MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 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
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member Arrived at 9:14 a.m.
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 Lisette M. Grizzelle, Interim 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 Rivera seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra 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:
1. Meeting Minutes
Approve the November 19, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 140, for the period of October 20, 2024 through November 2, 2024, totaling $11,095,375.94 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $10,703,756.12 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $391,619.82.
3. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2024 Building Report.
4. Verizon National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Addendum for Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services Recommendation: A. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the contract for wireless services and wireless equipment in three years, pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section (VMC) 3.32.220(B), as the pricing available through the NASPO ValuePoint contract was negotiated through another public agency and provides highly competitive pricing that is advantageous to the City; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Verizon NASPO ValuePoint Addendum, in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for a five-year period.
5. Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Chief of Police to execute a Mutual Aid Operational Plan Agreement, in substantially the same form as submitted.
6. Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RIITS) Agreement between the City and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA)
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in substantially the same form as submitted, between the City and LACMTA, in its capacity as the Administrator of the RIITS.
7. Purchase Contract with Ingersoll Rand, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award of a Purchase Contract to Ingersoll Rand, Inc. (Ingersoll Rand), without a competitive selection process, pursuant to Section 3.32.110 (B)(2) of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) based on the durability, performance and compatibility and cost effectiveness of the Ingersoll air compressor; B. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Contract with Ingersoll Rand in an amount not-to-exceed $136,556.72 to procure an air compressor; C. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the proposed five-year PartsCARE Agreement that is standard for Ingersoll to Docusign Envelope ID: 6C1EFE41-AE2D-4595-9531-C68EB63F2082 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
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provide maintenance and diagnostic services, pursuant to VMC Section
3.32.220(B), as they are the manufacturer and best suited to provide the required services; and D. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a PartsCARE Agreement with Ingersoll Rand, in substantially the same form as submitted, to provide maintenance and diagnostic services for an amount not-toexceed $30,550.04 for a term of five years.
8. Purchase Order with Donaldson Company, Inc.
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 equipment and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Find that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award of a Purchase Order to Donaldson Company, Inc. (Donaldson), without a competitive selection process pursuant to Section 3.32.110 (B)(2) of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC); and C. Approve the issuance of a Purchase Order with Donaldson in an amount not-to-exceed $106,106.04 for the purchase and delivery of Combustion Turbine (CT) air inlet filters at the Malburg Generation Stations (MGS).
NEW BUSINESS
9. City Council Appointment to Outside Agency
Interim City Clerk Harrington presented the staff report.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra as the City’s representative to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees for a 2-year term commencing January 6, 2025. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Council Member Larios absent.
10. Ordinance No. 1304 Granting Amendment No. 2 to The Solid Waste NonExclusive Franchise Agreement Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report.
City Attorney Moussa noted the 5-year term period is due to Public Resources Code requiring a five-year notice to solid waste hauling franchises if the City is going to consider any changes to the franchise agreements.
MOTION
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to:
A. Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 1304 to grant Amendment No. 2 to the Solid Waste Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for Commercial Solid Waste Collection; and B. Direct staff to schedule second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1304 for the December 17, 2024 City Council Docusign Envelope ID: 6C1EFE41-AE2D-4595-9531-C68EB63F2082 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
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meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
ORAL REPORTS
11. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Interim City Administrator Calleros announced the following:
• Reported the passing of former City Council Member William “Bill” Davis and, separately, former City Council Member Hilario Gonzales. Each faithfully served Vernon and made a lasting impact on the community. On behalf of the City, he extended deepest condolences to the families. • Holiday Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, December 5, from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. in our Vernon Winter Wonderland. Real snow will blanket the City Hall Lawn and guests will enjoy sledding, toy giveaways, and refreshments as we kick-off the Holiday Season.
• Soccer Ball Giveaway will occur on December 11, immediately following the City’s Direction and Control Meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m. Vernon Police Department will make a special visit to Vernon Elementary for their annual Soccer Ball Giveaway. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, each child will receive a brand-new soccer ball.
• Operation Santa starts at 5:30 p.m. on December 11. During this exciting event, the Vernon Police Department will distribute hundreds of toys through our City Hall drive-thru. Just before kicking off the community toy giveaways, City staff will present several less fortunate Vernon Elementary families with special gifts from their holiday wish lists in hopes of making the season brighter.
12. 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 9:12 a.m.
Council Member Larios arrived at 9:14 a.m.
13. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (2) Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Richard Villegas v. City of Vernon
Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ14096189 Rudy Hernandez v. City of Vernon
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14. Public Employment
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Administrator
RECONVENE
At 5:13 p.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 IN MEMORY
Mayor Merlo adjourned the meeting in memory of former Council Members William Davis and Hilario Gonzalez at 5:13 p.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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