MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez 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:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member
ABSENT:
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Alice Hui, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director Su Tan, 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 Rivera moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Pro Tem absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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October 21, 2025
PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificate of Recognition for Vernon City Elementary School Principal Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a certificate of recognition to Principal Leonora Carrillo.
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report. City Council Acknowledged and presented a certificate of recognition to Vernon City Elementary School Principal Carrillo.
Principal Carrillo thanked the City Council for the recognition, partnership, and support.
2. Swearing-In Ceremony for Police Department Sworn Personnel Recommendation: Administer the Oath of Office to Police Officers Jorge Gonzalez and Erick Jimenez; and Captain Nicholas Perez.
Police Chief Sousa presented the staff report and introduced Police Officers Jorge Gonzalez and Erick Jimenez, and Captain Nicholas Perez. City Clerk Rocha administered the Oath of Office.
3. Proclamation Recognizing Retired Employee - Eugenio Cerda Recommendation: Acknowledge and present a proclamation to retired employee Eugenio Cerda, Police Officer, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
City Clerk Rocha read the proclamation, and the City Council acknowledged and presented a proclamation to retired employee Police Officer Cerda, in recognition of his dedicated service to the City of Vernon.
4. Employee Service Pin Awards
Recommendation: Recognize September 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipient.
Human Resources Director Tan presented the staff report.
The City Council recognized the September 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipient: Senior Account Clerk, Irene M. Castillo, hired on September 20, 2000.
RECESS
At 9:19 a.m., Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting.
RECONVENE
At 9:22 a.m., Mayor Lopez reconvened the regular meeting.
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October 21, 2025
5. California Department of Toxic Substances Control Update on Exide Related Remediation
Recommendation: No action required by City Council. This is a presentation only.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin presented the staff report and Poonam Patel, Branch Chief, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, remotely presented the accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra absent.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
6. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 7, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
7. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 159, for the period of August 31, 2025 through September 20, 2025, totaling $14,407,982.42 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $13,504,048.62 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $903,933.80.
8. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2025 Fire Department Activity Report.
9. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the August 2025 Police Department Activity Report.
10. Records Retention Schedule Update
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-030 approving the City’s Records Retention Schedule and repealing Resolution No. 2024-010.
11. Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Administrator, Police Chief, and Police Sergeant to execute a Professional Services Agreement with the Office of Traffic Safety, in substantially the same form as submitted, for participation in STEP for a one-year term, with an effective date of October 1, 2025.
12. Purchase Order with ITT Goulds Pumps Inc
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order with ITT Goulds Pumps Inc. for the purchase of packing sleeves, for a total amount not to exceed $4,466.27.
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October 21, 2025
13. Interconnection Facilities Agreement with Southern California Edison Company
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, because the project consists of the maintenance, repair or minor alteration of existing power poles and electric facilities and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute an Interconnection Facilities Agreement with Southern California Edison Company (SCE), in substantially the same form as submitted, for SCE to perform construction-related work to Interconnection Facilities, Distribution Upgrades, and Network Upgrades, in an amount not-to-exceed $15,807,553; and C. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $1,580,755 for unforeseen changes in costs or other expenses not included in the proposal, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
NEW BUSINESS
14. Potential Ballot Measure - Utility Users Tax
Recommendation: Receive and file a presentation on a potential Utility Users Tax ballot measure and provide input and direction to staff to continue analysis and development of the measure.
Finance Director Hui presented the staff report.
In response to Council Member Larios' question as to any increase to the Utility Users Tax (UUT), Finance Director Hui explained that the proposed UUT would remain at 6%.
Marisa Olguin from the Vernon Chamber of Commerce expressed interest and concern over the proposed UUT and suggested the City hold a couple of town-hall meetings with the Chamber and the top 100 utility user businesses in the City to review where the City is fiscally. She referenced the City’s long-term debt set to expire in 2028 and suggested the City collaborate with the Chamber to explore permanent solutions to make the general fund sustainable.
There being no discussion from the Council, Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to receive and file the presentation on a potential Utility Users Tax ballot measure.
The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra absent.
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October 21, 2025
ORAL REPORTS
15. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki expressed the City's commitment to collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce and mentioned that he will be attending their executive board meeting. He also indicated that the City plans to hold a town hall meeting with all businesses in Vernon to discuss the necessity of the Utility Users Tax.
Additionally, he announced that on Thursday, October 23, 2025, City staff, community partners, and representatives from the Chamber will attend the Metro Board Meeting. Furthermore, he highlighted the City's Spooktacular Event scheduled for October 29, 2025.
16. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 9:44 a.m.
_____________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 33BCC2C2-2D7F-4687-B4A7-E88B4FFCF5D1