MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Larios called the meeting to order at 9:01 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
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Lisa Pope, City Clerk
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director Michael Earl, Human Resources Director
Roberto Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
Margie Otto, Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Richard Corbi, Public Utilities Planning and Analysis Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Oscar E. Zozaya
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation recognizing retired Police Officer Oscar E.
Zozaya.
2. Employee Service Pin Awards
Human Resources Director Earl announced the recipients of the July 2023 Employee Service Pin Awards.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo 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:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the August 1, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Joel Aguilar in the amount of $756.01; and Aiman-Smith & Marcy on behalf of Cari McCormick, for an undetermined amount.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 114, for the period of July 9 through July 22, 2023, totaling $10,676,759.21 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,803,961.15 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $872,798.06.
6. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 806, for the period of July 1 through July 31, 2023, totaling $2,806,436 and consisting of ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,817,583.16 and ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $988,852.84 paid through operating bank account.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the June 2023 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the June 2023 Police Department Activity Report.
9. Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement and Annual Certification Report Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Police Chief and City Administrator to execute the Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement and Annual Certification Report.
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August 15, 2023
10. Grant Deed Dedication in Fee a Portion of the Property Located at 3165 Slauson Avenue
Recommendation: A. Find that accepting the Grant Deed is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) because if any construction occurs as a result of accepting and executing the Grant Deed, the project would involve negligible expansion of an existing street; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-17 accepting the Grant Deed of a portion of the property located at 3165 Slauson Avenue – Assessor’s Parcel Number 6310-007-012.
11. Quitclaim Deed for Property Located at 5122 S. Atlantic Boulevard from Clear Channel Outdoor, LLC
Recommendation: A. Find that accepting the Quitclaim Deed is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) because if any construction occurs as a result of accepting and executing the Quitclaim Deed, the project would involve negligible expansion of an existing street; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-18 accepting the Quitclaim Deed for the property located at 5122 S. Atlantic Boulevard – Assessor’s Parcel Number 6314-003-001.
12. Services Agreements with A.M. Ortega Construction, Inc. and Energy Experts International, Inc. for Natural Gas Project Design, Construction and Repair Services
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the contracted services consist of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and equipment and involve negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute two separate three-year Services Agreements for Natural Gas Project Design, Construction and Repair Services for which a combined amount of costs incurred shall not-to-exceed $690,000 over the term of the agreements, with: 1). A.M. Ortega Construction, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted for a total amount not-to-exceed $690,000, for a three-year term; and 2). Energy Experts International, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for a total amount not-to-exceed $690,000, for a three-year term.
13. Itron, Inc. Master Sales Agreement for Utility Meter Services Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Master Sales Agreement with Itron Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for hardware, software, and maintenance services for utility service meters for a total amount not-to-exceed $148,770 for a three-year term.
14. Services Agreement with Jemmott Rollins Group, Inc for Vernon CommUNITY Fund Administrative Support
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Jemmott Rollins Group, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for administrative support services for Vernon CommUNITY Fund grantmaking activities for a total amount not-to-exceed $198,000, for a three-year term ($66,000 annually).
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August 15, 2023
15. Master Affiliation Services Agreement with Wellness and Equity Alliance (WEA) for Public Health Services
Recommendation: A. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Sections
3.32.110 (B)(2) and (B)(3), find that it is in the best interest of the City to award a services agreement directly to WEA without a competitive process; and B.
Authorize the City Administrator to execute the Master Affiliation Services Agreement with WEA, in substantially the same form as submitted, for public health services for a total amount not-to-exceed $567,000, for a one-year term.
NEW BUSINESS
16. Vernon Public Utilities Electric Cost of Service Analysis and Updated Energy Cost Adjustment Billing Factor
Public Utilities General Manager Dusenberry, Public Utilities Planning and Analysis Manager Corbi; and Tony Georgis, New Gen Strategies and Solutions, presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, staff explained increased costs and the need to meet the coverage ratios requiring use of $18 million of the Expense Stabilization Fund.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Ybarra seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-19 to update and implement an Energy Cost Adjustment Billing Factor procedure and computation method which establishes an Energy Cost Adjustment to be billed under all electrical rate schedules for energy transmitted, distributed, and supplied to the City of Vernon electric customers. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
17. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
Deputy City Administrator Kimmey announced the start of school for Vernon Elementary; new Principal, Ken Urbina; and Department of Toxic Substances Control Exide Technical Advisory Group meeting on August 16, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
18. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
Council Member Lopez reported on her attendance at the Independent Cities Association Summer Seminar, from July 27-30, 2023, with a fiscal impact of approximately $1,670.
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August 15, 2023
RECESS
Mayor Larios recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:40 a.m.
Mayor Larios left the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
19. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Attorney
RECONVENE
At 10:51 a.m., Mayor Pro Tem Merlo adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting, with all Council Members present except Mayor Larios.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo adjourned the meeting at 10:51 a.m. ______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 010DDDD8-AB03-4269-8B90-1CFB8506E1D1