City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: March 4, 2025
From: Daniel Calleros, Interim City Administrator
Department: City Administration
Submitted by: Diana Figueroa, Senior Management Analyst Subject
Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Legislative Representative Seat Appointment Recommendation
Appoint Sebastian Lozano to serve on the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee to fill one unscheduled vacancy for the Legislative Representative seat with a term ending June 30, 2026.
Background
The City of Vernon has several Boards, Commissions and Committees, established by Charter, ordinance or resolution, that advise the Council on policy matters or review specific issues and carry out assignments as requested by the City Council or prescribed by law. The Vernon CommUNITY Fund (VCF) Grant Committee was created as an element of the City's good governance reforms, to provide grants to charitable and governmental entities for projects and programs benefiting those residing and working in Vernon. Pursuant to Section 2.48.040 of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC), the VCF Grant Committee is comprised of seven members and must include: One person representing Members of the California Legislature with a district that includes at least a portion of the Vernon Area; four persons that reside or work in the Vernon Area; one person who represents the owner or operator of a business located in Vernon; and one current member of the Vernon City Council. Members serve four-year terms, and the VCF Grant Committee meets twice per year on the 3rd Wednesday in May and November at 10:00 a.m.
Currently, there is one unexpired/unscheduled vacancy on the VCF Grant Committee, as on December 16, 2024, then-Committee Chair Mark Gonzalez resigned following his election to the position of Assemblymember for the 54th Assembly District for the State of California. Pursuant to VMC Section 2.48.050 and Government Code Section 54974, on December 19, 2024, staff posted a Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy (Attachment 1) on the City’s website and on the City’s official notice board. Additionally, on January 6, 2025, staff informed via email the Offices of Assemblymember Gonzalez and Senator Durazo of the unscheduled vacancy on the VCF Grant Committee, providing the Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy along with a Legislative Representative application for the vacant seat, and indicating an application due date of February 2, 2025. As of the close of the application period, one application was received by the City Clerk’s Office (Attachment 2). Staff reviewed said application from Sebastian Lozano and determined that, as District Director for Assemblymember Gonzalez, whose District includes Vernon, the candidate meets the eligibility criteria to serve on the VCF Grant Committee in the Legislative Representative seat.
Staff recommends that the Council appoint Sebastian Lozano, as a Legislative Representative from the Office of Assemblymember Gonzalez, to serve on the VCF Grant Committee, with a term set to expire on June 30, 2026. An appointment at the March 4, 2025 Council Meeting will be timely, as the next Regular VCF Grant Committee meeting is May 21, 2025.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy
2. Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Legislative Representative Seat Application