MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 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:
Carlos Fandino, City Administrator
Angela Kimmey, Deputy 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
Councill Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Leonora K. Carrillo, Principal of Vernon City Elementary School, introduced herself to the City Council and community.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Daniel Cordova
The City Council acknowledged Daniel Cordova for his years of service to the City.
2. Indigenous Peoples’ Day Proclamation
City Clerk Pope read the proclamation and the City Council proclaimed October 9, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Vernon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera 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 September 19, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 117, for the period of August 20 through September 2, 2023, totaling $7,078,751.65 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,788,492.44 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $290,259.21.
5. 2024 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Employee Assistance Program Benefit Proposals for City Employees and Retirees Recommendation: Approve the acceptance of the 2024 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Employee Assistance program proposals and authorize the City Administrator to execute 2024 calendar year carrier agreements with Blue Shield of California, Anthem, MetLife, EyeMed, Mutual of Omaha, and Anthem PRISM EAP.
6. Resource Adequacy Plan for 2024
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-21 approving and adopting the Vernon Public Utilities Department Resource Adequacy Plan for 2024, which includes the coincident peak Demand Forecast, the Planning Reserve Margin, the Qualifying Capacity Criteria, and the Qualifying Capacity from such resources, the City’s Resource Adequacy and Supply Data and approving the resources used to satisfy the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) tariff requirements and repealing Resolution No. 2022-35; and B. Authorize staff to submit the Vernon Public Utilities Department’s Resource Adequacy Plan for 2024 and the Monthly Resource Adequacy and Supply Data to the CAISO.
7. rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC - Request to Consider Items Regarding Added Facilities for Electric Service and Electric Consumption Hurdle Escrow Funds
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October 3, 2023
Recommendation: A. Find the action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3), because it constitutes government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment and organizational or administrative activities of a public agency that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Moreover, adoption of the Resolution does not qualify as a "project" because it does not have the potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a); B. Authorize the proposed request for Disbursement No. 3 to the existing Added Facilities Agreement with rPlanet Earth Los Angeles, LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, for electric service delivery in the amount of $416,610.27; and C. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-22 amending the Escrow Agreement, agreement regarding Assignment and Assumption of Purchase and Sale Agreement, and Added Facilities Agreement to release remaining escrow funds for Added Facilities, in the estimated amount of $813,915.40 plus accrued interest, and to waive the final electric consumption hurdle of eight (8) megawatts (MW) and release the final deposit of $441,613.98 plus accrued interest from the Consumption Hurdle Escrow Account.
8. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2023 and August 2023 Building Reports.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Amendment to Classification and Compensation Plan
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to:
A. Approve new, retitled and revised job descriptions; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-23 adopting the Classification and Compensation Plan in accordance with Government Code Section 20636(b)(1) and repealing Resolution No. 2023-11 effective October 3, 2023. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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10. Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-24 approving the revised Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy and repealing Resolution No. 2022-28. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino welcomed Vernon City Elementary School Principal Carillo. He announced Coffee with a Cop on October 4 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the new Starbucks on Soto Street; Grantmaking Workshop on October 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Annual Career Day on October 18, 5:30 – 7 p.m.; and the Annual Spooktacular on October 26, 2023.
12. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Larios recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:14 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
13. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 1
RECONVENE
At 9:51 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, Council received an update from legal counsel and provided direction on the City’s participation in City of Whittier, et al v. LA Superior Court, et al (LASC Case Number 23STCP03579).
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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