MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 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
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
ABSENT:
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
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 Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo and Council Member Lopez absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 0884271D-7411-4223-946C-C9AD388E11AE Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
November 21, 2023
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
The City Council recognized the following October 2023 Employee Service Pin Award recipients: Director of Health and Environmental Control Fredrick Agyin; Police Officer Marcus Fino; Police Officer Todd Newton; and Water Maintenance Worker, Senior Rafael Castellanos.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Regulation of fueling stations in the Truck and Freight Terminal (T) Overlay Zone
Recommendation:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review because it is a general policy and procedure-making activity that is unrelated to any specific project, which must undergo separate CEQA review, and that 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. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1295 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section
17.16.020 and adding Sections 17.48.035 and 17.48.040.D regarding fueling stations in the Truck and Freight Terminal (T) Overlay Zone; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1295 for the December 5, 2023 City Council meeting.
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 Rivera seconded a motion to: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review because it is a general policy and procedure-making activity that is unrelated to any specific project, which must undergo separate CEQA review, and that 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. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1295 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 17.16.020 and adding Sections 17.48.035 and 17.48.040.D regarding fueling stations in the Truck and Freight Terminal (T) Overlay Zone; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1295 for the December 5, 2023 City Council meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Mayor Pro Tem Larios Council Member Lopez absent.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 0884271D-7411-4223-946C-C9AD388E11AE Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
November 21, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Council Member Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 3- 0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo and Council Member Lopez absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 7, 2023 Special City Council, November 7, 2023 Regular City Council, and November 7, 2023 Joint Special Council/Commission/Committee (Ethics Training) Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Progressive West Insurance Company on behalf of Gvantsa Giorgadze.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 120, for the period of October 1 through October 21, 2023, totaling $8,283,851.32 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $7,813,179.03 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $470,672.29.
6. City Payroll Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve City Payroll Warrant Register No. 809, for the period of October 1 through October 31, 2023, totaling $2,918,092.54 and consisting of ratification of direct deposits, checks and taxes totaling $1,928,570.65 and ratification of checks and electronic fund transfers (EFT) for payroll related disbursements totaling $989,521.89 paid through operating bank account.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2023 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the September 2023 Police Department Activity Report.
9. Vernon Police Department Body-Worn Camera and In-Car Mobile Auto Video Recording
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Subaward (“Micro-grant”) Agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in substantially the same form as submitted, for participation in the Small, Rural, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agency Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program for a 3-year term, with an effective date of January 1, 2023; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Participating Agency Endorsement and Authorization to the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement; and C. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Contract with LensLock, Inc., for the lease of body-worn camera equipment in the amount not to exceed $277,998.02 for a three-year term, and authorize the City Administrator to execute the related proposal from LensLock.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 0884271D-7411-4223-946C-C9AD388E11AE Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
November 21, 2023
10. Change Order No. 19 to the Amended and Restated Services Agreement with Siemens Energy Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a government fiscal activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378; to the extent the Purchase Contracts with Siemens Energy provides for facility and equipment maintenance or repairs, such work is categorically exempt from CEQA review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, or equipment, and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Change Order No. 19 to the Amended and Restated Services Agreement with Siemens Energy Inc. (Siemens Energy), in substantially the same form as submitted, to perform a Feedwater Pump Motor Life Expectancy Analysis Program Test and add contingency funds for extra work authorizations executed during the December 2023 outage.
ORAL REPORTS
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced upcoming events including Holiday Tree Lighting on December 7, at 5:00 p.m.; Huntington Park Holiday Parade on December 9, at 5:00 p.m.; and Soccer Ball Delivery and Adopt-a-Family/Operation Santa on December 13. He reminded the Council of the remaining meetings and cancellations in December and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
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 9:07 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
13. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Vernon v. 3M Company (f/k/a Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.), et al.
Master Docket No.: 2:18-mn-2873-RMG
RECONVENE
At 9:28 a.m., Mayor Larios adjourned Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 0884271D-7411-4223-946C-C9AD388E11AE Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5
November 21, 2023
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:29 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 0884271D-7411-4223-946C-C9AD388E11AE