City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 5, 2025
From: Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Submitted by: Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk
Subject
Commission and Committee Appointments
Recommendation
A. Appoint one (1) Vernon Area Representative to a partial term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee (VCFGC);
B. Appoint two (2) Vernon Area Representatives to full terms (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) to the VCFGC;
C. Appoint one (1) City Council Member Representative to a full term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) to the VCFGC;
D. Appoint one (1) Business Representative to a full term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) to the Vernon Housing Commission (VHC);
E. Appoint one (1) Resident Representative (non-City Council Member) to a full term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) to the VHC;
F. Appoint one (1) Resident Representative (City Council Member) to a full term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) to the VHC; and
G. Appoint one (1) Vernon Business Representative to a partial term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) to the Green Vernon Commission (GVC).
Background
At the July 1, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, the City Council deferred making appointments to Commission and Committees and requested staff to provide a hard copy of the list of applicants for the City Council to reference while making the nominations.
The City has commissions 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 City Council or prescribed by law. Pursuant to Title 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC), the City Council has the pleasure of making appointments of members to each body. The VMC provides Commission and Committee members serve for a term of four years and may be reappointed. Terms of office begin July 1 and end on June 30, and members are limited to serve two consecutive full four-year terms. Appointments to fill the current vacancies will comply with the requirement of the VMC to provide for staggered terms which helps to ensure continuity and stability in governance. 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.
Scheduled (term ending) and unscheduled (resignations) vacancies were incorporated and advertised during the outreach efforts that began in April 2025. The Notice Inviting Applications was widely advertised on the City’s website and social media outlets as well as distributed through the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and at Chamber events. The due date to submit applications was extended twice aiming to reach a greater number of potential candidates and, on May 27, 2025, the due date was updated to sustain the recruitment until all vacant seats were filled. Currently, there are a total of nine vacant positions, including the City Council representative seats: five vacant seats on the VCFGC, three vacant seats on the VHC, and one vacant seat on the GVC. A Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy was properly posted on the City Hall notice board and on the City’s website, in compliance with and pursuant to regulations outlined in Government Code Section 54974. One appointment to the VCFGC and the appointment to the GVC made at today’s meeting are for a partial term and will not be counted towards the term limit. The appointments made today to the VCFGC and VHC will be retroactive to July 1, 2025.
VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT COMMITTEE (VCFGC)
Chapter 2.48 of the VMC provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for governing the Vernon CommUNITY Fund. The 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 VCFGC consists of seven members: One representing a 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 Vernon City Council Member. The VCFGC meets on the 3rd Wednesday in May and November at 10:00 a.m. The following is a list of vacant representative seats and the qualified applicants for City Council consideration:
One (1) City Council Member Representative (full term July 1, 2025- June 30, 2029) • Council Member Lopez is the current representative and is eligible to serve a second term
Three (3) Vernon Area Representatives (one (1) partial term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026; and two (2) full term 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 who has also applied to the VHC and the GVC
• Sandra Solorzano – is a new member applicant who has also applied to the VHC Following appointments to the VCFGC vacancies noted above, there will remain one vacancy in a Vernon Area Representative seat for a term set to expire on June 30, 2029. Staff will continue recruitment efforts until the vacancy is filled.
VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION (VHC)
The VHC makes decisions regarding leasing, market rental rates, repair and maintenance of City-owned housing, and offers recommendations to the City Council on potential divestment and development opportunities. Chapter 2.40 of the VMC dictates the composition, eligibility, terms, duties and compensation for VHC Commissioners.
The VHC consists of seven members: Three Vernon Resident Representatives, one of whom is a member of the City Council; three Vernon Business Representatives who represent either the owner or operator of business in Vernon; and one Employee Representative who is an employee of a business located in Vernon. The VMC limits resident representatives to not have been an employee or been a consultant of the City within the previous five years preceding the appointment or have a financial interest in any contract, other than the lease of their residence to which the City is a party. Staff have confirmed all applicants meet the criteria outlined in the VMC. The VHC meets on the 2nd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December, at 6:00 p.m. The following is a list of vacant representative seats and the qualified applicants for City Council consideration.
One (1) Resident City Council Member Representative (full term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029)
• Council Member Lopez is the current representative and is eligible to serve a second term.
One (1) Vernon Resident Representative (full term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) • Dora Douglas – is a new member applicant
• Ulisses Sanchez - is a new member applicant
• Sandra Solorzano – is a new member applicant, who has also applied to the VCFGC
One (1) Vernon Business Representative (full term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) • Jacquie Cabrera – is a new member applicant who has also applied to the GVC • Frank Gaviña – is a new member applicant who has also applied to the GVC and to a second term on VCFGC
GREEN VERNON COMMISSION (GVC)
Chapter 2.44 of the VMC provides guidelines on governing the City’s environmental and energy sustainability initiatives. The 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 GVC 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 Vernon Business Employee. The GVC meets on the 2nd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December at 6:00 p.m. The following is the vacant representative seat and the qualified applicants for City Council consideration.
One (1) Vernon Business Representative (partial term July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) • Jacquie Cabrera – is a new member applicant who has also applied to the VHC • Frank Gaviña – is a new member applicant who has also applied to the VHC and to a second term on the VCFGC
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Applications Received Chart
2. VCFGC Applications
3. VHC Applications
4. GVC Applications
5. Local Appointments List