MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 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 (arrived at 9:06 a.m.)
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
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
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
DocuSign Envelope ID: DCF152F8-9F71-408E-9A37-FAABFD83B54B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
September 5, 2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 2021-2029 Housing Element Update
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Mayor Larios opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, Mayor Larios closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to:
A. Find that the proposed adoption of a Housing Element Update complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because a Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) was prepared for the Westside Zoning Code Amendments and on July 18, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023- 16 certifying the Final PEIR State Clearinghouse No. 2022040458; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-20 approving and adopting an amended General Plan (2021- 2029 Housing Element Update). The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the August 15, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Cesar Sanchez Sanchez in the amount of $1,137.91; Levin & Nalbandyan Trial Lawyers on behalf of Raul Mojarro, for an undetermined amount; and Square-H Brands, Inc., for $14,120.
4. League of California Cities 2023 Annual Conference Voting Delegate and Alternate
Recommendation: Appoint City Administrator Carlos Fandino as the voting delegate and Deputy City Administrator Angela Kimmey as the alternate to represent the City of Vernon at the General Assembly, scheduled for September 22, 2023 during the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 115, for the period of July 23 through August 5, 2023, totaling $15,864,754.59 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $15,380,249.02 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $484,505.57.
DocuSign Envelope ID: DCF152F8-9F71-408E-9A37-FAABFD83B54B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
September 5, 2023
6. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Anti-Drug and Alcohol Policies
Recommendation: A. Adopt Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Policy III8 and III-9 – FMCSA and PHMSA Anti-Drug and Alcohol Policies; and B. Authorize the City Administrator to make minor revisions as necessary, execute and distribute the policies to affected City Employees.
7. Community Development Block Grant Program Closeout for Coronavirus Response Rounds 2 and 3
Recommendation: Receive and file the report summarizing the accomplishments performed under the Community Development Block Grant Agreement 20-CDBGCV-2-3-00153 and authorize staff to proceed with submitting required documents for closeout to the State.
8. Amendment No. 1 to the Attorney Services Agreement between the City of Vernon and Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP for specialized outside legal services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Attorney Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP (Burke Williams), in substantially the same form as submitted, to increase the total not-to-exceed amount by an additional $125,000.
ORAL REPORTS
9. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo arrived at 9:06 a.m.
City Administrator Fandino announced the upcoming Special Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee meeting at 10 a.m., and the Regular Housing Commission Meeting at 6 p.m. on September 13, 2023; Helping Hands Anniversary event on September 23, at 10 a.m.; City’s Spooktacular event on October 26; and proposed meeting schedule for the holiday season.
10. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Larios recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:07 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
11. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Marisol Trujillo v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No.: ADJ11853451 DocuSign Envelope ID: DCF152F8-9F71-408E-9A37-FAABFD83B54B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
September 5, 2023
12. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Two cases) Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Workers Compensation Claim of Daniel Onopa: Claim No. 21006990 Workers Compensation Claim of Patrick Cam: Claim No. 22003129
RECONVENE
At 9:21 a.m., Mayor Larios adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the items on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:22 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: DCF152F8-9F71-408E-9A37-FAABFD83B54B