public Works, Water and
provides for the removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material, he/she shall not authorize nor undertake to
provide for the painting or repair of any more extensive area than
that where the graffiti or other inscribed material is located.
Sec. 27.35. Informal notice.
The Director of Public Works, Water ane Develepment Seraiees, in
addition to any other notices hereafter required by this article, may
give to the occupants of the public or private property, and to any
other person whom he deems should be notified, information concerning
the provisions of this article, any violation thereof, how the person
notified may comply with, and any other information as he/she deems
expedient.
Sec. 27.36. Written consent.
The Director of Public Works, Water-anel Develepment Serviees or
his/her designated representatives, including personnel designated by
the City to remove graffiti, shall make reasonable efforts to obtain
written consent of the property owner or legal occupant of the
property prior to entering upon private property to remove said
graffiti.
Sec. 27.37. Notice of removal of graffiti.
If, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, Water ad
Develepment Serviees, any public or private property is found to have
any graffiti or other inscribed material on it as defined in this
article, the Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment
shall give to the party concerned written notice in the event that
designated personnel from the City are unable to obtain written
consent from an owner or occupant granting permission for the City of
Vernon employees to enter upon their property for the sole purpose of
graffiti removal.
Sec. 27.40. Right of hearing.
Any party concerned, or the Director of Public Works, Water a
Develepment yes, may request a hearing regarding the removal of
graffiti or other inscribed material after the property is posted. A
request by any person other than the Director of Public Works, Water
and Develepment Serviees shall be made in writing to the graffiti
appeals board within ten days after the property is posted or receipt
of notice. ...
Sec. 27.41. Hearing not requested.
If neither the Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment
Seinvieea nor any concerned party requests a hearing and the condition
as set forth in the Notice of Intent to Remove Graffiti From Premises
is not corrected within the time specified in such notice, the
Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees or his/her
designated representative may enter upon such private or public
property in order to remove the graffiti or other inscribed materials,
or may cause such other work to be done to the extent necessary to
abate the public nuisance and other conditions which have been found
to exist.
Sec. 27.42. Notice of hearing.
If either the Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment
Servieea, or any party concerned, requests a hearing within the proper
time as provided in section 27.40, the graffiti appeals board shall
hold a noticed hearing. No less than ten days prior to the hearing,
the Director of Public Works, Water and velepment Se-rviees shall
serve, or cause to be served, either in the manner required by law for
the service of summons or by first class mail, postage prepaid, a copy
of the notice of hearing upon every person whom this article requires
that the Notice of Intent to Remove Graffiti From Premises be served.
Sec. 27.43. Form and contents of notice.
The notice of hearing shall state:
(b) The conditions because of which the Director of Public
Works, Water —and Bevelepment—Sees believes that the property is a
public nuisance.
Sec. 27.44. Posting of notice.
The Director of Public Works, Water and Devel anent Se vi
shall post one copy of the notice of hearing in a conspicuous place on
the public or private property involved, not less than ten days prior
to the hearing.
Sec. 27.45. Hearing by graffiti appeals board.
The graffiti appeals board shall hold a hearing and consider all
competent evidence offered by any person pertaining to the matters set
forth in the report of the Director of Public Works, 'rater -and
Development S .
Sec. 27.47. Work by City.
If any order of the graffiti appeals board made pursuant to
section 27.46 and not superseded is not complied with within the
period designated by the board, the Director of Public Works,, WateE
and Develepfnen-tServzees or his/her designated representative, may
then enter upon such private or public property in order to remove the
graffiti or other inscribed materials, or may cause such other work to
be done to the extent necessary to remove the graffiti and other
inscribed materials determined to exist by the graffiti appeals board.
Sec. 27.48. Costs.
The costs involved in the removal or other work by the Director
of Public Works, Water and yes, shall be paid by the
City.
Sec. 28.6. Environmental impact.
No final or parcel map filed pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter shall be approved until an environmental review has been
conducted by the Director of Public Works, Water and Dove _pm_rt
Servieee . ... .
Sec. 28.47. Mandatory mergers —Director of Public Works, Water ana
Develepmeet SeEviees to file for recordation with county.
The Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment Serviees is
authorized to file for recordation with the Recorder of the County of
Los Angeles a notice of such merger specifying the names of the record
owners and particularly describing the real property; provided that,
at least thirty (30) days prior to the recording of the notice, the
owner of the parcels or units to be affected by the merger shall be
advised in writing of the intention to record the notice and
specifying a time, date and place at which the owner may present
evidence to the City Council as to why such notice should not be
recorded.
Sec. 28.48. Mandatory mergers —determining conformance to standards
for development.
In implementing Sections 66451.10 et seq. of the California
Government Code the Director of Public Works, meter and Beve epme t
,Servieea shall specifically consider the parking requirements of the
existing property when determining whether the parcels or units
conform to standards for development within the City.
Sec. 28.50. Voluntary mergers by common property owners.
(b) Voluntary merger application. ... The Director of Public
Works, Water and DevelepmentServiees may require additional items as
he or she deems necessary.
(2) Proof of written notice, deemed sufficient by the
Director of Public Works, Water and DevelepmentServiees, of the
proposed voluntary merger to all parties having any record title
interest in the affected real property.
(d) The Director of Public Works, Water and Develepment
Servieea may approve the voluntary merger application if he or she
finds that the parcel created by the merger conforms to the purposes
and requirements of this Chapter. The Director of Public Works,, Tier
and Develepment Serviees may impose all conditions on such merger
approval he or she deems necessary to ensure the compliance with the
purposes and requirements this Chapter, such as conditions to retain,
reserve, relocate or establish easements, and to protect the public
health, safety and welfare.
Sec. 28.51. Lot line adjustments between adjacent parcels.
(a) No person shall record a deed or other document adjusting
the boundary between four or fewer existing adjoining parcels by
establishing new property boundaries unless a lot line adjustment is
first approved by the Director of Public Works, T.T.,ter and ,,eve ..r.Rent
Scrvieea in the manner described in this Chapter.
(b) Requests for lot line adjustments shall be made on
application forms provided by the Director of Public Works, Water a
Develepfaent Gerviees.
(c) After investigation and receipt of reports of other
affected divisions or outside agencies, the Director of Public Works,—
Water and —Devele en Serviees shall approve the lot line adjustment,
provided he or she has found in writing that the proposed lot line
adjustment conforms to the City's general plan, any applicable
specific plan and local zoning and building ordinances including, but
not limited to, drainage and the minimum lot requirements as set forth
in Section 28.28 of this Code. The Director of Public Works, Water a
DevelepmentServiees may approve the lot line adjustment subject to
conditions or exactions as he or she deems necessary to: (i) conform
to the City's general plan, any applicable specific plan, and zoning
and building ordinances; (ii) to facilitate the relocation of existing
utilities, infrastructure, or easements; (iii) to require the
prepayment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the lot
line adjustment; and (iv) to assure that one or more deeds are
properly recorded.
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT "B"
CITY OF VERNON - RULES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
Rule No. 5. SPECIAL INFORMATION REQUIRED ON FORMS
B. Customer's Bills. ...
INFORMATION
If you question this bill, please request an explanation from
the Customer Service Division. If you thereafter believe that you have
been billed incorrectly, to avoid discontinuance of service send your
payment under protest to the Customer Service Division with a copy of
the bill and a written statement supporting your belief that the bill
is not correct. Such statements regarding disputed electric or water
bills should be made to the attention of the General Manager Direeter
of the Public Utilities Light and newer Department. Sueh statements
regarding elisputed water bills sheuld be made te the attentien ef the
Direeter of the Water Department. The General Manager respeetive
Direeter will review the basis of the billed amount and authorize any
adjustment required in accordance with his/her findings. If the matter
is not satisfactorily resolved by the General Manager respeetive
Direeter, you may petition the City Council for final determination.
If you need further information, please call the Customer Service
Division at (3232!�;) 583-8811 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30
p.m., Monday through Thursday.
C. Final Notice. The following statement will be printed on each
Final Notice:
This notice includes a late fee. If you question this bill please
request an explanation from the Customer Service Division. If you
thereafter believe that you have been billed incorrectly, to avoid
discontinuance of service send your payment under protest to the
Customer Service Division with a copy of the bill and a written
statement supporting your belief that the bill is not correct. Such
statements regarding disputed electric or water bills should be
made to the attention of the General Manager Direeter of the Public
Utilities lAght-andPewer Department. Bueh-statements ~ gard ng
disputed `cater bps sheiald be-faade-te the attentien of the Direeter
of the Water Department. The General Manager
will review the basis of the billed amount and authorize any
adjustment required in accordance with his/her findings. If the
matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the General Manager
-r-espeetiveDireeter-, you may petition the City Council for final
determination. If you need further information, please call the
Customer Service Division at (2-14323)583-8811 between the hours of
7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
If a discontinued service is reestablished, a reconnection charge
will be assessed.
Rule No. 10. DISPUTED BILLS
B. Review by General Manager Direete= of Public Utilities Light and
Power. Any Customer, whose request for review regarding a bill for
electric service has resulted in a determination by the Customer
Service Division representative which is adverse, may have such
determination reviewed by the General Manager Direeter of Public
Utilities Light anel Pewer of the City of Vernon.
2. Checks or other forms of remittance for such payment under
protest shall be accompanied by a letter of explanation to the General
Manager Direr= of Public Utilities Light and Pewer.
3. Upon receipt of the payment under protest and letter of
explanation the General Manager Bireeter will review the basis of the
billed amount. After review the General Manager Dom= may: ...
4. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the General
Manager Pireete_, the Customer may petition the City Council for a
final decision.
Rule No. 12. RATES AND OPTIONAL RATES
F. Interconnection
2. Where necessary to meet minimum requirements during
emergencies, a standby generator may be interconnected through a
double -throw switch with the written approval of the General Manager
Bireetz of Public Utilities Dim} and Pe . ...
Rule No. 16. SERVICE CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER'S
PREMISES
A. Meter and Miscellaneous Service Equipment on Customer's Premises.
1. Meter Installations.
c. Master Meters. A master Meter and associated equipment
will be furnished and installed by the City upon
application by the owner or lessee of any multiple -
occupancy Premises where electric energy is to be
furnished and/or metered by said $owner or lessee to the
individual tenants as provided in Rule No. 18.
ORDINANCE NO. 1240
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE VERNON
MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT REORGANIZATION AND
RENAMING OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY;
AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN
CONFLICT THEREWITH
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(a) of the Vernon Municipal Code grants
the City Administrator broad authority and discretion to control the
administrative affairs of the City; and
WHEREAS, section 2.6-6(c) of the Vernon Municipal Code
authorizes the City Administrator to recommend to the City Council any
"reorganization of officers, departments or divisions as may be
indicated in the interests of the efficient, effective and economical
conduct of the City's business, and to effect such reorganization when
authorized by appropriate ordinance, resolution or motion of the City
Council"; and
WHEREAS, under Article IV of Chapter 25 of the Vernon
Municipal Code, customer -facing water -related services are currently
under the purview of the Public Works, Water and Development Services
Department; and
WHEREAS, for purposes of efficiency and consistency with
other municipal utilities in California, the City Administrator desires
to consolidate all utilities -related services in one department -
namely, the Gas and Electric Department; and
WHEREAS, the oversight, maintenance, and regulation of the
City's storm sewer system shall remain with the Public Works, Water and
Development Services Department and shall not be included in the
transfer of water -related services to the Gas and Electric Department;
and
WHEREAS, certain additions and amendments to the Vernon
Municipal Code are needed to implement this reorganization and renaming
of the Public Works, Water and Development Services Department to the
"Public Works Department"; of the Gas & Electric Department to the
"Public Utilities Department"; and, when referring to the department as
a stand-alone entity, of Vernon Gas & Electric to "Vernon Public
Utilities"; and
WHEREAS, the title of the head of the Public Utilities
Department shall be changed from "Director" to "General Manager"; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 4.1(f) and (h) of the Charter of the City of
Vernon provides that an ordinance shall amend a code or repeal any
ordinance or code previously adopted.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that all of the foregoing recitals are true and
correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
amends Sections 1.8-1(b)(2), 1.8-1(b)(3), 1.8-5(a)(2), 2.63, 2.64,
2.66-2, 2.69-1(d), 2.69-1(j), 5.92(k), 5.97, 5.107.01(d), 5.107.08(g),
7.13(a), 7.13(b), 16.1, 16.21(d), 17.16(d)(1)(B), 21.1.2, 21.3.1, 22.1,
22.90(a), 24.1, 24.16(d), 24.61, 24.111(b), 24.111(c), 24.111(e)
through (g) (inclusive), 25.7, title of Article IV of Chapter 25, 25.60
through 25.64 (inclusive), 25.66 through 25.68 (inclusive), 25.70
through 25.74 (inclusive), 25.76, 25.82, 25.84(a), 25.106 through
- 2 -
25.110 (inclusive), 26.2.3, 26.2.4, 26.3.2, 26.5.1-6(a), 26.6.2-2,
26.6.2-3, 26.6.3-1, 26.6.3-2, 26.6.4-2, 26.6.4-3, 26.6.5-2, 26.6.6-6,
26.6.7-2, 26.6.7-4, 26.11.1-7, 27.34 through 27.37 (inclusive), 27.40
through 27.45 (inclusive), 27.47, 27.48, 28.6, 28.47, 28.48, 28.50(b),
28.50(d), 28.51(a) through (c) (inclusive) of the Vernon Municipal
Code, as set forth in Exhibit A which is attached hereto and
incorporated by reference.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon further
hereby amends Rule Nos. 5, 10, 12 and 16 of the City of Vernon Rules
for Electric Service, which are incorporated by reference in the
Vernon Municipal Code under section 30.8 of Article II of Chapter 30
of the Vernon Municipal Code, as set forth in Exhibit B which is
attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
SECTION 4: Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict
with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5: Severability. If any chapter, article, section,
subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word
in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be
unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or
effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part
thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted
this Ordinance and each chapter, article, section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more chapters, articles,
sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses,
phrases or words be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, or
ineffective.
- 3 -
SECTION 6: Book of Ordinances. The City Clerk, or Deputy
City Clerk, shall attest and certify to the adoption of this Ordinance
and shall cause this Ordinance and the City Clerk's, or Deputy City
Clerk's, certification to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the
Council of this City. The City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, shall
cause this ordinance to be published or posted as required by law.
SECTION 7: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into
effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-
first (31st) day after its passage.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of March, 2017.
ATTEST:
City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Briar' yun, Dep y City Attorney
Name:
Title: Mayor / Mayor Pro-Tem
- 4 -
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, , City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk of the City
of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance, being
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly and regularly introduced at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Vernon, held in the City of
Vernon on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and thereafter adopted at a meeting
of said City Council held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
And thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of
the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of March, 2017, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
City Clerk / Deputy City Clerk
- 5 -
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT "A"
Section 1.8-1. Administrative enforcement - Scope, definitions, and
hearing procedures.
(b) Definitions. ...
(2) Director means each of the Director of Public Works,
the General Manager of Public Utilities, the Director of Health and
Environmental Control, the Chief of the Fire Department and the Chief
of the Police Department, individually.
(3) Enforcement official means any person authorized to
enforce the provisions of the Vernon City Code, including but not
limited to City Attorney, City Police, Fire Officials, employees of
the Public Works Department, employees of the Public Utilities
Department, employees of the Health and Environmental Control
Department, Code Enforcement Officers, and any other person authorized
by the City Attorney.
Section 1.8-5. Nuisances.
(a) Public nuisances defined. ...
(2) Buildings or structures which are partially
destroyed, or abandoned and not fully secured, for more than ninety
(90) consecutive calendar days, or ninety (90) calendar days within a
one hundred twenty (120) calendar day period, unless a longer time
limit is approved by the Director of Public Works;
Sec. 2.63. Water Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies the
establishment of Water I and II (CMD) Funds to be used for the
collection of revenues and the payment of expenditures for water -
related services.
Sec. 2.64. Public Utilities Department Fund.
The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby ratifies the
establishment of the Public Utilities Department as a separate
department of the City of Vernon and the establishment of a Public
Utilities Department Fund to be used for the collection of revenues
and the payment of expenditures for said department, except for such
related to water or gas.
Sec. 2.66-2. Authorized funds.
Upon the adoption of this article, the authorized funds of the City
of Vernon shall consist of the following:
055 - Public Utilities
Sec. 2.69-1. Departments.
The City shall have the following departments and the City Council
of the City of Vernon shall appoint the department head by resolution,
after receiving the recommendation of the City Administrator:
(d) Public Works Department. There is hereby created and ratified
in the service of the City the Public Works Department. The Director
of Public Works shall administer the Public Works Department and
report to the City Administrator, subject to the provisions of the
Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by the City Council. The
Director of Public Works also serves as the City Engineer, Building
Official, Director of Community Services, Traffic Engineer and
Superintendent of Streets, and in these capacities shall also report
to the City Administrator.
(j) Public Utilities Department. There is hereby created and
ratified in the service of the City, the Public Utilities Department.
The General Manager of Public Utilities shall administer the Public
Utilities Department and report to the City Administrator, subject to
the provisions of the Code of the City of Vernon or as prescribed by
the City Council.
Sec. 5.92. Adult or sexually oriented business development and
performance standards.
(k) No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be
permitted within the premises at any time. The building entrance to an
adult or sexually oriented business shall be clearly and legibly
posted with a notice indicating that people under the age of eighteen
(18) years are precluded from entering the premises. Said notice shall
be constructed and posted to the satisfaction of the Director of
Public Works or his/her designee.
Sec. 5.97. Inspection.
The permittee and/or operator shall permit officers of the City and
representatives of the Police Department, Health Department, Fire
Department, Public Works Department, or other City departments to
conduct unscheduled inspections of the premises of the adult or
sexually oriented business for the purpose of ensuring compliance with
the law at any time the adult or sexually oriented business is open
for business or occupied. ... Delay or obstruction of such inspection
may be grounds for suspension or revocation of any license or permit
issued by the City.
Sec. 5.107.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply:
(d) "Director" means the Director of Health & Environmental
Control or the Director of Public Works or each Director's respective
designee. The Director's designees may include the City's Code
Enforcement officers.
Sec. 5.107.08. Facility Requirements.
... In addition, the massage establishment shall meet the following
requirements:
(g) All plumbing and electrical installations shall be installed
under permit and inspected by the Department of Public Works and such
installations shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform
Building Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Sec. 7.13. Application for permit and issuance.
(a) To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an
application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the Director of
Public Works for that purpose.
(b) Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data
shall be submitted in a minimum of four sets with each application for
a permit. The Director of Public Works may require plans and
calculations to be prepared and designed by an engineer licensed by
the State to practice as such.
Sec. 16.1. Definitions.
Traffic Engineer. The Traffic Engineer of the City or his/her duly
authorized representative. In the event that at any time there shall
not be a Traffic Engineer of the City, then the same shall be deemed
to be the Director of Public Works of the City.
Sec. 16.21. Prohibiting the parking or standing of any semi -trailer
upon or along any public street in the City of Vernon; exception.
(d) The Chief of Police and Director of Public Works are hereby
instructed to cooperate in the securing and placing of signs to comply
with § 22651(n) of the Vehicle Code of the State of California.
Sec. 17.16 Camping prohibited.
(d) The provisions of this Section do not apply to:
(1) portable units which
B. have received written approval from the Director of
Public Works for such temporary usage ....
Sec. 21.1.2. Statutory authority.
The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as
amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251, et seq. Nothing in this chapter prohibits
the Director of Public Works and the Health Officer from regulating
sewers or stormwater in a manner that exceeds the requirements of the
Clean Water Act, the State Water Resources Control Board and Regional
Boards.
Sec. 21.3.1. Local authority.
The Director of Public Works, as the City Engineer, shall have
charge and control of all sewers and storm drains in the City and
shall construct, operate, maintain, and repair all such systems
subject to the direction of the City Council. The City Engineer and/or
the Health Officer shall enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 22.1. City Engineer —Office created.
There is hereby created and established the Office of City
Engineer. The Director of Public Works shall be the City Engineer. The
City Engineer shall hold the position at the pleasure of the City
Council.
Sec. 22.90. Traffic control.
(a) ... The countersigned transparency and a reasonable number of
official copies, as determined by the Traffic Engineer, are to be
retained by the Public Works Department.
Sec. 24.1. Director of Public Works defined.
Director of Public Works, Building Official, City Engineer,
Traffic Engineer, and Superintendent of Streets are defined to have
one meaning. In this chapter and wherever else the same may be
appropriate in this Code, or in state statutes whenever reference is
made to Director of Public Works, Building Official, City Engineer,
Traffic Engineer, or Superintendent of Streets, they shall be deemed
to refer to the same official.
Sec. 24.16. Electrical Code amendments, additions and deletions.
The 2013 Edition of the California Electrical Code is hereby amended
as follows: ...
Sec 402.7 Utility Notification. An applicant for an
electrical installation that will require an increase in the amount of
power supply to the electrical service by more than 50 amps shall
notify the Vernon Public Utilities Department of the additional new
load.
Sec. 24.61. Notice to owners.
At the time of approval of any change of occupancy for an
existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall building, except for a
change of occupancy subject to section 24.63(c) of this Code, the
Public Works Department shall provide a notice to the owner that the
City considers the building to be unsafe and shall encourage the owner
to voluntarily comply with Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for
Building Conservation.
Sec. 24.111. Small Residential Rooftop Solar Energy System Review
Process.
(b) ... The Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, is
hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist.
(c) ... The applicant may submit the permit application and
associated documentation to the City's Public Works Department by
personal, mail, or electronic submittal together with any required
permit processing and inspection fees. ...
(e) For a small residential rooftop solar energy system
eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required,
which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated
inspection by the Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, and
the Fire Chief, or his/her designee. ....
(f) An application that satisfies the information requirements
in the checklist, as determined by the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designee, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an
incomplete application, the Director of Public Works, or his/her
designee, shall issue a written correction notice detailing all
deficiencies in the application and any additional information
required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
(g) Upon confirmation by the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designee, of the application and supporting documentation
being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the
Director of Public Works, or his/her designee, shall administratively
approve the application and issue all required permits or
authorizations. ... The applicant is responsible for obtaining such
approval or permission from the Vernon Public Utilities.
Sec. 25.7. Bond or deposit prerequisite to temporary connection.
... Said deposit shall guarantee the payment of all water charged
through said connection and the return to the City Public Utilities
Department in good condition, usual wear and tear excepted, of all
materials furnished by the City in making said connection, together
with all labor costs with respect thereto.
Article IV. Public Utilities Department Rules and Regulations.
Sec. 25.60. Purpose.
The Public Utilities Department will exercise reasonable
diligence and care to deliver a continuous and sufficient supply of
water to the customer at a proper pressure, and to avoid any shortage
or interruption in delivery.
The Public Utilities Department will endeavor to supply a safe
and potable water at all times. Where the use of water on a customer's
premises requires water for specific uses demanding a better quality
of water than that served by the Public Utilities Department, the
customer shall provide water treatment facilities capable of producing
water of the desired quality.
Sec. 25.61. Definition of terms.
Standby service. City water service to property which is
supplied in part with water from some source of supply other than the
Public Utilities Department.
Water service. A water service consists of all piping, valves,
meters and appurtenances installed by the Public Utilities Department
for the purpose of furnishing water to public or private property from
the municipal water distribution system.
Sec. 25.62. Classes of service.
All services installed by the Public Utilities Department will be
classified as follows: ....
Sec. 25.63. Types of service.
The types of service available from the Public Utilities
Department are:
(a) Metered rate;
(b) Standby rate;
(c) Fire protection rate;
(d) Temporary service rate.
The Public Utilities Department will serve water from the City's
water distribution system to the customer's property. When installed,
all components of the water service, up to and including the water
meter, whether located on public or private property shall become the
property of the City of Vernon and the City reserves the right to
repair, replace and maintain the water service.
Sec. 25.64. Application for new water service.
Before water shall be supplied to any property for domestic,
commercial, industrial and fire protection service, the owner or
customer shall make application to the Public Utilities Department.
The Public Utilities Department, as a condition to approving such
application and furnishing water to said property, is authorized to
and shall require a payment in advance equal to the cost of water
service installation and any applicable deposit. The cost estimated by
the Public Utilities Department must be deposited in advance, with
final adjustment of charges to be made upon completion of installation
and prior to turn -on of water.
Sec. 25.66. Temporary fire hydrant connection.
The Public Utilities Department will install a water service on a
fire hydrant in such a manner as not to interfere with the free use of
such hydrant for fire purposes, and the applicant shall pay for all
water passing through such service at applicable rates.
The applicant shall be held responsible for loss or damage to the
water service or services from the time of installation until the
removal, or until forty-eight hours after notice in writing has been
given the Public Utilities Department that termination of the service
is desired.
Sec. 25.67. Standby service.
... The Public Utilities Department reserves the right to refuse
to furnish water and may discontinue standby service to any premises
where such service may be detrimental or injurious to the service
furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.68. Extension of distribution system.
(a) Application. Any applicant who as owner or subdivider of a
single lot, subdivision or tract of land, desires the extension of
water mains and services to such lot, subdivision or tract of land,
shall file a written application with the Public Utilities Department.
(b) Deposit. In the event such application is approved, said
applicant shall deposit with the Public Utilities Department, cash or
other method of payment satisfactory to the City in an amount
determined by the Public Utilities Department to be the total
estimated cost of such mains and services, including all labor, pipe,
valves, fittings, fire hydrants and all appurtenances necessary for a
complete system exclusive of customer services. ...
Sec. 25.70. Meter testing.
... Such demand shall be made in writing to the Public Utilities
Department, and shall be accompanied by a deposit of one hundred
dollars for one, one and one-half, and two inch meters, and one
hundred fifty dollars for three, four, and six inch meters. Upon
receipt of such demand, the Public Utilities Department shall examine
and test the meter. If the meter is found to register over two percent
more water than actually delivered, another meter will be substituted
and the deposit shall be repaid to the customer making the
application, and the water bill for the current period adjusted in
such manner as the Public Utilities Department may consider fair and
just. ...
Sec. 25.71. Unsafe apparatus.
The Public Utilities Department may refuse to furnish water and
discontinue service to any premises where apparatus, appliance, or
equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe, or not in conformity with
any applicable laws or ordinances, and where such service may be
detrimental or injurious to the service furnished to other customers.
Sec. 25.72. Customer's control valves.
... No person except authorized City of Vernon personnel shall
enter the meter vault or operate or cause to be operated the curb stop
or valve in the meter box installed by the Public Utilities
Department.
Sec. 25.73. Interruption in service.
The Public Utilities Department reserves the right to shut off
the water to any premises or portion of the distribution system as
long as necessary, without notice to the customer, if an emergency so
dictates. In cases other than an emergency, the Public Utilities
Department shall attempt to notify all customers of the forthcoming
interruption of service and the probable length of time for which the
water will be shut off.
Sec. 25.74. Fire hydrants.
... The Public Utilities Department will, upon request, subject to
approval by the Fire Department, change the location along the curb,
provided the labor and material costs are paid for by the person or
persons requesting the change. The Public Utilities Department shall
estimate the cost of the required installation. The estimated cost
shall be paid to the Public Utilities Department in cash or certified
check payable to the City of Vernon. ...
Sec. 25.76. Liability.
All customers shall, upon application for water service, consent
to and hold the Public Utilities Department and the City of Vernon
harmless for any damages caused by fluctuation of water pressures or
interruption of service.
(a) Customers' property. The City of Vernon and/or the Public
Utilities Department shall in no way be responsible for any damage to
person or property because of any leakage, breakage or seepage from
any pipe, valve, appurtenance, or equipment situated on any private
property, nor shall they be responsible for any leakage, breakage or
seepage from any pipe situated between the meter installed at the curb
and private property served thereby.
(b) Servicing. The City of Vernon and/or the Public Utilities
Department shall not be responsible for damage to property caused by
defective piping on the customer's premises and by spigots, faucets,
valves and other equipment that are open when water is turned on
originally or when turned on after a temporary shutdown.
(c) Damage of Public Utilities Department property.
Sec. 25.82. Definitions.
Building Department shall mean the City of Vernon Department of
Public Works.
Sec. 25.84. Cross -connection protection requirements.
(a) The City Public Utilities Department is responsible for
protecting the water within the city -owned public water system. ...
Sec. 25.106. Relief from compliance.
The General Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon
shall develop such procedures as are necessary to process applications
for relief and shall, upon the filing by a customer of an application
for relief, take such steps as are reasonable to resolve the
application.
Sec. 25.107. Failure to comply.
(3) Third and subsequent violations. For a third and each
subsequent violation, the City may impose an additional surcharge of
ten percent for each such violation and the City may install a flow
restricting device on the service of the customer at the premises at
which the violation occurred for a period determined by the General
Manager of Public Utilities. ...
Sec. 25.108. Hearing regarding violations.
(a) Any customer receiving notice of a second or sub-sequent
violation of this ordinance shall have a right to a hearing by the
General Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon.
(b) Within thirty days of mailing of the notice of violation,
the customer must file a timely written request for a hearing with the
General Manager of Public Utilities, which request shall automatically
stay installation of a flow -restricting device on the customer's
premises until a decision has been rendered.
(d) Notice of the decision of the General Manager of Public
Utilities shall be given in writing.
Sec. 25.109. Appeal.
Any determination or decision by the General Manager of Public
Utilities may be appealed to the City Council. ...
Sec. 25.110. Determination of Phase I, II, and III Shortage.
... The General Manager of Public Utilities shall file a report and
documentation supporting the need for such a determination with the
City Council. ....
Sec. 26.2.3. Definitions (C).
Change of Use shall mean any new use or change of activity,
including any commencement of a new business activity, purpose, or use
that requires a permit from the Department of Public Works pursuant to
this Chapter, except that a use permitted by a Temporary Use Permit or
a Special Events Permit shall not be considered a Change of Use.
Sec. 26.2.4. Definitions (D).
Director shall mean the City of Vernon Director of Public Works.
Sec. 26.3.2. Comprehensive Zoning Map.
... Copies of the Zoning Map are on file with the Department of
Public Works and are available on request.
Sec. 26.5.1. Off -Street Parking and Loading Facilities.
Sec. 26.5.1-6. Parking, Maneuvering, and Loading Development
Standards.
(a) General. ...
... With the concurrence of the City Council, the Director of
Public Works shall utilize the recommended minimum parking and loading
and maneuvering requirements as the standard for that and similar
uses. ...
Sec. 26.6.2. Variances.
Sec. 26.6.2-2. Application and Fee. An application for a
Variance shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, on a form provided for that purpose by
the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount
established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.2-3. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, the City
Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing to be held not less than
ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days from the date of notice. ...
Sec. 26.6.3. Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.3-1. Application and Fee. Application for a
Conditional Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or
authorized agent to the Department of Public Works, on a form provided
for that purpose by the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee
in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.3-2. Notice of Public Hearing. Following presentation
of a completed application to the Department of Public Works, the City
Clerk shall set the matter for public hearing in not less than ten
(10) days nor more than sixty (60) days, and shall give notice of the
time and place of the hearing and the information concerning the
subject matter and purpose of the meeting in the manner described in
Section 26.6.2-3, "Notice of Public Hearing."
Sec. 26.6.4. Minor Conditional Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.4-2. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Application and
Fee. Application for a Minor Conditional Use Permit shall be made by
the property owner or authorized agent to the Department of Public
Works, on a form provided for that purpose by the City, and shall be
accompanied by a filing fee in an amount established by resolution of
the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.4-3. Minor Conditional Use Permit - Public Notice.
Following presentation of a completed application to the Department of
Public Works, the City Clerk shall give notice that a Minor
Conditional Use Permit is to be considered. ...
Sec. 26.6.5. Temporary Use Permit.
Sec. 26.6.5-2. Application and Fee. Application for a Temporary
Use Permit shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent to
the Department of Public Works, on a form provided for that purpose by
the City, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount
established by resolution of the City Council. ...
Sec. 26.6.6. Zoning Ordinance or Text Amendment.
Sec. 26.6.6-6. Zoning Map Modification. If the Amendment
involves an amendment to the Zoning Map, the Department of Public
Works, immediately following the effective date of the ordinance,
shall cause the Zoning Map to be so modified. ...
Sec. 26.6.7. Interpretations, Minor Exceptions, and Appeals.
Sec. 26.6.7-2. Record of Interpretations. The Director shall
keep a written record of interpretations made on file in the
Department of Public Works. ...
Sec. 26.6.7-4. Record of Exceptions. ... The record shall be filed
in the Department of Public Works by property location using a street
address or other reasonable system to permit reference to the
exception made at any future date.
Sec. 26.11.1. Application of Article.
Sec. 26.11.1-7. Responsibility. ... In accordance with the
provisions of California Penal Code Section 836.5(a), employees of the
Department of Public Works, as directed and designated from time to
time by the Director, are hereby authorized to issue citations for
violations of this Chapter. ...
Sec. 27.34. Determination by Director of Public Works.
Whenever the Director of Public Works determines by inspection
that graffiti or other inscribed material is so located on public or
private property as to be capable of being viewed by a person
utilizing any public right-of-way in this City, be this road, parkway,
alley, or otherwise, the Director of Public Works shall order the
abatement of the nuisance by removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material in accordance with the following procedures unless
the owner of the property consents to the removal by the City of the
graffiti or other inscribed material and executes such document as the
City may provide relative to the removal of the graffiti or other
inscribed material, then the Director of Public Works is authorized to
provide for the removal of the graffiti or other inscribed material.
If the Director of Public Works provides for the removal of the
graffiti or other inscribed material, he/she shall not authorize nor
undertake to provide for the painting or repair of any more extensive
area than that where the graffiti or other inscribed material is
located.
Sec. 27.35. Informal notice.
The Director cf Public Works, in addition to any other notices
hereafter required by this article, may give to the occupants of the
public or private property, and to any other person whom he deems
should be notified, information concerning the provisions of this
article, any violation thereof, how the person notified may comply
with, and any other information as he/she deems expedient.
Sec. 27.36. Written consent.
The Director of Public Works, or his/her designated
representatives, including personnel designated by the City to remove
graffiti, shall make reasonable efforts to obtain written consent of
the property owner or legal occupant of the property prior to entering
upon private property to remove said graffiti.
Sec. 27.37. Notice of removal of graffiti.
If, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, any public or
private property is found to have any graffiti or other inscribed
material on it as defined in this article, the Director of Public
Works shall give to the party concerned written notice in the event
that designated personnel from the City are unable to obtain written
consent from an owner or occupant granting permission for the City of
Vernon employees to enter upon their property for the sole purpose of
graffiti removal.
Sec. 27.40. Right of hearing.
Any party concerned, or the Director of Public Works, may request
a hearing regarding the removal of graffiti or other inscribed
material after the property is posted. A request by any person other
than the Director of Public Works shall be made in writing to the
graffiti appeals board within ten days after the property is posted or
receipt of notice. ...
Sec. 27.41. Hearing not requested.
If neither the Director of Public Works nor any concerned party
requests a hearing and the condition as set forth in the Notice of
Intent to Remove Graffiti From Premises is not corrected within the
time specified in such notice, the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designated representative, may enter upon such private or
public property in order to remove the graffiti or other inscribed
materials, or may cause such other work to be done to the extent
necessary to abate the public nuisance and other conditions which have
been found to exist.
Sec. 27.42. Notice of hearing.
If either the Director of Public Works, or any party concerned,
requests a hearing within the proper time as provided in section
27.40, the graffiti appeals board shall hold a noticed hearing. No
less than ten days prior to the hearing, the Director of Public Works
shall serve, or cause to be served, either in the manner required by
law for the service of summons or by first class mail, postage
prepaid, a copy of the notice of hearing upon every person whom this
article requires that the Notice of Intent to Remove Graffiti From
Premises be served.
Sec. 27.43. Form and contents of notice.
The notice of hearing shall state:
(b) The conditions because of which the Director of Public
Works believes that the property is a public nuisance.
Sec. 27.44. Posting of notice.
The Director of Public Works shall post one copy of the notice of
hearing in a conspicuous place on the public or private property
involved, not less than ten days prior to the hearing.
Sec. 27.45. Hearing by graffiti appeals board.
The graffiti appeals board shall hold a hearing and consider all
competent evidence offered by any person pertaining to the matters set
forth in the report of the Director of Public Works.
Sec. 27.47. Work by City.
If any order of the graffiti appeals board made pursuant to
section 27.46 and not superseded is not complied with within the
period designated by the board, the Director of Public Works, or
his/her designated representative, may then enter upon such private or
public property in order to remove the graffiti or other inscribed
materials, or may cause such other work to be done to the extent
necessary to remove the graffiti and other inscribed materials
determined to exist by the graffiti appeals board.
Sec. 27.48. Costs.
The costs involved in the removal or other work by the Director
of Public Works, shall be paid by the City.
Sec. 28.6. Environmental impact.
No final or parcel map filed pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter shall be approved until an environmental review has been
conducted by the Director of Public Works.
Sec. 28.47. Mandatory mergers —Director of Public Works to file for
recordation with county.
The Director of Public Works is authorized to file for
recordation with the Recorder of the County of Los Angeles a notice of
such merger specifying the names of the record owners and particularly
describing the real property; provided that, at least thirty (30) days
prior to the recording of the notice, the owner of the parcels or
units to be affected by the merger shall be advised in writing of the
intention to record the notice and specifying a time, date and place
at which the owner may present evidence to the City Council as to why
such notice should not be recorded.
Sec. 28.48. Mandatory mergers —determining conformance to standards
for development.
In implementing Sections 66451.10 et seq. of the California
Government Code, the Director of Public Works shall specifically
consider the parking requirements of the existing property when
determining whether the parcels or units conform to standards for
development within the City.
Sec. 28.50. Voluntary mergers by common property owners.
(b) Voluntary merger application. ... The Director of Public
Works may require additional items as he or she deems necessary.
(2) Proof of written notice, deemed sufficient by the
Director of Public Works, of the proposed voluntary merger to all
parties having any record title interest in the affected real
property.
(d) The Director of Public Works may approve the voluntary
merger application if he or she finds that the parcel created by the
merger conforms to the purposes and requirements of this Chapter. The
Director of Public Works may impose all conditions on such merger
approval he or she deems necessary to ensure the compliance with the
purposes and requirements this Chapter, such as conditions to retain,
reserve, relocate or establish easements, and to protect the public
health, safety and welfare.
Sec. 28.51. Lot line adjustments between adjacent parcels.
(a) No person shall record a deed or other document adjusting
the boundary between four or fewer existing adjoining parcels by
establishing new property boundaries unless a lot line adjustment is
first approved by the Director of Public Works in the manner described
in this Chapter.
(b) Requests for lot line adjustments shall be made on
application forms provided by the Director of Public Works.
(c) After investigation and receipt of reports of other
affected divisions or outside agencies, the Director of Public Works
shall approve the lot line adjustment, provided he or she has found in
writing that the proposed lot line adjustment conforms to the City's
general plan, any applicable specific plan and local zoning and
building ordinances including, but not limited to, drainage and the
minimum lot requirements as set forth in Section 28.28 of this Code.
The Director of Public Works may approve the lot line adjustment
subject to conditions or exactions as he or she deems necessary to:
(i) conform to the City's general plan, any applicable specific plan,
and zoning and building ordinances; (ii) to facilitate the relocation
of existing utilities, infrastructure, or easements; (iii) to require
the prepayment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the lot
line adjustment; and (iv) to assure that one or more deeds are
properly recorded.
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT "B"
CITY OF VERNON - RULES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
Rule No. 5. SPECIAL INFORMATION REQUIRED ON FORMS
B. Customer's Bills. ...
INFORMATION
If you question this bill, please request an explanation from
the Customer Service Division. If you thereafter believe that you have
been billed incorrectly, to avoid discontinuance of service send your
payment under protest to the Customer Service Division with a copy of
the bill and a written statement supporting your belief that the bill
is not correct. Such statements regarding disputed electric or water
bills should be made to the attention of the General Manager of the
Public Utilities Department. The General Manager will review the basis
of the billed amount and authorize any adjustment required in
accordance with his/her findings. If the matter is not satisfactorily
resolved by the General Manager, you may petition the City Council for
final determination. If you need further information, please call the
Customer Service Division at (323) 583-8811 between the hours of 7:00
a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
C. Final Notice. The following statement will be printed on each
Final Notice:
This notice includes a late fee. If you question this bill please
request an explanation from the Customer Service Division. If you
thereafter believe that you have been billed incorrectly, to avoid
discontinuance of service send your payment under protest to the
Customer Service Division with a copy of the bill and a written
statement supporting your belief that the bill is not correct. Such
statements regarding disputed electric or water bills should be
made to the attention of the General Manager of the Public Utilities
Department. The General Manager will review the basis of the billed
amount and authorize any adjustment required in accordance with
his/her findings. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by
the General Manager, you may petition the City Council for final
determination. If you need further information, please call the
Customer Service Division at (323) 583-8811 between the hours of
7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
If a discontinued service is reestablished, a reconnection charge
will be assessed.
Rule No. 10. DISPUTED BILLS
B. Review by General Manager of Public Utilities. Any Customer, whose
request for review regarding a bill for electric service has resulted
in a determination by the Customer Service Division representative
which is adverse, may have such determination reviewed by the General
Manager of Public Utilities of the City of Vernon.
2. Checks or other forms of remittance for such payment under
protest shall be accompanied by a letter of explanation to the General
Manager of Public Utilities.
3. Upon receipt of the payment under protest and letter of
explanation the General Manager will review the basis of the billed
amount. After review the General Manager may: ...
4. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the General
Manager, the Customer may petition the City Council for a final
decision.
Rule No. 12. RATES AND OPTIONAL RATES
F. Interconnection
2. Where necessary to meet minimum requirements during
emergencies, a standby generator may be interconnected through a
double -throw switch with the written approval of the General Manager
of Public Utilities. ...
Rule No. 16. SERVICE CONNECTIONS AND FACILITIES ON CUSTOMER'S
PREMISES
A. Meter and Miscellaneous Service Equipment on Customer's Premises.
1. Meter Installations.
c. Master Meters. A master Meter and associated equipment
will be furnished and installed by the City upon
application by the owner or lessee of any multiple -
occupancy Premises where electric energy is to be
furnished and/or metered by said owner or lessee to the
individual tenants as provided in Rule No. 18.
This space is for the County Clerk's Filing Stamp
�i�rs�ezxY (����Yix� �ix�xXic�x�io�s, �1zYr�
161 S. AVENUE 24, LOS ANGELES, CA 90031
323 221-1092 • FX: 323 221-1090 • www.egpnews.com
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident
of the County aforementioned; I am overthe age
of eighteen years, and not a party to or interested
in the above -entitled matter. I am the principal
clerk of the printer of
EASTERN GROUP PUBLICATIONS'
EASTSIDE SUN,
NORTHEAST SUN,
BELL GARDENS SUN,
VERNON SUN,
COMMERCE COMET
AND
MONTEBELLO COMET,
newspapers of general circulation, printed
and published THURSDAYS in the County of
Los Angeles, and which newspaper of general
circulation by the Superior Court of the County
of Los Angeles, State of California, under the
date of JUNE 21, 1966,
CASE NUMBER 884861,
that the notice, of which the annexed is printed
copy (set in type not smaller the nonpareil), has
been published in each regular and entire issue
of sail newspaper and not in any supplement
thereof on the following dates, to -wit:
APRIL 20,
all in the year 2017.
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury
that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated at LOS ANGELES, California,
this 20T—" day of APRIL, 2017.
CITY OF MONTEBELLO
Proof of Publication of
Notice of Public Hearing
Ordinance amending Sections within Chapters
2, 22, 24, and 26 of the Vernon Municipal Code
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Vernon will conduct a Public Hearing, which you may attend.
PLACE: Vernon City Hall, City Council Chambers
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058
DATE & Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.
TIME: (or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard)
SUBJECT: Afirst reading, to adopt at a subsequent meeting, an ordinance
amending various sections within Chapters 2, 22, 24, and 26 of the
Vernon Municipal Code to (a) establish and clarify the independence of
all City utility funds, as a follow-up to Ordinance No. 1240, which was
approved and adopted by the City Council on March 14, 2017; (b) update
the City's Encroachment and Zoning Codes with respect to the installation
and maintenance of wireless telecommunications facilities to better align
with state and federal law; (c) update the City's Encroachment Code with
respect to restrictions on those entities exempt from the City's licensing
and franchising requirements; (d) update the City's Building Codes; (e)
update the City's Zoning Code with respect to building and ancillary
structure setback requirements; and (f) update the City's Zoning Code with
respect to "V-shaped" double-faced signs and signs located near the 1-710
freeway, which are designed to be primarily viewed from the 1-710 freeway.
REVIEW OF THE FILE: Subject documents are available for inspection at
Vernon City Hall, City Clerk Department, 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon,
California 90058, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
on the City's website at: http://www.cityofvernon.org/government/public-
meetings/city-council
Please send your comments and the name of the contact person to:
Maria Ayala, City Clerk
City of Vernon
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058
(323) 583-8811 Email: CityClerk@ci.vernon.ca.us
If you challenge the adoption/approval of the above -referenced ordinance
or any provision thereof in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or someone else raised at the hearing described in this notice
or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Vernon at, or prior
to, the meeting.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): In compliance with ADA, if you
need special assistance to participate in the meeting, please contact the
Office of the City Clerk at (323) 583-8811.
The hearing may be continued or adjourned or cancelled and rescheduled
to a stated time and place without further notice of a public hearing.
Dated: 4/19/2017 Maria E. Avala, City Clerk
Signature
CITY OF VERNON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 2017
ORDINANCE NO. 1240 SUMMARY
(Amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement reorganization
and renaming of certain departments within the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts
thereof in conflict therewith)
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 1240
IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK LOCATED AT 4305
SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA.
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Vernon held on March 7, 2017. Ordinance No. 1240 is scheduled to be
considered for adoption by said Council at a regular meeting to be held on March 21,
2017.
The proposed Ordinance No. 1240 would amend various sections of the Vernon
Municipal Code to implement reorganization and renaming of certain departments within
the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict therewith.
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, does hereby certify that Ordinance No.
1240 was duly introduced to the City Council of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting
held on March 7, 2017, and said Ordinance is scheduled to be considered for adoption at
a regular meeting of the City Council to be held on March 21, 2017.
Dated: 3/7/ t7
Mar' E. Ayala, Ci Clerk
This space is for the County Clerk's Filing Stamp
161 S. AVENUE 24, LOS ANGELES, CA 90031
323 221-1092 • FX: 323 221-1090 • www.egpnews.com
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident
of the County aforementioned; I am over the age
of eighteen years, and not a partyto or interested
in the above -entitled matter. I am the principal
clerk of the printer of
EASTERN GROUP PUBLICATIONS'
EASTSIDE SUN,
NORTHEAST SUN,
BELL GARDENS SUN
VERNON SUN,
COMMERCE COMET
AND
MONTEBELLO COMET,
newspapers of general circulation, printed
and published THURSDAYS in the County of
Los Angeles, and which newspaper of general
circulation by the Superior Court of the County
of Los Angeles, State of California, under the
date of JUNE 21, 1966,
CASE NUMBER 884861,
that the notice, of which the annexed is printed
copy (set in type not smaller the nonpareil), has
been published in each regular and entire issue
of sail newspaper and not in any supplement
thereof on the following dates, to -wit:
MARCH 09,
all in the year 2017.
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury
that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated at LOS ANGELES, California,
this 09TTHH day of MARCH, 2017.
CITY OF VERNON
Proof of Publication of
City of Vernon City Council Meeting
March 07, 2017
Ordinance No. 1240 Summary
(Reorganization and Renaming of
Certain Departments within the City)
CITY OF VERNON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 7, 2017
ORDINANCE NO. 1240 SUMMARY
(Amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement
reorganization and renaming of certain departments within the City; and
repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict therewith)
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
NO. 1240 IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA.
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly introduced at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Vernon held on March 7, 2017. Ordinance No. 1240
is scheduled to be considered for adoption by said Council at a regular
meeting to be held on March 21, 2017.
The proposed Ordinance No. 1240 would amend various sections of the
Vernon Municipal Code to implement reorganization and renaming of
certain departments within the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts
thereof in conflict therewith.
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, does hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly introduced to the City Council of the City of
Vernon at a regular meeting held on March 7, 2017, and said Ordinance is
scheduled to be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the City
Council to be held on March 21, 2017.
Dated: 3/7/17 Maria E. Ay lam, City Clerk
i9nature
CITY OF VERNON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 21, 2017
ORDINANCE NO. 1240 SUMMARY
(Amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement reorganization
and renaming of certain departments within the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts
thereof in conflict therewith)
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 1240
IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK LOCATED AT 4305
SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA.
On March 21, 2017, the City Council of the City of Vernon approved and adopted
Ordinance No. 1240 amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to
implement reorganization and renaming of certain departments within the City; and
repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict therewith.
I, Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby certify that Ordinance No.
1240 was duly approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at a
regular meeting held on March 21, 2017, and passed by said Council by the following
vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: DAVIS, WOODRUFF-PEREZ,
YBARRA, AND LOPEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MARTINEZ
Dated: 3/21/17
Mar, a E. Ayala, ity Clerk
This space is for the County Clerk's Filing Stamp
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161 S. AVENUE 24, LOS ANGELES, CA 90031
323 221-1092 • FX: 323 221-1090 • www.egpnews.com
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident
of the County aforementioned; I am over the age
of eighteen years, and not a party to or interested
in the above -entitled matter. I am the principal
clerk of the printer of
EASTERN GROUP PUBLICATIONS'
EASTSIDE SUN,
NORTHEAST SUN,
BELL GARDENS SUN,
VERNON SUN,
COMMERCE COMET
AND
MONTEBELLO COMET,
newspapers of general circulation, printed
and published THURSDAYS in the County of
Los Angeles, and which newspaper of general
circulation by the Superior Court of the County
of Los Angeles, State of California, under the
date of JUNE 21, 1966,
CASE NUMBER 884861,
that the notice, of which the annexed is printed
copy (set in type not smaller the nonpareil), has
been published in each regular and entire issue
of sail newspaper and not in any supplement
thereof on the following dates, to -wit:
MARCH 23,
all in the year 2017.
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury
that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated at LOS ANGELES, California,
this 23RD day of MARCH, 2017.
z6l� ,
Signature
CITY OF VERNON
Proof of Publication of
City of Vernon City Council Meeting
March 21, 2017
Ordinance No 1240 Summary
CITY OF VERNON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 21, 2017
ORDINANCE NO. 1240 SUMMARY
(Amending various sections of the Vernon Municipal Code to implement
reorganization and renaming of certain departments within the City; and
repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict therewith)
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF ADOPTED ORDINANCE
NO. 1240 IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK LOCATED
AT 4305 SANTA FIE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA.
On March 21, 2017, the City Council of the City of Vernon approved and
adopted Ordinance No. 1240 amending various sections of the Vernon
Municipal Code to implement reorganization and renaming of certain
departments within the City; and repealing all ordinances or parts thereof
in conflict therewith.
I, Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 1240 was duly approved and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting held on March 21, 2017, and
passed by said Council by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: DAVIS, WOODRUFF-PEREZ,
YBARRA, AND LOPEZ
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MARTINEZ
Dated: 3/21/17 Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk