Resolution No. 2025-011RESOLUTION NO. 2025-011
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON,
CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE ALL MAIL-BALLOT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON APRIL 8, 2025,
DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS
PROVIDED BY LAW
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. A General Municipal Election was held and conducted in the City of Vernon,
California, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, as required by law.
B. Notice of the Election was given in time, form and manner as provided by law;
candidates were nominated to fill the vacancy as required by law; election officers
were appointed; and in all respects the election was held and conducted and the
votes were cast, received and canvassed and the returns made and declared in the
time, form and manner as required by the provisions of the City Charter and
Elections Code of the State of California for the holding of elections in charter cities.
C. The Interim City Clerk canvassed the returns of the election and has certified the
results to the City Council, which certification and results are received, attached,
and made a part hereto as Exhibit A.
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. The whole number of ballots legally cast for the General Municipal
Election held on April 8, 2025, was 80 ballots cast.
SECTION 4. The Interim City Clerk canvassed the returns of the election and
certified the results to the City Council, which certification and results are received and
accepted, attached and made a part hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 5. The names of the persons voted for at the General Municipal Election
for the office of member of the City Council, as it appeared on the official ballot, is as
follows:
Diana Gonzales 22 Votes
Judith Merlo 58 Votes
SECTION 6. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby declares that Judith
Merlo was elected as member of the City Council for the full term of five (5) years.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall execute a Certificate of Election and administer
the Oath of Office.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall immediately make and deliver to the person so
elected a Certificate of Election signed by the City Clerk and authenticated.
SECTION 9. The City Clerk shall also administer to the person elected the Oath of
Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California and shall have him or her
subscribe to it and file it in the Office of the City Clerk. The person so elected shall then
be inducted into the respective office to which he or she has been elected.
SECTION 10. The measures voted upon at the April 8, 2025, General Municipal
Election are as follows:
Measure Y
Shall the measure amending Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 of the
Vernon City Charter to state that during City Council
installation following a regular municipal election, the position
of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member entering their
fifth (last) year of their Council seat’s term, and the position of
Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the Council Member
entering their fourth year of their Council seat’s term, and so
on in descending order if necessary, be adopted?
YES 53 Votes
NO 17 Votes
Measure Z
Shall the measure amending Chapter 3.4 of the Vernon City
Charter to require that election returns be canvassed
beginning on the first Tuesday following a City Council election
and continued to the time, form and manner required by the
City Charter, Vernon Municipal Code and the general laws of
the State governing municipal elections, and that Council
Member terms shall begin at the hour election results are
certified by the City Council, be adopted?
YES 59 Votes
NO 12 Votes
SECTION 11: The City Council does declare and determine that, as a result of the
General Municipal Election, a simple majority of the voters voting on Measures Y and Z
did vote in favor of each measure, and the measures carried, and shall be deemed
adopted and ratified.
Resolution No. 2025-011
Page 2 of 4
Resolution No. 2025-011
Page 3 of
SECTION 12. The City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk shall certify the passage and
adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED May 6, 2025.
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, City Attorney
I CERTIFY THAT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-011 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Vernon at the Regular Meeting on May 6, 2025, by the following
vote:
AYES: 5 Council Members: Larios, Lopez, Rivera, Ybarra, Merlo
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
seal)
APRIL 8, 2025 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
OFFICIAL RESULTS
I, Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk of the City of Vernon, California, do hereby
certify that I have canvassed the April 8, 2025 General Municipal Election ballots
returned as of April 8 and April16, 2025, and find the number of votes cast as follows:
TO ELECT ONE
COUNCIL MEMBER
1st Count
April 8, 2025
2nd Count
April 16, 2025 Total
Diana Gonzales 22 0 22
Judith Merlo 52 6 58
Total Votes
BALLOT MEASURE Y 1st Count
April 8, 2025
2nd Count
April 16, 2025 Total
Measure Y – Charter Amendment
regarding installation of Mayor
and Mayor Pro Tem
YES 47 6 53
NO 17 0 17
BALLOT MEASURE Z 1st Count
April 8, 2025
2nd Count
April 16, 2025 Total
Measure Z – Charter Amendment
to align canvass/certification of
results with California Election
Code
YES 53 6 59
NO 12 0 12
VOTER TURNOUT
These results are official and reflect ballots received and
canvassed at the close of polls on election day and at a
second canvass conducted on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
The results were certified at the Regular City Council
Meeting of May 6, 2025.
Interim City Clerk
May 6, 2025
Registered Voters
Ballot Received
112
80
Voter Turnout 71%
KLELW
Resolution No. 2025-011
Page 4 of 4
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2
3
City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date:May 6, 2025
From:Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Department:City Clerk
Submitted by:Sandra Dolson, City Clerk Specialist
Subject
Results of the City of Vernon April 8, 2025 General Municipal Election
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-011 reciting the facts and declaring the results of the General
Municipal Election held on April 8, 2025.
Background
On November 5, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-023, calling the General
Municipal Election on April 8, 2025, to fill one Council seat and submit Measures Y and Z to the
voters. Measure Y amends Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 of the Vernon City Charter relating to the
position of Mayor to be filled by the Council Member entering their fifth (last) year of their Council
seat’s term and Mayor Pro Tempore entering their fourth year of their Council seat’s term.
Measure Z amends Chapter 3.4 of the Vernon City Charter to align City election canvassing
procedures and timeframes with applicable State election law.
On April 8, 2025, the General Municipal Election was held in conformance with the City Charter,
Vernon Municipal Code, California Election Code, and the Federal Voting Rights Act.
Canvass of the returned All Mail Ballots was conducted on Aprill 8, 2025 immediately following
the deadline to receive ballots. A second canvass was conducted on April 16, 2025, following the
signature verification process of ballots not counted on election night.
Pursuant to Election Code Section 10263, the City Council must adopt a resolution reciting the
facts of the election. Attached to the resolution are the Official Results, which detail the total votes
cast for each candidate, as well as the votes for and against Measures Y and Z.
Based on these results, Judith Merlo was elected to the City Council for a full five-year term that
will expire in April 2030. Measures Y and Z, the full texts of which are encompassed in Resolution
No. 2024-023, were approved by a majority of voters who cast ballots.
Following adoption of the resolution reciting the election results, the City Clerk will administer the
Oath of Office to the newly elected Council Member.
As the mayoral rotation and canvassing ballot measures are Charter amendments, their effective
dates are governed by the California Elections Code and applicable Government Code
provisions. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9269, charter amendments must be ratified by
the Secretary of State following voter approval and the declaration of election results by the
legislative body. Once ratified, the amendment becomes effective unless a different effective date
is specified in the measure. In accordance with Government Code Sections 34459 and 34460,
staff will submit the Charter amendments to the Secretary of State for filing upon election
certification by the City Council. Council reorganization pursuant to the amended mayoral rotation
provisions will take place at a City Council meeting after Secretary of State filing and acceptance.
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Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2025-011
CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE
irslress:'3;'?-," D.::i!' S:e:ra.=!-3: 1:a,-r ":i^ Sr--:i 2-':lr-i S3:':-eltc CA!5i"'1
; J ::r -!r:: - 3,-:'z-=:..:. ai,9!2 --'-1'" Te! :la ai3 :::i !t''ti* si: c3 -.1"
June 12,2025
City of Vernon
Attn: Genoveva Rocha
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
Amendments to the Charter of the City of Vernon, ratified by the voters at the election
on April 8, 2025, were filed in this office on June 10, 2025, and assigned Charter
Chapter Number 18 for publication in the Statutes of 2025.
Sincerely,
Special Filings Unit
SHIRLEY N.WEBER, Ph.D.
RECEIVffi*
JUN t e 20?5
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
of 0
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, Califomia 90058
Telephone (323) 583-8811
June 3, 2025
California Secretary of State's Office
Special Filings
P.O. Box 942877
Sacramento, California 94277 -00O1
Re: City of Vemon Chader Amendments
April 8, 2025, General Municipal Election
To whom it may concern:
On April 8, 2025, the voters of the City of Vemon approved a total of two (2) amendments to the
Charter of the City of Vemon. Pursuant to Govemment Code Section 34460 et seq., enclosed please
find the following:
1. A certified and authenticated copy of the complete text of the Charter amendments
2. Certilied copies of the arguments submitted in favor of the Charter Amendments
Please be advised that there were arguments in favor of Measures Y and Z, but no arguments were
submitted against the Charter amendments. lf you have any questions regarding this information,
please contact the City Clerk Department via email at Citvclerk@cityofuernonca.qov or by phone at
(323) 583-8811, extension 897.
-@#IROR
:w,'-*,* t^-
GENOVEVA ROCHA
City Clerk
Enclosures
E4c[us io e [y I rufus tria I
1
AMENDMENT TO VERNON CITY CHAHTER
PASSED BY THE VOTERS ON APRTL 8,2025 (MEASURE Y)
The People of the City of Vernon do hereby amend the Charter of the City of Vernon as
follows:
Chapter 3.5 of Article lll of the Charler of the City of Vernon is amended to read as follows:
At the Council meeting at which any Council member is installed following a regular
municipal election, and at any time when there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the
position of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member entering the fifth (last) year ol their
Council seat's term. ln the event any Council Member scheduled to be Mayor is unable or
desires not to be Mayor, the position of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member entering
the fourth year of their Council seat's term, and so on in descending order if necessary.
The Mayor shall be the presiding officer of the City Council.
The Mayor shall be a member of the City Council for all purposes and shall have all the
rights, powers and duties of a member of the City Council in addition to those powers and
duties conferred upon the Mayor by vidue of his or her otfice.
The Mayor shall be the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes. The Mayor shall
perform such other duties consistenl with the office of mayor as may be prescribed by this
Charter or as may be provided by the City Council. The Mayor shall serve in his or her
capacity at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed by a majority vote of the
members of the City Council.
Chapter 3.6 of Article lll of the Charler of the City of Vemon is amended to read as follows:2
At the time that a Mayor is appointed, the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by
the Council Member entering the fourth year of their Council seat's term. ln the event any
Council Member scheduled to be Mayor Pro Tempore is unable or desires not to be Mayor
Pro Tempore, the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the Council Member
entering the third year of their Council seat's term, and so on in descending order il
necessary.
The Mayor Pro Tempore shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the City Council and
may beiemoved by a majority vote of the members of the Council. The Mayor Pro Tempore
sha'll perform the duties of the Mayor during the Mayor's absence or disability.
The City Clerk is directed to certify to the passage of this Charter Amendment and to file it in the
Otfice oi the Secretary of State forthwith, and to take such other aclions as are necessary to give
eflect to this passage.
PA D AND ADOPTE E VOTERS THIS 8 DAY OF APRIL 2025.
J ERLO, Mayor
T
Cltc'Y+u lf
FILED
Secretary of $atc
State ot Calltomta
JUN 10 MA
ENOVEVA R A, City rk
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
l, Judith Merlo, Mayor of the City of Vemon, and l, Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk of the City of
Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, hereby certify that the attached is a full, true,
complete and authentic copy of:
Amendments to the Charter (Measure Y) of the City of Vernon adopted by the voters of the
City of Vernon on April 8,2025, as submitted to the voters and ratified by them.
lN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my haqd and atfixed the official Seal of the City
of Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, this 3 day of June 2025.
JUDI MERLO,ENOVEVA ROCHA,
SS
)
)
)
Mayor of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
ATTEST:
YO E PARKER,
Deputy City Clerk ol the City of Vernon
City Clerk of the City of Vemon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
ISeal]
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Y
The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council and serves as the otficial head of
the City for all ceremonial purposes. The Mayor Pro Tempore performs the duties of
Mayor during the Mayor's absence.
Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 ol the Vernon City Charter establish the process for the installation
of a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from the City Council.
Currently, both positions are designated according lo a rotation process based on the
order of Council Member eleclions. For example, the position of Mayor is filled by the
Council Member whose election immediately followed the election of the prior Mayor.
With the current process, the rotation order for Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem may be
impacted by individual Council Member elections including Special Elections as may
occur due to unexpected City Council vacancies such as resignations or recalls.
Measure Y modifies the rotation process to one based on the year of a Council seat's
term and would specify that the seat of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem be filled by the
Council Members serving in the fifth and fourth year of their respective Council seat
terms. This allows for consistency of order based on Council Member seats instead of
individual election dates. The rotation process proposed by Measure Y would not be
impacted by unexpected City Council vacancies or elections.
Measure Y maintains an automatic rotalion process for the selection of Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tem.
Measure Y recognizes the service ol council Members serving the final year ol their
term by allowing them to 'term out" as Mayor.
A YES VOTE ON MEASURE Y IS A VOTE FOR A FAIR, CONSISTENT AND ORDERLY
PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION OF A MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE'
Vote Yes o Measure Y!
sig
Ma Judith erlo
On be ol the Vernon CitY Council
RECEIVED
tq0v ls 2024
CITY CLERK DIPARIMTNI
I
I
D,"" llv lL4
ARGUMENTS
FORM OF STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY AUTHORS OF ARGUMENTS
Print Name ci re
0-r,tcll-itl L I'{ealo .l.et
Title Nu ca '"'" rr Ifi \2614
Print Name Signature
Title Date
Print Name Signature
Title Date
Print Name Signature
Title Date
Print Name Signature
Title Date
All arguments concerning measures filed pursuant to Division 9, Chapter
3, beginning with Seclion 9200) ol the Elections Code shall be
accompanied by the following lorm statement to be signed by each
proponent, and by each author, if different, of the argumenl:
The undersigned proponents or authors ol the primary argument in favor of Measure Y al
the General Municipal Election for the City of Vernon to be held on April 8, 2025, hereby
state that the argument is true and correcl to the best of their knowledge and belief.
I
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
l, Judith Merlo, Mayor of the City of Vemon, and l, Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk of the City of
Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, hereby certify that the attached is a full, true,
complete and authentic copy of:
Argument in Favor ol Measure Y
lN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official Seal of the City
of Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of Califomia, this 3 day of June 2025.
ERLO,
Mayor of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
ISeal]
ATTEST:
YONNIE ARKER,
Deputy City Clerk of the City of Vemon
SS
GENOVEVA ROCHA,
City Clerk of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
SHIRLEY N.WEBER, Ph.D.
CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE
Susiness Prograr/rs D|rision I Special Fr|ngs I 1 500 1 1th Street 23 Floor I Sac€mentc' CA 95e 14
F.O Box 94281i isacr3menlo cA 94277-2AU 1TeI915653 33Sa lwv/w'soscago!
June 12,2025
Amendments to the Charter of the City of Vernon, ratified by the voters at the election
on April 8, 2025, were filed in this office on June 10, 2025, and assigned Charter
Chapter Number 19 for publication in the Statutes ol 2025.
Sincerely,
Special Filings Unit
City of Vernon
Attn: Genoveva Rocha
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
AMENDMENT TO VERNON CITY CHARTER
PASSED BY THE VOTERS ON APRTL 8,2025 (MEASURE Z)
The People of the City of Vemon do hereby amend the Charter of the City of Vernon as
follows:
1. Chapter 3.4 of Article lll of the Charter of the City of Vemon is amended to read as follows:
The regular election of Councilmembers shall be held on the second Tuesday of April in each
year, commencing in 2010. The terms of Council members shall be staggered so that each
Council member shall serve a five year term and one Council member shall be elected each
year; provided, however, that in order to effect the election of Council members according to
staggered terms as set forth above, upon adoption of this section by the voters, the City
Council shall assign each Council position a number, with the Council seats which expire in
2010 assigned numbers 1 , 2 and 3 by lot, and Council seats which expire in 201 2 assigned
numbers 4 and 5 by lot. Council seat number 3 will be sublect to election for five year terms
commencing in 2010. Council seat number 1 will have its term extended one year to 201 1, and
will be subject to election for five year terms commencing in 2011. Council seat number 2 will
have its term extended two years lo 2012, and will be subject to election for five year terms
commencing in 2012. Council seat number 4 will have its term extended one year to 2013, and
will be subject to election for five year terms commencing in 2013. Council seat number 5 will
have its term extended for two years lo 2014, and will be subject to election for five year terms
commencing in 2014.
No person may serve more than two terms of office as member of the City Council. This
limitation on the number of terms of office shall apply prospectively only and terms of oflice
that began before the effective date of this chapter shall not apply to the two term limit. The
completion of any unexpired term to which a Councilmember was elected shall not be
considered a term for the purposes of this chapter.
The City Council shall be the final judge of election results and the qualifications of its
members. The City Council shall canvass the returns of an election beginning on the first
Tuesday following a City Council election and continue such canvass in the time, form, and
manner required by the City Charter, Vemon Municipal Code, and the general laws of the
State governing municipal elections. The terms of each elected Council Member shall begin at
the hour the election results are certified by the City Council. ln the absence of death, removal
from office or disqualification, each Council Member shall serve until expiration of his or her
term and until a successor qualifies.
The City Clerk is directed to certify lo the passage of this Charter Amendment and to file it in the
Office df the Secretary ol State forthwith, and to take such other actions as are necessary to give
effect to this passage.
PA ED AND ADOPTED BY THE VOTERS THIS 8 DAY OF APRIL 2025.Ctuf,tr 1'1
FILED
9ecretary of State
Stab d Cali,licmla
JUlt loffiA
MERLO, Mayor
ENOVEVA ROCHA, CitY erk
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
l, Judith Merlo, Mayor of the City of Vemon, and l, Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk of the City of
Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, hereby certify that the attached is a full, true,
complete and authentic copy of :
Amendments to the Charter (Measure Z) of the City ol Vernon adopted by the voters of the
City of Vernon on April 8,2025, as submitted to the voters and ratified by them.
lN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the otficial Seal of the City
of Vernon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, this J day of June 2025.
)
)
)
JUDITH RLO,
Mayor of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of Califomia
ATTEST:
YO E PARKER,
Deputy City Clerk of the City of Vernon
GENOVEVA ROCHA,
City Clerk of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
ISeal]
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE Z
Chapter 3.4 of the Vemon Cily Charter establishes the procedures for the election of
City Council Members including terms and canvassing procedures. State law also sets
forth specific canvass procedures and timeframes to ensure that all votes cast by
eligible voters are processed and counted.
Currently, Chapter 3.4 indicates the canvass of the retums of an election shall occur
within fifteen (15) days of the election. Chapter 3.4 also dictates that Council Member
terms begin at the hour of the completion ol the canvass of the election relums. These
current City provisions conflict with Stale eleclions laws.
Measure Z proposes to amend Chapter 3.4 of the Vemon City Charter to ensure
compliance with applicable state election laws relating to canvassing procedures.
Measure Z would also update language in Charter Chapter 3.4 to indicate Council
Member terms begin once election resulls are certified by the City Council.
Measure Z ensures that City procedures for Council Member lerms and canvassing
elections results are clear and aligned with applicable State laws.
Vote YES on Measure Z!
n
sig
Mayo dith Merlo
On behalf of the Vemon CitY Council
RECEIVED
Nov 19 202+
CI]Y CLTRK DTPARIMENT
C,D"t" ttt\qlz4
I Il A
I
ARGUMENTS
FORM OF STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY AUTHORS OF ARGUMENTS
All arguments conceming measures filed pursuant to Division 9, Chapter
3, beginning with Section 9200) of the Elections Code shall be
accompanied by the lollowing form statement to be signed by each
proponent, and by each aulhor, if different, of the argument:
The undersigned proponents or authors of the primary argument in favor of Measure Z at
the General Municipal Eleclion for the City of Vernon to be held on April 8, 2025, hereby
state that the argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Print Nameflrc\rtfll $talo
Title
[Y\auina At\
U
Print Name Signature
Title Date
Print Name
Title Date
Print Name Signature
Title Date
Print Name Signature
Date
Signature
Title
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
l, Judith Merlo, Mayor of the City of Vemon, and l, Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk of the City of
Vemon, County of Los Angeles, State ol California, hereby ceftify that the attached is a full, true,
complete and authentic copy of:
Argument in Favor of Measure Z
lN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official Seal of the City
of Vemon, County of Los Angeles, State of California, this 3 day of June 2025.
ATTEST:
YONNI
Deputy
GENOVEVA ROCHA,
City Clerk of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
State of California
ISeal]
ARKER,
ity Clerk of the City of Vernon
JUDff+I MERLO,
Mayor of the City of Vernon,
County of Los Angeles,
Stale of California