MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
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
Judith Merlo, Mayor Pro Tem
Melissa Ybarra, Council Member
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
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
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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March 19, 2024
PRESENTATIONS
1. Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Awards and Direct Service Grantee Certificates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24
Deputy City Clerk Parker presented the staff report and Council recognized the scholarship recipients: Chicxs Rocerxs, Dolores Mission School, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Jovenes, Libros Schmibros, Neighborhood Music School, Proyecto Pastoral, PUENTE Learning Center, and YMCA Southeast Rio Vista.
2. Employee Service Pin Awards
Human Resources Director Earl announced the February 2024 Employee Service Pin Award Recipient: Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control Department, Veronica Petrosyan.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Warehouse Development Agreement for 5764 Alcoa Avenue Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Mayor Larios opened the public hearing.
Jose Radillo, LIUNA, spoke in support of the project.
There being no other speakers, Mayor Larios closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to:
A. Find that the ordinance is not subject to CEQA as the adoption of the ordinance is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, because the proposed development consists of the replacement and reconstruction of existing facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structures being replaced and will have substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity as the structures being replaced; B. Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 1299 approving Warehouse Development Agreement No.WH-001 for Assessor Parcel Numbers 6310-005-003, 6310-005-004, 6310-005-009, and 6310-005-010 between the City of Vernon and; and GPT Vernon Owner, LP; and C. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption for the April 2, 2024 City Council meeting. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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March 19, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Council Member Lopez 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:
4. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the March 5, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
5. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2024 Police Department Activity Report
6. Amendments No. 3 and No. 4 to the Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 3 to the Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Enterprise Resource Planning Software as a Service Hosting and Support for a total amount not-to-exceed $1,271,211.34, for a 3-year term; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 4 to the Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, to reflect the addition and removal of various modules from the current Agreement, for a total amount not-to-exceed $568,770.22, for the 3-year term.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the January 2024 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 126, for the period of February 4 through February 17, 2024, totaling $8,774,682.53 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,123,746.31 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $650,936.22.
9. License Agreement with Southern California Edison Company 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 proposed action involves the leasing of an existing public utility service facility and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a License Agreement with the Southern California Edison Company (SCE), in substantially the same form as submitted, for the use of land at the Laguna Bell Substation for a total amount not-to-exceed $2,208.21, for a five-year term.
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March 19, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
10. Contract with Western Allied Corporation for City Hall HVAC System Improvements - Contract No. 20240089
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Wall explained the work timeline and impacts to City Hall operations.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Larios 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 § 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance and minor alteration of the existing City Hall HVAC controls and system and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the bid proposal from Western Allied Corporation as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with Western Allied Corporation, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the City Hall HVAC System Improvements Project in an amount not-to-exceed $429,245; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $42,924.50 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.
11. City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
Deputy City Clerk Parker presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to appoint Mayor Larios as the City’s representative and Council Member Lopez as the City’s alternate to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Appointment of Deborah A. Harrington as Interim City Clerk Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
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March 19, 2024
MOTION
Council Member Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-03 appointing Deborah A. Harrington to serve as Interim City Clerk of the City of Vernon and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
13. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the Graffiti Hotline 323-522-2310 is now active; upcoming Regular Green Vernon Commission Meeting on March 20, 2024; Spring Egg-Stravaganza on Thursday March 21, 2024 from 5-7 p.m.; and 2024 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship applications being received through March 28, 2024.
14. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
CLOSED SESSION
RECESS
Mayor Larios recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:22 a.m.
15. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Whittier, et al. v. Los Angeles Superior Court, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCP03579
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 23STVP03579
RECONVENE
At 9:34 a.m., Mayor Larios adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported the Council met in Closed Session, discussed the item on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
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March 19, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Larios adjourned the meeting at 9:34 a.m.
______________________________
CRYSTAL LARIOS, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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