Resolution No. 2011-166 (4)Vernon General Plan
Safety Element
Since Vernon and its surrounding areas are completely
urbanized, with little natural vegetation, 'there is almost no
risk of damage from wildfires. Urban fire protection is
discussed in Section 2.2 of this Element:
Human -caused hazards include the risk of explosion or leaks
from stored chemical and petroleum products, or from
derailment or collision of railcars or trucks carrying hazardous
chemical or materials. Chemical spills are also a concern
because of the industrialnature of the uses in Vernon. Fire
hazards are prevalent due to the nature of the industrial uses
and intensely developed character of properties. A fire during
a windstorm, which combines both a natural and a human -
caused hazard, can represent a serious threat to public safety.
Some events are particularly difficult to anticipate and prepare
a programmed response for. Since the 9/11 attack on New
York's World Trade Center, the threat of terrorist activity has
been of major concern to the nation and the world. As with
both natural and human -caused hazards, a terrorist event
could occur outside Vernon yet directly impact the City.
Programs to deal with such an event require a cooperative
approach with regional agencies.
Activities such as a labor strike or other demonstration usually
present low risk to public safety, but public safety personnel
must plan for responses to these situations to maintain public
order.
Railcars carrying
materials through
Vernon
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Vernon General Plan
Safety Element
The City's Standardized Emergency Management System
(SEMS) Multi -Hazard Functional Plan (MHFP) discusses and
contains programs and plans for emergency responses to the
safety concerns described above. This document includes pre -
emergency preparedness plans and programs for mutual aid
between organizations for virtually any emergency situation.
2.1 Natural Hazards
Seismic Event
Southern California is one of the most seismically active
regions. of the United States, given its location at the edge of
the Pacific Plate. Although no major faults have been
identified crossing through Vernon, the many fault systems
that traverse Los Angeles County and the broader region have
the potential to cause damage in the City in the event of an
earthquake. Figure S-1 identifies regional fault systems,
including major faults within 20 miles of the City. Severe
ground shaking can cause damage to buildings with
corresponding threats of injury of loss of life.
Figure S-1: Regional Faults
r.aaaaaaaaaaaae. Faults Seum: Southern Caftmla Earthquake Date Center, 2007
3 Wea e.
0 2.5 5
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A secondary effect of ground shaking is soil liquefaction,
which can result in building instability or failure. This is not
considered a serious threat in Vernon, but some areas of the
City could be affected (see Figure S-2). Liquefaction can occur
when loose, unconsolidated, water -laden soils lose their
structure during strong ground shaking. These hazards can be
mitigated at the development stage through the removal and
re -compaction of suspect soils. Vernon s standard practice of
requiring engineering studies for new development projects
reduces the risk of liquefaction hazards in those susceptible
areas identified on Figure S-2.
Figure S-2: Liquefaction Zone
Liquefaction Zone saume:celHomlaDepahnemofConseriOn,2aos
"1, e o �n r
In addition to damage to buildings, earthquakes often result in
damage to public and private infrastructure. Ruptured gas or
oil lines may result in explosions or leaks, and facilities storing
chemicals or flammable materials may also be damaged
causing leaks or explosion. Water lines, sewer lines, and
reservoirs can also be damaged. Electrical facilities,
particularly transformer and power lines, are susceptible to
damage resulting in a possible injury or loss of life as well as a
power loss.
To reduce the scope of damage in the event of an earthquake,
Vernon will continue to require new construction to meet
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Vernon General Plan
Safety Element
mandated seismic safety codes. Retrofit of older structures
will continue pursuant to Municipal Code requirements, and
the City will continue ongoing efforts to upgrade
infrastructure pursuant to the Capital Improvement Plan. In
addition, the programs the City has in place to guard against
hazardous materials spills and releases also help to protect
these materials from being released during ground -shaking
hazards. Through both preventative measures and strong,
organized emergency response, Vernon will continue to take
steps to minimize risks associated with earthquakes.
Flooding
Although the Los Angeles River flows through Vernon for a
distance longer than three miles and would frequently
overflow its banks under historic natural conditions, the river
was contained within a concrete -lined flood control channel
early in the twentieth century, substantially reducing the
potential for overflowing of the river banks or overtopping of
the dams that could cause flooding of adjacent areas. In the
rainy season of 2004-2005, the Los Angeles area received the
second highest rainfall ever recorded, approximately three
times the normal amount, yet the river channel proved
adequate to accommodate this flow.
Los Angeles River
Dam Inundation
In the past, localized flooding
has occurred during heavy
rainstorms. However, storm
drain improvements have
substantially reduced this
problem. With the flood control
system of the Los Angeles River
in place, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency does not
identify any floodplain area in
the City of Vernon. The existing
flood control system appears to
be adequate to serve the City's
needs.
Dam inundation occurs when structural damage to a dam
results in a flood. Dam failure can occur due to an earthquake,
erosion, design flaw, or water overflow during storms. Dam
inundation maps represent the best estimate of where water
would flow in if a dam with a full reservoir suddenly failed
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r
Vernon General Plan
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completely.Figure S-3 shows areas that would be affected in
the event of dam failure.
Nearly all of the land in Vernon lies within the potential
inundation areas for both Hansen Dam and Sepulveda Dam,
which are located in separate areas of the San Fernando
Valley, more than 20 miles northwest of the City. In the
unlikely event that a catastrophic earthquake causes the
collapse of either of these dams, water and debris would flow
to and then generally along the Los Angeles River in a fairly
narrow stream before spreading out over a swath of the
coastal plain several miles wide, including Vernon.
The official map from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
predicts that the flow from Sepulveda Dam, 24 miles away
from Vernon, would take more than eight hours to reach the
City. Flow from Hansen Dam, also 24 miles away, is predicted
to take more than 19 hours to reach Vernon. The flow from
either dam would probably peak at a depth of 2 feet in the
vicinity of Vernon. The expected long delay between dam
breach and the arrival of the flow should give ample time for
emergency services to respond, as outlined in the City's SEMS
Multi -Hazard Functional Plan (MHFP).
Figure S-3: Dam Inundation Areas
Cesar A
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f , - "� �__..�.._ " . / / Source: U.S. Any Corps of Engineer¢, July iees
rrr rr f^ Miles e
11rrr�rn(G.��� Hansen Dam Inundation Area e 1 2
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Vernon General Plan
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Windstorms
Windstorms present a potential hazard through their ability to
damage buildings and public facilities such as street traffic
control lights and public signs. In addition to the damage to
buildings, the most significant threat to public safety is from
flying debris. While this problem is not usually as severe as
that experienced in hurricanes or tornados, maintaining public
awareness of the hazard is important.
Regionally, the hot, dry Santa Ana winds can create severe
brushfire dangers, but this is not a particularly severe problem
in Vernon, as there is little vegetation.
2.2 Human -caused Hazards
Risk of Explosion and Hazardous Materials Spills
Many varied materials of an explosive or hazardous nature are
stored and used by many businesses in Vernon. Because of
the industrial nature of the City, the geographic scope is
citywide. In addition, the presence of major rail lines and
transfer yards, together with the Long Beach Freeway (I-710)
and Alameda Corridor, which carry high volumes of truck
and train traffic to and from the ports, pose real threats in the
event of a spill.
To address local storage issues, the City Environmental Health
Department maintains a complete inventory of the locations
where hazardous materials are stored and used. A detailed
response program defines the actions to be taken by the Fire
Department and Environmental Health Department in the
event of a problem involving a spill or explosion. This
program focuses on the evacuation of persons, as well as
containment and cleanup.
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With regard to terrorism concerns, possible targets in Vernon
include the major rail yards,. power generation facilities, and
any business with significant volumes of hazardous materials.
Federal agencies are responsible for safe -guarding
transportation facilities, and Vernon will cooperate with these
agencies in these efforts. With regard to protection of local
businesses, routine patrol activities of the Police Department
and heightened training and vigilance are undertaken in order
to address these concerns. The City will provide Police
personnel with appropriate training to minimize such threats.
Fire Department
The Vernon Fire Department is rated as Class I by Insurance
Services Office, Inc., one of only ten cities in California and 35
nationwide to earn this distinction. The Department provides
a variety of emergency services, including fire protection,
emergency medical services, urban search and rescue, and
hazardous materials control.
Each of Vernon s four fire stationsstaff is fully trained for
fighting fires and is equipped with three to six response
vehicles, but also has its own specialization. Fire Station 1 at
3375 Fruitland Avenue serves both as Fire Department
headquarters and training center. The personnel at Fire
Station 2, rebuilt in 2007 at 4301 Santa Fe Avenue, adjacent to
City Hall, are all trained as hazardous materials specialists.
Paramedics trained in advanced life support at Fire Station 3,
at 2800 Soto Street, respond to all emergency situations, and
this station is also home to a squad trained in all manners of
urban search and rescue techniques. Despite being in a
completely urbanized area, Fire Station 4 sends specialized
Vernon General Plan
Safety Element
Hazardous Materials
Emergency Response operate
the Spartan Super Vac
Hazardous Materials Unit
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Vernon General Plan
Safetv Element
personnel to respond to wildfires through the statewide
mutual aid system.
3.0 GOALS AND POLICIES
Vernon has fewer than 100 permanent residents, but the
employment population approaches 45,000 during a typical
24-hour period. Police, fire, and paramedic facilities and
personnel must be adequate to provide services to this larger
community of workers. Public safety personnel must be
prepared to handle potential emergency situations of all kinds:
hazardous materials spills, explosions, earthquakes, and train
accidents. Additionally, as an industrial city, Vernon must be
prepared for the possibility of labor issues such as strikes
disrupting the City and requiring responses from public safety
personnel
GOAL S-1
Minimize the risk to public health, safety, and welfare
associated with the presence of natural and human -caused
hazards.
POLICY S-1.1: Periodically update and maintain
the Multi -hazard Functional Plan in an effort to
identify potential contingencies and emergency
conditions and define the necessary response by
public safety and other personnel.
POLICY S-1.2: Cooperate with other jurisdictions
in the southeast area of Los Angeles County to
maintain an up-to-date emergency response system
for the region.
POLICY S-1.3: Prepare and disseminate
information to residents and businesses on
preparing for and responding to a major
earthquake or potential terrorist threat.
POLICY S-1.4: Maintain the public water
distribution and supply system facilities to provide
adequate capacity to meet both everyday and
emergency fire -flow needs.
POLICY S-1.5: Coordinate with the Los Angeles
Unified School District for protection and or
evacuation of school children in the event of an
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emergency condition, which could affect the
schools in or near Vernon.
GOAL S-2
Provide a high degree of protection for all residents and
workers from hazardous materials and the hazards
associated with transport of such materials.
POLICY S-2.1: Continue to support and encourage
State efforts to identify existing or previously
existing hazardous waste generators or disposal
sites in the City of Vernon.
POLICY S-2.2: Continue to require every business
to maintain a list of the chemicals and other
hazardous, materials used or stored on site on
appropriate material safety data sheets and
otherwise in accordance with law, and to provide
that list to the Fire Department and Environmental
Health Department. Require that the Fire
Department and Environmental Health
Department to maintain a list of such materials and
the location where they are stored or used to
permit emergency personnel to respond
appropriately, if required.
GOAL S-3
Maintain high standards for the provision of City emergency
services.
POLICY S-3.1: Establish and implement plans for
continuity of government for Vernon in the event
of a catastrophe.
POLICY S-3.2: Require businesses handling,
transporting, or producing materials ,considered
acutely hazardous to prepare contingency plans for
accidents involving these chemicals.
POLICY S-3.3: Support the development and
continued updating of public safety education
programs.
POLICY S-3.4: Undertake steps to 'inform all
residents and businesses of the importance of
visible and clearly legible signs and street numbers
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in shortening the response time of emergency
personnel
POLICY S-3.5: Periodically review the City's
emergency service equipment to determine if it is
adequate to meet the needs of changing land uses
and development types.
POLICY S-3.6: Require new development projects
that necessitate the purchase of public safety
equipment to underwrite or share in purchase
costs.
POLICY S-3.7: Develop a new Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) with adequate space and
facilities to respond to any emergency situation
which may arise.
POLICY S-3.8: Continue to support the Vernon
Fire Department in its effort to maintain its Class I
rating.
GOALS-4
Provide a high degree of protection for all workers and
residents in the event of any disaster.
POLICY S-4.1: Review the risks related to a
possible train derailment or collision, and develop
appropriate response programs.
POLICY S4.2: Review the design of new
development projects to consider public safety and
issues such as emergency access, defensible space,
and overall worker safety.
POLICY S4.3: Design and maintain an effective
plan for the prompt evacuation of the City in the
event of a dam inundation or other major disaster
requiring the removal of workers or residents from
Vernon.
POLICY S-4.4: Identify facilities for use as
emergency shelters for those unable to leave or
required to stay within the City in the event of a
major disaster or emergency event.
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VERNON GENERAL PLAN
RESOURCES ELEMENT
RESOURCES ELEMENT
1.0 PURPOSE AND FOCUS'
1.1 Purpose
As a fully developed city, Vernon has few remaining natural
resources in the conventional sense of undeveloped land,
native vegetation, and wildlife habitat. The two natural
resources that are present and important are groundwater and
the air. Both have been affected by urban development, but
both sustain development in the City and respresent critical
regional resources. Vernon's groundwater serves as a portion
of the City s water supply. Clean air, of course, provides a
healthier environment and may help minimize some aspects
of global warming.
The open spaces that exist in Vernon are limited to privately
owned landscaping around buildings, utility easements, rail
yards, and the Los Angeles River.
Given the industrial nature of Vernon, expanses of open space
are not needed for recreational purposes. However, open
space does provide visual relief from hard urban surfaces.
Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
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Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
This Element establishes City policies intended to best manage
the limited available natural resources in Vernon and to
encourage continued participation in broader efforts to protect
the environment from harmful human activities.
1.2 Focus
This Resources Element combines two elements required by
the California Government Code - the Conservation Element
and the Open Space Element - and focuses on the protection
and preservation of resources within the City. In addition to
groundwater and air resources, additional resource issues
addressed are local open space, historic/cultural resources,
and the national issue of energy use.
2.0 IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING LOCAL
RESOURCES
2.1 Water Quality and Supply
Water resources in Vernon are limited to the groundwater
basins that underlie the City (and surrounding lands) and
recycled water. Local groundwater is contained within the
Los Angeles River and Gaspar aquifers, which supply a
significant portion of the water used by businesses in Vernon.
Because these basins extend beneath surrounding
jurisdictions, activities both in Vernon and other cities affect
the quantity and quality of groundwater. Potential
contamination and depletion of the underground basins have
been historic concerns, and conditions are continuously
monitored to guard against possible interruption of supply.
Water quality standards established by federal and State
agencies and requirements for water quality monitoring
protect industrial users from contamination and ensure sage
drinking water supplies. In particular, National Pollution
Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) requirements
enforced by the State Regional Water Quality Control Board
require the control and clean up of surface runoff prior to its
discharge into storm drain systems and ultimately, into
groundwater basins or surface waters. State agencies continue
to press for percolation as a means of reclaiming stormwater
runoff, both as a mechanism to replenish aquifers and to allow
for continued natural cleaning processes. Given Vernon's
built -out condition and the severe lack of open space, clean-up
and recharge via percolation proves difficult.
Resources Element - 2
As described in the Circulation and Infrastructure Element,
three water agencies supply water within Vernon (see Figure
CI-3). Most of the geographical are of Vernon is supplied by
the City's Water Department. The California Water Service
Company (Cal Water), East Los Angeles District, Commerce
System serves some of the northeast portion of Vernon, and a
small portion of southeast Vernon is serviced by Maywood
Mutual Water Company Number 3.
Many of the food processing and other industries common in
Vernon are water -intensive uses. Analysis of water resources
for the City of Vernon Water Department, including supply
sources, is contained in the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan
(which is periodically updated). In 2005, water use in
Vernon's service area was approximately 12,000 acre-feet per
year. Approximately 63 percent of was obtained from
groundwater sources. An acre-foot of water equals 325,851
gallons, or about the amount of water a family of four
consumes in a year. Twenty-six percent was purchased
from the Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD),
and 11 percent came from recycled water supplies.
Water conservation programs are in place, and internal water
recycling by specific businesses helps reduce overall demand.
Because Vernon is built out, new businesses will simply
replace those that exist today, and water consumption over
time normally would not be expected to increase significantly.
However, because of the existence of two power plants and
the planned construction of a new large power generation
plant, water usage is expected to more than double relative to
year 2005 conditions. The requirements of these power plants
will be met with recycled water, the use of which is expected
to increase more than one and a half times — from 10,438 acre-
feet in 2005 to 16,012 acre-feet in 2025.
By 2025, the number of acre-feet produced from the City
Water Department's wells is not expected to substantially
increase, and the amount purchased from CBMWD is
expected to increase from 3,350 acre-feet to 4,350 acre-feet. By
2025, then, Vernon s water supply profile is projected to be 28
percent from groundwater, 15 percent from CBMWD, and 56
percent from recycled sources. The majority of the new
demand will be served throught the use of recycled water,
indicating the City's commitment to conservation of its water
resources, good water management practices, and
sustainability of resources.
Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
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Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
Parts of northeastern Vernon are within California Water
Service Company's (Cal Water's) District. Since the area is
completely urbanized, annual growth is very slow; since 1980
the amount of water used in the service area has never
increased by more than 0.5 percent from year to year.
Only 30 of Maywood Mutual Water Company #3's 2,000
service connections are in the City of Vernon; the rest are in
the Cities of Maywood and Bell. In 2006, Vernon's
connections totaled 34.5 acre-feet of water usage. Early in 2007
a new Matheson Tri-Gas plant opened in this area, which had
been projected to add 150 annual acre-feet of usage, but has
instead shown to only use water commensurate with a 30 acre-
feet per year increase in water usage.
Maywood Mutual #3 currently derives all of its water supplies
from its own groundwater wells. Its three wells are capable of
producing approximately 4,500 acre-feet per year, and have
historically produced between 1,400 and 1,750 acre-feet per
year. Agreements are in place with the Metropolitan Water
District that would allow Maywood Mutual #3 to purchase
2,500 acre-feet of water per year if necessary, for a total
possible supply of 7,000 acre-feet per year. This would be
more than four times the current usage within Maywood
Mutual #3's service area. Maywood Mutual #3 reports that
groundwater production is adequate for current and any
foreseen future demand.
2.2 Air Quality
The quality of the air in Southern California is determined by
many regional factors: prevailing winds, persistent inversion
conditions, the commute habits of 10 million -plus people
within the air basin, and the presence of major ports and
industry. Vernon lies within the South Coast Air Basin, a
geographic area that extends from the Pacific Ocean to the San
Gabriel Mountains, and from the Ventura County boundary
east to the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. The air
basin is a non -attainment area for federal and State air quality
standards for ozone and State standards for particulate matter
less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). The South Coast Air
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulates air quality
improvement programs within the basin and works to
improve regional air quality to achieve federal and State
standards.
Resources Element - 4
At the local level, emissions from stationary sources (industry,
power plants, etc.) and from vehicles discharge chemicals and
particulate matter into the air, and these emissions are further
transformed in the atmosphere by photochemical action into
ozone and other health -threatening pollutants. As heavy
industry is prevalent in Vernon, most local businesses are
heavily regulated by SCAQMD. Emissions from trucks, cars,
and trains are regulated by State and federal agencies,
meaning the Vernon City Council and City staff have little
ability to affect those factors that most significantly contribute
to regional air quality conditions.
However, the City recognizes its responsibility to participate
in regional efforts to continue to improve air quality. City
programs in this regard include City purchase and use of
alternative fuel vehicles and fuel -efficient vehicles. In 2006,
about 3.5 percent of the vehicles owned by the City used
alternative fuels. As the City replaces its fleet of vehicles,
consideration and priority will be given to the purchase of
more vehicles using hybrid or electric engines or other
emerging technologies that replace fossil fuels.
Because motor vehicles represent a significant source of
pollutant emissions, one key approach to reducing emissions
is to reduce vehicle miles traveled. In 2006, businesses in
Vernon employed 44,225 workers locally. Many employers
have large workforces, offering opportunities for carpooling
and other ride -sharing arrangements. Also, many Metro bus
lines serve the City, and Blue Line light rail has stops that
readily serve Vernon businesses (provided one is willing to
walk or take bus connections from the train stations). The City
is in a position to encourage transit use and ride sharing by
serving as an information hub and clearinghouse for local
businesses. Reducing the volume of cars on local streets can
help reduce regional emissions and allow Vernon to
contribute to regional air quality improvements.
2.3 Global Warming
Recently the State Legislature enacted legislation requiring
that the California Air Resources Board determine the level of
greenhouse gases produced in 1990 and to determine the
means for the level of emissions in 2020 not exceed the 1990
level. Litigation has been brought to require that local
agencies approving large projects, including general plans to
address the issue of global warming and demonstrate what
measures will be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Vernon General Plan
ResourrAn Flemont
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Resources Element
In Vernon, emissions are regulated by the Southern California
Air Quality District, as well as State and federal agencies. The
agencies have imposed regulations to reduce emissions from
both stationary and vehicular sources. These actions have led
to a substantial improvement in air quality in the Southern
California air basin and presumably have had a concurrent
effect on greenhouse gas emissions. Further reductions are
anticipated as new requirements are imposed by current
legislation and regulations.
The City of Vernon is a built out city and the General Plan
does not envision any substantive increase in either square
footage in industrial development (basically the only type of
development permitted in the City) or substantive increases in
employment (see Tables LU-1 in the Land Use Element). The
issue of increased emissions resulting from growth is not
expected to be a significant concern as a resulting of growth of
change in the City.
2.4 Energy Supplies
Industrial businesses in Vernon require reliable energy
supplies for industrial processes and refrigeration. In 1932,
the citizens of Vernon supported a bond measure that
authorized the City to construct a power plant. This enabled
the City to build its own electric power generating plant -to
meet the needs of this "exclusively industrial city". Since then,
the City has been able to provide reliable and comparatively
low-cost electric power to its customers. In 2005, the City
completed construction of the Malburg Generating Station, a
new natural -gas -powered power plant that provides electricity
to many businesses in Vernon. The City is working on plans
to construct a new natural -gas -powered 914 megawatt plant
that would boost the City's capabilities and enhances supplies
in the region, as excess power could probably be put on the
grid for users throughout Southern California.
The City recognizes that energy conservation benefits
consumers in the form of lower energy costs. Conservation
also reduces the need for construction of costly new energy
production facilities. Finally, conservation helps efforts to
improve regional air quality by reducing pollutant emissions
from older power generation plants in Southern California.
Vernon: The City is committed to working with local
businesses to help them be energy efficient and help keep rates
low.
Resources Element - 6
2.6 Open Space
The major open space resources in Vernon consist of the Los
Angeles River Channel and utility easements. Given the Civs
industrial character, Vernon does not contain and does not
have a need for public parks. Private open spaces on
industrial properties are limited as well, as most buildings are
built to the sidewalk line, leaving limited area foron-site
landscaping. Over time, requirements for site -specific runoff
control may result in property owners devoting portions of
setback or parking areas to green space.
Additional green space may also be added through the middle
of Vernon if plans progress for the "re -greening' of the Los
Angeles River. The Los Angeles River Master Plan, adopted
by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1996, calls
for a greenway along the bank, a trail and murals along the
west levee, an interpretive exhibit near the Bandini Avenue
crossing, and a passive park area near Atlantic Avenue. As of
2007, no funding source or preliminary plan for creation of
additional open space within. the City of Vernon currently
exists.
2.6 Cultural Resources
In 1847, the Mexican militia fought U.S. troops under the
command of U.S. Army General Stephen Watts Kearny and
U.S. Navy Captain Robert F. Stockton along the San Gabriel
River. The battle of La Mesa, in present-day Vernon, occurred
on January 9,1847 and ended with the Mexicans overwhelmed
by a strong American advance. On January 10, Mexican
leaders surrendered peacefully to the Americans, who
promptly occupied the city of Los Angeles.
Between 1847 and the early years of the twentieth century, the
lands that now comprise Vernon were dedicated largely to
agriculture, with John B. Leonis representing one of the key
ranchers/landholders in the area. Vernon incorporated in
1905 as an "exclusively industrial" city and was named after a
dirt road, Vernon Avenue, crossing its center. In the following
years, many diverse industries established major facilities in
the City, taking advantage of the rail access and, with the
construction in 1932 of a City -owned power plant, low-cost
electricity.
The industrial buildings that house these diverse industries
well serve their industrial functions, but also display
Vernon General Plan
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Resources Element - 7
Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
architecture representative of distinct periods and styles. The
busy building period of the 1920s and '30s produced several
Streamline Moderne structures, and wonderful brick buildings
can be found throughout the City. A notable landmark is the
Farmer John mural surrounding the company's meat
processing facility on Vernon Avenue.
Vernon will assist in the effort to preserve the memory of early
Los Angeles, and tell the story of its growth and development,
through taking and retaining photographs of buildings and
structures that may have architectural or historic interest.
3.0 GOALS AND POLICIES
GOAL R-1
Conserve and protect the region's water and energy
resources.
POLICY R-1.1: Encourage water conservation and
the use of recycled water in new developments and
by all industries.
POLICY R-1.2: Support the use of energy -saving
designs and equipment in all new development
and reconstruction projects.
POLICY R-1.3: Seek and pursue the most
practicable and cost-effective means of
implementing National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination Systems requirements.
GOAL R-2
Contribute to the continued gradual improvement of air
quality in the South Coast Air Basin.
POLICY R-2.1: Coordinate and cooperate with the
South Coast Air Quality Management District and
Southern California Association of Governments in
efforts to implement the regional Air Quality
Management Plan.
POLICY R-2.2: Encourage and facilitate the use of
public transportation to reduce emissions
associated with automobile use.
POLICY R-2.3: Continue to expand the number of
City -owned alternative fuels vehicles, hybrid
Resources Element - 8
vehicles, and other energy -efficient vehicles as they
may be available.
POLICY R-2.4: Maximize the amount of clean
electrical power produced while minimizing
emissions from power production plants.
GOAL R-3
Preserve established open spaces, and look for opportunities
to create new open space areas that can benefit the health
and welfare of workers and residents in Vernon.
POLICY R-3.1: Continue to maintain landscaped
areas at City facilities as appropriate.
POLICY R-3.2: Cooperate with regional efforts to
upgrade the appearance and open space value of
the Los Angeles River Channel.
POLICY R-3.3: Encourage private property owners
and industries to establish and maintain private
landscaped areas for the benefit of employees.
POLICY R-3.4: Continue the City's street tree
planting and tree maintenance programs.
GOAL R-4
Recognize and preserve Vernon's contributions to the
industrial and architectural history of Los Angeles.
POLICY R4.1: Expand available cultural resource
information by establishing a City -maintained
database of historic sites and facilities.
POLICY R-4.2: Support the efforts of interested
agencies or private organizations to undertake
surveys or other research efforts to document
buildings and places in Vernon of historic and/or
architectural significance.
POLICY R-4.3: Ensure compliance with CEQA
provisions regarding cultural resources at the time
buildings or places of identified or potential
historic or architectural merit are proposed for
demolition.
Vernon General Plan
RPcnnrrmc Flcme..t
Resources Element - 9
Vernon General Plan
Resources Element
POLICY R4.4: Establish local programs and
practices that recognize places of local or other
historic significance.
Resources Element -10
VERNON GENERAL PLAN
NOISE ELEMENT
NOISE ELEMENT
1.0 PURPOSE AND FOCUS
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Noise Element is to identify significant
sources of noise in Vernon and to identify ways to protect
people living and working in Vernon from extensive exposure
to excessive or unhealthy noise levels. Per the California
Administrative Code, all general plans must include a Noise
Element. The Noise Element sets the framework for working
toward and maintaining environmental noise control
appropriate to individual communities. The Element
establishes goals, policies, and programs that identify possible
approaches to protecting the business community and the few
people living in Vernon from excessive noise.
1.2 Focus
In recognition of the adverse health effects associated with
excessive noise, the California Government Code, Section
65302(f), identifies the types of community noise to be
addressed in the General Plan. The Noise Element is to
identify noise sources from:
• Freeways and street systems;
• Freight on-line railroad operations;
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Noise Element -1
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Local industrial plants, including, but not limited to,
railroad classification yards; and
Other stationary ground noise sources identified by
local agencies as contributing to the community noise
environment.
Vernon is unique in that its status as an all -industrial
community establishes different sensitivities regarding noise
than those present in typical suburban or even mixed -use
urban areas. Local businesses are not significantly impacted by
higher noise levels that would not be appropriate in a
residential neighborhood or near schools, parks, or hospitals.
2.0 ABOUT NOISE
Noise is often defined as unwanted, excessive, or irksome
sound. Sound - and noise - consists of waves of energy that
we receive and interpret. To describe the character of a
particular noise, acousticians must have information about:
The amplitude and amplitude variation of the
acoustical wave,
• The frequency (pitch) content of the noise, and
• The duration of the noise.
2.1 Noise Metrics
Definitions of the most commonly used terms encountered in
community noise assessments and noise control are provided
in the General Plan Glossary. Of these terms, the A -weighted
sound pressure level, or dB(A), is the scale of measurement
that is most useful in community noise measurement. This
sound level is measured in decibels to provide a scale with the
range and characteristics most consistent with that of peoples'
sensitivity to sounds, as described below.
Since decibels are logarithmic units, sound pressure levels
cannot be added or subtracted by ordinary arithmetic means.
For example, if one automobile produces a sound pressure
level of 70 dB when it passes an observer, two cars passing
simultaneously would not produce 140 dB. hi fact, they would
combine to produce 73 dB. This same principle can be applied
to other traffic quantities as well. In other words, doubling the
traffic volume on a street or the speed of the traffic will
increase the traffic noise level by 3 dB. Conversely, halving the
Noise Element - 2
traffic volume or speed will reduce the traffic noise level by 3
dB.
Sound pressure level alone is not a reliable indicator of
loudness. The frequency or pitch of a sound also has a
substantial effect on how humans will respond. While the
intensity of the sound is a purely physical quantity, the
loudness or human response depends on the characteristics of
the human ear.
Human hearing is limited not only to the range of audible
frequencies, but also in the way it perceives the sound
pressure level in that range. In general, the healthy human ear
is most sensitive to sounds between 1,000 hertz (Hz) and 5,000
Hz, and perceives both higher and lower frequency sounds of
the same magnitude with less intensity. To approximate the
frequency response of the human ear, a series of sound
pressure level adjustments is usually applied to the sound
measured by a sound level meter. The adjustments, or
weighting network, are frequency dependent.
The A -scale approximates the frequency response of the
average young ear when listening to most ordinary everyday
sounds. When people make relative judgments of the loudness
or annoyance of a sound, their judgments correlate well with
the A -scale sound levels of those sounds. A range of noise
levels associated with common indoor and outdoor activities
is shown in Figure N-1.
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Noise Element - 3
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Figure N-1: Examples of Noise Levels
120
Threshold of pain
Deco
115
Textile mill
110
Maximum Vocal Effort
Physical Discomfort
Textlle plant
105
Printing plant
100
Very Annoying
Hearing Damage
stead 6-Hour Ex osure
Jackhammer at 50 ft.
95
Power lawn mower at 5 a.
90
Heavy mixer at 50 ft
85
Concrete mixer at 50 ft.
so
Annoying
Inside car at 40 mph.
75
Vacuum cleaner at 10 tt..
70
Telephone use very difficult
Car, 60 mph at 100 ft,
65
Conversational speech
so
Intrusive
Large transformer at 50
55
Urban residence
50
` quiet
Smell town residence
45
40.
Soft whisper at 6 R.
35
30
Very Quiet
25
20
15
10
Audible
5
0
Threshold or hearing
Source: Wieland Associates Inc. and Melville C. Branch and R. Dale Beland.
The A -weighted sound level of traffic and other long-term
noise -producing activities within and around a community
varies considerably with time. Measurements of this varying
noise level are accomplished by recording values of the A -
weighted level during representative periods within a
specified portion of the day.
It is recognized that a given level of noise may be more or less
tolerable depending on the duration of exposure experienced
by an individual. There are numerous measures of noise
exposure that consider not only the A -level variation of noise
but also the duration of the disturbance. The State Department
of Aeronautics and the California Commission on Housing
and Community Development have adopted the community
Noise Element 4
noise equivalent level (CNEL). This
measure weights the average noise levels
for the evening hours (7:00 P.M. to 10:00
P.M.), increasing them by 5 dB, and weights
the late evening and morning hour noise
levels (10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.) by 10 dB. The
daytime noise levels are combined with
these weighted levels and are averaged to
obtain a CNEL value: Figure N-2 indicates
the outdoor CNEL at typical locations
throughout the Southern California area.
2.2 Noise and Health Effects
Sound levels which exceed 85 dB(A), when
experienced for long durations during each
working day, may result in severe
temporary or even permanent hearing loss.
State and federal safety and health
regulations currently protect workers at
levels of exposure that exceed 90 dB(A) for
each eight -hour workday.
Speech intelligibility is impaired when
sound levels exceed 60 dB(A). The level of
interference increases with sound level and
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Figure N-2: Examples of Noise at
Southern California Locations
Next to Freeway
Los Angeles, 314 miles from LAX .
Downtown Los Angeles
Housing on major street
Los Angeles, 8 miles from LAX
Old suburban residential area
Small town cul-de.sac
Farm
the distance between speaker and listener.
Sound levels that exceed 40 to 45 dB(A) are generally
considered to be excessive for sleeping areas within a
residence.
2.3 Community Noise Standards
Vernon has established community noise standards to help
guide land use decisions and protect sensitive uses from
excessive noise levels, as shown in Figure N-3. Because the
City consists almost exclusively of industrial uses and policy
set forth in the Housing Element prohibits the construction of
any new housing in recognition of the hazards - including
high noise levels associated with widespread industrial
activity, these standards discourage any new noise -sensitive
use that would be incompatible with the City's industrial
focus. Similarly, zoning regulations prohibit community
facilities such as schools, day care centers, and hospitals.
U
so
70
LD
50
40
30
Noise Element - 5
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Figure N-3: Community Noise Standards
CNEL,dB
Land Use Category
58
55
80
i35 70
75- 80
r�
Residential • Mul&family, Duplex
Schools, 'Churches-
pt
A
Building, Research & Development, Professional
F
i,gOfice
'fr tip
Offices, City OfficeBuilding
Commercial Retail, Banks, Restaurants _
A"<
Y�q"
c-q =
7,A i'
Service Station, Auto Dealership, Manufacturing,
Warehousing, Wholesale, Utilities
Aj E.
, X
A pg
Agriculture
LLLJ CLEARLY COMPATIBLE
Specified land use Is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved
are of normal conventional ccntruction without. any special noise insulation requirements.
NORMALLY COMPATIBLE
New construction or development should be. undertaken only after detailed analysis of the
noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features: in the design
are determined. Conventional construction, with closed windows and fresh air supply
systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice.
® NORMALLY INCOMPATIBLE
New construction, ordevelopment should generally be discouraged. If new construction or
development. does proceed, a detailed analysis: of noise reduction requirements must be
made and needed noise insulationfeatures included in the. design.
CLEARLY INCOMPATIBLE
-
Newconstructionordevelopmentshouldgenerallynot. be undertaken.
Noise Element - 6
3.0 NOISE ENVIRONMENT IN 2007
In 2007, the City conducted a comprehensive noise survey of
the community to document the noise environment.
Measurements were taken at eleven locations, including two
border locations in adjacent communities. Three
measurements consisted of 24-hour recordings of the sound
environment, and the balance were limited duration
measurements at representative locations throughout Vernon
and, as noted above, on the border of neighboring
communities.
The most significant noise -producing activity within Vernon
involves the transportation systems: the arterial roadways and
train movements along regional rail lines. In addition, many
major manufacturing businesses create high noise levels.
The only noise -sensitive land uses within the City
are scattered residential units and the Vernon City
Elementary School. Residences, most of which are
owned by the City, are primarily clustered in
three areas: on Vernon Avenue at Furlong Place,
on Vernon Avenue between Downey Road and
Alcoa Avenue, and on Fruitland Avenue west of
Downey Road. Vernon City Elementary School is
located at the southwest corner of Vernon Avenue
and Santa Fe Avenue.
The adjacent communities of Huntington Park
and Maywood have residential neighborhoods
and schools along and near their boundaries with
Vernon. Vernon has long practiced good neighbor
policies with respect to these uses, cooperating
with adjacent cities to minimize noise impacts on
sensitive uses.
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Noise Element - 7
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
3.1 2007 CNEL Contours
The noise measurements were modeled to create a
community -wide "picture' of noise conditions. The CNEL
contours for major arterial roadways and the I-710 freeway
within the City were developed utilizing the Federal Highway
Administrations Traffic Noise Model and traffic data obtained
from Caltrans and citywide traffic count data (2004-2007). The
railroad contours were developed based on Wyle
Laboratories' computational procedures and on a computer
model developed by the Federal Transit Administration.
Operational data for the railroads was obtained from Amtrak
and Metrolink schedules, the Southern California Regional
Rail Authority, the Alameda Corridor Transit Authority, the
Union Pacific Company, and the Federal Railroad
Administration Office of Safety Analysis.
These noise measurements and modeling results collectively
can be represented by noise contour lines. Similar to the way
topographic maps show contours indicated elevation change,
the noise contour maps indicate decreasing noise levels as you
move away from the noise source. Figure N-4 illustrates the
noise contours for year 2007.
3.2 Transportation Noise Sources
Noise along Arterial Roadways
Figure N-4 shows that noise levels associated with truck and
automobile traffic along Vernon s arterial roadways are 70
CNEL along the roadway frontages. With regard to the
gradual diminishment of noise as the receiver moves away
from the street, the modeling does not take into account the
mitigating effect of buildings that front the street.
Noise Element - 8
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
This page is intentionally blank.
Noise Element - 10
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Freeway Noise
The CNEL generated in Vernon by traffic on the I-710 freeway
is as high as 80 dB. However, the land uses affected by the
traffic noise are largely industrial in nature and are not noise
sensitive.
Train Noise
The City is impacted by noise from train movements on six
primary rail lines, numerous, spur; lines, and activities at the
Burlington, Northern& Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard, as well as at
the Union Pacific (UPRR) rail yard in the City of Commerce.
The CNEL associated with train movements in and through
Vernon is as high as 80 dB. However, the land uses affected by
the traffic noise are largely industrial in nature and are not
noise sensitive. The primary source of annoyance to residents
in the vicinity of the UPRR line adjacent to Downey Road is
train horn soundings at crossings.
3.3 Industrial Noise Sources
In general, industrial noise within the City is not considered
excessive because Vernon is a predominantly industrial city
with few noise -sensitive properties. However, at the few
scattered residences within the City, as well as at the Vernon
City Elementary School, noise levels can exceed generally
acceptable standards for these noise -sensitive uses. The impact
is primarily related to noise generated by loading dock
operations, trucks entering and leaving the area, and
mechanicalequipment located both inside and outside
building.
Adjacent to the City of Vernon are residential neighborhoods
in the cities of Huntington Park and Maywood. Noise
measurements taken in 2006 indicated that while average
noise levels ranged up to 66.7 dB(A) and noise spikes
registered 87.6 dB(A) during daytime hours, the measured
CNELs of 61.5 dB in Huntington Park and 64 dB in Maywood
were less than the exterior CNEL standard of 70 dB for
residential properties in Vernon.
Noise Element -11
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
4.0 FUTURE NOISE ENVIRONMENT
Figure N-5 indicates projected noise contours for year 2030,
assuming growth in regional traffic volumes through Vernon
and anticipated activity along rail lines, the Alameda Corridor,
and the regional rail lines.
Land use policy provides for continued industrial use
throughout the community, with provision for some
commercial uses along Santa Fe Avenue and limited portions
of Soto Street to meet the needs of the daytime employee
population. As indicated above, land use policy prohibits the
introduction of any new noise -sensitive uses. Thus, the City
does not anticipate any new noise conflicts will arise in
Vernon over the life of this General Plan.
With regard to existing conditions where established
residences and Vernon City Elementary School sometimes
experience high noise levels, the City works with surrounding
businesses to achieve noise standards established in the
Zoning Ordinance.
5.0 GOALS AND POLICIES
As an industrial city, the aim of the Noise Element is to
address compatibility among neighboring businesses and
industries, and to work with adjacent communities to resolve
any conflicts that may be associated with individual
businesses along Vernon s municipal boundary.
Goal N-1
Reduce impacts from transportation noise sources to the
extent they may affect industrial businesses.
Policy N-1.1: Encourage the effective enforcement of local,
state, and federal noise levels by all appropriate City divisions.
Policy N-1.2: Review noise impacts when rail corridors are
consolidated, and review ways to reduce impacts on adjacent
businesses.
Noise Element - 12
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
This page intentionally left blank.
Noise Element - 14
Goal N-2
Incorporate noise and vibration considerations into land use
planning decisions.
Policy N-2.1: Consider the noise levels likely to be produced
by any new businesses or substantially expanded business
activities locating near existing noise -sensitive uses such as
schools, community facilities, and residences, as well as
adjacent to established businesses involving vibration -
sensitive activities.
Policy N-2.2: Encourage acoustical design in all new
construction.
Policy N-2.3: Prohibit the establishment of any new noise -
sensitive land uses in Vernon, including but not limited to
residences, schools, day-care facilities, and community
facilities.
Goal N-3
Develop measures to control non -transportation noise and
similar impacts.
Policy N-3.1: Continue to enforce the noise and vibration
performance standards in the City Code to mitigate conflicts
among neighboring uses.
Policy N-3.2: Establish and maintain coordination among City
agencies involved in noise abatement.
Policy N-3.3: City departments will comply with all state and
federal OSHA noise standards, and all new City equipment
purchases shall comply with state and federal noise standards.
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
Noise Element -15
Vernon General Plan
Noise Element
This page intentionally left blank.
Noise Element - 16
VERNON GENERAL PLAN
APPENDIX A:
IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Appendix A:
Implementation Plan
This Implementation Plan will guide City elected officials and staff in the overall effort to carry
out adopted General Plan goals and policies. The purpose of the implementation programs is to
enable the overall direction set forth in the General Plan to be translated from general terms to
specific actions.
Each implementation program is a procedure, program, or technique that requires City action,
either alone or in collaboration with non -governmental or quasi -governmental organizations or
state and federal agencies. Some of the implementation programs are processes or procedures
the City currently administers on a day-to-day basis (such as development project review),
while others identify new programs or projects. Completion of the identified programs will be
subject to funding constraints.
The implementation programs are organized into the following six subsections corresponding
to the General Plan elements:
• Land Use Element
Circulation and Infrastructure Element
Housing Element
Safety Element
Natural Resources Element
Noise Element
Each implementation program relates directly to one or more General Plan policies, drawn from
the various General Plan elements. For each program, the related General Plan policies are
listed, along with the responsible City departments or other governmental agencies, the
recommended time frame, and likely funding source or sources.
The implementation programs are intended for use as the basis for preparing the Annual
Report to the City Council on the status of the City's progress in implementing the General
Plan, as described in Section 65400 of the Government Code. Because many of the individual
actions and programs act as mitigation for environmental impacts resulting from planned
Implementation Plan A-1
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
development pursuant to the General Plan, the annual report can also provide a means of
monitoring application of the mitigation measures as required by Public Resources Code
Section 21081.6. The programs should be updated annually concurrent with the budget process
and whenever the City s General Plan is amended or updated to ensure continued consistency
and usefulness.
Implementation Plan A- 2
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
LAND USE ELEMENT
This section includes actions that will assist City officials, staff, and the public to implement the
goals and policies of the Land Use Element.
.ca.o,...v-J: annuai xeview of General Plan. Annually review implementation of the
General Plan to identify the effect of land development and use on City revenues
and costs of providing public facilities and services.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Planning Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Annually
Related Policies: All
a v-c. %-nv a k-ompuance and Site Development Review. Comply with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in the review of proposed development
projects. Use the review process to require projects to address environmental
concerns, fund needed public facilities, recognize groundwater resources and
water quality, minimize traffic impacts, be compatible with surrounding
development, and comply with all use and development standards of the City.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Planning Division
Funding Source: Development Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: All
Action LU-3: Capital Improvement Program. Continue to implement and update the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) to address phasing and construction of roadway
and infrastructure improvements throughout the City. Use the five-year CIP
process to prioritize, finance, and complete projects identified in the CIP.
Update the CIP every two years to respond to changes in local priorities and
available funding sources.
Agency/Department: All departments associated with the CIP
Funding Source: Identified funding sources in the CIP
Time Frame: Annually
Related Policies: LU-2.6, CI-1.1, CI-1.6, CI-1.11, CI-1.12, R-2.3
Implementation Plan A- 3
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Action LU4: Operating Budget. Continue to adopt and update the City's Operating Budget
to maintain desired levels of City services and infrastructure.
Agency/Department: Finance Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Annually
Related Policies: LU-3.2, LU-3.3, LU-3.4, CI-2.4, CI-6.3, S-3.8, R-2.1
Action LU-5: Promote Manufacturing. Through zoning regulations and economic
development strategies and programs, promote manufacturing uses in the City.
Agency/Department: Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: General Fund; Redevelopment Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-1.1, LU-1.2, LU-1.4
Action LU-6: Lot Consolidation. Coordinate with property owners in consolidating and
merging properties for redevelopment of older and underutilized properties.
Look for opportunities for City purchase of properties for assemblage and resale.
Agency/Department: Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: General Fund, Redevelopment Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-2.2, LU-2.4,
Action LU-7: Redevelopment Plans. Continue to implement the Redevelopment Plan for the
Vernon Redevelopment Area in an effort to revitalize blighted properties and
improve overall development conditions within the redevelopment plan area.
Agency/Department: Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: Redevelopment Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-2.1, LU-2.2, LU-2.3, LU-2.4, LU-3.5
Action LU-8: Code Enforcement. Continue to enforce property maintenance standards, noise
regulations, and other property related regulatory standards in the Zoning Code,
City Code, and other City ordinances, in efforts to keep properties throughout
the City well maintained, and to prevent blight by neglect.
Agency/Department:
Funding Source:
Time Frame:
Related Policies:
Implementation Plan A- 4
Community Services Department
General Funds
Ongoing
LU-2.3, LU-3.1, H-1.1, S-3.4
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
ELEMENT
This section includes actions that will assist City officials, staff, and the public to implement the
goals and policies of the Circulation and Infrastructure Element.
Action CI-1: Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC). Conduct a
study to determine if ATSAC would be a beneficial and cost-effective system for
the City to operate and maintain.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: General Fund, State Gas Tax; grants
Time Frame: Complete by 2008
Related Policies: CI-1.12
action a-z: irattic Control, Safety, and Maintenance. Complete intersection capacity
improvements, provide for the widening of Soto Street, and improve striping
and signage as set forth in the Circulation and Infrastructure Element and
General Plan Program EIR.
Agency/ Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: State Gas Tax; grants; General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-1.6, CI-1.7, CI-1.8, CI-1.13
Action CI-3: Soto Street Widening. At the time properties along Soto Street are redeveloped
or as otherwise dictated by City plans for the widening of Soto Street, require the
dedication of right-of-way to . achieve the road standard for Soto Street
established in the Circulation and Infrastructure Element. Complete the road
widening project at the time adequate right-of-way has been acquired and/or
dedicated.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Planning and
Public Works Divisions
Funding Source: State Gas Tax; grants; General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing for dedication; complete widening by 2015
Related Policies: CI-1.6, CI-1.7, CI-1.8, CI-1.13
Action CI4: Coordinate with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Continue to coordinate intersection
maintenance and improvements with adjacent jurisdictions so that intersections
along Soto Street, Pacific Boulevard, Slauson Avenue, Alameda Street, Atlantic
Boulevard, Bandini Boulevard, and Downey Road operate at an acceptable Level
of Service.
Implementation Plan A- 5
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-1.9, CI-1.11
Action CI-5: Coordinate with Rail Companies. Coordinate with railroad companies in
removing obsolete rail spurs. Work to minimize traffic impacts to City streets
from trucks using Hobart Yard facilities and other multi -modal transportation
yards.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department,
Planning and Public Works Divisions
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-1.2, CI-1.4, CI-1.12
Action CI-6: Interstate 710 Freeway Improvements. Work with Caltrans on all plans,
activities, and projects regarding Interstate 710 that may directly impact
Vernon's roadway facilities and traffic patterns. Coordinate with the Gateway
Cities Council of Governments and Southern California Association of
Governments with studies and programs regarding the improvements to the I-
710 freeway
Agency/Department: Community Services Department,
Planning and Public Works Divisions
Funding Source: General Funds; Redevelopment Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-1.11
Action CI-7: Minimize Parking Impacts. Work with businesses to develop creative strategies
and solutions to address parking shortages. Require new development projects
to meet the minimum parking standards in the Zoning Ordinance for both trucks
and automobiles, including truck trailer storage, employee parking, and visitor
parking.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Planning Division
Funding Source: Development Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-2.1, CI-2.2, CI-2.3, CI-2.4
Implementation Plan A- 6
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
.ycimn �.r-o: metropoutan Transportation Authority. Work with the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro) to achieve the following:
• Implement the Metro's Congestion Management Plan (CMP) within the City.
• Continue to provide local and regional connections through Metro local and
rapid bus lines.
• Improve access to local Metro stations.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-1.9, CI-1.10, CI-1.13
Action CI-9: Water Services and Supplies. As needed, require studies to determine water
infrastructure requirements for future development projects, and determine
which recommendations should be incorporated into the design of projects. As
permitted by law, require the dedication of necessary rights -of -way and
construction of water infrastructure improvements for all new development
projects.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Water Department
Funding Source: Water Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-3.1, CI-3.2, CI-3.3, CI,3.4
a_.r-.u: urvan water management Plan. Continue to implement and update Vernon s
Urban Water Management Plan in an effort to provide long-term planning and
visioning for managing its water resources and providing a reliable supply of
water.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Water Department
Funding Source: Water Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-3.1, CI-3.3, S-1.4
�.�..�.�._.-u: rvater uuarrty. lontinue to maintain the quality of Vernon's drinking water by
inspecting water well installations and monitoring general water quality.
Continue to take routine water samples at various locations in the City and
submit them to a water quality laboratory for analysis. Promote working with
water agencies that supply water to Vernon to ensure adequate water quality.
Implementation Plan A- 7
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Water Department
Funding Source: Water Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-3.3
Action CI-12: Cross Connection Control Program. Continue to implement the Cross
Connection Control Program, which provides additional protection for the
drinking water system. The function of the program is to prevent the water
supply from being contaminated by the backflow of industrial fluids through the
inspection of water piping systems, and the permitting and installation of
specific plumbing devices at locations where there is a potential for backflow
resulting in contamination. Backflow prevention devices are required to be
tested annually by certified testers.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Water Department and
Environmental Health Department
Funding Source: Water Rates and Health Permit Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-3.1
Action CI-13: Energy. Continue to provide high quality electric and gas services to Vernon
businesses at competitive rates.
Agency/Department: Light and Power Department; Gas Department
Funding Source: Electric and Gas Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-6.1, CI-6.2, CI-6.3, CI-6.4, CI-6.5, R-1.2
Action CI-14: National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) Compliance.
Prior to making land use decisions, the City will utilize available methods to
estimate increases in pollutant loads and flows resulting from projected future
development. In addition, applicants for new development and redevelopment
projects shall be required to demonstrate accomplishment of the following
NPDES objectives:
Use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to mitigate projected increases in
pollutant loads and flows.
Minimized pollutant loading during and after construction.
Limited disturbance of natural water bodies and natural drainage systems.
Pollution prevention methods, source controls and treatment using small
collection strategies located at, or as close as possible to, the source.
Implementation Plan A- 8
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department: Environmental Health Department and Community Services
Department
Funding Source: Development Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-5.4, R-1.3
Action CI-15: Wastewater Treatment Services and Sewer Maintenance and Upgrades. As
needed, require studies to determine sewer infrastructure requirements for
future development projects, and determine which recommendations should be
incorporated into the design of projects. As permitted by law, require the
dedication of necessary right-of-way and construction of sewer infrastructure
improvements for all new development projects. Continue to provide funding to
repair, maintain, and upgrade the City s wastewater collection system.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: Development Fees, General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-4.1, CI-4.2, CI-4.3
Action CI-16: Storm Drain Maintenance and Quality. As needed, prepare studies to
determine the adequacy of the storm drain infrastructure for development
proposals and/or to prevent localized flooding. Require developers to
incorporate necessary improvements into the design of the project. Continue to
monitor storm drains and water quality in an ongoing effort to prevent pollution
of the storm drain system which leads directly to the Los Angeles River.
Continue to monitor storm water control activities through hazardous materials
inspections and continue to provide educational materials for businesses
regarding storm water pollution.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division;
Environmental Health Department
Funding Source: Health Permit Fees; development fees; General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-5.1, CI-5.2, CI-5.3, CI-5.4
�1-ii: -.ommunity Information. Continue to use communications services, such as the
City's website, to inform interested parties of information regarding
announcements and upcoming events, as well as information about City
departments, business permitting requirements, etc. .
Agency/Department: Information Technology Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-7.1
Implementation Plan A- 9
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Action CI-18: High Technology Services. Continue to offer fiber-optic cabling and other state-
of-the-art communication services to Vernon businesses. Encourage data centers
to locate in Vernon. Consider ways to provide wireless communications services
to all areas of the City.
Agency/Department: Information Technology Department
Funding Source: General Fund and Fiber Optic Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-7.1
Action CI-19: New Sidewalks and Ramps. Provide funding for new sidewalks and ramps
throughout the City. Place priority on replacing sidewalks that have been
identified as deficient and a hazard to the public safety.
Agency/Department:
Funding Source:
Time Frame:
Related Policies:
Implementation Plan A-10
Community Services Department, Public Works Division
City Parcel Tax; General Fund
Ongoing
CI-1.1
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
HOUSING ELEMENT
The specific action programs contained in the Housing Element will assist City officials, staff,
and the public to implement the goals and policies of the Housing Element, consistent with
State law. These action programs are summarized here.
Action H-1: Maintenance of City -Owned Residences. The City owns 26 of the total 31
housing units in Vernon, all of which are rented. The City is responsible for the
maintenance and upkeep of these units. The City has initiated an extensive
renovation project on all City -owned units to ensure the continued longevity of
existing units, recently completing renovations on 12 units. An additional 6 units
are currently undergoing rehabilitation (anticipated completion by July 2008).
The City plans to renovate the remaining 8 units by the end of 2011. The City
will continue to provide maintenance to these units, thus ensuring upkeep for
the majority of Vernon's housing stock.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: Complete current renovations (6 units) by July 2008. Complete
remaining renovations (8 units) by December 2011.
Related Policies: H-1.1, H-1.2, H-1.3, H-2.1
Action 1-2: Code Enforcement. Of the five non -City owned units located in Vernon, none
was determined by the City to be in need of substantial rehabilitation.
Community Services staff will actively monitor all residential units in the City to
ensure the health and safety of City residents. Staff will respond to reports of
code violations within the week that they are reported, and enforce applicable
laws to ensure the safety and preservation of all housing units within the City.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Planning and Building Divisions
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-1.1, H-1.2, H-1.3, H-2.1
Action H-3: Preservation of Assisted Housing. State law (Chapter 1451, Statutes of 1989)
requires the City to identify, analyze and propose programs within the Housing
Element to address the potential conversion of all federal, State and locally
assisted housing developments eligible to change to non -low-income use during
the next ten-year period (2008-2018). There is no housing at risk of losing its
subsidized status that must be considered in the Housing Element.
Implementation Plan A-11
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department: Community Services Department
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-1.1, H-1.3, H-2.1
Action H-4: Housing Opportunities for Residents with Special Needs. The Fair Housing
Act, as amended in 1988, requires that cities and counties provide reasonable
accommodation to rules, policies, practices, and procedures where such
accommodation may be necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal
housing opportunities. To create a process for making requests for reasonable
accommodation, the City will draft and adopt procedures to provide exceptions
in zoning and building codes for housing for persons with disabilities and
provide information to residents via public counters and the City's website. This
procedure will be a ministerial process, with minimal or no processing fee,
subject to approval by the Director of Community Services applying the
following decision -making criteria:
• The request for reasonable accommodation will be used by an individual
with a disability protected under fair housing laws.
• The requested accommodation is necessary to make housing available to an
individual with a disability protected under fair housing laws.
• The requested accommodation would not impose an undue financial or
administrative burden on the City.
The requested accommodation would not require a fundamental alteration in
the nature of the City's land use and zoning program.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: June 2009
Related Policies: H-2.2, H-3.1
Action H-5: Priority Water and Sewer Services. In accordance with Government Code
Section 65589.7 as revised in 2005, after the Vernon Housing Element is adopted
by City Council, a copy will be immediately delivered to all public agencies or
private entities that provide water or sewer services to properties within Vernon.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: 2008
Related Policies: H-1.1, H-2.1
Action H-6: Equal Housing Opportunity. The Vernon City Clerk's Department is
responsible for referring equal housing opportunity questions. Any questions or
concerns raised by residents will be accepted by the City Clerk and brought
before City Council for resolution. In order to disseminate information on fair
Implementation Plan A- 12
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
housing resources more broadly throughout the City, a Frequently Asked
Questions brochure on fair housing (FAQ) will be drafted by the City and be
made available on the City s website and at public counters. The FAQ will
include a listing of fair housing resources, in addition to briefly explaining
existing fair housing laws and resident rights.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, City Clerk
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: June 2009
Related Policies: H-3.1
Implementation Plan A-13
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
SAFETY ELEMENT
This section includes actions that will assist City officials, staff, and the public to implement the
goals and policies of the Safety Element.
Action S-1: Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Encourage the Los Angeles County
Flood Control District to regularly maintain flood control channels and
structures within its jurisdiction to protect properties from flood hazard, and to
complete necessary repairs in a timely manner.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Public Works Division
Funding Source: Los Angeles County
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-4.3
Action S-2: Geologic Hazard Assessments. Pursuant to state law, geologic and/or
geotechnical studies are required for proposed new development projects
located in areas identified as susceptible to liquefaction. Compliance with the
recommendations set forth in site specific geologic and/or geotechnical studies
will be made a condition of the site development permit for all new development
projects.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Building Division
Funding Source: Development Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.1
Action S-3: Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Multi -Hazard
Functional Plan. Continue to implement the City's SEMS Multi -Hazard
Functional Plan according to requirements and provisions of the State's
Standardized Emergency Management system. Establish community evacuation
routes and when necessary, provide emergency shelter facilities.
Agency/Department: Police and Fire Departments
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.1, S-1.5, S-3.1, S-3.7, S-4.1, S-4.3, S-4.4
Action S-4: Water Department's Emergency Response and Recovery Plan. Implement the
Emergency Response and Recovery Plan in the event of natural disasters,
technological incidents, and national securities emergencies to safeguard the
City's water supply and service area.
Implementation Plan A-14
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department: Community Services Department; Water Department
Funding Source: Water Rates
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.4
Action S-5: Adequate Public Safety and Emergency Response. Evaluate the need for
additional fire and police facilities and resources. Require adequate street
widths and clearance for emergency access.
Agency/Department: Vernon Police and Fire Departments;
Community Services Department
Funding Source: General Funds; state and federal grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.2, S-1.3, S-1.5, S-3.3
Action S-6: City of Vernon Fire Department. Provide emergency response services to
Vernon businesses covering fire protection, medical emergencies, urban search
and rescue, and hazardous materials control. If the City budget permits,
continue to maintain the Class I rating for the Fire Department by the Insurance
Services Office and provide Vernon s fire personnel with the most advanced fire
and rescue training and with state -of the -art equipment and apparatus.
Agency/Department: Fire Department
Funding Source: General Fund; State and federal grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-3.3, S-3.4, S-3.5, S•3.6, S-3.8, S-4.2
Action S-7: Hazardous Materials Monitoring Program (Ordinance 961). Continue to
implement the Hazardous Materials Monitoring Program that monitors
establishments where hazardous materials are produced, stored, handled,
disposed of, treated, emitted, discharged, or recycled. The Program also directs
and coordinates emergency response in the event of releases of hazardous
materials.
Agency/Department: Environmental Health and Fire Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-2.1, S-2.2, S-3.2
Implementation Plan A-15
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Action S-8: Hazardous Waste. Continue to implement activities so that hazardous wastes
generated by Vernon businesses are handled and disposed according to federal,
state, and local regulations. Assist businesses and consultants in the preparation
and oversight of site assessments and mitigation activities. To minimize present
and future threats to human health and the environment, the program actively
promotes waste reduction options for hazardous waste generators.
Agency/ Department: Environmental Health Department
Funding Source: Permit Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-2.1, S-2.2, S-3.2
Action S-9: Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances (Ordinance 944). Continue to
implement the Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances program to
regulate the permitting, inspection, installation, and removal of underground
tanks. Operating permits are issued following the proper installation and testing
of tank systems with appropriate leak detection equipment.
Agency/Department:
Funding Source:
Time Frame:
Related Policies:
Implementation Plan A-16
Environmental Health Department
Permit Fees
Ongoing
S-2.1, S-2.2, S-3.2
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
RESOURCES ELEMENT
This section includes actions that will assist City officials, staff, and the public to implement the
goals and policies of the Resources Element.
_�-.. ouppurr vvarer conservation. Conduct public education to raise business and
property owner awareness about the need for water conservation. Use the City's
website to promote and encourage the use of water conservation activities and
water -conserving fixtures for industrial businesses.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department; Public Works Department; Water
Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CI-3.4, R-1.1
Action R-2: Promote Energy Conservation. Continue to promote energy conservation by the
public and private sector. Continue to implement Title 24 standards in building
codes and work with energy providers to encourage energy conservation
activities and promote energy conservation programs. Use the City website and
City events to educate the public about the availability of energy conservation
programs.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Building Division; Light and
Power Department; Gas Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: R-1.2
Action R-3: Enforce Title 24 Energy Code. Update building code as needed to adhere to the
most recent California s State Title 24 Energy Code to ensure more energy -
efficient development.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department, Building Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: R-1.2
«_�,� •�-Y: �uurulnare wnn Utner Agencies. Continue to participate and coordinate with
the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and neighboring
jurisdictions to identify and encourage projects that improve mobility and
reduce congestion on major roadways. Implement and interpret the General
Plan in a manner consistent with SCAQMD's Air Quality Management Plan.
Implementation Plan A-17
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
Agency/Department:
Funding Source:
Time Frame:
Related Policies:
Implementation Plan A- I8
Community Services Department
General Fund
Ongoing
R-2.1. R-2.2. R-2.3, R-2.4
Vernon General Plan
Implementation Plan
NOISE ELEMENT
This section includes actions that will assist City officials, staff, and the public to implement the
goals and policies of the Noise Element.
Action N-1: Noise Regulations.
Continue to enforce City noise regulations contained in the Zoning Ordinance to
protect residents and school children from excessive noise levels associated with
stationary noise sources. Periodically evaluate regulations for adequacy and
revise, as needed, to address community needs and changes in legislation and
technology. (Implementation Measure N-1)
Agency/Department: Community Services Department; Environmental Health Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.1, N-1.2, N-1.3, N-2.1, N-2.2, N-3.1, N-3.2, N-3.3
Action N-2: Siting of New Businesses near Noise -sensitive Land Uses.
Review development proposals at properties to determine whether the proposed
use has the potential to exceed City one -hour noise standards. As appropriate,
require acoustical analyses for all proposed activities that have the potential to
exceed the standards, and require mitigation measures if noise analyses show an
increase in noise levels beyond the City standards.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department; Environmental Health Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.1, N-1.2, N-1.3, N-2.1, N-2.2, N-3.1, N-3.2, N-3.3
Action N-3: Noise Insulation Standards.
Implement provisions of the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24) that
specify that indoor noise levels for multi -family residential living spaces shall
not exceed 45 dB CNEL.
Agency/Department: Community Services Department
Funding Source: Development Fees
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.1, N-1.2, N-1.3, N-2.1, N-2.2, N-3.1, N-3.2
Implementation Plan A-19
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Implementation Plan A- 20
VERNON GENERAL PLAN
APPENDIX B:
GLOSSARY
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
GLOSSARY
This Glossary draws from the California General Plan Glossary (from the State of
California General Plan Guidelines) as the basis for definitions of abbreviations and
terms used in the Vernon General Plan. Additional definitions have been added that are
specific to Vernon.
Access: A way of approaching or entering a property, including ingress (the right to
enter) and egress (the right to leave).
Affordable Housing: Under state and federal statutes, housing that costs no more than
30 percent of gross household income. Housing costs include rent or mortgage
payments, utilities, taxes, insurance, homeowner association fees, and other related
costs.
Air Basin: A geographical area in California defined as a distinct air basin for the
purpose of managing the air resources of the state on a regional basis. An air basin
generally has similar meteorological and geographic conditions throughout.
Air Quality Standards: The prescribed (by the Environmental Protection Agency and
the California Air Resources Board) level of pollutants in the outside air that cannot be
exceeded legally during a specified time in a specified geographical area.
Ancillary Use: An activity or use on a property that is directly related to a main use on
the same property, and is subordinate and directly related to, and dependent upon, a
principal use, building or structure.
Aquifer: An underground, water -bearing layer of earth, porous rock, sand, or gravel
through which water can seep or held in natural storage. Aquifers generally hold water
to be used as a water supply.
Arterial: A major street carrying the traffic of local and collector streets to and from
freeways and other major streets, with controlled intersections and generally providing
direct access to nonresidential properties.
At -grade intersection: A junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same
level.
A -Weighted Decibel (dBA): A numerical method of rating human judgment of.
loudness. The A -weighted scale reduces the effects of low and high frequencies in order
to simulate human hearing.
Biodiesel: A diesel -equivalent processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as
vegetable oils) which can be used in unmodified diesel -engine vehicles.
Glossary - /
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): A state law enacted in 1971 that
requires governmental agencies at all levels to consider the impact proposed projects
may have on the environment.
Caltrans: California Department of Transportation
Census: The official decennial enumeration of the population conducted by the federal
government.
City: City, with a capital "C," generally refers to the government or administration of the
City of Vernon. City, with a lower case "c" may mean any city.
Conservation: The management of natural resources to prevent waste, destruction, or
neglect.
CNEL: Community Noise Equivalent Level. In order to account for increased human
sensitivity at night, this measure weights the average noise level at night by adding five
dB to the measurement during the 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. time period and an additional
ten dB on noise measured during the 10: P.M. to 7:00 A.M. time period. Vernon uses this
measure in its noise standard.
Collector: A relatively low -speed and low -volume street for moving traffic between
arterial and local streets, and generally providing direct access to properties.
Councils of Governments: Regional bodies that exist throughout the United States,
typically defined to serve an area of several counties, and address issues such as regional
and municipal planning, economic and community development, cartography and GIS,
hazard mitigation and emergency planning, aging services, water use, pollution control,
transit administration, and transportation planning. Vernon is part of the Gateway Cities
Council of Governments (COG).
Compatibility: The characteristics of different uses or activities that permit them to be
located near each other in harmony and without conflict. The designation of permitted
and conditionally permitted uses in zoning districts is intended to achieve compatibility
within the district.
Consistent: Free from variation or contradiction
Dam inundation: Structural damage to a dam resulting in a flood. Dam failure can
occur due to an earthquake, erosion, design flaw, or water overflow during storms.
Decibel (dB): A unit measuring the magnitude of a sound, equal to the logarithm of the
ratio of the intensity of the sound to the intensity of an arbitrarily chosen standard
sound, specifically a sound just barely audible to an unimpaired human ear. For
environmental noise from aircraft and other transportation sources, an A -weighted
sound level (abbreviated dBA) is normally used. The A -weighting scale adjusts the
Glossary - 2
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
values of different sound frequencies to approximate the auditory sensitivity of the
human ear.
Dedication: The turning over by an owner or developer of private land for public use,
and the acceptance of land for such use by the governmental agency having jurisdiction
over the public function for which it will be used.
Derailment: An accident on a railway whereby a train leaves the rails.
Designation: A generalized category of land use type, with associated standards of use
and development.
Development: Development has the meaning of Section 65927 (California Government
Code) and is also any human -caused change to improved or unimproved real estate that
requires a permit or approval from any agency of the city or county, including but not
limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving,
excavation or drilling operations and storage of materials. "Development' means, on
land, in or under water, the placement or erection of any solid material or structure;
discharge or disposal of any dredged material or of any gaseous, liquid, solid, or
thermal waste; grading, removing, dredging, mining or extraction of any materials;
change in the density or intensity of use of land, including, but not limited to,
subdivision pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (commencing with Section 66410 of
the Government Code), and any other division of land except where the land division is
brought about in connection with the purchase of such land by a public agency for
public recreational use; change in the intensity of use of water, or of access thereto;
construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration of the size of any structure,
including any facility of any private, public, or municipal utility; and the removal or
harvesting of major vegetation other than for agricultural purposes, kelp harvesting, and
timber operations which are in accordance with a timber harvesting plan submitted
pursuant to the provisions of the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973
(commencing with Section 4511 of the Public Resources Code). As used in this section,
"structure" includes, but is not limited to, any building, road, pipe, flume conduit,
siphon, aqueduct, telephone line, and electrical power transmission and distribution
line. "Development' does not mean a "change of organization", as defined in
Government Code Section 56021 or a "reorganization', as defined in Government Code
Section 56073.
Element: A division of the General Plan referring to a topic area for which goals,
policies, and programs are defined (e.g., land use, housing, circulation).
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): The United States agency charged with
setting policy and guidelines and carrying out legal mandates for the protection of
national interests in environmental resources.
Fault: A fracture in the earth's crust forming a boundary between rock masses that have
shifted.
Glossary - 3
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
Floor -Area Ratio (FAR): The floor area of the building or buildings on a site or lot
divided by the area of the site or lot.
General Plan: A legal document which takes the form of a map and accompanying text
adopted by the local legislative body. The plan is a compendium of policies regarding
the long-term development of a jurisdiction. The state requires the preparation of seven
elements or divisions as part of the plan: land use, housing, circulation, conservation,
open space, noise, and safety.
Ground Shaking: Ground movement resulting from the transmission of seismic waves
during an earthquake.
Groundwater: The supply of fresh water under the ground surface in an aquifer or soil
that forms a natural reservoir.
Hazardous Materials: An injurious substance, including pesticides, herbicides, toxic
metals and chemicals, liquefied natural gas, explosives, volatile chemicals, and nuclear
fuels.
Historic: A historic building or site is one that is noteworthy for its significance in local,
state, or national history or culture, its architecture or design, or its works of art,
memorabilia, or artifacts.
Household: According to the Census, a household is all persons living in a dwelling
unit, whether or not they are related. Both a single person living in an apartment and a
family living in a house are considered households.
Implementation: An action, procedure, program, or technique that carries out General
Plan policy.
Intensity: the total building square footage, percent of lot coverage, or floor -area ratio
established on a property. For the purposes of this General Plan, the intensity of non-
residential development is described through the use of floor -area ratio.
Intersection: Where two or more roads cross at grade.
Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU): A tool for measuring a roadway intersection's
capacity. The method is applied using peak hour volumes and considers the geometric
configuration of intersections when measuring capacity.
Land Use: A description of how land is occupied or used.
Glossary - 4
Vernon General Plan
Level of Service (LOS): The efficiency and quality of traffic operations. Six categories of
LOS - the letter designations A to F - are used to identify traffic conditions, with LOS A
representing excellent conditions and LOS F representing extreme congestion.
Liquefaction: A process by which water saturated granular soils transform from a solid
to a liquid state due to groundshaking. This phenomenon usually results from shaking
from energy waves released in an earthquake.
Local Street: A street providing direct access to properties and designed to discourage
through traffic.
Lot: A legally recognized parcel of land abutting on one or more public or city -approved
private streets.
Lot coverage: The percentage of the total lot area covered by structures.
Lot line: A line bounding a lot as described in a property survey.
Mitigate: To ameliorate, alleviate, or avoid to the extent reasonably feasible
Noise: Any sound which exceeds the appropriate actual or presumed ambient noise
level which annoys or tends to disturb humans, or which causes or tends to cause an
adverse psychological or physiological effect on humans.
Noise Contours: Continuous lines of equal noise level usually drawn around a noise
source, such as an airport or highway. The lines are generally drawn in five -decibel
increments so that they resemble elevation contours in topographic maps.
Nonconforming Use: An established use of a building or land which was legally
initiated but which does not conform to the present code because of subsequent changes
in land use regulations.
Open Space (general descriptive term): Land without buildings. This is a general,
descriptive term which places no restrictions on the use of the land. The definition of
open space includes constructed open space (e.g. parks and plazas) and natural open
space (essentially unimproved, with native habitat).
Overcrowding- The federal government defines an overcrowded household as one with
more than one person per room, excluding bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and porches.
Severely overcrowded households are households with greater than 1.5 persons per
room.
Overlay: A land use designation or a zoning designation that modifies the basic
underlying designation in some specific manner.
Glossary - 5
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
Overpayment: State and federal standards specify overpayment occurs if a household
pays 30 percent or more of its gross income on housing.
Parcel: The basic unit of land entitlement. A designated area of land established by
plat, subdivision, or otherwise legally defined and permitted to be used or built upon.
Planning Area: The planning area is the land areas addressed by the General Plan. For a
city, the planning area boundary typically coincides with the sphere of influence and
encompasses land both within the City limits and potentially annexable land.
PM (Particulate matter): Solid or liquid particles of soot, dust, smoke, fumes, and
aerosols.
PMio: Particulate matter less than 10 microns. A major air pollutant consisting of tiny
solid or liquid particles of soot, dust, smoke, fumes and aerosols. The size of the
particles (10 microns or smaller, about 0.0004 inches or less) allows them to easily enter
the air sacs in the lungs where they may be deposited, resulting in adverse health effects.
PMro also causes visibility reduction and is a criteria air pollutant.
Private: Of or concerning a particular person or group; not owned by a government
body.
Public: Of the people as a whole, or for the use and benefit of all.
Rail yard: A complex series of railroad tracks for storing, sorting, or loading/unloading,
railroad cars and/or locomotives. Yards may have multiple industries adjacent to them
where railroad cars are loaded or unloaded and then stored before they move on to their
new destination.
Reclaimed water: Former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated and purified for
reuse, rather than discharged into a body of water. Also known as recycled water.
Recycled water: See "reclaimed water."
Redevelopment: Redevelopment, under the California Community Redevelopment
Law, is a process with the authority, scope, and financing mechanisms necessary to
provide stimulus to reverse current negative business trends, remedy blight, provide job
development incentives, and create a new image for a community. It provides for the
planning, development, redesign, clearance, reconstruction, or rehabilitation, or any
combination of these, and the provision of public and private improvements as may be
appropriate or necessary in the interest of the general welfare. In a more general sense,
redevelopment is a process in which existing development and use of land is replaced
with newer development and/or use.
Regional: Pertaining to activities or economies at a scale greater than that of a single
jurisdiction and affecting a broad homogeneous area.
Glossary - 6
Vernon General Plan
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA): The Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) is based on State of California projections of population growth
and housing unit demand and assigns a share of the region's future housing need to
each jurisdiction within the SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments)
region. These housing need numbers serve as the basis for the update of the Housing
Element in each California city and county.
Regulation: A rule or order prescribed for managing government
Remediation: Removal of pollution or contaminants from environmental media such as
soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water for the general protection of human health
and the environment.
Rendering: Rendering is a process that converts waste animal tissue into stable, value-
added materials. Rendering can refer generally to any processing of animal byproducts
into more useful materials, or more narrowly to the rendering of whole animal fatty
tissue into purified fats like lard or suet.
Right-of-way: A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by certain
transportation and public use facilities, such as roads, railroads, and utility lines.
Sanitary Sewer: A system of subterranean conduits that carries refuse liquids or waste
matter to a plant where the sewage is treated, as contrasted with storm drainage systems
(that carry surface water) and septic tanks or leach fields (that hold refuse liquids and
waste matter on site)
Seismic: Caused by or subject to earthquakes or earth vibrations
Setback: The distance from a defined point of line governing the placement of buildings,
structures, parking, or uses on a lot.
Sewer: Any pipe or conduit used to collect and carry away wastewater from the
generating source to a treatment plant or discharge outfall.
Site: A parcel of land used or intended for one use or a group of uses and having
frontage on a public or an approved private street.
Slaughtering: The killing of animals to produce food products.
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG): The Southern California
Association of Governments is a regional planning agency that encompasses six
counties: Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura.
SCAG is responsible for preparation of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment
(RHNA).
Glossary - 7
Vernon General Plan
Special Needs Groups: Those segments of the population which have a more difficult
time finding decent affordable housing due to special circumstances. Under state
planning law, these special needs groups consist of seniors, disabled, large households,
female -headed households with children, farmworkers, homeless, and students.
Special Assessment District: A unique geographic area in which the market value of
real estate is enhanced due to the influence of a public improvement and in which a tax
is apportioned to recover the costs of the public improvement.
Sphere of Influence: The probable physical boundaries and service area of a local
agency, as determined by the Local Agency Formation Commission of the county.
Spur rail line: A short side track that connects with the main track of a railroad system.
Standards: (1) A rule or measure establishing a level of quality or quantity that must be
complied with or satisfied. The California Government Code (Section 65302) requires
that General Plans describe "standards". Examples of standards might include the
number of acres of parkland per 1,000 population that the community will attempt to
acquire and improve. (2) Requirements in a zoning ordinance that govern building and
development as distinguished from use restrictions; for example, site design regulations
such as lot area, height limit, frontage, landscaping, and floor area ratio.
Stormwater runoff: Stormwater is a term used to describe water that originates during
precipitation events or runoff water from overwatering that enters the stormwater
system. Stormwater that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff, which
either flows into surface waterways or is channeled into storm sewers.
Subdivision: The division of a tract of land into defined lots, either improved or
unimproved, which can be separately conveyed by sale or lease, and which can be
altered or developed. "Subdivision" includes a condominium project as defined in
Section 1350 of the California Civil Code and a community apartment project as defined
in Section 11004 of the Business and Professions Code.
Tax increment: Additional tax revenues that result from increases in property values
within a redevelopment area. State law permits the tax increment to be earmarked for
redevelopment purposes but requires at least 20 percent to be used to increase and
improve the community's supply of affordable housing.
Toxic: Poisonous.
Traffic Model: A mathematical representation of traffic movement within an area or
region based on observed relationships between the kind and intensity of development
in specific areas.
Units At -Risk of Conversion: Housing units that are currently restricted to low-income
housing use and will become unrestricted and possibly be lost as low-income housing.
Glossary - 8
Vernon General Plan
Use: The purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, or intended, or for
which the land or building may be occupied or maintained.
Vacant: Lands or buildings that are not actively used for any purpose.
Volume -to -Capacity Ratio (V/C): A ratio between volume and theoretical roadway
capacity, V/C is used to measure the performance of roadway facilities. Volume is
established either by a traffic count (in the case of current volumes) or by a forecast for a
future point in time. Capacity refers to the vehicle carrying ability of a roadway at free
flow speed.
Zoning: The division of a city or county by legislative regulations into areas, or zones,
which specify allowable uses for real property and size restrictions for buildings within
these areas; a program that implements policies of the General Plan. Requirements vary
between zones, but they must be uniform within the same zone. The Zoning Code
consists of a map and text. Vernon refers to its zoning code as the Zoning Ordinance.
Zoning Map: The officially adopted zoning map of the city specifying the location of
zoning districts within all geographic areas of the city.
Glossary - 9
Vernon General Plan
Glossary
This page intentionally left blank.
Glossary -10
VERNON GENERAL PLAN
APPENDIX C
HOUSING ELEMENT
APPENDIX
Vernon General Plan
Housing Element
Residential Units within the City of Vernon Jurisdiction
1.
3376 E. 50th Street
17.
4323 Furlong Place
2.
3378 E. 50th Street
18.
4324 Furlong Place
3.
3380 E. 50th Street
20.
4326 Furlong Place
4.
3382 E. 50th Street
21.
4327 Furlong Place
5.
3384 E. 50th Street
22.
4328 Furlong Place
6.
3386 E. 50th Street
23.
4329 Furlong Place
7.
3388 E. 50th Street
24.
4330 Furlong Place
8.
3390 E. 50th Street
25.
2328 E. Vernon Avenue
9.
3345 Fruitland Avenue
26.
2332 E. Vernon Avenue
10.
3349 Fruitland Avenue
27.
2334 E. Vernon Avenue
11.
3353 Fruitland Avenue
28.
3550 E. Vernon Avenue
12.
3357 Fruitland Avenue
29.
3560 E. Vernon Avenue
13.
3361 Fruitland Avenue
30.
2801 Leonis Boulevard
14.
3365 Fruitland Avenue
31.
2833 Leonis Boulevard
15.
4321 Furlong Place
16.
4322 Furlong Place
19.
4325 Furlong Place
Housing Element Appendix -C-1
f
• -' ..... •.... u-vu-rr .ru.r VVIYN\�,\I \t JIY\,ll'L'J
vi UVY
a CITY COUNCIL
LS0145 C MALOURG
Malror
THOMASA. MR11A
Mayor ry rTam
WM. "BILL" DAVIS
CoM&Mn
H' LARRY" GONZALBS
Cnuncatnen
W. MICELM MCCORMICK
Camcilmen
BRUCB V. MALKPNHORST
Car A,drNnlatnlnr/city Cie*
Chief Rxmtive oauvr of
ERIC T, FMCH
. 6tyAft=wj
CITY HALL
4305 SANTA.FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA 9003
TELEPHONE 08) 989-8fi11
May 26, 2005
Daniel Sheya
Research Specialist H
Demogmphic Research Unit
915 LStreot, $*floor
Sacramento. CA 95814
JOHN ICARNS
XaAe & Kaablan
Genew counsel
KHVIN WRSON
"'Gem of C MMUFWy 00ry 9 water
STEVEN P. PARIM
Fitt Chid
SOL M M'DiZ
PnIke Chef
LEIVIS I. POZzsBON
Director of Rnrtavae W lfaaf8\
RORY BURNM
Goruy, 8¢hnelder& Co. LLP
CityAaounfent
Acft Pfnence Dkedor
Sub*t: E-5 Chy/County Population and Housing Estimates for Individual
Conatles
Dear Mr. Sheya:
This letter is in response to your totter dated 'May 6, 2005. The City of Vernon would
like to thank you for the opportunity to review the ".F,5 C,,i ounty Papulatiot and
ity staX as reviewed the "Official
Housing Estimates for Individual Counties". The C
State Fstimtiiea as Of.Tanuary 1, 2005" data for the City of Vernon. Upon review of this
list we have found the foHowiug figures listed within the document are incorrect. The
City of Vernon is an industrial City with 31 housing units. The units -have been verifiod
and are accurate. As seen in the supporting documentation our original submittal was
accurate and we request that the list be corrected, Therefore, please change your records
to reflect "me figures.
Total $eusehold Group
96 96 0
Persons per household: 3.428
"Exr-halvely Industrial
'0 •.� � � v, .yyv, aaa uW\r itliJ
Dan 36eya
Page 2
Stay26, 2005
lfyou have any 11 mgarding'Ilia wafter you may eoutaot Sergio Canales of my
staff at (323) 583 881 extension 219.
Very truly yours.
zell
ou, P.E.
Director OfCommuwtyServiees and Water
SKW/ac
6
Appendix C
Standard Professional Services Contract
SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VERNON AND [CONTRACTOR'S
NAME] FOR [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES]
Contractor:
Responsible Principal of Contractor:
Notice Information - Contractor:
Notice Information - City:
Commencement Date:
Termination Date:
Consideration:
Records Retention Period
COVER PAGE
[insert name of contractor]
[insert name, title]
[insert name of contractor]
[insert insert street address]
[insert city, state, zip code]
Attention: [insert name, title]
Phone: [insert phone number]
Facsimile: [insert fax number]
City of Vernon
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon. CA 90058
Attention: Mark Whitworth,
Interim City Administrator
Telephone: (323) 583-8811 ext. 398
Facsimile: (323) 826-1408
[insert commencement date]
[insert termination date], unless extended
pursuant to Section 1
Total not to exceed $[insert amount]
(includes all applicable sales tax); and more
particularly described in Exhibit B
[insert number of years contractor must
retain records]
SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VERNON
AND [CONTRACTOR'S NAME] FOR [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
SERVICES]
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of 2011 ("Effective
Date"), by and between the City of Vernon, a California charter City and California municipal
corporation ("City"), and [Contractor's Name], a [State incorporated in] corporation
("Contractor'). City and Contractor are collectively referred to herein as the "Parties."
RECITALS
A. City desires to have certain [brief description of services] services provided as
more fully set forth in the Scope of Services, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit
A.
B. Contractor represents it is qualified and capable of furnishing the labor, materials,
and expertise necessary to perform such services in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Term and Time of Performance.
(a) This Agreement shall commence upon the Commencement Date listed
on the Cover Page, and shall remain and continue in effect through the Termination Date listed
on the Cover Page, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. City
may renew this Agreement on a year-to-year basis at its discretion. Any services performed
prior to the Effective Date listed above shall for all purposes be deemed to have been performed
pursuant to this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
(b) In the event that City renews this Agreement, Contractor may submit a
proposal to increase its rates no later than thirty (30) days after receiving notice of City's intent
to renew. Any increase in rates must be approved by City before such increase can take effect.
If City fails to approve the proposed increase within thirty (30) days of receipt, Contractor may
terminate the renewal by giving thirty (30) days written notice.
Section 2. Performance.
(a) Contractor shall perform the services and tasks described and set forth in
the Scope of Services, Exhibit A ("Services"). Additional services must be mutually agreed
upon in writing signed by both Parties prior to performance of those additional services.
(b) Contractor shall at all times faithfully, competently and to the best of its
ability, experience, and talent, perform all Services under this Agreement in accordance with the
standard of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of the profession currently practicing
in the same locality under similar circumstances and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to
City.
(c) Contractor shall keep itself informed of all local, state, and federal
ordinances, laws and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way
affect the performance of its Services pursuant to this Agreement. Contractor shall at all times
observe and comply with all such ordinances, laws and regulations. City, and its officers,
officials, employees, agents or volunteers shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by
failure of Contractor to comply with this paragraph.
(d) Contractor will not be compensated for any work performed not specified
in Exhibit A unless City authorizes such work in advance and in writing.
Section 3. Compensation.
(a) City agrees to compensate Contractor, and Contractor agrees to accept
in full satisfaction for the services and any supplies or goods required by this Agreement, a sum
not to exceed the Consideration set forth on the Cover Page and more particularly described in
Exhibit B. The Consideration shall constitute reimbursement of Contractor's fee for the Services
as well as for all actual and necessary expenditures reasonably incurred in the performance of
this Agreement (including without limitation, all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, delivery,
tax, assembly, and installation, as applicable).
(b) There shall be no claims for additional compensation for reimbursable
expenses and Contractor shall not be reimbursed for any additional expenses.
Section 4. Method of Payment. City shall pay Contractor the Consideration in
accordance with the method and schedule of payment set forth in Exhibit B.
Section 5. Responsible Principals.
(a) Contractor's Responsible Principal set forth on the Cover Page shall be
principally responsible for Contractor's obligations under this Agreement and shall serve as
principal liaison between City and Contractor. Designation of another Responsible Principal by
Contractor shall not be made without prior written consent of City.
(b) City's Responsible Principal shall be the City Administrator or his
designee who shall administer the terms of the Agreement on behalf of City.
Section 6. Personnel.
(a) All persons performing the services under this Agreement shall have all
the necessary technical expertise, permits, professional licenses, certificates, training, and other
qualifications required by this Agreement or other applicable laws. Contractor shall provide City
with said permits, licenses, and certificates at the request of City. At any time, and for any
reason or for no reason, City may request that Contractor replace any of Contractor's personnel.
(b) Contractor represents that it has, or shall secure at its own expense, all
personnel required to perform Contractor's Services under this Agreement. All personnel
engaged in the work shall be qualified to perform such Services.
Section 7. Permits and Licenses. Contractor shall obtain and maintain during the
Agreement term all necessary licenses, permits and certificates required by law for the provision
of services under this Agreement, including a business license.
Section 8. Access. Contractor shall comply with all reasonable access and other
restrictions that City may impose. No access to City property for performance of the Services
shall be permitted prior to delivery to City of proof of insurance paid and maintained by
Contractor.
Section 9. Contractor's Duties and Representations.
Contractor represents, covenants and agrees as follows:
(a) There are no obligations, commitments, or impediments of any kind that
will limit or prevent performance of the Services.
(b) Contractor presently has no interest and shall not have any interest, direct
or indirect, which would conflict in any manner with the performance of the Services
contemplated by this Agreement. No person having any such interest shall be employed by or
be associated with Contractor.
(c) There is no litigation pending against Contractor and Contractor is not the
subject of any criminal investigation or proceeding, and neither Contractor nor its personnel, to
its actual knowledge, have been convicted of a felony.
Section 10. Independent Contractor.
(a) Contractor is and shall at all times remain, as to City, a wholly
independent contractor. The personnel performing the Services under this Agreement on behalf
of Contractor shall at all times be under Contractor's exclusive direction and control. Neither
City nor any of its officers, officials, employees, agents, or volunteers shall have control over the
conduct of Contractor or any of Contractor's officers, employees, or agents except as set forth in
this Agreement. Contractor shall not at any time or in any manner represent that it or any of its
officers, employees, or agents are in any manner officers, officials, employees, agents, or
volunteers of City. Contractor shall not incur or have the power to incur any debt, obligation or
liability whatsoever against City, or bind City in any manner.
(b) No employee benefits shall be available to Contractor or its officers,
employees, or agents in connection with the performance of this Agreement. Except for
Consideration paid to Contractor as provided in the Agreement, City shall not pay salaries,
wages, or other compensation to Contractor for performing services hereunder for the City. City
shall not be liable for compensation or indemnification to Contractor or its officers, employees,
or agents for injury or sickness arising out of performing services hereunder.
Section 11. Termination.
(a) Termination Right. City may, at any time, for any reason or for no reason,
with or without cause, terminate this Agreement, by serving upon the Contractor at least five (5)
calendar days prior written notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Contractor shall immediately
cease all work under this Agreement, unless the notice provides otherwise.
(b) In the event of termination or cancellation of this Agreement by City, due
to no fault or failure of performance by Contractor, Contractor shall be paid based on the
percentage of work satisfactorily performed at the time of termination. In no event shall
Contractor be entitled to receive more than the amount that would be paid to Contractor for the
full performance of the services required by this Agreement. Contractor shall have no other
claim against City by reason of such termination, including any claim for compensation.
0
(c) Actions Subsequent to Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement, Contractor shall deliver all Confidential Information, as defined in Section 13 below,
to City within thirty (30) days after the termination of this Agreement. Contractor shall also take
all such other action as City reasonably requires and shall cooperate with City to effectuate an
orderly and systematic termination of Contractor's duties and activities hereunder.
(d) All of the terms and conditions in the Agreement related to payment,
confidentiality, indemnification, dispute resolution and waiver shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
Section 12. Limitation of City's Liability. City's liability on any kind of claim for any
loss or damage arising out of, in connection with, or resulting from this Agreement, shall in no
case exceed the amount that would be paid to Contractor for the full performance of the
services required by this Agreement. In no event shall City be liable for anticipated profits or for
incidental, consequential or punitive damages. City shall not be liable for penalties of any
description.
Section 13. Confidential Status; Disclosure of Information.
(a) Confidential Status; Disclosure of Information. All data, floor plans,
designs, maps, surveys, drawings, models, reports, logs, documents, materials or other
information developed or created by Contractor, received by Contractor, or provided to
Contractor for the performance of this Agreement ("Confidential Information') are deemed
confidential and shall not be disclosed by Contractor to any third party without City's prior written
consent. City shall grant consent if disclosure is legally required. All Confidential Information
shall be returned to City upon the termination of this Agreement. Contractor's covenant under
this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. City may disclose to third parties
any Confidential Information at its sole discretion.
(b) Contractor's obligation not to disclose any Confidential Information shall
not extend to information that:
i. was in the possession of, or was rightfully known by, the
Contractor without an obligation to maintain its confidentiality prior to receipt from City;
is or becomes generally known to the public without violation of
this Agreement;
iii. is obtained without an obligation of confidentiality by the
Contractor in good faith from a third party having the right to disclose it without an obligation of
confidentiality; or
iv. information which is required to be disclosed pursuant to any court
order or directive having the force of law.
(c) The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
Section 14. Records and Inspections. Contractor shall maintain full and accurate
records with respect to all matters covered under this Agreement for Records Retention Period.
City shall have access, without charge, during normal business hours to such records, and the
right to examine and audit the same and to make copies and transcripts therefrom, and to
inspect all program data, documents, proceedings and activities.
Section 15. Default. Contractor's failure to comply with the provisions of this
Agreement shall constitute a default. In the event that Contractor is in default under the terms
of this Agreement, City shall have no obligation or duty to continue compensating Contractor for
any work performed after the date of default and can terminate this Agreement immediately by
written notice to Contractor.
Section 16. Indemnification. Contractor agrees to defend, indemnify, protect and hold
harmless City, its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers from and against any
and all claims, suits, demands, actions, losses, damages, judgments, settlements, penalties,
fines, defensive costs or expenses, including without limitation, interest, attorneys' fees and
expert witness fees, or liability of any kind or nature arising out of or attributable to the acts or
omissions of Contractor, or Contractor's officers, employees, or agents which in any way arise
out of, result from, or are in any way related to the performance or non-performance of this
Agreement, excepting only liability arising out of the sole negligence or willful misconduct of
City, its officers, officials, employees, agents, or volunteers.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE THE EXPIRATION OR EARLIER
TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 17. Insurance.
(a) Contractor shall at all times during the term of this Agreement carry,
maintain, and keep in full force and effect, a policy or policies of Comprehensive General
Liability Insurance, with minimum limits of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) for each occurrence,
combined single limit, against any personal injury, death, loss or damage resulting from the
wrongful or negligent acts by Contractor or Contractor's officers, employees, or agents.
(b) Contractor shall at all times during the term of this Agreement carry,
maintain, and keep in full force and effect, a policy or policies of Comprehensive Vehicle Liability
insurance covering personal injury and property damage, with minimum limits of One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence, combined single limit, covering any vehicle utilized by
Contractor in performing the services required by this Agreement.
(c) Contractor agrees to maintain in force at all times during the performance
of work under this Agreement workers compensation as required by law.
(d) The policy or policies required by this Agreement shall be issued by an
insurer admitted in the State of California and with a rating of at least a B+; VII in the latest
edition of Best's Insurance Guide.
(e) Contractor agrees that if it does not keep the aforesaid insurance in full
force and effect City may either immediately terminate this Agreement or, if insurance is
available at a reasonable cost, City may take out the necessary insurance and pay, at
Contractor's expense, the premium thereon.
(f) At all times during the term of this Agreement, Contractor shall maintain
on file with the Risk Manager, a certificate or certificates of insurance, satisfactory to the City
Attorney and Risk Manager, showing that the aforesaid policies are in effect in the required
amounts. Contractor shall, prior to commencement of work under this Agreement, file with the
Risk Manager, such certificate or certificates. The policies of insurance required by this
Agreement shall contain an endorsement naming the City as additional insured. All of the
policies required under this Agreement shall contain an endorsement providing that the policies
cannot be canceled or reduced except on thirty (30) days prior written notice to City, and
specifically stating that the coverage contained in the policies affords insurance pursuant to the
terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement.
(g) The insurance provided by Contractor shall be primary to any coverage
available to City, and any insurance or self-insurance maintained by City, its officers,
employees, agents, or volunteers shall be excess of Contractor's insurance and shall not
contribute with it. The policies of insurance required by this Agreement shall include provisions
for waiver of subrogation. Contractor hereby waives all rights of subrogation against City.
(h) Any deductibles or self -insured retentions must be declared to and
approved by City. At the option of City, Contractor shall either reduce or eliminate the
deductibles or self -insured retentions with respect to City, or Contractor shall procure a bond
guaranteeing payment of losses and expenses.
Section 18. Assignment and Subcontracting. Contractor shall not assign or attempt to
assign any portion of this Agreement, or subcontract any required performance hereunder,
without the prior written approval of City. Any assignment or subcontract made in violation of
this section is invalid and void.
Section 19. Arbitration and Venue. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity
thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this Agreement to arbitrate,
shall'be determined by arbitration in Los Angeles, California, before three arbitrators. The
arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and
Procedures. All decisions of the arbitrators shall be in writing, and the arbitrators shall provide
written reasons for their decision. The arbitration decision shall be final and binding on the
Parties. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction pursuant to this
Agreement. This clause shall not preclude Parties from seeking provisional remedies in aid of
arbitration from a court having jurisdiction pursuant to this Agreement. The exclusive jurisdiction
and venue under this Agreement shall be the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County.
Section 20. Attorneys Fees. In the event a dispute, claim or litigation arises regarding
this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable attorneys
fees and actual costs, which may be set by the arbitrators or the court in the same action or in a
separate action brought for that purpose, in addition to any other relief which is obtained.
Section 21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced
according to, and the Parties rights and obligations governed by, the domestic law of the State
of California, without regard to its laws regarding choice of applicable law.
Section 22. Entire Agreement and Modifications. This Agreement, including
attachments incorporated herein by reference, represents the entire agreement and
understanding between City, and any negotiation, proposals or oral agreements are intended to
be integrated herein and to be superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement may only be
modified by a writing signed by both Parties.
Section 23. Waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach or default by the other
party shall not be deemed a waiver of any different or later breach whether of the same or other
covenant or condition; nor shall any delay or omission by either party to exercise any right it
may have hereunder operate as a waiver of any breach or default of such a right. The failure of
either party to this Agreement to exercise any of its rights under this Agreement does not
constitute a breach thereof and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such rights or a waiver of
any subsequent breach. No waiver, benefit, privilege, or service voluntarily given or performed
by a party shall give the other party any contractual rights by custom, estoppel, or otherwise.
Section 24. Force Maieure. Neither party shall be considered in default of any of its
obligations under this Agreement when a failure of performance shall be due to an
uncontrollable force. The term "uncontrollable force" shall mean flood, earthquake, storm, fire,
lightning, epidemic, war, riot, civil disturbance or disobedience, federal, state, or municipal
action, statute, ordinance, or regulation, embargoes of the United States Government or any
other government, which by exercise of due diligence such party could not reasonably have
been expected to avoid and by exercise of due diligence has been unable to overcome. Either
party rendered unable to fulfill any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of an
uncontrollable force shall give written notice within five (5) business days of such fact to the
other party and shall exercise due diligence to remove such inability with all reasonable
dispatch.
Section 25. City Not Obligated to Third Parties. City shall not be obligated or liable
under this Agreement to any party other than Contractor.
Section 26. Notices. All notices, approvals, consents and other communications
between the Parties shall be in writing, and shall be sent by certified mail (return receipt
requested) or other delivery service which provides evidence of delivery, using the address set
forth on the Cover Page under "Notice Information - City" or "Notice Information — Vendor," as
appropriate, or at such other address as may be furnished by either party to the other in writing.
Mailed notices will be deemed communicated as of the day of receipt.
Section 27. Cover Page and Exhibits. The Cover Page and all documents referenced
as exhibits in this Agreement are hereby incorporated in this Agreement. In the event of any
material discrepancy between the express provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of
any document incorporated herein by reference, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
Section 28. Headings. Headings used in this Agreement are for convenience
reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of the Agreement.
Section 29. Survival of Terms. All of the terms and conditions in this Agreement
related to payment, confidentiality, indemnification, dispute resolution and waiver shall survive
termination of this Agreement.
Section 30. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall
be interpreted in such a manner as to be valid under applicable law. If any provision of this
Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect, and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
Section 31. Authority To Execute This Agreement. The person or persons executing
this Agreement on behalf of Contractor warrants and represents that he or she has the authority
to execute this Agreement on behalf of Contractor and has the authority to bind Contractor to
the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
[Signatures Begin on Next Page].
0
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have signed this Agreement as of the date stated
in the introductory clause.
City of Vernon, a California charter City [CONTRACTOR'S NAME], a [State
and California municipal corporation incorporated in] corporation
By: By:
HILARIO GONZALES Name:
Mayor
Title:
ATTEST:
Name:
WILLARD G. YAMAGUCHI, City Clerk Title:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
10
EXHIBIT B
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Contractor will perform the following work pursuant to this Agreement:
11
EXHIBIT C
FLAT FEE
[Example (Delete and replace with actual terms):]
[Contractor shall be paid $[insert flat amount] to perform all Services described in Exhibit A.]
[Contractor shall invoice City [FREQUENCY] for Services provided under this Agreement.]
[Example (Delete and replace with actual terms):]
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