City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: July 1, 2025
From: Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Submitted by: Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk
Subject
Commission and Committee Appointments
Recommendation
A. Appoint two (2) Vernon Area Representatives and one (1) Council Member Representative to full four-year terms (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee;
B. Appoint one (1) Business Representative, one (1) Resident Representative (non-City Council Member), and one (1) Resident Representative (City Council Member) to full four-year terms (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon Housing Commission; C. Appoint one (1) Vernon Business Representative to a partial term (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) to the Green Vernon Commission; and
D. Direct the City Clerk to continue recruitment efforts until all Commission and Committee vacant seats are filled.
Background
The City has several Commission and Committees established by Ordinance that serve to advise the City Council on policy matters or review specific issues and carry-out assignments as requested by the Council or prescribed by law. Pursuant to Title 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code, the City Council has the pleasure of making appointments to each body. Appointments to fill the current vacancies will comply with the requirement of the Code to provide for staggered terms on each Commission. Except for City Council Members, serving members may receive a stipend of $100 per meeting, up to a maximum of $200 in any calendar month.
Currently, there are vacancies on the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee, the Vernon Housing Commission, and the Green Vernon Commission. The recruitment began in April to fill scheduled (term expiration) and unscheduled (resignation) vacancies and was widely advertised on the City’s website and social media outlets as well as distributed through the Vernon Chamber of Commerce. The due date to submit an application was extended twice aiming to reach a greater number of potential candidates and, on May 27, the due date was updated to sustain the recruitment until all vacant seats are filled.
VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT COMMITTEE (VCFGC) serves to improve the quality of life for the Vernon Area by awarding student scholarships and grants to charitable and governmental entities for projects and programs that benefit those who live, work, and attend school in Vernon and its surrounding communities.
The Committee consists of seven members: One representing member of the California Legislature; four Vernon Area Representatives that reside or work in the Vernon area; one Business Representative who represents the owner or operator of a business located in Vernon; and one current City Council Member. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday in May and November at 10:00 a.m.
Three (3) Vernon Area Representative seats and one (1) Vernon City Council Member seat expired on June 30, 2025. During the recruitment to fill the scheduled vacancies, one (1) Vernon Area Representative seat was resigned in May, vacated earlier than the term expiration. The unexpired seat was posted pursuant to regulations outlined in Government Code Section 54974.
The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
Two (2) Vernon Area Representative seats (full 4-year terms July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) • Steven Froberg is a current representative and is eligible to serve a second term • Frank Gaviña is a current representative and is eligible to serve a second term One (1) Resident Council Member (full 4-year term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) • Council Member Lopez is a current representative and is eligible to serve a second term Upon appointment of Area Representatives, vacant seats will remain. Therefore, the City Clerk will continue recruitment efforts to fill vacancies until such time the Committee has seven seated members.
VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION (VHC) makes decisions regarding leasing, market rental rates, repair and maintenance and offers recommendations to the City Council on potential divestment and development opportunities.
The Commission consists of seven members: Three Vernon Residents, one of whom shall be a member of the City Council; three Vernon Business Representatives that own or operate a business in the City; and one Business Employee. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December at 6:00 p.m.
One (1) Vernon Business Representative seat, one (1) Vernon Resident Representative seat, and one (1) Vernon Resident Council Member seat expired on June 30, 2025. The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
One (1) Vernon Business Representative (full 4-year term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029) • Jacquie Cabrera
• Frank Gaviña
One (1) Vernon Resident Representative (full 4-year term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029) • Ulisses Sanchez
• Dora Douglas
• Sandra Solorzano
One (1) Resident Council Member (full 4-year term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029) • Council Member Lopez is a current representative and is eligible to serve a second term GREEN VERNON COMMISSION (GVC) reviews the City’s Sustainability Action Plan and provides a forum for addressing the public’s concerns relating to sustainability and energy efficiency issues.
The Commission consists of seven members: Three Vernon Business Representatives; two Labor Representatives; and two Environmental Representatives engaged in the advancement of environmental and sustainability issues. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Commission meets on the 3rd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December at 3:30 p.m.
One (1) Vernon Business Representative seat (partial term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). was resigned, vacated earlier than the term expiration, and was posted pursuant to regulations outlined in Government Code Section 54974. The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
• Jacquie Cabrera
• Frank Gaviña
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Notice Inviting Applications
2. Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy
3. Recruitment Flyer
4. Applications Received Chart
5. VCFGC Applications
6. VHC Applications
7. GVC Applications
8. Current Members Local Appointment List