MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 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
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
ABSENT:
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 Lopez seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
City Clerk Pope read an email from Jonathan Hawes.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. City Administrator Report
City Administrator Fandino provided information on various topics including New Business Welcome, Daggett Project Ribbon Cutting, Prime Data Topping Out Ceremony, Composting Program, New Online Permitting Portal, Non-Profit Grant Workshop, Senator Durazo Visit, Business Engagement, and Community Events.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Digital Billboard Development Agreements with Clear Channel Outdoors, LLC
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Wall explained the payment to be received; length of the agreement due to investment by Clear Channel; standards for lumen; and the proposed billboard to be installed at City Hall.
Mayor Larios opened the public hearing.
Lane Lawson, Clear Channel Outdoors, LLC, explained the automatic dimming on the billboards and static messaging.
There being no additional speakers, Mayor Larios closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to: A. Find that the ordinances are not subject to CEQA because the adoption of these ordinances are not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, because the proposed development and conversion of static billboards to digital billboards contemplates only replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities at the sites having substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity; B. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1296 approving Digital Billboard Development Agreement No. CCO-01 for Assessor Parcel Numbers 5192-025- 900 and 5192-025-902 between the City of Vernon and Clear Channel Outdoor, LLC; C. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1297 approving Digital Billboard Development Agreement No. CCO-02 for Assessor Parcel Number 6308-016-054 between the City of Vernon and Clear Channel Outdoor, LLC; D. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1298 approving Digital Billboard Development Agreement No. CCO-03 for Assessor Parcel Number 5192-019-801; and E. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of Ordinance Nos. 1296, 1297, and 1298 for the January 16, 2024, Regular City Council meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Mayor Pro Tem Merlo absent.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Ybarra 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:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 21, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Rembish & LaSararcina, LLC, Attorneys at Law on behalf of HV Randall Foods, LLC.
5. Regulation of Fueling Stations in the Truck and Freight Terminal (T) Overlay Zone
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1295 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 17.16.020 and adding Sections
17.48.035 and 17.48.040D regarding fueling stations in the Truck and Freight Terminal (T) Overlay Zone.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 121, for the period of October 22 through November 4, 2023, totaling $6,252,817.99 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $5,879,197.12 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $373,620.87.
7. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2023 Building Report.
8. Salary Plan Administration Policy
Recommendation: A. Adopt the revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Policy II-3 – Salary Plan Administration; and B. Authorize the City Administrator and Director of Human Resources to execute and distribute the Policy.
9. Observed City Holidays
Recommendation: Designate December 26, 2023, and January 2, 2024, as observed City Holidays and approve the closure of City offices on said days.
10. Professional Services Agreement with Foothill Communications for an Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERRCS)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Foothill Communications, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the purchase and installation of an ERRCS for a total amount not-to-exceed $138,574.12.
11. Services Agreement with Montrose Air Quality Services, LLC Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a testing 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: 30E18FAD-7924-47DE-BAFF-F944335F370D Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
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15378; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Montrose Air Quality Services, LLC (Montrose), in substantially the same form as submitted, to provide source testing for natural gas generation facilities in an amount not-to-exceed $238,238, for a three-year term.
12. Services Agreement with Richard Heath and Associates, Inc.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Richard Heath and Associates, Inc. (RHA), in substantially the same form as submitted, to provide energy audit, engineering support and direct installation services in an amount not-to-exceed $375,000, for a three-year term.
13. Amendment No. 1 to Services Agreement with Waterline Technologies, Inc.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement with Waterline Technologies, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, to add a 100-gallon minimum policy per facility for bulk deliveries.
14. Purchase Orders with National Auto Fleet Group
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order with National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) for a 2024 Ford Super Duty F-350, for a total amount not-to-exceed $76,558.10; B. Authorize a contingency amount of twenty percent (20%) or $15,311.62 for unforeseen fluctuations in price, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a Supplemental to the Purchase Order to NAFG for an amount up to the contingency amount; C. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order with NAFG for a 2024 Ford Super Duty F-350 with a liftgate, for a total amount not-to-exceed $84,143.49; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of twenty percent (20%) or $16,828.70 for unforeseen fluctuations in price, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a Supplemental to the Purchase Order to NAFG for an amount up to the contingency amount.
15. Professional Services Agreement with BLX Group LLC for Financial Advisory Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with BLX Group LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, for Financial Advisory Services for a total amount not-to-exceed $200,000 for a one (1) year term.
ORAL REPORTS
16. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the water rate adjustment effective January 1, 2024; LA Metro public vote for the Metro West Santa Ana Branch Transit Project; Lynwood Candy Cane Lane Parade on December 8, at 7:00 p.m.; Special Housing Commission meeting on December 6, at 6:00 p.m.; Holiday Tree Lighting on December 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Huntington Park Holiday Parade on December 9, at 5:00 p.m.; Special Green Vernon Commission Meeting on December 12, at 3:30 p.m.; Holiday events on December 13; and delivery of the Vernon resident newsletter. He wished everyone Happy Holidays.
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17. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:26 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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