MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:01 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
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
ABSENT:
Crystal Larios, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk
Gigi Decavalles-Hughes, Interim 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
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
September 17, 2024
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Human Resources Director Earl announced the August 2024 Employee Service Pin Award recipients and Council recognized Warehouse Worker, Ruben Herrera; Assistant Planner, Sergio Canales; Police Dispatcher, Lead, Cerissa M. Diaz; Power Resources Settlement Analyst, Ruben Rodriguez; and Utilities Compliance Administrator, Lisa H. Umeda, for their service years with the City of Vernon.
2. Proclamation Recognizing Retiring Employee - Michael A. Earl Interim City Clerk Harrington read the proclamation and Council acknowledged and presented the proclamation to retiring employee Michael A. Earl, Director of Human Resources, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Council Member Larios absent
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the August 20, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claim submitted by Art Marachelian.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 135, for the period of July 21, 2024 through August 17, 2024, totaling $20,174,890.73 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $19,337,258.45 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $837,632.28.
6. Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register Recommendation: Approve Redevelopment Agency Obligation Retirement Account Warrant Register No. 69, for the period of December 31, 2023 through August 17, 2024 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $5,000.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2024 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2024 Police Department Activity Report.
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
September 17, 2024
9. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the July 2024 Building Report.
10. Report on Vehicle Purchase Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation: Receive and file report on City Administrator approved vehicle purchase of one 2025 Ford Explorer ST from South Bay Ford for a total amount of $64,131.59.
11. Amendment No. 3 to Services Agreement with Granicus, LLC (Contract No.
IT-0181)
Recommendation: A. Find that the best interests of the City are served by the direct award of an extension of the Services Agreement with Granicus, LLC without a competitive process pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.110 (B)(2) and (3), as it would not be cost-effective to consider a transition to a new agenda management software; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 3 to the Services Agreement with Granicus, LLC, in substantially the same form as submitted, for agenda automation, meeting management, video streaming, and Laserfiche integration for a total amount notto-exceed $22,058.83, for a one-year term.
12. Amendment No. 2 to the Attorney Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP for Specialized Outside Legal Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 2 to the Attorney Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP (Burke Williams), in substantially the same form as submitted, to increase the total not-to-exceed amount by an additional $125,000.
13. Order Form and Services Agreement with Governmentjobs.com, Inc. (DBA “NEOGOV”)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a NEOGOV Order Form for the purchase of Insight Enterprise Subscription, Candidate Text Messaging, Governmentjobs.com Subscription, and Perform Subscription for a three-year term at a total cost not-to-exceed $81,170.85, subject to the terms of the NEOGOV Services Agreement.
14. Conflict of Interest Code (Statement of Economic Interests) Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-019 amending the City of Vernon Conflict of Interest Code and repealing Resolution No. 2024-01.
15. Agreement with the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for Animal Control Services
Recommendation: A. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the proposed agreement with SEAACA every three years as SEAACA is a public agency providing animal control services in the Southeast area; and B. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an Agreement with SEAACA, in substantially the same form as submitted, for animal control services for a total amount not-toexceed $150,000, for a 5-year term.
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
September 17, 2024
16. 2025 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Employee Assistance Program Benefit Proposals for City Employees and Retirees Recommendation: Approve the acceptance of the 2025 Calendar Year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Employee Assistance program proposals and authorize the City Administrator to execute 2025 calendar year carrier agreements with Blue Shield of California, Anthem, MetLife, EyeMed, Lincoln Financial, and Anthem PRISM EAP.
17. Transfer Agreement No. 2024MP81 with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District) for Safe, Clean Water Program Funds (Measure W) Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Transfer Agreement between the City of Vernon and the District, in substantially the same form as submitted, to receive Measure W funds for a 4-year term.
18. Addendum No. 1 to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant Program Agreement with AltaMed Health Services
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Addendum No. 1 to the SAMHSA Grant Program Agreement with AltaMed Health Services, in substantially the same form as submitted, to incorporate the City's insurance requirements.
19. Purchase Contract with D&R Office Works, Inc. for Furniture and Workspace Storage
Recommendation: A. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Contract with D&R Office Works, Inc. (D&R) for the purchase of furniture items and workspace storage for the Police Department, for a total amount not-to-exceed $17,197; and B.
Authorize a contingency amount of eight percent (8%) or $1,376 for unforeseen price increases or substitutions due to inventory availability, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
20. I-710 South Corridor Status Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the report on the I-710 South Corridor Project.
21. Encumbering Funds for City Contract No. 20240038, City Hall Roof Replacement
Recommendation: Authorize the Finance Department to encumber $121,900 from Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 to FY 2024-25 for City Contract No. 20240038 City Hall Roof Replacement with Southland Roofing Inc.
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
September 17, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
22. League of California Cities 2024 Annual Conference Voting Delegate and Alternate
Interim City Clerk Harrington presented the staff report.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to appoint Mayor Merlo as voting delegate and Council Member Lopez as alternate to represent the City of Vernon at the General Assembly, convening during the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo, scheduled October 16- 18, 2024 in Long Beach, CA. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent
23. Appointment of Gigi Decavalles-Hughes to serve as Interim Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Human Resources Director Earl presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-020 affirming the appointment of Gigi DecavallesHughes to serve as Interim Director of Finance/City Treasurer of the City of Vernon and approving and ratifying the execution of a related temporary at-will employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
ORAL REPORTS
24. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Interim City Administrator Calleros announced the following:
• The Business Breakfast will be held on September 26, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber
• The City has expressed its concerns regarding the proposed Metro Link US Project Malabar Yard modifications and street closures in Vernon • Career Day will be held on October 2nd, an informational workshop for students to learn about careers in the public sector
• Halloween Spooktacular is scheduled for October 29th.
25. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
September 17, 2024
CLOSED SESSION
RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:18 a.m.
26. Public Employment
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Administrator
27. Public Employee Annual Performance Evaluation
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Attorney
RECONVENE
At 11:01 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 11:01 a.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
Docusign Envelope ID: 867B4780-EA64-441B-B5AA-B382841957CC