MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
ABSENT:
Crystal Larios, Mayor
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 Lisette Grizzelle, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Roberto 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 Larios absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Danny Pizzaro, Starbucks Store Manager, and staff introduced themselves and expressed their enthusiasm for opening in the City of Vernon.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 98BD31FF-FADC-4463-9CD3-F368E271B536 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
September 19, 2023
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Senior Human Resources Analyst Grizzelle announced the recipients of the July and August 2023 Employee Service Pin Awards and the City Council presented the pins.
2. Proclamation Recognizing Daniel J. Santos
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation recognizing retiring Police Sergeant Daniel J. Santos and the City Council presented the proclamation.
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 Larios absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 5, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Sandra Dolson; Anton Tumas; and Antonio Yader.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 116, for the period of August 6 through August 19, 2023, totaling $10,209,573.82 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $9,641,098.93 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $568,474.89.
6. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 807, for the period of August 1 through August 31, 2023, totaling $2,914,929.43 and consisting of ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,875,188.18 and ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $1,039,741.25 paid through operating bank account.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2023 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2023 Police Department Activity Report.
9. Quarterly Housing Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2023 Quarterly Housing Report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 98BD31FF-FADC-4463-9CD3-F368E271B536 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
September 19, 2023
10. 2022 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report and Power Content Label
Recommendation: A. Ratify the submission to the California Energy Commission (CEC) of the attestation signed by Vernon Public Utilities’ General Manager, of the veracity of the 2022 Power Source Disclosure Program Annual Report; and B.
Approve the 2022 Power Content Label and authorize its submission to the CEC.
11. Services Agreement with ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc. (ABB) 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 project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of an existing facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with ABB, in substantially the same form as submitted, to procure spare parts for ABB’s GBA 1250 generator; for a total amount not-toexceed $136,529.15 (consisting of $118,721 for parts and services, plus 15% or $17,808.15 for taxes and duties); and C. Authorize a contingency amount of tenpercent (10%) or $11,872, for any other expenses or costs not included in the proposal, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
12. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dyrt Labs, Inc. (Dyrt) Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; even if the action was considered a project under CEQA, it would be exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, because the composting pilot program is being carried out by a regulatory agency to maintain, restore, or enhance the environment, where the regulatory process includes procedures to protect the environment; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the MOU with Dyrt, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a composting pilot project for a three-month term with an option to extend the MOU for an additional three months for a total six-month pilot term.
13. Professional Services Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC (CentralSquare) for Dispatch and Mobile Software
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with CentralSquare, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a Public Safety Software System for a total amount not-toexceed $582,117, for a three-year term.
ORAL REPORTS
14. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the Starbucks grand opening; staff attending Cal Cities Conference; City’s Business Breakfast on September 27, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.; Helping Hands Anniversary Celebration on September 23, DocuSign Envelope ID: 98BD31FF-FADC-4463-9CD3-F368E271B536 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
September 19, 2023
2023, at 10 a.m.; and JC Sales 30th Anniversary Celebration on September 27, at 11 a.m.
15. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo adjourned the meeting at 9:16 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 98BD31FF-FADC-4463-9CD3-F368E271B536