MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 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
Deborah Harrington, Interim 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 Mayor Pro Tem Merlo seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Leonora Carillo, Principal at Vernon City Elementary School, stated they are working toward getting recognized as a State Distinguished School.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. Results of the City of Vernon April 9, 2024 General Municipal Election Interim City Clerk Harrington presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-06 reciting the facts and declaring the results of the General Municipal Election held on April 9, 2024, and ratifying adoption of Ordinance No. 1294 (Measure X), establishing a transient occupancy tax in the City of Vernon by adding Section 3.22 to the Vernon Municipal Code. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Interim City Clerk Harrington administered the Oath of Office to Crystal Larios.
Interim City Clerk Harrington presented a Certificate of Election to Crystal Larios.
Council Member Larios thanked the public for the opportunity and thanked her family for their support, and expressed she’s looking forward to great projects and good work ahead.
Interim City Clerk Harrington announced the City Council Reorganization with Judith Merlo as Mayor and Melissa Ybarra as Mayor Pro Tem.
RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting at 9:11 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:17 a.m. with all Council Members present.
2. California Department of Toxic Substances Control Update on Exide Related Remediation
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin and Mehdi Bettahar, Department of Toxic Substances Control, presented the report.
3. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Workshop I
Financial Services Administrator Alcaraz presented the staff report.
City Administrator Fandino provided information on revenue projections and investments to bring businesses back on-line as well as new businesses into the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
4. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 16, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
5. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Andrea Prado and Anthony Alvarez.
6. Amendments to Vernon Municipal Code Sections 17.56.060 and 17.57.020 pertaining to Automobile and Truck Loading
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1300 amending Tables 17.56.060(B) and 17.56.060(C) in Section 17.56.060 and Table
17.57.020(B) in Section 17.57.020 of the Vernon Municipal Code regarding standards and requirements for automobile parking and truck loading for Data Centers.
7. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2024 Police Department Activity Report
8. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2024 Building Report.
9. Quarterly Report of Cash and Investments
Recommendation: Receive and file the First Quarter Cash and Investments Report.
10. Services Agreement with MIG, Inc. for Rebranding and Strategic Communication Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with MIG, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for rebranding and strategic communication services for a total amount not-to-exceed $305,000, for a three-year term.
11. Contract with Haul-Away Rubbish Service Co., for Mixed Waste Collection, Recycling and Disposal Services - Contract No. 20240297 Recommendation: A. Accept the bid proposal from Haul-Away Rubbish Service Co. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Mixed Waste Collection, Recycling and Disposal Services and reject all other bids; B. Approve and Authorize the City Administrator to execute Contract No. 20240297 in the amount of $360,000 for Mixed Waste Collection, Recycling and Disposal Services for the City, for a period not to exceed three (3) years; and C. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $36,000 for changes in frequency or volume of services being rendered, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders of an amount up to the contingency amount if necessary.
12. Notice of Completion for Contract No. LP-0655 – Rehabilitation of Reservoirs 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3
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 project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and equipment and involves negligible or no DocuSign Envelope ID: 46AE154A-A5C4-4556-ADCE-292F0711543E Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
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expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the work by Capital Industrial Coatings, LLC regarding City Contract No. LP-0655; and C. Authorize the General Manager of Public Utilities to execute and submit the Notice of Completion to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
13. Participation in the Election of Members of the Central Basin Water Rights Panel of the Central Basin Watermaster
Recommendation: A. Authorize the City of Vernon’s participation in the Election of Members of the Central Basin Water Rights Panel of the Central Basin Watermaster; and B. Authorize the City Administrator or the City Administrator’s designee to nominate and vote for members for the Central Basin Water Rights Panel.
14. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 129, for the period of March 17 through March 30, 2024, totaling $5,691,957.10 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $5,510,553.50 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $181,403.60.
15. Purchase of Electric Vehicles for Police Department Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order to Tesla, Inc. for the purchase of two new Model Y vehicles for a total amount not to exceed $116,050; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of ten (10%) percent or $11,605, for pricing fluctuations and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue a Change Order for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
ORAL REPORTS
16. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
City Administrator Fandino announced the following:
The City is seeking community members to serve on the City’s Business and Industry Commission and Green Vernon Commission. Information is available online and applications are due by May 9, 2024. Vernon’s next Job Fair is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Vernon Housing Lottery will be conducted on June 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. for City-Owned housing unit located at 3349 Fruitland Avenue at $2,000 per month. Deadline to submit interest form is June 5, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
17. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
CLOSED SESSION
RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:11 a.m.
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18. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Administrator
RECONVENE
At 11:23 a.m., Mayor Merlo adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that Council met in Closed Session, discussed the item on the agenda and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Merlo adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m.
______________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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