Resolution No. 2023-027RESOLUTION NO. 2023-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON,
CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES RENDER SPECIFIED SERVICES TO THE
CITY RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. A General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Vernon on April 9, 2024.
B. In the course of conducting the election, it is necessary for the City to request
services of the County of Los Angeles.
C. All necessary expenses in performing these services shall be paid to the County
by the City of Vernon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines
that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to the provisions of Elections Code Section 10002, the
Vernon City Council requests that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors permit
the County Election Department to provide the following services for use in conducting its
election:
1. Provide appropriate forms for candidate statements, arguments and rebuttals and
other forms required by the County;
2. Provide signature verification services as needed;
3. Print and mail official ballots and sample ballot booklet; and
4. Prepare and mail multilingual ballot materials in accordance with the Voting Rights
Act.
SECTION 4. The City shall reimburse the County for services performed when the
work is completed and upon presentation to the City of a properly approved bill.
/ / /
/ / /
/ / /
Resolution No. 2023-27
Page 2 of 2
_______________________
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution
and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED November 7, 2023.
_____________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, City Attorney
I CERTIFY THAT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-27 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Vernon at the Regular Meeting on November 7, 2023, by the
following vote:
AYES: 3 Council Members: Lopez, Rivera, Merlo
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 2 Council Members: Ybarra, Larios
ABSTAIN: 0
________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date:November 7, 2023
From:Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Department:City Clerk
Submitted by:Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Subject
April 9, 2024 General Municipal Election
Recommendation
A. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-26 calling and giving notice of an all-mail ballot General Municipal
Election to be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, for the election of a City Council Member as
required by the provisions of the Charter of the City of Vernon and to submit a ballot measure to
the voters to establish a transient occupancy tax;
B. If desired, determine authors of arguments and rebuttals;
C. Direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of
the impartial analysis; and
D. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-27 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los
Angeles render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal
Election to be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Background
Pursuant to Vernon Charter Section 5.1 and Municipal Code Section 2.28.020, the City of Vernon
conducts all-mail ballot General Municipal Elections on the second Tuesday of April each year.
The City Council is required to adopt various resolutions to begin the election process.
Resolution Calling the Election
The first resolution calls the election on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, for the election of one member
of the City Council for a full five (5) year term and to submit a ballot measure to the voters to
establish a transient occupancy tax.
Ballot Measure
On August 31, 2023, zoning changes went into effect allowing hotels in the City of Vernon.
Transient occupancy taxes (TOT) are not paid by residents nor hotel operators but instead are
paid by visitors staying in hotels and help fund local services visitors use while staying in the City.
The zoning changes also allow the development of single-family and multifamily residential
properties. The TOT would apply to short-term rental (less than 30 days) of those properties
typically through e-commerce sites such as Airbnb.
Of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, only 15 cities including Vernon do not have a TOT. The
average rate for the 73 cities with a TOT is 10.5%. The rate for the cities’ immediately surrounding
Vernon is 14% for the City of Los Angeles, 12% for County Unincorporated, 12% for Commerce,
5% for Maywood, and 5% for Huntington Park. Staff recommends a 10% TOT.
The proposed ballot measure requires approval by a simple majority of those casting ballots on
the measure. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 13119(b), the proposed ballot
language must include an estimate of the annual revenue to be raised by the tax. Because there
are no existing hotels in Vernon, staff conducted an analysis of projected TOT revenue in
conjunction with Willdan Financial Services, a third-party consultant with expertise in public
sector finance and TOT studies. Based on a conservative estimate of 20 hotel rooms in the
rezoned areas and using a weighted average of Revenue per Available Room based on the total
room inventory in three selected submarkets (Los Angeles – Southeast,
Pasadena/Glendale/Burbank, and South Bay), staff and Willdan estimate total annual hotel
revenue of $845,390. With the proposed TOT rate of 10%, the City could expect to collect
approximately $84,539 in annual TOT revenues.
Written Arguments and Rebuttals
The Elections Code provides regulations for written arguments and rebuttals, including deadlines
for submission. Arguments are due no later than November 21, 2023, and rebuttals must be
submitted by December 4, 2023.
If the City Council desires to delegate this responsibility to one or two members, it should
determine the authors.
Impartial Analysis
Elections Code Section 9280 provides for the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis,
showing the effect of the measure. The impartial analysis is due on the same date as the initial
arguments, November 21, 2023.
Resolution Requesting County Services
The second resolution requests the services of the Los Angeles County Elections Department to
provide appropriate forms, signature verification services, and prepare, print, and mail official
ballots and ballot materials.
Candidate Statement Regulations
Elections Code Section 13307 allows candidates to prepare a candidate statement for inclusion
in the voter’s pamphlet.
On October 21, 2014, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-64 adopting regulations
regarding candidate statements submitted to voters. This resolution applies to the April 2024
election.
Nomination Period
The nomination period begins on December 18, 2023, at which time candidates may obtain
nomination papers and required filing materials from the City Clerk Department. The last day to
file nomination papers is January 16, 2024. If the incumbent fails to file, the nomination period
will be extended to January 22, 2024.
Ballot Drop-Off Locations
In prior elections, the City has offered an additional ballot drop-off location on election day. Staff
will consider options for providing the best value for voters and will inform voters of such.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is estimated at $20,000. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, City
Clerk Department, Elections Account No. 011-010-125-529300 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2023-26
2. Resolution No. 2023-27
3. Resolution No. 2014-64