MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member (arrived at 9:06 a.m.)
ABSENT:
Crystal Larios, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa-Milward, 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-City Engineer
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
Richard Corbi, Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Diana Figueroa, Communications and Public Information Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Larios and Merlo absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8
December 16, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT
Aisha Reyes of the South Coast Air Quality Management District announced applications are being accepted until January 30, 2026, for the Last Mile Freight Program funding opportunity. Interested parties can find more information on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAGs) website.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Recommendation: Recognize November 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipients.
Human Resources Director Tan presented the staff report. City Council recognized Mechanic, Jorge Cruz and Environmental Health Haz-Mat Specialist I, Tho Do, as the November 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipients.
2. Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Awards and Direct Service Grantee Certificates for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Recommendation: A. Receive and file the report; and B. Present Certificates to FY 2025-26 Direct Service Grant Recipients.
Communications and Public Information Manager Figueroa presented the staff report.
Council Member Merlo arrived at the meeting.
Mayor and Council presented Award Certificates to FY 2025-26 Direct Service Grant Recipients: CA Derby Dolls; Chicxs Rockerxs; East Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club/East LA Rising; Holy Angels Church of the Deaf; Las Fotos Project; Latino Equality Alliance; Southeast Community Foundation; Southeast Rio Vista YMCA; and Toque Foundation.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Amended Five-Year Water Rate Schedule
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(A)(4), which states that CEQA does not apply to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or approval of rates, tolls, fares, and other charges by public agencies which the public agency finds are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses, purchasing for leasing supplies, equipment, or materials, meeting financial reserve needs and requirements, and obtaining funds for capital projects, necessary to maintain service within existing service areas. Furthermore, even if the proposed changes in water rates were subject to CEQA review, the approval requested is exempt in accordance with Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8
December 16, 2025
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(B)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; B. Conduct a Public Hearing for the proposed five-year water rate adjustment and consider all protests against the proposed water rate adjustments that have been submitted in accordance with Proposition 218; and C. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-035 approving an amended five-year water rate schedule to go into effect January 1, 2026.
City Attorney Moussa-Milward explained the legal requirements of Proposition 218 which governs the public hearing.
Public Utilities General Manager Dusenberry presented the staff report and Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Corbi conducted an accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing at 9:19 a.m.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments and to submit written protests to the City Clerk. There being none, Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing at 9:20 a.m.
The City Clerk announced that two (2) valid written protest letters were submitted prior to the close of the public hearing, and the number of protests required to constitute a majority protest was 387; therefore, a majority protest did not exist for the adoption of the proposed rates for the amended water rate schedule.
Mayor Lopez invited further Council discussion. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve recommendations A, B, and C. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez, called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Merlo moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4- 0, Council Member Larios absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8
December 16, 2025
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
4. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
5. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the following claim submitted by Trinidad Martinez on behalf of Lily Transportation.
6. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 163, for the period of November 2, 2025 through November 15, 2025, totaling $6,697,254.96 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $6,383,150.52 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $314,104.44.
7. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2025 Fire Department Activity Report.
8. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the October 2025 Police Department Activity Report.
9. Purchases from SHI International Corporation for Information Technology Solutions
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize issuance of a Purchase Order with SHI International Corporation for the purchase of new firewall solutions for a total amount not-to-exceed $76,847.44; and B. Approve additional funds with SHI International Corporation in the amount of $125,000 for additional purchases that may be necessary from this vendor during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Fiscal Years.
10. Purchases from WCC Technologies Group for Access Control System Project
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it is a maintenance activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; B. Approve and authorize issuance of Purchase Contracts with WCC Technologies Group to provide labor and materials for access control hardware installation within various City facilities for a total amount not-to-exceed $194,539.69 and authorize the City Administrator to execute the related Master Services Agreements in substantially the same form as submitted herewith; and C. Approve additional funds with WCC Technologies Group in the amount of $45,000 for additional purchases that may be necessary from this vendor during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Fiscal Years.
11. Client Satisfaction Offer with Global Payments Direct, Inc. for Payment Processing Services
Recommendation: A. Find that it is commercially unreasonable to rebid the contract for payment processing services and that the best interests of the City are served by a direct award of a contract to Global Payments Direct, Inc., without a competitive selection process, pursuant to Sections 3.32.110(B)(2), 3.32.220 (B) Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8
December 16, 2025
and 3.32.110(B)(3) of the Vernon Municipal Code; and B. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Client Satisfaction Offer with Global Payments Direct, Inc., in substantially the same form as submitted, for payment processing services for a total amount not-to-exceed $750,000, for a 3-year term.
12. Purchase of Tasers from Axon Enterprises Inc
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order (PO) to Axon Enterprises Inc. for the purchase of 50 (fifty) Axon Taser 10 Pro Bundle for a total not to exceed $319,746; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of five percent (5%) or $15,987 in the event of unforeseen expenses and grant authority to the City Administrator to approve issuance of change orders to the PO for Axon Taser equipment, up to the contingency amount, if needed.
13. Notice of Completion for Contract No. 20250337 - Bandini Boulevard Street Improvements from Downey Road to Indiana Street
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 structures and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the work of Onyx Paving Company, Inc. as related to City Contract No. 20250337; and C. Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute and submit the Notice of Completion for the project to the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office.
14. Contract with Western Allied Corporation for West Wing HVAC Replacement – Contract No. 20260102
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 a full replacement of the existing HVAC main unit on the West Wing of the City Hall Structure and involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use; B. Accept the bid proposal from Western Allied Corporation as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and reject all other bids; C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with Western Allied Corporation for West Wing HVAC Replacement, in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not-to-exceed $215,750; and D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $21,575 in the event of an unexpected changed condition in the Project, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
NEW BUSINESS
15. Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy (Revisions to Vacation, Sick Leave and Stand-by Policy Sections)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-036 adopting the Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy and repealing Resolution No. 2025-027.
Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8
December 16, 2025
Human Resources Director Tan presented the staff report and in response to a question from the City Council, explained that sick leave cash-out rules may differ from the State rule depending on an agency’s own policies.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-036 adopting the Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy and repealing Resolution No. 2025-027. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
16. Side Letters of Agreement with Various Bargaining Groups Regarding Excess Leave Accrual Pay-Out Language
Recommendation: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-037 approving the Excess Leave Accrual Pay-Out Side Letter of Agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 47 (IBEW); B. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-038 approving the Excess Leave Accrual Pay-Out Side Letter of Agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the Teamsters Local Union 986 (Teamsters); C. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-039 approving the Excess Leave Accrual Pay-Out Side Letter of Agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the Vernon Police Management Association (VPMA); and D. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-040 approving the Excess Leave Accrual Pay-Out Side Letter of Agreement by and between the City of Vernon and the Vernon Police Officers’ Benefit Association (VPOBA).
Human Resources Director Tan presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Rivera seconded a motion to approve recommendations A, B, C, and D. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Larios absent.
ORAL REPORTS
17. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki announced that the Green Vernon Commission meeting was scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., during which the Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles would present information on its programs and its partnership with the City to mitigate food waste and address related requirements under Senate Bill 1383. He announced the Police Department would be hosting its Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8
December 16, 2025
annual Operation Santa, beginning with the Vernon Elementary Soccer Ball Giveaway at 10:15 a.m. on December 17. In the afternoon, the City’s Adopt-aFamily festivities would begin with several Vernon Elementary families receiving gifts from local businesses and City staff. Then the Community Drive-Thru Toy Giveaway would run from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall. Finally, he wished everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
18. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff
None.
RECESS
At 9:29 a.m., Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION
19. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing litigation Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Vernon v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 25STCP04505
20. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 1
21. Conference with Labor Negotiators
Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representative: Brian Saeki, City Administrator Employee Organizations:
Teamsters Local 911,
IBEW Local 47,
Vernon Police Management Association, and
Vernon Police Officers’ Benefit Association
Unrepresented Employees:
Confidential, Temporary, Unclassified, Mid-Management, Management, and Executive classifications
RECONVENE
At 10:06 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting, Council Member Larios absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8
December 16, 2025
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa reported that the City Council met in Closed Session, received an update on Item No. 19 on which Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra recused due to a conflict of interest, discussed and received an update on Item Nos. 20 and 21 on the agenda, and took no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:06 a.m.
_____________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: B69D6999-A8EC-4FE4-BB43-231C6751B03B