Resolution No. 2012-146RESOLUTION NO. 2012-146
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON APPOINTING LEONARD GROSSBERG TO SERVE AS THE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON
WHEREAS, the position of Director of Health & Environmental
Control ("Health Director") has been filled on an interim basis since
the retirement of the former Health Director in January 2012; and
WHEREAS, per the good governance reforms recommended by
Senator Kevin de Leon and the City's Reform Monitor John Van de Kamp
the City retained the services of Alliance Resource Consulting LLC to
recruit a Health Director for the City of Vernon; and.
WHEREAS, Alliance Resource Consulting created an executive
recruitment brochure for the position (attached hereto as Exhibit A)
and conducted a broad and extensive recruitment that included multiple
screenings and interviews of numerous applicants; and
WHEREAS, the City Council conducted final interviews of the
four highest ranking candidates at a special City Council meeting on
July 23, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vernon has
determined Leonard Grossberg ("Grossberg") to be the most qualified
candidate for the position and desires to appoint Grossberg to serve as
the Director of Health & Environmental Control, effective
August 7, 2012.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true
and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
appoints Leonard Grossberg to serve as the Director of Health &
Environmental Control of the City of Vernon, effective August 7, 2012.
SECTION 3: The City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall
administer the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the
State of California to Grossberg and shall have him subscribe to it
and file it with the Human Resources Department.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of
Resolutions of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day
no..f� August, 2012.
V William J. Davis
Name:
Title / Mayor Pro-Tem
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I,. Willard G. Yamaguchi, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution
No. 2012-146, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council
duly held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, and thereafter was duly signed
by the Mayor or Mayor Pro -Tern of the City of Vernon.
Executed this I day of August, 2012, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
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EXHIBIT A
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
ALLIANCE
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THE COMMUNITY
The City of Vernon is an industrial city of 5.2 square miles located several miles to the southeast of
Downtown Los Angeles in Southern California. Founded in 1905 as the first exclusively industrial city
in the Southwestern United States, Vernon currently houses more than 1,800 businesses that employ
approximately 50,000 people, serving as a vital economic engine in the region. Offering an environment
uniquely friendly to business, Vernon is the home to industries includingfood and agriculture, apparel, steel,
plastics, logistics and home furnishings. Vernon maintains strong philanthropic ties with the neighboring
communities where much its workforce lives, providing significant financial support for public services
like education and recreation.
Throughout Vernon's history, it has maintained a focus on providing a favorable environment for business
and remains an ideal location for industry. Vernon's city government has also grown into one of the most
efficient and business -friendly in the region. With some of the lowest taxes of any city in the state, Vernon
is able to offer an array of city services tailored to meet the needs of its business community, which is now
characterized by industries such as apparel, film production, food processing, electronics and waste recycling.
Vernon is just one of 25 cities in the United States with a Class I -rated fire department and one of fur cities
in California with its own health department, which specializes in industrial issues. The City's businesses
receive very low rates for water, electricity, gas and fiber optics as a result of Vernon's independent utilities.
In 1989, Vernon formed a redevelopment agency, which has since invested tens of millions of dollars to
develop property within the City to successfully attract and retain business.
After more than too years Vernon has more than realized the vision laid out by its founders of a city
that could serve as a focal point for commerce and economic engine for the surrounding region. In 2008,
Vernon was named Los Angeles County's "Most Business Friendly City' for Cities with less than 50,000
residents by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. -
For more information on the City of Vernon, please visit http://www.cityofvernon.org/
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
DEPARTMENT
As one of only four cities in the state of California with its own health department, Vernon is focused
on protecting the environment and ensuring the health and safety of its residents, workers, visitors and
neighboring communities. The Vernon Health & Environmental Control Department provides comprehensive
and efficient services to accomplish this goal, tailoring its operations to regulate and meet the needs of
the city's large industrial sector.
The Department serves a number of roles within the City, including 1) enforcing local, state and federal
laws and regulations related to public health, the environment and public safety, 2) informing the Vernon
public about good practices fmpromoting health and protecting the environment, 8) providing support
and environmental expertise to City departments and the Vernon City Council, a) building and sustaining
partnerships with other public agencies and neighboring communities 5) partnering with Vernon businesses,
environmental consultants and other City departments to formulate effective solutions for overcoming
environmental challenges, G) preparing for emergency and disaster operations, and 7) evaluating the
effectiveness of health services and creating new programs.
Business services provided by the Department include the following: Animal Control, Free Sale Letters,
Plan Check, Recycling Information, Storm Water Information, Water Sampling, and Referrals and
Community Environmental Health Concerns. In addition, the Department is authorized by the California
Environmental Protection Agency to enf n cc the following programs within the City: Accidental Release
Prevention, Hazardous Materials, Underground Tanks, Above Ground Storage Tanks, Animal Contiof,
Cross Connection Control, Food Safety Program, Garment Manufacturing, Solid Waste Management,
Stormwater Control, Vector Control, and Water Quality.
For more information about the Health and Environmental Control Department, please visit http://www.
cityofvernon.org/city_services/environmental_health.htm.
OPPORTUNITIES
• The Director will serve as a Commission Director for the newly formed Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency Commission.
• The Director will continue to collaborate with other City departments in an effort to provide outstanding customer service to businesses and residents.
• In an effort to reduce the City's greenhouse gasses (GHG), the City has developed the Sustainability Action Plan. The Director will present this plan to
the community
• The Director will interact with the Council and businesses in a positive and responsive martian.
The Director also acts as the Health Officer for the City.
• The City is in the process of migrating from paper based reporting of hazardous materials to reporting it electronically. The Director will lead the
implementation of this migration. -
• Improve service delivery of programs by evaluating and monitoring staff performance and trends, and program goals.
• Establish health permit fees based on program costs and oversee collection of health permit fees, through data management and analysis.
• The Director will be an active participant on regional, State, and Federal issues relating to environmental health.
THE POSITION
Under the direction of the City Administrator, the Director of Health and Environmental Control is responsible for the development, research, administration
and execution of a complex and comprehensive public and environmental health program. Program areas include food safety; solid waste management;
sustainability program coordination; rodent and vector control; water and sewage surveillance; cross connection control; hazardous materials and underground
storage tank monitoring; above ground storage tanks; storm water; CaIARP; garment manufacturing; site mitigation; land use; emergency response; housing
and institutions; occupational health; industrial hygiene; communicable disease prevention; rabies and animal control in the City of Vernon.
In addition, the Director of Health and Environmental Control acts as the Health Officer in conformance with State and local laws. Additional dirties and
responsibilities include conducting analyses and evaluations of environmental and public health programs in terms of present and future needs of the
community; representing the City of Vernon and establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with officials, employees, community and professional
groups, the public, political and appointed bodies; coordinating programs with other City of Vernon departments and with regional, State and Federal agencies.
The Director of Health and Environmental Control supervises a staff of environmental professionals and clerical positions; prepares and administers the
heap th depa'tinent budget; speaks and writes effectively, including the preparation of clear and concise records and reports; communicates with the City
Administrator and the City Council on matters of significance relating to the City's public health programs; proposes revisions to local or State laws or
regulations; interprets and enforces applicable State and local laws and regulations; and performs other related dirties as required; represents the City of
Vernon and acts as Commission Director of the Sustainability Development and Energy Efficiency Commission.
The Department's annual operating budget for Fiscal Year 2012 is approximately $1.4 million and has a staff of s full-time employees.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS
This position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental quality control, public health and sanitation; those provisions of the
California Health & Safety Code and Administrative Codes and other lawg regulations and codes relating to the responsibilities of a public Health and
Environmental Control agency; the interrelated fractions of governmental agencies and community organizations, procedures for evaluation and correction
of situations representing unsafe, hazardous or unhealthful environmental conditions; and the principles and practices of planning, organizing, leading and
supervising personnel and program management.
Minimum Requirements:
• Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license, Class C.
• A minimum of five years of experience in an environmental health agency.
Desirable additional qualifications include:
Possession of an advanced degree (i.e.: Master of Public Health, or Master of Public Administration) from an accredited school;
• Knowledge of the basic principles of planning, organizing and supervision;
• Knowledge of basic computer operations and data analysis;
• Minimum of r years of experience, in addition to that in the minimum requirements, at an upper management level which involved program planning,
training, and supervision of field activities in a local public health department.
• Experience with underground and above ground storage, as well as meat handling, produce and packaging is a plus. Experience with hazardous
materials, clean up and mitigation also a plus.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Vernon plays a vital role in the local economies in Los Angeles County and thus prides
itself in being business friendly. The ideal candidate will be the consummate professional who thrives in
working in an environment where customer service is valued. He/She will be confident and comfortable
giving presentations to the Council and the community.
The ideal candidate will be a team player who is active in regional and statewide issues regarding public
and environmental health issues. This person will have a straightfbrwad communication style, be highly
responsive to issues that arise, and be focused on carrying out Department and the City goals. He/She
will be detailed oriented in operating the Department, but be able to see the bigger picture in how the
Department fits within the organization as a whole. Lastly, he/she will have significant experience in
presenting to and interacting with elected officials, businesses, and the community.
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is $193,440. The City's benefits include
Work Schedule:
4/ l0 plan. (Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:80 p.m.)
Vacation:
tat year thru 441i year 80 hours (8 days) -
5th year thru 9th year 100 hours (10 days)
loth year thru 14th year 120 hours (12 days)
1.5th year thru 24th year 160 horns (16 days)
26th year and more 170 hours (17 (lays)
Holidays:
Approximately 11 paid holidays per year.
Insmsnce:
Monthly allowance provided by City toward Medical, Dental and Vision
for the employee and his/her dependents. Basic Life Insurance coverage
is paid by City City contributes $85.00 per month towards auto insurance
with proof of insurance coverage. Pre-tax supplemental insurance plans
offered through AFLAC and Colonial.
Flex Spending:
The City provides its employees with the option of participating in a Section
125 IRS Plan for reimbursement of Dependent Care and Medical costs.
Retirement:
Califm'nia Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee
pays 8% contribution; 2.7 @55.
Credit Union:.
Credit Union membership available through Cal State L.A. Federal
Credit Union.
Deferred Compensation:
457 plan available at employee cost, City does not contribute.
Tuition Reimbursement:
Available to those employees who satisfactorily complete job related
college courses ($2,200 per fiscal year) after successful completion of
their one year evaluation period.
Longevity Pay:
On completion of 5 uninterrupted years of service full-time employees
will receive an additional 5% longevity increase.
IOW TO APPLY
Please apply on-line by May 18,-2012 at www.allianceRC.com.
For questions and inquiries, please contact:
Syldy Tom or Sherrill A. Uyeda
ALLIANCE RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC
400 Oceangde, Suite 610
Long Beach, CA 90809.
Telephone: (562) 901-0769
F-mail: stom@allianceracom
suyeda@allianceracom .
- http://twitter.com/Alliancerc
Alliance Resource Consulting, LLC
An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer .
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 13, 2012
TO: Leonard Grossberg, Director of Health & Environmental Control
Mark Whitworth, City Administrator
FROM: Deborah Juarez, Records Management Assistant
RE: Resolution No. 2012-146 — A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
Appointing Leonard Grossberg to Serve as the Director of Health & Environmental
Control of the City of Vernon
Transmitted herewith is a copy of Resolution No. 2012-146 referenced above, which was approved by
City Council on August 7, 2012.
Thank you.
c: Raquel Franco
Karin Rueda
Martha Valenzuela
Resolution No. 2012-146
DATE: August 1, 2012
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Mark C. Whitworth, City Administrator
RE: Appointment of Director of Health & Environmental Control
Backeround
In line with the good governance reforms recommended by Senator Kevin De Leon and Reform
Monitor John Van de Kamp, the City Council adopted an open, transparent, and competitive
hiring process for key management positions that includes, among other things, the use of a
professional search firm, an applicant review panel, and interviews of the top -ranked applicants.
The City's former Director of Health and Environmental Control (Health Director) of many
years retired in January 2012. The Deputy Director at the time, Leonard Grossberg, was
appointed as the Interim Director in order to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the
department while Alliance Resource Consulting LLC was selected to conduct an executive
recruitment to find the most qualified candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis.
Nearly three dozen applications were received, twelve of which met the minimum qualifications
for the position. A review panel consisting of the members of the City Council, City staff, and
the Vernon Chamber of Commerce met with the search consultants to review the resumes and
related information of the highest qualified candidates, and select the top-ranking three to five
candidates to be interviewed by the City Council.
The City Council conducted interviews. with the four highest ranking candidates at a special City
Council meeting on July 23, 2012 and, after thorough consideration and deliberation, determined
Leonard Grossberg to be the most qualified candidate for the position.
Mr. Grossberg has been with the City of Vernon for over twenty years, first as an Environmental
Health Specialist, and promoting through the years to Senior Environmental Health Specialist,
Chief Deputy Director, and his current position of Interim Director. He has developed a good
working relationship with the business community and an intimate knowledge of the various
needs of such a unique and industrial city. He has been a leader in environmental compliance
throughout his career, as most recently reflected in his participation in the development and
promotion of the City's Sustainability Action Plan as a model for the nation.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached resolution appointing Leonard
Grossberg as the Director of Health & Environmental Control effective August 7, 2012.
It is further recommended that, upon appointment, Mr. Grossberg be formally sworn into office
at the August 7`h City Council meeting and execute the requisite Oath or Affirmation of Office.