MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2022
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor (via remote access)
Crystal Larios, Mayor Pro Tem
Judith Merlo, Council Member
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
William Davis, Council Member (via remote access)
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, 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
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Abraham Alemu, Public Utilities General Manager
Todd Dusenberry, Acting Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Davis seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Dohm, Curling Center, thanked the City for its support.
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November 1, 2022
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Retiring Employee - Tilahun Y. (Abraham) Alemu Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retiring employee Abraham Alemu, General Manager of Public Utilities, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation. Mayor Pro Tem Larios presented the proclamation to Abraham Alemu and thanked him for his service to the City of Vernon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem 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:
2. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 18, 2022 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
3. Conduct of Meetings via Teleconference Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 Recommendation: Ratify the findings in Resolution No. 2021-36 authorizing continued conduct of City Council and all other City legislative body meetings via teleconference, in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361), due to continued public health and safety concerns caused by COVID-19.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 97, for the period of October 2 through October 15, 2022, totaling $2,495,756.78 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $2,168,499.18 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $327,257.60.
5. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation:
Receive and file the September 2022 Building Report.
6. Quarterly Report of Cash and Investments
Recommendation:
Receive and file the Report of Cash and Investments for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
7. Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Grants Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-36 authorizing the submittal of application(s) for all CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs for which the City of Vernon is eligible and repealing all resolutions in conflict therewith, specifically Resolution No. 2017-56.
8. 2023 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program Proposals for City Employee and Retiree Benefit Plans Recommendation: Approve the Acceptance of the 2023 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Employee Assistance Program Proposals and DocuSign Envelope ID: 020516ED-50A1-4056-8F7E-EC4C4BEDFF88 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
November 1, 2022
authorize the City Administrator to execute 2023 calendar year carrier agreements with Blue Shield of California, Anthem, MetLife, EyeMed, Mutual of Omaha, Anthem PRISM EAP, and HSA Bank.
9. Report on Agreement Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation: Receive and file the report
NEW BUSINESS
10. Appointment of Health Officer for the City of Vernon Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report.
Dr. Evans introduced himself and provided his vision.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Larios seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-37 appointing Tyler B. Evans, M.D., MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H, FIDSA of Wellness & Equity Alliance (WEA) as the Health Officer for the City of Vernon. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
11. April 11, 2023 General Municipal Election
City Clerk Pope presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Lopez seconded a motion to: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-38 calling and giving notice of an all-mail ballot General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, for the election of a City Council Member as required by the provisions of the Charter and submitting a ballot measure to the voters to amend Municipal Code Section 3.20.020 extending the Public Safety Special Parcel Tax; B. Select the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem as the 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. 2022-39 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino discussed the successful Halloween Spooktacular and Halloween Harvest at Vernon Elementary; and announced Ethics Training, November 1, at 11 a.m., medical supply donation to the Community Hospital of Huntington Park, Business Breakfast on November 9, at 8 a.m., and LAEDC Most Business-Friendly City Award Ceremony on November 9, 2022.
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November 1, 2022
City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:50 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
12. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (2) Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Christina Sanchez v. City of Vernon, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 19STCV38779
Jerry Chavez v. City of Vernon
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC719460
RECONVENE
At 10:17 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:17 a.m.
______________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 020516ED-50A1-4056-8F7E-EC4C4BEDFF88