City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
From: Freddie Agyin, Director of Health and Environmental Control Department: Health and Environmental Control
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
Appointment of Health Officer for the City of Vernon
Recommendation
A. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110 (B)(2), find that it is in the best interests of the City to award a three-year term service agreement for health officer services to Steven H. Florman, M.D., without a competitive selection process, based on his qualifications and in-depth familiarity with the City’s public health infrastructure and community; and B. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-001 appointing Steven H. Florman, M.D. as the Health Officer for the City of Vernon, approving and authorizing the execution of a services agreement for health officer services for a total not-to-exceed $90,000 over the three-year term, and repealing Resolution No. 2024-027.
Background
Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 101450, each city is required to take necessary measures to preserve and protect public health. Additionally, HSC Section 101460 mandates that every city must appoint a health officer unless it has a contractual agreement with the county for such services. Since the City of Vernon does not currently have a contract with the County of Los Angeles for health officer services, it is required to formally appoint a qualified health officer to comply with state law and maintain an effective local public health authority. For the past several years, the City has opted to contract for the position instead of hiring, as a contract is the most cost-effective approach to meet the City’s needs.
On November 19, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-027, appointing Steven H. Florman, M.D., as the City’s Health Officer and authorizing the execution of a one-year professional services agreement for health officer services. Dr. Florman brings extensive experience and expertise in clinical medicine, public health, and healthcare administration, with specialized skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, and disaster preparedness. Over the past thirtyfive years, Dr. Florman has established a longstanding record of service and trust within the Vernon community through the successful operation of his medical clinic. His leadership experience and thorough understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) enhance his ability to coordinate emergency response operations and implement effective public health programs. Continuing Dr. Florman’s appointment will enable the Health Department to fully exercise its delegated public health authority, ensuring the uninterrupted provision of health officer services. Maintaining continuity in this role is crucial for compliance with state mandates and for the City’s readiness to tackle ongoing and emerging public health challenges.
Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110(B)(2), the City Council has the authority to exempt certain agreements from competitive selection requirements if deemed beneficial for the City. Given Dr. Florman’s proven qualifications, long-standing community service, and in-depth familiarity with the City’s public health infrastructure, staff recommends that the City Council exercise this exemption to ensure the continuity, efficiency, and effectiveness of health officer services. Making use of the exemption is further supported, as based on previous outreach to professional organizations including the National Association of County and City Health Officials, a formal process is unlikely to garner interest as qualified professionals seek full-time employment for such roles.
The proposed services agreement with Dr. Florman has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $90,000. Sufficient funds are available in the General Fund, Health Department, Health Services Account No. 011-020-200-529230 for the current fiscal year and will be budgeted in subsequent years.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2026-001