MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Larios called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Larios led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Crystal Larios, Mayor
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
ABSENT:
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Scott Williams, Finance Director
Veronica Petrosyan, Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Nicholas Perez, Police Lieutenant
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Margie Otto, Public Utilities Assistant General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Lopez absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. City Administrator Report
City Administrator Fandino provided information on various topics including New Business Welcome, Business Spotlight, Vernon’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Station, the Southern California Public Power Authority Annual Tour, Vernon’s Gateway Arch, Former Vernon Police Officer Visit, Economic Development Webpage Redesign, Business Networking and Community Events.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Council Member Lopez absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the July 18, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 113, for the period of June 25 through July 8, 2023, totaling $3,162,216.17 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $2,343,357.83 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $818,858.34.
4. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register No. 66, for the period of July 17, 2022 through July 8, 2023 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $5,000.
5. Quarterly Report of Cash and Investments
Recommendation: Receive and file the Cash and Investments Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
6. Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles Fee Waiver
Recommendation: A. Find that granting a fee waiver for Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles (Helping Hands) is an appropriate use of public funds because Helping Hands is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the funds will support activities that are charitable and provide a substantial benefit to the public; B. Waive annual Public Health Permit, Hazmat, Occupancy Permit, and Business License fees for Helping Hands for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and subsequent years; and C. Waive a one-time permit fee in the amount of $801.33 for the installation of warehouse storage racks at the Helping Hands facility.
7. Change Order No. 1 with Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc., Contract No.CS1303: Citywide Traffic Signal Maintenance and Repair Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is categorically exempt under the California Environments Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, Class 1, maintenance, DocuSign Envelope ID: 9D941ABA-6E6B-43A2-87E7-C16834C1A6BE Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
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because this project only consists of maintenance and repair of the City’s traffic signals and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Change Order No. 1 for Contract No. CS-1303 with Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. for a total amount not-to-exceed $215,000 for traffic signal maintenance and emergency repairs.
8. Notice of Completion for Contract No. CS-1456 Citywide Tree Wells Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an administrative procedure and will not result in direct physical changes or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a ”project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378; B. Accept the work of FS Contractors, Inc. as related to City Contract No. CS-1456; and C. Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute and submit the Notice of Completion for the project to the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office.
9. Professional Services Agreement with All City Management Services for Crossing Guard Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with All City Management Services, in substantially the same form as submitted, for crossing guard services, for a total amount not-to-exceed $165,014, for a three-year term.
10. Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with SDI Presence LLC
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with SDI Presence LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, for project management services for a total not-to-exceed $224,437.50, for an additional term of one year and four months.
NEW BUSINESS
11. Mixed Use Industrial Zoning Along Santa Fe Avenue
Council Member Ybarra recused herself due to a conflict with her property and left the dais at 9:15 a.m.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Marisa Olguin, President of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, indicated support for the proposed ordinance.
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1293 adding and amending various chapters in Title 17 – Zoning of the Vernon Municipal Code to allow Mixed Use Industrial Zoning along Santa Fe Avenue. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Lopez and Ybarra absent.
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Council Member Ybarra returned to the dais at 9:21 a.m.
ORAL REPORTS
12. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the LAUSD Superintendent’s Opening of Schools Address on August 4, 2023, at 9 am, at the Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and Maywood/Vernon Stargazing Community Event on August 7, at 7:00 p.m. at Maywood City Hall.
13. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:22 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9D941ABA-6E6B-43A2-87E7-C16834C1A6BE