MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 9:02 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
Crystal Larios, Council Member
Judith Merlo, Council Member (arrived at 9:03 a.m.)
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
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 unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
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January 20, 2026
PRESENTATIONS
1. Employee Service Pin Awards
Recommendation: Recognize December 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipients.
Human Resources Director Tan presented the staff report. City Council recognized the 2025 Employee Service Pin Award recipients: IT Technician, Dominick E. De Alba; Police Lieutenant, Gustavo S. Herrera; and Police Captain, Nicholas J.
Perez.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Zoning Code Amendments
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, because it has no potential to result in a direct or indirect physical change in the Environment. The Ordinance does not authorize any specific development or installation on any specific piece of property within the City’s boundaries. Moreover, when and if an application for installation is submitted, the City will at that time conduct preliminary review of the application in accordance with CEQA. Alternatively, even if the Ordinance is a “project” within the meaning of State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA on multiple grounds. First, the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because approval of the Ordinance will not result in the actual installation of any facilities in the City therefore it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3)). Alternatively, the Ordinance is categorically exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 (existing facilities), 15302 (replacement or reconstruction), 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures), and/or 15304 (minor alterations to land); B.
Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1309 Amending Zoning Code to Regulate Wireless Telecommunication Facilities; and C. Direct staff to schedule the adoption for the February 3, 2026, Regular City Council meeting.
Public Works Director Wall presented the staff report.
Mayor Lopez opened the public hearing at 9:08 a.m. There being no speakers, Mayor Lopez closed the public hearing at 9:08 a.m.
Mayor Lopez invited further Council discussion. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion.
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January 20, 2026
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Council Member Merlo seconded a motion to approve recommendations A, B, and C. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez, called for a motion.
MOTION
Council Member Rivera moved and Mayor Pro Tem seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
3. Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the December 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
4. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Receive and file the claims submitted by Annette Davis and Manuel Reyes.
5. Operating Account Warrant Register
Recommendation: Approve Operating Account Warrant Register No. 165, for the period of November 30, 2025 through December 20, 2025, totaling $11,546,350.12 and consisting of ratification of electronic payments totaling $11,039,383.67 and ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling $506,966.45.
6. Fire Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2025 Fire Department Activity Report.
7. Police Department Activity Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2025 Police Department Activity Report.
8. Public Works Department Monthly Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the November 2025 Building Report.
9. Los Angeles Opera Fee Waiver
Recommendation: A. Find that granting a fee waiver for the Los Angeles Opera (LA Opera) is an appropriate use of public funds because the LA Opera is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that provides significant cultural, educational, and community-based programming, and the funds will support activities that enrich the public and provide a substantial benefit to the community; and B. Waive annual Hazmat Permit and Public Health Permit fees for LA Opera, for an amount not-to-exceed $10,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and for subsequent years.
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January 20, 2026
10. Ratification of Contingency Funds for First Global Gear Services, LLC Recommendation: Ratify use of $4,511.95 in contingency funds for Purchase Order with First Global Gear Services, LLC to cover increased costs due to tariffs on the purchase of gearbox bearings for the Malburg Generating Station.
11. Report on Emergency Purchase Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation: Receive and file the report on the emergency sewer repairs performed by Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc. for a total amount of $525,658.35 as approved by the City Administrator pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code Section 3.32.250.
12. Report on Vehicle Purchase Approved by the City Administrator Recommendation: Receive and file report on City Administrator approved vehicle purchase of one 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel from Van Nuys Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a total amount of $81,222.68.
13. Purchase Contract with D&R Office Works, Inc.
Recommendation: A. Approve and authorize issuance of a purchase contract with D&R Office Works, Inc. for the purchase, delivery and installation of office furniture for the relocation of the Fire Department office for a total amount not-to-exceed $24,538.79; and B. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $2,453.88 for unforeseen price increases or substitutions due to inventory availability, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue Change Orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
NEW BUSINESS
14. 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.
Health and Environmental Control Director Agyin 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 Merlo seconded a motion to approve recommendations A and B. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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January 20, 2026
15. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Audited Financial Reports
Recommendation: A. Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Financial Statements; and B. Extend submission of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Statements and Report to the City Council to January 19, 2027.
Finance Director Hui presented the staff report and Frances Kuo with the PUN Group presented the accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Lopez invited public comments. There being none, Mayor Lopez called for a motion
MOTION
Council Member Larios moved and Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra seconded a motion to approve recommendations A and B. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
ORAL REPORTS
16. City Administrator Reports on Activities and Other Announcements City Administrator Saeki announced LA Metro had released its Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Los Angeles River Path Project and would receive public comments from the community during two public hearings scheduled for January 21, 2026, at Lincoln Heights Senior Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on January 27, 2026, at the Maywood Center for Enriched Studies from 6 – 8 p.m.
He also announced the California High-Speed Rail Authority Los Angeles to Anaheim section would have open houses and public hearings in Santa Fe Springs, Anaheim, and Commerce for reviewing and commenting on the Draft Environmental Report before the comment period deadline on February 3, 2026.
Thirdly, he announced the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program application period would be open through March 30, 2026, with $150,000 allocated for scholarship opportunities.
Lastly, he announced the nomination period for the seat on the City Council would end January 20 and anyone who was interested in running for office could schedule an appointment to obtain and submit filing materials from the City Clerk.
77. Council Reports on Activities (including AB 1234), Announcements, or Directives to Staff
None.
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January 20, 2026
RECESS
At 9:22 a.m., Mayor Lopez recessed the meeting to Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION
18. 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
19. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
Number of potential cases: 2
RECONVENE
At 10:03 a.m., Mayor Lopez adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the regular meeting.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Moussa-Milward reported that the City Council met in Closed Session, provided an update on Item 18. Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra and Council Member Larios recused from participating on this item due to a conflict of interest.
City Council received an update from legal counsel and provided direction to staff on two potential litigation matters on Item 19. Council Member Larios recused from participating on one of the items due to a potential conflict of interest. No reportable action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 10:04 a.m.
_____________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
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