MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ybarra called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Ybarra led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor
William Davis, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, Interim City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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March 1, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
1. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the February 15, 2022 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
2. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 82, for the period of January 30 through February 12, 2022, totaling $ 2,966,642 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $ 2,713,771.11 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $252,870.89 .
3. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2022 Building Report.
4. Labor and Materials Contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Urban Forest Management (Contract CS-1435)
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15304, because the project consists of only minor alterations in vegetation that does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a three (3) year contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Urban Forest Management Services in an amount not-to-exceed $ 325,000, with an effective date of April 1, 2022.
5. Services Agreement with CleanStreet, LLC for Street Sweeping Services Contract No. CS-1434)
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance of existing streets and involves no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with CleanStreet, LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a three (3) year term in an amount not-to-exceed $1,001,242.44, with an effective date of April 1, 2022.
6. Acceptance of Electrical Easement at 3333 Downey Road (APN 6303 -001- 001)
Recommendation: Accept the Electrical Easement and authorize the Mayor to execute the Certificate of Acceptance.
7. Gas Enterprise Cost-of-Service Study and Rate Design Recommendation: Receive and file the report.
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March 1, 2022
8. Construction Contract with Cedro Construction, Inc. (Cedro) for Well No. 22 Equipment and Site Improvements
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; in addition, the extensions of sewer, water, and storm drain mains are exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines § 15303, because the project consists of minor extensions of utility services; B. Accept the bid from Cedro as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Construction Contract with Cedro, in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not to exceed $2,507,772, for Well No. 22 equipment and site improvements; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of $501,000 in the event of unforeseen changes in the project, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
9. Ground Lease Re-Assignment and Sublease at 2970 E. 50th Street and Related Ground Lessor Estoppel and Consent
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-03 approving the ground lease reassignment and sublease at 2970 E. 50th Street and authorizing the execution of related Ground Lessor Estoppel and Consent.
NEW BUSINESS
10. 2022 Pension Obligation Bonds
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-04 authorizing the issuance of bonds to refund and prepay certain pension obligations of the City; approving the form and authorizing execution of a trust agreement and bond purchase agreement; authorizing judicial validation proceedings relating to the issuance of such bonds; and approving additional actions related thereto.
Finance Director Williams presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-04 authorizing the issuance of bonds to refund and prepay certain pension obligations of the City; approving the form and authorizing execution of a trust agreement and bond purchase agreement; authorizing judicial validation proceedings relating to the issuance of such bonds; and approving additional actions related thereto. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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March 1, 2022
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino thanked Los Angeles County Fire for hosting the fundraiser for fallen Fire Fighter Flagler; discussed COVID-19 masking requirements; and announced upcoming events including the New Business Welcome on March 9, 2022, and Vernon Job Fair on March 11, 2022.
City Council Reports on Activities ( including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Ybarra recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9 :11 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
11. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION ( 2) Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 21STCP0413
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC719460
RECONVENE
At 9:17 a.m., Mayor Ybarra adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the items on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ybarra adjourned the meeting at 9:18 a.m.
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
LISA POPE, City Clerk
seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: E2CAE99A- A371-499A-B855-07C25BD96DFA