MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2024
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Merlo led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Judith Merlo, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
ABSENT:
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk
Jessica Alcaraz, Financial Services Administrator
Veronica Petrosyan, Health and Environmental Control Deputy 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 Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Rivera absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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PRESENTATIONS
1. California Highway Patrol (CHP) 10851 Grand Theft Auto Recovery Award Police Chief Sousa presented the staff report. Council acknowledged Police Officers, Patrick Cam; Alan Escarpe, Teresa Flores, and Brian Redona for receiving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) “10851” Grand Theft Auto Recovery Award.
Representative from the American Automobile Association and Jose Nunez, California Highway Patrol spoke and presented certificates and pins to award recipients.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried, 4-0, Council Member Rivera absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the July 2, 2024 Special and Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Sareen LLC.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 132, for the period of May 5 through June 15, 2024, totaling $21,713,641.10 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $20,532,941.90 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $1,180,699.20.
5. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the May 2024 Fire Department Activity Report.
6. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the May 2024 Police Department Activity Report.
7. Report on Emergency Contract Award by the City Administrator to Marx Bros. Fire Extinguisher Co.
Recommendation: Receive and file the report on emergency contract award approved by the City Administrator for the repair of the City’s Pre-Action System by Marx Fire Extinguisher Co. in the amount of $5,924.38.
8. Carahsoft End User License Agreement-SecureWorks
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize issuance of a Purchase Contract with Carahsoft, for a one-year term for an amount not-to-exceed $81,056.78, and authorize the City Administrator to execute the related End User Agreement with Secureworks, in substantially the same for as submitted, for managed network Docusign Envelope ID: 58885F0A-BBCB-42F6-995D-7E6580D5C49F Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
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security services; and B. Approve additional funds with Carahsoft in the amount of $50,000 for additional purchases that may be necessary from this vendor during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
9. Records Retention Schedule Update
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-10 approving the City’s Records Retention Schedule and repealing Resolution No. 2020-15.
10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant Program Agreement with AltaMed Health Services for On-the-Streets Portable Clinical Care Program with Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the SAMHSA Grant Program Agreement with AltaMed Health Services, in substantially the same form as submitted, for On-the-Streets Portable Clinical Care Program with Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care for a total amount notto-exceed $1,499,175, for a two-and-a-half-year term.
11. Huntington Park Police Department Jail Division Agreement for Inmate Housing
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Inmate Housing Agreement, in substantially the same form as submitted, for housing of pre-arraignment arrestees for a total amount not-to-exceed $210,000 ($70,000 per year), for a three-year term.
12. Services Agreement with Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. for On-Call Building/Engineering/Fire Plan Check and Inspection Services Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Interwest Consulting Group, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for Building/Engineering/Fire Plan Check and Inspection Services for a total amount not-to-exceed $2,500,000, for a three (3) year term.
13. Contract with Harbor Pointe Air Conditioning & Control Systems, Inc. for HVAC System Maintenance Services
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 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 Harbor Pointe Air Conditioning & Control Systems as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with Harbor Pointe Air Conditioning & Control Systems, in substantially the same form as submitted, for the HVAC System Maintenance Services for a period of three (3) years in an amount not-to-exceed $150,000; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $15,000 in the event of unexpected repairs in periods of extreme heat and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
14. Sale of Surplus Vernon Public Utilities Vehicles to Petrelli Electric, Inc.
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement with Petrelli Electric, Inc. (Petrelli Electric), in Docusign Envelope ID: 58885F0A-BBCB-42F6-995D-7E6580D5C49F Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
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substantially the same form as submitted, for the sale of one 1989 Lorain LCD 150 Crane and one 1983 Hyster H40XL Forklift for a combined price of $10,600.
15. Revocable Encroachment License Agreement No. 439 with Torrance Pipeline Company, LLC.
Recommendation: A. Find that approval of the proposed action is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA guidelines 15301, because the action ensures the maintenance, operation, and repair of existing facilities of both investors and publicly owned utilities; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Revocable Encroachment License Agreement No. 439 (Agreement) between the City of Vernon and Torrance Pipeline Company, LLC (Torrance Pipeline).
16. Catch Basin Cleaning Services Agreement with Ron's Maintenance Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Services Agreement with Ron’s Maintenance, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for the Catch Basin Cleaning Services as part of the City’s continued effort to comply with the Los Angeles River Trash Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) included in the Municipal NPDES Permit, for a total amount not-to-exceed $217,680, for a two-year term; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of fifteen percent (15%) or $32,652 for extra inspections or cleanings that may be needed, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
17. Purchase Order with Merrimac Energy Group to Procure Fuel Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order with Merrimac Energy Group in an amount not-to-exceed $600,000 to procure fuel for Citywide fleet for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
NEW BUSINESS
18. Authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Memer Lopez moved and Mayor Merlo seconded a motion to: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a general policy and procedure making activity 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. Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1301 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 8.04.010 to authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(h)(1)(B); C.
Introduce Ordinance No. 1302 amending Vernon Municipal Code Section 8.04.010 to authorize the City’s Chief Building Official, or authorized representative, to enforce the Fire Code in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(h)(1)(B); and D. Direct staff to schedule second reading and Docusign Envelope ID: 58885F0A-BBCB-42F6-995D-7E6580D5C49F Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
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adoption of Ordinance No. 1302 for the August 6, 2024 City Council meeting. The question was called and the motion carried, 4-0, Council Member Rivera absent.
19. Adoption of California Fire Code by Reference
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to:
A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is 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. 1303 amending Title 8, Health and Safety, to adopt the 2022 California Fire Code by reference; and C. Direct staff to schedule a public hearing for the August 6, 2024 City Council meeting for the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1303. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Rivera absent.
ORAL REPORTS
20. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Interim City Administrator Calleros provided an update on the following:
• U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler’s Young Leaders Academy where the City has been invited to nominate participants for the Academy. • Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program Grant Application – the City is providing a letter of support on behalf of the Gateway Cities Council of Government for Metro’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant application.
• National Night Out will be held on August 6, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m.
21. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
Council Member Lopez announced that she attended the Independent Cities Association Summer Seminar held in Coronado, July 11-14, 2024. It was a great opportunity to learn about current issues affecting cities, including housing needs; and potential sources of revenue streams. The seminar also included a session on Economic Development and Technology. The fiscal impact was approximately $2,600 within the travel budget funds available for the Council.
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CLOSED SESSION
RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:19 a.m.
22. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (3) Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Michael Docherty v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ15948042 Alexy Escobedo v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ17041931 Fernando Valenzuela v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos. ADJ14978838 and ADJ15044108
23. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 1
RECONVENE
At 9:46 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 items on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Merlo adjourned the meeting at 9:47 a.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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