MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:08 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
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk
Jessica Alcaraz, Financial Services Administrator
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
Staff pulled and moved Item 7 from the Consent Calendar to New Business.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously, Mayor Larios absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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March 5, 2024
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Retired Employee - Wenceslao P. Reynoso City Council acknowledged Wenceslao P. Reynoso for his years of service to the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, Items 2-6, and 8. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously, Mayor Larios absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the February 20, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Jared A. Dickerson.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 125, for the period of January 21 through February 3, 2024, totaling $7,617,882.77 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,843,535.52 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $774,347.25.
5. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2024 Building Report.
6. Services Agreement with Aon Risk Insurance West, Inc. for Professional Property/Casualty Insurance Broker of Record
Recommendation: A. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the proposed service agreement for a professional property/casualty insurance broker of record every three years pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section (VMC)
3.32.220 (B); and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Aon Risk Insurance Services West, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for professional property/casualty insurance broker of record, for a total amount not-to-exceed $462,500, for a five-year term effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029, with an option to extend for an additional two years after the expiration of the initial term.
8. National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Grant Program Agreement Between the City of Vernon and Wellness and Equity Alliance, LLC (WEA)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the NAACHO Grant Program Agreement with WEA, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a vaccine equity project, for a total amount not-to-exceed $150,000, for the duration of the NACCHO grant term ending on July 31, 2024.
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March 5, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
7. Amendment No. 1 to the Southeast Rio Vista Family YMCA Services Agreement
City Administrator Fandino and Administrative Analyst Figueroa presented the staff report and answered City Council’s questions related to wear and tear, facilities equipment, and supplies fund allocation.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to table Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement with Southeast-Rio Vista Family YMCA and directed staff to amend recommendations as stated for Council consideration to the March 19, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting. The question was called and the motion was carried unanimously, Mayor Larios absent.
9. Contract with Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 9 – Contract No. 20240173
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to: 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 and minor alteration of the existing City’s traffic signals and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the bid proposal from Elecnor Belco Electric Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with Elecnor Belco Electric Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Traffic Signal Indications Upgrades and Placement of Solar-Powered Speed Signs HSIP Cycle 9 Project in an amount not-to-exceed $247,000; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $24,700 in the event of an unexpected changed condition in the project and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously, Mayor Larios absent.
10. City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
Deputy City Clerk Parker presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to A. Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Merlo as the City’s delegate and Council Member Lopez the City’s alternate to represent the City at the Southern California DocuSign Envelope ID: 451CAD8B-5CCD-4385-95B1-20D892B3F1CA Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
March 5, 2024
Association of Governments 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly; and B. Table appointment of the City’s representative and alternate to Gateway Cities Council of Governments. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously, Mayor Larios absent.
ORAL REPORTS
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the February 2024 Vernon Resident Newsletter, upcoming Vernon Housing Commission Meeting on March 13 at 6 p.m. and Business and Industry Commission Meeting on March 14, 2024 at 9 a.m.; Spring Egg-Stravaganza on Thursday, March 21,2024; Presidential Primary on March 5, 2024; and the City of Vernon General Municipal Election on Tuesday April 9, 2024.
12. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Merlo adjourned the meeting at 9:29 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 451CAD8B-5CCD-4385-95B1-20D892B3F1CA