MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 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
STAFF PRESENT:
Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Angela Kimmey, Deputy City Administrator
Mark Austin, Legal Counsel
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk
Gigi Decavalles-Hughes, Interim Finance Director
Veronica Petrosyan, Health and Environmental Control Deputy Director Lisette M. Grizzelle, Interim Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Manuel Garcia, Public Works Deputy Director
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Stephano Padilla, Air Quality Management District reported there is $4 million in grant funds available for construction, agricultural and industrial equipment for projects set to start within 18 months.
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December 17, 2024
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Interim Human Resources Director Grizzelle announced the November 2024 Employee Service Pin Award recipient and Council recognized Street Maintenance Supervisor, Elias Zepeda.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Council Member Larios 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:
2. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the December 3, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Ordinance No. 1304 Granting Amendment No. 2 to the Solid Waste NonExclusive Franchise Agreement Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1304 granting Amendment No. 2 to the Solid Waste Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for Commercial Solid Waste Collection.
4. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 141, for the period of November 3, 2024 through November 16, 2024, totaling $4,917,668.64 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $4,729,570.47 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $188,098.17.
5. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2024 Fire Department Activity Report.
6. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2024 Police Department Activity Report.
7. Amendment No. 3 to Services Agreement with Allied Universal Janitorial Services, Contract No. CS-1414
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 3 to the Services Agreement with Universal Building Maintenance, LLC dba Allied Universal Janitorial Services, in substantially the same form as submitted, for a one (month) term in an amount not-to-exceed $12,180.25.
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December 17, 2024
ORAL REPORTS
8. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements.
Deputy City Administrator Kimmey announced the following:
• The City is accepting tax deductible donations for the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program. Every dollar can assist students in the Vernon Area achieve their goals of post-secondary education.
• City Administration wished the City Council, staff, and the public the Happiest of Holidays!.
• City Hall will be closed on December 24, 25, 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
9. City Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff.
None.
RECESS
Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 9:07 a.m.
10. Public Employment
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Administrator
11. Conference with Labor Negotiators
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney and Gary Phillips, Bob Murray & Associates
Unrepresented Employee: City Administrator
RECONVENE
At 1:46 p.m., Mayor Merlo adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting with Council Member Larios absent.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that Council met in Closed Session and conducted interviews with final candidates for the City Administrator position. Council provided direction to staff and the City’s recruiter regarding next steps in the recruitment process.
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December 17, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Merlo adjourned the meeting at 1:46 p.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
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