MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Merlo called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
The Vernon Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors and led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Judith Merlo, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Leticia Lopez, Council Member
ABSENT:
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Mark Austin, Legal Counsel
Deborah Harrington, Interim City Clerk
Alice Hui, 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
Council Member Lopez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Rivera and Larios absent.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Aisha Reyes, South Coast Air Quality Management District, announced there are a number of grant programs available and encouraged interested individuals to go to their website for more information.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Swearing-In Ceremony for New Police Officers
Police Chief Sousa presented the staff report.
Interim City Clerk Harrington administered the Oath of Office to Police Officers Ivette Alfaro, Alejandro Espinoza, Julissa Lopez, and Alan Rodriguez.
Police Chief Sousa introduced each officer to receive their pin by a person selected by the officer.
2. 2024 Vernon Police Department Officer and Employee of the Year Awards Police Chief Sousa presented the staff report, and City Council recognized the 2024 Vernon Police Department Officer of the Year Award recipient, Officer Nicholas Mannino, and the 2024 Vernon Police Department Employee of the Year Award recipient, Records Technician, Jason Delgadillo.
3. Employee Service Pin Awards
Interim Human Resources Director Grizzelle announced the February & March 2025 Employee Pin Award recipients and Council recognized Principal Resource Scheduler/Trader Shawn Sharifzadeh; Police Dispatcher Jessica S. Davis; Mayor Pro Tem Melissa A. Ybarra; and Human Resources Assistant Denise M.
Palomares.
4. Presentation by AltaMed Health Services on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant-Funded Portable Healthcare Pilot Program
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report and introduced Tonja S. Reidy, Regional Operations South LA and Jacqueline Nazarian, Associate Director, who conducted a PowerPoint presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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 3- 0, Council Members Rivera and Larios absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
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5. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 1, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 148, for the period of March 2, 2025, through March 15, 2025, totaling $8,872,467.92 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $8,441,317.08 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $431,150.84.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2025 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report - February 2025
Recommendation: Receive and file the February 2025 Police Department Activity Report.
9. Professional Services Agreement with JMDiaz, Inc. for District Boulevard Rail Road Grade Crossing Safety Improvements
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a Professional Services Agreement with JMDiaz, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for District Boulevard RR Grade Crossing Safety Improvements for a total amount not-to-exceed $667,307.18, for a three (3) year term.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Appointment of Alice Hui as Director of Finance/City Treasurer City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report and provided information on annual compensation for the position.
Interim Human Resources Director Grizzelle provided information on additional leave accruals for vacation and sick leave for the first year and earning vacation accruals at the 16-year rate.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-009 appointing Alice Hui to serve as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer of the City of Vernon effective April 14, 2025, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment agreement and repealing Resolution No. 2025-008. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Rivera and Larios absent.
11. Appointment of Genoveva Rocha as City Clerk
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report and provided information on annual compensation for the position.
Interim Human Resources Director Grizzelle provided information on additional leave accruals for vacation and sick leave for the first year.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Lopez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-010 appointing Genoveva Rocha to serve as City Clerk of the City of Vernon effective April 21, 2025, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment agreement. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Rivera and Larios absent.
ORAL REPORT
12. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki announced:
• Mosquito Awareness Week is from April 13-19 which is a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the public health threat mosquitoes pose to our communities. He encouraged residents to help stop mosquitoes before they start.
• The Vernon General Municipal Election was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The semi-official results from the first canvass are available on the City’s website. A second canvass is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Official results are anticipated to be announced at the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Vernon Business Breakfast will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber. The business community is welcome to attend and connect with City staff and network with fellow businesses in Vernon.
13. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff
Mayor Merlo reported on her participation in the Regional Convening of Mayors from Los Angeles County on April 5, 2025, hosted by the Los Angeles Mayor.
Presentations were made on major upcoming events in the region including the 2028 Olympics.
RECESS
At 9:40 a.m., Mayor Merlo recessed the meeting to Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION
14. Conference With Labor Negotiators
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Employee Organizations:
Teamsters Local 911,
IBEW Local 47,
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Vernon Police Management Association, and
Vernon Police Officers’ Benefit Association
Unrepresented Employees:
Confidential, Temporary, Unclassified, Mid-Management, Management, and Executive classifications
RECONVENE
At 10:19 a.m., Mayor Merlo adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Legal Counsel Austin 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 10:20 a.m.
_____________________________
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
(seal)
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